Sending Path · Introduction to Serving · Lesson 6: Walking with One Person · Walking with One Person
This lesson in one sentence: Walking with someone means strengthening them in hard times; what they see is how you live; you only walk a stretch—Jesus is the author and perfecter.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Discussion30 min
- This Week10 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
On your journey of faith, who walked a stretch with you?
Read Together
He who overcomes, I will give to him to sit down with me on my throne, as I also overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Revelation 3:21 · WEB
No temptation has taken you except what is common to man. God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able, but will with the temptation also make the way of escape, that you may be able to endure it.
1 Corinthians 10:13 · WEB
Strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith
Acts 14:22 · WEB
Discussion
- “strengthening the souls of the disciples, exhorting them to continue in the faith” (Acts 14:22)—how is walking with someone different from ‘leading them to faith’?
- “Be imitators of me, even as I also am of Christ” (1 Corinthians 11:1)—would you feel a lot of pressure asking others to imitate you? Why did Paul dare to say this?
- “God is faithful, who will not allow you to be tempted above what you are able” (1 Corinthians 10:13)—when the person you walk with faces temptation, what can you do, and what should you not do?
- The lesson sets out a few boundaries (same sex, public places, refer when it is beyond you). Why do these boundaries matter?
This Week
Think of someone who came to faith after you, or who is going through a hard time (ideally of the same sex); invite them for tea and ask just one question: how have things been between you and God lately?
Each person thinks of the person they will invite for tea this week (‘a colleague who recently came to faith’ is enough).
Closing
In pairs, pray one sentence for the person your partner will walk with.
Tips for the leader
- Read through the boundaries in the lesson: ideally the same sex, and meet in public places; when someone’s safety is at risk, confidentiality has exceptions.
- Walking with someone is not carrying them: with serious psychological distress, domestic violence or thoughts of self-harm, help them find a pastor or a professional, and contact local emergency help.
- Remind everyone: those who walk with others need someone to walk with them too.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.