Foundations for Christian Mission, Mentor's Guide, MG04

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F O U N D A T I O N S F O R C H R I S T I A N M I S S I O N

* In what way are we to teach the history of Israel as our history for the sake of instruction, learning, and edification? (Cf. 1 Cor. 10.6-11: “Now these things took place as examples for us, that we might not desire evil as they did. [7] Do not be idolaters as some of them were; as it is written, “The people sat down to eat and drink and rose up to play.” [8] We must not indulge in sexual immorality as some of them did, and twenty-three thousand fell in a single day. [9] We must not put Christ to the test, as some of them did and were destroyed by serpents, [10] nor grumble, as some of them did and were destroyed by the Destroyer. [11] Now these things happened to them as an example, but they were written down for our instruction, on whom the end of the ages has come.”) * Does the language of the Bible about warfare, conflict, and struggle line up with your own experience as a believer? How ought we to apply this language and symbolism to our own life as disciples of Jesus? * Are there people in particular that you have not wanted to respond to the Lord? What does it mean to you that God may draw whomever he will at any time an from any place to be a part of his body and bride (cf. John 6.44)? * Do you think of yourself as a soldier of Jesus Christ, and if not, why not? If you feel comfortable with this imagery, why don’t you think it is more prominent and acceptable in our circles today? * Is it prudent to be using images, metaphors, and symbols of war today, with all of the conflict taking place in the world and the global concern about terrorism? Ought we to de-emphasize these symbols so as not to be misunderstood by others today? * Do you live as if you believe that the Kingdom of God has been reasserted in the presence of Jesus in the Church? Do you see your own local church as a “sign and foretaste of the Kingdom of God” on earth today? Why or why not? * Complete the following sentence: “If there was just one thing I could do to make these motifs come alive in my life right now, where I am, it would be . . .”

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