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Bible Study: February 1, 2015


NASHVILLE (BP) — This weekly Bible study appears in Baptist Press in a partnership with LifeWay Christian Resources of the Southern Baptist Convention. Through its Leadership and Adult Publishing team, LifeWay publishes Sunday School curricula and additional resources for all age groups.

This week’s Bible study is adapted from The Gospel Project curriculum.

Bible Passage: 2 Timothy 1:8-14

Discussion Questions: How would you describe your calling through the Gospel to service and mission? How do you think God has gifted you to give glory to Him in your service to others?

Food for Thought:

The Gospel that saves us is the Gospel that leads us to mission.

How would you describe the essence of the Christian life? If you look at a wide swath of churches, you might assume it is all about worship music, sermons, big buildings, writing books, staying away from sin, caring for the poor, blogging, or wearing goofy Christian-themed t-shirts (not that there is anything wrong with that). But how does the Bible describe the essence of Christianity?

Paul would likely say that the essence of the Christian life is mission. Everyone who is saved by Jesus Christ is called to be on mission with Jesus Christ and for Jesus Christ.

Though Paul was referring to his own specific calling in 2 Timothy 1:11, the calling of every believer is essentially the same — first to salvation and also to service. The majority of Christians are not called to be preachers in the sense of vocationally pastoring a church, but all Christians are called to be people who proclaim the Good News of the King. Our identity in Christ is a missionary identity.

God doesn’t save us so we can simply sit and watch the Sunday show while calling it church. God saves us from something (sin), to someone (God), and for something (mission). God saves us from sin and for mission based on our new identity as a child of God; therefore, we take on the nature of our missionary God.

Mission is who we are, and it is also what we do. As heirs of God, we are deployed as part of the family business just as the Father sent the Son on His mission (John 17:14-18; 20:21).

The Gospel Project
The Gospel Project is a Christ-centered curriculum that examines the grand narrative of Scripture and how the Gospel transforms the lives of those it touches. Through a three-year study plan, participants are immersed in the Gospel through stories, theological concepts, and calls to missions from Genesis to Revelation. Separate study plans for kids and students/adults ensure the proper focus and depth. The Gospel Project is designed to unify an entire church under a single Christ-centered curriculum. More information, free samples, and The Gospel Project blog can be found at gospelproject.com.

Other ongoing Bible study options for all ages offered by LifeWay can be found at www.LifeWay.com/SundaySchool.

    About the Author

  • Staff/Lifeway Christian Resources