Session 2: Grow Mission

Read "Grow Mission" text from the State of the Church.

Sharing God's Word

Have someone in your group who is familiar with the story of Queen Esther share it with the group, stressing the verse Esther 4:14: "Who knows? Maybe you were made queen for just such a time as this."

"Later the Master selected seventy and sent them ahead of him in pairs to every town and place where he intended to go. He gave them this charge: "What a huge harvest! And how few harvest hands. So on your knees; ask the God of the Harvest to send harvest hands. .... When you enter a town and are received, eat what they set before you, heal anyone who is sick and tell them, ‘God's kingdom is right on your doorstep!'" - Luke 10:1-2, 8-9

Review Section 2 of the State of the Church: Grow Mission

"Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God."

"God is present. We have a God willing to stand with us in the midst of the fiery furnace; a God willing to stand with us in the fiery furnace of mission Let us go into the depths of the fire and be present to our brothers and sisters who are crying out for help."

Reflect and discuss

1. Consider the story of Queen Esther, focusing on the passage: "You have been raised up for such a time as this." What parallels do you see in your own community? For what is God lifting you up?
2. The bishop lifted up several instances of people and groups in the Baltimore-Washington Conference "pouring themselves out as they serve like Christ." Consider these ministries and what makes them special. With a partner, identify a way you might "serve like Christ." Covenant together to take the first steps in doing so.
3. John Wesley, Methodism's founder, advised: "Do no harm. Do good. Stay in love with God." What do you appreciate about these rules? If you could choose one to work on in the coming days, which would it be? How might your life be different if you took these rules to heart?
4. Imagine you were asked to write a set of rules to assist your congregation "to make disciples for the transformation of the world." What rules would you suggest?

Going Deeper, Wider, Further

Take a walk or drive around your church's community. Talk with some of the people living in the area. If you could meet one pressing need in these people's lives, what might it be? As a congregation, takes steps to accomplish this.

Close with Prayer

Ancient and ever-present God, we ask you to help us to be your hands, your voice and your heart in our communities. Let us serve you creatively, in meaningful ways and with passion, so that your name is gloried throughout the world.  Amen.

State of the Church study guide:
Session 1: Becoming the Good News
Session 2: Grow Mission
Session 3: Grow Disciples
Session 4: Grow Spiritual Leaders
Session 5: Grow Congregations