Personal Ministry (Session 5)

SERMON DATE: 10/25/2015

QUESTIONS:

Have you ever been asked individually or in a group setting to serve in a church or ministry-related context?
- What has your initial response been to those kinds of requests?
Have you ever sensed that God was urging you to do something, yet you refused to do it because you felt inadequate or unprepared? If so, what was it? Why did you refuse?
When have you ever said yes to something God was urging you to do for which you felt unprepared?
- What was the impact of that experience on your faith?
Read Matthew 14:13-17. The disciples used the size of the crowd and their lack of food as excuses to not do what Jesus asked. What excuses have you used?
As you consider disciples’ excuses, what were they forgetting to factor into the equation?
Read Matthew 14:18-21. What talent, skill, experience, expertise, or ability do you have that, like the loaves and fish, don’t appear to be things God could use in a significant way?
The disciples did what they knew how to do. They passed out the broken pieces of bread and fish. God blessed their efforts and allowed them to accomplish far more than they could have in their own strength. What is the lesson for us?
Who has chosen to serve you in spite of the fact that she was busy, ill-equipped, and unsure of how things would turn out?
For parents: Is there someone who has set aside time to invest in your children?
What opportunities do you sense God opening for you to practice in act of personal ministry?