Study – World Mission Focus

This study is designed to present the needs of reaching “unreached people” in other countries.

What is our responsibility to those living in other lands? – particularly the unreached people of the world, who may not have easy access to the scriptures in their own language, cannot attend a church and do not know any believers from their own people group. (n.b. there is a difference between those who haven’t heard the gospel e.g. in the UK and those who have yet to be reached = unreached people groups.

Aim

1. To see the Biblical basis for being committed to world mission.
2. To consider a personal response to be involved in world mission.

Open in prayer

A. How do you feel when you hear a challenging talk from a mission partner? (3 mins)

Possible answers:-

• Scared God might call me
• It’s for somebody else
• Guilty that I’m not involved.
• Challenged
• Ready to go
• Emotional
• Overwhelmed by the need
• Oh no- not another talk on missions!
• I struggle to answer the question “what about those who haven’t had the chance to hear the gospel – what will happen to them on judgment day?”

B. Watch ‘Tears of the Saints’ with John Piper – Asia Link (6.39 minutes) https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=VtQbzRmmMfk Invite response (5 mins)

Some key statements in the video to help share responses:

• “One in ten missionaries are working in unreached people groups”
• 16,000 people groups, 7,000 of them are unreached.
• 86% of Muslims, Hindus and Buddhists do not personally know a Christian.
• Almost 1/3 of the world have never had the chance to hear the gospel.
• In the past hour 72 women and children have been sold into slavery; 237 people have died from HIV/AIDS; 869 people have died from chronic hunger; 1250 have died from preventable diseases.
• Challenge – You can do something. “Make the worship of God by all peoples the number one priority in your life”.
• “The history of missions is the history of answered prayer.”
• Disciples make disciples.

C. BIBLE STUDY (20mins)

Why should we be involved in taking the gospel to all people?

1. Genesis 12:1-3

What is the promise for all the nations?

How does this encourage you to share the good news?

2. Revelation 5:9

What has Christ already done? So what is our role?

3. Matthew 9:37

How was “the harvest” described in NT times?

Is this the same today?

4. Matthew 9:37

How are the labourers described?

Is this the same today?

5. Romans 1:16-18; John 3 :16; John 14:6

How are people rescued? What do they need to hear?

6. Acts 1:8; Romans 10:14-15 and 2 Corinthians 5:17-20

What is God’s strategy to reach the nations?

7. Matthew 24:14 and Habakkuk 2:14

What is God’s promise and where is our confidence?

D. WATCH JOHN PIPER ON MISSIONS (1.31 mins)

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=pmLdbgGyxl0

John Piper is challenging in stating that in the context of missions that there are only 3 kinds of Christians – “zealous goers” and “zealous senders” and “disobedient” then …

• How can we be zealous goers, either at home or overseas?

• If I am to go overseas – how can I discern God’s call?

• How can I be a zealous sender? – prayer, give, support.

Discuss – 5 mins

See UFM leaflets on “Being a supportive sending church” and “Discerning the call”.

E. Close in a time of prayer (5 mins)

Elinor Magowan, Women’s Pastoral Worker, UFM Worldwide

Elinor lives in Reading with her husband David who is a co-pastor at Carey Baptist Church. They have two daughters. Previously, Elinor worked as a Solicitor, a UCCF Staff Worker, and an ESOL teacher. They lived for a short time in Madagascar and Tanzania and 2 years in California. Elinor’s role is to support and coordinate the care of women in the mission whether they are single or married, particularly serving long term. Some of the women’s needs are unique to their location and ministry but even everyday situations are often more challenging away from home.