Living Beyond Myself

Lesson 6 - Making the Most of Service ~ Starting a Volunteer Revolution

 

 

 

1.   Into our history:

     

Suggested icebreaker

 

·         When you think about volunteering your time to a church, do you find yourself thinking of it as a “have to” or a “get to.”  Why?

 

·         Tell of a time when you freely gave of your time to help an organization or group other than church. (i.e. political election, school, sports, etc.).  What did you walk away learning?

 

 

2. Into the Bible:

 

  1. When you hear the words, “Volunteer Revolution,” what do you think it means? 

 

1.      Describe what you think a “Volunteer Revolution” is.

2.      Definitions:

 

Volunteer - “one who freely offers himself for a service.”

 

Revolution – “a sudden, radical or complete change in the way of thinking about or visualizing something; a change of paradigm”

 

Volunteer Revolution – “A sudden, radical or complete change in the way of thinking about offering ourselves for service.”

 

3.      Do you think we need a revolution in how we view volunteerism?

Consider Church volunteerism across the past decade  

2005-26% 2004-24% 2002- 24% 2000- 21% 1996- 21% 1995- 1992- 24% 1991-27%

                                                -  The Barna Group

b. What does a “Volunteer Revolution” look like?

 

            1.  Read ACTS 2: 42-47

 

2.      Question:  What was the response of the multitude to the preaching of the gospel?

·         Devoted to God’s Word

·         Devoted to Christian Community

·         Devoted to Hospitality

·         Devoted to Prayer

·         Devoted to Radical Sacrificial Service

o       They had all things in common

o       They sold their possessions and divided them to people according to need.

 

3.      Question:  Was this Volunteer Revolution too radical???

 

This volunteerism probably seems so radical because our service is so moderate; much like the lazy man who considers a person who works 40hrs week to have a radical work ethic.  Its not that the early church had standards that were too high, but we have standards that are too low.      

 

4.       Question:  What is the connection between salvation and such radical service  to one another?

 

1.  A dynamic change in our relationship with God should translate into authentic love for others. 

 

1 John 4:7-8  7 Beloved, let us love one another, for love is from God; and everyone who loves is born of God and knows God.  8 The one who does not love does not know God, for God is love.

 

2.  An authentic love for others often includes sacrifice for others

                       

“Mother Teresa heard vows from 11 new members of her growing order, the Society of the Missionaries of Charity, and spoke briefly about this weekend.  Her trip here Saturday from Cuba was unannounced, but about 700 people crowded Mission Dolores for the profession of vows by sisters who have completed their novitiate. ‘Love, to be real, must cost,’ said the frail and stooped Mother Teresa, 75, whose big voice belies her stature, ‘It must hurt. It must empty us of self.’

 

                                                            -- USA Today, Nov. 17, 1986

           

3.  An authentic love impacts the lives of others.

 

a. Read Acts 9:36-39.

b. Consider the response of Tabitha (Dorcas) to the communities’ need.

Acts 9:36  this woman was abounding with deeds of kindness and charity which she continually did.

 

Acts 9:39  When he arrived, they brought him into the upper room; and all the widows stood beside him, weeping and showing all the tunics and garments that Dorcas used to make while she was with them.

 

c. Consider the response of the community to Tabitha’s death.

·         The disciples in Joppa earnestly implored Peter to come and restore her.

·         The widows of Joppa were inconsolable.

 

 

3. into our Lives:        

  

a. How might we personally revolutionize our lives for radical service of other?

 

b. As an ACTS group, how can we collectively use our talents to start a volunteer revolution in our community?