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 this lesson we learned how the concept of the ancient city is born from its connection to self-reliance, arrogance, and rebellion against God, and how God adopted the concept of the city for his own purpose, using it as the symbol of refuge, repentance, and restoration. We also considered three convincing reasons for the Church’s involvement in urban mission. Cities are the seats of influence, power, and spiritual activity, they are magnets for the oppressed, the broken, and the poor, and finally cities are the picture and symbol of our spiritual destiny and inheritance. In our next lesson, we will move from a consideration of the city to the poor, our final concept in our study of the foundations for mission. We will examine the concept of the poor and mission through the lens of the rich biblical concept of shalom , or wholeness. As the covenant community of Yahweh, God called the people of Israel to live faithfully to his covenant. In so doing, poverty and injustice would be replaced with justice and righteousness. This mandate represents a blueprint for the people of God today. Jesus is Lord and Head of the Church, the new covenant community advancing the Kingdom today. God calls his people to live in shalom and demonstrate to its members and to the world his justice and mercy, especially on behalf of the poor and oppressed among us today.

Looking Forward to the Next Lesson

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