Title: "Do Not Be Afraid"
(Part 2)
Speaker: Jim Hammond

Someone said, “Social Distancing”, it’s the introvert’s dream come true.

Some of the most encouraging words we have about following Jesus in difficult times came from Paul’s and John’s pens while they were in quarantine.

God had bigger plans for the “quarantine”, and “social distancing” than anyone could have realized!

Just as God prepared Paul and John for their turn of events. He has prepared us for such a time as this.

We are not going to shrink back under social distancing; we are going to advance the cause of the Gospel! I believe we can move toward greater engagement through this storm not less engagement!

The church is not a meeting. The church is not a building. We are the church and we can advance the gospel in new and powerful ways. This is the perfect opportunity to see this happen.

I. What has happened can ADVANCE the gospel

II. God has a PLAN and you have the PEN

A revival fire begins to build with little commitments, little expressions of love, little acts of faith, little voices in worship, little habits. I’m In.

Don’t use “social distancing” as an excuse to remain in isolation

III. Let’s DARE to proclaim GOOD NEWS all the more

SMALL GROUP DISCUSSION QUESTIONS:
(for further study and conversation)

SMALL TALK

1. Were your parents calming influences in a potentially frightening experience as a child? What did they do?

VIEWPOINT

2. READ Matthew 6:9-13. If you were to use this simple 5 step prayer as an outline for your prayer what would you pray under your current circumstances?

3. READ Philippians 1:12-14. What are some of the surprising positive things that took place because Paul experienced the negative hard stuff he went through?

4. READ 1 Peter 2:24-25. You might want to read also the passage Peter was quoting from which is Isaiah 53. What do you make of this? What does God do? What effect does this have on you? What effect does God want it to have?

GETTING PERSONAL

5. Jim spoke about how John and Paul experienced a forced “social distancing” and a “quarantine” of sorts. They both took up a pen and advanced the good news. God has a good plan in his bigger picture for this not so good stuff in our small picture. How can we pick up a pen, or phone, or social media to advance the good news in a time when bad news is what most people are dealing with? Brainstorm.

6. What are you willing to do to be intentional about engaging more rather than less during this time of social distance?

MAKING PROGRESS

7. As some of your old routines are disrupted, what new routines could bring more peace and stability to you during this time?