Discussion questions
These questions can be used by you alone, with a friend, or your Faith Group to discuss "Salt & Light" preached December 1, 2024. This is the fourth and final message in the series "Go and Tell: Living Out the Great Commission."
When you became a Christian, you became more than just a believer – you became a messenger. You were sent into this world with a mission: to share the message of Jesus’ love and forgiveness with those who don’t yet know Him. Sharing the Gospel isn’t just a responsibility—it’s the greatest need of the world around us. In this series, we’ll dive into the Great Commission, where Jesus gave us this mission. Over the course of the series, we’ll explore 8 biblical models of evangelism—practical ways to share your faith that fit different personalities and gifts. My prayer is that you’ll discover how God has uniquely equipped you to share the Good News. Together, let’s embrace the call to "Go and Tell."
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Open your group with a prayer. Use these questions as a guide; select the points you want to discuss.
GETTING STARTED
Let’s begin with a few lighthearted and thought-provoking questions to break the ice and introduce the themes we’ll be exploring together.
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What’s your favorite salty snack? Chips, popcorn, pretzels—or something more adventurous? And why do you love it?
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Have you ever been in complete darkness—like on a camping trip or during a power outage? How did you feel, and what was it like when the light came back?
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If you had to choose between giving up salt or never turning on a light again, which would you pick? Why?
DIGGING DEEPER
Now that we’ve introduced the key themes of the sermon, let’s dig deeper into what it means to “Salt & Light.” Together, we’ll explore the biblical foundations, theological insights, and real-life examples that shape each evangelism model, helping us better understand the mission Jesus has called us to.
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General Understanding of "Salt and Light"
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Why do you think Jesus used "salt" and "light" as metaphors for His followers in Matthew 5:13-16? What do these images suggest about the role of Christians in the world?
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In what ways does salt "enhance" or "preserve," and how might those qualities reflect our mission as followers of Christ?
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Light not only illuminates but also reveals. How does this compare to the way truth and the gospel work in our lives and in the world?
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Exploring Service Evangelism
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Read John 6:1-14 and 6:35. What do Jesus’ actions in feeding the 5,000 reveal about connecting physical and spiritual needs? How does this deepen your understanding of service evangelism?
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In Mark 2:1-12, Jesus both forgave sins and healed a paralyzed man. How does this passage demonstrate the balance between addressing physical and spiritual needs?
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Read Acts 3:1-10. After Peter and John healed the lame man, a crowd gathered. How did Peter use this act of service as an opportunity to proclaim the gospel (Acts 3:11-19)? What does this teach us about connecting acts of compassion with sharing the message of Christ?
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Exploring Event Evangelism
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Paul’s sermon at the Areopagus in Acts 17:22-31 was tailored to his audience. What can we learn from his approach to public evangelism in a diverse cultural setting?
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Think of the revivals or crusades mentioned in the sermon (like Billy Graham’s ministry). How do public events like these amplify the message of Christ in ways other evangelism models cannot?
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Exploring Media Evangelism
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Paul’s letters served as one of the first "media" tools for sharing the gospel. How did this form of communication multiply his influence, and what can we learn from it for modern media evangelism?
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Read Romans 10:17. How does this verse reinforce the importance of hearing and proclaiming the Word of Christ, regardless of the method?
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Technology like the printing press, radio, and the Internet has transformed evangelism. What biblical principles should guide us as we adopt new tools like social media and AI for spreading the gospel?
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LIVING IT OUT
Now that we’ve explored the sermon’s themes, it’s time to consider how we can live them out in our daily lives. Let’s discuss practical ways to apply these models of evangelism, embracing both the challenges and the joys of sharing the Gospel with those around us.​
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What’s one practical way you could serve someone this week—at work, in your neighborhood, or even within your family? How could you connect that act of service to sharing your faith naturally?
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Do you ever feel hesitant to move from helping someone to talking about Jesus? What holds you back, and how might prayer or preparation help overcome that challenge?
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Think of a community or church event you could invite someone to. Who comes to mind, and what steps could you take this week to extend that invitation? What fears or obstacles might you need to confront in doing so?
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Do you find large outreach events inspiring or intimidating? Why do you think some people respond so well to them, and how can you personally engage in supporting these efforts, even if you're not on stage?
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How comfortable are you using social media, texting, or other forms of digital communication to share your faith? What’s one creative way you could shine Christ’s light online this week?
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One of the hardest parts of sharing the gospel is the fear of rejection. Have you ever experienced this? How can remembering the truth of Matthew 5:13-16 (being salt and light) help you persevere?
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In what setting do you find it easiest to live as salt and light? Where do you struggle the most? How can you lean on God’s strength to shine brightly in those harder places?
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Here are links to 3 popular tools for sharing the Gospel. Which ones are familiar? Which ones have you tried?
These websites provide further evangelism tools and training:
This is not an endorsement of everything on these websites.