Rock My Relational World #2: Outer Circle
“After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them out two by two ahead of Him to every town and place where He was about to go.” Luke 10:1
Context: Jesus left Jerusalem for one last trip to Galilee before His final journey to Jerusalem. As Jesus traveled He sent out 72 followers before Him to gain some ministry experience. The fact that such a large number was sent out indicates that Jesus was attracting an extensive following.
Content: The 72 people chosen for this ministry experience represent the outer circle of Jesus’ ministry relationships. Jesus focused most intently and intentionally on the Twelve, but He also discipled the 72. These people were more than mere acquaintances; they were ministry associates. How did Jesus structure their ministry experiences to help them grow spiritually?
- He appointed them as His ministry representatives.1
- He sent them out with a ministry partner.2
- He gave them specific ministry instructions.3
- He conveyed a sense of ministry urgency.4
- He listened carefully to their ministry reports.5
- He celebrated joyfully their ministry accomplishments.6
- He blessed them for their ministry involvement.7
Conclusion: Okay, you probably have a large group of acquaintances in your life. Whom do you move from the very outer circle of ministry acquaintances to the outer circle of ministry associates?
Use the FACTORS listed below to select people who are…
F aithful
A vailable
C ommitted
T eachable
O bedient
R elational
S ervant
Once identified, design ministry experiences for them based on Jesus’ guidelines:
- Appoint them officially.
- Instruct them thoroughly.
- Send them out in teams.
- Convey urgency to them.
- Receive reports from them.
- Celebrate results with them.
- Give my blessing to them.
Prayer:
“Lord, please give me eyes to see people the way You see them. Give me a heart that is sensitive to people who delight in pleasing You. Amen.”
Endnotes:
1 Luke 10:1a
2 Luke 10:1b
3 Luke 10:2-16
4 Luke 10:8-15
5 Luke 10:17
6 Luke 10:18-22
7 Luke 10:22-24
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© 2013 Designed to Serve®
Dr. Steve Lake is a retired educator with over 30 years experience in the American public schools. He has served in a variety of position, including teacher, elementary school principal, junior high principal, Associate Superintendent, retired from public education as Superintendent of Schools in Lincolnwood, IL. He has his Bachelors, Masters and Doctor of Education degrees from Northern Illinois University. For the past 25 years Steve has attended and been a member of Willow Creek Community Church in South Barrington and Northfield, IL. At Willow Creek Steve has taught adult classes on spiritual gifts, life purpose, and spiritual disciplines. He has ministered overseas in Angola, Zambia, Honduras, Germany, and Russia. Steve is co-founder of Designed to Serve, a ministry that equips Christians to live out their unique God-given calling. Steve is married and has two adult children who are married.
