Missions Is Essential

A Definition of Missions2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 4

Introduction

My hope is that this workbook will be a tool to help disciples of Jesus to discern, describe, and do missions more effectively. 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 22ContentsLesson One: A Definition of MissionsLesson Two: Some Characteristics of MissionsLesson Three: A Tool to Assess Commitment to Missions 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 3A Definition of Missions -12011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 5Can you Describe the difference?

Essential means?Important means?Interesting means?A Definition of Missions - 22011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 6 Which of the following are essential, important, and interesting?

WaterJuiceSoft DrinkRigorous fitness programHealthy living habitsImage makeoverSatellite radioPower steeringAutomobile engineA Definition of Missions - 32011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 7What are other examples of things that are Essential, Important, and interesting?EssentialImportantInterestingA Definition of Missions - 42011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 8While there are many things related to the life of local churches, what is at the heart of the church where you belong? Where is energy, attention, and resources targeted most in your church?EssentialImportantInterestingA Definition of Missions - 52011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 9Missions is as essential to the church as breathing is to the body. Breathing is natural and normal for a healthy body. Similarly, missions is natural and normal for a healthy church.

Missions is so essential to the church that without missions a church isnt a church at all! Unless a church is engaged in missions, it fails to reflect the nature and will of God in the world A Definition of Missions - 62011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 10Mission speaks to Gods turning toward the world in love. (John 3:16-17).

God created the world. God loves the world. God is redeeming the world. God will bring to completion what He desires for the world. (2 Cor 5:19)

A Definition of Missions - 72011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 11Missions refers to the activities of the church that are born from Gods mission to the world. The missionary activities of the church are always done in service to Gods mission for the world .

Missions bears witness to Jesus Christ. It is only authentic when it reflects Gods mission to the world. (2 Cor 5:20)

A Definition of Missions - 82011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 12Why is it important to be involved in missions near and far?

What are activities in your church that participate in Gods mission to the world?

What missions ministries does your church carry out that bear witness to Jesus Christ?

A Definition of Missions - 92011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 13Christian Mission is:

The church sending disciples of Jesus who are empowered by the Holy Spirit into the world to touch lives with the transforming love of Christ.A Definition of Missions - 102011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 14The Church:

Christian missions belongs to the life of the church.The church should be engaged beyond financial support. (Matthew 6:21)The church learns, the church pray, the church gives, and the church goes.

A Definition of Missions - 112011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 15The church provides the structure of accountability and support that all missionaries need.The church provides a prayer covering for those who do missions. This is important and dangerous business. (Eph 6:12) We need prayer and support from the church to succeed. A Definition of Missions - 122011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 16Sending Disciples of Jesus:

Only disciples of Jesus are able to do the missionary activities of the church that reflect Gods mission to the world. (Mark 6:7, 12-13)

A Definition of Missions - 132011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 17Who are empowered by the Holy Spirit:

Disciples need the overshadowing, the enveloping, the anointing, the indwelling, the inspiring, and the empowering of Gods Spirit to accomplish the tasks needed to make God known clearly throughout the world. Without the spirit our work is impossible. With the spirit we can fulfill our calling in every generation.

A Definition of Missions - 142011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 18Into the World:

The work of the mission of God is to the world. The work of the church is in the world.

A Definition of Missions - 152011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 19To touch lives with the transforming love of Christ:

We have the ability to touch peoples lives with the transforming love of Christ. (Rom 12:2)Love is the key to the Christian Witness and to Christian Missions. God is love!

A Definition of Missions - 162011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 20A time for reflection

My earlier definition of missions wasMy developing definition of missions is

Some Characteristics of Missions2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 21

Some Characteristics of Missions2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 22What does Mission look like?What are some ways that you have heard missions described?

Mission can be expressed in four ways2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 23EvangelismCompassionEmpowermentAdvocacy

Evangelism2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 24Good NewsThe message of what God has done for the world through Jesus ChristChristian MissionsSharing the good news that God has come to us in Jesus Christ and that through him we have eternal life.

Evangelism2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 25What was your life like before Jesus? (30 Sec)How did you come to know Jesus?(30 Sec)What difference does Jesus make in your life now that you are his disciple?(30 sec)

Compassion2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 26How do you see suffering people?Eyes of Criticism?Eyes of cynicismEyes of compassionWhat is your response?

Compassion2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 27Can you think of times when you had eyes of criticism?Can you think of times when you had eyes of compassion?What made the difference?How can we encourage compassion?

Empowerment2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 28One aspect of missions is building the capacity for people to live with more dignity and security.To engage people who are poor with the gospel is critical to the work of the church.To fail to engage them around areas that can help them to provide for themselves effectively, however, hampers the Christian witness.

Empowerment2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 29What are some of the symptoms of disempowerment in your community, in the country, in the world?

What are some specific areas that your church could address that could help people who are down and out start to get up and going?

Advocacy2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 30We are called to challenge the systems that make people vulnerable.

Are there policies and practices in your community?

Advocacy2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 31Are there policies and practices in your community?How might you and/or your church be advocates for justice?What are some of the big rocks in the community, country, or world that need to be broken so the oppressed can be set free?

Some Characteristics of Missions2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 32What does it look like when a church has missions as its first priority?What would the rhythms, emphases, and special occasions look like?How would leaders (e.g., pastors, preachers, teachers, deacons, lay leaders, etc.) be sought and function? How would budgets be shaped?What facilities would be needed?What impact would be realized?

Four Characteristics of Christian Missions2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 33Missions is definitive for the churchMission is normative for the churchMission is evaluative for the churchMission is responsive for the church

A time for reflection2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 34What is a working definition of missions?How are missions in the life of the church related to the mission of God to the world?How essential is Christian missions in my life as a disciple of Christ and in the life of the church to which I belong? How is it demonstrated ?

A time for reflection2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 35What are key characteristics of missions?What might a church look like with missions as a priority?Why is it critical to engage in local AND global missions?How can I demonstrate my commitment to missions in response to Gods mission?

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 36

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 37Start with a good definition.Measure your progress so far.Decide where to go from here.

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 38LeadershipDoing GreatComing along.Threshold levelLets get started

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 39StrategyDoing GreatComing along.Threshold levelLets get started

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 40StimulationDoing GreatComing along.Threshold levelLets get started

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 41SendingDoing GreatComing along.Threshold levelLets get started

Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 42SupportDoing GreatComing along.Threshold levelLets get started

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