It’s summertime and churches all over are participating in mission trips, VBS or other service outreaches to help spread the gospel. The purpose of missions is all about spreading the good news of who Jesus is and what he’s done for the world. Jesus himself was a missionary as he demonstrated how it’s equally important to love people through both words and actions. The idea of missions in the church is rooted in Jesus’ final words to the disciples before he ascended, telling them to go make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19-20). Still today, we all are called to go and spread God’s love.

Missions in the Bible

Missions took off in the Book of Acts as Jesus’ disciples dedicated their lives to the Great Commission. After the Holy Spirit moment featured in Acts 2 that we know as Pentecost, the apostles spread out to travel. Peter preached to the Gentiles; Mark traveled to Alexandria in Egypt; and Paul began his first missionary journey to Western Anatolia, part of modern-day Turkey. Also, believers were being persecuted, which caused them to spread out across different regions.

Sharing the good news anywhere

Today some Christians are called by God to be lifelong missionaries in places where they endure heavy persecution. We may not be involved in something that drastic and dangerous, but we still can take to heart Jesus’ words of the Great Commission. Some Christians choose to participate in mission trips throughout the world to help spread the gospel. However, one doesn’t need to have a lot of money or travel to exotic locations to carry out Jesus’ command to make disciples. Missions can happen anywhere. There are people within our local communities who desperately need to hear and experience the good news of Christ. The Holy Spirit can work through us in a variety of ways to help spread the love and good news of Jesus Christ. 

Question of the day: What is your favorite mission experience?
Focal scriptures: Acts 3:1-11; 13:2-3, 26-39; 9:36-43

For a complete lesson on this topic visit LinC.