Missions

The term missions has had a long and intriguing history in the church the last several hundred years, so much so that it can mean many different things to many different people.  This study will look to what the Bible says about missions in an effort to provide a healthy working definition.  The goal will be to both inform a perspective on missions for the 21st century and to identify ways to effectively share the Gospel message to a variety of cultures, both locally and globally.

SESSION 1: INTRODUCTION

We will discover a working definition of missions, which is the “intentional work of taking the Gospel to people groups and cultures of my natural pathway of life.”

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 1 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Purchase Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey by A. Scott Morneau, Gary Corwin and Gary McGee online. Read Chapter 1 in this book. Memorize Romans 10:13-15.

SESSION 2: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF MISSION – PART 1

God has a concern for the nations, one that can be seen throughout all of Scripture even from its very first chapters. This session explores the story of God’s movement to the nations through partnership with his people.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 2 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 2-3 of Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey. Memorize Genesis 12:2.

SESSION 3: A BIBLICAL THEOLOGY OF MISSION – PART 2

From prophecy in the Old Testament to fulfillment in the New Testament, salvation will come to those who would accept Jesus. The method is through His people and missions to other peoples who do not know Jesus. This Session aligns us with the concerns of God to the nations.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 3 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 4-5 of Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey. Memorize Isaiah 49:6.

SESSION 4: RELIEF, REHABILITATION, & DEVELOPMENT

We will devote space to identifying the three (3) distinct positions of need in any given culture (relief, rehabilitation and development) and offer suggested ways to operate productively as Christ’s ambassadors in each.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 4 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 9-11 of Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey. Memorize Galatians 6:9-10.

SESSION 5: CULTURAL CONSIDERATIONS

This session will examine the realities and challenges of differing cultures in missions. In doing so, we will discover some helpful considerations in cross-cultural evangelism that consider our audience but maintain the non-negotiables of the Gospel.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 5 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 12-15 of Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey. Memorize Galatians 3:7-9.

SESSION 6: BIBLICAL PRACTICALITY

The Bible does not merely tell followers of Jesus of their mission, it gives them practical ways to accomplish that mission. This session will explore six (6) practical ways to engage in missions that flow from the instruction of Scripture.

Step 1: Download the discussion questions and material that accompany this session.

Step 2: Watch the Session 6 video with the person or group you are meeting with.

Step 3: Talk through the discussion questions.

Step 4: HOMEWORK (Optional) – Read Chapters 16-19 of Introducing World Missions: A Biblical, Historical and Practical Survey. Memorize Mark 10:42-45.

CHECK OUT MORE E4 STUDIES