Missions

Church Planting

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The Mission of Local Churches

The Lord Jesus has given his Church clear marching orders. We are to “go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that He has commanded us.” This and this alone is the mission statement of the Church in general and of local churches in particular. When a local church fails to make the Great Commission its guide for mission, it has gone away from its divine mandate. Local churches are called to proclaim the Gospel into all the world, make disciples that obey the commands of Jesus Christ and replicate itself through church planting. This commission can be summed up in three words, win souls, build disciples and send workers. Continue reading →

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About the Great Commission

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  1. What commission has Jesus Christ given to His Church?

Jesus Christ commanded His Church to proclaim the Gospel and make disciples everywhere in the world.

  • Jesus Christ commanded His Church to proclaim the Gospel (Mark 16:15)
  • Jesus Christ commanded His Church to make disciples everywhere (Matthew 28:19)
  • Tell the child how you were led to Christ. Tell them about the people that shared the Gospel with you and discipled you.

 

  1. What is the Gospel?

The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ was crucified for the sins of the world, died, and rose again on the third day, and that anyone who repents of their sins and trusts in Christ will be forgiven of their sins and receive the gift of eternal life.

  • The Gospel is the good news that Jesus Christ died for sins and rose again (1 Corinthians 15:1-4)
  • The Gospel is the good news that anyone who repents and believes will be forgiven and receive eternal life (Luke 24:47, John 3:16)
  • Tell the child to share the Gospel with you as if you were a non-Christian. Help them if they forget any of the main points.

 

  1. How does Christ tell His Church to make disciples?

Christ tells His people to make disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that He has commanded.

  • Christ tells His people to make disciples by baptizing them in the name of the Father, Son and Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)
  • Christ tells His people to make disciples by teaching them to obey all that He commanded (Matthew 28:20)
  • Explain to the child why you are grateful to be a disciple of Jesus Christ.
  • Take time to pray for them that they will also become a disciple of Jesus Christ.

The Local Church and Pioneer Missions (Part 3)

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 Such a Time as This

            In 1 Corinthians 10:11 we are told that the history of the Old Testament was written as an example for us. When we compare the history of Israel with that of the Church we are given great insight into the times in which we live. We will come to understand that the coming of Christ is near, and that we have a role to play in speeding his return.

endnear
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The Local Church and Pioneer Missions (Part 2)

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 All Nations

            I am firmly convinced that local churches who have taken the Lord’s Great Commission (summed up in the words win, build and send) as their daily marching orders are uniquely equipped to bear fruit in the unreached nations of the world. I am also certain that congregations who have seen the wisdom of this simple vision by walking in it will not stray far from it, and that fact will ensure our fruitfulness. It is not in the realm of getting off course that such churches have the potential for missing our destiny, but in not recognizing the scope of the Great Commission. These congregations are firmly rooted in the labor of that commission, but we must pay attention to the territory where that labor is to be spent as well. We are to “go and make disciples of all nations, teaching them to obey all that He has commanded us.”
Continue reading →

The Local Church and Pioneer Missions (Part 1)

/ Christopher C. Chapman / 2 Comments

In this three part series of posts we will look at the task and the scope of the Great Commission. Special attention will be paid to the role of local churches in fulfilling that commission. These posts were originally written for the fellowship of churches I am a part of. I have attempted to adjust them in order to make them applicable to all local churches that are involved in radical evangelism, personal discipleship and church planting. I am afraid that I was not able make successfully expand all of the examples, so some of them will only apply to a small percentage of local churches. But I think the posts are food for thought nonetheless, so I have decided to post them anyway. I hope they help spur you and your church towards fulfilling the Great Commission.

Continue reading →