A humble approach to mission.
Oftentimes discipleship is taught like a Navy SEAL program. Put your boots on, go to boot camp, and emerge ten weeks later as a highly trained killing machine... for Jesus. You'll be superior, elite, amazing.
I'm sorry if I've contributed to this trend. The truth is, I'm an ordinary guy who struggles to do what I'm saying. I was recently invited to speak to a college group about the resurrection of Jesus. And I got knots in my stomach as I prayed and prepared. Even though I knew they wanted to hear the gospel, I still got anxious as I proclaimed it.
To sum up 2 Corinthians 4, we're ordinary vessels containing an extraordinary treasure: the life of Jesus.
So how do we go? Not as super-spiritual know-it-alls. But as Paul says, we offer "an open display of the truth" (2 Cor 4:2).
Remember the example that Jesus sets for us in John 4 with the Samaritan woman? Here's the Creator of water with a disregarded, lonely woman. How does he connect? He's thirsty, so he asks for a drink of water.
There's a principle for us to observe in these passages. **Be your ordinary self. Be willing to ask for help.**
Mike Breen, a pastor, gave me some practical suggestions that fit this principle. Instead of saying, "Would you like me to teach you the Bible?" you can ask, "I've been wanting to read the Bible with a friend. Would you be interested?"
If they are, you can keep asking questions. Instead of saying, "Good, because you need to read the Gospel of John" you can say, "Oh, ok. Is there any part of the Bible that you would like to read?" You can ask them when, and where, and how often, and what translation of the Bible they might prefer.
**How do we connect with others? Two secrets: Be vulnerable. Ask for help.**
For we are not proclaiming ourselves but Jesus Christ as Lord, and ourselves as your servants for Jesus's sake. For God who said, "Let light shine out of darkness," has shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of God's glory in the face of Jesus Christ. Now we have this treasure in clay jars, so that this extraordinary power may be from God and not from us.
Do you tend to approach mission as a 'Navy SEAL' or as an 'ordinary vessel'? Why?
How might being vulnerable and asking for help change your approach to mission?
What's one way you could invite someone to explore faith with you (not teach them, but explore together)?
This week, instead of trying to be an 'expert,' be honest about your own questions and struggles with someone. See how they respond.
Invite someone to help you with something spiritual—reading the Bible together, praying together, or attending church with you.
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