Teacher's-Lesson 6-Motivation and Preparation for Mission

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10/14/23 • 644 Views • 0 Share • Published in How-to & Style

Memory Text: “ ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while
I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concernin..

Sabbath Afternoon
Read for This Week’s Study: Luke 24:1–12; Luke 24:36–49;
Acts 1:12–26; Heb. 10:24, 25; Acts 2:1–41; 1 Cor. 11:1.
Memory Text: “ ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while
I was still with you, that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning
Me’ ” (Luke 24:44, NKJV).
Wrote Paul to the Philippians: “Some indeed preach Christ
even from envy and strife, and some also from goodwill:
The former preach Christ from selfish ambition, not sincerely, supposing to add affliction to my chains; but the latter out of
love, knowing that I am appointed for the defense of the gospel. What
then? Only that in every way, whether in pretense or in truth, Christ is
preached; and in this I rejoice, yes, and will rejoice” (Phil. 1:15–18,
NKJV).
Powerful words! Whether in “pretense or in truth,” Christ is
preached—and that is what mattered to Paul. Ideally, though, our
motives for preaching Christ, for mission, for reaching others with the
good news, should be out of love, and out of truth—and not from selfish ambition, envy, or strife.
What, then, are some of the motivations for preaching Christ, and
what are some of the ways that we can prepare for doing this?
This week we will look at some events in the early church that can
give us guidance on these crucial parts of mission.
* Study this week’s lesson to prepare for Sabbath, November 11.
Lesson *November 4–10
(page 47 of Standard Edition)
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November 5
To Share the Good News
Read Luke 24:1–12. What was the response of those who heard about
the risen Christ?
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Early Sunday morning, after Jesus’ death, Luke says that a number of
women went to the tomb. They had spices with them; so, it is likely they
were going to tend to Jesus’ body now that the Sabbath was over. Expecting
to find a still-sealed tomb, they were shocked to find the tomb empty.
Unsure what to do, they were afraid when two men in shining clothing
appeared. However, the men had a message for them. Reminding them of
Jesus’ words, they told the women that Jesus had indeed risen, as He had
said He would. Overjoyed with the news, they quickly returned to where
the disciples and many of Jesus’ other followers were staying and told what
they had seen and heard, because their excitement could not be contained.
That is, they were sharing with others what they had learned of Christ.
Can you imagine how the women must have felt? They had just had
an amazing experience, one that certainly filled them with awe, but
the disciples called their experience “idle tales” and would not believe
them. Thus, not sure whether to believe the women or not, Peter ran to
the tomb to see for himself.
For Peter—and for many of us—there is a hesitancy to accept something simply because someone else said it. Though Peter listened to the
women, he could not share in their experience until later. At first, all
he experienced was an empty tomb, and that, Luke says, simply left
him “marveling to himself ” (Luke 24:12, NKJV). His experience at the
tomb was not the same as that of the women.
Regardless of Peter’s response, as soon as these women heard the
news about Jesus, they wanted to share it with others. What greater
motivation for mission could there be than to let others know about
what Jesus has done for them? What greater motive than to spread the
good news of salvation in Jesus, the only hope any of us have?
Of course, we need a personal experience with God ourselves before
we can share it with others. Our desire to share with others what we
love so much must be a crucial part of our motivation for mission. In
the end, we can’t share what we ourselves don’t have, can we?
What are some of the experiences you have had with the reality
of God and His love? Why are these times so precious to you, and
how do they motivate you to reach out to others with the good
news?
Sunday
(page 48 of Standard Edition)
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November 6
A Prophetic Foundation
Read Luke 24:36–49. What happened here, and why was this such a
pivotal experience for the apostles?
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It is interesting that at first the disciples did not believe out of fear.
Then, after seeing Jesus and being assured that He was indeed alive,
they did not believe for joy (Luke 24:41). Have you ever felt that something was too good to be true? This was the experience of the disciples
and the others in the upper room.
If Jesus had left them only with this experience, however, then when
He departed, their faith might not have lasted. Over time the power of
the experience could have faded; they would forget, or start, perhaps,
even to question it. So, Jesus didn’t stop with showing them His scars
and eating fish in front of them. Instead, He then took them into the
Word and showed them the prophetic foundation for His work and
ministry. That is, no matter how great the experience that they had with
Him, Jesus still wanted their faith grounded in the Word of God.
