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Discussion Guide on August 9, 2009 Message

(To be discussed on August 16)

MORNING MESSAGE

"Cooperation" - Exodus 18:17-23

 

Message Outline:

Big Idea:  Successful ministry is built on cooperation.

Baptist Faith and Message:  Cooperation--Christ's people should, as occasion requires, organize such associations and conventions as may best secure cooperation for the great objects of the Kingdom of God. Such organizations have no authority over one another or over the churches. They are voluntary and advisory bodies designed to elicit, combine, and direct the energies of our people in the most effective manner. Members of New Testament churches should cooperate with one another in carrying forward the missionary, educational, and benevolent ministries for the extension of Christ's Kingdom. Christian unity in the New Testament sense is spiritual harmony and voluntary cooperation for common ends by various groups of Christ's people. Cooperation is desirable between the various Christian denominations, when the end to be attained is itself justified, and when such cooperation involves no violation of conscience or compromise of loyalty to Christ and His Word as revealed in the New Testament.

Sermon Outline:

How can we best cooperate for the sake of the gospel?

  • I) Recognize the Need (17-18).
  • II) Share the Load (21-23).
  • III) Match the Gifts (25).

 

Leading the Session Helps/Discussion Questions

  • What is a summary of the BFM above? (We need to work together.) Who is the "we"?
  • What was the need contained in the Scripture passage? (to get disputes settled) What was the answer to how to best meet that need? (lighten the load and let others participate in the responsibility)
  • How does this situation parallel our church? (we have a variety of ministries that need to be carried out, we need to share the burden)
  • How could a person perceive their life in such a way that ministry is a natural part of who they are? (Everyone is a minister in their vocation. God has called people to be what they are: Preachers, Pastors, Nurses, Builders, Insurance Adjusters, etc.) Some who have more task oriented jobs may be thinking that they are not called to their vocation since it is more hands on. Combat that line of thinking by reading Exodus 36. Without the skilled workers, the tabernacle could not have been built ... and while they were building, the workers influenced each other with their work habits, character, and their verbal witness to God I'm sure.
  • What does that calling imply? (that you are a minister in your job place)
  • What are the needs that this world has? (List what members say for a while.) What can we do about them? Is the task too big? (We may not be able to fix all the world's problems, but we can make a difference in the lives of at least as many people as are in your Sunday school room today if each person would help someone else somewhere, somehow.) We can do a lot if everyone will do something.
  • If Craig had told us that we could visit everyone within 1 mile of our church (768 households) in 1 hour, would you have believed him? Yet, that is exactly what we could have done if every group had gone out on the first night. We can do a lot when we do something together.

 

Application

  • Examine what you are doing for the Kingdom: Do you have a Kingdome mindset when you think about your job? Do you have a responsibility or place of service through the ministries in His local church? If not, take steps to pray about your perception of your vocation and find a place of service within a ministry of this Church.