Sunday School Lesson April 21, 2024
Subject: Sharing Christ
The Point: We are to invite others into a relationship with Christ.
Scriptures: Matthew 28:18-20; 2 Corinthians 5:16-21
Study The Bible: Matthew 28:18-20
1). Our assignment: make disciples.
- Jesus came near and said to them, “All authority has been given to me in heaven and on earth.
- Go, therefore, and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
- teaching them to observe everything I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Lasting truths from: Matthew 28:18-20
* When Jesus speaks, He speaks with full authority.
* Jesus commissions us to make disciples.
* The Lord is present with us, without fail, as we serve Him.
2). Our action: tell others.
2 Corinthians 5:16-19
- From now on, then, we do not know anyone from a worldly perspective. Even if we have known Christ from a worldly perspective, yet now we no longer know him in this way.
- Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has passed away, and see, the new has come!
- Everything is from God, who has reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation.
- That is, in Christ, God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and he has committed the message of reconciliation to us.
Lasting truths from: 2 Corinthians 5:16-19
* As believers, we live a new life in Christ in which one set of conditions and relationships passes away to be replaced by another set that comes from Him and gives evidence of His presence within us.
* Because of our sin, we were at enmity with God, but He has reconciled us to Himself
* As believers we are to do and say those things that exalt and magnify the name of Christ and that call others to be reconciled to Him.
3). Our appeal: a call to be reconciled.
2 Corinthians 5:20-21
- Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us. We plead on Christ’s behalf, “Be reconciled to God.”
- He made the one who did not know sin to be sin for us, so that in him we might become the righteousness of God.
Lasting truths from: 2 Corinthians 5:20-21
* All who believe in Jesus are commissioned as His ambassadors to act and speak on His behalf to call others to repent and be reconciled to Him.
* The sinless Christ bore our sin and its consequences relationship with God.
As you reflect on this session, respond to the following questions:
- What is your response to the thought that the Lord has commissioned you to share the gospel? Do you accept it as something personal and as something possible—if you so desire?
- Where do you go day in and out as part of the routine of your life that could be a field of service for you? Who are some people that you could influence to become disciples of Jesus?
- Review the motives Paul had for his ministry of reconciliation. In what ways do you identify with them as motivations for you as well?
- How prepared are you to share the message of reconciliation? Do you have a testimony of personal faith that you could briefly present during a personal encounter with another person?
Closing Prayer:
“Dear God, I know I am a sinner. I believe Jesus died on the cross to forgive me of my sins and rose from the dead to give me new life. I’m sorry for all the wrong I’ve done and ask You to forgive me. I now accept Your gift of eternal life. Thank You for Your love, forgiveness, and a new life in Jesus Christ. From this day forward, I choose to follow You. In Jesus’ name Amen.”
“If this lesson has been a blessing to you, leave us a comment.”