The woman at the well represents the working of a practical faith in Christ. Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He [she] who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. (Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, 195)
You are venturing forth as a missionary. The main purpose of your mission is to share Jesus, to be an agent of the kingdom of God and to extend the lordship of Jesus. No matter what else you do (build, heal, dig or preach), your identity is to be a missionary. This is not so much an activity as it is an identity. It is not what you do, but who you are. In this chapter we focus on the difference between a nominal (i.e., intellectual, objective, non-participatory) relationship with Jesus, and a dynamic (i.e., experiential, subjective, participatory) relationship with Jesus.
Case Study
The interviewer looked deep into the eyes of the young man he was interviewing. The young man had been born and raised in a conservative Christian home and church, yet, during his college years he had seriously questioned that faith and subsequently cast his lot with an Eastern faith led by a mystic guru.
"What is it that you find in this new faith," he asked, "that is better than the old one?"
The young man paused reflectively and then replied, "Religion is like a can of soup. As a Christian, all we ever did was to read the label on the can, analyzing its contents. In my new faith we open the can and eat the soup."
How Does One Open the "Can"?
As a missionary you will meet people of other religions who have "opened the can." They often practice a religion that is woven into the very fabric of their lives. How do you share Christ with people like this? Why don't you start by thinking about your own experience: When have you gotten past the label and "opened the can to eat"? What are some of the results of this experience?
Here are some practical suggestions to open the "can":
- Interactive Bible study
- Conversational prayer
- Making yourself accountable to a small group
- Dynamic corporate worship with a stress on reflection as well as on the emotional dimension with physical activity
- Personal, practical involvement or participation in local mission or other's felt needs
- Sacrificial giving
Being a disciple of Christ and a missionary requires a deep personal relationship with Jesus that results in a high level of personal commitment and loving obedience. Let's look at these basic two ingredients of discipleship for a moment.
Commitment
Socrates
taught that the unexamined life is not worth living. The truth is that
it is the uncommitted life that is not worth living. Commitment is the
first component in the life of a follower of Christ. What is it?
- Commitment points to the time we made a conscious decision, "Yes, Jesus. I belong to you. Come into my heart and mind, be Lord of my life."
- It is subsequently remade daily, sometimes hourly.
- It involves a continual partnership with the living Lord.
- It is an open-ended commitment, much like marriage, open to a growing, deepening relationship.
If you have made this decision, pause and renew it. If you have not made this decision, now would be a great time to do so.
Obedience
The second
component of discipleship is loving obedience to our living Lord. Obedience
does not mean perfection, but a relationship.
All true obedience comes from the heart. It was heart work with Christ. And if we consent, He will so identify Himself with our thoughts and aims, so to blend our hearts and minds into conformity to His will, that when obeying Him we shall be but carrying out our own impulses. (Ellen G. White, Desire of Ages, 668)
Out of this relationship we regularly make daily choices that enhance our relationship with Jesus. We regularly engage in activities and disciplines that make these choices natural (e.g., personal devotions, corporate worship, celebrating the Sabbath, giving tithes and offerings).
Commitment Faith
So what
does it mean to be a follower of Christ? It means to be a person who is
committed to Jesus and grows in an obedient love relationship with Him.
This relationship we call commitment faith. It is the basis of everything
we do.
Your
Turn 1. We have talked about living as a committed Christian. What does this mean for you as a missionary? Reread the Great Commission (Matthew 28:18-20) and think about how Jesus' authority is demonstrated in your life on a regular basis? How has Jesus called you to "go"? When and how have you heard this invitation personally?
2. How do I experience Jesus' continuous presence in my life? What disciplines am I currently using to reinforce my love affair with Jesus?
3. Use the spiritual life rating scale on page 49 to evaluate your present spiritual condition.
Spiritual Life Rating Scale
Use this spiritual life rating scale to evaluate your present spiritual condition. Circle the appropriate number for each item.
| My Relationship with God |
1=low
|
high=10
|
|
1.
|
I
am a Christian and am fully assured of my salvation in Jesus (1
John 1).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
2.
|
I acknowledge Jesus as Lord in my life through word and deed (Phil.
3:7-14).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
3.
|
I
am experiencing the fullness of the Holy Spirit (Eph. 5:18-20).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
4.
|
I
am guided by the Holy Spirit.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
5.
|
My
convictions about truth and reality are based on the Bible and its
teachings.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
6.
|
I
can articulate a biblically-based philosophy of life.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
7.
|
I
am able to integrate faith and life.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
8.
|
I
am experiencing the significance of corporate life and worship.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
9.
|
I
have a regular quiet time with Jesus.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
10.
|
I
have experienced answers to prayer.
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
| My Relationship with Others |
1=low
|
high=10
|
|
1.
|
I
conduct myself with maturity and humility towards others (Phil.
2:1-8).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
2.
|
Witnessing to others is a way of life to me (2 Tim. 4:1-5). |
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
3.
|
I
know my spiritual gifts and use them to serve the church (Rom.12:1-8).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
4.
|
I
am helping other young Christians in their spiritual growth (2 Tim.
2:1, 2).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
5.
|
I
am helping others with their physical and financial needs (James
2:14-18).
|
1
2 3 4 5 6 7 8 9 10
|
|
Adapted
from Jonathan Lewis, ed. Working Your Way to the Nations.
Pasadena: William Carey Library, 1993, p. 13-14.
|
||
Getting to Know Jesus
What I Enjoy Doing
Take out a sheet of
paper and make a list of twelve to fifteen things you enjoy doing. Think
of different seasons of the year and hours of the day, of group and solo
activities. Then do the five steps listed below.
| Things I enjoy doing |
G
|
S
|
P
|
|
|
1.
|
Walking in the woods |
X
|
||
|
2.
|
Inviting some friends over |
X
|
||
|
3.
|
Working in the rose garden |
X
|
When you have finished your list draw three vertical columns and mark them G / S / P. Then check (X ) the "G" column for those items best done in a group, check the "S" column for those items best done with a significant person, check the "P" column for those items of which you are really proud, and draw a circle around the most important three items in the list. Say to yourself, "That is me. I like me." Behind any facade, this is really you.
What Jesus Enjoyed Doing
Think about the life of Jesus as described in the Gospels and in the book Desire of Ages. Make a list of some of the things that Jesus really enjoyed doing and that were important to Him. Then reflect on the questions at the end of the list.
| Things Jesus enjoyed doing |
G
|
S
|
P
|
|
|
1.
|
Talking with the Father |
X
|
||
|
2.
|
Healing people |
X
|
||
|
3.
|
Going to weddings |
X
|
When you have finished your list draw three vertical columns and mark them G / S / P. Then check (X ) the "G" column for those items best done in a group, check the "S" column for those items best done with a significant person, check the "P" column for those items of which He was really proud, and draw a circle around the most important three items in the list.
Now compare the lists in worksheet A and B. How many of the items do you have in common with Jesus? Which ones could you do with Him? How many can He share with you? What would sharing these activities have to do with building a relationship with Jesus?
Finally, list three steps you can take now to improve your relationship with Jesus. Maybe you should also put down the dates when you want these steps to be completed.