You are about to enter into a great, wonderful adventure. Most likely you will discover more about God, yourself, Godâs people, and your place in Godâs mission. What a privilege! Your experience will be enhanced by reminding yourself that this is Godâs world. We need not approach it with our guard up, for Jesus is Lord and all authority in heaven and earth is given to him. Through the incarnation, God embraced this world in all its sinfulness and corruption. As the body of Christ, empowered by the Spirit, we are free to extend that embrace to others.
The way we view the world often determines the quality of our involvement in it. Do we think of the world as a hostile, threatening, and alien place, perhaps a place from which we must be protected? Or is the world our home, a safe and friendly place, encompassed by the reign of God?
In this chapter we will examine our attitude toward the world, our understanding of Godâs involvement in it, and our place as participants in Godâs mission.
Suggested Group Activities
Begin the process of getting to know one another by discussing the following questions in pairs: Where have you traveled in the past (for work, vacation, or mission)? What are you most excited about for your trip? Then introduce each other to the group.
In groups of four, discuss the following questions, and then pray together: What are you feeling fearful about? Why do you believe God is calling you to go on this trip?
Play the âInsiders-Outsidersâ simulation game (thirty minutes; see the leaderâs guide for this chapter in appendix one).
SECTION
ONE
Itâs Godâs World and Godâs Mission
In the midst of a world and a church that are shaken by crises and controversies, the gospel proclaims that âwe are receiving a kingdom that cannot be shakenâ (Hebrews 12:28) and a hope that is âa sure and steadfast anchor of the soul . . . that enters the inner shrine behind the curtain, where Jesus, a forerunner on our behalf, has enteredâ (Hebrews 6:19-20).
To engage in mission is to participate in the coming of the kingdom of God.
We are to seek first the kingdom of God (Matthew 6:33).
We are to hunger for the justice of the kingdom (Matthew 5:6).
The desire for the kingdom to come should be foremost among our prayerful petitions (Matthew 6:10).
Jesusâ first sermon was about the kingdom at hand (Mark 1:14-15; Luke 4:18).
Jesus said that the purpose of his teaching was the proclamation of the mystery of the kingdom (Luke 8:10).
History will not end until the kingdom has been preached to all ethnic groups in the world (Matthew 24:14).
Jesusâ final instruction on earth concerned the kingdom (Acts 1:1-8). Following his resurrection and prior to his ascension, the Lord devoted his last opportunity for face-to-face teaching to the kingdom.
â Questions for REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION â
READ MATTHEW 6:33.
How would you define the kingdom of God?
What does it mean to seek it?
What is your response to Jesusâ statements?
What are some of its implications for your short-term mission service?
In Godâs kingdom, God is the Lord of the whole world and our whole lives. God calls all people to full-time service. Our short-term mission trip is simply part of our lifelong citizenship in Godâs kingdom. When we enter the world we are not entering alien territory. We may find foes and fiends, but Christ is their only true Lord. âHe disarmed the rulers and authorities and made a public example of them, triumphing over themâ (Colossians 2:15). When we participate in Godâs mission, we are part of a victory procession. We move out to celebrate Christâs reign as king of creation. There is nothing pathetic or besieged about the church in mission. She knows who is Lord and who has won the triumph. Our engagement in mission isnât our strenuous effort to try to serve God. Rather, it is our participation by the Spirit in the mighty acts of God.
The church does not have a mission for God in the world. The God of mission has the church in the world!
BEYOND DUTY
Because God is Lord of our whole lives, we cannot follow Jesus simply by adding allegiance to him on top of other commitments. Everything is transformed by faith in Christ: finances and family, ambition and attitudes, priorities and politics. As followers of Christ
we renounce all other loyalties;
we worship God with our bodies; and
we have no life apart from the life of God.
Faith in Christ is not merely a way of getting away from the problems of life or finding peace and strength in their midst. Rather, living in Christ radically changes life. As the following Scripture passages indicate, Jesus is very precise about where we are to serve.
â Questions for REFLECTION AND DISCUSSION â
READ ACTS 1:1-10.
What are the four spheres of witness that Jesus describes, and what characterizes each one?
What are the equivalents of each of these four spheres for you?
In which sphere is it easiest/hardest for you to live as a witness?
What does Jesus say is needed before we can be witnesses?
In what ways would you like to more fully receive the power of the Spirit to strengthen your life as a witness?
Sadly, the church has often interpreted ...
