Objective
Jesus taught us the importance of God’s Word. He was always sharing the gospel, using parables and stories that people could relate with, so that they would listen and hear. We are being challenged to be like Jesus, and share the Word of God whenever we can to everyone.
God’s Word
Every year Jesus’ parents went to Jerusalem for the Passover Feast. When he was 12 years old, they went up to the Feast as usual. After the Feast was over, his parents left to go back home. The boy Jesus stayed behind in Jerusalem. But they were not aware of it.
After three days they found him in the temple courtyard. He was sitting with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions. Everyone who heard him was amazed at how much he understood. They also were amazed at his answers.
Then he went back to Nazareth with them, and he obeyed them. Jesus became wiser and stronger. He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people.
Luke 2:41-43, 46-47, 51a-52 NIRV
Memory Verse:
He said to them, “Go into all the world. Preach the good news to everyone.”
Mark 16:15 NIRV
Video
Teaching
We know how important the Bible is. That’s because it’s the way that God tells us exactly what He wants to tell us. His message of love, His words of encouragement, His guidelines on how we are to live our life — all of this can be found in the pages of the Bible.
We also know that Jesus is the one whom we want to be like. We want to love like Jesus, and do what He did, and be as close to God as Jesus is.
And Jesus absolutely, positively loved the Word of God.
In the story, Jesus was only twelve years old. At that young age, He was already a scholar of God’s Word.
He was sitting with the teachers. He was listening to them and asking them questions.
Luke 2:46b NIRV
Everyone who heard him was amazed at how much he understood. They also were amazed at his answers.
Luke 2:47 NIRV
We want to be like Jesus. Jesus loved God’s Word. Therefore we also have to love God’s Word. If we want to be like Jesus, we also have to love the Word of God. We also have to recognise it for what it is, the absolute, most perfect work, uncompromising in its Truth, absolute in its declarations. If it’s in the Bible it must be true.
So then, if we want to be like Jesus, we must make sure we never stop reading or studying the Bible. There is always something to be learned in the Word of God. There is always something which applies to our life, which we can reflect on and contemplate.
Another thing that Jesus loved was… people! He loved people so much, even those that didn’t deserve it, even those that didn’t love Him back.
We love because He first loved us.
1 John 4:19
People are Jesus’ absolute favourite, second only to God. He was love personified. And in the word today, there was a direct correlation between His love for the Word, and His love for the people.
He also became more and more pleasing to God and to people.
Luke 2:52b NIRV
Jesus loved people so much, that He shared the Word of God with them.
If you love people, you will share the Word with them. If you love someone, you want them to also have the best experience, the best that life has to offer.
That’s what we do with good news. We share them. There is a reason why the Word of God is often called, “The Good News.” Because it tells us how we can have the best life ever, how we can live the best life ever. And when news is good, we share it. Especially to people we love.
Our keypoints today tell us how we are to share that Good News.
1 Share by telling
The easiest way to pass on a message is by talking about it. Do you notice that you always speak about whatever it is that is in your heart the most at any given moment? Whatever is the latest thing that excites you, or inspires you.
When you see something good, or know something good, you can’t wait to share it with your friends. You can’t wait to tell the world about it.
What more then, for the Word of God? It’s the best news there is.
And who do you tell? Everyone! And what do you say? That Jesus is Lord! And when do you say it? All the time and whenever you can! And how do you say it? By any means possible! In school, during recess. In your house, or in your relatives’ houses. In your social media. In your comments. Declare the Word of God. Glorify Him with your words. Let everyone know the Good News!
2 Share by being
Another way you can share the Good News is simply by being a good person. That’s it. When you show other people how good you are being, you are glorifying God. God’s goodness is reflected by the way you live your life. By the way you speak, act, move, dress, socialise, obey — all of this is a reflection of what’s in your heart.
Of course you have to make sure that all of these is inherent in you. You have to be intentional, but not boastful. You have to be mindful, but not arrogant. You have to consciously reflect God in all that you do, and yet not make the mistake of being hypocritical about it, so hyper aware that you slide over into legalism.
God’s Word is good. And Good News is always meant to be shared. So Let’s Go Share the Word.
Worship
With All I Am – Hillsongs
Ever Be – Bethel Music
Lifegroup Discussion
Play a short game of Sword Drills. This is a game where, starting with closed Bibles and no bookmarks, players see who can be the fastest to find these Bible passages:
- Hebrews 4:12
- 2 Timothy 3:16-17
- Psalm 119:105
- James 1:22
- Isaiah 40:8
- Deuteronomy 8:3
- Proverbs 30:5
- Colossians 3:16
- Psalm 19:7
- Job 23:12
(Make sure everyone has a Bible. If some don’t have Bibles, play the game in batches, one on one mode.)
1. What is your favourite Bible passage? Do you have it memorised? (Explain that if something is important to us, we tend to memorise it, like favourite songs or lines from movies.)
2. Have you ever shared the Word of God to anyone, ever? Share to the group.
3. What could be the challenges that could hinder you from sharing the Word of God? (Lead them into thinking of being shy, not knowing enough, etc., and then work with them to solve the issues that they face.)
Teaching Slides here.