We have learned more and more about “church” in the past couple sessions, and this week hits the outer fringes, around the globe. As much as God wants us to reach the people in our community, He has no intention of stopping there. God’s plan of redemption reaches into our neighborhood and every other city, village, and jungle around the globe.

In your own words, why is it important to think about God’s plan of redemption in global terms?

When you think about the mission of our church, does the rest of the globe factor in at all? How so?

Over time we have learned about Paul and his upbringing, his education, revelation and his very traumatic journeys where he helped start some of the first churches. At times it is easy to see Paul as a theologian or a pastor, but in all his efforts, he was a missionary. It was not an accident that Paul spend so much time proclaiming the gospel and forming churches. Check out his own words in Romans chapter 15.

²⁰ My ambition has always been to preach the Good News where the name of Christ has never been heard, rather than where a church has already been started by someone else. ²¹ I have been following the plan spoken of in the Scriptures, where it says, “Those who have never been told about him will see, and those who have never heard of him will understand.” – Romans 15:20-21 NLT

When Paul refers to Scriptures in verse 21, he was referencing Isaiah 52, which describes the coming of Jesus.

⁷ How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, “Your God reigns!” ⁸ Listen! Your watchmen lift up their voices; together they shout for joy. When the Lord returns to Zion, they will see it with their own eyes. ⁹ Burst into songs of joy together, you ruins of Jerusalem, for the Lord has comforted his people, he has redeemed Jerusalem. ¹⁰ The Lord will lay bare his holy arm in the sight of all the nations, and all the ends of the earth will see the salvation of our God. – Isaiah 52:7-10 NIV

Paul references more of Isaiah in Romans chapter 10 and he made clear not only that salvation is offered to all mankind but also that we are called to take an active role in spreading the gospel.

¹² Jew and Gentile are the same in this respect. They have the same Lord, who gives generously to all who call on him. ¹³ For “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.”

¹⁴ But how can they call on him to save them unless they believe in him? And how can they believe in him if they have never heard about him? And how can they hear about him unless someone tells them? ¹⁵ And how will anyone go and tell them without being sent? That is why the Scriptures say, “How beautiful are the feet of messengers who bring good news!” – Romans 10:12-15 NLT

Think about the passages above. How should these truths affect the way we think about our calling?

The Bible is clear, God wants to redeem all his people. God sends his people out to share the good news and he will not come back until this is accomplished. His plan all along has been about redeeming people from every nation. God is not content with happy, content communities alone, and we should not be either.

This gospel of the kingdom will be proclaimed throughout the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come. – Matthew 24:14 ESV

Have you given much thought to the unreached people groups around the world? If so, how does this affect your thinking and lifestyle? If not, why do you think you have never thought about it?

If you have not seen a great movie about the passion of sharing the truth and reaching the lost, it would be recommended to find “End of the Spear”, which is movie about five Christian missionaries speared to death in the Amazon jungle in 1956. (You can stream it for 99¢ at Amazon Prime)

<Working Together for the Gospel>

What kind of excuses are you maybe hiding behind and idols you might be clinging to? 

How would you describe your role in furthering the gospel around the world? If nothing comes to mind, share a few things that you can begin to pursue in order to make missions a part of your life.

We can’t do it all, but we are called to be involved. Each of us should have a passion to get the Good News spread around the world. Whether it is going on long-term mission trip or short-term mission trip, our hearts should be grateful to be involved in eternity work. Many people discount the whole mission effort for determination to be happy in this life, following their own plans. In the end it is a battle of one’s will and God’s will.  Many that never thought of or wanted to go on a mission trip were enlightened by the blessings experienced when they took God at his word.

If you have done any missionary work, how has that changed your vision of God’s will? What were your original thoughts of mission work and how is your heart towards missions now?

In order to faithfully follow Jesus and play your part in God’s plan of redemption, what should your life look like right now?

As we have learned in this part of the book, there are many facets of the church. It is easy to think of church as that community center or worship place, but to God, church is so much bigger.  As we get acquainted with this bigger concept of church, we will now venture in the Multiply book, we will now learn how to use the Bible for the best benefits.  We will be informed and taught on how to study our Bible.

This coming week, read Part III: How to Study Your Bible, 1. Why Study the Bible?

The supporting scripture reading for this upcoming week for the Sessions on ‘How to Study the Bible” is as follows. Attempt to read these scriptures as part of your daily devotion.

• 2 Timothy 3
• Psalm 1
• Psalm 19
• Psalm 33
• Psalm 119:1-26

The supporting video for this weeks session is below

Tyndale House Publishers. (2013). Holy Bible: New Living Translation. Carol Stream, IL: Tyndale House Publishers.

The New International Version. (2011). Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan.

The Holy Bible: English Standard Version. (2016). Wheaton, IL: Crossway Bibles.