Week 1

Jesus made provision for you to join Him win what He is doing in this world. He has equipped you with abilities, strength, opportunities, experiences, relationships and resources to minister ot others both lost persons and fellow believers. This is to benefit others. Explore ways to reach out and to serve others with the love of Christ.
1 Peter 4:10 "Based on the gift they have received, everyone should use it to serve others, as good managers of the varied grace of God.

Week 1 Day 1

1.

Building bridges (a) It is all about a relationship (b) It is changing an individual's receptivity to the gospel (c) It is developing the individual's ability to trust. When a lost person sees the impact of the gospel in the life of someone he/she trusts, receptivity grows. Every believer is entrusted the ministry of reconciliation. The Christian is to pass on the impact of the gospel to others. (the message of reconciliation). A Christian must connects his intentional acts of kindness with the gospel. 1
Notes by William Yeong

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From ministry actions, conversations and relationships, move on to the gospel and the person's need for Christ. Paul urged to Corinthians to separate themselves from the false teachers and to hold fast to what was taught to them.
2 Corinthians 5:17-21 If anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; old things have passed away, and look, new things have come. Everything is from God, who reconciled us to Himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to Himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and He has committed the message of reconciliation to us. Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, certain that God is appealing through us. We plead on Christs behalf, Be reconciled to God. He made the One who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him.

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Paul said that he has been reconciled to God through Jesus Christ. Reconciliation is actually God's work in Christ. ii. God has given Paul the ministry of reconciliation. God has committed to Paul the word / message of reconciliation. iii. The word/message of reconciliation : (a) God reconciled the world to Himself by not counting their trespasses. (b) God has made Jesus who knew no sin to be sin for us, so that we might become the righteousness of God in Him. Note : Reconciliation is possible through Christ Jesus. iv. As ambassadors of Christ, Paul appeals and pleads with the Corinthians to be reconciled to God. v. Response : Since Jesus has reconciled us to God we should not live any longer for ourselves but for Him since He died for us. We owe Him and ought to be living a holy, blameless life. Because God is holy, we should also strive to be holy (Walvoord and Zuck, p 571). 7. Don't overlook the urgency of the ministry of reconciliation. (ie. the need to be reconciled with God) 2
Notes by William Yeong

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Week 1 Day 2

1.

God equips every believer to contribute to the welfare of others in numerous ways. Helping others = ministry to others to bring relief Luke 7:11-17 (A Widows Son Raised to Life)
Soon afterward He was on His way to a town called Nain. His disciples and a large crowd were traveling with Him. Just as He neared the gate of the town, a dead man was being carried out. He was his mothers only son, and she was a widow. A large crowd from the city was also with her. When the Lord saw her, He had compassion on her and said, Dont cry. Then He came up and touched the open coffin, and the pallbearers stopped. And He said, Young man, I tell you, get up! The dead man sat up and began to speak, and Jesus gave him to his mother. Then fear came over everyone, and they glorified God, saying, A great prophet has risen among us, and God has visited His people. This report about Him went throughout Judea and all the vicinity.

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(a) (b) (c) (d) (e) 4.

Jesus ministry was spontaneous. Jesus brought immediate relief to the widow. Jesus' motivation to raise the widow's son to life = compassion. The Obstacle : The large crowd. The Result : Fear on everyone and Glory to God.

Luke 5:17-20 (The Son of Man Forgives and Heals)

On one of those days while He was teaching, Pharisees and teachers of the law were sitting there who had come from every village of Galilee and Judea, and also from Jerusalem. And the Lords power to heal was in Him. Just then some men came, carrying on a mat a man who was paralyzed. They tried to bring him in and set him down before Him. Since they could not find a way to bring him in because of the crowd, they went up on the roof and lowered him on the mat through the roof tiles into the middle of the crowd before Jesus. Seeing their faith He said, Friend, your sins are forgiven you.

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Notes by William Yeong

(a) (b) (c) (d) 5.

The ministry was planned and intentional. The ministry brought immediate relief to the disabled friend. The Obstacles : The crowd. The Resource : The friends of the paralyzed man.

Marks of a Person who Brings Relief. (a) Compassionate (b) Determined to overcome obstacles (c) Knows who to turn to to bring relief Action : Identify someone who needs immediate relief. (a) Pray for the person (b) Ask God to direct your actions

6.

