Encounter Outlines
Encounter Rules
Respect one another (person & property)
Respect the facilities (property & retreat center)
Shut off all cell phones & pagers
Do not leave the property
No diskmans, walkmans, boomboxes, music
Bring Bible, notebook, and pen to every session
When you are being taught, listen and don’t talk
Be on time for every meeting
Don’t allow friends, music, food, or anything distract you from getting all you can from God at this encounter.
Challenge: Be open, get into the action (don’t be a spectator – participate), expect God to change your life and deal with every area of your life.
Anticipations
God doing things in your life
Isaiah 61 – Heal the Brokenhearted
God will break strongholds
God will baptize you with the Holy Spirit
Introductions
Name
Age
How long have you been a Christian?
What are you expecting from this encounter?
Purposes
Encounter Yourself: This is a time to be honest enough to remove all masks, and to see who you really are. It’s a time to encounter your sin, your pain, and your junk.
Encounter God: Many times people’s idea of what God is like comes from the problems that they have with themselves and others. But God is not human. His ways and thoughts are very different than ours. He is a good and perfect God.
Encounter Others: This is where you open up to the people around you.
Encounter Topic:
Opportunity Knocks
I. Luke 19:1-3 Zacchaeus went to where Jesus was, but his limitations kept him from seeing Jesus.
II. Luke 19:4 Zacchaeus realized that he needed to see Jesus if he hoped to be different, so he made the extra effort to climb a tree.
III. Luke 19:5 Jesus saw his effort and stopped.
IV. Luke 19:6 Zacchaeus welcomed Jesus gladly, and salvation came to him.
Story: There was once a young man who was cruising along very happily on a highway, when his car broke down. Even though he was a mechanic, he couldn’t fix it. Then a man with gray hair came up and asked him if he had a problem. The young man said: “I’m a mechanic and I can’t fix this car, what can you possibly do?” Then the old man got under the car and fixed it so that it started up and ran perfectly. The young man said; “Who are you?” With a smile the old man said: “I am Henry Ford, and I invented this car.”
Point: You know yourself, but God knows you even better. God is tired of seeing you all messed up and broken. He is tired of seeing the mess you are making at trying to fix yourself. Do you desire to be fixed? Let The Expert fix you.
Encounter Topic:
The Bible
Story: There was once a woman whose father read the Bible, and just before he died, he left his Bible to her saying, when you are going through difficult times, open it and it will help you. When the father died, the woman never read the Bible, and she ran out of money and died from starvation. Later on those who were in charge of her things opened the Bible and found 2 million dollars in it for her.
The Bible is a handbook written by God for human life.
A. The Bible is your instruction book for the proper functioning of your life, just like electrical appliances need handbooks. The Bible shows us how to have happiness, and what to stay away from in order to avoid destruction. Read it to avoid, and to fix problems.
The Bible is a love letter to you from God.
A. God speaks to you, and every verse in the Bible is for you.
The Bible is alive, sharp, and useful for many purposes. Hebrews 4:12. II Timothy 3:16-17.
A. The Bible is alive, and is sharp enough to cut through all the lies and masks in your life to penetrate the very core of your being.
a. Man doesn’t like to have his errors pointed out. God uses the Bible like a mirror to show man what is in his heart.
b. The Bible renews your mind so that your life can be transformed. When we listen to the Word, our situations and attitudes can change. John 3:10
c. The Word teaches us how to establish norms for our lives. It helps us to make choices, it gives us guidelines and boundaries, and the Word speaks to our needs.
Have you let yourself be guided by the Word? Or do you base everything in your life on friends and feelings? Be in the Word daily, you can’t live without it. God’s Word must be in the center of our lives, because it will help us to live. Don’t just be guided by feelings or what seems right in your own eyes. Let God’s Word guide you. Read it, study it, analize it, and do it.
Encounter Topic:
Jesus Our Hero
I. Three Characteristics Of a Human Hero:
A. Often Bigger than Life
B. Often Powerful or Famous
C. They take from you rather than do anything for you
D. They can’t help you to be like them
II. Description of a Real Hero:
A. Jesus was bigger than life and willing to be of no reputation.
Philippians 2:5, 6-11
B. Jesus was powerful and famous.
Heb. 13:8
C. A real hero gives of himself sacrificially.
Romans 5:8. Isaiah 53. John 3:16
Encounter Topic:
See Yourself As God Sees You
God created man and saw that he was good.
