by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #18 – Useful

DIALOGUE # 18 – USEFUL
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: challenge people to make the Bible their guide for life, and to study it daily.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• What is the most un-useful gift you have ever received?
• What are the characteristics of a useful gift?
• What is for you the most useful thing in your house today?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 119.89-91
• Thy word is a lamp to my feet
• Sanctuary
• Take time to praise God giving thanks for leading you in times of difficulties, challenges and temptations. Share your praise with the people in your group. Show God is ALIVE and working.
• Pray together

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read 2 Timothy 3.14-17
• What is Paul challenging young Timothy to do? v14
• How can we teach children-youth to really know the Bible? v15
• According to Paul what is the origin and purpose of the Bible? v16
• What are some of the practical things the Bible can do for us? or, what kind of benefit do we get from reading it? v15-17
• What does it mean that the Bible is God-breathed? v16
• Why is knowing the Bible so crucially important as Christians? v16
• How much time are you devoting to reading, studying and memorizing the Scriptures? Why?
• How would your life change if you were to read, study, memorize the Bible everyday?
• How would you summarize today’s study in one sentence?
• What is God telling you tonight to do?
• What changes do you need to make to your daily schedule in order to take full advantage of God’s Word?
• To do: Read together, repeat it out loud, challenge to memorize 2 Timothy 3.16

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• As the main leader of the group, share the vision of multiplication with passion.
• Challenge the group to read the gospel of John during this week. Ask each one to read 3 chapters a day. Ask for commitments. If someone doesn’t have a Bible, get one from church and give it as a gift. Give them also a guide to read the whole Bible in a year so they can mark this week reading and continue from there on.
• Take time to pray for people needs, you can ask: How can we pray for you tonight?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Keep asking group members to invite their friends to the meetings and group activities.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #19 – Rescued

DIALOGUE # 19 – RESCUED
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com. Revised by William Earnhardt

Objective of today’s dialogue: invite people to accept Jesus as their personal Savior and to live for Him!

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• Have you ever participated in recuing someone?
• Were you ever rescued from a situation where your life was in danger?
• How does it feel to be rescued?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 40:1-3
• Mighty to save
• You are worthy
• This is the time to give thanks. Praise God for those time that He rescued you. Share your motive of thankfulness with the group
• Pray in groups of three

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read John 3:13-16
• Why did Moses have to make the bronze serpent?
• Why did Jesus have to die? v15
• Do you truly believe that without Jesus we are lost? Why are we lost? v16
• What does this rescue mission teach you about God? v16
• If salvation is only found through Jesus, where does that leave all other religions? v17 Read Acts 4:12; 1 Timothy 2:5
• Why is God so interested in giving us Jesus? Why is this gift so especial? v16
• What happens to all those who decide not to believe in Jesus? v16 Why?
• Do you believe in Jesus and accept Him as Savior and Rescuer of your life? Do you choose to believe?
• What have you heard God telling you tonight?
• What changes do you need to make in order to apply –live today’s message?

• To do: Read at least three times out loud, and commit to memorize John 3:16

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Mention the names of people in your circle of influence who need to truly believe in Jesus?
• What can we do as a group to bring them closer to the great Rescuer?
• Ask: Why are we here tonight? What is our vision as a group? How does our vision relates to John 3:16?
• Ask: How can we pray as a group for your needs and challenges?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Go around during refreshment time and get to know people more in depth.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #20 – Ambassadors

DIALOGUE # 20 – AMBASSADORS
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: As the leader, help the group discussion concentrate and emphasize the idea that God has chosen us as His ambassadors, that this is a lifestyle to be lived at school, work, with friends, in parties, etc; and our mission is to call people the be reconciled with God.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• If you were to be chosen to be an ambassador for a country, where would you like to be sent and why?
• What do you think is the main job of an ambassador?
• Have you ever represented someone? Share with the group how it felt.

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 89:1-2
• Your love is deep
• Amazing Grace
• Take some time to give thanks to God and today concentrate on giving thanks for those who brought to you God’s message of Salvation. Mention who were the key messengers who helped you believe and know God.
• Pray in groups.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-20
• What does it really means to be a new creation? v17
• What are some of the old things that are gone from your life? V17
• What is the meaning of being “in Christ”? v17 How can we do it today?
• Why do you think God has chosen teenagers, young adults and adults as His ambassadors? V19-20
• How can you be a full time ambassador of Christ in school, work, with friends, in parties?
• What is this ministry of reconciliation that we have received? V18-20
• How should we invite and call friends to be reconciled with God? V20
• How are you going to be an ambassador from now on?
• How would you summarize today´s message in one phrase?
• Ask group members: What have you heard God telling you to do?

