Lesson Forty Eight

A MISSIONARY TRIP

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Memory Verse: Luke 6:38
Further Study: Matthew 10; 14:13-21; Mark 6:7-13, 30-44; John 6:1-14; Desire of Ages, pp. 349-371; The Bible Story, vol. 8, pp. 41-45

I have a young adult friend who’s attempting to get out of her comfort zone. To do this, she’s trying various experiences, posting her most recent idea on social media. It was an invitation for others to do as she was doing—rappelling down the outside of the highest building in Baltimore—12 stories, more than 200 feet. The call went out to any intrepid friends who wanted to join her. Their commitment would obviously be found in the action.

The disciples had received the call from Jesus to “follow Him” more than a year ago. They’d spent time listening to His teaching, witnessing miracles and amazing events. But now Jesus was asking them to fully commit—to go from call to commitment, from follower to doer. He sent them out to share the gospel and invite others to follow Jesus.

He sent them out to share the gospel and invite others to follow Jesus.

Matthew 10 is one of five longer sermons Jesus gave during His three-and-a-half-year ministry. This one, the second, is called the Mission Discourse. In it He outlined what it is to be a committed follower of Jesus. It won’t be easy. They might be met with persecution, disbelief, jeers, or sneers. But the reward of commitment to Jesus would be worth the cost.

I don’t know if rappelling down a 12-story building would cure my fear of heights, but it certainly would demonstrate my commitment to trying! But reading her invitation on Facebook isn’t enough. I would need to accept her call and participate in the task. Commitment sometimes requires going to such extremes. With mission, it may be that some will hear the call and commit by leaving homes, culture, or language, placing our lives in danger by doing so. But commitment to Jesus is not defined by how much risk is involved, but by our steadfastness. Commitment, in this case, isn’t a one-off rappel down a building or a mountain, it’s the steady climb despite the challenges.

Mission service for Jesus can be found in places we may not be looking.

Mission service for Jesus can be found in places we may not be looking. It can be found in daily worship, weekly church attendance, paying tuition for Christian education, immersion in Scripture, taking care of others, constant prayer, and a faithful focus on Christ. When Jesus sent the disciples out, He did so as a group—a team. Together those disciples changed the world. Some became leaders in the cause, but others did their part for Christ silently or behind the scenes.

We, too, need to not just hear the call, but make a commitment for Christ. Together we, too, can change the world. It might be going to some faraway place where no one has heard of Jesus. But it may also be found in the nursery, the classroom, or driving a teenager to basketball practice. 

Have you answered the call? Have you made the commitment? Call. Commit. Renew.

Digging Deeper 

Here are some interesting facts about the disciples specifically as listed in Matthew 10.

• Matthew is the only gospel writer to call them “the Twelve.”
• They are also referred to as “apostles.”
• The listing of names in Matthew 10 organizes them in pairs. This may correspond to Mark describing the disciples being sent out two by two (Mark 6:7)
• The 12 disciples are organized in three groups of four with the first name of each group being the same in each gospel list. Those names are Peter, Philip, and James of Alphaeus. This might suggest that the disciples worked in smaller groups and these were the leaders.
• Peter is always first in any of the lists.
• Judas Iscariot is always listed last, with the additional designation that he betrayed Jesus.

Making it Real

Teaching commitment to children (and adults) can be challenging. There is a trend to not stick with something if the going gets rough. Committing to Jesus is so incredibly important that it is never too late to learn. This week try one of these to illustrate being committed. Then talk about the spiritual application on Friday evening for worship.

1. Assign your child(ren) a household chore. If they already do one, assign a new one for the week. Have them demonstrate five days of commitment to doing the job well without being reminded.
2. Get a jigsaw puzzle and put it on a table where the family can see it. The family must commit to having the puzzle done in five days. Each person must work on part of the puzzle.
3. Does your child play an instrument? Tell them they must practice for a designated number of minutes each day for five days without a reminder.
4. Does your child like sports? Have them choose one they must practice for five days without a reminder. They must show some improvement because they committed.

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Merle Poirier writes from Silver Spring, Maryland, where she works as the operation manager for Adventist Review and Adventist World magazines as well as the designer for KidsView, a magazine for 8-12-year-olds. She enjoys spending time with her family including being a grandmother to two active little boys, who greatly enjoy Starting With Jesus, and a granddaughter, born in 2023. She is blessed to have all three living close by, continually bringing joy and delight.