A. Man was created in the image of God (Genesis 1:27-31)
II. Things that destroy our self-image
Evolution
Romans 1:21, 23
Comparison
C. Bad experiences
a. Babies can feel rejection from the womb because their brain and feelings are formed from the third week.
b. Peoples’ words and attitudes about what’s beautiful and what’s not can contribute to self-rejection.
III. Made Unique by God – A Proper Self Image
Psalms 139: 13, 15-17
Psalms 139:14
C. God made us unique and different, but still good.
Encounter Topic:
How to Heal Broken Relationships
I. God created man to be in relationship
IE: Genesis 2:15-22 I John 4:16b-18a
II. Satan Works to Destroy Relationships
Satan uses people’s actions to create hurts that strain (break down) relationships. IE: Genesis 3:1-13, 23 Satan successfully put separation between God and man.
Show how….
These:
Misperceptions
Unfaithfulness – Rejection
Pride - Egotism
Hurtful/Abusive situations
Manipulation
Lead to these:
Unforgiveness
Disappointment, Wounds
Accusation – Blame
Anger – Resentment – Bitterness – Hatred
Bottling Up – Lack of Communication
Fear – Mistrust
Jealousy, Envy, Gossip, Slander
III. Should I forgive the person who hurt me?
1. It’s a command – we can’t love God and hate people (I John 4:19-21).
2. It’s what God would do (Luke 6:27-36).
3. God won’t forgive you if you don’t forgive others (Matthew 18: 21-35).
IV. How Do I Do It?
Genesis 3:21 Jesus set the example for us when He died to restore and heal the broken relationship between God and us. He chose to forgive and love.
Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your mind the people who have hurt you (think of strained relationships).
Recognize that I have things against people (offenses), and that I am sinning by holding on to these wrong attitudes.
Forgive those who hurt you from your heart, and decide to forget the offenses (decide not to hold it against them). Encounter Topic:
Media That Will Destroy Your Mind (TV, Music, Movies)
The Purpose of Media
TV, movies, music, books, etc. are all media that stimulate and manipulate.
They stimulate your emotions and senses, and they manipulate your mind to get control over your actions.
How does media stimulate and manipulate us?
a. Messages:
Some media messages are direct, and others are subliminal, but everything preaches. What are some of the messages that are imparted? The occult, witchcraft, violence, sex, sin, and godlessness. These messages will later reflect in your attitudes and actions.
b. Spirit:
Media is a medium (channel), and spirit transmits spirit. Our eyes and ears are windows to our souls (mind, will, emotions – all have to do with the choices we make).
II. The Importance of Choosing Media that Brings Life
Our life is like a garden. This weekend God has broken up a lot of hard ground, pulled some weeds, and moved stones so that your garden is clean and ready for new planting. What will you plant? Will you clog up your life with the same old junk that got you here?
III. How Can I Make Wise Choices For My Media?
A. I Corinthians 6:12: Nothing is prohibited, but the boundary is that not all things are good (beneficial). We don’t want to be dominated by anything. The Bible says to evaluate/examine everything, keeping the good, and getting rid of the bad. I Jn. 2:15
No secular music. 2 Corinthians 6:15b-7:1 What does a believer have in common with an unbeliever? The same music?
C. Ask questions. Ask the Holy Spirit if we should watch or listen to it, and if we really want to know the answer, He will convict us.
Encounter Topic:
The Prodigal Son
Text: Luke 15:11-24
A Wasted Life (the mess the prodigal was in)
a. Chose to walk
He had taken his life into his own hands and had freely chosen to walk away from his father and his ways. When you choose your own path you distance yourself from God.
b. Ended up in a bad situation
Sin was pleasurable for a while, but the fun ran out, and left him starving, destitute, and deserted by everyone.
II. The prodigal came to his senses (saw he left something good)
First see a problem before you can fix it.