• To do: Read out loud as a group, and commit to memorize 2 Corinthians 5:20

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• What could we do as a group to become better ambassadors of Christ?
• Share the names of friends who need to be reconciled with God?
• Pray for each of the names mentioned and make plans to invite them to your group.
• The vision of our groups is to share as ambassadors the beauty and love of Jesus with others. Challenge group members to join this vision!

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Get to know visitors, stay close to them, find out what they do, their passions and challenges.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #21 – Identity

DIALOGUE # 21 – IDENTITY
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Invite the group to embrace our true identity. Also help the group discussion concentrate and emphasize the idea that we are God’s creatures by simply being born, but in order to become His children there is a choice each one needs to make. Talk also about the advantages of becoming a son/daughter of God.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• Ask everyone present to hug four people and to tell them why you are glad they are at the group meeting tonight.
• If you were ever confused with someone else, how did it make you feel?
• If you could be someone else for a day who would you be and why?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 139:13-17
• Holy is the Lord
• Who am I
• Take time to give thanks to God for the family in which you grew up. Mention some qualities of your family for which you are thankful to God.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read 1 John 3:1-3 and John 1:12-13
• What is your first reaction in knowing you are loved by God? 1 John 3:1
• What is the difference between being a creature of God and being children of God? John 1:12-13
• What do we need to do in order to become children of God? John 1:12
• What are the advantages and disadvantages of CHOOSING to be a son/daughter of God? 1 John 3:1
• Why do you think we need to choose to become God’s children? 1 John 3.1
• The world tries to define who people are by their race, color, education, passions, for what they wear, or who they listen to, but who should define our true identity and why?
• Since it’s hard for the world to know and understand our identity, what role do our actions play in letting the world know who we are? 1 John 3:1
• What changes should it bring to my life knowing my true identity and purpose in life? 1 John 3:3
• How can we “believe him” and “receive him” tonight? John 1:13
• Are you a son/daughter of God? Would you like to become one?
• Ask people to respond and share: What do you think is God telling you tonight?

• To do: Read out loud as a group, and memorize 1 John 3:1

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Plan an activity as a group in which you can invite friends who don’t know they need to chose to be children of God.
• Ask how can we pray for you?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Ask people about their friends who don’t know Christ, challenge them to bring them to the group meetings.

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #22 – Storm

DIALOGUE # 22 – STORM
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Challenge people to experience the peace that God wants to give us in the midst of the storms of life and to share that calmness and hope with others.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• What are some of the most usual difficulties that your student friends (or people in general) face in our days?
• How do they handle the stress from those situations?
• How do you usually handle stress or very difficult situations? Do you panic, look for distractions, procrastinate?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 46.1-3
• Shout to the Lord
• How great is thou art
• Take time to give thanks to God for the deliverance that he brought to you when you went through some hard times, storms of life. Briefly share it with the group.
• Pray together giving thanks

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Mark 4:35-41
• Why do you think Christians have to go through storms? V37
• Where is Jesus when we suffer in the midst of life’s storms? Why?V38
• How could Jesus sleep when His loved friends were scared to death and suffering? V38
• How do you feel and how do you react when Jesus seems to be sleeping while you are finding no way out of the storm?
• Since Jesus has the power to even control storms, what practical steps should we take when we find ourselves in one of them?
• Why is faith so important in facing the storms of our lives? V40
• How has God helped you cope with your storms or difficulties in life? Allow people to share 3 short testimonies.
• How can each one of us grow this week in our faith in Jesus? Give real ideas! Romans 10:17
• What do you think God is trying to tell you tonight?

• To do: Please read out loud as a group, and challenge members to memorize Psalms 46:1-3

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Ask each person in the group to write down the names of friends who are going through some heavy storms.
• Ask each one to think and plan how they could share today’s message with them.
• When praying in groups of two, pray specifically for those names.
• Once again ask, each person if they need to be prayed for?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Keep moving around, being friendly, getting to know people, loving them as Christ has loved you!

