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

through it. (By the way, this quotation will be entered into the Student Workbook at the end of the second segment, giving you an opportunity to discuss this in light of the biblical material covered on the role of the city and its challenges.) This lesson on the city is precisely in sync with Kirk’s task list of the Church’s mission. In understanding the way in which God transformed the image of the city, we can begin to fill out what kind of transformational actions, programs, and initiatives we ought to engage in to bring about the transformation of our cities, and the cities of the world. As God transformed the human city from the center of human rebellion and independence to the abode of the saints, the dwelling place of God and of his righteousness, so we are to reflect his rule in the cities where we live, work, and play. This lesson carries special import because of the motive and impulse behind the entire Capstone Curriculum. This entire series is built upon the notion that God can call men and women from the city to minister to those who live in the city. What we believe about the inhabitants and potentialities of the American city goes to the very core of this curriculum, of your students, and the ministries to which they are called. At the heart this is a struggle of faith, whether or not the Ninevehs and Jerusalems of our day can truly be transformed if the populations repent, believe, and yield themselves to the rule and reign of God within them. Furthermore, as believers in Christ, we are convinced that even if they do not, the church in the city is still called to be both, as Kirk suggests above, the sign and agent of the Kingdom of God in the place where God has placed us, including the dark cities of the nation and the world. Your ability to make plain God’s vision and purpose for the city will be central in your students’ understanding of what their ministries ought to be in the city. Make certain that you have carefully and critically spent time going over the various insights, objectives, exercises, and case studies of the lesson before the class session, and pay close attention to the objectives of this lesson. Again, your prayerful study and emphasis of them throughout the lesson will be the difference between the students covering the material and truly mastering the key insights and principles contained in it.