After the encounter,

You know it's a good net lesson when it speaks to you as you teach it.

Our encounters with Jesus ought to spark these five things in us:

1. Deeper Worship

Then he turned toward the woman and said to Simon, “Do you see this woman? I came into your house. You did not give me any water for my feet, but she wet my feet with her tears and wiped them with her hair. You did not give me a kiss, but this woman, from the time I entered, has not stopped kissing my feet. You did not put oil on my head, but she has poured perfume on my feet. Therefore, I tell you, her many sins have been forgiven—as her great love has shown. But whoever has been forgiven little loves little.” - Luke 7:44-47

When we encounter the love of God, His wonderful grace and His glory, it causes us to want to give God all our worship.

2. Stronger Commitment

When Simon Peter saw this, he fell at Jesus’ knees and said, “Go away from me, Lord; I am a sinful man!” For he and all his companions were astonished at the catch of fish they had taken, and so were James and John, the sons of Zebedee, Simon’s partners. Then Jesus said to Simon, “Don’t be afraid; from now on you will fish for people.” So they pulled their boats up on shore, left everything and followed him. - Luke 5:8-11

Our encounters with Jesus shows us how powerful God is, and how helpless we are.

3. Greater Relationship With God

From this time many of his disciples turned back and no longer followed him. “You do not want to leave too, do you?” Jesus asked the Twelve. Simon Peter answered him, “Lord, to whom shall we go? You have the words of eternal life. - John 6:66-68

• Someone who has truly encountered God will understand that there is NO ONE like Him.
• This understanding moves us towards having a greater relationship with God – because He is the only One.

4. Heartfelt Gratitude

Now on his way to Jerusalem, Jesus traveled along the border between Samaria and Galilee. As he was going into a village, ten men who had leprosy met him. They stood at a distance and called out in a loud voice, “Jesus, Master, have pity on us!” When he saw them, he said, “Go, show yourselves to the priests.” And as they went, they were cleansed. One of them, when he saw he was healed, came back, praising God in a loud voice. He threw himself at Jesus’ feet and thanked him—and he was a Samaritan. Jesus asked, “Were not all ten cleansed? Where are the other nine? - Luke 17:11-17

• Jesus dies on the cross for us so that we can be reconciled back with God – this is an awesome privilege.
• Therefore, when we encounter God, we need to be grateful and thank God for the encounter – just as the leper did after he received His healing from God.
• This gratitude will fuel us to worship deeper, love him greater and be committed to Him even more each time.

5. Bolder Witness (Most important to me)

The woman said, “I know that Messiah” (called Christ) “is coming. When he comes, he will explain everything to us.” Then Jesus declared, “I, the one speaking to you—I am he.”Just then his disciples returned and were surprised to find him talking with a woman. But no one asked, “What do you want?” or “Why are you talking with her?” Then, leaving her water jar, the woman went back to the town and said to the people, “Come, see a man who told me everything I ever did. Could this be the Messiah?” They came out of the town and made their way toward him. - John 4:25-30

• We know from the Bible that every time someone encounters Jesus, they leave to tell everyone about Him and what He has done for them.
• Similarly, when we encounter Jesus in our lives, we are empowered to be a bolder witness for Him.
• These encounters with Jesus are like tools in our hands to share His love and his reality to those around us. These are our testimonies of who Jesus is to us and what He can do for everyone!

Taken from net lesson of 14/10/2011