Next Step Session 2

Welcome to Session 2!
In our last session, we talked about:

• The Position of the Church: The church is built on the cornerstone of Jesus.
• The Posture of the Church: The church was designed to move.
• The Purpose of the Church: The church’s purpose is to make disciples.

And here at Hope City, we believe disciples are made when we bring Hope to the broken and Purpose for everyone.

Bible Passages for Today’s Session

Ephesians 4:7-10 (NLT)

7 However, he has given each one of us a special gift through the generosity of Christ. 8 That is why the Scriptures say, “When he ascended to the heights, he led a crowd of captives and gave gifts to his people.” 9 Notice that it says “he ascended.” This clearly means that Christ also descended to our lowly world. 10 And the same one who descended is the one who ascended higher than all the heavens, so that he might fill the entire universe with himself.

Value 2: God’s Glory is our Purpose

The aim of Hope City Church is to help people discover His purpose. We believe that each of us have been uniquely gifted to showcase His glory.

The Gifts Christ Gave to the Church

Ephesians 4:11-12 (NLT)

11 Now these are the gifts Christ gave to the church: the apostles, the prophets, the evangelists, and the pastors and teachers. 12 Their responsibility is to equip God’s people to do his work and build up the church, the body of Christ.

• Apostle
• Prophet
• Evangelist
• Shepherd
• Teacher

1. Apostle:

• Role: Establishes, dreams, and starts new things to expand the Kingdom of God.
• Jesus as the Apostle: Jesus was sent to establish and expand God’s Kingdom.
  • Hebrews 3:1 (NLT)
    “Therefore, holy brothers and sisters, who share in the heavenly calling, fix your thoughts on Jesus, whom we acknowledge as our apostle and high priest.”

• Biblical Example: Paul
• Recent Example: Jon and Maritza Hernandez – Started homes for children in Bolivia, Chile, and Honduras.

Ponder: How can God use what you have built to expand His Kingdom?

(MULTILINE)

2. Prophet:

• Role: Speaks God’s truth to the world, hearing from God and communicating His will.
• Jesus as the Prophet: Jesus did nothing apart from what He saw the Father doing.
  • John 5:19 (NLT)
    19 So Jesus explained, “I tell you the truth, the Son can do nothing by himself. He does only what he sees the Father doing. Whatever the Father does, the Son also does.
• Biblical Example: John the Baptist, Anna
• Recent Example: Dr. Martin Luther King, Jr.

Ponder: Do you see what others don’t see? How are you communicating God’s truth?

(MULTILINE)

3. Evangelist:

• Role: Communicates, inspires, and recruits others to the Kingdom of God.
• Jesus as the Evangelist: Jesus called people to follow Him and learn to make disciples.
  • Matthew 4:19 (NLT)
    19 Jesus called out to them, “Come, follow me, and I will show you how to fish for people!”
• Biblical Example: Phillip, Andrew, the woman at the well
• Recent Example: Christine Caine

Ponder: How are you using your influence to expand the Kingdom of God?

(MULTILINE)

4. Shepherd:

• Role: Cares for others, creating and maintaining a healthy, nurturing culture.
• Jesus as the Shepherd: Jesus deeply cares for and feeds His sheep.
  • John 21:15 (NLT)
    15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?*”
    “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.”
    “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him. 
• Biblical Example: Elizabeth, Timothy
• Recent Example: Mother Teresa

Ponder: How are you connecting others to a right relationship with Jesus?

(MULTILINE)

5. Teacher:

• Role: Mediates wisdom and knowledge, making the complicated simple.
• Jesus as the Teacher: Jesus was the embodiment of wisdom and knowledge.
  • Colossians 2:2-3 (NLT)
    2 I want them to be encouraged and knit together by strong ties of love. I want them to have complete confidence that they understand God’s mysterious plan, which is Christ himself. 3 In him lie hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. 
• Biblical Example: Solomon, James
• Recent Example: Mr. Rogers

Ponder: Are you teaching others about the Kingdom of God? How can you further equip others to learn?

(MULTILINE)

Your Work: Understanding Your Gift

• How have you been gifted?
• Discuss your gifting with a friend and see if they agree.
• When you have identified your gift, ponder the question offered in the study.
• Where can your gifting best be used in the Kingdom of God?