ADULT BIBLE STUDY

PLANTING CHURCHES HERE, THERE, AND EVERYWHERE

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 When Jesus delivered this command to His disciples, He was about to end His earthly ministry and ascend to heaven. For three years, Jesus twelve disciples had followed Him while He taught, established His divine identity, and poured out His love and compassion. At the time Jesus spoke these words, He had already accomplished His missionto seek and save those who were lost and offer all humanity an eternal relationship with God. Having fulfilled His purpose, Jesus gave His disciples their missionto take the good news of the gospel to the ends of the earth and build His church. In a short period of time, Jesus small group of followers grew to over three thousand in Jerusalem, then to many thousands spread out over Judea, Samaria, and the nation of Israel. Today, Christianity is the largest religion in the world with approximately 2.18 billion believers. Jesus calls all of us to same mission He gave his first followersto reach every nation, create disciples of Christ, and build His worldwide church. The best way for us to respond to Jesus Great Commission is to join together, because it is when we come together that we are the most effective at growing and strengthening the church. From him the whole body, joined and held together by every supporting ligament, grows and builds itself up in love, as each part does its work. Ephesians 4:16 Global Church Planting Sunday is a way we can join together to fulfill the mission Jesus has given us. By praying, increasing awareness, raising financial support, and casting a vision for fulfilling the Great Commission, you and your church can make a difference!

GETTING STARTED
Open in prayer. QUESTION 1: Think of a time when you started something new or were involved in creating something new. Share the story with your group. What motivated you, what challenges did you experience, and how did everything turn out? QUESTION 2: Share with your group how and why you first came to the church youre now attending. What drew you to that church, and what caused you to stay?

BIBLE STUDY AND DISCUSSION

Read Acts 2:4227. QUESTION 3: This passage describes the first Christian church in the time just after Jesus resurrection. What are some of the specific activities in this church? Read through the passage again and then write down a list of everything these first Christians did. QUESTION 4: Do you see some or all of these same activities in your church? What is similar between your church and this one? What is different? QUESTION 5: In what ways does attending church affect your life, your relationship with God, and your relationship with others? If you could not attend a church, how do you think that would affect you? Did You Know? There is much more to be done to fulfill Jesus command to witness to the ends of the earth. Did you know there are hundreds of millions of people who do not have a Christian church within a reasonable traveling distance? There are thousands of unreached people groups who do not have a Bible or a single local church. Since 1970, the number of Christians worldwide has increased by one billion, an increase of 83 percent. Yet the number of new churches has increased by only 19 percent. This is a heartbreaking reality that has left many new Christians without a church home where they can be discipled, grow in their faith, and help reach others. Read Acts 1:8. QUESTION 6: Do you believe this command applies to us today? Why or why not? QUESTION 7: The areas Jesus listed in this passage had meaning to His followers. Jerusalem was the city they were in. Judea and Samaria were the larger, surrounding areas. If you were to fulfill this command to be Jesus witness in Jerusalem (your own city or community), in Judea and Samaria (the surrounding area), and to the ends of the earth, what might that look like? Use the table below to write down some ways you can witness for Christ in these three areas. In Acts 1:8 Jerusalem Judea and Samaria Ends of the earth Meaning for Me My city or community My state or province Throughout the world How I Can Be Jesus Witness in This Area

Read John 20:21, Mark 16:15, and Matthew 28:1920. QUESTION 8: These Scriptures are all the words of Jesus, and they have a common theme. In your own words, summarize what Jesus is saying in these Bible passages.

APPLICATION
QUESTION 9: In James 1:22, the Bible tells us, But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves (ESV). When you consider the three Bible passages you just read, would you say you are a doer of the word or just a hearer? In other words, are you carrying out Jesus command to go out into the world and share the good news of the gospel? QUESTION 10: Name at least one specific way in which you can respond to Jesus words in John 20:21, Mark 16:15, and Matthew 28:1920.

Next Steps
Every church and every Christian can be involved in the planting of new churches. We see this from the start of the very first church, described in Acts 2. During the first century, the Apostle Paul devoted himself to planting a number of churches. New churches are particularly effective in reaching people for Christ, because they are outwardly focused and working to grow. The starting of new churches is a key, biblical method of fulfilling Jesus command to go and make disciples of all nations. Did you know there are many ways you can support church planting around the world? Below are five great ways you and your church can make a difference.

1. Pray. Pray for God to raise up church planters, train them, and provide for them. Here are

specific ways you can pray: Select a church-planting leader from your church or denomination and pray for them, their family, and their ministry. Pray about your favorite country or countries using information from OperationWorld.org as a guide. churches all over the world. For more information and to sign up, go to the Global Church Planting Sunday website at: www.churchplantingsunday.com/give Or ask your pastor or church leaders how you can support the church planting efforts started by your church or denomination.

2. Give. For just a dollar a day, you can help train church planters who will start new

3. Raise Awareness by talking to others about the need for new churches or by posting a link
to the ChurchPlantingSunday.com on your Facebook page or through your Twitter account. local church or participating in a mission trip to another country.

4. Plant Churches. Talk to your church leaders about how you can be involved in planting a
Or, if you believe God is calling you to be actively involved in planting churches, visit DCPI.org for more information on how you can receive information and training.

CLOSING
Prayer Requests: Before closing your time together, have everyone share at least one prayer request. Close in prayer. Pray for each other and for church planting efforts and leaders throughout the world.