Partner Together for Ministry

Photo by Kris Williams

Scripture: Luke 10:1

Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come.

Insights: This week we are going to be looking at principles for effective ministry. In order to do this examination, we are going to look at Luke chapter 10 versus 1-9. In the first verse of chapter 10 we discover the first principle and that is that we must partner together for ministry. Our mission statement at FBC Bowling Green is: we are a church that is Christ centered, gospel driven, joyfully united and prayerfully obedient. Even in our mission statement, we can see the importance of being unified. In today’s verse the Scriptures themselves echo this truth. Notice with me that Jesus did not send His followers out alone. Rather, He sent them out in pairs. Beloved, all too often we do ministry alone and this method should be the last thing we do. Whenever possible, we are to do ministry with other people. It is not always convenient, but it is the best way to make disciples. Most of you know that I am a Star Wars fan. In Episode One, The Phantom Menace, Yoda says a quote that goes something like this, “Two there are, nevermore, nevertheless, an apprentice and a master.” Just like last week, in no way am I saying that Star Wars is Christian. What I am pointing out is the beauty of partnering together and being unified. The best kind of partnerships consist between one who is more mature in the faith and one who is growing. In this way the more immature believer is put in a safe environment where they can learn and grow. The more immature believer is also able to use the knowledge they have been given and know that there is someone present who can help them if they make a mistake. Let us be intentional about making disciples and the best way to do that is by being joyfully united. Let me encourage you to be looking around at those people in your life and ask the Lord who you need to be learning from or for whom you need to be teaching.

Questions:

1. How often do you do ministry alone?

2. Do you understand the importance of partnering in ministry?

Prayer: Father, thank You for letting me be a part of the body of Christ. It is only in being joyfully united that I can truly know the fullness of Your grace. Guide me to be intentional about doing ministry with Your other children.  Amen.

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