Sunday
Circles
Building Your Family with Friends
Church On
The rock
Gtcotr/sc041215
Prayer
Hymn: At the
Cross
Memory Verse: Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the Gospel of
Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who
believes, for the Jew first and also for the Greek.
Lesson: Secret
Discipleship
Bible Character: Joseph of
Arimathea and a man called Nicodemus
Pastor remarks and intro of first principle
First Principle: God is Unafraid of our Problems
Scripture Reference: John 19:38 After this, Joseph of
Arimathea, being a disciple of Jesus, but secretly, for fear of the Jews, asked
Pilate that he might take away the body of Jesus; and Pilate gave him
permission. So he came and took the body of Jesus.
Question: What does it mean to be a “Secret Disciple?”
Follow Up Question: If Christianity was
a crime in America, as it is in many countries, what would be the evidence
presented against you in your workplace, school, or life’s daily social
activities?
Conclusion: As Christians we are
called to be the light of the world and the salt of the earth. In order to be
of any help a light must be seen and salt applied. God is not ashamed nor
afraid of the problems our faith in him might give rise to … neither should we
be overly concerned about it.
Pastor remarks and intro of second principle
Second Principle: God is
unlimited by our past
Scripture Reference: John 19:39 And Nicodemus, who at first came to Jesus by
night, also came, bringing a mixture of myrrh and aloes, about a hundred
pounds.
Question: How do we often
limit ourselves and others by the choices they have made or things they have
said or done in their past?
Follow Up Question: Should we limit
our acceptance of the Apostles Paul or Peter because of their history of denying
Christ and persecuting the Church? How can we help set others free to do better
than they did?
Conclusion: God is more
interested in what we will do than what we did. Nicodemus had a history of not
publically identifying with Jesus as Messiah but that was the past. God chose
Nicodemus in spite of his past.
Pastor remarks and intro of third principle
Third Principle: God is
unashamed to call you His own
Scripture
Reference:
John 19:40 Then
they took the body of Jesus, and bound it in strips of linen with the spices,
as the custom of the Jews is to bury.
Question: Do you think God
positions people to stand up and speak up for Him in critical moments?
Follow
Up Question:
Do you imagine anyone expected Joseph or Nicodemus to provide for and bury this
convicted state and Church criminal?
Follow
Up Question:
What do you think motivated these “Secret Disciples” to stand up and speak up
for the Body of Christ in that critical moment?
Conclusion: God prepares us,
promotes us, and positions us for our greatest use. When the time comes, we
will find more courage and be more ready than anyone imagines … even if our
Christianity has been a closely guarded secret!
Pastor
closing remarks
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Connect Cards; Offering and Prayer
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Memory Verse
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Pre-Praise & Worship Prayer will be in the Sanctuary Studio. Worship will
begin in just a few minutes.
