Secret Jesus 12 May 19

(Message 6) Close encounters with Jesus were amazing. Time alone with Him was a bit like winning the lottery. Crowds followed Him everywhere looking for wisdom, a free lunch, or special attention and complete physical healing. Today we learn the story of a woman who intended to secretly push her way through a crowd to get to Jesus. #CloseEncountersWithJesus

Share Your Story

Because Everyone Has A Story
Because Our Stories Help Others
Because Jesus Commands Us To (followed by Acts 1:8)

How?

Change Your life
Get Baptized

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Mark 5:19

^“Jesus did not let him, but said, “Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.

Acts 1:8

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Start talking. Find a conversation starter for your group.

Have you ever been so excited that you won something or accomplished something that you wanted to shout it from the rooftops? Share experiences with the group.
Is there an event in your life that you prefer to remain anonymous about?

Start thinking and sharing. Ask a question to get your group thinking, to create openness.

Have you ever been in a mosh pit? Did you love it like Casey Samuel?
Read Luke 8:42-48. Do you like to be in a crowd? Why or why not?
How do you think the woman who was healed felt when Jesus called her out? Have you ever wanted to be touched by Jesus but didn’t want anyone else to know about it? Maybe you were embarrassed about why you needed the touch or maybe you were afraid of being judged or labeled.
Casey Samuel shared the statistic that states that 70% of those polled think religion is a private matter that you keep to yourself? Do you agree or disagree? What about the Great Commission found in Matthew 28:18-20? Read and discuss Mark 5:19.
Read Mark 8:34, 2 Corinthians 4:5, Mark 12:30, and 1 Corinthians 10:31. What does it REALLY mean to follow Jesus?
Read Philippians 1:6 and 1 Peter 2:9-10. What does the phrase “Jesus changes everything” mean to you?
If Jesus saves us by faith and not by works, then why do we need to change anything about our lives? Read and discuss Romans 6:6, Romans 12:2, Ephesians 4:22-32, and Ephesians 2:8-10 (NLT) focusing on verse 10.

Start doing. Commit to a step and live it out this week.

When was the last time you shared your testimony with someone? What would make you afraid to share Jesus with someone? Where and how would you be most comfortable sharing your testimony?
Have you ever heard part of someone’s story (maybe a GC baptism story https://vimeo.com/channels/gcbaptisms/) and it has impacted your life? What part of your own story could really help someone else?
Why is getting baptized so important? Discuss Matthew 28:18-20.
If you have any questions about baptism, discuss it with your group or group facilitator. If you decide to take the step of baptism, just write it on a Connection Card this Sunday or let your facilitator know.
Write out your faith story (org/Christian-testimony.html).

Start praying. Be bold and pray with power.

Pray that as individuals we can be fearless enough to share our testimony with someone this week and that we can love others enough to have a sense of urgency about sharing our faith story.

Start digging. For further study.

Go to our website https://generationschurch.com/steps/baptism/

Steps to Writing Your Faith Story

Remember that your faith story is yours! Pray and ask God to guide you as you write it out.
If you haven’t begun your relationship with Jesus, share the following: how you see God working in your life, how you ended up attending Generations, and how you plan to continue taking next steps with God.
If you have begun your relationship with Jesus, share the following: what your life was like before Jesus, what were the circumstances that caused you to look to Jesus, what was happening when you trusted Jesus, how has your life changed since beginning your relationship, and anything else that is part of your testimony that will help others relate to you.
It’s also great to share any Scripture that God used in your life before and after you trusted Him.

MY FAITH STORY

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