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MCC CORE VALUES RESOURCE KIT
CORE VALUE #8
Go Into All The World
MCC is passionately committed to reaching
all people with the Good News. (Matthew 28:19-20)
Scriptural Foundation: Romans 1:16
Jesus said, "Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Creator and the Christ and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything that I have commanded you. And remember, I am with you always, to the end of the age."
Worship Resources
Call to Worship
One: Jesus calls us:
Many: Go into all the world
One: To the rich and famous and to the poor and destitute.
Many: Go into all the world
One: To the women and the men and the transgendered.
Many: Go into all the world
One: To the infants and the aged.
Many: Go into all the world
One: To people of every nation and color.
Many: Go into all the world.
One: To the bisexuals, lesbians, gay men and straight folks.
Many: Go into all the world
One: To the hopeful and to the despairing.
Many: For Christ is with us in all those places.
One: Go into all the world
Affirmation of Belief
I believe that the Good News
Of your love for us
Is a message that changes lives.
Help me to passionately proclaim
This wonderful word
To people of every kind.Prayer
Jesus,
You send us out into the world,
Not content for us to stay at home
Keeping the Good News to ourselves.
Give me the vision to recognize your presence
In all places and in all people.
Help me to speak of your presence
Within my life.
Small Group Program
Open with prayer
Ice Breaker
This icebreaker will help the group look at the way they have interacted with people of other nations.
Describe a time when you encountered someone from another country. What was it like? Was communication easy or difficult? In what ways did you see this person as similar to you? In what ways were you different?
Scripture
Ask a member of the group to read Matthew 28:19-20
Discussion Questions
Select the questions that you think will be most interesting to your group and add your own. The size of your group will determine how many questions you'll be able to discuss.
1. How do you define being a disciple of Jesus?
2. Do you see yourself as a disciple? What does it mean to you to be a disciple of Jesus?
3. How has your experience of God changed you? What is the Good News for you?
4. Do you think that Jesus means that people from every nation should have the opportunity to hear the Gospel and become disciples? Or that every person in every nation will become a disciple?
5. What principles should guide people sharing their faith with others in the 21st century?
6. Who do you think needs to hear the Good News in your community? In what ways might you witness to them?
7. Why is this value important for Metropolitan Community Churches?
Affirmation of Belief
Say together the affirmation found in the worship resource section. You may want to give this out to group members to use as an affirmation for the week.
Action
This action will help you think about the global realities that will soon become a part of MCC. How will we learn about each other in a way that empowers us for mutual ministry?
Select one of the countries that will be a part of your region as the MCC restructures. Learn about that country together: their language, heritage, form of government, religious trends, what organizations there are for LGBT people and other information. Make sure that you are using information that is current, rather than just historical. Pray for the people of this country.
Closing Prayer
Pray for people who need to hear the Good News that your church has to share, but who have not yet heard it.
Living Out the Values
1. Reach out to a church that will be a part of your new MCC Region. Have members of your church learn about that part of the world and about the MCC churches there. Write a letter to the congregation and tell them that you are praying for them and looking forward to being together in your Region.
2. Support one of the programs of Church World Service. You can help provide blankets and tools for needy people around the world or work to support programs for refuges. Find them at http://www.churchworldservice.org
3. Take a look at issues of globalization. Contact your elected representatives and ask them for their positions on global trade and then discuss the issues with a small group.
4. Plan a worship service that focuses on hearing the Good News. For the sermon, invite several church members to share their testimony. (Be sure to plan this ahead of time so people have an opportunity to think through and plan what they will share with the congregation).
Copyright Universal Fellowship of Metropolitan Community Churches, 2002.
Permission granted to reproduce for local ministry use only.
For more information about MCC worldwide:
Jim Birkitt, MCC Director of Communications
8704 Santa Monica Blvd 2nd Floor West Hollywood, CA 90069
Tel: (310) 360-8640 Ext 226 Fax: (310) 360-8680
Email: info@MCCchurch.org
