SESSION 1

OUR GREATEST OPPORTUNITY: THE

ENCOUNTER
Objective:
To challenge people to examine the lives they are living
and to encourage them to have a genuine encounter with
Jesus.

Biblical foundation:
“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of
Christ, so that each of us may receive what is due us for
the things done while in the body, whether good or bad.”
(2 Corinthians 5:10)
Introduction
Without exception, we will all have to stand before God one
day and give an account for our actions. Nothing is hidden from
Him; He knows all the secrets of our lives.

Example: The movie of your life.

Imagine for a moment that God is about to project the movie of your life unto a
big screen. The movie contains everything you have ever thought, said and
done. Even the things that happened in secret are shown for all to see. How
would you feel?
The gospel of Luke tells the story of a man whose life was
completely transformed when he had an encounter with Jesus. In
fact, that is what happens to anyone who has a genuine encounter
with Him.

Luke 19:1-10
19 Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through. 2 A man was there by the name of
Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax collector and was wealthy. 3 He wanted to see who Jesus
was, but because he was short he could not see over the crowd. 4 So he ran ahead and
climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him, since Jesus was coming that way. 5 When Jesus
reached the spot, he looked up and said to him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I
must stay at your house today.” 6 So he came down at once and welcomed him gladly.
7 
All the people saw this and began to mutter, “He has gone to be the guest of a sinner.”
8 
But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and now I give half of
my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated anybody out of anything, I will pay
back four times the amount.”
9 
Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house, because this man, too, is a
son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”
 MESSAGE CONTENT

God is not a God of coincidences

“Jesus entered Jericho and was passing through” (verse 1). God does
everything with a specific purpose. He knew that there was a man in
Jericho who needed an encounter. Similarly, Jesus has prepared this time
to be able to transform the life of each person. It is important that we
recognize our condition and understand that we need to change, rather
than simply coming to Jesus out of curiosity.
1.WHAT CONDITION ARE YOU IN?

“A man was there by the name of Zacchaeus; he was a chief tax

collector and was wealthy” (verse 2). Zacchaeus was a chief tax
collector, which means that he worked for the Roman empire.,
collecting heavy taxes from his own people. He also earned money
dishonestly by charging more than necessary. This was the condition
he was in when he met Jesus: dishonest, a traitor, and as thief.
What is the current condition of your life? How has your
condition affected other people negatively (family,
friends, etc.)?

God often allows difficult situation in our lives (loneliness,

depression, bad habits and betrayal, etc.) to us to see and
understand the condition we are in.
2. YOUR NEED LEADS YOU TO ACTION

“He wanted to see who Jesus was…” (verse 3).

Going to an encounter is a step that demonstrate s our desire to
have a different life through Jesus. Although Zacchaeus had heard a
lot about Jesus, he was not satisfied with simply hearing about
Him. He longed to have a personal encounter with the Savior. As a
result, he had to:
• Overcome obstacles
“… but because he was short he could not see over the crowd…” (verse 3b).
Zacchaeus’ desire to see Jesus was not enough- he would need to
overcome the obstacles to be able to have a personal encounter with Jesus.
What obstacles have you faced in coming to this place or giving your life to
Jesus?

The crowd was preventing Zacchaeus from seeing Jesus. He was a short
man- and that was how he seemed before the Lord- perhaps without hopes
or opportunities, and ashamed of his past. But he had to overcome all these
things in order to meet Jesus.
• Desire to see Him with all his heart

“So he ran ahead and climbed a sycamore-fig tree to see him,

since Jesus was coming that way” (verse 4). Zacchaeus
demonstrated his desire by running, and even climbing a tree, to
be able to see Jesus. He wanted his encounter right away-
perhaps this would be his only opportunity and he did not want
to miss it. An Encounter is a personal experience and opportunity
to meet with Jesus.
3. JESUS KNOWS WHO YOU ARE

“ When Jesus reached the spot, he looked up and said to

him, “Zacchaeus, come down immediately. I must stay at
your house today” (verse 5).

• Jesus knew who Zacchaeus was

Jesus called Zacchaeus by name; He knew who he was and
what he needed. Jesus also knows who you are, He
knows your story and He is calling you today.
• The desire was mutual (… I must stay at your house today…)
Zacchaeus wanted to meet with Jesus and Jesus wanted to be with
him- not just as a passing visit, but forever. God does not want a
temporary relationship; He wants a relationship that lasts for
eternity.
4. YOU WILL NEVER BE THE SAME AGAIN

• Zacchaeus experienced real change

“But Zacchaeus stood up and said to the Lord, “Look, Lord! Here and
now I give half of my possessions to the poor, and if I have cheated
anybody out of anything, I will pay back four times the amount”
(verse 8).

Zacchaeus changed completely when he met Jesus, surrendering all

his material possessions and fully letting go of his past life. We need
to let go af all those things that bind us to the past; we cannot allow
anything to separate us from God.
• He was able to experience salvation
“Jesus said to him, “Today salvation has come to this house,
because this man, too, is a son of Abraham. 10 For the Son of Man
came to seek and to save the lost” (verse 9-10).

Experiencing salvation implies complete change; it means going

from death to life. The plans of God for your life are salvation,
abundance, family restoration, healing, prosperity, protection,
freedom, purpose, etc.
 CONCLUSION

“Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice
and opens the door, I will come in and eat with that person, and
they with me” (Revelation 3:20).
Reflection questions
Note: Those attending will have all the reflection questions in their Encounter
booklets.

• What condition do you think your life is in right now, taking all areas into
consideration (family, health, finances, purpose, emotions, integrity)?
• Good/ Could be better/ Not so good/ Bad.
• Why?
• What do you most want God to change in your life?
 Ministry Time

During the ministry time, each person should:

a. Understand their condition as far from God.

b. Opens the door of their heart to Jesus.
c. Make a commitment to make restitution and change direction, following the
footsteps of Jesus.