Vibrant Communities
Bible study
Pastors and Leaders
Use the Pastor’s and Leader’s Guide as a launching pad for sermons and small group discussions.
Leader’s guide
Print onto A4 paper and fold it in half to make an A5 booklet.
A big thanks to Scott Pilgrim, Baptist Mission Australia’s Executive Director, for writing this Pastor’s and Leader’s Guide.
Please fill out the form if you would like printed copies mailed to you.
How to use this resource
The Pastor’s and Leader’s Guide has been written as a launching pad for leaders to explore the key themes of the Vibrant Communities series with churches and small groups.
Each theme has an exploration of the theme and scriptures, takeaways, mission stories to use as illustrations and questions for small groups. This guide can be used as a four week series or as standalone sessions.
Session overviews
This Pastor’s and Leader’s Guide is based on the ideas explored in Scott Pilgrim’s Vibrant Communities sermon series. You can watch or listen to the relevant sermon at the top of each session below.
Whether we are in North Manly or Northern Thailand, South East Asia or South Australia, a small country town in Outback Australia or a dusty road of Malawi… God is at work. His gracious invitation for us is to partner with Him, to see people come to know Jesus in ways that makes sense to them.
Scripture
Mark 2:1-12
Key points
- Authentic relationships
- Innovation
- Courage to take risks
Mission doesn’t start with us. It’s not something that Baptist Mission Australia or your Baptist church can put a trademark on. No, mission begins in the very heart of God. Mission is birthed through a God of love, compassion and grace. And at its heart, mission is a response to God’s overflowing love for the world.
Scriptures
John 3:16 and John 1:14
Key points
- Love the world now
- Good neighbours
- Alongside
The early church in Acts 15 prompts us all to ask, “What are the core truths of the Gospel that we are called to share, and what does it look like to journey with others as they discern how to follow Jesus in their own distinctive ways?”
Scripture
Acts 15
Key points
- Openness
- Uncomfortable-ness
- Humility
In this chapter, Paul identifies 27 people by name. These are people who have supported him in his ministry in practical and spiritual ways. And as he names people, he is celebrating the power of partnership. That’s the Australian Baptist mission story too. It’s because of your partnership that we have been able to see vibrant faith communities emerge. When you give, pray, share the stories and advocate… YOU are right there with our teams.
Scripture
Romans 16 and Romans 1:9-10
Key points
- Kingdom Purpose
- Prayer
- Practical Action
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