Small Group Study (Youth)

United in peace, for the world, we are called to serve globally

Scripture

“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” (Acts 1:8).

Discussion
Taking the gospel to the “ends of the earth” will look different for each of us. Some of us will become missionaries in faraway countries while others will stay right here and do ministry in their home church. Wherever God calls you to encounter people and impact their lives will ultimately be your “ends of the earth.”

It’s not always an easy task. But with the word of God as our guide we are more than equipped to expand the gospel in a unique way to those who may have never experienced it.

• Write down some “ends of the earth” places where you can encounter people right now. Here are some ideas to get you started:
  1. School
  2. Surrounding neighborhoods
  3. Your neighborhood
  4. Friends
  5. Family
  6. Sports team
  7. After-school activities
  8. _________________
  9. _________________
  10. _________________
  11. _________________
  12. _________________
  13. _________________

• Of the places you wrote down above, write down a person or a few people who you could share the gospel with and build a relationship with.
  1. _________________
  2. _________________
  3. _________________
  4. _________________
  5. _________________

• How will you approach that person or group of individuals? Your delivery is key to how you engage and interact with people. List some ways you would engage people.
  
  1. Invite them to youth group.
  2. _________________
  3. _________________
  4. _________________
  5. _________________
  6. _________________

Take some time in your group to talk about how you can build strong relationships, as well as any fears you have about moving out of your comfort zone.

1. Who can you build relationship with at home (in Jerusalem or your local context) to bring the peace and justice of the good news to their situation?
2. What fears do you have about going or serving in a place you are not familiar with? How could you overcome those fears?
3. How do you think God wants you to get out of your comfort zone or normal way of thinking in order to grow deeper in your understanding of his love for the world?
4. Who are those at the “ends of the earth” who are overlooked or mistreated? How can the hope of the gospel help that situation?
5. Are you ready to be persecuted for advancing the gospel of Jesus Christ? What do you think that might look like?

 

Prayer
Dear Lord,

Help me to be more like you and extend the same unconditional love you gave me when you sent your Son to die on the cross for me. I no longer want to be comfortable or complacent where I am. Help me to grow deeper in my understanding of your word so that I can truly impact those in my “ends of the earth.” Help me to move beyond my fears of (insert fears here). I don’t want these things to hinder me from sharing the gospel with those around me. I want to be a beacon of light in darkness and show people that no matter what they’ve been through or experienced, God can heal them and restore them. Amen.

More Scripture to Reflect On
“He has remembered his love and his faithfulness to Israel; all the ends of the earth have seen the salvation of our God” (Psalm‬ 98:3, NIV).‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Yet their voice goes out into all the earth, their words to the ends of the world. In the heavens God has pitched a tent for the sun” (Psalm‬ 19:4‬‬‬‬‬‬‬, NIV).‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Turn to me and be saved, all you ends of the earth; for I am God, and there is no other” (Isaiah‬ 45:22, NIV).‬‬‬‬‬‬‬

“Do you not know? Have you not heard? The Lord is the everlasting God, the Creator of the ends of the earth. He will not grow tired or weary, and his understanding no one can fathom. He gives strength to the weary and increases the power of the weak. Even youths grow tired and weary, and young men stumble and fall; but those who hope in the Lord will renew their strength. They will soar on wings like eagles; they will run and not grow weary, they will walk and not be faint” (Isaiah 40:28-31, NIV).

“For this is what the Lord has commanded us: “ ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth’ ” (Acts 13:47).