God has challenged our youth in some amazing ways over the last few weeks through our Outbreak series. The big idea of this series is that Gospel is supposed to have the affect on society like that of a virus. Once one person is infected, it spreads from person to person starting an Outbreak. This series answers questions about how students can start a Gospel Outbreak in our youth group, schools, and families. Over the next week, I will share a recap of the messages in the series that show students how God wants to use them to start a Gospel Outbreak.
WEEK ONE: THE SOURCE
Scripture: 2 Corinthians 5:11-21
“Because we understand our fearful responsibility to the Lord, we work hard to persuade others.” - 2 Corinthians 5:11a
1. THE CAUSE (2 Corinthians 5:13-14)
The cause of a Gospel Outbreak is the love of Jesus Christ demonstrated through His death on the cross for our sins. An outbreak begins when an unbeliever is infected by the love of Christ through salvation. It is through Christ alone that we receive this salvation and are forgiven from our sin. When we allow Christ’s love to control us, we are compelled to persuade others to be infected by the Gospel as well.
2. THE CARRIER (2 Corinthians 5:15-17)
The carrier is someone who has been infected by the love of Christ through salvation and lives to infect others with the Gospel. The source of a Gospel Outbreak is caused by the love of Christ, but is carried by those who have a relationship with Him.
3. THE CALL (2 Corinthians 5:18-20)
God has called those who have been infected with the love of Christ to share the message of Jesus Christ with others and live as Christ’s representatives on earth. A Gospel Outbreak begins when unbelievers become carriers of Christ’s love and answer the call to share the Good News with others.
Questions for Reflection:
1. Do you know Jesus as your personal Savior?
2. Are you a carrier of Christ’s love? What can we do to share Christ’s love with others?
3. Have you accepted the call of Christ to share the Gospel with others and live as Christ’s representatives in this world? How can we share the Gospel with others? How are we to live as Christ’s representatives?
