Day 10 of 50

READING GUIDE:

• Read today's devotion below.
• During days 8-14 (at your own pace) read chapters 3 thru 6 from Joining Jesus on His Mission.
• After days 8-14, meet with your small group and follow the back-of-the-book discussion guide for SESSION 2.

“Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were uneducated, common men, they were astonished. And they recognized that they had been with Jesus.” (Acts 4:13 ESV)

When you refer to someone as being green, typically that means inexperience. Such people are just beginning in their field of work or practice. Some will use this term in the negative accusing one of being placed in a position of responsibility prematurely. And in actuality these accusations are directed more at the person who put the green individual in the position of responsibility and not so much the green person.

On the positive end, we can look at green, like plants, as having the potential to grow--a good thing! We can look at the green person as a fresh start, a blessing, as hope for something that will bear much fruit--all truly accomplished through the One who planted it and makes it grow. “I am the vine; you are the branches. Those who remain in me, and I in them, will produce much fruit.” (John 15:5a NLT)

You may feel “green” over the idea of living missionally. You may not feel equipped enough. You may not feel like you’ve read enough books. You may not feel that you’ve memorized enough Bible verses. Don’t fret; you’re in good company! And most importantly, Jesus is with you! As Finke writes in chapter 4, “...joining Jesus on his mission will not require us to absorb a lot of additional teaching. It is simpler than we think, not more complicated. After all, the mission of Jesus originally exploded with ‘unschooled, ordinary men’ (Acts 4:13).”

How does this impact your missional mindset? How does this change your perspective? How does this keep you from stalling, never thinking you are equipped enough? How do you see that God still uses you, stretches you, gives you room to fail, gives you room to learn, gives you room to grow in living out His mission?