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As iron sharpens iron, one man sharpens another. (Proverbs 27:17)
In this session, you will explore the Father's Heart.
As a vision caster, Jesus gave his disciples the perspective of an advancing kingdom, that through small in its beginnings will yield a great harvest among the nations. The harvest will be reaped through fearless proclamation in the midst of persecution. Jesus trained leaders who could endure suffering because they expected lasting fruit to come from their labors and because they believed that beyond their sacrifices awaited a glorious kingdom. We learn an important principle from Jesus’ ministry, kingdom harvest comes through sacrifice. Let’s keep encouraging each other to persevere as we work to expand God’s kingdom.
Read your assigned verses and then tell the group:
3 This is good, and pleases God our Saviour,4 who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
14 And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.
9 And they sang a new song, saying:
“You are worthy to take the scroll
and to open its seals,
because you were slain,
and with your blood you purchased for God
persons from every tribe and language and people and nation.
10 You have made them to be a kingdom and priests to serve our God,
and they will reign on the earth.”
15 ‘The time has come,’ he said. ‘The kingdom of God has come near. Repent and believe the good news!’
43 But he said, ‘I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.’
2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal those who were ill.
2 He said to them, ‘When you pray, say:
‘“Father,
hallowed be your name,
your kingdom come.
18 Then Jesus asked, ‘What is the kingdom of God like? What shall I compare it to?19 It is like a mustard seed, which a man took and planted in his garden. It grew and became a tree, and the birds perched in its branches.’
20 Again he asked, ‘What shall I compare the kingdom of God to?21 It is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into about thirty kilograms of flour until it worked all through the dough.’
1 When Jesus had called the Twelve together, he gave them power and authority to drive out all demons and to cure diseases,2 and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal those who were ill.
1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go.
8 For I gave them the words you gave me and they accepted them. They knew with certainty that I came from you, and they believed that you sent me.
18 As you sent me into the world, I have sent them into the world.
20 “My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message,
2 And the things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable people who will also be qualified to teach others.
God’s heart is for the all the lost, from every tribe, nation and tongue, to come to a saving knowledge of the truth. We need a big enough vision that aligns to His heart for all the lost. His heart is also centered on His Kingdom. The Kingdom was His main message. His stated reason for being sent was to preach about the Kingdom in every town and village. He trained and sent out His followers to spread the good news about the Kingdom. He taught His followers to pray for the Kingdom to come. The nature of the Kingdom is start small and grow until it fills every space, so we need to plant Kingdom seeds in every people and place. Finally, the Father’s Heart is for people to be a part of expanding His Kingdom through multiplying disciples and churches.
Version 2.10
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