INTRODUCTION

Almost every one of us came to know Jesus because someone shared the gospel with us. This is why fulfilling Jesus’ Great Commission in Matthew 28 is important. Without someone reaching out and sharing the gospel with us, we could still be lost.

Romans 10:14, NLT tells us “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?”

Ps Nida reminds us that missions is a mandate that has no expiration, is warfare, requires urgency, needs the body of Christ to work synergistically and is impossible without God.

DISCUSSION

1. Missions is a mandate that has no expiration.
   We are all the fruit of someone who had shared the gospel with us.

   a. Do you remember who was the one who shared the gospel with you that led you to put your faith in Jesus?

   b. Have you had the opportunity to share the gospel with someone?

2. Missions is warfare.
   When we share the gospel message, we can be sure that those in the kingdom of darkness will not be happy and will oppose our attempts.

   a. Have you encountered people who have reacted very negatively against the gospel message you share?

   b. How can we share in a way that shows the love of Christ but also does not compromise the gospel message?

3. Missions demands urgency.
   Many of us feel awkward and nervous about sharing the gospel message, causing us to delay and procrastinate. However, we should approach this task with a sense of urgency. Ps Nida shared that there are currently 8 billion people alive in the world and 3.4 billion of them belong to unreached people groups with little or no access to the gospel of Jesus Christ.

   In John 9:4, Jesus highlighted the sense of urgency in doing God’s work. “We must work the works of Him who sent me while it is day; night is coming, when no one can work.”

   a. How do the statistics make you feel?

   b. Does it make you want to be a witness for Christ e.g. sharing your faith with a friend or go for a short-term mission trip? Or do you feel it is just too daunting?

4. Missions needs us to synergise.
   As the body of Christ, we need to work together to fulfil the Great Commission instead of competing with each other. When we all work together, we are stronger and better. We will not waste time duplicating each other’s efforts.

   a. How has this worked out in your life group?

   b. Have you tried working with other life groups or ministries?

5. Missions is impossible without God’s Hands.
   We cannot make someone believe in Jesus. However, this does not absolve us of our responsibility to share the gospel. Not only must we work with each other, but it is also important for us to work with the Holy Spirit.

   Does knowing that we are not responsible for making someone believe in Jesus relieve you of the burden of being “successful” in sharing the gospel?

WHAT WILL YOU DO

We are all saved into God’s Kingdom because someone shared the gospel with us. Let us remember that there is someone out there who may be waiting for you to share the gospel message with them. They may have never heard it before, or they may have heard it many times. You could be the catalyst that encourages them to make the bold decision to accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Let us not delay but recognize the urgency of the times.

MEMORY VERSE

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? – Romans 10:14 (NLT)