CCP SERIES STUDY WEEK 3 – PRAY FOR A CHANGE… FOR SALVATION

COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY AND DAILY STUDIES BASED UPON OUR PREACHING SERIES AT COMMUNITY CHURCH PUTNEY)

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COMMUNITY GROUP/FAMILY STUDY NOTES

Paul is clear that without faith in Christ no one can be saved. No one is righteous, whether Jew or non-Jew, all have fallen short of God’s laws. The Jews, who knew the Mosaic Law have broken that; Gentiles who may have never even heard of Moses have broken the ‘natural law’ that God puts on everyone’s heart and will be judged accordingly.

Christians are sent on mission to bring opportunity for salvation,

For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.” 14 How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? 15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!” (Rom. 10:13-15)

The success of our mission does not depend on planning or human schemes (although these things must not be ignored). Success, the regeneration of the human heart leading to faith in Christ is dependent upon the power of God. Therefore, mission begins with prayer and ends with thanksgiving.

Discuss/think/pray about

Read Romans 10:1

·      How does Paul’s loving concern shape his praying?

·      How can we cultivate compassion so that our mission springs from our hearts rather than external pressure?

Read Ephesians 6:19–20

·      Paul asks for prayer (v.19). This apostle, who was personally commissioned by Jesus, who was highly educated, has the humility to ask for prayer. How often do you ask for prayer in regard to your personal evangelism?

·      We all, including Paul (v.19), find it hard to know what to say; therefore what does Paul pray for?

·      Paul prays for courage that he would ‘fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel’ (v.19&20). Do you struggle with fear? How will prayer help?

Using Colossians 4:2-6 as a model, Pray for each other in your community group, that you would be successful in God’s mission.

GOING DEEPER PERSONAL DAILY STUDIES 

Monday: Compassion leads to mission

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text but replace ‘Israelites’ for people or nations on your heart.

Romans 10:1 Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.

Romans 9:2-3 I have great sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. 3 For I could wish that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the sake of my people, those of my own race,

Using Paul’s prayer (Rom. 10:1) as a model, pray for yourself and Community Church that we would have Christ’s compassion leading to passionate prayer and mission.

Add to your prayer-list, people whom God has put in your life, that you would like to see become a Christian.

Tuesday: Get Jesus’ compassion

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

2 Corinthians 5:14 For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all…

Matthew 18:12-14 “What do you think? If a man owns a hundred sheep, and one of them wanders away, will he not leave the ninety-nine on the hills and go to look for the one that wandered off? 13 And if he finds it, truly I tell you, he is happier about that one sheep than about the ninety-nine that did not wander off. 14 In the same way your Father in heaven is not willing that any of these little ones should perish.

Paul’s compassion is born of Jesus’ mercy, given by the Spirit. Too often Christians are focused on the saved; yes, the church needs loving care, but if our hearts are not burdened for those without Christ, who will spend eternity in hell, how can the love of God be in us!

Using these two texts as inspiration, pray for yourself and Community Church that we would, by the Spirit’s compassion, be ‘compelled’ on mission.  

Wednesday: Only the brave pray

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

Eph. 6:19–20 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel, 20 for which I am an ambassador in chains. Pray that I may declare it fearlessly, as I should.

Paul prays for both the words and the courage to use them. To share the gospel affectively one must seek the Spirit for tailored ways of communicating the unchanging message.

Using Paul’s prayer as a model, pray for yourself and Community Church that, no matter how hard life is for us (Paul is in chains!) we would fearlessly speak the gospel.

Thursday: Pray to the one who opens doors for the gospel

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

Colossians 4:2-3 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. 3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.

In Revelation 3 Jesus speaks of Himself as the one with the keys to open and shut doors, this is a metaphor for salvation – Jesus alone saves! Therefore we must pray.

Use Paul’s prayer as a guide to pray for yourself, CCP and your Community Group, that God would ‘open a door for the message’

Friday: Enable us to be clear and winsome

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

Colossians 4:4-6 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.  Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.  Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

Using Paul’s prayer as a model, pray for yourself and Community Church that we would be enabled (include preachers in this) to be clear/understandable to those outside the church; that our lives would be, by grace, made attractive to outsiders.

Saturday: God save the queen and…

Begin by meditating (reading slowly, repeatedly, with feeling) on this text:

1 Tim. 2:1-5 I urge, then, first of all, that petitions, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for all people— 2 for kings and all those in authority, that we may live peaceful and quiet lives in all godliness and holiness. 3 This is good, and pleases God our Savior, 4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and mankind, the man Christ Jesus.

Spend time thanking God for His revealed will to save people; intercede, using Paul’s prayer as a model, for those in governmental positions: that they would have wisdom, be restrained from evil decisions, choose righteousness, come to salvation.