Additional Resources: Desire of Ages, 333-341 Chapter 35 – “Peace, Be Still”

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #23 – Prayer

DIALOGUE # 23 – PRAYER
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Remind people that God really and eagerly wants to communicate with us. This means that while we talk, He listens carefully, and also that He definitely talks while we listen reverently.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• How do you react when someone asks you relentlessly for something?
• Who is the friend with whom you could talk for hours?
• Why is it so special to talk to him/her?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 40.1-3
• You are my King
• Ask the group if God has answered any of their prayers. Ask people to briefly give thanks to God for the answers to their prayers.
• Pray in groups of three.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Luke 11:1-13
• What is prayer anyway and how does it compares with “repeating” things from memory? Explain description of prayer as talking to a friend.
• Why do you think we need to pray?
• In Jesus’ model prayer He offers two main sections, the first about God (v2) and the second about us (v3). Why do we need to pray for those two subjects?
• Why should we pray when we are in trouble, when things go well, when there is no answer?
• What is Christ trying to teach us about prayer with the parable found in verse 5-8?
• How can we really ask, seek, and knock with prayer? V9
• In what ways does God answer our prayers? Which response is harder, a yes, a no, or wait? Why?
• Share with the group a short testimony of the great blessings of praying. Also on how God has answered your prayers.
• How will you pray from now on?
• What do you think is God trying to tell you tonight?
• Pray together in groups of two.

• To do: Please read out loud as a group, and challenge members to memorize Luke 11:9

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Think of people who need prayer and need to learn to pray.
• Pray for them, and invite them to the group.
• Ask: how do you feel about multiplication? Why do we need to multiply? What could happen if we don’t multiply?
• Review the vision of our Growth Groups!
• Is there any way we can pray for you?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Find out how people did during the week and encourage them to take their burdens to Christ.

Additional Resources: Thoughts from the Mount of Blessing, 102-122

by In Light Of The Cross

Growth Group Lesson Plan #24 – Invited

DIALOGUE # 024 – INVITED
by Pr Denis Sand – sanddenis@gmail.com

Objective of today’s dialogue: Invite people to see that our choices reflect our priorities and will determine our eternal consequences. Invite each one to choose eternal life today.

Welcome (15) – Fellowship
• Why do people in our days attend parties and banquets?
• What makes you decide if you would go or not? Be honest please!
• How do you feel when people don’t show up to a party you have organized? Why?

Worship (15) – Worship
• Read Psalms 81:1-2
• Shout to the Lord
• Who am I
• Thanksgiving time: What is the most amazing thing God has done for you in your life? Briefly share it with the rest of the group. End praying in groups of three.

Word (30) – Discipleship
• Read Luke 14:15-24
• Why do you think Jesus compares the kingdom of heaven with a huge party/banquet?
• Why do you think people excuse themselves from coming to the party? v18-20
• What was wrong with their excuses?
• How do you think God feels when we don’t value or even pay attention to the great feast that He is preparing?
• What can we learn from v21 where the outcasts are invited to come?
• How is eternal life similar and different to this party?
• Why do you think the master wants the house to be full? v23
• What is the role of our choices here? v23,24
• How do you feel with the idea that not everyone will get to participate in the party?
• In what way is our role before God similar to the servant who carried the invitation?
• What kind of changes do you need to make in your life in order to make sure you are not left out at God’s party?
• What do you think is God trying to tell you tonight?
• Pray

• To do: Read and challenge people to memorize Matthew 6.33

Works – Witness (15) – Ministry & Evangelism
• Think of people who need to be invited to the feast.
• Mention their names and pray for them. Plan to do something so they are invited!
• What is the purpose of our group?
• How can we can pray for you tonight?

Refreshments– Fellowship
• Go around asking for names of people who need to be invited to Jesus Feast.
• Make sure you invite them to the party!

Additional Resources:  by Ellen White, Christ’s Object Lessons, 219-237

by In Light Of The Cross

What does a Relationship With Jesus Look Like?

I am writing tonight from beautiful and historic St. Augustine Florida.

I am writing tonight from beautiful and historic St. Augustine Florida.

A member of my New Believer’s Sabbath School class, in the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church, had been struggling with getting Sabbaths off at work so she could observe the Bible Sabbath. She told me she had to work on Sabbath, and I would gently tell her that she did not have to work. She had a choice and was choosing to work. Consequences be what they may, she had a choice.