He had to see that he wasn’t doing well on his own. He had to admit that he didn’t know what was best for him. Proverbs 14:12: “There is a way that seems right to a man, but in the end it leads to death.” Rom. 6:23
B. A life lived with God is the best way
The prodigal realized that he had left something good. Even the lowest in his father’s house were better off than he was. Luke 13:5: “Unless you repent, you will perish.” Repentance: to turn around, to make steps to come back.
III. The prodigal was broken
“I’m not worthy to be your son…”
Psalms 51:17: “A broken and contrite heart, O God, you will not despise.”
The Father’s response
A. The Father saw him coming – and ran to him…
The Father didn’t disown his son, but was looking to heal and restore him. A totally holy God closed the distance and embraced a distant, dirty son.
The Father gave restoring gifts
Robe: clean garments that set him apart from his old life (holiness – didn’t smell like pigs anymore). Ring: covenant. Sandals: only sons wore shoes, all the servants went barefoot – a new walk (way of life). Calf: a special occasion
Conclusion
When you humbly repent, He will accept you, and remember your sins no more. When you desire to go your own way again, you need to remember where your way got you, and remember who knows what is best. God is trustworthy, and can lead you on paths that lead to happiness and life. This is how you really make peace with the Father, when you come back under His care, in submission to His ways, and all that He wants you to do.
Encounter Topic:
The Way of Death
I. What Is Sin?
A. Sin: derived from an ancient archery term and means to miss the mark. “We are sinners not only because of what we do, but because of what we fail to do (James 4:17). Sin not only causes us to break God’s laws, it also keeps us from measuring up to God’s standards (perfection; ten commandments). Sin is coming short of what God intended. In all sin we act against God, ourselves, and others.
II. All Have Sinned
a. Rom. 3:23: “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
b. Rom. 3:10: “There is no one righteous, not even one.”
c. Ecclesiastes 7:20: “There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins.”
d. Isaiah 64:6: “All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our
righteous acts are like filthy rags”
III. How Have We Sinned?
A. Thoughts and intentions
James 1:15 Mark 7:20-23
B. Attitudes and actions:
Romans 1:21 Luke 6:46 John 14:15 Mark 12:30-31 Gal. 5:19-21
C. Words:
James 3:2 Ephesians 4:29 Ephesians 5:4
IV. Consequences of Sin:
A. Death - Romans 6:23
B. Guilt - Ezekiel 33:10
C. Separation from God - Isaiah 59: 2, 12 (Garden of Eden)
D. Eternal condemnation, judgment, and wrath - Rev. 21:8 Colossians 3:5-6 Rom. 1:18
E. Physical illnesses, bad relationships, and curses
F. Darkened understanding - Ephesians 4:17-19
V. Our Way Out:
A. Jesus is the Way
Hebrews 9:22 Hebrews 9: 12-14 Hebrews 9:16-18 Isaiah 53:6
B. Recognize that you’ve sinned, don’t hide it or justify it.
Desire to change (feel pain and sorrow for offending God).
Humble yourself and confess your sins (I John 1:9).
E. Accept His blood.
Encounter Topic:
How To Be Free
I. Jesus Our Deliverer
A. Jesus came to destroy the devil’s work. Jesus came to loose His people from the things that pressure, dominate and bind them (Luke 13:16).
B. John 2:13 Jesus went into the temple that belonged to His Father and cleaned it out with passion. I Corinthians 6:18-19: We are the temples of the Holy Spirit. Jesus wants to do the same thing to our “temples.”
II. The Enemies Of God’s People
A long time ago, God lived in heaven with all of the angels He had created. One of them, Lucifer, in pride wanted to be as powerful as God, and so he rebelled. God then kicked Lucifer and one third of the angels who were also rebellious out of heaven to earth. These fallen, rebellious angels are called demons. Revelations 12:17 20:7-10 Ephesians 6:12 Demons are spirits with a mind and emotions who war against God and His people.
Lucifer: Prince of darkness wants to steal, kill, and destroy your life (John 10:10). He works to separate you from God. He is the father of lies who specializes in deception, and the accuser of the brethren.
