The Compass

A Daily Personal Reflection & Small Group Discussion Guide

by John Hay, Jr.
Senior Pastor, West Morris Street Free Methodist Church

Series: Enter THEIR World
Week's focus: Reentry
Scriptures: 1 Corinthians 9:19-27
Week of: June 3, 2007

TRACKING THE WORD IN WORSHIP

What are our opportunities and challenges as we move in and out of many "worlds" as Good News people?

1. Christian outlook, by its very nature, LAUNCHES us out of our comfort zones and safety and security.

1 Cor. 9:19

A. Part of what makes the Christian life exciting is the faith edge to which it takes us and the borders which we are led to cross again and again.

B. What did you leave behind when you fully embraced the new life to which Jesus Christ called you?

C. List some of the new awarenesses, surroundings, relationships, and challenges were you launched as a new Christian:

D. With what faith edges or borders are you being challenged today?

2. Christian witness is possible only as we have a vibrant GRASP on who and Whose we are.

1 Cor. 9:20-21

A. Who and what was I before Christ?

B. Who and what am I now?

C. To whom did I belong before Christ?

D. To whom do I now belong?

C. What difference does this make in how I make decisions, use time, develop relationships, and view the future?

3. Christian witness calls for flexibility, mobility, and readiness to adapt to CHANGING settings for the sake of the Good News. 1 Cor. 9:19-23

A. Grasping who and Whose we are, we have incredible freedom, opportunity and creativity in how we live, serve, give, influence, and share Good News within and across many "worlds."

B. What is the "bottom line" for Paul in his various perspectives and approaches when sharing his life and the Good News with different groups of people?

C. What can you do to empathize with and understand people with whom you associate or are placed in relationship with?

D. What are some of the current changes in our society and world that we need to understand and respond to as we "enter their world?"

4. We take Christian witness seriously because so much is AT STAKE.

1 Cor. 9:24-27

A. What is the prize of which Paul speaks?

B. What is at stake in our obedience, readiness, and adaptability in witness?

MARKINGS FOR THE JOURNEY
Consider what other believers have explored about witness

ESSENTIAL FOR EVANGELISM "Being an extrovert isn't essential to evangelism-obedience and love are."
-- Rebecca M. Pippert

DON'T GET CONFUSED. "Our business is to present the Christian faith clothed in modern terms, not to propagate modern thought clothed in Christian terms. Confusion here is fatal." -- J. I. Packer

THE POWER OF TESTIMONY. "The power of testimony is to give voice to the faith that lets people run on to see what the end's gonna be. Testimony keeps alive the truth-a truth that society often does not honor."
-- Thomas Hoyt, Jr.

RESPONSES & OPPORTUNITIES TO ENGAGE
Want to explore The Compass with others? Have questions?

If you'd like to connect with others who are working weekly with The Compass, e-mail me or call the church office (317.632.8311)

If you have questions about Scriptures or some of the questions, or just want to share what your are discovering through The Compass, you are welcome to e-mail me.

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