RISK-TAKING MISSION AND SERVICE

Read the following Scriptures:

“Truly I tell you, just as you did it to one of the least of these who are members ofmy family, you did it to me.” (Matthew 25:40b)

“He has told you, O mortal, what is good; and what does the LORD require ofyou, but to do justice, and to love kindness; and to walk humbly with your God?” (Micah 6:8)

““Do to others as you would have them do to you. If you love those who love you, what credit is that to you? For even sinners lovethose who love them.” (Luke 6:31-32)

“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to bring goodnews to the poor.” (Luke 4:18a)

“For those who want to save their life will lose it, and those who lose their life formy sake will save it.” (Luke 9:24)

“But love your enemies, do good, and lend, expecting nothing in return. Yourreward will be great, and you will be children of the Most High; for he is kind tothe ungrateful and the wicked.” (Luke 6:35)

“. . . for I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave mesomething to drink, I was a stranger and you welcomed me, I was naked and yougave me clothing, I was sick and you took care of me, I was in prison and youvisited me.” (Matthew 25:35-36)

Select from the following questions those you would like your group to discuss.

How would you define or explain service and mission? What happens to us whenwe reach out to serve others—as individuals and as a community of faith?

How does serving others through action, resources, and prayer change us and ourbehavior?

Is there a single act of service you have performed that changed your life? What wasthe experience like?

When have you been helped in some needed but unexpected way—either throughservice or through a friend or family member? How did it feel? Did it change you?

How would you describe Risk-Taking Mission and Service? What happens whenthe service we undertake is too comfortable? How does the level of risk (intellectual,emotional, physical) change us and impact our lives?

Mike made note that “risk is relative – what might be high risk to one person is low risk to another”. What are some service and mission areas that are easy because ofwho we are serving? Name some that are hard.

Does this affect the difference between a service you would do out of your ownintegrity and the service you perform out of your relationship with Christ?

How does your congregation engage in face-to-face service in the community? Inwhat ways do we participate in a support role or from a distance? How are theydifferent in the ways they impact those who are served and those who serve?

What would you like this church to be known for in the community?

Why and how is Risk-Taking Mission and Service “contagious”?

How do the faith development and the devotional/worship practices of the churchalso affect mission and service?

When you think of risks for this congregation, what feels risky to our church in oursetting? Which risks appear to be the biggest obstacles to service?

Think about the meaning of the Micah verse, “love kindness, do justice, walk humblywith your God.”

  • What are ways acts of service live this out? What would happen this weekif we were to actively and ardently follow this direction? What would that involve?
  • Where do you see children, teens, and adults learning about and being inspired torespond to service opportunities? How could the congregation do more in moreplaces?
  • Where do you most often hear about mission and service projects, their stories, andresults? How are these or could these be woven into the story of the church?
  • Think about your congregation and the way information is shared and ideas aredeveloped. How do new ideas for mission and service get presented and approved?
  • What individuals or committees have to approve a new idea? What are the steps?Are there processes that could be streamlined or improved?
  • How are calls to mission, project work, or reports about results incorporated intoworship, small groups, children’s activities, youth programs, or task teams?
  • How does your congregation offer its ministry of compassion, mercy, and justice inthe community? Where are there gaps—in type of service, the impact, those served?
  • How could the congregation partner with other congregations or communityorganizations to serve in the area?
  • Name at least three really bold and risky ways to be at work in the community.
  • When you think of helping others around the globe, in what areas do you personallyfeel called to help?
  • Name as many ways as you can think of that our congregation reaches out into theworld.
  • List simple ways today that members of your church could reach out in service tothe world.
  • Now, what is one, big, scary, life-changing dream? Encourage people who had a bigdream during the past week to share it.