Embracing Emotionally Healthy Mission Through Community and Love

Summary

In today's discussion, we explored the concept of "Emotionally Healthy Mission," a balance between mission-driven results and the nurturing of a loving, healthy community. In a world that often pits these values against each other, the Christian way invites us to embrace both. We delved into the "Jesus way of mission," which prioritizes people over programs and plans. Jesus began his movement not by amassing a large following but by investing deeply in a small group of individuals, the 12 disciples. This approach contrasts sharply with modern strategies that emphasize digital presence and viral reach.

We also examined Simon Sinek's concept of "The Infinite Game," which aligns with the Jesus way by focusing on long-term impact and valuing people as more than just resources. This perspective challenges us to see our roles as leaders in everyday interactions, regardless of our official titles or positions. Jesus's life exemplifies this infinite mindset, as he spent the majority of his time in hiddenness, investing in personal relationships rather than public displays.

The sermon further highlighted the importance of community and vulnerability. In a city like New York, where loneliness is prevalent despite the dense population, the call to connect, grow, and serve becomes even more crucial. We are encouraged to engage in community through various church activities, emphasizing that discipleship is handcrafted, not mass-produced. This requires intentionality, relational depth, and a commitment to formation.

Finally, we acknowledged the challenges of investing in relationships, given the messiness and potential for hurt. Yet, the call to love and be vulnerable is rooted in the example of Jesus, who first loved us and invites us into a transformative relationship with him. This divine love empowers us to prioritize people and become a loving presence in the world.

Key Takeaways:

1. Balancing Mission and Health: The Christian way encourages us to value both mission-driven results and the nurturing of a loving community. This balance is essential for an emotionally healthy mission, where progress and joy coexist. In a results-oriented world, we are called to prioritize people and relationships. [03:44]

2. The Jesus Way of Mission: Jesus's approach to mission emphasizes investing in individuals rather than amassing large crowds. By prioritizing people, Jesus demonstrates that true impact comes from deep, personal relationships. This challenges modern strategies that focus on digital presence and viral reach. [05:56]

3. Infinite Mindset: Simon Sinek's concept of "The Infinite Game" aligns with the Jesus way by valuing people as more than resources. This mindset encourages us to focus on long-term impact and legacy, rather than short-term results. As leaders, we are responsible for the people who are responsible for the results. [08:44]

4. Community and Vulnerability: In a densely populated city, loneliness is prevalent. The call to connect, grow, and serve is crucial for building meaningful relationships. Discipleship is handcrafted, requiring intentionality, relational depth, and a commitment to formation. [18:50]

5. Love and Vulnerability: Investing in relationships can be challenging due to the potential for hurt. However, the call to love and be vulnerable is rooted in Jesus's example. His divine love empowers us to prioritize people and become a loving presence in the world. [29:15]

Youtube Chapters:

- [0:00] - Welcome
- [03:44] - Introduction to Emotionally Healthy Mission
- [05:56] - The Jesus Way of Mission
- [06:35] - Finite vs. Infinite Games
- [08:44] - Prioritizing People in Mission
- [09:45] - The Hidden Years of Jesus
- [12:25] - The Unhurried Pace of Jesus
- [14:12] - Influence and Leadership
- [15:46] - The Intentional, Relational, and Formational Approach
- [17:19] - Handcrafted Discipleship
- [18:50] - Community and Connection
- [21:29] - The Role of Church Community
- [22:56] - Overcoming Loneliness in Community
- [24:46] - The Messiness of Relationships
- [29:15] - Vulnerability and Divine Love

Study Guide

Bible Study Discussion Guide: Emotionally Healthy Mission

Bible Reading:
- Matthew 10:1-4

Observation Questions:
1. According to Matthew 10:1-4, what authority did Jesus give to his 12 disciples, and why is this significant in the context of starting a movement? [03:44]
2. How does the sermon describe the modern approach to starting a movement, and how does it contrast with the "Jesus way of mission"? [05:56]
3. What are the characteristics of a finite game versus an infinite game as discussed in the sermon, and how do they relate to the mission of Jesus? [06:35]

