Discussion starter
Whether you're part of a church, school, or mission group, select and discuss articles together and use the questions from the Before You Go check-up to prompt conversation and help you work through issues you are facing together. The following plan of study will help a group or team prepare together for a short-term mission.
Read Maximum Short-term Mission and use these five points as themes for five sessions.
Session One: Extend. "Why are we going on a short term?"
Before the group session, read A Call for Ordinary People, and Not Thirsty, Still Hungry.
Discuss what you discovered about why anyone should go on a short term. Discuss the balance of personal growth for yourself and the advance of God's kingdom which may result from your expedition.
Session Two: Expose. "How can we involve our church or fellowship in our short-term mission?"
Before coming to the session, read: Make the Right Connections and one of the three articles Bridge Building, Get Blessed, or Honoring Parents. Decide on specific ways to get others involved early in the process. Read the articles about support raising, and discuss the Scriptures cited. Discuss how the principles the author mentions affect your own feelings about support raising. Plan together how to develop your individual strategies. Think of ways to help each other.
Session Three: Experience. "How can we prepare for the cultural differences we'll encounter?"
Read Great Expectations and other articles of interest from the Go! section before meeting. Consider the guidelines mentioned in Culture Clash. Take turns describing what you imagine your short term will be like.
Session Four: Exchange. "How can we build good relationships with nationals and other team members while overseas?"
Before meeting, select three articles to pre-read from the series on relationships. Discuss how the principles described in the articles may help you grow as you relate to team members. Anticipate the partnerships you can enjoy with nationals. What difficulties can you expect? What heart attitudes should you have in order to serve well? Read and discuss Writers Keepers, Prayer Power, and Bible Steady and encourage each other to develop spiritual disciplines before and during the experience.
While on outreach…
Session Five: Explore. "What vision might God give us to use our lives for His glory overseas or at home?"
Before meeting, read Growing as World Christians, The Homecoming and Looking Ahead. Identify ways you can prepare for your return. Talk about your feelings regarding your future. How would you know God wanted you to work in missions longer term?