April 7, 2019

Called to Mission (Matthew 10:1-15)

IGNITE

Understanding Scripture in Context. Before we begin this lesson, we

must first realize that the Bible was written by different authors, for
different purposes, for different audiences. In the case of the Gospels,
the texts form a historical narrative, inclusive of the instructions and
commands of Jesus. They are part of the story of His life and ministry
and should be understood in relation to the circumstances and
surroundings that He, His disciples, and other characters in the story
found themselves in at that moment in history.
As followers of Christ in the present we need to understand
that we live many miles, cultures, and centuries apart from the world
narrated within the gospels. Their circumstances are not ours. While
we can learn from these stories, we should not assume that the same
instructions could and should be literally applied to our own life and
situation. We need to study Scripture in its original context before
we apply it to ourselves.

INSPECT

1. Objectives of the Apostles’ Mission.

Read Matthew 10:1-6.
[Q] What did Jesus give the apostles in v. 1? Why would they need this?
[Q] Where did Jesus tell them to go (vv. 5-6)? Jesus’ instructions to the
twelve apostles in this passage is an example of a command that is
specific to the needs of that place and that time and not to us. Read
Jeremiah 50:6; Matthew 9:10-11; Romans 1:16. From these verses,
what reason might Jesus have had for giving His apostles those
instructions?

2. Work of the Apostles’ Mission.

[Q] Read Matthew 10:7-8a. What were the apostles instructed to do
and to whom were they supposed to do it? The apostles were given a
special command to do miracles not to show off. These supernatural
acts showed kindness and compassion to those who needed it. The
purpose was not to heal as many people as possible as physical
healing and earthly victory was not the point of Jesus’ ministry. The
power of the miracles of the apostles confirmed the authority and
message of Jesus Christ to the Jews and Jewish leaders who were
threatened by and thus rejected the Messiah.
[Q] How could Jesus’ instructions have helped prepare the apostles for
their later mission (Matthew 28:19-20; Acts 1:8)? Read Matthew
10:8b-10. In sending them out with nothing, Jesus prepared His
apostles to learn that as they receive freely, they are to give
themselves freely (v. 8b). Later on the apostles will have realized
that they did not lack anything as they obeyed Jesus’ commands
(Luke 22:35-36). Jesus knew that they needed to learn a lesson in
trust if they were to be charged with the ultimate mission that Jesus
had in mind for them.

3. Expectations of the Apostles’ Mission.

Read Matthew 10:11-15. The apostles were to expect that their
message and ministry will be received in different ways. There will
be both acceptance and rejection, some will love to hear the Good
News and some will, for their own reasons, hate to listen. Jesus
advised them to focus on the gospel in either circumstance, be
content and stay true to their commitment to the mission in
whatever circumstance. [Q] In mentioning Sodom and Gomorrah
(v.15), what do you think Jesus is saying about those whom the
apostles will have visited but will reject the gospel?

INSTILL

[Q] What are different ways we can share the Good News of the gospel
with our lives today?
[Q] Do we sometimes think of our mission to evangelize as “our own”,
ie. Our message, our agenda, our way instead of God’s? What can we do
to help ourselves avoid doing this?
[Q] How do we “shake off the dust” (v.14) off of our feet today?

ILLUMINATE

Let us pray for the sensitivity to realize when, where, and to whom
God wants us to share the message of His salvation. Let us pray for
the urgency and passion to seek and share the gospel to the lost. Let
us pray for coworkers in the field who will share in the ministry so
that more will come to know Christ, believe in Him as Lord and
Savior of all, and repent of their sins.