Marquis Laughlin - Witnesses To The World
Jesus has given us a mission and a purpose. We shine the light of Christ by being His witnesses in the world.
KEY VERSES
Acts 1:6-11 (NASB)
6 So, when they had come together, they began asking Him, saying, “Lord, is it at this time that You are restoring the kingdom to Israel?” 7 But He said to them, “It is not for you to know periods of time or appointed times which the Father has set by His own authority; 8 but you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria, and as far as the remotest part of the earth.” 9 And after He had said these things, He was lifted up while they were watching, and a cloud took Him up, out of their sight. 10 And as they were gazing intently into the sky while He was going, then behold, two men in white clothing stood beside them, 11 and they said, “Men of Galilee, why do you stand looking into the sky? This Jesus, who has been taken up from you into heaven, will come in the same way as you have watched Him go into heaven.”
UNDERSTANDING
What is your current job and how long have you done it?
What would you say is your mission every day you go to work?
How does knowing your mission at work help you perform your job better?
What question did the disciples have for Jesus? What did the question they asked reveal about their understanding of Jesus and what He came to do?
How do we correct our misplaced understanding of who Jesus is? What role does community play in this process?
How has your understanding of who Jesus is changed as you have walked with Him in faith?
What type of power was Jesus speaking of in verse 8, and how would this power from the Holy Spirit fulfill what Jesus promised in verse 5?
How has Jesus given this promise and power to you?
What does it mean to be a witness? How are you a witness for Christ? What are some ways we over-complicate what it means to be a witness?
What would be different about your life if you saw yourself as a witness every day? How is living this way guided by the authority Jesus spoke of in Matthew 28:18-20?
Where were the disciples when Jesus said these words? Where were the places at the end of verse 8 in relation to the disciples’ present location?
How obedient were these disciples to Jesus’ command? How obedient are you?
Why do you think the disciples stood looking around after they saw Jesus taken from them? How do our own mountain-top experiences sometimes stall instead of encourage our action?
With what promise did the angels leave the men? Why is this foundational for understanding our mission?
APPLICATION
Do you see yourself as a witness, every day, in every place God sends you? If not, why not? How does seeing ourselves as witnesses change our purpose?
The Book of Acts is all about witnesses in community. How did the early Christians support one another as they shined the light of Christ? How can we?
What are your Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and ends of the earth? How has God called you specifically to witness in one or more of these places?
WANT TO DIVE DEEPER?
Joining a group is a great way to know people and strengthen your relationship with Jesus Christ. Take a look at available groups to get plugged in to and find the group that is right for you.
GIVING
Everything that happens at LCC is because of your generous gifts. When you give to God through LCC, you're helping reach thousands with the Gospel each week and are making a difference for the Lowcountry and around the world.