The Game Plan: Read the Book!
The Game Plan: Winning the Lost
To invest our lives passionately in lost people everyday, caring for their needs, and inviting them to become part of our families and the New Life community.
God’s Word for You: Matthew 9:35-37; 18:12-14 New Living Translation
35Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. 36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.”
12"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? 13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! 14In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish.
Monday
Reflection on The Play Book:
35Jesus traveled through all the towns and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And he healed every kind of disease and illness. Matthew 9:35 NLT
What was Jesus’ ministry according to this verse?
Which of these continues to our present day?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Pray for God to bless everyone who is carrying out His work as stated in Matthew 9:35 through full time missions work.
Today’s Challenge: I will further the work of Jesus by investing my time, talents and money in activities that will make Him known to others!
Tuesday
Reflection on The Play Book:
36When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were confused and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Matthew 9:36 NLT
Why do you think the crowds were “confused and helpless”?
Would that still be true of the “crowds” today? Why or why not?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Take time to ask God to fill you with compassion for the lost people who are all around us, and who ARE like sheep without a shepherd.
Today’s Challenge: I will extend the compassion of Jesus to those I come across today who are hurting and confused because they don’t know Him!
Wednesday
Reflection on The Play Book:
37He said to his disciples, "The harvest is great, but the workers are few.” Matthew 9:37 NLT
What “harvest” was Jesus telling the disciples about in this passage?
What did Jesus expect the disciples to do about his lack of workers? (Read Matthew 10 to find out!)
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Pray that God will use you as a worker in His harvest field today, and that all of us together at New Life will use our God-given gifts and skills to work in God’s harvest!
Today’s Challenge: I will be a worker in God’s harvest field doing whatever Jesus tells me to do to serve Him!
Thursday
Reflection on The Play Book:
12"If a man has a hundred sheep and one of them wanders away, what will he do? Won't he leave the ninety-nine others on the hills and go out to search for the one that is lost? Matthew 18:12 NLT
What does this parable have to do with lost people?
What does it say about the value of one lost person?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Take time right now to list three people you know who are far from God right now. Take time to pray for them and to ask God to bring them back into the “fold.”
Today’s Challenge: I will go wherever God sends me to look for His lost sheep!
Friday
Reflection on The Play Book:
13And if he finds it, I tell you the truth, he will rejoice over it more than over the ninety-nine that didn't wander away! Matthew 18:13 NLT
What does this say about God’s attitude toward those who are saved?
What does it tell us about the importance of sharing the Good News of Jesus with others?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Ask God to show you where to find at least one “lost sheep” today and to extend the love and life of Jesus to that person!
Today’s Challenge: I will search for lost sheep today as I go about my regular daily activities!
Saturday
Reflection on The Play Book:
14In the same way, it is not my heavenly Father's will that even one of these little ones should perish. Matthew 18:14 NLT
What does this say about God’s desire for people when it comes to salvation?
If it isn’t God’s will for even one of “these little ones” to perish, then why do some perish?
The Game Plan: Take a Knee! Prayer Focus for the Day!
Pray once again for the three people you listed on Thursday who are far from God and ask God to open doors for you to tell them about Jesus!
Today’s Challenge: I will live my life boldly in Jesus’ name so that lost ones may see Him through me and come to Him for salvation!