“ ‘These are the words which I spoke to you while I was still with you,
that all things must be fulfilled which were written in the Law of Moses
and the Prophets and the Psalms concerning Me’ ” (Luke 24:44, NKJV).
Here, too, we find a powerful motivation for witness, for mission:
the Word of God. Jesus knew that to solidify the disciples’ experience,
they needed to understand why He had to die and what His resurrection
signified. They needed their worldview to be shifted from a political and
earthly kingdom to the great solution to sin and the victory of Christ over
death. The gospel was so much more than achieving political sovereignty
for Israel. It revealed Christ’s victory over Satan and guaranteed that one
day all wickedness in the world would be destroyed, that the earth would
be created anew, and that God would be among His people. He “opened
their understanding” (Luke 24:45, NKJV) so they could comprehend
these truths, which they were to share with the world.
Our experiences with Jesus cannot be sustained without the foundation of His Word, including the prophecies that point to the history
and events leading up to, and including, the first and second advents
of Christ. With these truths firmly understood, we can be ready and
motivated for mission.
How well grounded are you in the prophecies that point to Christ,
both His first and second comings? Especially in the last days,
why must we be grounded in the Word of God, including the
prophecies, and why is understanding them so crucial, especially
for mission?
Monday
(page 49 of Standard Edition)
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November 7
Waiting and Mission
Luke 24 ends with Jesus’ ascension into heaven (Luke 24:50–53).
But that is not the end of the story. The author, Luke, continues, writing the book of Acts. Just before Jesus ascended to heaven, He gave the
disciples a mission, a promise, and immediate instructions to wait in
Jerusalem for “power from on high” (Luke 24:49; see also Acts 1:4–8).
Jesus instructed the disciples to wait in Jerusalem until He fulfilled
His promise to send the Promise of the Father (the Holy Spirit), who
would empower them to be witnesses in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria,
and beyond.
Read Acts 1:12–26. What were the disciples, now numbering around
120 men and women, doing while they were waiting?
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Jesus had given the disciples a clear mission: they were to be witnesses for Him to the world. So, while they waited, they prepared for
their mission in two ways. First, Luke says they continued in united
prayer and supplication. There was no question in any of their minds
about what the mission was that Jesus had given them, and they had
each accepted that mission. This inspired them to unite in prayer. Luke
does not share what they were praying about, but it is most certain they
were praying for wisdom, strength, and courage to fulfill the mission
together. What an example for us.
The second thing they did while they waited was to prepare logistically
for their mission. Judas had handed Jesus over for execution and then
taken his own life. This had left a vacancy among the twelve. So, as they
waited, the disciples sought God’s guidance and selected a replacement.
In effect, the disciples were organizing themselves and planning the start
of their mission. In the making of these decisions, Peter played a leadership role. No one challenged his move; they all saw God’s wisdom in it.
There was an understanding and a trust that God was acting and working
and moving in their midst. Their time of waiting was not idle but was
filled with purpose and mission-driven action.
While we wait for the outpouring of the Holy Spirit to help us complete the great mission of God, we must unite to encourage each other
(Heb. 10:24, 25), praying for God’s Holy Spirit. Also, we should be
aligning ourselves and our church with God’s priority—the saving of
the lost.
How can you learn to wait upon the Lord and not lose faith in the
meantime? Meanwhile, while waiting, how can you best use your
time, as the disciples did here?
Tuesday
(page 50 of Standard Edition)
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November 8
“Whom You Crucified”
Acts 2 records the outpouring of the Holy Spirit at Pentecost. As
the followers of Jesus were praying, tongues of fire rested upon their
heads. They recognized that the promised power of the Holy Spirit had
been given.
Read Acts 2:1–41. What happened to the disciples as a result of receiving the Holy Spirit at Pentecost?
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The disciples began to speak in other languages “as the Spirit gave them
utterance” (Acts 2:4). What’s crucial here is that God empowered each
person for the benefit of unbelievers. The blessing wasn’t meant merely
for their own good. It wasn’t a blessing to make them fit for heaven or a
blessing to make it easier to do business in a foreign language. The blessing
was given for fulfilling God’s mission to the lost. Today God calls on each
of His followers to use their personal gifts for the good of His mission to
unbelievers. We have been given gifts: What greater call to mission than to
use what we have been given to reach others?
