Pastor Jay has been teaching New Covenant week after week in his TD12 series that Jesus always equips us to send us.
I don’t know about you, but there was a time in my life I didn’t want to think about that. Mostly because I didn’t want to move to Africa. That was my only context. Being sent = The Great Commission = Becoming a missionary = Moving to Africa.
But it’s not that easy. It’s not that cut-and-dried. At least not for everyone.
You have places to go, don’t get me wrong. But it might be somewhere scarier than Africa. It might be Collins Aerospace. Or St. Luke’s Hospital. Or Starbucks. Or home.
You have been placed in a neighborhood and a network. You have a sphere of influence. You have a world around you that does not know the hope of Christ.
Go there. Be a disciple. Be a disciple-maker.
Of course the very first way to be a more effective disciple-maker is for each of us to become a more effective disciple.
Do you live and look like Jesus?
Some things Jesus did:
- Filled his mind with God’s word (committing much of it to memory).
- Prayed. Sometimes early in the morning while it was still dark, but not always. Sometimes all night long but not always. Sometimes in tears, sometimes in thanksgiving, sometimes with just a quick pop-up prayer in a moment of needing to reconnect with the Father.
- Fasted. And I don’t mean going without Instagram. I mean going without food.
- Rested. Taking time to recharge: mind, body, relationships.
- Solitude, Simplicity, Generosity, Hospitality, Community…and more
As growing disciples we all ought to be practicing these ways of Jesus. They will bring abundant, spirit-filled life. Pick one that needs practice–and practice it. This resource might help: Practicing The Way with John Mark Comer.
Since we are always equipped to be sent, what does that look like as parents? When my kids were small I had a wise mentor who reminded me that my kids were my primary mission field. Pointing them to Christ was my biggest responsibility.
Some things you do:
- Storytime: Telling about God through stories of His goodness in your life or teaching from a God’s Word for children (Like The Jesus Storybook Bible).
- Praying. Modeling for kids what it means to boldly talk to God as one of His kids.
- Honoring. Respect and honor for authority and others is important to God. Teaching kids to obey and behave appropriately in your home is a good thing!
- Repenting. Your children learn at church about sin. Sin is all the bad stuff we do. We all want to live “Me first. My way.” From birth. ‘Til death. Repenting is admitting we do wrong things, feeling sorry, and turning back to God.
- Comforting. Jesus was full of grace and compassion. When you rock a crying baby, care for a sick child, listen about your child’s bad day at school, or help your child learn to trust God when they feel scared you are passing on the steadfast love of Christ.
- Equipping. Your kids can be equipped to be sent as well! They have networks and neighborhoods where they can and should share the goodness of God. Help them catch a vision of what that looks like at their age. Teach them to lead and to serve in Jesus’ name.
Wow! Isn’t it incredible when you stop and consider what you’re capable of doing as a disciple-maker? Don’t grow weary. You are obeying the Great Commission when you intentionally follow Jesus and teach your kids to follow too.
Way to go, Parents! You’re doing it!