Seeking Transformation Through Jesus

Busyness vs. Transformation

• Losing sight of the end goal
• What is the end goal?

Transformation in Jesus

• Luke 4:16-21

Integrated Transformation

• Our mission is to Proclaim & Embody
• It is a mission focused on the Spiritual and the Physical
• Mission lives in the tension of these two
• Jesus was fully man and fully God, a whole human and a whole spirit
• As Jesus is, so is our mission integrated

Seeking Transformation

• What does it take to see transformation?
• Example: Milwaukee Rescue Mission
• Moving forward in Local Outreach
  • Seek the Holy Spirit
  • ServeTogether
  • Build Relationships
  • SeekTransformation

Focusing on Transformation

• Stories from overseas
• How to join in – Perspectives & Short-term
• Prayer

DISCUSSION QUESTIONS

1. In your life, when have you become too focused on the activities of life and lost sight of what it was you were trying to achieve? Do you have a similar story to Dan’s? Whether from a hobby, work, or family life?
2. What is our end goal in the outreach in which we participate? What has been your end goal as you have served?
3. How do we live in the tension that we seek transformation in everyone, but we only see it happen in a few? Does that mean we try harder? Give up? How have you wrestled with this reality?
4. When you look at God’s mission, do you relate more to the efforts to proclaim or the efforts to embody the love of Jesus Christ? Evangelism or meeting needs?
5. When have you been a part of a small team or community that was on mission together? How did it feel? What was your experience?
6. How have you seen God transform lives?
7. As you hear the stories about God transforming people in our city and world, where are you feeling called? How will you join in God’s mission to transform this world?

DIG DEEPER

• Read Jesus’ commissions again, particularly Acts 1:8 and Matthew 28:16-20 and spend time unpacking the different parts of each commission.
• Read Luke 4:16-21 and also Isaiah 61 and envision a city and a world where this takes hold.
• Spend time away with God this week reflecting on the connection between His commis- sions and His transformation, and what part He is calling you to play.
• To unpack the theological understanding of this transformation, read Surprised by Hope by NT Wright.
• Reach out to a fellow brother or sister in Christ who is serving in the city or world and invite them to a shared meal or over coffee to hear how they have witnessed God’s work of transformation.