Week 1 Day 3

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Everyday you have the opportunity to serve someone through the ministry of intercessory prayer. Intercessory prayer grows from discovering the needs of people. Nehemiah interceded in prayer for the Jews returning from exiles.
Nehemiah 1:1-8 The words of Nehemiah son of Hacaliah: During the month of Chislev in the twentieth year, when I was in the fortress city of Susa, Hanani, one of my brothers, arrived with men from Judah, and I questioned them about Jerusalem and the Jewish remnant that had survived the exile. They said to me, The remnant in the province, who survived the exile, are in great trouble and disgrace. Jerusalems wall has been broken down, and its gates have been burned down. When I heard these words, I sat down and wept. I mourned for a number of days, fasting and praying before the God of heaven. I said, Yahweh, the God of heaven, the great and aweinspiring God who keeps His gracious covenant with those who love Him and keep His commands, let Your eyes be open and Your ears be

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attentive to hear Your servants prayer that I now pray to You day and GDS 6 (MTO) W1 4 Notes by William Yeong

night for Your servants, the Israelites. I confess the sins we have committed against You. Both I and my fathers house have sinned. We have acted corruptly toward You and have not kept the commands, statutes, and ordinances You gave Your servant Moses. Please remember what You commanded Your servant Moses: If you are unfaithful, I will scatter you among the peoples.

(a) Why did Nehemiah pray? Nehemiah was aware of the needs of the Jews who had returned from exile. The returnee from exile were in great trouble and disgrace. The Jerusalem's wall has been broken. The Jerusalem's gates have been burned down. (b) What things did Nehemiah mention that showed the intensity or the seriousness of his prayer? i. Nehemiah pleaded for God to see him and hear him ii. Nehemiah fasted and prayed day and night iii. Nehemiah confessed the sins of his people and himself iv. Nehemiah admitted that (a) the Jews were corrupt (b) the Jews have not kept God's commands, statutes and ordinances (c) What pattern in Nehemiah's prayer might be useful to others who make intercessory prayer a part of their ministry to others? i. Pray humbly and sincerely. ii. Confession of Sin. (Personal and Corporate). iii. Seek God's mercy, forgivenss and restoration. iv. Base your prayer request on God's promises. 4. Follow-Up Action Begin praying regularly for the persons on your ministry list who have ministry needs.

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Notes by William Yeong

Week 1 Day 4

1.

To influence people for Christ, you need to (a) have a relationship with those you already know (b) invest time and energy in people you have not known Overseers (God's administrators) must be hospitable.
Titus 1:7-9 For an overseer, as Gods administrator, must be blameless, not arrogant, not hot-tempered, not addicted to wine, not a bully, not greedy for money, but hospitable, loving what is good, sensible, righteous, holy, self-controlled, holding to the faithful message as taught, so that he will be able both to encourage with sound teaching and to refute those who contradict it.

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Hospitable = philos (love) + xenos (stranger) Being hospitable means showing love to one one another and to strangers. A stranger is (a) someone outside your neighbourhood (b) someone who doesn't know anybody (c) someone who is just passing through. (d) someone you do not currently know. Ways to show hospitality to strangers. i. The Old Testament Law to the Hebrews. Receive strangers into homes and to provide food and shelter. Love strangers as themselves and to care for strangers.

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Notes by William Yeong

Leviticus 19:33-34 When a foreigner lives with you in your land, you must not oppress him. You must regard the foreigner who lives with you as the native-born among you. You are to love him as yourself, for you were foreigners in the land of Egypt; I am Yahweh your God. Deuteronomy 24:17-22 Do not deny justice to a foreigner or fatherless child, and do not take a widows garment as security. Remember that you were a slave in Egypt, and the Lord your God redeemed you from there. Therefore I am commanding you to do this. When you reap the harvest in your field, and you forget a sheaf in the field, do not go back to get it. It is to be left for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow, so that the Lord your God may bless you in all the work of your hands. When you knock down the fruit from your olive tree, you must not go over the branches again. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. When you gather the grapes of your vineyard, you must not glean what is left. What remains will be for the foreigner, the fatherless, and the widow. Remember that you were a slave in the land of Egypt. Therefore I am commanding you to do this.

ii.

