Bible Study on the Mission of the Church

Bible Study on the Mission of the Church

Purpose
A neighborhood Bible study group sponsored by Cookman United Methodist Church read the Great Commission. Realizing that Jesus' words applied to them, they asked one another, "Now, how do we live this out?" They embarked on a process of brainstorming various possibilities for social ministries and preparing themselves for active service. This led to the development of weekly dinners at Cookman and other feeding ministries for residents of the church's inner city community.

As this story testifies, "God's Word is powerful and active" (Hebrews 4:12). If a congregation is unclear on the concept of holistic mission, or unsure of its responsibility and potential for outreach, one of the best ways of convincing people is by immersing them in the Scriptures. A Bible study aims to strengthen the congregation's theological foundations, spiritual unity, and zeal for holistic ministry through corporate study of the Scriptures on mission.

The Bible provides:

• Motivation for ministry: The Scriptures issue a clear call to share the Gospel through proclamation and service, prodding us to obedience.
• Guidance for ministry: The Scriptures lay out the blueprint of God's good design for the church, human society, and all creation.
• Empowerment for ministry: The Scriptures confront us with the need for repentance from self-centered patterns, and transform us by the renewing of our minds (Romans 12:2).
• Encouragement for ministry: The Scriptures give us reasons for hope and courage the face of discouragement and doubts about ministry.

Content
The specific topics for study should fit the needs of your congregation. A ministry audit and church self-study may suggest areas where the church's theology of ministry is particularly in need of strengthening. Also consider what passages are most relevant to your ministry context, what topics have already been covered, and what teaching methods work best with your church. General areas to study could include:

• What is the Good News of the Gospel? What is the meaning of salvation?
• What is the biblical mandate for evangelism?
• What is the biblical mandate for social ministry?
• What is the biblical case for ministering holistically, caring for the whole person? How did Jesus and the early church model holistic ministry?
• What in the world is God doing? What is God's ongoing saving activity in the world, and how is the church called to be a part of it?
• What is the Great Commandment (Matt. 22:37-39) and the Great Commission (Matt. 28:19-20), and how do they fit together?
• What is the meaning of "shalom" (e.g., Jer. 29:7)? What is God's plan for righteousness, for justice, for peace, for the goodness of creation?
• What are spiritual gifts (1 Pet. 4:10), and how are they used in ministry?
• What is the role of the Holy Spirit in empowering and guiding the church's involvement in ministry?

Recommended Bible study resources include:

• Justice Now! (Chicago: Christian Community Development Assoc., 1992)
• Carolyn Nystrom, Loving the World (InterVarsity Press, 1992). (Out of print but available from ESA.)
• Amy Sherman, Sharing God's Heart for the Poor: Meditations for Worship, Prayer & Service (Charlottesville, Va.: Trinity Presbyterian Church, 1999).
• Amy Sherman, The ABCs of Community Ministry: A Curriculum for Congregations (Charlottesville, VA: Hudson Institute, 2001).
• Ronald Sider, ed. For They Shall Be Fed: Readings and Prayers for a Just World (W. Publishing Group, 1997).
• Reg Parks, Compassion by Command, video curriculum with Leader's and Participants' Guides (Here's Life Inner City, 2002). (May be ordered online at compassionbycommand.com.)

Other suggestions for organizing a Bible study:

• Go through selected mission scriptures in Tool #3, or the theological principles in Tool #4.
• Use a topical outline, such as that in chapter 2 of Churches that Make a Difference or the table in chapter 2 of Good News, Good Works.
• Study key words: gospel (Good News), shalom (peace), salvation, justice/righteousness, kingdom of God, proclamation, the poor.
• Study the example of biblical characters who followed through on a mission: Joseph (wise government official), Nehemiah (community restorer), Jonah (reluctant evangelist), Peter (pioneer in cross-cultural ministry), Paul (zealous evangelist and charity organizer), etc.
• Examine a particular pressing issue in your community (substance abuse, family dysfunction, environmental destruction) from a holistic perspective, studying what the Bible has to say about how the church might respond.

Format Decide based on your context and needs how long the study should continue, how the study should be organized, and how often to meet. We suggest at least eight sessions, weekly or every other week. The study could be offered as: a Sunday School class (either replacing or supplementing regular classes); a mid-week Bible study; a Sunday evening series; a special small group, meeting outside the church; etc.

The invitation to attend a ministry-focus Bible study should be extended to the whole congregation. You can even provide incentives to encourage attendance - refreshments, book give-aways to regular attenders, or other perks. Consider providing child care if that would remove a barrier to attendance. Active participation of the Ministry Vision Team or other leadership body in the Bible study is strongly encouraged. The Holy Spirit can speak to church leaders through the Bible study to give direction and inspiration to the visioning process.