Misssions – Part 1
Introduction
This weekend, Reverend Dr Richmond Wandera invited us to consider what it means to see the world through the eyes of Jesus. Drawing from Matthew 9:35–38, he shared how Jesus saw people with compassion and challenged us to look beyond circumstances and recognise the God given potential in others. Richmond reflected on his own experience growing up in poverty in Uganda and how the compassion and generosity of others changed the course of his life. He reminded us that “potential is everywhere, but opportunity isn’t,” and that we should not confuse where someone starts with where God may take them.
Read: |
Discuss
- In Matthew 9:36, what is the significance of Jesus “seeing the crowds” and feeling compassion for them? How does seeing precede compassion according to the scripture?
- Ps Richmond says, “Seeing changes everything.” How might changing the way we see people and situations influence the way we respond to missions, community needs, and our daily walk with Jesus?
- Ps Richmond highlights that many African pastors have little formal theological training, yet they faithfully serve their communities. How does this challenge or encourage your understanding of what makes the church “powerful”?
- How does the idea of “looking up” to see the world through Jesus’ eyes transform our response to mission and community need.
- Read John 6:1–13. A young boy offered Jesus his five loaves and two fish, which seemed completely inadequate for the need in front of them. Ps Richmond reflected on how God can take what seems small and use it for something far greater. What does this passage show us about what Jesus can do with what we place in His hands? What might your “five loaves and two fish” be?
Who’s Your Person of Peace?
Ps Richmond challenged us to see people as Jesus sees them and to recognise the potential God has placed in them. Is there someone in your life right now, perhaps your Person of Peace, whom God is inviting you to encourage and equip so they can step into their God-given potential?
Respond
Ps Richmond reminded us that every “yes” has a blast radius, we may never know how God will use our obedience to impact someone else. What do you sense God is inviting you to say “yes” to? Step out in faith this week, trusting that God can use even a small act of obedience to make a difference in someone’s life.
Misssions – Part 2
Introduction
Sometimes we think God can only use people who are highly gifted, highly trained or doing something ‘spiritual.’ But in Matthew 10, Jesus called ordinary people – fishermen, tax collectors and everyday disciples – and sent them out with His authority. The sermon challenges us to look differently at what God has placed in our hands. Our family, profession, education, finances, relationships, experiences, skills and even the opportunities we have may not simply be blessings for ourselves. Instead, these becomes opportunities to reach others, living out “the mission of God in the hands of ordinary people”.
Discuss
- Read Matthew 10:1 The disciples were called into relationship with Jesus before they were sent into mission. Jesus called the disciples to be with Him before He called them to go for Him. What helps you stay close to Jesus in your everyday life? What can sometimes distract you from simply being present with Him?
- “What is in your hand?” (Exodus 4:2). The sermon asks us to reconsider the things we call ‘blessings.’ What’s in your hand right now that you’ve seen as just for you, and how might God be inviting you to use it for His Kingdom?
- “God specializes in qualifying the disqualified.” What part of your story, weakness, past or insecurity do you tend to think disqualifies you from being used by God? What would change if you genuinely believed that God could use that very part of your story for His purposes?
- Pastor Richmond tells the story of Heather, whose simple act of babysitting enabled her to sponsor a child, eventually affecting his life and family. Her ‘yes’ reached much further than she could see. Can you think of any simple acts of obedience you can start in this season?
- “Freely you have received, freely give” (Matthew 10:8). What have you freely received from God or from others that you may now be holding too tightly? What would “freely give” look like in your relationships, finances, time, gifts or experience? “God is not asking you to live someone else’s obedience.
- God is asking you to live yours.” How does comparing yourself with others stop you from responding to your own assignment from God? What is one act of obedience that God may be asking you to take, even if it looks small compared with someone else’s?
Who’s Your Person of Peace?
Pastor Richmond challenges us to see that God can use ordinary people and that what we often see as a person’s weakness or limitation may actually be an opportunity for God to work through them. Who is your Person of Peace right now – someone God has placed in your life whom you can come alongside, encourage, and help discover what God has already placed in their hands? Ask God to show you who might be on the other side of your ‘yes’.
Respond
Before He gave them a mission, He called them to Himself. Mission begins with relationships before responsibility. We are not called to simply do more for God; we are first called to walk with Him, receive from Him and allow His presence to shape us.
If you genuinely believed that your ordinary life was already part of God’s mission, what would you change this week? Where is God asking you to GO, PRAY, GIVE, ENCOURAGE, or MAKE YOURSELF AVAILABLE?