1. Not omniscient: can’t read our thoughts.
2. Not omnipotent: his power is limited.
3. Not omnipresent: can’t be everywhere at once.
4. He cannot take the soul of a person.
5. If we submit to God, Satan can be resisted, and then he will leave.
III. What Does It Mean To Have Demons?
“Too often people refer to people with demons as being demon possessed. In actuality they are “demonized.” In other words, they have a demon. They are not owned by that demon, but the demon has strong ground in their lives and can take over at times. People that are “demon possessed” have no control over their life and are most commonly seen in mental wards and mental hospitals. The average person sees demonic manifestations all the time but don’t consider them demons. For instance, when someone is in an uncontrollable rage, the demon of rage is manifesting. A demonic manifestation does not mean the person loses total consciousness but that they give themselves over to demonic influence and operation. Demons usually only take over and talk when the anointing drives them up to defend their home.”
IV. How Does a Person Get Demons:
A. Sin (willful and continual disobedience to God): John 8:34-36; Romans 8:5-8 Sin gives the enemy the right to dominate an area of your life, because you embrace the devil’s medium for bondage.
B. Traumas in the childhood: (a child is defenseless Ps. 109:3-5) Spirits enter through emotional traumas and wounds (any kind of abuse or neglect).
C. Generational Curses: Ex. 20:5 You receive them because your parents sinned. Look at things that are repeated in a pattern in your family (divorce, abortions, sicknesses, fears, suicides, violence, depression, etc.).
D. Self-Imposed Curses: James 3 (power of the tongue, can be for blessing or for cursing).
E. Occult: Acts 19:18 Occult practice, objects, and literature.
V. How Can We Be Free?
A. DON’T BE AFRAID! When demons manifest, they “will often talk, lie, bite, scratch, cuss, and anything else they can do to intimidate those trying to help. God’s power is unlimited, and all demonic spirits will submit to Jesus. “Greater is He who is in us than he who is in the world.”
B. RECOGNIZE the specific root of the bondage (which sin, wounds, generational or self-imposed curses).
C. RENOUNCE the sin, confessing it, and giving it to Jesus. Ps. 117:10-12. What about the dark areas of your life (Satan governs the darkness and unconfessed sin is an area of darkness)? We must be transparent to experience God’s deliverance.
D. CRY OUT TO GOD with a repentant heart and believe that God’s Spirit will come to your temple and you will experience His deliverance (118:10-20). James 4:7 “Submit to God, resist the devil, and he will flee.”
Encounter Topic:
Honoring Your Body
Text: I Corinthians 6: 15-20
We are God’s temples, so how can we honor God with our bodies and reflect that we are King’s kids? How are we going to represent the Father? Does the way we use or treat our body draw people to God or push them away from Him?
Way we dress: Needs to reflect that we are King’s kids. We should be the best dressed. We need to dress modestly so that we don’t stimulate each other to sin. No cross-dressing (Deut. 22:5).
Good nutrition and exercise: to keep our temples healthy, able to function, less likely to be sick, and looking good. Get plenty of restorative rest. No eating disorders that hurt your body.
Bad breath or body odor: use deodorant, perfume, bathe regularly, and brush those teeth.
Substance abuse: alcohol, drugs, cigarettes, and tobacco are substances that pollute our bodies.
Words: Honor God in the way we talk about ourselves. We are like snowflakes – all unique and beautiful. Remember that when you diss or criticize yourself, you are complaining and criticizing God’s handiwork, and God doesn’t make junk.
Encounter Topic:
The Vision
I. Why did Jesus come?
Luke 19:10 To seek and save the lost
1 John 3: 8b To destroy the devil’s work
John 10:10 To give life more abundantly
This is awesome, but…
II. How can others be saved if they don’t know? How can they hear the good news?
Romans 10:13-15 We have to tell them
Mark 16:15-20
Go preach to everyone (individually, cells, celebration services, special events)
Whoever believes will be saved, whoever doesn’t will be condemned
Whoever goes, preaches, and believes, will be accompanied by signs
The disciples did it and it happened.
2 Corinthians 5:14-21
Christ’s love compels us
Jesus died for us so we will live for Him and do His work
God has committed His message to us
We are ambassadors whom God pleads through
III. The time is now! God needs you!
Matthew 9:37: “The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into His harvest field…”
Encounter Topic:
Family Hurts
I. What a Family Should Be
A. The family is the smallest and most important unit of society. It affects who its people are, and what its people become. God instituted the family to give unconditional love, protection, safety, and care. You are supposed to be accepted, heard, be able to trust, and support each other.