Interpretation Questions:
1. Why might Jesus have chosen to invest deeply in a small group of individuals rather than amassing a large following from the start? How does this reflect the values of the "Jesus way of mission"? [05:56]
2. How does Simon Sinek's concept of "The Infinite Game" align with the teachings of Jesus, and what implications does this have for how we view leadership and mission? [08:44]
3. In what ways does the sermon suggest that community and vulnerability are essential for discipleship, especially in a city like New York? [18:50]

Application Questions:
1. Reflect on your current approach to mission and community. Are you more focused on results or relationships? How can you begin to balance both in your daily life? [03:44]
2. Consider the people in your life whom you can invest in deeply, as Jesus did with his disciples. What steps can you take this week to prioritize these relationships? [05:56]
3. How can adopting an "infinite mindset" change the way you approach your work or leadership roles? What practical steps can you take to focus on long-term impact rather than short-term results? [08:44]
4. In what ways can you engage more deeply with your church community to combat loneliness and foster meaningful connections? What specific church activities or groups can you participate in? [18:50]
5. Reflect on a time when being vulnerable in a relationship led to growth or healing. How can you embrace vulnerability in your current relationships, despite the potential for hurt? [29:15]
6. Identify one area in your life where you can slow down and be more present with the people around you. What changes can you make to prioritize people over tasks or efficiency? [12:25]
7. How can you become a loving presence in your community, inspired by the divine love of Jesus? What specific actions can you take to show love and care to those around you this week? [30:41]

Devotional

Day 1: Balancing Mission and Community
In a world that often emphasizes results over relationships, the Christian approach calls for a balance between mission-driven outcomes and the nurturing of a loving community. This balance is crucial for an emotionally healthy mission, where progress and joy coexist. The challenge lies in prioritizing people and relationships in a results-oriented society. By valuing both mission and community, we create an environment where individuals can thrive and grow together. This approach encourages us to see beyond immediate results and focus on the long-term health and well-being of our community. [03:44]

"Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others." (Philippians 2:4, ESV)

Reflection: In what ways can you prioritize relationships over results in your daily interactions this week?

Day 2: The Jesus Way of Mission
Jesus's approach to mission was revolutionary in its focus on investing deeply in individuals rather than seeking to amass large crowds. By prioritizing personal relationships, Jesus demonstrated that true impact comes from deep, meaningful connections. This challenges modern strategies that often emphasize digital presence and viral reach. Jesus's method invites us to slow down and invest in the people around us, recognizing that lasting change happens through personal engagement and discipleship. [05:56]

"And he appointed twelve (whom he also named apostles) so that they might be with him and he might send them out to preach." (Mark 3:14, ESV)

Reflection: Who are the individuals in your life that you can invest in more deeply, following the example of Jesus?

Day 3: Embracing an Infinite Mindset
Simon Sinek's concept of "The Infinite Game" aligns with the Jesus way by valuing people as more than mere resources. This mindset encourages us to focus on long-term impact and legacy, rather than short-term results. As leaders, whether in official positions or in everyday interactions, we are responsible for the people who are responsible for the results. This perspective challenges us to see our roles as stewards of relationships, fostering environments where people can grow and thrive. [08:44]

"And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up." (Galatians 6:9, ESV)

Reflection: How can you shift your focus from short-term achievements to long-term impact in your personal and professional life?

Day 4: Building Community Through Vulnerability
In densely populated areas, loneliness can be surprisingly prevalent. The call to connect, grow, and serve is crucial for building meaningful relationships. Discipleship is handcrafted, requiring intentionality, relational depth, and a commitment to formation. By embracing vulnerability, we open ourselves to deeper connections and a more authentic community. This approach challenges us to move beyond surface-level interactions and invest in the lives of those around us, fostering a sense of belonging and support. [18:50]

"Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ." (Galatians 6:2, ESV)

Reflection: What steps can you take to be more vulnerable and open in your relationships, fostering a deeper sense of community?

Day 5: Love and Vulnerability in Relationships
Investing in relationships can be challenging due to the potential for hurt and disappointment. However, the call to love and be vulnerable is rooted in the example of Jesus, who first loved us and invites us into a transformative relationship with him. This divine love empowers us to prioritize people and become a loving presence in the world. By embracing vulnerability, we allow ourselves to experience the fullness of love and connection, even amidst the messiness of relationships. [29:15]

"Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins." (1 Peter 4:8, ESV)

Reflection: Who in your life needs to experience your love and vulnerability today, and how can you take a step towards showing it?

