Fellowship Guidelines

Fellowship Guide for CCU Softball Week #1 June 1, 2008

What do we have to share?

Share within small groups (3-5):

· Name, occupation/school, favorite activity other than softball.

· What (skills, experiences, knowledge, wisdom, tips) do you have to share with others?

· Are you a talkative person, quiet person, somewhere in between? Explain.

· What does it mean to you to “Live it Loud”?

Devotional: The CCU Sports theme for 2008 is to “Live It Loud” What do we have to say? What is our message? Will people listen?

God commands us to share Jesus with those around us. God gives us the resources and we are filled with the Holy Spirit to give us the desire to share the good news. But these desires are sometimes overcome by our fears.

Even Jesus’ apostle, Peter denied Jesus 3 times as Jesus had told him earlier. We can deny Jesus when we are afraid to speak out, to share our testimony with others, to proclaim Jesus as Lord. People are watching us even when we are not aware of it. Our actions or inactions speak louder than words.

So we are encouraged this year to “Live it Loud”

Our Theme verse is Deuteronomy 31:6, “Be strong and courageous. Do not be afraid or terrified because of them, for the Lord your God goes with you; he will never leave you nor forsake you.”

Here, Moses was 120 years old, and addressing the nation of Israel, he informed them that He would no longer be their leader to bring them into the promised land, but God would cross over ahead of them, and prepare the way for them through their new leader, Joshua.

As a leader, we should be an example to others, and live a life that reflects our beliefs. We need to listen to what we say, the words we use, the way we live. “Live it Loud” if Jesus is truly important to you, He should be the center of our thoughts, our conversations, and our daily living.

So what do we have to share? What is our message? “I am not ashamed of the gospel because it is the power for the salvation of everyone who believes: first the Jew, then for the Gentile.” Romans 1:16

“For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.” John 3:16

God loves us and forgives us for our failures, our sins, our fears.

Application: Who is listening? It is our hope during this CCU Softball season, that every individual here can make a decision to accept the free gift that God has offered to everyone, and for those of us who have already believed, to be a better vessel for His work. We can make an impact on our communities, to our friends and family, to our co-workers, and fellow students, to someone walking down the street.

If you are interested in accepting Jesus as your personal savior, pray and ask God to forgive you for your sins, to believe that Jesus is the Son of God, who shed His blood for us all on the cross, and is victorious over death and living in Heaven. Don’t miss out on your opportunity to be able to “Live it Loud”, to be forgiven, to experience the power of salvation, and to not be ashamed to proclaim it.

Fellowship Guide for CCU Softball Week #2 June 8, 2008

Approved Workmen Are Not Ashamed (2 Timothy 2:15)

^{2 Tim 2:15}Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a workman who does not need to be ashamed and who correctly handles the word of truth.

^{Romans 1:16}I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes

^{Philippians 1:20} I eagerly expect and hope that I will in no way be ashamed, but will have sufficient courage so that now as always Christ will be exalted in my body, whether by life or by death.

^{Luke 12:4-9} "I tell you, my friends, do not be afraid of those who kill the body and after that can do no more. ⁵But I will show you whom you should fear: Fear him who, after the killing of the body, has power to throw you into hell. Yes, I tell you, fear him. ⁶Are not five sparrows sold for two pennies? Yet not one of them is forgotten by God. ⁷Indeed, the very hairs of your head are all numbered. Don't be afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows. ⁸"I tell you, whoever acknowledges me before men, the Son of Man will also acknowledge him before the angels of God. ⁹But he who disowns me before men will be disowned before the angels of God.

^{Luke 12:11-12} "When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, ¹²for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say."

a. What is shame and what causes someone to feel shameful?

b. Share an experience where you spoke up or took action for the truth. In what ways was it difficult for you?

c. How can you encourage someone to stand up for the truth?

Also a friendly reminder that the season is set to begin next Sunday afternoon with the kickoff fellowship being next Saturday! Hope to see you all then!