WEEK 10 SERMON DISCUSSION QUESTIONS FOR GROUPS

The Future Church: Witnessing

Introduction:

The Future Church series explores how the church can adapt and thrive in a changing world, often drawing inspiration from the Bible and the early Christian community. We will focus on topics such as cultivating intimacy with God, understanding how to follow Jesus, connecting with the church community, serving others, and giving in response to God’s grace.

Something To Talk About:

Evangelism is not a burdensome task but rather a natural outgrowth of a deep and authentic faith. It encourages Christians to live their faith visibly within their communities and relationships, trusting that God will work through their actions and words to create a meaningful impact on others.

HP = High Potency: This refers to a Christian’s moral character, their spiritual health, and the degree to which they let Christ’s influence shine in their lives. This makes their faith undeniable and attracts others to it. Living a high-potency life means intentionally living in a way that radiates God’s influence. It’s not just about existence, but about living with purpose and passion, reflecting His character in our daily interactions, decisions, and attitudes. God’s plan for us is to be distinct—set apart from the world yet deeply grounded in His truth. As we walk in His divine purpose, others will notice the difference. Our integrity, love, humility, and unwavering faith become a testament to His glory. When you choose to live in accordance with His plan, you unlock a high-potency life filled with purpose, power, and influence, leaving a lasting impression on those around you.
CP = Close Proximity: God’s divine plan for reaching the world has always been through people who carry His presence into the lives of others. God doesn’t just send ideas into the world—He sends people. And He has chosen you to be part of His plan. To be effective in sharing the good news, Christians cannot remain isolated in the comfort of Christian circles. Salt is only useful when it comes into contact with food, and light only works when it enters darkness. Proximity is not optional—it’s essential. Jesus modeled this by walking into the homes, workplaces, and lives of those far from God. He didn’t wait for sinners to come to Him; He went to them. Evangelism is not about drive-by conversations or check-the-box witnessing. It’s about real, authentic relationships. Christians should cultivate genuine relationships and spend time with non-believers, rather than merely socializing with other Christians. The “salt of the earth” cannot have an impact if it stays in a shaker.
CC = Clear Communication: Giving credit where it belongs: As followers of Christ, we are called not only to live out the gospel but also to communicate it with clarity. If we fail to explain the foundation of our hope, others may assume our joy, peace, or good works come from personal effort or moral superiority. Clear communication guards against the dangerous misunderstanding that salvation is earned through behavior or self-improvement. Instead, we proclaim that every good thing is the result of Christ living in us (Galatians 2:20). Our task is not to impress others with our devotion, but to magnify the One who died and rose again so that all may have life. When our words and actions align in giving Him credit, the message of grace comes through unclouded and powerful, preventing others from mistakenly thinking that salvation is earned through personal effort or good behavior.
MI = Maximum Impact: Every believer desires to live a life that makes a difference for Christ. But impact does not happen by accident—it is the result of intentionally combining three key components: HP (High Potency example), CP (Close Proximity relationships), and CC (Clear Communication of the gospel). When all three come together, the result is MI = Maximum Impact. When HP, CP, and CC are combined, the outcome is powerful. The gospel is not only seen but also heard and felt. This synergy creates a contagious witness that God uses to draw people to Himself. A single component in isolation has value, but together they form a multiplying effect that transforms lives.

Discussion Questions:

Jesus tells His followers to be “the salt of the earth” in Matthew 5:13, but warns that salt that has lost its flavor is useless. What makes a Christian lose their “saltiness” or spiritual potency?
Matthew 5:16 says, “let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will praise your heavenly Father.” How can our actions impress others with our distinction as followers of Christ, and how can we ensure the praise goes to God instead of ourselves?
Christianity is not meant to be lived in isolation. What are the spiritual dangers of living an isolated faith, and how have you seen people get “baited” into temptation when they are isolated?
Think of God, a community of believers, and those outside the church. How is your proximity to each of these groups right now? Which area needs the most attention?
Have you ever viewed someone—like a talkative neighbor or a difficult colleague—as a distraction rather than as an opportunity for a divine encounter? How can you shift your perspective to see your daily life as your mission field?
The right words spoken at the right time are powerful. In your relationships, when has speaking an honest and timely word had a maximum impact? When has a misstep led to a loss of a relationship or wasted emotional energy?
Clear communication requires understanding the audience. How can you better understand the people you are speaking with—their background, perspective, and needs—before you share your faith?
Clear communication of the gospel means making it about Jesus, not about our own “goodness”. How do you ensure that when you talk about your faith, you are pointing people toward what Jesus accomplished, not just your own good works?
Reflecting on your own life and the areas where you have seen God move, what was the balance of high potency, close proximity, and clear communication? What did you learn from that experience?
Maximum Impact is the result of all three parts working together. What is one specific, practical step you can take this week to increase your impact by focusing on one of these three components?
Dallas Willard said, “Discipleship is the process of becoming who Jesus would be if He were you”. In what ways can you become more like Jesus in your potency, proximity, and communication to have a greater kingdom impact?

Take one thing home with you:

“For God was in Christ, reconciling the world to himself, no longer counting people’s sins against them. And he gave us this wonderful message of reconciliation. So we are Christ’s ambassadors; God is making his appeal through us. We speak for Christ when we plead, “Come back to God” (2 Corinthians 5:19-20).

We are ambassadors for Christ. We represent the Kingdom of heaven on earth. We serve as a bridge between a holy God and a world that desperately needs His grace and love. Being an ambassador for Christ means representing God and His love, grace, and forgiveness to the world as His messengers, or “diplomats.” Christians are tasked with the “ministry of reconciliation,” extending an invitation to others to be reconciled with God through Jesus. This involves embodying Christ’s life and love in daily actions, speaking God’s truths with wisdom and grace, and living with an eternal perspective, serving and living for Christ rather than self.