Invite

When you invite someone to church, you are making a mark on the Kingdom of God. You are impacting the Kingdom of God, because, at the very least, you’re introducing a conversation about what you believe and who Jesus is, and that’s huge! Because when you invite somebody to church, you’re not JUST inviting them to church. You’re inviting them to blessing. You’re inviting them to life, to love, to rest. You’re inviting them to a place where they can connect and a place where they can find forgiveness.

  • On the opposing page there is a circle with 7 lines linked to 7 boxes.  Take the time this morning to write your name in the center of the circle and  then think of 7 social groups that you are a part of.  Write the names of those 7 groups in the squares. This drawing will be referred too towards the end of our time this morning.

  • Now shift your focus to “Why have I done…” Why do you own the car you do? Why did you choose the neighborhood you live in? Why do you make the decisions you make?  More often than not you make decisions based on the fact that someone extended an invitation to you.

  • Word of mouth is significant in our decision making process and it is no different in regard to how the church should grow.  God will bring the world to Himself one invitation at a time.

  • Why do you go to church?

  •  How do you define community?

  •  When you are asked about “your church” how do you respond?  How do you describe this community?

  •  Refer back to last weeks circle and 7 groups.  Have you invited at least one person from each square?

  •  How is forgiveness sought? That is really a tough question to answer. We seek forgiveness in many different ways. As believers we know that forgiveness of our sins is afforded us, but do we really seek forgiveness?

  • The forgiveness that we’ve received, the forgiveness that really does absolve our guilt, that forgiveness is available to anyone who is willing to receive it. Anyone—including you

  •  Forgiveness proceeds; Humility, Brokenness, and Ownership of guilt

  • Heavy laden or burden? What are some of your burdens today? Yes, we all have personal burdens, but do you have some spiritual burdens? 

  • You are not the only one that is burden. Remember that relational circle from week 1? Many of the people represented on that relational map of yours, that they are burdened as well. They’re discouraged, exhausted and alone. More than anything, they need rest. Are you prepared to discuss with them how to find rest?  Will you invite them to “rest?” 

  • The only way that they will discover rest—real rest—is by your invitation, your invitation to rest.

Union Avenue