The outpouring of the Holy Spirit resulted in many of the people
repenting of their rejection of the Messiah, for surely some of them
were in Jerusalem when He died. Think of the power here: Peter
accused some of them of having crucified the Christ. Obviously, they
realized what they had done and, being convicted, cried out: “Men and
brethren, what shall we do?” (Acts 2:37).
And yet, even they could receive forgiveness. Said Peter to them:
“ ‘Repent, and let every one of you be baptized in the name of Jesus
Christ for the remission of sins; and you shall receive the gift of the
Holy Spirit’ ” (Acts 2:38, NKJV).
Working together, in harmony with the Holy Spirit and each other,
these followers of Jesus preached repentance and the forgiveness of
sins—even for those who could have been directly involved in crucifying
Jesus! That’s the power of the gospel. If that message doesn’t motivate us
to mission, what will? We are called to spread the gospel to the world, a
sinful, fallen, corrupt world with sinful, fallen, and corrupt people. Our
job is not to judge; our job is to witness to the saving power of Jesus.
Why should the idea that even some of those who were complicit
in Christ’s death were offered salvation (1) encourage us for our
own souls and (2) encourage us to witness to others, no matter
how bad they may seem to be?
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Wednesday
(page 51 of Standard Edition)
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A Picture of the Early Church
Read Acts 2:41–47. What kind of picture of the early church is present here?
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Acts 2 ends with a beautiful picture of what the early church was
like. Acts 2:41 says that those who were baptized were “added to
them” (NKJV). We could read this to say that someone did the math
and added the number of new believers to the number of existing
believers and established a new total membership for the group.
But that is a shallow understanding. Hidden in the wording is the
idea that these newly baptized believers became part of the group
as equals.
Meanwhile, a core function of the early Christian church was
discipleship. As new members were added, they were discipled in three
ways. First, they continued to be taught by the apostles’ doctrine and
fellowship. The words “doctrine” and “fellowship” in this text literally
mean “instruction” and “partnership.” The apostles’ preaching confronted incorrect beliefs and offered new explanations for what people
were seeing and experiencing. But it didn’t teach them how to live out
that new truth in their lives. Rather, the application of truth to one’s
life happened in relationship as part of the group. New believers were
carefully and intentionally discipled through direct teaching, as well as
through participation in the daily lives of the other believers, all under
the supervision and leadership of the spiritually mature and grounded
apostles.
It is poor preaching that tells people what to do but not how to do
it. However, even if one reads how-to books or listens to sermons that
explain how to do things, there is no substitute for seeing people doing
it and then imitating them. Paul knew this and instructed his followers
to imitate him as he had imitated Jesus (1 Cor. 11:1). When others can
see you and the reality of your experience with Christ, it will impact
them, as well.
Challenge: Think of someone in your life who you wish was a
believer. Pray every day for him or her to have a personal experience
with Jesus.
Challenge Up: Whom are you discipling and leading into a
relationship with Jesus? Look for ways to bring him or her into
fellowship with other believers.
Thursday November 9
(page 52 of Standard Edition)
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November 10
Further Thought: Our mission work must come from deep love and
thankfulness for what Jesus has done and is doing in our lives. Any other
motivation is misguided. Keeping immersed in the Word and in tune with
the Word is the key to successful outreach and evangelism.
“Our life is to be bound up with the life of Christ; we are to draw constantly from Him, partaking of Him, the living Bread that came down
from heaven, drawing from a fountain ever fresh, ever giving forth its
abundant treasures. If we keep the Lord ever before us, allowing our
hearts to go out in thanksgiving and praise to Him, we shall have a continual freshness in our religious life. Our prayers will take the form of
a conversation with God as we would talk with a friend. He will speak
His mysteries to us personally. Often there will come to us a sweet joyful sense of the presence of Jesus. Often our hearts will burn within us
as He draws nigh to commune with us as He did with Enoch. When
this is in truth the experience of the Christian, there is seen in his life
a simplicity, a humility, meekness, and lowliness of heart, that show to
all with whom he associates that he has been with Jesus and learned of
Him.”—Ellen G. White, Christ’s Object Lessons, pp. 129, 130.
“There can be no growth or fruitfulness in the life that is centered in
self. If you have accepted Christ as a personal Savior, you are to forget
yourself, and try to help others. Talk of the love of Christ, tell [others of
His self-sacrificing death in their behalf]. . . . As you receive the Spirit
of Christ—the Spirit of unselfish love and labor for others—you will
grow and bring forth fruit. . . . Your faith will increase, your convictions deepen, your love be made perfect.”—Christ’s Object Lessons,
pp. 67, 68.