II. What Happened?
A. Many family experiences cause hurts.
Genesis 37:2-28 (tattle-tails, favoritism, hatred, rejection, unkind words, jealousy, not being understood or able to share what’s important to you, being rebuked, and parents not understanding what God is doing in your life)
B. Hurts must be dealt with because they affect your life.
Genesis 43:30 Time can’t take away the pain of unresolved issues, only God can. Hurts must be dealt with. How we view our parents is ultimately how we’ll view God. How we relate to our family members will affect how we will act and react in other relationships.
C. How to deal with hurts:
Genesis 45:1-15
You must forgive those who hurt you, and decide not to hold their offense against them. Ask God to help you forgive. Matthew 6:14
Repent of any part of family conflicts that you were a part of.
Ask God to heal your heart.
Ask God to restore the broken relationships.
Encounter Topic:
Courtship
Why Dating Causes Conflicts:
Wrong motive: getting vs. giving (not real love)
Wrong goal: immediate pleasure vs. longer term commitment
Wrong idea: free license vs. self-control
Wrong results: hurts vs. edification
So How Are We Supposed to Find a Mate? (Genesis 24)
A. Genesis 24: 2,3: Don’t fall in love with unsaved people, or people of lesser faith. “Do not be unequally yoked…” 2 Corinthians 6: 14-17 NO MISSIONARY DATING!
B. Genesis 24:4: Look for the right one among the town of God (church).
C. Genesis 24: 7: Trust that God will direct you in your search for the right one, and trust that God will bring you two together in His timing.
D. Genesis 24:11-14: Ask God to confirm and point out the right one. It’s not a sin to like somebody – just ask God if this is the one for you and obey His will. Don’t look for what you want. Instead, look for the will of God. God’s will: Exactly what you would have chosen if you knew all the facts.
E. Genesis 24:16: “She was very beautiful…” God knows what is best for us, and the Bible says that every good and PERFECT gift comes from our Heavenly Father. This is an issue of trust. God pleads His case with us saying: You wicked people know how to give good gifts to your children when they ask you, HOW MUCH MORE will I give good gifts to those that ask.
F. Genesis 24:62-66: Seek God first and He’ll BRING the one you will truly love.
The Requirements of Courtship:
1. A life purpose bigger than marriage
2. A “one-man, one-woman” commitment
3. A restraint of affection (I Corinthians 7:1)
4. A loyalty to parents
5. An ability to deal with infatuations:
A. God, thank you for desires.”
B. “God, you know my needs.”
C. “God, I’ll wait for your timing.”
Don’t let yourself be impressed in your feelings by the way a person looks, their abilities, personality, or their consecration to God. Instead, let God guide your feelings.
6. A readiness for marriage responsibilities (Before you can say ‘I love you’ to someone, you need to know who you are, what love really is – I Corinthians 13:4-7, and then you can find out about the other person). You must be mature, and spiritually, financially, and emotionally ready to handle marriage.
The Rewards of Courtship:
1. Gives new freedom in friendships Have many friends so we can have a wide base to choose from.
2. Avoids envy, jealousy, defrauding, and bitterness
3. Allows dedication to please the Lord (I Corinthians 7:32-34 – why dating has no place in Scripture)
4. Promotes self-control and moral purity
5. Provides for objective evaluation (have God’s standards for a godly husband/wife and then trust God to bring you one that pleases Him and you).
