Team It

Do you tend to over pack or under pack? (How do light packers get everything into one small back pack?)

There’s an account in the Bible (Luke 10) where Jesus sends his followers out to other towns to tell others about Him. It’s a strategic plan because He would be visiting these towns after them. They were to begin telling the people that the Messiah has come!

Jesus gives them some specific instructions:

• “When you enter a house, first say, ‘Peace to this house.’ If someone who promotes peace is there, your peace will rest on them; if not, it will return to you.” (v6)
• “Stay there, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house.” (v7)
• “Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ‘The kingdom of God has come near to you.’“ (v9)
• Jesus also tells them if they are not received well, move on. Talk to people open to listen. (vv10-12)

The followers went on their mission trips and when they returned they were excited to share with Jesus how God has been at work in their conversations and encounters! (vv17, 21)
Their report excited Jesus as well! He told them they are blessed to see what they have seen. Jesus reminded them that they were sharing the truth and joy of their faith so that others could hear and believe too.

Jesus sent them out in teams of two. Why do you think that is? What are the advantages?

4832 Ponderings:

• Who are the people in your life that may be open to work together to share God’s love with others?
• Who could you ask, begin to pray, and do some planning?
• The disciples traveled from town-to-town, but there are many ways that you can share God’s love today, right where you are. List some of those ways. Be creative and don’t limit yourself.

A word of encouragement from the Old Testament book of Isaiah:
“How beautiful on the mountains are the feet of those who bring good news, who proclaim peace, who bring good tidings, who proclaim salvation, who say to Zion, ‘Your God reigns!’"  Isaiah 52:7