Jesus was the ultimate missionary. He described his own life as one who came to "seek and save the lost" (Luke 19:10). In the New Testament, we see Jesus engaging all kinds of people with the good news about the kingdom of God. Broken people and religious people, skeptics and seekers, Jews and gentiles, rich people and poor people. One of the amazing things about the missional encounters that Jesus had with people is that they were also training sessions for the disciples. They were usually with him when we engaged people concerning the kingdom, and they got to behold the tendencies, tools, and message that He shared with them. One of the things they no doubt always saw him do was deal with people in grace and truth.
"And the word became flesh and dwelt among us, and we have seen His glory, glory as of the only Son from the Father, full of grace and truth." John 1:14
Jesus was so gracious and compassionate that broken people were drawn to Him (Luke 15:1). However, there was never a question about where he stood on truth, the kingdom, and the need for repentance (John 8:10). And the disciples got to SEE it all up close and personal.
This week I heard a story about one of our Student Ministry leaders, Kori. She was leading a small group of middle school girls in evangelism training for their spring break mission trip. The training was door to door canvassing in neighborhoods. (Did I mention they were middle school students?) During this training time, the students encountered an older man who became irritated and hostile with them. He raised his voice and used inappropriate language, sending them away. In that moment, Kori decided that she can't allow this man to discourage her students in this way, and so she goes back to the door and knocks again. The man re-opens the door and says, WHAT? Kori proceeds to courageously share with this man that his attitude towards the students was not acceptable. She told him that he shouldn't have spoken to them with such harshness, and that his issues with the church had nothing to do with those young girls. But, she didn't leave it there. She also was able to dialogue with him about his back story and his frustrations. She was able to provide him with some words of empathy about God's love and redemptive plan that were available for him to experience. She even told him that if he would like to come to church she would personally meet him in the parking lot and walk him in. This no doubt is something that the man will be impacted by. But as I listened to this story, I couldn't help but think about the powerful lesson these young girls were getting. They stood and watched a woman full of grace and truth engage a lost person, just like Jesus would. She didn't compromise on truth. She didn't back down from conflict. She pushed towards the brokenness of our world with boldness. Yet, she handled this man with tenderness. She extended undeserved kindness. She welcomed someone whom most would probably write off. Just like the disciples, these young girls were getting a live action, life on life training session on how to be missional. I'm sure it will be etched in their minds forever.
When we are discipling people, and teaching them about living on mission, we must not underestimate the power of life on life example. I would dare even to say that it is more helpful for them to SEE us do evangelism than it is for us to give them a lesson on evangelism in a hypothetical situation. Like the disciples with Jesus and these young girls with Kori, the people we invest in need an example of what to do in live action. Here are some ideas.
- Plan an evangelism outing with your D-Group. Go door to door and give invites to Easter service.
- Plan a gospel meeting with one of your lost friends. Ask if they would be comfortable with you bringing one of your friends from church.
- Plan a day in a public setting like a park with your D-Group, hand out free waters and invites to church, seeking to get into spiritual conversations.
However you go about it, take people with you and allow them to see how to be missional displaying the grace and truth of Jesus. Before you know it, it will be their turn.
Art of Discipleship Session 5
Here is the next session from our Fall Art of Discipleship Training. "How to Start A D-Group"
https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=9K3LPIOS0yY&index=5&list=PLg3Ph6XusbjdEggU8xXlKZndXrJ-JXU-H