Missions

This started as a post to organize my thoughts on one of the questions for my IV CSM application. Little did know it would be the single most difficult question I would answer.

Write a five-point outline with a paragraph or two of explanation under each point for a thirty-minute talk on the topic of missions that you could give at a chapter meeting, including both Old and New Testament references.

I have struggled immensely with this question. Trying to decide how to answer it, how to define missions and what the true meaning and essence a talk on missions would entail. So, finally my answer…

// Read passage

All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.” – Matthew 28:18b-20

- – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - – - -

Missions. (10 minutes)

// What are missions? What are their purpose?
// Ask group to discuss among neighbors then come back together to share answers.

The big M-word in Christianity.

- Why do we go on them? “The great commission.”
-To evangelize? NO.
-To spread the Gospel? Sort of.
-To make disciples of every nation, tribe and people (group)? YES!

But, how? What are the goals? What are the intentions?
What designates a success? What constitutes a failure?

// If the Gospel is shared… What’s NEXT? “One down! Next!” No way!

Do we get more in heaven the more people we convert? No, of course not. (Not that that should be one’s motivation anyway!) The purpose is making disciples. Not just telling people about God, making them recite a prayer and then hoping they’re now set on a good path and stay Christian. That is not what Christ intended, that is not what he did. Making disciples is not ‘converting’ people. It is helping people to follow and become more like Christ.

The sharing of the gospel is only the beginning. Perhaps the analogy of the seed planted that people always use, but taken in a new way. It still needs to germinate, grow. Their faith is young-fragile if you will. And it needs to be taken care of. So, the purpose of missions is to create disciples. Let’s see what that really means.

[explanation] [The purpose of this portion is to really focus in on what missions entail. Perhaps a refreshing of the topic, the definition. At the same time, it allows us to take another look into it. What is the purpose? Why do we do it? And that said, if we do it, how should we go about doing it? This, leads into the rest of the talk, which is perhaps the most important part of missions.]

Discipleship. (20 minutes)

The word disciple appears two hundred and thirty two times in the four gospels and the Book of Acts. -Wikipedia

That’s a lot.

// What is discipleship?

To be with Christ. To learn to live the way Jesus did.

Discipleship is a relational process. It has to do with relationships. It isn’t studying the bible, sermons, conferences, best sellers. It’s the relationships we have with other people.

“I give you a new commandment, that you love one another. Just as I have loved you, you also should love one another. By this everyone will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.” – John 13:34-35

// What’s this all entail? What is discipling?

Let’s take a look at how Jesus did it.
Let’s not look pretty for Jesus. Let’s not be super-holy Christian-superheroes.

The disciples were not super heroes. They were regular people. They doubted Jesus, they didn’t always follow Jesus. They strove to be like Christ, they often failed, but they tried. They were imperfect, but they were effective nonetheless.

Let’s… engage people. Spend time with them, share with them, struggle with them. Live life with them.

// How can we do it?
Who are you? Who has made you who you are today? Think about some of the most influential people in your life. How has knowing them, sharing life with them, changed you?

Ever have someone tell you something, that truly inspired you? Perhaps an encouraging coach? An inspiration teacher? Someone who believed in you? Think about how what they said effected you. Or if negative memories come to mind, think about how different the situation would’ve been if someone showed you patience, compassion, encouragement? Love? That’s what discipling should look like.

So, let’s engage people. Spend time with them, share with them, struggle with them. Live life with them. The way Jesus did…

[explanation] [The purpose of this section, and bulk of the talk, is to re-evaluate how we think of missions. Now that an examination of why we do them has been covered, it is now time to look into how to truly do missions and appropriately execute. At the same time, it helps shape how people look at the topic-less a singular act or event, but something that is woven into life itself.]

Go and make disciples. (Things to dwell on/take home)

What’s this look like? Where do we go now? What do we do?

Think of people around you. Who can you help grow? Who can help you grow? Who can you grow with?

Remember, the goal is not the number of times you share the gospel, or how many people you convert. It is discipleship. It is to allow people to become more like Christ. Quality over quantitiy. Depth in faith, not number of believers. We want substance.

// Break into small groups for prayer.

// 2+ cards?

// Information/take home cards on ways to truly integrate making disciples and discipling into ones life.

[explanation] [Lastly, the part that is most important. Time is given for people to dwell on what’s been said. Self-examination, meditation, prayer, etc. Then ways to act, apply, live out what they’re thinking about is handed out.]

---