Read Psalm 90:12.  To be a true missionary for Jesus we must become available.  The older a person gets the more they realize how short life really is, and its God desire that we truly make the most of all our opportunities here on earth.  Ultimately we will be held accountable for what we did with our time, and the greatest use of our time is furthering the Kingdom of God.

      At what age did life seem to accelerate for you?  Did it cause you to make any changes in behavior or ministry?

 

Read Acts 8:1-5.  One of the earliest missionaries was Phillip.  There are several noticeable things about Philip that makes him stand out as a servant of God and the first was his position in the church.  Philip was not considered one of the professional church ministers and when God scattered the church into the world, Philip was one who left Jerusalem as God called them out.  Just as Jesus came to seek the lost, God called the early church out to seek the lost and Philip obeyed that call.

      God still sends the Church into the world to seek the lost.  Where has God placed you on a daily basis?

      Have you ever had the opportunity to share about Jesus at your work place or with non-Christian friends?  What happened?

 

Read Acts 8:26-30.  The second thing we notice is that Philip was openly available to be used by God.  Being truly available means being a servant who serves at God’s discretion as well as being obedient to God direction.  Philip’s quick obedience to the angel of the Lord and to the intuition of the Holy Spirit testifies that Philip was God’s servant and not just a ministry volunteer.  A volunteer serves at their convenience but a servant serves at God’s convenience and will.

       Describe a time you “volunteered” to help an organization or individual.  How was/is that different from a time you became a servant in mission or ministry?

 

Not only was Philip a servant, he was also tuned into the call of God.  Whether it was a messenger of god or the intuition of the Holy Spirit, Phillip heard from God and acted on that call even when he didn’t know or understand all that God was calling him to do.  By doing this he allowed God to use what little he had, to accomplish some amazing things.

      Name a person that has helped you hear or tune into a call or mission from God. What happened?

      Name an instance you stepped out in faith to serve God but didn’t understand the whole picture or mission that God was calling you to do?

 

Read Acts 1:8.  The last characteristic we see in Philip was his desire to live and give Jesus to all with whom he came in contact.  Philip also didn’t rely on his own power, but the power he received from the Holy Spirit that lived in his own heart and life.  The contagious Christian life can only be seen in us as well when we stay connected to Jesus who gives us life, power and passion.

      Has another person’s passion for Jesus ever inspired your own passion for Christ?  Explain.

      How do you stay connected to Jesus daily so that his power and life will work in and through your life to minister to those around you

      What do you need to do to become more available for God’s mission to reach the lost for Jesus Christ?