Go & Tell

Scripture Reading: John 1:35-46.

Memory Verse: "Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine" (II Timothy 4:2).

INTRODUCTION: The atmosphere in the courtroom was cold and impersonal. The youth hung his head as he stood before the bench. He didn't dare look into the judge's eyes. He had pleaded guilty to the charge. He'd never dreamed it would end up like this. It had seemed such fun at the time.
  His best friend had borrowed his father's car and the two boys had set up an obstacle course along a side street that had seemed free of any traffic. They had challenged each other to different feats . . . twising and turning the car between the obstacles spread out along the road. It had been his turn at the wheel and he had managed to get around a really difficult one when another car had turned into the street. It had been impossible to avoid it. He had swung the car as hard around as he could but had still side-swiped it and, losing control, had crashed into the fences of one of the houses.
  Now, here he was in court. The judge pronounced sentence . . . the payment of a fine plus all the damages, or else a term in jail. For a second the boy's eyes lifted in shock to meet the eyes of the judge. Then he quickly lowered them again. How was he ever going to pay? It was a sum way beyond his means and, oh horror, he shuddered at the thought of jail. The judge's hammer hit the bench. "Guilty, as charged!" The boy's mind was in a whirl. He'd have to leave school and get a job . . . but that wouldn't be easy . . . and that wouldn't do any good . . . he had to pay the fine now, or it meant jail.
  A hand on his shoulder pulled his thoughts back. He looked up, straight into the judge's eyes. The judge had left his bench and was standing next to him. The youth's eyes filled with tears. "Dad", he said, "I'm sorry . . ." The judge nodded. "I know, son" he said. He put his arm around him and, walking over to the desk, paid his son's fine.
  We are like that youth and can hear the judge's hammer and the pronouncement, "Guilty, as charged!" God is like that judge. Justice and truth pronounced the youth guilty . . . but the judge's love for his son brought him down from the bench to pay the fine himself.
  This is the good news we have to tell the world. We're all guilty, but Christ has paid the price!

LESSON QUESTIONS:

1. Share testimonies about how God led you in ministering and sharing with the person you chose to focus on in the study, The Power of Prayer.

2. How did Peter respond to the confusing situation at Pentecost? Acts 2:14-17.

3. How did Philip respond to the opportunity God presented? Acts 8:30-40.

4. Explain how Paul used the Greeks' religion in Acts 17:16-23.

5. Examine Paul's message and its effect on the men in leadership. Acts 24:24,25; 26:28,29.

6. What is the "bad news" you need to share with others? Romans 3:23; 6:23.

7. What is the "good news" you also must share? Romans 5:8; Ephesians 2:8,9; 4:6,7.

8. How will you explain to someone what they must do to be saved? Romans 10:13; Mark 16:16.

9. Use these questions as a guide to developing your personal story. Then share it with someone in class.

   What is one thing you like about Jesus?
   When and how did you become a Christian?
   Why do you go to church?
   What is different about your life now compared to before you became a Christian?
   What do you believe happens when you die?
   Why is your faith important to you?

 Back