Day 2: Find Your Sheep

Video Overview: Explore the essence of finding your sheep in the context of ministry growth by examining Jesus’ approach to reaching out and understanding the true meaning of “Ecclesia”.

Key Takeaways:

  1. Understanding Ecclesia: The word Ecclesia is the root word for the modern translation of “Church” in the New Testament. Contrary to popular belief, it doesn’t relate to a building but signifies a “gathering of those summoned”.
  2. Historical Context: In ancient Greece, an Ecclesia described citizens called to gather in a public space.
  3. Modern Misconception: While church buildings have their place, the true church or ecclesia is the congregation, the people.
  4. Jesus’ Approach: Multiple passages, like Luke 5:1-11 and John 4, highlight Jesus’ proactive approach to reaching out to his audience, breaking cultural and societal norms.
  5. Places of Gathering: Jesus frequented central community locations like wells, indicating the importance of meeting people where they are in their daily lives.
  6. Crossing Boundaries: The dedication of Jesus to reach his lost sheep was profound, even when it meant breaking societal rules.
  7. Scriptural Insights: Various passages from the New Testament emphasize Jesus’ relentless pursuit of his lost sheep, such as Mark 1:38, Matthew 9:35, Mark 6:34, John 1:14, Philippians 2:7-8, and Matthew 8:20.
  8. Rethinking Ministry: Contrary to the common practice of expecting the lost to come to church, Jesus’ ministry shows the importance of going out to them.
  9. Identifying Your Sheep: Reflect on who God has called your ministry to reach. Understand their gathering points, interests, and professions.

Reflection Points:

  • How does the misconception about the church building affect ministry efforts?
  • Reflect on Jesus’ proactive approach in reaching his audience. How can this be emulated in modern ministry?
  • Considering the audience God has called your ministry to serve, where can they be found? What commonalities exist?

Action Steps:

  1. Reflect on the understanding of Ecclesia and its relevance to your ministry.
  2. Examine the places and platforms where your target audience gathers. Are they physical or digital?
  3. Identify the common interests, gathering points, and professions of your sheep.
  4. Reconsider your ministry approach: Are you waiting for them to come, or are you actively reaching out?

Scripture References:

  • Luke 5:1-11
  • John 4
  • Mark 1:38
  • Matthew 9:35
  • Mark 6:34
  • John 1:14
  • Philippians 2:7-8
  • Matthew 8:20

Ministry Growth Takeaways

Low-Growth Belief: “Our audience should find us!”

High-Growth Belief: “We should go find our audience!”

Growth Term 1: Market Research.

Market research is looking out to the various marketplaces your target audience might be hanging out at. This could be at a local mall, a school, or on an online platform like amazon or Facebook. Market Research helps you to identify where your target audience is hanging out, so you don’t waste all of your ministry finances looking for them everywhere. More money going to the RIGHT place, means more growth.

Growth Term 2: Marketing

Marking is the art and science of knowing how to take your God given message to the specific marketplace where your audience is hanging out. Do you need to take go in the form of a digital advertisement, through a blog on Google, a radio station, TV, or on foot? Good marketing gets you and your congregation to the place where the people God has called you to are waiting.

Further Study: Deepen your understanding of Jesus’ approach to ministry and re-evaluate the methods of modern ministry to align more closely with the teachings and practices of Jesus.

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