Foundations for Christian Mission, Student Workbook, SW04

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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

Today in this world and age, the Church of Jesus Christ is both the sign and foretaste of the Kingdom present, indwelt by the Holy Spirit, the pledge of the full inheritance. The Church is now authorized to proclaim and demonstrate the victory of Christ over Satan and the curse as his agent and deputy. The main implications of the Mission as the War of the Spheres motif is that God is presently reasserting his rule over his universe in Jesus Christ, and through his agent, the Church. God is the warrior who through his anointed One has defeated the power of the devil and the effects of the curse. Mission is the display and proclamation of the rule of God here and now, and making disciples among the nations advances the reign of God by testifying to its coming in the person of Jesus of Nazareth. Now is the time for you to discuss with your fellow students your questions about these important motifs of mission in Scripture. The following questions are designed to help you grapple with the personal implications of this material, so strive to be as transparent as possible as you explore these and other questions related to the material. * Have you ever studied thoroughly and clearly either the motif of divine romance or the war of spheres in Scripture, and if so, what were you major conclusions about them? Do either of these provide you with a clear grasp of “what the Bible is getting at,” especially in terms of the unity between the Old and New Testaments? * How important do you think either of these motifs are for the urban experience ? Why would a breakdown of the family and fidelity in man/woman relationships actually impact whether or not people would find the divine romance motif more or less compelling? * Ought we concentrate only on motifs that people resonate with or like, or should we teach all the major motifs of the Bible, no matter what? Explain thoroughly your answer. * How does the relationship of Israel with the Lord parallel your own relationship with the Lord? Are you more like the Israelites than unlike them? Explain how so.

Student Application and Implications

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