7. Bases marriage on God’s will
8. Honors authorities in your life (be submitted to pastors and parents’ guidance & authority).
Encounter Topic:
Godly Sexuality: The Importance of Sex
I. Sex Is a Good Creation of God
A. God created sex within the context of marriage. Genesis 1:27-28a
B. It was good – not shameful or gross. Genesis 1:31; 2:25 Proverbs 5:18-19
II. Outside of Marriage Sex Is a Sin
A. Fornication (sex before marriage), Adultery, Orgies, and Homosexuality are all sins that God will judge. Hebrews 13:4; I Corinthians 6:9-11; Revelations 21:8
III. Consequences of Sex Before Marriage
A. Soul ties I Corinthians 15-20 “Making love” has less to do with love than it has to do with unity. Matthew 19:4-6
B. Pregnancy, Physical diseases, Abortions (murder)
C. Sinning against your own body I Corinthians 6:18-20
D. The wrath and judgment of God
IV. God wants total Virginity
A. Sins of Sexual Nature (even if you haven’t actually had sex)
a) Lust (sexual fantasies, pornography, or masturbation). Matthew 5:27-28 Proverbs 6:25 I John 2:16 Ezekiel 20:30
B. God Wants Total Purity (mental, emotional, physical, spiritual) I Peter 4:2-5
I Thessalonians 4:3-8 Philippians 4:8
V. What now?
A. Repent for all that you’ve done (stealing virginity, actual sex, lust, or mental impurity).
B. Receive forgiveness, be free, and be healed (old becomes new, break the soul ties)
C. Walk in purity -go and sin no more. Ephesians 4:17-19
D. If married: I Corinthians 7:2-5
E. Avoid temptation. I Corinthians 5:9
a) Guard your eyes, emotions, heart, and ears. Don’t get into sexual conversations because they stimulate and contaminate you.
b) The first look is an accident, the second look is a sin.
c) Guard your heart, because problems of the heart like not getting enough love at home, unhappiness, low self-esteem, or loneliness make you try to fill an inner need with sexual behavior. Mark 7:21
F. Get into God. Fall passionately in love with God and let Him heal your hurts, and fill your needs. Be made whole in God so that you won’t be dependant on a person to meet your needs.
Encounter Topic:
The Holy Spirit
I. A Gift was promised…
A. Jesus promised the Holy Spirit to everyone, they all received Him, and they witnessed with power and great results: Luke 24:45-53 Acts 1:1-5, 8-14 Acts 2:1-6, 12-18, 36-41
Key: talk about the change in Peter’s life
II. What difference does the Holy Spirit make in my life? (briefly mention these)
A. Companionship: Jesus didn’t leave us as orphans (John 14:18) …
a) Comforter: 2 Corinthians 1:4
b) Counselor: John 16:7
c) Guide: Romans 8:14
c) Truth: John 16:13
d) Someone to be with us forever: John 14:16
B. Communication: The Holy Spirit communicates to and through us…
a) Speaks to us: John 16:13
b) Tells us what is to come: John 16:13
c) Gives words to refute arguments: Acts 6:10
d) Speaks through us to God: I Corinthians 14:2
e) Speaks through us to pray: Romans 8:26 Ephesians 6:18
f) Speaks through us to witness to others: Acts 2:14
C. Change: The Holy Spirit doesn’t leave us the same…
a) Develops character in us: Galatians 5:16, 22-23
b) Brings freedom: 2 Corinthians 3:17-18
c) Brings love: Romans 5:5
D. Courage: And you will receive power… (Acts 1:8)
a) Gives boldness in place of fear: Ephesians 3:16
E. Called: The Holy Spirit helps us fulfill God’s purposes…
a) Helps us to serve others: Luke 4:18-19
b) Motivational Gifts: Romans 12
c) Ministry Gifts: I Corinthians 12:4-11
III. How can I have this gift?
A. If you want it, ask for it: Luke 11:10-13
B. Believe that God will give it to you
C. Receive John 20:22
D. Keep Being Filled (Continuous Tense Eph. 5:18) Peter Was Filled Repeatedly with the Spirit (Acts 2:4; 4:8; 4:31) Maybe he leaked!
Encounter Topic:
What Jesus Would Do
Objective: To desire to live a new life, and to learn how to do it.
Text: Hebrews 5:7-9
I. Jesus is our Example
A. Jesus understood us, and showed what to do (Hebrews 4:15, John 14:6).
II. How did He succeed?
A. Jesus had a correct relationship with the Father
a) Jesus’ devotional life showed dependence upon God, which is the secret to living in God’s strength. John 15:5
b) Prayed (often withdrew to pray, the garden of Gethsemane)
c) Read God’s Word (was found discussing scriptures in the temple as a boy, read the scriptures in the synagogues, quoted scripture against satan) Matthew 4:4
d) Obeyed God’s Word and God’s will. John 14:15; Matthew 26:39
B. Jesus had a correct relationship with Himself
a) Jesus wasn’t down on Himself. Jesus knew that He was the masterpiece of a perfect God, and that He was a King’s kid, so He walked with authority, and with confidence in His God because He was somebody if God thought so.
b) Being true to yourself means you don’t hang on to the sin and old ways that ultimately hurt you. Jesus allowed God’s word to become part of His life, to renew His mind, to guard his steps, and to transform old patterns.
c) Jesus walked in God’s purpose for His life, doing what He was created to do.
