MISSIONS WEEK: PRAY, GIVE, GO

In some of the last words Jesus spoke to his followers, he said, “Go into all the world and preach the Good News to everyone.” (Mark 16:15) And in what is referred to as the Great Commission, we see, “Therefore go and make disciples of all the nations…” (Matthew 28:19).

It is obvious from these two statements that sharing the Gospel and discipling people was a priority for the Church (coming directly from Jesus himself). However, we know that no one person can go everywhere and do this with everybody. There are men and women called by God who have committed their lives to sharing the Gospel in places most of us can’t (or won’t) go. We refer to these men and women as missionaries—people on mission from God to a particular region or people group. But Jesus’ message was not only for the select few we know as missionaries. We all may not be going to another country or continent, but we all are to be involved in the co-mission Jesus called us to, and it's fairly simple: you can pray, you can give, and you can go.

PRAY: Anyone can pray! Commit to praying for people who are far away from God that need to hear the Gospel. This could be an unreached people group somewhere in the world or your neighborhood. Commit to praying for those missionaries who are serving on the front lines in places we can’t go. Pray for God to protect them, to provide for their needs, and to give them favor and open doors as they share the Good News with others. Pray for God to raise up other missionaries to come alongside those already on the field or to go to places that are still unreached.

GIVE: It is one thing to pray, but is another entirely to put our money where our mouth is. Every missionary serving somewhere has a monthly budget they need to be able to serve in the community they are working in. This includes funds for supplies, travel, food for their family, a place to live, etc. They do this primarily through the generosity of churches and individuals who catch the vision for the mission and then give financially to support their work. At Lifehouse, we support over 50 different missionaries all over the world and right here in the US, and we are only able to do that because of the faithful giving of our church family.

GO: Finally, you can go! This could be by participating in one of our short-term missions trips. Each year we provide multiple opportunities for you to join one of our teams and to go and serve with one of our missions partners. I highly encourage everyone to join one of our teams and go on one of our trips. It is a life-changing experience and one that will open your eyes to the potential God has placed in your life. Or you may feeling pulled to follow God’s calling on your life to a region or people that still need to hear the Good News of the Gospel. Romans 10:13-15 says, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved. But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent?” (NLT)

It’s up to us, and every one of us can be a part of making sure Jesus’ final words are carried out. Pray, give, and go! Will you do your part?

BIBLE READING PLAN

Monday, OCTOBER 27

Tuesday, OCTOBER 28

Wednesday, OCTOBER 29

Thursday, OCTOBER 30

Friday, OCTOBER 31

saturday, NOVEMBER 1

QUESTIONS

  1. What does the word “missions” mean to you? Discuss some of the various ideas people get when it comes to the idea of missions.

  2. The idea of missions can be a scary thought for some. Why do you think so many people don’t see missions as a priority?

  3. Read Mark 16:15 and Matthew 28:19. What directive does this carry for us? How does it apply to us on a daily basis?

  4. Missions can often be defined as having to go to a faraway land to a group of peoplE you don’t know. How do these two verses change the understanding of what missions means?

  5. Every one of us has the responsibility to take the good news of the Gospel with us daily, but we also have the responsibility to help spread that Gospel around the world. What is one thing you will commit to, individually or as a group, for the next year to be involved in missions at Lifehouse?