EVANGELISM

A FREE COURSE COMPLIMENTS OF DALLAS THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY

SESSION ONE

Defining Our Terms: Missions

In this lesson, we learn what the term “mission” means and how it relates to God, the Bible, the church, and individual believers.

LESSON POINTS

  • The Missio Dei is God’s purpose in the world to create and sanctify a people for His own glory—a people who will dwell in His uninhibited reign that is characterized by justice and peace.

  • God is missional. The Father sent the Son. The Son sent the Spirit. The Father, Son, and Spirit send the church.

  • Mission should be the essence of a church—not just one of its many facets.

  • The church should hold together our works of justice and compassion and our proclamation of the gospel.

  • All of us who have received God’s grace are now called to be part of God’s mission.

WORSHIP MOMENT

In Genesis 1, God made everything good. But sin entered the world and contested God’s rule. The kingdom of God and the kingdom of sin and death have been in conflict for thousands of years now. However, we know the end of the story! Revelation 21 tells us of a new heaven and new earth where God will live with us and rule over us. There will be no more death, mourning, or pain. Praise God that He is making all things new!

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

  • A lot of people have mixed emotions when they think about doing the work of evangelism. How do you feel about evangelism?

  • John Piper said, “Missions exist because worship doesn’t.” What does that mean?

  • How is the church to be a foretaste of the kingdom of God?

FURTHER STUDY

  • Genesis 1; Revelation 21