Alongsiders
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 theologian and author, Rev Dr Graham Joseph Hill, 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 the study guide
The Pastor’s and Leader’s Guide has been developed as a launching pad for leaders to explore the key themes of the Alongsiders series with churches and small groups.
Each theme has an introduction of the theme and scriptures, key takeaways, mission stories to use as illustrations, questions for small groups and a prayer. It can be used as a four week series or as standalone sessions.
Key themes
Each theme has an introduction of the theme and scriptures, key takeaways, questions for small groups and a prayer. Each of the sessions can be used as part of the full Alongsiders series or as a standalone resource.
We live in a broken world, and our lives are testimonies to this brokenness. Yet, amid this reality, we find hope. Our mending God doesn’t discard us due to our fractures; instead, God desires to use us, broken as we are, transforming our wounds into wellsprings of empathy and strength.
In Galatians 5:16–17, 22–26, we discover that this transformation begins within us, as we are renewed daily by the Holy Spirit, learning to live, look, love and lead more like Jesus.
Scriptures
Mark 1:35–39, Colossians 4:2–6 and 2 Chronicles 7:14
Key points
- Prayer empowers us for mission
- Prayer opens doors for the Gospel
- We are empowered by the Spirit
Matthew 4:18–22 helps us understand how authentic, meaningful relationships are vital for co-mending the world with God. Our Baptist Mission Australia team exemplifies this by embedding themselves within local communities worldwide, fostering genuine connections and living as good neighbours. They cross streets and cultural divides to embody the hope of Jesus through both word and deed.
Like Jesus, who became proximal by moving into our human neighbourhood and investing deeply in personal relationships, we are called to adopt an incarnational, relational approach.
Scriptures
Acts 16:11–15, Matthew 5:9 and James 3:13–18
Key points
- Peacemakers seek people of peace
- Peacemakers are called the children of God
- Peacemakers show the wisdom of heaven
We live in a broken world, and our lives are testimonies to this brokenness. Yet, amid this reality, we find hope. Our mending God doesn’t discard us due to our fractures; instead, God desires to use us, broken as we are, transforming our wounds into wellsprings of empathy and strength.
In Galatians 5:16–17, 22–26, we discover that this transformation begins within us, as we are renewed daily by the Holy Spirit, learning to live, look, love and lead more like Jesus.
Scriptures
1 John 3:16–18, 1 Thessalonians 5:11–19 and 1 Timothy 2:1–7
Key points
- We are people of love in our words and actions
- We are people of love in our encouragement and support
- We are people of love in our prayers and thanksgiving
Matthew 4:18–22 helps us understand how authentic, meaningful relationships are vital for co-mending the world with God. Our Baptist Mission Australia team exemplifies this by embedding themselves within local communities worldwide, fostering genuine connections and living as good neighbours. They cross streets and cultural divides to embody the hope of Jesus through both word and deed.
Like Jesus, who became proximal by moving into our human neighbourhood and investing deeply in personal relationships, we are called to adopt an incarnational, relational approach.
Scriptures
Philippians 1:3–8, John 13:34–35 and Matthew 28:18–20
Key points
- We are people who partner in the Gospel
- We are people who partner in love
- We are people who partner in the Great Commission
