Transformed by Being ON His Mission
by Brian Benoit
Day 1:
Sharing the Gospel
Read: Matthew 28:16-20
When someone tells you that you need to share Jesus (or share the Gospel) with other people, what is your gut reaction? How do you immediately feel inside? Be honest. And, as a follow up question, why do you think you feel that way?
I used to believe that if I lived a “good Christian life” in the world, that would be “testimony” enough to bring people to Jesus. After all, Francis of Assisi said, “Preach the Gospel at all times. If necessary, use words.” (He actually didn’t. He also used a lot of words in his Gospel preaching, which he did daily.)
While living out what we believe is definitely necessary to show people what Jesus is like, I have become convinced that living in a certain way without talking about the “why” can be a hindrance to people finding Jesus. If people don’t know that you live the way you do because of Jesus, they are in danger of concluding it’s possible to live the way you do without Jesus.
When we went through the book Gospel Fluency as a church a year or two ago, I was deeply moved by one of the author’s stories about sharing Jesus with others:
I wonder how often our good, moral lives, disconnected from any gospel explanation, convince people they don’t need Jesus? We need to do more than just be nice. We need to tell them why we live as we do.
I was speaking recently at a large church in Texas. One part of my message was about being “display people” and the other part was about being “declaration people”… Afterward, a very nice woman complimented me on the message and went on to describe how she and her husband had been trying to love their neighbors. She shared how complex the relationships within their cul-de-sac had become, as most of the neighbors didn’t like or trust one another. However, she and her husband loved and served everyone regardless. I was encouraged by all the ways they were seeking to love their neighbors.
Then she told me that one of her neighbors had come to her and said: “I don’t understand why you do it. Why are you so kind to that man [a neighbor no one liked]?” I expected her to excitedly tell me how she had done what I had just taught and had given Jesus as the reason for the hope that she had - the gospel explanation for the life she lived. Instead, she said: “Well, I just told her: ‘We’re just being kind. It’s not hard to be kind.’” I stood looking at her for a moment. I think my jaw dropped, making my wonderment a little too conspicuous, and she looked slightly uncomfortable.“That’s what you told her?” I asked. “Anything else?” I wanted to give her space for a further explanation.
“No, that’s it,” she said. “‘It’s not hard to be kind’ is what I said.”
I couldn’t leave it at that, so I gently encouraged her: “Next time I hope you’ll share how Jesus has changed you. Maybe say something like: ‘Well, God has been so loving to us. When we were the unloveable ones, he sent his Son, Jesus, to die on the cross for our sins. We love our neighbors like this because he loved us first.’”
I went on to say: “Your neighborhood will always be a broken place if you neighbors don’t come to know Jesus and the Father’s love for them personally. Kindness alone doesn’t change neighborhoods. Jesus does. It’s great that they experience his kindness and grace in your actions, but until they hear it is because of Jesus and are changed by Jesus themselves, you will be the only ones in the cul-de-sac who have his resources to love others with.”
(Jeff Vanderstelt: Gospel Fluency, 191-193)
As we think about being on mission, and sharing Jesus with others, we need to be ready to speak about who Jesus is to us, and what he has done for us. That is the surest way to make new disciples.
For Reflection:
When someone tells you that you need to share Jesus (or share the Gospel) with other people, how do you immediately feel inside? Why do you think you feel that way?
What good things do you think might happen if you talked more about Jesus’ impact on your life?
Jesus told his disciples to make new disciples in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria, and the ends of the earth. How would you categorize each of those areas in your world? Who is one person (or type of person) that lives in each of those “spheres”?
Day 2:
Becoming a Disciple that Disciples
Read: Matthew 28:16-20
When I began attending Daybreak, I realized very quickly that the size of this church would allow me to “slip in and slip out” if I wanted to. I could attend every Sunday, and leave after the service with no further involvement than maybe some idle chit chat in the lobby. And the following Sunday, I could do it all again. If I wanted to.
Now, don’t get me wrong. The size of Daybreak isn’t a “bad” thing. Churches come in all sizes. But it is something to be on guard against - becoming an “attender” - a follower who is not a disciple of Jesus, but a “fan” of Jesus. Because honestly, the “attender/fan” model sometimes seems like a really nice, low commitment option. But is that what would be best for you?
I decided that being an attender wasn’t for me, and so I began looking for ways to be involved. Be connected. Be a part of the community. I decided to go on a mission trip to Ecuador, which is what Daybreak calls a “catalytic experience.” And it sure was catalytic for me!
Aside from gaining a larger view of the world, I also realized some things about myself on that trip, things that were holding me back, and some ways I had allowed life to drift me off course because I wasn’t being proactive in my own discipleship. When we got back from the trip, I began volunteering in Daybreak Kids (being a discipler) and took the Emotionally Healthy Discipleship course (being discipled).
Since then, I’m still involved in Daybreak Kids, as well as helping to lead Emotionally Healthy Discipleship, and have been on several more missions trips. All because I made the decision to not be an “attender”!
Here’s the point: You need to be proactive in your own discipleship, and choose to become connected to the larger community of disciples. It doesn’t happen by accident. Discipleship always includes others - disciples cannot be disciples without someone else coming alongside them. I certainly would not have grown on my trip to Ecuador if there had not been trip leaders or other trip participants walking alongside me. Community connection is key. You will not grow without it.
For Reflection:
On a scale of 1-5, how would you categorize your “discipleship” to Jesus? 1 = a fan, 5 = a disciple
Who has been instrumental in helping you be a better disciple? Think of big ways and small ways.
In what ways are you discipling others? Think of big ways and small ways, both at Daybreak, and in other places.
What are some ways you can become better connected to a “discipler/discipleship” community?
Day 3:
Practice
This week’s practice is a simple reflection. Take some time to write down your answers. Writing is important to processing because it slows your brain down, and forces you to commit answers to paper. It also involves your body in answering the questions, which means that it’s not just your mind answering, but your whole self. So, get a sheet of paper (or print this page out) and a pencil before you begin.
Take some time to pray, and invite the Holy Spirit to show you the places where he wants to grow you.
From Day 1:
The word Gospel means “Good News.” Why is the Good News, good news TO ME? In what ways is it good news for me?
How can I start sharing that with others? Come up with some concrete examples.
Who around me needs to know that Jesus is the reason I live the way I do? Once you’ve made a list, pray over it, and see if the
Holy Spirit highlights anyone in your heart, either on the list or not.
From Day 2:
Who has been the single most impactful person in your discipleship to Jesus? Why?
Where at Daybreak can you begin to disciple others? Is there a ministry where you can walk alongside others?
Day 4:
Series Reflection
Read: Luke 14-25-33
Every time you say “yes” to something, you’re saying “no” to something else.
What does this mean? Quite simply, it means that making a commitment to one thing automatically closes other doors. I can’t spend an hour hiking the Appalachian Trail, and also spend that same hour learning to play guitar. I can’t spend a dollar on a cheeseburger, and also spend that same dollar on a small order of fries. (Ok, a dollar doesn’t buy either of those things anymore, but my point stands.) When I say yes to one thing, there are other things I can’t say yes to.
Our time is finite. We can’t say yes to everything.
Our bodies are finite. We can’t say yes to everything.
Our resources are finite. We can’t say yes to everything.
What does this have to do with discipleship to Jesus? Well, disciples of Jesus - true disciples - have said “yes” to Jesus, and “yes” to living his way.