THE MISSION OF GOD

PREAMBLE

When the word “mission” is mentioned, quite often, what comes quickly to mind are images of missionaries travelling long distances over land and sea to spread the Gospel. We hardly ever think of God as a mission God. However, the fact that God deliberately and in His mercy and love, came down to earth to reveal Himself to man, speaks of a God of mission. The Bible itself can be seen as a product of God’s mission and evidence of a God, who refuses to forsake and abandon rebellious humanity. This month we focus on the theme “Mission of God” because, we believe that it is the mission of God that should inform our mission, both personal and corporate. Our mission would then be, “our committed participation as God’s people, at God’s invitation and command, in God’s own mission, within the history of God’s world for the redemption of God’s creation.”[1]

STUDY ONE                                                                       WEEK OF APRIL 28^th  

THE MISSION OF GOD AND ABRAHAM:LEAVING AND BELIEVING

Introduction:

God works in the world to bring blessing to the four areas most affected by the curse:  spreading His fame, restoring His creation, healing His nations and creating a missionary people to join Him in His mission.

Read:  Genesis 10:32-11:9, and 12:1-4. 

Observe:

1. Compare the state of the people at the time of building the tower of Babel in Shinar and their state soon after God’s reaction?

2.  What reason did the people give for building the tower?

3.  What reason did God have for His reaction to the people’s actions?

4.  What instructions were given to Abram?

5.  What did God promise to do?

6.  How did Abram respond?

Digest:

7.  What was the mission of the people at Babel?

8.  How different is God’s mission through Abram from the Babel mission?

Apply:

9.  Why is the mission through Abram still relevant today?

10.  What lessons do you learn from Abram’s response to God’s Mission?

STUDY TWO                                                   WEEK OF MAY 5^th    

THE MISSION OF GOD AND DAVID: 

THE FIGHT FOR DELIGHT

[Review of Last Week’s Memory Verse:  Genesis 12:1]

Introduction:

Like many Christians David struggled and stumbled and sometimes fell flat on His face.  He failed as a husband and father. However, in spite of all that, God promised to build a house for him and his family. What made God favour David even to involve him in the mission of God?

Read:  1 Samuel 17:45-50, 2 Samuel 7:9-16

Observe:

1 Samuel 17:45-50

1.  What was David’s motivation for fighting Goliath?

2.  Why was David not afraid of fighting Goliath?

2 Samuel 7:9-16

3.  What had God done for David?

4.  What promises did God give to David?

5.  What similarities do these promises have with those given to Abram in Genesis 12:1-4?

Digest:

6.  How did God accomplish His missionary purposes through David?

7.  What is David’s participation in God’s mission in the two passages?

8.  What similarities can you see between Goliath and the tower of Babel? 

Apply:

9.  What selfish missions and activities hinder you from participating in God’s mission?

STUDY THREE                                WEEK OF MAY 12th

THE MISSION OF GOD AND LUKE: CRAFTSMANSHIP AND COMMITMENT

[Review of Last Week’s Memory Verse: 1 Samuel 17:45]

Introduction: To join the mission of God we must become the kind of people who do our very best at whatever we do. Note the signs of craftsmanship and who practises them as you study these passages.

Read: Luke 9:18-27.

Observe:

1. What was the crowd’s understanding of who Christ was?

2. What was Peter’s understanding of who Christ was?

3. What pre-requisites did Jesus give for those who would want to follow Him?

Digest:

4. What do you understand by “if any one would come after me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow me” v23?

5. How can one lose his/her life for Christ and save it v24?

Apply:

6. From this passage, what does Jesus teach us about how we ought to participate in God’s mission?

7. How and at what cost have you participated in God’s mission?

8. How much more do you have to do to feel that you are sufficiently involved in God’s mission?

Memory Verse: Luke 9:23 “Then He said to them all: “If anyone would come after Me, he must deny himself and take up his cross daily and follow Me.”” (NIV) Luke 9:23

STUDY FOUR                                WEEK OF MAY 19th

THE MISSION OF GOD AND YOU

[Review of Last Week’s Memory Verse: Luke 9:23]

Introduction: Over the last three studies we have seen imperfect men being called by God to participate in His mission. But there is also One who is perfect to whom all authority of God was given, one who will be with us to the very end of the age. But we must get involved first.

Read: Matthew 28:16-20; Acts 16:16-34

Observe: Matt. 28:16-20

1. What did Jesus instruct His disciples to do?

2. What message of encouragement did Jesus give with His command? Acts 16:16-34

3. What circumstances led to the imprisonment of Paul and Silas?

4. What was the attitude and reaction of Paul and Silas to their imprisonment?

5. What missionary benefits came out the ordeal of Paul and Silas?

Digest:

6. How were the disciples expected to carry on God’s mission after Jesus’ departure?

7. What in the experience of Paul and Silas would demonstrate that they heeded the call of Luke 9:23?

Apply:

8. How would Apostles’ experience be an encouragement for a Christian to do mission?

9. How far has your personal/group mandate for mission gone?

Memory Verse: Matthew 28:19-20 “Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptising 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.” (NIV) Matthew 28:19-20