The New Testament (The Practice of the Jews) Hospitality was an important part of the life of the Jews.
Luke 7:36 Then one of the Pharisees invited Him to eat with him. He entered the Pharisees house and reclined at the table.

iii. The New Testament Jesus' Instruction to be Hospitable.

Matthew 25:31-46 When the Son of Man comes in His glory, and all the angels with Him, then He will sit on the throne of His glory. All the nations will be gathered before Him, and He will separate them one from another, just as a shepherd separates the sheep from the goats. He will put the sheep on His right and the goats on the left. Then the King will say to those on His right, Come, you who are blessed by My Father, inherit the kingdom prepared for you from the foundation of the world. For I was hungry and you gave Me something to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me something to drink; I was a stranger and you took Me in; I was naked and you clothed Me;
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Notes by William Yeong

I was sick and you took care of Me; I was in prison and you visited Me. Then the righteous will answer Him, Lord, when did we see You hungry and feed You, or thirsty and give You something to drink? When did we see You a stranger and take You in, or without clothes and clothe You? When did we see You sick, or in prison, and visit You? And the King will answer them, I assure you: Whatever you did for one of the least of these brothers of Mine, you did for Me. Then He will also say to those on the left, Depart from Me, you who are cursed, into the eternal fire prepared for the Devil and his angels! For I was hungry and you gave Me nothing to eat; I was thirsty and you gave Me nothing to drink; I was a stranger and you didnt take Me in; I was naked and you didnt clothe Me, sick and in prison and you didnt take care of Me. Then they too will answer, Lord, when did we see You hungry, or thirsty, or a stranger, or without clothes, or sick, or in prison, and not help You? Then He will answer them, I assure you: Whatever you did not do for one of the least of these, you did not do for Me either. And they will go away into eternal punishment, but the righteous into eternal life.

iv. The New Testament The Early Church practiced hospitality.

Hebrews 13:1-2 Let brotherly love continue. Dont neglect to show hospitality, for by doing this some have welcomed angels as guests without knowing it. 1 Peter 4:8-9 Above all, maintain an intense love for each other, since love covers a multitude of sins. Be hospitable to one another without complaining.

9.

What obstacles discourage you from showing hospitality? Time Culture Timidity Insincerity Busyness Motivation

10. Establishing a relationship with someone is a critical prerequisite to showing the love of Christ.
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Notes by William Yeong

Week 1 Day 5

1.

Physical growth is programmed into the human life. But, spiritual growth is not preprogrammed. Spiritual growth is not automatic. It requires development and discipline. Spiritual growth is vital. It determines your impact in Christ's kingdom. Paul's prayer for the Colossians. i. Paul had not met many of the Colossians personally, but he had heard of their faith and love. That prompted Paul to pray unceasingly for them. Paul expressed his desire for the Colossians which is also what God would desire for all Christians, including us, today. (a) Be filled with the knowledge of his will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding (v9) (b) Walk worthy of the lord, fully pleasing him (v10-14)
Colossians 1:9-14

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Prayer for Spiritual Growth

For this reason also, since the day we heard this, we havent stopped praying for you. We are asking that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding,so that you may walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing to Him, bearing fruit in every good work and growing in the knowledge of God. May you be strengthened with all power, according to His glorious might, for all endurance and patience, with joy giving thanks to the Father, who has enabled you to share in the saints inheritance in the light. He has rescued us from the domain of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son He loves. We have redemption, the forgiveness of sins, in Him.

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Notes by William Yeong

5.

Spiritual Growth Process i. Begins with prayer. ii. Enabled by Jesus. iii. Endurance is required. iv. God communicates the steps to be taken through multiple means. (e.g. the Holy Spirit, through other believers) When you are stuck in sin, remember to engage other believers to pray for you so that you could overcome sins power in your life.
Proverbs 27:17 "Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another." James 5:16 Therefore confess your sins to each other and pray for each other so that you may be healed. The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective.

6.

A good friend is not someone who necessarily agrees with everything you do and say--it's somebody who lovingly challenges you to be a better person. We grow in maturity when we can test our thoughts and ideas against another person, and when we're open to correction when we're wrong. 7. What is the status of your spiritual growth? Thriving Surviving Reviving Diving

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Notes by William Yeong