C. Jesus had a correct relationship with others
a) Because Jesus loved God, and loved Himself, He could love others
1) We get the love to love others from God because God is love.
2) God commands us to love his other creations Matthew 22:37-40
3) Love your neighbor as you love yourself (you can’t love others if you don’t love yourself)
b) Love treats people right. I Corinthians 13:4-7 Romans 13: 8-10 Matthew 5:43-48 Jesus served, helped, healed, fed, washed feet, had compassion, forgave, respected authority, obeyed parents, was humble, etc. Our purpose is to follow Jesus’ example and show people who God is by how we act towards them.
D. All three relationships build upon each other, so that if one is weak or out of balance the others will be as well.
Encounter Topic:
Social Life
As a Christian, you should have relationships with people who don’t know Christ. How else can you be a witness for Him? The problem comes when you let those friendships pull you away from the truth. This is why the Bible warns you to choose your friends wisely:
Proverbs 12:26: “A righteous man is cautious in friendship...”
CHALLENGE #1: Win your unsaved friends to Christ
It’s easier to be a Christian when all your friends get saved.
Let Your Light Shine!
Matthew 5: 14-16: “You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on a stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.”
Light convicts people.
John 3:19-20: “Light has come into the world, but men loved darkness instead of light because their deeds were evil. Everyone who does evil hates the light, and will not come into the light for fear that his deeds will be exposed. But whoever lives by the truth comes into the light.” Some will get saved, but…
Some may hate you and even ditch you.
Matthew 10:22: “All men will hate you because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be saved.” If your friends ditch you, realize that they’re really rejecting Christ, not you. Stand firm, and God will bring better friends.
CHALLENGE #2: Win them or lose them
If your friends don’t want to come your way towards God or salvation, then you must let them go because they will pull you away from God.
Your character will become corrupted:
1 Corinthians 15:33: “Do not be mislead: “Bad company corrupts good character.” People will entice you back into sin.
You will fall away from God:
IE: Numbers 25:1-3: “While Israel was staying in Shittim, the men began to indulge in sexual immorality with Moabite women, who invited them to the sacrifices to their gods. The people ate and bowed down before these gods. So Israel joined in worshiping the Baal of Peor.”
IE: I Kings 11:4: “As Solomon grew old, his wives turned his heart after other gods, and his heart was not fully devoted to the Lord his God, as the heart of David his father had been.”
Be Radical with what draws you from God:
Deuteronomy 13:6: “If your very own brother, or your son or daughter, or the wife you love, or your closest friend secretly entices you, saying, “Let us go and worship other gods…the gods of the peoples around you…do not yield to him or listen to him. Show him no pity. Do not spare him or shield him. You must certainly put him to death. Your hand must be first in putting him to death…” This doesn’t mean go out and kill your friends, but it does mean that you need to kill, or cut off, your relationship with them in a kind, yet firm, way.
CHALLENGE #3: Get new friends that edify
God doesn’t want us to be lonely and friendless. Instead, He wants us to have the best kind of friends that cause us to grow in every way.
These are the kind of friends that you want:
Hebrews 10:24-25: “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds. Let us not give up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but let us encourage one another – and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: “Two are better than one, because they have a good return for their work: If one falls down, his friend can help him up. But pity the man who falls and has no one to help him up! Also, if two lie down together, they will keep warm. But how can one keep warm alone? Though one may be overpowered, two can defend themselves. A cord of three strands is not quickly broken.”
It’s easier to stand when you have people to stand with.
Daniel 1:6-20; 3:16-18 (don’t read these, just briefly summarize the point) These three friends stood together for God and refused to give into the negative peer pressure around them. |
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