Embracing Missions: Stepping Out in Faith Together
Summary
### Summary
Good morning, church! Today, we are focusing on the incredible experiences from our recent mission trips. Our church is committed to three types of missions: local, national, and international. Locally, we engage in activities like feeding the homeless and supporting schools. Nationally, we recently went to Paris, Texas, to assist Novice Baptist Church, a small congregation needing help to reach younger families. Internationally, we returned to Guatemala, continuing our long-term commitment to support and disciple communities there.
In Paris, Texas, our team helped with a Vacation Bible School, expecting only a handful of kids but ending up with 25 enthusiastic participants. This experience was humbling and eye-opening, showing us the importance of stepping out of our comfort zones. We also helped with maintenance tasks, which were deeply appreciated by the local church members. One of our team members, Corey, felt called to lead a devotional, stepping out of his usual behind-the-scenes role, which was a powerful moment for all of us.
Internationally, our work in Guatemala continues to build strong relationships and make a lasting impact. These mission trips are not just about spreading the gospel but also about forming deep bonds with fellow team members and the communities we serve. We encourage everyone to consider participating in future missions, as these experiences are transformative and fulfilling.
Thank you for being a church that supports missions, not just in prayer and giving but also by going. Whether it's local, national, or international, we are all called to make disciples and teach them. Let's continue to pray and ask God where He wants us to go next. Remember, we are not just church attenders; we are sent to love God, love others, and make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ.
### Key Takeaways
1. Stepping Out of Comfort Zones: Our mission trips often require us to step out of our comfort zones, whether it's leading a devotional or engaging with new communities. This willingness to step out in faith can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth. [39:54]
2. Humility and Perspective: Serving in different environments, like the small church in Paris, Texas, helps us gain a new perspective on our own lives and ministries. It reminds us to appreciate the small victories and the importance of every single soul. [31:06]
3. Building Relationships: Mission trips are not just about the work we do but also about the relationships we build. These bonds, formed through shared experiences and challenges, are invaluable and often lead to lifelong friendships. [50:25]
4. Long-term Commitment: Our church's approach to missions involves long-term commitments, ensuring that the communities we serve can sustain the work even after we leave. This ongoing support is crucial for meaningful and lasting impact. [57:59]
5. Answering the Call: Every Christian has a role to play in missions, whether it's going, giving, or praying. It's essential to seek God's guidance on how He wants us to participate and be willing to follow His lead, even if it means stepping into unfamiliar roles. [59:53]
### YouTube Chapters
[0:00] - Welcome
[29:38] - Types of Missions
[31:06] - Paris, Texas Mission Trip
[37:07] - Impact on Local Community
[38:25] - Maintenance and Service
[39:54] - Stepping Out in Faith
[41:13] - International Missions
[50:25] - Building Relationships
[57:59] - Long-term Commitment
[59:53] - Answering the Call
[01:01:03] - Invitation to Respond
[01:07:33] - Sent to Serve
Study Guide
### Bible Study Discussion Guide
#### Bible Reading
1. Matthew 28:19-20 (NIV) - "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing 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."
2. Acts 1:8 (NIV) - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
3. James 2:14-17 (NIV) - "What good is it, my brothers and sisters, if someone claims to have faith but has no deeds? Can such faith save them? Suppose a brother or a sister is without clothes and daily food. If one of you says to them, 'Go in peace; keep warm and well fed,' but does nothing about their physical needs, what good is it? In the same way, faith by itself, if it is not accompanied by action, is dead."
#### Observation Questions
1. What types of missions does our church engage in, and what are some specific activities mentioned for each type? [29:38]
2. How did the team’s expectations for the Vacation Bible School in Paris, Texas, compare to the actual turnout? [31:06]
3. What was Corey’s significant step out of his comfort zone during the mission trip, and how did it impact the team? [39:54]
4. What are some ways the mission trips have built relationships and long-term commitments with the communities served? [50:25] [57:59]
#### Interpretation Questions
1. How does stepping out of our comfort zones, as seen in Corey’s experience, contribute to personal and spiritual growth? [39:54]
2. In what ways did the mission trip to Paris, Texas, provide a new perspective on humility and the importance of small victories? [31:06]
3. How do the relationships formed during mission trips enhance the overall mission and impact of the church’s efforts? [50:25]
4. Why is long-term commitment crucial for the sustainability of the work done during mission trips, and how does it align with the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19-20? [57:59]
#### Application Questions
1. Reflect on a time when you stepped out of your comfort zone for your faith. How did it impact you, and what did you learn from the experience? [39:54]
2. How can you apply the lesson of humility and appreciation for small victories in your daily life and ministry? [31:06]
3. Think about the relationships you have formed within the church. How can you deepen these bonds to enhance your spiritual journey and community impact? [50:25]
4. What steps can you take to ensure that your involvement in missions or other church activities has a lasting and meaningful impact? [57:59]
5. How can you discern God’s call for you in missions, whether it’s through going, giving, or praying? What specific actions can you take to follow His lead? [59:53]
6. Identify one local mission opportunity you can participate in. How will you prepare yourself to serve and build relationships within that community?
7. Consider the long-term commitments our church has made to international missions. How can you support these efforts, and what role do you feel called to play in them? [57:59]
This guide is designed to help your small group delve deeper into the themes and lessons from the sermon, encouraging both personal reflection and actionable steps in their faith journey.
