1. Perspectives Lesson 15 Dr. David Sills www.reachingandteaching.org
World Christian
Partnership
Perspectives Lesson 15
Dr. David Sills

2. World Christian Partnership
“Living decisively for God’s purpose is not a rare or extravagant calling.”
Key Questions:
What is a World Christian?
What is the role of partnership in missions?
How can someone know God’s will?
How can believers grow as World Christians?

3. World Christian Partnership
Back to the Basics- Review of the Core
People Groups
Exclusivity of the Gospel
Worldview issues- They are not a blank slate
Quadruple Helix:
Theological Reflection
Cultural Analysis
Historical Perspective
Strategy Formation

4. World Christian Partnership
The Power of Partnership
The value of partnerships
Effectiveness and efficiency
The dynamic of partnership
More comprehensive impact
The shape of partnership
Complimentary perspectives
Examples of partnership

5. World Christian Partnership
Partnership & Needed Consensus
Theological Triage (R. Albert Mohler)
Doctrinal Accountability/Commonality
First Order Items
Most fundamental truths of the Christian faith. To deny them is to ultimately deny Christianity
Includes:
Deity of Jesus
The Trinity
Justification by faith
Authority of Scripture

6. World Christian Partnership
Partnership & Needed Consensus
Theological Triage
Second Order Items
Believing Christians may disagree, but could not organize or partner together without difficulty
Includes:
Mode of Baptism
Role of women in the church
Church governing structure

7. World Christian Partnership
Partnership & Needed Consensus
Theological Triage
Third Order Items
Believing Christians may disagree and still partner and fellowship together
Includes:
Eschatology
Style of worship music
Ministry partnership must be careful and deliberate

8. World Christian Partnership
Lessons of Partnership
Keep listening and learning
Share ownership
Evaluate comparisons of cost-effectiveness
Enter with humility and wisdom
Wise churches recognize what they cannot do

9. World Christian Partnership
Tentmakers
What are tentmakers?
Tentmakers use trades or professionals to support themselves
Tentmakers do cross-cultural work
Tentmakers do full-time ministry
Tentmakers do workplace evangelism
Tentmakers accomplish specific ministries
Tentmakers are not second-rate witnesses
Tentmakers are not lone rangers

10. World Christian Partnership
Defining a World Christian:
Take a stand with personal responsibility
Pagan footsteps
Integrating priority
Day-to-day disciples for the global cause
Location is secondary
Serve wherever they are

11. World Christian Partnership
Becoming & Growing as a World Christian
Step One: Catch a World Vision
The influence of this class
Missionary biographies
The Bible
Step Two: Keep a world vision
Stay in the Word
Pray for missionaries
Guard your heart
Step Three: Obey a world vision
Obedience to act will lead to a deeper sense of conviction

12. World Christian Partnership
Wartime Lifestyle
“It is more helpful to think of a wartime lifestyle than a merely simple lifestyle. Simplicity may have a romantic ring or a certain aesthetic appeal that is foreign to the dirty business of mercy in the dangerous places of the world. Simplicity may also overlook the fact that, in wartime, major expenses for complex weapons and troop training are needed. These may not look simple, and may be very expensive, but the whole country sacrifices to make them happen. Simplicity may be inwardly directed and may benefit no one else. A wartime lifestyle implies that there is a great cause for which to spend and be spent (2 Corinthians 12:15).” – John Piper, Don’t Waste Your Life

13. World Christian Partnership
Serving as Senders
The role of senders
Specific sending supports missionaries
General sending advances the larger global cause
The work of mobilization
Talk about missions
Investigate that calling in the lives of others
Core Activities
Serving missionaries
Giving to missions
Praying

14. World Christian Partnership
Join the World Christian Movement:
Become a student of the Mission Industry:
Mission Agencies
Training Institutions
Associations & Societies
Local Churches- Starts Here!
Mobilize!
Your church
Your SS class
Those you influence

15. World Christian Partnership
Join the World Christian Movement:
Knowing God’s Will
A Google search for “knowing the will of God” returns 6,400,000 sites.
What do we want to know?
Who should we marry?
Where should we go to school?
Where should we live?
What car to buy?
What shirt to wear?

16. World Christian Partnership
Knowing God’s Will
How does God guide His people?
Different types of “call” in the Bible
Call to salvation
Call to serve the Lord
Call to specific service
Guidance vs. Call
The call comes first
Guidance follows as the expression of the call

17. World Christian Partnership
Knowing God’s Will
Is there a will of God that is specific for each person?
Is God’s will a tiny dot on a huge football field?
If there is a specific will, how far does it extend?
Who to marry, where to live
What clothes to buy
What to wear to work on Monday?
The Mind of God
God’s will is not a tightrope, it is the wide-open field

18. World Christian Partnership
How can you know God’s will?
Know God. (Proverbs 1:7, James 1:5)
Know God’s Word. (Proverbs 3:5-6)
Prayer
Seek Counsel (Proverbs 11:14, 24:6)
Examine Life Experiences
Consider Your Circumstances
Consider God’s Timing (Ecc. 3:1-11)
Identify the Desires of Your Heart (Psalm 37:4 with Proverbs 4: and Jeremiah17:9)

19. World Christian Partnership
Reaching the World Now
Continue to build your relationship with the Lord
Explore local missions opportunities
Learn a language
Get involved with internationals where you are
Teach ESL
Volunteer-or start- the missions program in your local church

20. World Christian Partnership
What is it that’s not being done, that if it were done would result in greater glory to God and the advance of Christ’s Kingdom?
What’s your role?

21. World Christian Partnership
“May God be gracious to us and bless us and make his face to shine upon us, Selah that your way may be known on earth, your saving power among all nations. Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!
Let the nations be glad and sing for joy, for you judge the peoples with equity and guide the nations upon earth. Selah Let the peoples praise you, O God; let all the peoples praise you!” Psalm 67:1-5