ICEBREAKERS
Make sure to start off with prayer. Then choose one or more questions to open up with.
- If the Government were to ask you to be an ambassador to another country, which country would you choose?
- Do you have any Thanksgiving traditions? If so, tell us about them. If not, is there one you would like to start?
- Without going into politics, what do you love most about America?
Message Review
Main points and scriptures from this week's message.
Pastor Kevin filmed this weekend's message prior to the election to make sure we all knew that no matter what the results were for the election, his message would have been the same. And his message is that no matter where you fall on the political spectrum, your primary responsibility is to be an Ambassodor of Heaven.
POINT 1: WE ARE MORE THAN AMERICANS. WE ARE GOD’S AMBASSADORS.
2 Corinthians 5:20 (NIV)
We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us.
We love our country. We are thankful for America. We are thankful for the people past and present who serve our nation. We are patriots. We voted in this election. We will pray for our next president.
But, we also know that America is not the promised land. And God is not counting on America as his hope for the world!
God's plan for real hope in the world is not in a human government or man-made system. It is not in one nation. God's hope for the world is in the Ambassadors of heaven from ALL nations. The ambassador of all tribes, people, and race come together under the banner of ONE King whose name is higher, whose name is greater, whose name is above all names!
POINT 2: AMBASSADORS ARE ON ASSIGNMENT TO REPRESENT THEIR NATION IN ANOTHER NATION. WE ARE ON ASSIGNMENT TO REPRESENT HEAVEN ON EARTH.
Our primary role is not a political role, and it’s not to be an activist that represents one party, one race, or one group. Our primary role is to represent heaven’s hope for mankind.
JOHN 15:16 (NIV)
You did not choose me, but I chose you and appointed you so that you might go and bear fruit—fruit that will last
Luke 9:2 (NIV)
. . . and he sent them out to proclaim the kingdom of God and to heal the sick.
Times like these are great opportunities for God's people to be Ambassadors.
TALK-IT-OUT
The following questions will help guide your discussions and give your group some opportunities to open up and share. Avoid going into politics this week and try to stay on the subject of being an Ambassador of Heaven.
- Name one thing you have done recently where you acted as an ambassador of heaven, and one thing you have done recently where you did not appear to be an ambassador of heaven.
- During the current situation with so much division in our country, what is one practical way that you as an Ambassador of Heaven can bring a spirit of unity?
- How does knowing that God chose you to be His ambassador change your perspective and approach to life?
- Why do you think that times like this are perfect opportunities for us to be Ambassadors of Heaven?
- The church is the vehicle through which God sends out the Ambassadors of Heaven from. What are you doing to resource the church through the giving of your time, resources, and prayer?
WRITE-It-Out
Encourage your group to starting writing things down. In a journal or on paper, write down the following:
- Write down a prayer for each of the following: our nation, our leaders, the Ambassadors of Heaven.
- Write down one thing you are going to commit to doing every day to be a better Ambassador of Heaven.
Live-It-Out
Encourage your group to start doing. Commit to a step, and live it out this week.
- Every day pray for our nation, our leaders, and the Ambassadors of Heaven.
- Complete the Growth Track. This occurs every Sunday at 11:30, and you can jump in any time. This week is session two, which is all about knowing your church.
- Serve together as a group. Sunday November 20th at 4PM we have our annual Scrooge setup party. Also, every month, we have serving opportunities with Champions Foundation. To view the calendar of events, click HERE
Closing Thoughts
- Finish group with prayer requests and praise reports.
- More resources always available here: Group Resources