A pastor asked me one time about the missional strategy behind The Gospel Project. “We’ve got people in small groups who study the Scriptures but aren’t involved in reaching out to their community with the gospel,” he said. “How can I get them motivated?”
In response, I mentioned how our natural tendency as church leaders is to reinforce the commands related to our mission, to tell people again and again what they should be doing. We think, If they aren’t reaching out to represent and proclaim Christ, they must not know what to do.
But is this really the case? In my experience, the problem isn’t that we’ve forgotten our responsibility to love our neighbor and share the gospel. The problem is that even when we know what our duty is, we still don’t do it.
That’s why I’m convinced that focusing most of your teaching on our missional duty isn’t the best way to motivate people to serve Christ long-term. It may result in some initial fruit, but it doesn’t effect the heart-change necessary for long-lasting obedience.
So what to do?
Exalt God. Magnify His holiness. Praise His greatness. Exult in His grace.
Set the magnificent, majestic God of the Bible before your people week after week, and pray that they will encounter Him for who He is. Why? Because it’s an encounter with an awesome God that motivates us to mission.
Case in point: our biblical heroes. As you read through the Bible, you’ll notice that whenever people come face to face with God’s greatness, the next scene often shows them on mission.
- Moses trembles before God in the burning bush. Next he is standing before Pharaoh saying, “Let my people go!” The majesty of God displayed before Moses’ eyes on a faraway hillside is the same majesty God displays before the greatest empire of the day.
- Isaiah caught a vision of the Lord in His temple that was so staggering that he fell on his face like a dead man. Notice God didn’t even have to tell him what to do. God simply asks, “Who shall go?” and the awestruck Isaiah volunteers: “Here am I. Send me!”
- The Samaritan woman at the well was amazed at the supernatural knowledge of Jesus. Next we see her running into town telling her friends and family about His greatness.
- The women at the tomb are the first to witness the resurrection power of God. Next we see them telling everyone, “We have seen the Lord!”
- Peter denies Christ and hides. After encountering the greatness of King Jesus, we see him boldly proclaiming Christ as Messiah and Lord before thousands of people.
- After Paul’s encounter with the risen Jesus, he spends the rest of his life seeking to help the Gentiles see the very One who initially blinded him.
Why should it be any different with us? Missional fruitfulness comes from a heart gripped by God’s greatness and enthralled with His grace.
May we be so mesmerized by the glory of Jesus Christ that we count it as nothing to lose our lives for the spread of His fame! Let’s get on our faces before God and then get on our feet for His mission.
Such are the seeds of renewal.
Too often do we seek to counsel our God as to what changes need to be made.
Materials look great…love the videos…great concept, theology and design. Just what I’d expect from the great contributors I’ve seen on this project.
As a pastor of a small church plant with very limited resources, will I be able to afford to get in the hands of my church members? I’ve never been as excited about a Lifeway project as this, but I am afraid in the end it will be inaccessible to my church because of cost. When we will we have a price list? I do not want to show samples to my church until we know we can but it.
Same for me Joe. So much great material out there, but the initial and sometimes on-going costs are prohibitive. Also, we weren’t able to view the webcast Wednesday due to the fact that the only access we have to the internet is satellite-based, and weather prevented the connection. Sure wish it would be available as a download, video and/or audio. Haven’t found anything on that yet.
The webcast is up on the web site now if you didn’t catch it live.
Joe and Steve, you should be able to review the prices under each component, respectively, under the “Additional Information” section on each page. Let me know if you can’t find it.
We tried to make sure prices were comparable to some of our other materials. The good news is that based on your church size, the downloadable resources may be a very good, very affordable option!
Similar idea posted on this blog. God’s greatness leads to missional living.
http://www.sentness.com/post/6269400357/wheredoessentnesscomefrom
Do you brethren have anything going in Clearwater FL?
We’ve committed to the curriculum for the Fall at our church in Sanford, FL. We had a “teach the teachers” class to introduce the Gospel Project and the teachers responded well. We are coupling the lessons with community mission projects…mentoring each class in specifics and giving them the opportunity to serve.
So grateful for this work and this team! This is a monumental (and needed) paradigm shift–as if we’ve all been aiming for so long at the second ring rather than the bull’s eye itself –wondering why we aren’t “motivated” to be aligned, passionate, and on mission. You guys have nailed it and articulated why we’ve missed the mark so often. Focusing on encountering Jesus–getting more of Him– solves our missional angst. Who knew that “going deeper” (magnifying Jesus’ centrality and God’s glory) gets us wider (actively on mission) among/for the Lost. Eager to use your curriculum, Trevor. Thank you. And grateful for this team.
Is there different material for adult and senior adult classes?
I’ve beta tested the material on class ages ranging from 20’s to 80’s. It was the same printed lesson material, but I did qualify it to ages specifics. It was received very well by the classes. Bottom line: I had to prayerfully consider my audience.
Thanks for your valuable feedback!
It’s all the same, David.
Your program is helpful.
Thomas