The Essential Question (Part 7): More Mission TripsSample

Ministry Snapshots

Prepare: Who are the people you feel closest to in life? And in the church? Spend a few moments praying for these people today.

Read: Acts 20:1-38

Reflect: A few years ago I spent ten days traveling throughout South Korea speaking in churches about Bible reading revival. It was physically challenging and spiritually exhilarating. But the most rewarding part was working with three colleagues from Scripture Union South Korea. We prayed together, ate together, stayed overnight in homes together and shared a lot of "windshield time" traveling together. I discovered that the day-to-day experience of living with those committed to the same ministry made us more effective as a mission team. Our current passage gives us several snapshots from the mission team experience of the apostle Paul.

The first snapshot is of the seven men who traveled with Paul and whose job was to prepare the way for his ministry efforts (20:4-5). From today's vantage point it may seem that Paul was the marquee player in the first-century church. But he couldn't have been as effective without a band of brothers like this. Today, it's easy to focus on the work of a few Christian leaders, and we should be thankful for those who attempt great things for God. But we should not overlook the importance of anonymous mission teams. God does great things through them too. Plus, he uses the mission team experience to refine us in ways few other Christian activities can.

The second snapshot is of Eutychus (20:7-12), the young man who fell from the window and in so doing became the patron saint of sleepy churchgoers ever since. But Paul's belief that God would intervene, and his ability to stay on message after the interruption, show just how focused on ministry he was. That's what makes both individuals and teams effective for God.

The final snapshot is of Paul's farewell moment with the Ephesian Elders (20:13-38). Like a seasoned parent, Paul knew what these church leaders were about to go through (20:29), so he offered two directives to help them survive. First, he said, "Keep watch over yourselves." We shouldn't tell the world to live by God's Word when research shows Bible reading among churchgoers is declining. The best way to bring biblical values to secular society is for the church to rediscover its own Book. Second, Paul said, "Be shepherds" (20:28). The image of a shepherd caring for God's people reverberates throughout Scripture and finds its culmination in Jesus Christ, the Good Shepherd. If we want to know how to strengthen the church today, the quick answer is this: live like Jesus.

Apply: Make a list of three things you could do in the next week to live like Jesus. Now pray for God's help to do so.

The Essential Question (Part 8): Paul's Journey to Jerusalem

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