HOMEGROUPS @ UUPC

Gods Mission!

© UUPC 2007

OPEN WITH PRAYER

MATTHEW 28:19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in^[a] the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."

J     Discuss your understanding of what it means to ‘be a Missionary’

The Greek term used for God’s Mission is Missio Dei. Our God is a sending God. His mission, His purpose since the beginning of time has been to rescue humanity from the consequences of sin and to give them an opportunity to choose another way. His way! A way of life not death and holiness not sin, and Jesus was the one in whom He entrusted the rescue operation! The plan first begins to unfold in the call and sending of Abraham.  Read Genesis 12:1-8 (The call of Abraham)

J     Discuss how you believe Abraham’s call was significant in God’s rescue operation.

J     Discuss what you would do if God called you to ‘get up and go’ without telling you where exactly you were going.

J     What would some of the problems be that you would face if you were told tonight to leave Howick and go to place God would lead you to?

Abraham seemed to ask no questions, he simply obeyed. He was wealthy man and judging from his response his relationship with God was close and his priorities were obedience to God.

J     How does it compare with your relationship with God? 

Abraham’s call came after the great flood and the tower of Babel  In spite of Gods harsh judgment  on account of mankind’s sin, people continued to go their own way. But God found something different in Abraham and sent him with a purpose and a promise.

J     From the account in Genesis of the call, can you identify what these promises were and how they were fulfilled in Jesus? (Read Genesis 12:1-3)

Abraham’s call was to set in place a Nation through whom God would send the Saviour and bless all people everywhere through all time. The promises made to Abraham were fulfilled in Jesus, the seed of Abraham. (Read Galatians 3:26)

From these readings we see how the Father sent the Son, and the Father and Son sent the Holy Spirit. Jesus mission was clear. He walked alongside a few men, trained them and equipped them to spread the Good News, He overcame death, then sent the Holy Spirit. (Read Acts 1:1-9)

J     How has the Holy Spirit been involved in Mission since then and how is He involved today?

The Holy Spirit continues to be the means by which Missionaries all over the world are enabled to continue the work of the Gospel, but God has called all disciples of Jesus to be involved in Mission.

J     In what way can we as individuals be involved in God’s mission?

J     What could we be doing as the body of Christ at Upper Umgeni to promote/support/encourage Missionaries in their God given task?

PRAY for ……. Annetjie and John (Zambia), Christine Roberts (Children’s ministry in Hammanskraal) Victor Keswa (Mpolweni Mission/Farm) Garden Congregation (Zambia twinned with UUPC), Beauty Mbona (Tumbleweed).