"Lighting the Fire"
Jotting – Week 50

Partnering in the Gospel

“In all my prayers for all of you, I always pray with joy because of your partnership in the gospel from the first day until now, being confident of this, that He who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus. (Philippians 1:4-6)

When we think of partners, we generally think of games in which two people team up to beat another team of two.

When Jesus sent out the 70 (see Luke 10), He sent them in pairs. This was done so they might encourage and strengthen one another, pick each other up after a fall: “Two are better than one, Because they have a good reward for their labor. For if they fall, one will lift up his companion” (Ecclesiastes 4:9-10a). Jesus sent these 70 to places “where He Himself was about to go” (Luke 10:1).

There was much work to be done: “The harvest truly is great, but the laborers are few; therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest” (Luke 10:2). Their duty was two-fold: to heal the sick and to announce that the kingdom of God was near (v. 9).

There were other instructions as well: they were to go in prayer and continue in prayer (v. 2); they were to expect trouble ( v. 3); they were to travel lightly–without the trappings and burdens of daily life (v. 4); and so urgent was their business, that they were not to greet or talk to others along the way (v. 4).

With whom will you go? Who will go with you? Choose a partner (perhaps your spouse, a sibling, a good friend–or someone with whom you would like to establish a friendship). Agree on a time and place. Agree on a plan of action: first and always, pray about what you plan, pray before you take action, pray after taking action that the Lord will bless your efforts.

What actions will you take? Brainstorm ideas with others who have partnered or: Greet those you don’t know before each worship service. Invite others to a Bible class or study through the week. Set out each time and go in a different direction into the community around the church: stop and pray on each corner or in front of each house; visit two or three houses with a list of questions about their spiritual/prayer needs; get names and addresses of guests who worshiped–phone and ask if they would like to discuss the service or if they have questions they would like answered or prayer needs; set up a time with the school or early childhood center to be available to pray for/with parents dropping children off or to answer questions about the church, about Jesus and their relationship with Him.

Pray: Lord God, as we partner in mission with one another to tell of Your grace and love to others, bless the words of our mouths. Make ready the hearts of those You have chosen for us to tell about You. Bring them onto our paths. Open our eyes to see the opportunities and our mouths to witness of Your love for them in Jesus. Send Your Holy Spirit to strengthen and encourage us as we work for You. In Jesus’ name. Amen.