Discussion Questions:
Ê How do you understand Paul’s words in Philippians about
Christ’s being preached out of envy, strife, or selfish ambition?
How can we make sure that we ourselves are not guilty of doing
just that?
Ë What has been your own personal experience with the reality
of God and God’s love? That is, based on your own experiences,
could you preach to others with sincerity and honesty about the
goodness and love of God? What would your testimony be?
Ì What has been your experience in waiting upon the Lord, and
what has it taught you about trusting in Him and about faith in
general?
Friday
Provided by the General Conference Office of Adventist Mission, which uses Sabbath School
mission offerings to spread the gospel worldwide. Read new stories daily at AdventistMission.org.
Story inside
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“Blessing Is Greater to Us”
By Andrew McChesney
A woman in the US state of North Carolina invited her two church pastors to her house to talk about something weighing heavily on her heart: the
Annual Sacrifice Offering. She described how the Seventh-day Adventist
Church had established the offering in a last-ditch effort to avoid calling
missionaries home because of a lack of funds in 1922. She spoke about how
people gave then and how the offering still supports missionaries today.
The pastors took her appeal to heart. One even preached a nine-part series
on sacrifice ahead of the annual offering, which is collected in most parts
of the world on the second Sabbath of November. As a result, the Annual
Sacrifice Offering at the 700-member Hendersonville Seventh-day Adventist
Church soared from $1,400 the previous year to $24,119 that year in 2016.
The growth was only the beginning. During the COVID-19 pandemic when
the world church again faced a budget crunch, members gave an astonishing
$37,545 to the 2021 Annual Sacrifice Offering.
“We were happily surprised,” said pastor David Wright (pictured). “Praise
the Lord!”
He credited God’s grace for members’ sacrificial giving. “It is true this will
bring much-needed light into dark areas of the 10/40 Window,” he said. “But
consider the blessing that is ours as a church family. I have to believe the blessing is greater to us because Jesus Himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than
to receive.’ ”
Adventist Mission director Gary Krause agreed, noting that Adventist
Church cofounder Ellen White called such a blessing the “reflex influence.”
She said church members’ generosity toward foreign fields promoted success
in their home field. For example, when some church leaders questioned the
wisdom of sending funds abroad in 1900, White declared, “The prosperity
of the home work depends largely . . . upon the reflex influence of the . . .
work done in countries afar off” (Testimonies for the Church, vol. 6, p. 27).
The Adventist Church’s top statistician, David Trim, has statistically verified
White’s assertion.
A sacrificial spirit has permeated the church since its origins, world church
leader Ted N. C. Wilson said. “We are told that God’s
Advent movement was started in sacrifice and it will
end in sacrifice,” he said. “What a privilege for each of
us to sacrificially share what God has given to us.”
Thank you for considering a generous donation to the 2023 Annual
Sacrifice Offering. For online information, visit bit.ly
/annual-sacrifice-offering. See also Global Mission (gm.adventist
mission.org); the 1922 Annual Sacrifice Offering (bit.ly/1922
-offering); and Ellen White’s “reflex influence” (bit.ly/EGW-reflex).
Part I: Overview
While motivation is the desire or reason a person has for doing something
for someone, preparation involves an action to get ready so that things
can be accomplished. Motivation has to do with something that causes or
propels us to act. Preparation makes it possible for the plans to happen.
While Jesus and what He has done for us provide our motivation for mission (Rom 5:8), He also has entrusted us with His Spirit, thus enabling
us to accomplish His will and mission mandate (Matt. 28:18–20; John
14:15–31; John 20:21, 22).
“We love because he first loved us” (1 John 4:19, NIV) denotes cause
and effect, the reason that motivates us to respond and to act. As we
respond to God’s love, we do so by proclaiming and living out in words
and deeds the good news that Jesus is our Savior and Lord! Our sharing
of the truth, as contained in His Word, will fall on receptive ears and
will yield much fruit as the Spirit works. At the same time, we must be
prepared for the rejection of the Word by many, causing yet others to
lose hope.
