Discovery Passages

For "A Missional Sprint through the Bible"

This ten-part series of short lectures and practice assignments surveys the Bible to uncover the mission it chronicles, in which God creates human representatives, commissions us even after we rebel for the purpose of fulfilling the original goal for us and the rest of creation, and accomplishes it in Israel, Jesus Christ, and his church. Along the way we examine key practices for our God-given role to make disciples, returning again and again to three vital questions for people to develop:

• Who are we?
• What are we for?
• How do we go about accomplishing that purpose?

Our related YouTube playlist features ten lectures, each of which averages about ten minutes. My field of Christian teaching or 'doctrine' follows up on lessons learned along the way. Before each section are key Bible passages for you to discover before you watch the video.

Do these by yourself or (better) in a group. These are essential for deeper learning, so don't skip them!

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Discover before I. A Unique Map with Unique Uses:

What do these passages teach about God's purpose for his creation?
Gen 1:27–2:3, Ps 67, Acts 17:15–34, Col 3:1–11, and Rev 5:8–10 + 21:1–7

Discover before II. Beginnings Introduce God's Mission:

What do these passages teach about God, and about people including ourselves?
Gen 2:15–25, Gen 3:6–13, Gen 3:17–24, Gen 6:1–6 + Rom 3:9–18, and James 1:19–26

Discover before III. Chosen and Sent:

What do these passages teach about why God chose people such as Abram?
Gen 12:1–3 + Gal 3:7–9, Isa 42:1–7, Luke 9:28–35, Rom 9:21–26, and Acts 9:10–16

Discover before IV. God Seeks His Wayward People:

What do these passages teach about God, and about people? Draw from all these passages to develop one general answer in one or two sentences:
Judges 17:1–6, 1 Sam 8:4–18, Ezek 13:1–12, Jer 23:1–6, Ps 19:7–14, and Dan 9:3–8 + 9:16–17

Discover before V. Wisdom in Brokenness:

What do these passages teach about God, and people?
Prov 9:1–18, Matt 7:1–27, Rom 12:1–2, and Phil 4:6–9

What do these passages teach about God's answer to the failures of his chosen representatives?
Deut 31:16–21, Jer 32:36–42, Ezek 37:1–14, Isa 52:1–3 + 6–10, and Isa 52:13–53:12

Discover before VI. Dying to Return:

What do these passages teach about God's plan to restore Israel to the mission he called his people to?
Ezra 1:1–3 + 3:10–13, Neh 13:15–22, Dan 7:7–10 + 16–18, Zech 8:11–17, and Haggai 2:1–9

Discover before VII. Kingdom: The Father Sends His Son:

What do these passages teach about God, and about God's people?
Matt 10:5–14, Matt 15:21–28, Luke 10:17–24, John 17:1–8 and 17–21

Discover before VIII. Cross: The Father Gives His Son:

What do these passages teach about God, and about people?
Matt 22:34–40, Matt 20:17–28, John 12:17–26, John 13:1–5 + 12–17, and Rom 11:25–32

Discover before IX. New Life Gathered in New Communities:

What do these passages teach about the church's role in Christ's mission?
Acts 1:6–11, Rev 1:17–2:5, 2 Tim 2:1–14, and Eph 4:7–16

Discover before X. Endings Orient Pilgrims toward the Goal:

What do these passages teach about our role in God's goal for creation and for us?
Matt 24:14 + 28:16–20, Matt 24:44–51, Matt 25:1–13, Matt 25:14–30, Matt 25:31–46