“It is not so much the case that God has a mission for his church in the world, as that God has a church for his mission in the world. Mission was not made for the church; the church was made for mission – God’s mission.” - Christopher J.H. Wright
The mission of Citylight Global is to empower Citylight Omaha to faithfully join Jesus’ kingdom movement of multiplying disciples and churches among all peoples. One way Citylight Global equips the church to do this is by helping others to discover the Mission of God and each of our roles in it. Over the past few years Luke Manna, Global Director, has accomplished this through hosting and teaching Discovery Groups.
The Discovery Group is a guided discernment exercise within a small group. The Discovery Group’s desire is to begin taking steps forward in joining with Jesus’ mission wherever we are at. Recently, Luke shared how a Discovery Group helped him discern and what he’s celebrating from the latest Discovery Group that concluded this past July.
“What is the mission of God?... And what is my role in it?”
“These are two questions I have wrestled with through many seasons of my life. Though simple, they are difficult to answer … Difficult to know how to even begin answering them. As I grew in my relationship with Jesus, the burden on my heart grew to truly live for Him. This led me to spaces that then sought to “launch me” but the message was - “So go do it! Go live on mission!” But how? Where? What? And do I do this alone? I quickly learned that I am not alone in this experience.
This was my heart ten years ago entering my senior year at Grace University. I am so thankful we had a final class that was a guided discernment exercise wrestling with these two questions. This course impacted my life in profound ways by connecting the dots of various truths of God’s mission resulting in a heart of worship, and giving me a deeper awareness and language to express my personal conviction/calling. This did not lead me to a specific, “I am going to now do A, B, C” but it did give me a sense of a role and direction that I was excited to leverage my time to and explore as I abided with Jesus.
In the last couple years, it has been my honor to walk with small groups in our church through this same discernment exercise, the Discovery Group. This last group leaned into the process! It was so encouraging to see members connecting dots throughout scripture, engaging their stories, passions, and burdens and celebrating what it means to be the Kingdom of God.
As members prayerfully walked through this exercise, it was exciting to see God surfacing themes and revealing convictions. For some it was a circle of people. For others it was a specific type of ministry. For more it was a call to vocational ministry - some here and others to the nations. Again, not a “now I am going to do A, B, C,” but rather, as I go I want to leverage this profession for Jesus, I want to pursue these people, or I will be joining this ministry. My favorite feedback is hearing, “I now see the world around me differently as I seek to daily follow Jesus and let Him reign in me and through me. And now I have enough clarity to take the next step.”
I personally loved connecting and discussing big questions with this group. I love how this group was not afraid to discuss and share different opinions. I look forward to continuing connecting with some as they seek to discover what it means to be faithful wherever they are at! My hope is that together more can see who Jesus is and to join Him on His mission by letting Him reign in them and through them.”
“For we are His workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God has prepared beforehand, that we should walk in them.” - Eph. 2:10
To join the next Discovery Group, email luke@citylightomaha.org.