Part II: Commentary
The Missionary God
“The story of God’s mission to lost humanity is the greatest story ever
told. The story begins in the Old Testament immediately after the Fall of
Adam and Eve and continues through the patriarchal period and the history
of Israel. The Gospels record the central event of God’s mission—
Christ’s birth, ministry, atoning death, resurrection, and ascension. The
biblical story continues in the book of Acts and the Epistles, with the
launching of the Christian church, and ends with the apocalyptic climax
of God’s mission in Revelation. God’s mission is the central narrative of
the whole biblical canon, from Genesis to Revelation.”—Gorden R. Doss,
Introduction to Adventist Mission (Berrien Springs, MI: Department of
World Mission, 2018), p. 1.
The “Bible’s grand metanarrative . . . shows God working on a comprehensive project to restore His Earth and His whole cosmos to its original,
perfect state. The narratives of the Bible, from Genesis to Revelation,
describe aspects of God’s cosmic mission project. The overall theme is
that the sovereign, gracious, loving Triune God initiated his mission and
He will bring it to full completion.”—Page 22.
Thus, the story of redemption motivates us to both prepare and engage
in God’s mission, in God’s story. As a missionary God, our Father cares
and wants to bless others through us; therefore, He has commanded us to
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go to all people, languages, tribes, and nations.
So, why does Christ command us to go and preach the gospel? Why
does God need you motivated for, and prepared to join Him in, mission?
Some of these reasons can be found in the book Passport to Mission
(Berrien Springs, MI: Institute of World Mission, 2009), pp. 28–36. Here
is an adapted summary:
Jesus Is the Unique Source of Life and Salvation, and People Need to
Know About Him.
•John 3:36: “Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever
rejects the Son will not see life” (NIV).
•Acts 4:12: “ ‘Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name
under heaven given to mankind by which we must be saved’ ” (NIV).
•1 John 5:12: “He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son
of God does not have life” (NKJV).
Jesus Is the Divine Son of God.
Jesus does not claim to be only a good teacher (like other religious
leaders) or a great leader (like Moses or David) or some kind of halfgod or lesser god (as we find in other religions). No other major religion
claims divinity for its founder.
•Jesus claims full divinity—that is, equality with God (John 8:58, 59;
John 10:30–33).
•Jesus’ disciples also proclaimed His divinity fearlessly (Matt. 16:14–
16). The proof that they gave for their claims was the Resurrection
(1 Cor. 15:14–20). If God raised Jesus, what Jesus said, therefore, must
be true.
Jesus Offers a Unique Salvation—Salvation by Grace Through Faith.
•“For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this not
from yourselves, it is the gift of God—not by works, so that no one can
boast” (Eph. 2:8, 9, NIV).
No other world religion has such a salvation. Other religions indeed
may set high standards, promote ethical behavior, tout health laws, extol a
lofty philosophy, or produce nice people. But these religions also believe
that people can save themselves by what they do! The foundation of these
non-Christian religions is that salvation comes by works.
Jesus Offers a Universal Salvation—All-Inclusive and Exclusive.
•“ ‘For God so loved the world . . . that whoever believes in him shall
not perish but have eternal life’ ” (John 3:16, NIV).
The offer of salvation includes everyone in the world. The truth is that
God wants all people to hear the message—the good news that God offers
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a free salvation based on this unique Jesus. In the Great Commission,
Jesus makes it clear that we can have a part in sharing this good news with
others.
If someone were to ask you why you are a Seventh-day Adventist
and what motivates you for mission, what would you say? How does the
uniqueness and singularity of the Seventh-day Adventist message motivate us for mission to the world?
Though most of the individual beliefs of Seventh-day Adventists are
shared by some Christians, the full “package” of Seventh-day Adventist
beliefs is unique among Christian groups. Here are three convictions that
guide what we believe and how we are motivated, are prepared, and see
our mission.
Conviction 1: Jesus is coming back a second time—this coming is visible,
literal, and imminent (soon). Before Adventism got started, most Christians
either did not believe in a literal coming or de-emphasized it. Many of these
Christians were postmillennialists. Postmillennialists believed that there
would be a millennium, or 1,000 years, of peace and prosperity, and then
Jesus would come. What people looked for and labored for was this millennium, not the Second Coming. Seventh-day Adventists believe, based on the
Bible, that the real hope of the world is not an earthly millennium but the
“blessed hope” (Titus 2:13) of Jesus’ second coming.
Below is a summary of our beliefs about the Second Coming:
• Seventh-day Adventists accept and proclaim the promises of the
Second Coming (John 14:1–3; Rev. 22:7, 12, 20).
