Preparing for Sunday - The Church He Builds pt. 4

This Sunday we're asking an uncomfortable question: is anybody actually doing the one job Jesus gave His church? But Jesus doesn't start with a guilt trip. He starts by looking at a crowd. Before you gather, read Matthew 9:35-10:5 slowly and watch what happens between the end of chapter 9 and the start of chapter 10.

Critically Think

1. Read 9:35. What three things is Jesus doing "throughout all the cities and villages"? Look back at Matthew 4:23. Why do you think Matthew repeats nearly the same sentence here?
2. Read 9:36. What does Jesus see first, and what happens inside Him? How does Matthew describe the crowds, and what picture does "like sheep without a shepherd" bring to mind? (Compare Numbers 27:17 and Ezekiel 34:15.)
3. In 9:37, Jesus switches from sheep to a field. Who is He talking to now, and what two things does He say about the harvest and the laborers?
4. Read 9:38. What exactly are the disciples told to do about the shortage of workers? Whose harvest does Jesus say it is?
5. Read 10:1. Who does Jesus call, and what does He give them? Compare the end of 10:1 with the end of 9:35. What do you notice?
6. Read 10:2-4. What does Matthew call the twelve here, and what does that word mean? Look at how he describes himself in the list (10:3) and how the list ends (10:4).
7. Read 2 Timothy 2:1-2. Count the generations of disciples in verse 2. Where does Paul tell Timothy to start before he passes anything on?

Prayerfully Meditate
Jesus saw people who were harassed and helpless, worn down and thrown down, with nobody leading them. Are you that crowd right now? He sees you, it moves Him, and He was struck so you wouldn't stay scattered.
Jesus sees what we drive past. Who in your week fits verse 36? Who have you lived beside, worked beside, or sat beside for years without once asking how they're really doing?
The field is full, and it's His. Nobody in your church can make a stalk of wheat grow or save a soul. How does "His harvest" free you from both laziness and panic?
A volunteer serves a program. A laborer invests in a person. Who's discipling you right now, by name? Who are you discipling right now, by name? If either answer is nobody, what does that tell you?
Jesus sent fishermen, a tax collector, a traitor, and eleven men who'd run the first night it got hard. What's keeping you from believing He'd send someone like you?

Intentionally Act

1. Read Matthew 9:35-10:5 every day before Sunday. Each time you reach verse 36, ask the Lord to let you see one person the way He sees them.
2. Write down the name that came to mind for verse 36, and pray for that person by name every day this week.
3. Come Sunday ready to answer two questions: Who's investing in you? Who are you investing in? If either line is blank, start praying about who should fill it.
4. Pray the prayer Jesus gave His disciples, and don't leave off the last line: "Lord of the harvest, send out laborers into Your harvest. And if You want to start with me, here I am." The ones who pray get sent.
5. Learn the songs below before we gather, so on Sunday we can sing together as a church that prays and goes.

Songs for Sunday
This is Amazing Grace 
I Surrender All 
In Christ Alone
Build My Life