ZPCBlog

Did you know four thousand years ago God called Abraham to go? Somehow I missed that. How about you? Usually our first thought about “going” is when Jesus commanded the disciples, and us, to:

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age.” (Matthew 28:19-20)

Two thousand years before Jesus spoke those words, God commanded Abraham to go.

Now the Lord said to Abram, “Go from your country and your kindred and your father’s house to the land that I will show you. I will make of you a great nation, and I will bless you, and make your name great, so that you will be a blessing. I will bless those who bless you, and the one who curses you I will curse; and in you all the families of the earth shall be blessed.” (Genesis 12:1-3).

Who knew? Okay, Jerry and Scott probably knew since they have been to seminary. Or maybe those of you gifted in Biblical comprehension. Not me! I learned this recently in a Perspectives class. I would call it a premier missions class, but it’s really more than that. This is how perspectives.org describes it, “Perspectives helps believers from all walks of life see how they can get threaded into God’s story of redeeming people from every tribe, tongue, and nation to Himself. It isn’t a class about missions, but a course on how every believer can be intimately woven into the story of God using His people to be a blessing to all the peoples of the earth.”

For fifteen weeks each Tuesday evening, I hung on every word spoken by the guest speakers. I met dear people from area churches that have the same passion as I, to accept the challenge of advancing God’s kingdom and gain confidence in that charge. During the week, I read engaging articles by a wide variety of Biblical scholars, historians, missiologists, and practitioners.

I chose to take the class for a certificate, which resulted in weekly reviews being submitted. Thank goodness they were open-book reviews. (See the comprehension comment above!) For the certificate level, there is also a class project. I choose to interview someone of a different culture and religion. God blessed me richly by connecting me with a woman from Turkey who is a judge, sent here by her country to take English classes so she can better communicate with people during her court cases. God is certainly working on her heart, but that story is for another time. Those fifteen weeks were well worth the time, effort, money, and a little stress of being in class after many years.

In January, College Park Church in Indianapolis will be hosting a new class (Brochures can be found on the Missions Table in the Gathering Space). Will you take the challenge? You can even go as a "Key Reader," no review or project required. Let me know if you have questions or want more info. I am more than happy to share more on my perspective on Perspectives and to help you see how you can be intimately woven into His story.

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