We live in a world today where there are many start ups, like Uber and Airbnb, that have managed to succeed and go global. However, there was a start up thousands of years ago, that began with a handful of ordinary people and now spread throughout the world because it was a movement of God. It was the birth of the church. Come join this series, as we get challenged to put aside our traditions, comforts, preferences and programs in order to follow the example of a disciple-making movement that relied upon the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the gospel of Christ.

1. Read Acts 13-15

• What do these passages tell us about God?
• What do these passages tell us about you and your life?
• What questions do you have around this passage?

Pastor Greg shared that mission is at the very core of God’s heart.  God’s heart is to seek and save the lost.  This is not some idea that started at the Great Commission but was there from the very beginning (Genesis 3:8,9; The Abrahamic Covenant – Genesis 12:1-3) and indeed throughout the Old and New Testaments.
In Acts 1:8 when Jesus told his disciples to wait for the gift of the Holy Spirit it primarily was to receive power to be witnesses to Jesus Christ so that they can bring the gospel to the ends of the earth.  It is the Holy Spirit in us who will reveal the heart of God and empower us to hear and obey.  It was in seeking the heart of God in worship and prayer/fasting that the Holy Spirit revealed God’s mission to the disciples (Acts 13:1-5).  They were sent on their way by the Holy Spirit and proclaimed the Word of God in the power of the Spirit with signs and wonders following (Acts 13-15).

Discuss one or more of the following relevant questions.

• What are the first steps you can take so that God’s mission is at the core of your life and your  Life Group?

• Pastor Greg suggested some ways in which we can get this heart of mission.  They were:
  • Get to know the Holy Spirit and He will reveal God’s mission heart to you.
  • Talk to current and ex missionaries in our church or other missionaries you may know and try to capture what is behind their passion for mission.
  • Adopt a missionary in your Life Group and find out from Amir and the Missional support team how best to do this.
  • Adopt a people group.  Do research on the people group and pray for different issues/needs each time you meet.  Amir and the Missional support team will be a good resource for this.

Which one(s) will you choose?  Can you think of other ways?

• What would a church look like if the measure of success was ‘sending power’ and not ‘seating power’?  What things would be done differently?
• Discuss whether you think mission is just another program in our church or part of the DNA of Clayton Church of Christ.  How can we ensure that mission is part of the DNA of our church?
• In the context of mission, John Piper said, ‘There are only three possibilities in life: to be a goer, a sender, or disobedient.’  Share which category you see yourself.  What action step(s) do you need to take to move in the direction of God’s heart for mission?

1. Is there a truth that God wants you to obey?
2. What will you do to obey this? I will…

Equip Training – ‘Surprised by the Voice of God’ on Thursday, March 15th at the church from 7:30-9: 30 pm. This training is to help you experience how the Holy Spirit speaks to us and lead us. If you’re interested in registering please contact hello@claytonchurch.org.au