Shout Out: The Thompson fam heads to the Dominican Republic

Try This: Why short-term mission trips may be in your future

Party Tricks: The church is HUUUUUUGE!

Cheat Sheet: The Jesus Manifesto & You

What is "missions" anyway?

"Missions" is shorthand for any activity that responds to Jesus' call to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). Typically, missionaries move into new cultural contexts for stints of three to five years at a time to serve people and proclaim the gospel.

Missionaries are learners who seek to understand a new and different language and culture so they can love the people well and winsomely present the gospel. In addition to evangelism, many missionaries are entrepreneurs who serve the poor, educate children, translate Bibles, build hospitals, engineer civic projects and train church planters.

Got it. So "short-term missions" is like a shorter version of that.

Exactly. Though we are all part of Jesus' missionary movement, not everyone can (or should) uproot and move to a foreign country. Short-term mission trips are typically one to three week trips (though technically anything less than two years is considered "short term") where groups can make a big impact by supporting long-term ministries around the world.

Have you ever participated in a short-term missions trip? 

Here are six reasons you may want to pray about it.

1. It can be life-changing! Most long-term missionaries say they were first ignited for missionary work on a short-term trip. 
2. They're are a big boost for local ministries, providing the manpower needed for big projects with outsized impact. 
3. There is nothing more encouraging or humbling than learning from a culture different than your own. 
4. It can remind you how transformative the gospel really is and makes you a better evangelist when you come home!
5. God often deepens your compassion by exposing you to people who joyfully live with fewer resources then you.
6. Short-term trips are lots of fun, but also hard work! They can be a wonderful way to build connections with your team while also developing a Christlike attitude of service.

Want to learn more about short-term missions at DCC? Email Kelly Santiago.

JESUS IN UNEXPECTED PLACES

Jesus With Us | Matthew 28:16-20

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We've been noticing the unexpected places Jesus has appeared as we prepared for Easter, but in the closing of Matthew, we are surprised once more that Jesus appears in His church!

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The Big Idea of Matthew 28:16-20

What would you do if you had all the power and resources you could imagine? 

Matthew 28:16-20 gives us the Jesus manifesto, "I have been put in charge of literally everything, so move out and give me to the world! I will personally empower you to live out this mission until I come again!" 

The greatest proof that Jesus is alive is that His church has not just endured over the centuries, but is continuing to expand and transform lives all over the world to this day.

Good to Know

As Matthew wraps up his gospel, he intentionally echoes 2 Chronicles 36:23. (The Jewish Bible was ordered differently than our Old Testaments. 2 Chronicles 36:23 is the closing line, not Malachi 4:6).

Eleven disciples (vs. 16) reflects the fact that Judas was no longer there. Jesus entrusted His perfect mission to an imperfect church. The church has been and will always be "elevenish."

Mountain (vs. 16). Mountains are very significant to Matthew. Jesus overcame temptation (4:8), announced His kingdom of blessing (5:1), fed crowds (15:29), appeared in glory (17:1), explained the future (24:3) and gave His manifesto (28:16) all on top of mountains. Matthew wants us to know that Jesus is the new Moses, the Bible's original "mountain man."

Baptizing (vs. 19) is about getting disciples. We are to invite people from all over the world into fellowship with God by proclaiming the gospel and immersing them in the Trinity.

Teaching (vs. 20) is about mentoring disciples. We are to be a people who are always training a new generation to obey Jesus and live a Jesus-style life.

I am with you always (vs. 20) is Jesus' promise that He will personally empower anyone who steps out and participates with what He is doing in the world. 

Group Guide

Following the series with your group? 

• Start with some icebreaker questions.
• Read the passage together before you dive in. 
• Share any insights from the message. Use the questions below to get your conversation started.

Conversation Starters

1. In some ways, this passage is describing the world's first church service. With that lens in mind, how would you describe the purpose of church?

2. We see both worship and doubt co-mingling in this gathering of believers. Discuss the significance of that small detail for believers today.

3. In verse 18, Jesus claims "all authority of heaven and on earth." Talk about all that entails. Why is it essential for believers to be continually reminded of who Jesus is?

4. Talk about the global expansion and cultural impact of the church over the centuries. How might this be evidence for Jesus' incredible claims about Himself? 

5. What does it mean to be baptized in the name of the Trinity? (Compare with Ephesians 1:4-6.)

6. Disciple literally means "student" or "apprentice." Are there areas where you need someone to teach you the Jesus-life? Where might you be able to come alongside others to teach them?

Prayer Prompts

Jesus, you are truly king. Let your Kingdom come and your will be done! Take turns praying that God's Kingdom would grow in your hearts, homes, neighborhoods, nation and world.