• This coming is literal (Acts 1:11).
• The Second Coming is portrayed as visible (Matt. 24:30, Rev. 1:7).
• All signs point to a near, soon, imminent coming. Jesus, again and
again, used the word “soon” (Rev. 22:7, 12, 20; Matt. 24:4–28; Luke
21:7–28).
• God’s people will see Jesus (John 14:3) and will be with Him forever
(1 Thess. 4:17).
• The dead will be raised (1 Thess. 4:13–16), and believers will receive
immortality (1 Cor. 15:53).
• Tears, mourning, and death will be abolished (Rev. 21:3, 4).
This message is important for our mission today, as many need to hear
the good news of the blessed hope. The biggest challenge we face, however,
is the non-Christian world. Millions, if not billions, of Muslims, Hindus,
Buddhists, and adherents of traditional religions have never heard of this
hope. We must tell them. Jesus wants them to hear about His coming.
Conviction 2: God calls believers to loving obedience and serious
discipleship. In light of Jesus’ coming, we need to make serious preparation.
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Faithful, obedient discipleship is important. Adventists always have believed
that Jesus is our Savior. We have always emphasized that true faith is manifested in making Jesus also Lord. People saved by Jesus should gladly make
Him Lord and in gratitude follow Him. We believe that both the gospel and
God’s law are vital and go together harmoniously like the two oars of a
boat. The law leads us to Christ and serves as our standard. Jesus releases
us from the law’s condemnation, and His Spirit writes the law on our hearts.
For this reason, Adventists:
•Support the whole Ten Commandments, including the neglected Sabbath
fourth commandment, believing that Jesus gave it at Creation (Gen. 2:2),
reiterated it in the Ten Commandments (Exod. 20:8–11), and reinforced
it during His ministry (Mark 2:27).
•Believe the Sabbath is a powerful symbol of God’s creating power (Gen.
2:2, Exod. 20:8–11), saving grace (Exod. 20:2, Deut. 5:12–15), and the
final rest of redemption in heaven (Heb. 4:1–11, especially verse 9).
•Accept the Lordship of Christ in all areas of life, including marriage and
family, dress, recreation, diet, and so on (Eph. 5:21–6:4; Phil. 4:8, 9;
1 Cor. 6:19, 20; 1 Tim. 2:8–10).
In a world where disregard for any standards of morality and decency
abound, Adventist Christianity should promote a holy life. In a world where
hurry and haste lead to high levels of stress, Christians under the Lordship of
Christ can find joy and rest in the Sabbath. They should demonstrate in their
lives both the saving power and the Lordship of Jesus.
Conviction 3: God restores in believers the wholeness of life in Christ.
Christians do not go to heaven as disembodied souls. The Second Coming
restores all of life. Believers should prepare for the Second Coming as whole
people. God wants to restore us as whole people. Salvation involves every
part of life and being. Jesus wants us to live full and complete lives. In John
10:10, He says, “ ‘I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full’ ”
(NIV). Our motivation and preparation for mission is needed more than ever
in a world that is sick, addicted, and living in ignorance, a world desperately
in need of the message of Jesus who cares for, and ministers to, all parts of
our life. A dying world needs the hope of new life lived to its fullness by
God’s grace and power.
Part III: Life Application
As the believer awaits Jesus’ second coming, he or she does so by studying
God’s Word and singing His praises in fellowship with the body of Christ
(the church) while preparing for dedicated service to fellow humanity.
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There should be no idleness, no time to spare, as every moment is used
for preparation and engagement in God’s mission. We press forward
believing His promises. “And let us not grow weary while doing good,
for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart” (Gal. 6:9, NKJV).
1. How would our lives look if we put into practice the thoughts of
the paragraph above? Can we get motivated and prepared by
hearing God’s Word? Explain. Does engaging in God’s service
prepare us for mission? Discuss.
2. Do you really believe that Jesus is the unique Son of God who
offers us the blessing of wonderful salvation, which is a gift? If
yes, why? Has this message motivated you and made a difference
in your life? If so, how? How did this message affect the mission
of the original disciples? How has it affected, and how should it
affect, your mission?
3. Have we as a church always presented our unique message as it
relates to Jesus in a way that motivates us to mission? Explain.
What more can we do to prepare and improve in this area?
teachers comments
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