Consider repeating Renee’ Stearns’ experiment of going without water for a day. Put a sticky note on every faucet and water related appliance saying “not available to 1 billion people.” At the end of the day write down your thoughts and feelings. An alternative experiment might be to log in a notebook each time you turn on a faucet throughout the day. Were you surprised at the number?

In which of these programs (or similar programs) do you and Mosaic (or your church) participate?

1. Take short-term mission trips
2. Support shelters for the homeless
3. Budget to give regularly to local charities
4. Budget to give regularly to international relief organizations
5. Help run or serve in a food kitchen
6. Spend time every week in a charity program
7. Sponsor a child (or children) through World Vision or another organization
8. Partner with a church in a poor area or developing country
9. Work with at-risk young people
10. Other (please list)

How would you rate the long-term effectiveness of each of these efforts? How might you refocus your efforts, based on what you’ve read in chapter 11?

What can Mosaic (or your church) do to make its giving more personal?  Have you ever had the opportunity to attend a missions conference? Did that experience make missions more “real” to you?

For Mosaic attenders: What role do you think our upcoming Global Impact Conference will play in making our giving more personal?

Week 3 – Question #2

What are the ways in which you and Mosaic (or your church) have taken on the “mission of God” by showing love to your neighbors (chap 5, pgs 65-67)? Which is more important telling people about Christ or demonstrating His love through acts of kindness, compassion and justice? Or are they equally important? Are there times when we should do one but not the other?

Think about your experience of working with the poor and marginalized in your community – or anyone you have helped through a tough time. Have there been moments when you, like Mother Teresa, saw “Christ, in his most distressing disguise” (chap 4, pg 60)? Describe that situation and what it’s teaching you upon reflection.

In the seventh century BC, God criticized the Israelites’ attempts to get back into His good graces through prayers and religious ceremonies (chap 4, pgs 54-55). Think about the priorities of Mosaic (or your church) and compare them with the focus of the Israelites. How would we stand up to Isaiah’s criticisms?