Joining Jesus on His Mission
Today, we continue our life lesson series, “Joining Jesus on His Mission: How to Be an Everyday Missionary”. I know being an everyday missionary for Jesus sounds incredibly intimidating. But, Jesus DOES invite US to follow Him, fish for people, make disciples of others, be His witnesses, and love our neighbors. Jesus invites us to join Him on His mission and become everyday missionaries. And, it is not about changing what we do when we go to church on Sunday mornings. It is about changing what we do when we go out AS CHURCH into our neighborhoods, workplaces and schools on Monday mornings.

How Do I Become an Everyday Missionary?
So, “How do I join Jesus on His mission and become an everyday missionary?” Finke says, “It really is this simple. Jesus’ secret weapon for accomplishing His redemptive mission was hanging out with sinners and enjoying them in His Father’s grace.”We see this between Jesus and Pharisee, Nicodemus, in John 3. They have an intense conversation about being born again. At the time, we get the impression Nicodemus was not ready to believe. But, Jesus offered him time and friendship anyway! Then, in John 20, Nicodemus (now a Christian!) and Joseph of Arimathea prepared Jesus’ body (cross) for burial.

The Five Mission Practices and Questions
Enjoy people. Then seek, recognize, and respond to what Jesus is Hang out with sinners and enjoy them in our Father’s grace! Finke says this is Jesus’ inefficiently effective strategy for us to imitate! Finke also invites us to daily put into play five mission practices and their questions: 1. Seeking the kingdom: How did I see Jesus at work this week?2. Hearing from Jesus: What has Jesus been teaching me in His Word?3. Talking with people: What kind of conversations am I have with pre-Christians?4. Doing good: What good can I do around here?5. Ministering through prayer: How can I help you in prayer? Today, let’s take a look and learn how to Minister through prayer.

Minister through Prayer
“How do we minister through prayer?” Finke says, “When trust has had time to build, people will start sharing what’s really going on in their lives. When a person shares something real and hard, we can respond to them with a simple offer of grace: “Would you like me to pray with you about that?” Recall The Neighboring Formula: Unhurried Time + Proximity = Conversation X Over Time = Friendship. Throw prayer into the friendship. And, Finke says, “Prayer spoken out loud by us on behalf of a person right to the King of the kingdom helps them experience the reality of the kingdom being present.”

God's Word on Prayer
Here’s what God’s Word says. Philippians 4:6 (CEV) says, “Pray about everything.” 1 Thessalonians 5:17 (ESV) says, “Pray without ceasing.” Luke 18:1 (NIV) says, “We should always pray and not give up.” Romans 12:12 (ESV) says, “Be constant in prayer.” Ephesians 6:18 (NLT) says, “Pray in the Spirit at all times and on every occasion.” James 5:16 (NIV) says, “The prayer of a righteous person is powerful and effective!” Prayer transforms others and us! Finke says, “By God’s design, we are the physical contact point between our friends and the invisible kingdom of God (King Jesus) which is present and available.”

God's Greatest Mission Tool...YOU!
This week, here’s your assignment. 1. Know that Jesus is on a mission. 2. Know that Jesus invites us to join Him. 3. Minister through prayer. How? As an everyday missionary, 1. Get into position. People will know you care and trust you! 2. Hear the need. People will talk with you about what’s going on in their life! 3. Offer to pray for and with them, right then and there. Don’t wait! 4. Keep the prayer simple and significant. This will also give them a model to imitate! 5. Know how powerful the practice is. It will take them from gratitude to an actual encounter with the King! 6. Do it once and you’ll want to do it again.

Closing Prayer
Let’s pray. Lord, Jesus Christ, We know You are already on the loose in our community doing the heavy lifting of pursing Your Father’s mission in people’s lives. Thank you for inviting us to join You on Your mission. Lord Jesus Christ, We know being an everyday missionary for You to our neighbors is an incredible command, commission, and calling. Help us enjoy people. And, help us then seek, recognize, and respond to what You are already doing in the lives of the people we are enjoying. Help us everyday to seek the kingdom, hear from Jesus in Your Word, talk with people, do good, and minister through prayer.

Small Group Questions
*Have you ever had an opportunity to pray for someone in person? If so, what was it like for them? How did it make you feel?
*What does it mean that Jesus is on a mission? Why would Jesus invite us to join Him on His mission? How’s it going for you so far?
*Mission practice #5 is “ministering through prayer”. In your “neighborhood”, what needs do you see that could use your prayers?
*How does praying for someone’s need, right there and then, take the person from gratitude to an actual encounter with King Jesus?
*Read John 11:1-44. How does Jesus minister through prayer to Mary, Martha, and others who saw Jesus raise Lazarus from the dead?
*What’s holding you back from becoming an everyday missionary for Jesus? Admit it. Pray about it. Begin the work to improve on it.

Family Memory Verse
“Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people.” - Matthew 4:19 (NIV)