Quotes

1) "Now, here's what's interesting, is that there's all these marketing schemes, ways that people say, this is how you start a movement, amass a following. And yet the Jesus way, the Jesus way of mission, the Jesus way of starting a movement, it always starts with, by prioritizing people. It doesn't start with amassing this big crowd and starting with all sorts of momentum and then being able to handpick who's part of this crowd. It actually starts with the people in front of him. So much so that these 12 disciples who are named, they're each, all their names, the receipts are there. If you wanna know how this movement started, it started with this small group of people." [05:56] (41 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

2) "See, the Jesus way has always prioritized people. And whenever we get lost in all of our ambitions and results oriented kind of manners, we end up losing sight of the people in front of us. And perhaps some of us, even today, today as we're so lost in our careers, our ambitions, or our interests. And yet the people that are right in front of us, the people that we show up and that we impact, somehow we lose sight of how people -oriented we are called to be. Why? Because so much of the world that we live in is digital or results -oriented, especially in a city like this." [08:44] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

3) "Now, one of the things that Alicia Britt Cole talks about is how what's fascinating, and of course we use the image of an iceberg when we talk about emotionally healthy discipleship, about the 90 % below the surface. That's the part that we want God to allow into our lives, not just surface stuff, but deep down into the iceberg, the 90 % below. Now, one of the things that Alicia Britt Cole actually observes is that what's interesting is that the gospel accounts, the historical accounts of Jesus, they only cover about 90 % of Jesus, or about 10 % of Jesus's life, the three years that he was in public ministry." [09:45] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

4) "Jesus appears to have walked unstressed and unhurried. His peaceful pace seems to imply that he measured himself not by where he was going and how fast he could get there. Hello, Manhattan people. You know what I'm talking about? You know what I'm talking about. But by whom he was following and how closely they walked together. Isn't that interesting? Now, it's funny that I read this quote because Tina knows, my wife knows. Like I have this, like this awful habit because we've have a 12 year old and an eight year old and of course my wife and she's constantly reminding me. She's like, why are you walking so fast?" [12:25] (36 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

5) "Now, some of you might be wondering, you're like, wait a minute, but like, I, yes, yes, Jesus sees people, but like when it comes to this call of prioritizing people, I'm just not someone who is able to influence others, nor do I have anyone to influence my own life. In fact, some of us might be like, I'm in middle management or I just joined a job. I got a job doing whatever it might be in the city and I'm just trying to make ends meet. I don't really have that kind of influence over people. Well, look at what Parker Palmer writes, the spiritual writer, look what he writes. He writes, everyone who draws breath takes the lead many times a day." [14:12] (34 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

6) "Now, here's the thing. In a city like ours, which is one of the densest cities in the world, the high population, everyone is cramped in. And yet what's interesting is that research has shown that one of the biggest issues of population is the lack of community. And that's what we're talking about. And that's what we're in New York City, especially Manhattan, is loneliness. Now, how is that possible? It's so densier, but yet we so struggle with loneliness. Why? Because all of us, we crave community, don't we? We're all like, oh, yes, we're all about doing things together and being in community." [22:56] (29 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

7) "And the reality is, at the end of the day, he chooses them. He even chooses Judas, who he knows is going to betray him. And the reality is, one of the reasons why disciple -making or investing in relationships is hard is because people are messy. High -five your neighbor and say, people are messy. High -five your neighbor. your other neighbor and say, so are you. I'm just kidding. Yeah. I mean, some of you all, you've been hurt by church. You've been burnt out. You've experienced trauma, or maybe there's even pastors who have hurt you or people or religious communities that have felt so overwhelming to you. And it's just been hard when it comes to community just to figure out how to show up." [27:25] (63 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

8) "Now, here's the beautiful thing about God, the God that we serve. See, the God that we serve doesn't say, hey, I want you to be vulnerable and get connected to community. And prioritize people, do it immediately. He doesn't do that first. See, what we do is we believe in the Christian God who actually takes the first step of vulnerability, that Jesus actually comes and he pursues us. He's the one who comes anguishing after us, dying for us on our behalf and inviting us into relationship with him. Now, any one of us could reject this Jesus, but Jesus, what Jesus does is he takes the first move and is vulnerable first." [29:15] (40 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)

Chatbot

What was the most surprising thing in this sermon?

Were there any personal stories shared?