Ten Ways to Live the Great Commission

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  1. I will spend time daily in the Word of God and in prayer. (Isaiah 6)

As you spend time with God, you will inevitably hear His heart for you, your neighbors, and the nations.  The more we know Him, the more we will love Him.  The more we love Him, the more our heart will break for what breaks His heart.

  1. I will pray for God to raise up laborers in my church for God’s harvest field locally and globally. (Matthew 9:35-38; Acts 1:8)

When Jesus saw the multitudes “harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd” without Him, His heart was filled with compassion.  What He did next is amazing!  He told His disciples to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest.”  Right before His ascension, Jesus defined the scope of this harvest field as being from “Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

  1. I will get to know people from other cultures in my community. (Matthew 5:13-16)

Most of us live or work near someone who wasn’t born in our country and who speaks another language.  God has placed them in your life for a purpose.  You are the light of the world so let your light shine.  Learn about their language, culture, and country.  Share Jesus with them.  Visit international restaurants near you (there are Chinese, Italian, Japanese, Mexican, Middle Eastern, and Vietnamese restaurants on Summer Ave. alone).  Be friendly, try new kinds of food, and make some new friends.

  1. I will participate in cross-cultural ministry outreach in my city and other mission arenas this year.

By doing cross-cultural ministry outreach, you will see the world in a new beautiful light and you will see God’s heart for ALL nations.  You can do cross-cultural ministry by working with some of our ministry partners in our city (e.g. Neighborhood Christian Centers, Memphis Union Mission, HopeWorks, and RestoreCorps) and region (e.g. disaster recovery with churches, non-profits).  You can participate in our cross-cultural ministry globally (e.g. Colombia, Guatemala) through your going, support, and prayers.

  1. I will listen to and read about what’s happening in the world through a Great Commission lens.

As you learn what’s happening in the world, think about what might be happening spiritually in countries in the news.  Pray for believers and missionaries there.  Then, pray for the people there who don’t know Jesus.  Don’t be exasperated by the news—let it drive you to your knees.

  1. I will pray every day for three people to become Christians.

God has placed you where you work, go to school, and live.  He has also placed people who desperately need Him in those places.  Make a commitment to pray every single day for at least three of them by name.

  1. I will invite someone without a church family to my church at least once a month.

Take a look at our church and school calendar and pick events that you can invite people to, such as Sunday and mid-week worship services, Connection Group gatherings, service projects, school events, etc.  People outside the church need what you love about church:  friendship, a safe environment for their children, spiritual help, and fellowship.

  1. As I start my day, I will offer to the Lord my time, talent, treasure, temple (body), and technology. (Isaiah 6:8; 1 Peter 3:15)

Ask God to help make His agenda your agenda.  Ask Him to leverage your talents for His cause.  Offer your finances joyfully and generously for the work of the Great Commission.  Ask Him to give you the words to say when people ask you about the HOPE that is in you.

  1. I will ask someone to disciple me to help me live the Great Commission. (1 Corinthians 4:15)

We all get off track for different reasons.  We get busy, distracted, and tangled up in sin.  We get discouraged and dejected.  God knows that and for that reason He put us in the Body of Christ so that others can walk with us, guide us, and keep us accountable.

  1. I will pray for God to bring someone to my life that I can disciple and help them live the Great Commission. (2 Timothy 2:2)

Number 9 is first.  You must be a disciple before you can effectively disciple others.  We all need help growing.  As you grow, God will help you to pour into others so that they too become Great Commission Christians.

Adapted from Glocal Mission.

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