Devotional
Day 1: Stepping Out in Faith
Stepping out of our comfort zones can lead to profound personal and spiritual growth. When we engage in mission trips, we often find ourselves in unfamiliar situations that challenge us to rely on God more deeply. Whether it's leading a devotional for the first time or interacting with new communities, these experiences stretch our faith and help us grow. Corey, a team member who usually works behind the scenes, felt called to lead a devotional during the mission trip to Paris, Texas. This act of stepping out in faith was a powerful moment for him and the entire team, demonstrating how God can use us in unexpected ways when we are willing to step out of our comfort zones. [39:54]
Isaiah 41:10 (ESV): "Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand."
Reflection: Think of a situation where you feel God is calling you to step out of your comfort zone. How can you take a small step of faith today to respond to that call?
Day 2: Gaining Humility and Perspective
Serving in different environments helps us gain a new perspective on our own lives and ministries. The mission trip to Paris, Texas, was a humbling experience for the team. They expected only a few children to attend the Vacation Bible School but ended up with 25 enthusiastic participants. This unexpected turnout reminded them of the importance of every single soul and the value of small victories. Engaging in maintenance tasks and other forms of service also helped the team appreciate the hard work and dedication of the local church members. These experiences teach us humility and help us see the broader picture of God's work in the world. [31:06]
Philippians 2:3-4 (ESV): "Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than yourselves. Let each of you look not only to his own interests but also to the interests of others."
Reflection: Reflect on a recent experience where you served others. How did it change your perspective on your own life and ministry? What small victories can you celebrate today?
Day 3: Building Lasting Relationships
Mission trips are not just about the work we do but also about the relationships we build. These bonds, formed through shared experiences and challenges, are invaluable and often lead to lifelong friendships. The team’s ongoing work in Guatemala is a testament to the power of building strong relationships. These connections are not only with the communities they serve but also among the team members themselves. The shared experiences of serving together create deep bonds that enrich their spiritual lives and foster a sense of unity and purpose. [50:25]
1 Thessalonians 2:8 (ESV): "So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us."
Reflection: Think about a relationship that has been strengthened through shared experiences in service. How can you continue to nurture and grow this relationship in the coming weeks?
Day 4: Committing to Long-term Impact
Our church's approach to missions involves long-term commitments, ensuring that the communities we serve can sustain the work even after we leave. This ongoing support is crucial for meaningful and lasting impact. The team’s work in Guatemala is a prime example of this long-term commitment. By returning to the same communities and building on previous efforts, they ensure that the support and discipleship provided are sustainable. This approach not only benefits the communities but also deepens the team's understanding of the importance of perseverance and dedication in ministry. [57:59]
Galatians 6:9 (ESV): "And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up."
Reflection: Consider a long-term commitment you have made in your life. How can you ensure that your efforts are sustainable and have a lasting impact? What steps can you take today to reinforce this commitment?
Day 5: Answering the Call
Every Christian has a role to play in missions, whether it's going, giving, or praying. It's essential to seek God's guidance on how He wants us to participate and be willing to follow His lead, even if it means stepping into unfamiliar roles. The mission trips highlighted in the sermon show that everyone can contribute in different ways. Whether it's through direct involvement in missions, financial support, or dedicated prayer, each role is vital. The key is to be open to God's call and ready to respond, trusting that He will equip us for the tasks He sets before us. [59:53]
Isaiah 6:8 (ESV): "And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, 'Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?' Then I said, 'Here I am! Send me.'"
Reflection: Reflect on how you can answer God's call in your life. Are you being called to go, give, or pray? What specific steps can you take today to respond to this call?
Quotes
### Quotes for Outreach
1. "We all have the same calling, which is to go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, and teaching them." [57:59] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "Thank you for being that church, thank you for being that people that see that we have got to do more than just come here and meet on a Sunday morning, get our checkmark for the week, and go on about our day. God has called us to do way more than sit in some chairs on a Sunday morning." [59:53] (17 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "God, you've called us to be more than just church attenders and I pray that we would answer that call. So this morning, Lord, I ask that you would just move in our hearts as we worship you, Father, and respond to you." [01:01:57] (14 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "As Mark normally says, you're not dismissed, you are sent. And sent means to go. That you are sent to love God, love others, and what? Make fully devoted followers of Jesus Christ." [01:07:33] (12 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "When you find small groups, whether it's in Sunday school or home groups that you do life with people, relationships are formed." [50:25] (8 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
### Quotes for Members
1. "Sometimes what we get used to every single day takes us out of what others are dealing with every single day. And it was very humbling to see them, when the numbers reached 25 students, how ecstatic they were." [31:06] (16 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
2. "It was really neat to see how when people surrender to God's calling, and as simple as going on a sports mission trip, start to get affected." [38:25] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
3. "It was amazing to see how people were not just willing to step out of their comfort zone, but wanting to step out of their comfort zone." [39:54] (9 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
4. "If you've ever been on a mission trip, there is a friendship and a bond that is made with those that you're on the trip with that is so deep. And I'm so thankful for that." [41:13] (11 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
5. "But on these mission trips, we're literally following up with them and going back to make sure what we started is being carried out." [58:50] (7 seconds) (Download raw clip | Download cropped clip)
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