Recently I was giving a Bible study to the 7th and 8th graders at our church school, on the second coming, when we came to this verse,

The sky was rolled up like a scroll, and all of the mountains and islands were moved from their places. Then everyone—the kings of the earth, the rulers, the generals, the wealthy, the powerful, and every slave and free person—all hid themselves in the caves and among the rocks of the mountains. And they cried to the mountains and the rocks, “Fall on us and hide us from the face of the one who sits on the throne and from the wrath of the Lamb. For the great day of their wrath has come, and who is able to survive? Revelation 6:14-17 NLT

I told my students how sad it would be, for us to be hiding from the One who died for us when He came! How can we make sure we aren’t the ones running from Jesus? The students answered wisely, we must have a relationship with Jesus. I asked them to describe what a relationship with Jesus looks like. They gave some good answers, like prayer and Bible study. “Is that all”, I asked? I shared 1 John 2:4 NLT,

If someone claims, “I know God,” but doesn’t obey God’s commandments, that person is a liar and is not living in the truth.

While prayer and Bible study are crucial, that alone does not define a relationship with Jesus. John tells us, knowing God (having a relationship) involves obedience.

Jesus said,

If you want to receive eternal life, keep the commandments. Matthew 19:17 NLT

The commandments are relational. The first four define our relationship with God and the last six define our relationship with family and friends. This is why John said if we say we have a relationship with God but do not obey the commandments we are lying.

My Sabbath School class member finally exercised faith, and told her boss she must have Sabbaths off. It was granted. A couple of weeks ago things were busy at the store where she works. Her boss offered her a store gift card and sales bonuses if she would come in to work on Sabbath. As much as she needed the money, she answered “No. I will be in church Sabbath.” She gave her testimony that Sabbath in class. It did my heart good to see faith growing her relationship beyond just reading the Bible to actually doing what it said.

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.

by In Light Of The Cross

Each one Reach one in 2015 at Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church

This Sabbath, December 20th the Tampa First Seventh-day Adventist Church will collect our Christmas offering.
Remember that this is not about money, but about the people that will be forever touched by it.  There are people inside and outside our church that need to know there is a loving Savior that longs to give meaning, purpose and forgiveness to their lives.
Our goal is to raise funds to continue to change lives through Bible studies, literature, training and the preaching of God’s Word.  We are praying to raise $20,000 for Evangelism for 2015.  Remember to bring your offering this Sabbath.  If you did not get an envelop in the mail we will have some available in the lobby.
You can also give online by Clicking here.
by In Light Of The Cross

When Should Someone Ask To Be Anointed?

 

I am writing tonight from beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida.

I am writing tonight from beautiful Panama City Beach, Florida.

Several years ago, a family form Central America, brought their toddler to Tampa, Florida for medical treatment, because she was not developing and was having seizures. The doctors did not have much to offer. After one of my Wednesday morning community Bible studies at the church, we had an anointing service for the baby. Months later when the family returned to the area, they told me their little girl never had another seizure after the anointing service. The Holy Spirit had delivered their daughter from the seizures. They are still living in Central America and have not returned to Florida for several years now, but the last I heard, the little girl was still having developmental problems but no seizures.

The family said they’re very fond of me after that Wednesday morning, but it obviously had nothing to do with me. Millions of people have been healed after an anointing service, not because of the person doing the anointing or the oil, but because of the Holy Spirit’s healing power. So the fact that God has healed millions without my help shows He really did not need my help this time either.

While their daughter’s sickness was not unto death, they still asked for an anointing. Some have the idea you have to be on your death bed in order to ask for an anointing. James did not ask, are any of you about to die, but is anyone sick?

Are any of you sick? You should call for the elders of the church to come and pray over you, anointing you with oil in the name of the Lord. Such a prayer offered in faith will heal the sick, and the Lord will make you well. And if you have committed any sins, you will be forgiven. James 5:14-15 NLT

While we are counselled that,

It cannot be our duty to call for the elders of the church for every little ailment we have, for this would be putting a task upon the elders. –Ellen White, Pastoral Ministry, Page 223

Still there is nothing in the Bible or Spirit of Prophecy telling us to wait until we are on our deathbed before calling the elders, as if it is a last rite instead of an anointing for healing. I have even had family members call me to anoint their loved ones who were incoherent, while the KJV makes it even more clear that the person who is sick is actually supposed to request the anointing, for healing. It is not a “last rite.”

“Is any sick among you? let him call for the elders of the church…”James 5:14 KJV

Again James asks, “Are any of you sick?” not “Are any of you about to die?” We don’t need an anointing for every scrape and bruise, yet it is our privilege to call upon and claim God’s promises at the first sign of something serious.

You may study this week’s Sabbath School lesson here.