LESSON FOUR Healthy Churches Impact Their Community in Positive Ways

10 Common Qualities of Healthy Churches Volume 1: 1. Offer Consistent Bible Truth 2. Offer Loving Fellowship 3. Make Prayer the Priority 4. Trust God to Do Supernatural Things 5. Maintain Unity

10 Common Qualities of Healthy Churches Volume 2: 1. Develop a Culture of Generosity 2. Offer Excellent Large Group Worship 3. Create Small Group Relationships 4. Impact Their Community in Positive Ways 5. Welcome New People into Their Church Family

Key Truth: Healthy churches actively seek opportunities to bless the community around them. “…They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people…” Acts 2:42-47

Exploring the Principle: Relationships are Central to the Gospel

Relationships are Central to the Gospel 1. The message of the Gospel is communicated through RELATIONSHIPS. People come to CHURCH because of their friends. People come to CHRIST through their friends.

Relationships are Central to the Gospel 2. Healthy churches practice RELATIONAL EVANGELISM.

Two Parts to Reaching the Community for Christ 1. My Part is to SEEK Lost People and SHARE the Good News. “Remember this: whoever turns a sinner away from his error will save him from death and cover over a multitude of sins.” James 5:20

Two Parts to Reaching the Community for Christ 2. God’s Part is to SAVE the Lost and GROW His Church. “For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him.” John 3:16-17

God’s Mathematics 120 people prayed at Pentecost (Acts 1) 3000 came to Christ after Peter’s message (Acts 2) The Lord added to their number daily (Acts 2:47) The Church grew to 5000 men, not counting wives and children (Acts 4:4) The Church grew to many thousands of members (Acts 21:20)

God’s Mathematics “The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9

Sharing Your Testimony My life BEFORE Christ (fill in your key word: _____) HOW I came to know Christ (fill in your key word: _____) What DIFFERENCE He has made in my life (fill in your key word: _____)

The Early Church Enjoyed FAVOR with All the People

5 Ways Your Church Can Bless the Community 1. Collect food and clothing for needy people. 2. Offer free babysitting services for single parents. 3. Offer free help to widows who need assistance with household chores. 4. Clean the trash in a public park. 5. Distribute free cold water bottles on hot days.

Sharing Your Testimony “ You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. Matthew 5:14-16

Sharing Your Testimony Consider your RELATIONSHIPS Aquaintance/Stranger “In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven.” Matthew 5:16 Neighbor/Co-worker Family/Relatives YOU