Indigenous Missionaries are individuals who originate in a particular region or country and who boldly share the Gospel of Jesus. Since our children are natural citizens of America, and since the ones who have trusted in Jesus as their Savior have been commissioned by Jesus to share the Good News of the salvation that He freely gives, they are perfectly placed to live out the role of an Indigenous missionary.
We can probably all agree that being a native missionary is a commendable goal for our children, though they may also be called to be a foreign missionary as adults. So, what about the training process? Must we wait until they are a certain age? Should they plan on attending Bible college before actively learning how to practically share their faith? What should our focus be in these formidable years?
"And to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews... to those who are without law, as without law, though not being without the law of God but under the law of Christ, that I might win those who are without law... I have become all things to all men, that I may by all means save some." 1 Corinthians 9:20-22
First, WHO did Jesus command to go?
The Great Commission - Matthew 28:16-20
“Then the eleven disciples went to Galilee, to the mountain where Jesus had told them to go. When they saw him, they worshiped him; but some doubted. Then Jesus came to them and said, “'All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.'”
In that passage there is something deeper to think over: "Therefore go" is not the best translation. An expanded translation that better reflects the Greek text is:
"As you go through life, wherever you may have been born, wherever God may take you, as a habitual practice of life, make disciples . . ." (Matt. 28:19).
So, while there is a need to go to the ends of the earth and preach the Good News, there is a commission given to EACH believer that tells us to make disciples HABITUALLY, AS we go through life!
Secondly, HOW can this be accomplished?
Where has God called me (Lisa) to go in life? He has called me to be a wife and a mother. Since Mark is my spiritual leader, I am not called to make a disciple of him. But Mark and I have been called, as our children’s parents, to make disciples of them and to train them in the way of Jesus at ALL times (Deuteronomy 6:6-9). The first way our family accomplishes this is through homeschooling!
Another one of the many ways we are training our “little disciples” is to allow them to participate in our ministry – our family’s ministry - to those at abortion clinics. We minister to them where they are and we share with them the Good News and Hope that only Jesus can bring! Many times we get to minister to these men and women, both on a short-term and long-term basis. So in essence, we go about this particular ministry, making disciples by reaching souls outside of abortion clinics. (for more info: check the Pro-Life and Family Ministry categories)
When you train up disciples you have to equip them with the tools they need to share and defend their faith! We train them “as they go”, teaching them through the many opportunities that present themselves in real life, and preparing them before hand through doctrinal overview (discussing why we believe what we believe) and through evangelism training. I highly recommend evangelism training through Ray Comfort’s ministry, Living Waters. Their resources are great! Another good one, for learning about solid scientific defenses for our faith is through Ken Ham’s ministry, Answers In Genesis. Through nightly family worship, we study the Scriptures and hide the Word in our hearts!
What are YOU doing?
So where have you been called to serve? How can you and will you purposefully share your own faith, as well as train your children up to know and experience sharing their faith as children, teens and young adults?
Lisa Metzger