DISCUSSION ONE :: THE GOSPEL Now I want you to know, brothers and sisters, that what has happened

to me has actually served to advance the gospel. As a result, it has become clear throughout the whole palace guard and to everyone else that I am in chains for Christ. And because of my chains, most of the brothers and sisters have become confident in the Lord and dare all the more to proclaim the gospel without fear. Philippians 1.12-14 (TNIV) From Tim Kellers book Center Church (pgs. 29-30) What do we mean by the gospel? The gospel is a message about how we have been rescued from peril. The very word gospel has as its background a news report about some life-altering event that has already happened. 1. 2. 3. The gospel is good news, not good advice. The gospel is good news announcing that we have been rescued or saved. The gospel is news about what has been done by Jesus Christ to put right our relationship with God.

All of us have had opportunities to share the gospel of Jesus Christ to someone around us. When we go to class or work, there is always an opportunity for us to share the hope in Christ we have because of his saving action on the cross. All of us have also had the opportunity to travel across our nation or world to share the gospel in a practical way. Take some time to reflect on all the opportunities you have had to share your testimony of gospel salvation through Jesus Christ. What does this testimony teach you? How does it reveal your God-given purpose in this world? Does this purpose drive you to live the life worthy of your calling? Notice how the Apostle Paul in Philippians 1 makes a direct correlation between his immediate situation and the opportunity to share the gospel. He is in jailbut he does not let that deter him. So many times, we get caught up in thinking that the gospel life has to be some radical existence. But God calls us to be faithful during both the extraordinary and mundane. It is easy to identify the extraordinary or radical ways we can share the gospel, but how do yo u share the gospel

in the mundane situations in life? Take a moment to reflect on this question. Maybe it would help if you used a journal to record your response. Opportunity for Ministry Westminster Campus Fellowship at UAB We have an opportunity to use our skills and talents from our various mission experiences to serve WCF at UAB. Here are some prayer items for you to keep in mind: 1. 2. 3. 4. God would direct our vision. Reflect on Acts 16:6-10. Where is the Spirit leading? What doors are being closed by the Spirit? Who is the person of peace? (Non-believer, but open to the Gospel that will expose the ministry to nonbelievers.) Luke 10:6 Believers that need to be encouraged. Acts 15:32 Provide for needs of ministry. Luke 10:7