Missio Dei: WK 1 - GROUP GUIDE

MISSIO DEI | WEEK 1 - God is a sending God

INTRODUCTION: The following is a guide to help facilitate discussion between you and the person you’re studying with or with your Connect Group. Feel free to add, subtract, or change questions to fit the conversation, and pray for the Spirit to lead in all things.

OPEN:  Either share with the group one of the best gifts you’ve ever received, or the one of the best trips you’ve ever taken. What was it that made it one of the best?

SCRIPTURE READING
Read together:  John 3:16-17, John 17:20-23, Genesis 12:1-3, Isaiah 6:1-8, John 20:21-22

Notice the why behind God’s sending.

HEAD: Explore the Text

1. Share any wisdom, insights, or thoughts you received just from listening to the text, allowing the Holy Spirit to lead.
2. Many of us grew up memorizing John 3:16, but why might John 3:17 be just as important to commit to memory? What does God do in these verses and why does he do it?
3. What does John 17:20-23 say is a sign that God is the one who sent the Son?
4. When God sent Abram, did he tell him where he was going? And what was it that Abram was to do when he got to this other place?
5. What did Isaiah come to realize in the presence of God? Once he’s been cleansed, forgiven, then he’s open and ready to God’s call. Why must one come before the other? Do you think Isaiah was scared at all, or simply confident in God’s presence and call?
6. What two gifts did Jesus give before sending the disciples? Considering all the verses above, what were they/us sent to do?

HEART: Personal Reflection

1. In what ways have you experienced God sending Himself to you (His Word, His Church, His people)?
2. When God comes to you, is it in love or with condemnation and a pointing finger? Explain your answer.
3. Oftentimes, when God calls, we look at ourselves and why we can’t possibly do whatever it is he asks us to do. Example: Isaiah was a man of unclean lips. Why are we so quick to look at our own faults and weaknesses, instead of trusting in God’s call?
4. God is sending you, us, into this world right now. What are some of the ways we go into His world to be a blessing, to show his love, to reveal more of who He is?

HANDS: Practice This Week
Spiritual Practice: Personalizing God’s Why

• Re-write John 3:16-17 and use your name in the place where it says “world.”
• Then, re-write it using the name of an enemy, or someone who is challenging you.
• Journal your insights through this experience as you meditate on these truths this week.

Invite the group to check in next week about their experience.

FINISH WELL: Bring It Home

• God sent Himself to us, and sent us to others. Do you sense an area in your life where God is sending you to be a blessing, share his love, carry his peace, etc…?
• Is there something holding you back from answering that call and if so, what, and what would it take for you to let go and say along with Isaiah, “Here I am, send me!”

CLOSING PRAYER (Leader or Participant Reads), from the hymn, “Here I Am, Lord”
GOD: I, the Lord of sea and sky,
I have heard my people cry.
All who dwell in dark and sin,
My hand will save.
I, who made the stars of night,
I will make their darkness bright.
Who will bear my light to them?
Whom shall I send?
US: Here I am, Lord. Is it I, Lord?
I have heard you calling in the night.
I will go, Lord, if you lead me.
I will hold your people in my heart.