4. “Lessons in discipleship” Mark 6:1-13

GET OUT THE GOOD NEWS

1. Jesus encourages team work (7)

- It’s important in evangelism

a) Effective coverage

b) Lone evangelists are often at a disadvantage

c) A N.T. pattern emerges: Barnabas/Saul (Acts 13); Paul/Silas; Barnabas/Mark (Acts 15)

2. Jesus gives His own authority (7)

- Full mandate’s in Matt. 10 - it works - 6:12, 13

a) The message: repent (12), cf. 1:14,15

b) The action: deliverance - from Satan’s power

- see Acts: Peter - 2:38, Paul - 17:30, 31

3. Jesus stipulates a lifestyle (8-10) - sets out principles

a) Travel light, travel simply

b) Remove barriers to effective communication

4. Jesus talks about rejection (11)

a) Shake the dust off your feet: cf. Acts 13:51

b) Go where God opens doors

- asking God to prepare hearts and minds

- Satan blinds eyes: 2 Cor. 4:4

- God opens eyes: 2 Cor. 4:6

5. Jesus’ disciples get on with the job (12,13)

a) They witness/proclaim/call to repentance

b) They rely on God to work

c) Their experience is of healing of every kind

TALKING POINTS

4. GET OUT THE GOOD NEWS Mark 6:1-13

1. Jesus can use us as witnesses on our own - at work, in our families, etc., but why is it often better to be part of a team?

Discuss the possibility of setting up outreach teams in your own group or church.

2. What evidence is there of Jesus’ authority in our outreach to non-believers nowadays? What is it that makes people repent and believe in Jesus?

What part do prayer, obedience, the Holy Spirit, faith, God’s Word, etc., have in the whole process?

What can make us ineffective?

3. What life style today is helpful in getting the good news about Jesus across to those among whom we live and work? What in us can attract people to Jesus, and what can put them off?

4. In our outreach how can we recognise when it’s time to give up pursuing certain contacts - and when we should continue?

`Shaking the dust off your feet’ was a powerful visual aid for those who were rejecting Christ. What might be today’s equivalent, and what would be its purpose?

5. Share information about those who have responded or are responding positively to the good news, (also share news of those who are rejecting), and spend some time in prayer together for these individuals.

6. How would you respond to someone who said, “I’m giving up witnessing. Nothing positive seems to happen when I try.”?