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Missions Is Essential Author, Dr. David Emmanuel Goatley Lott Carey Foreign Mission Convention Mission Study Course

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Introduction My hope is that this workbook will be a tool to help disciples of Jesus to discern, describe, and do missions more effectively. 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course2

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Contents Lesson One: A Definition of MissionsOne Lesson Two: Some Characteristics of MissionsTwo Lesson Three: A Tool to Assess Commitment to MissionsThree 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course3

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A Definition of Missions 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 4

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A Definition of Missions -1 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course5 Can you Describe the difference? Essential means? Important means? Interesting means?

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A Definition of Missions - 2 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course6 Which of the following are essential, important, and interesting? WaterJuiceSoft Drink Rigorous fitness program Healthy living habitsImage makeover Satellite radioPower steeringAutomobile engine

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A Definition of Missions - 3 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course7 What are other examples of things that are Essential, Important, and interesting? EssentialImportantInteresting

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A Definition of Missions - 4 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course8 While there are many things related to the life of local churches, what is at the heart of the church where you belong? Where is energy, attention, and resources targeted most in your church? EssentialImportantInteresting

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A Definition of Missions - 5 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course9 Missions is as essential to the church as breathing is to the body. Breathing is natural and normal for a healthy body. Similarly, missions is natural and normal for a healthy church. Missions is so essential to the church that without missions a church isnt a church at all! Unless a church is engaged in missions, it fails to reflect the nature and will of God in the world

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A Definition of Missions - 6 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course10 Mission speaks to Gods turning toward the world in love. (John 3:16-17). God created the world. God loves the world. God is redeeming the world. God will bring to completion what He desires for the world. (2 Cor 5:19)

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A Definition of Missions - 7 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course11 Missions refers to the activities of the church that are born from Gods mission to the world. The missionary activities of the church are always done in service to Gods mission for the world. Missions bears witness to Jesus Christ. It is only authentic when it reflects Gods mission to the world. (2 Cor 5:20)

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A Definition of Missions - 8 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course12 Why is it important to be involved in missions near and far? What are activities in your church that participate in Gods mission to the world? What missions ministries does your church carry out that bear witness to Jesus Christ?

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A Definition of Missions - 9 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course13 Christian Mission is: The church sending disciples of Jesus who are empowered by the Holy Spirit into the world to touch lives with the transforming love of Christ.

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A Definition of Missions - 10 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course14 The Church: Christian missions belongs to the life of the church. The church should be engaged beyond financial support. (Matthew 6:21) The church learns, the church pray, the church gives, and the church goes.

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A Definition of Missions - 11 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course15 The church provides the structure of accountability and support that all missionaries need. The church provides a prayer covering for those who do missions. This is important and dangerous business. (Eph 6:12) We need prayer and support from the church to succeed.

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A Definition of Missions - 12 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course16 Sending Disciples of Jesus: Only disciples of Jesus are able to do the missionary activities of the church that reflect Gods mission to the world. (Mark 6:7, 12-13)

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A Definition of Missions - 13 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course17 Who are empowered by the Holy Spirit: Disciples need the overshadowing, the enveloping, the anointing, the indwelling, the inspiring, and the empowering of Gods Spirit to accomplish the tasks needed to make God known clearly throughout the world. Without the spirit our work is impossible. With the spirit we can fulfill our calling in every generation.

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A Definition of Missions - 14 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course18 Into the World: The work of the mission of God is to the world. The work of the church is in the world.

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A Definition of Missions - 15 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course19 To touch lives with the transforming love of Christ: We have the ability to touch peoples lives with the transforming love of Christ. (Rom 12:2) Love is the key to the Christian Witness and to Christian Missions. God is love!

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A Definition of Missions - 16 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course20 A time for reflection My earlier definition of missions was My developing definition of missions is

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Some Characteristics of Missions 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course 21

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Some Characteristics of Missions 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course22 What does Mission look like? What are some ways that you have heard missions described?

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Mission can be expressed in four ways 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course23 1.Evangelism 2.Compassion 3.Empowerment 4.Advocacy

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Evangelism 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course24 Good News The message of what God has done for the world through Jesus Christ Christian Missions Sharing the good news that God has come to us in Jesus Christ and that through him we have eternal life.

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Evangelism 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course25 What was your life like before Jesus? (30 Sec) How did you come to know Jesus? (30 Sec) What difference does Jesus make in your life now that you are his disciple? (30 sec)

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Compassion 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course26 How do you see suffering people? Eyes of Criticism? Eyes of cynicism Eyes of compassion What is your response?

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Compassion 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course27 Can you think of times when you had eyes of criticism? Can you think of times when you had eyes of compassion? What made the difference? How can we encourage compassion?

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Empowerment 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course28 One aspect of missions is building the capacity for people to live with more dignity and security. To engage people who are poor with the gospel is critical to the work of the church. To fail to engage them around areas that can help them to provide for themselves effectively, however, hampers the Christian witness.

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Empowerment 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course29 What are some of the symptoms of disempowerment in your community, in the country, in the world? What are some specific areas that your church could address that could help people who are down and out start to get up and going?

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Advocacy 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course30 We are called to challenge the systems that make people vulnerable. Are there policies and practices in your community?

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Advocacy 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course31 Are there policies and practices in your community? How might you and/or your church be advocates for justice? What are some of the big rocks in the community, country, or world that need to be broken so the oppressed can be set free?

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Some Characteristics of Missions 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course32 What does it look like when a church has missions as its first priority? What would the rhythms, emphases, and special occasions look like? How would leaders (e.g., pastors, preachers, teachers, deacons, lay leaders, etc.) be sought and function? How would budgets be shaped? What facilities would be needed? What impact would be realized?

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Four Characteristics of Christian Missions 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course33 Missions is definitive for the church Mission is normative for the church Mission is evaluative for the church Mission is responsive for the church

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A time for reflection 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course34 What is a working definition of missions? How are missions in the life of the church related to the mission of God to the world? How essential is Christian missions in my life as a disciple of Christ and in the life of the church to which I belong? How is it demonstrated ?

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A time for reflection 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course35 What are key characteristics of missions? What might a church look like with missions as a priority? Why is it critical to engage in local AND global missions? How can I demonstrate my commitment to missions in response to Gods mission?

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course36

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course37 1.Start with a good definition. 2.Measure your progress so far. 3.Decide where to go from here.

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course38 Leadership Doing Great Coming along. Threshold level Lets get started

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course39 Strategy Doing Great Coming along. Threshold level Lets get started

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course40 Stimulation Doing Great Coming along. Threshold level Lets get started

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course41 Sending Doing Great Coming along. Threshold level Lets get started

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Self-Evaluation Profile for the Local Churchs Missions Ministry 2011 Lott Carey Annual Missions Study Course42 Support Doing Great Coming along. Threshold level Lets get started