OPEN HEARTS get in the game
- Ps David Jones
- Jan 25
- 6 min read
Open Hearts Series 2025
Sunday Morning’s message 26th of January 2025
Pastor David Jones
citywestchurch YouTube:https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=yR03LTWPZmg
Objective
Encourage everyone in the group to allow God to freshly open their heart to relationship with Him and what He desires for their life. To have some skin in the game.
Leaders Note
Encourage everyone to allow God by his Spirit to reveal Jesus a fresh. Following Jesus is the most exciting and yet challenging adventure we could ever go on. That we would be YES people to the purposes and plans of God and make ourselves available to Him.
Please choose what best suits your group and fits time well. You do not need to discuss every question. Choose two or three areas to discuss. Have fun Jesus People!
Possible opening Prayer
Heavenly Father, we come before You today with open hearts. We ask that You speak to us through Your Word and guide us to a deeper understanding of how we can live out our faith actively. Help us to be willing participants in Your Kingdom work and open our hearts to obey Your call. In Jesus' name, Amen.
Discussion Time
Introduction
Think about a sports team preparing for a big game. Everyone is present, but not all are fully engaged. Some are distracted, disillusioned, or unsure. As the competition heats up, those who aren’t truly “in the game” begin to fall behind. This happens in our faith too. We may be present, but are we truly committed? Are our hearts fully in it?
We are continuing the theme of “Open Hearts,” but today we focus on how we respond to God's call and get involved in His mission. It's about being more than just a spectator—it’s about being active in the Kingdom of God.
Scripture Focus:
Acts 16:14-15:"One of those listening was a woman from the city of Thyatira named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth. She was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. 15 When she and the members of her household were baptised, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us."
Lydia’s heart was opened by God, and she responded to the message Paul preached.
Reflection
What does it mean for our hearts to be opened to God’s Word? And what next for Lydia in following Jesus
1. Obeying the Call: The Next Step
After Lydia believed, she didn’t hesitate to respond. She invited Paul and his companions into her home, showing immediate hospitality and action.
Question for the Group
Once our hearts are open to God’s message, how can we actively respond? What is the “next step” for each of us?
Personal Reflection Sometimes, when we first hear God’s call, it’s easy to be excited and jump in. Over time, as life gets busy, it can be harder to stay engaged. How can we keep our hearts open and active in following God’s call?
2. The Church: Not Just a Building, But a Family
Ephesians 2:19: "Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and strangers, but fellow citizens with God’s people and also members of his household,"
Similarity is not Family. Similarity applies belonging but it does not create family. Commitment to each other through thick and thin creates belonging in the church family. We choose repeatedly to belong to one another, regardless of what comes up. This is hard to do at times, but we must lean in and have our spiritual eyes open to the voice of the Holy Spirit. The devil would love to isolate you or one of the brethren from Gods family.
Question for the Group
What does it look like to be an active member of the body of Christ today? Are we living out our calling in the family of believers?
Discussion
How can we build community with other believers and encourage one another to “get in the game” of faith?
3. Getting in the Game: More than Just Showing Up
Many of us are good at showing up—whether it’s for church on Sundays, Bible studies, or other events. But God calls us to more than just attendance. He calls us to heart action.
Illustration
Imagine watching a team game from the sidelines. It’s fun to watch, but if you’re not playing, you miss the real experience. The same goes for our faith—we can watch from the sidelines, but to truly experience the joy and growth of following Jesus, we need to get in the game.
Personal Challenge
Reflect on your own life—are you actively using your gifts and talents to serve God and others, or are you more of a spectator?
Leaders note
Remember, it’s about having an open heart that leads to good works. We are not saved by works, but we cannot help ourselves when we are open hearted to God and others to do good.
After Paul and Silas were released from prison, they went to Lydia’s house. Acts 16:40 – “After Paul and Silas came out of the prison, they went to Lydia’s house, where they met with the brothers and sisters and encouraged them.” This was more than just a visit; it was a time of encouragement and fellowship, and it marked the beginning of a new community of believers. This fledgling assembly of believers was meeting in Lydias home.
Question for the Group
How can we, like Lydia, help build a community of believers? How do we love, encourage one another in our faith?
Reflection Question
What does it look like for you to “get in the game” in your faith?
It could mean serving in your church, reaching out to someone who doesn’t know Jesus, or using your skills and resources to support others. Give financially to someone or to your church. We are all called to be part of the body of Christ. We’re not just here to watch—we’re here to act and make a difference.
Personal Challenge
What is one thing you can do this week to actively serve God and His Kingdom? Take a moment to reflect and share with the group.
What next for you and me as we follower Jesus
4. Closing thought: “Come and See”
John 1:35-42" "The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”
37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”
They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”
39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”
So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.
40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.
Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter)."
Jesus invited His first disciples with the simple words, “Come and see.” They followed Him, and their hearts were opened to a new way of living.
Question for the Group
Jesus invites us today with the same words— “Come and see.” Are we willing to follow Him wholeheartedly, even when we don’t know exactly where He will lead?
Reflection
Like the disciples, we are called to be with Jesus, learn from Him, and share Him with others. Andrew spent the day with Jesus and went straight away to find his brother Simon and bring him to Jesus. Who is God calling you to invite to experience Jesus? Who is your “one more”?
Leader
Encourage people to write a “one more” name down and place that name in their bible or on the fridge and pray for that person’s salvation.
Conclusion
Encouraging Challenge
Just as Lydia’s heart was opened and she immediately responded to God’s call, we are called to respond with open hearts—living out our faith and serving others. Let’s not just watch from the sidelines—let’s get in the game and be part of what God is doing in the world.
Closing Prayer
Lord, thank You for calling us into Your family. Help us to not just be spectators but active participants in Your Kingdom. Open our hearts to respond to Your call and give us the courage to step out in faith. Guide us as we seek to serve others and bring them to You. In Jesus’ name, Amen.
Find more in the Open Hearts series:
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