FOCUS TEXT: Acts 11:19-30; 13:1-3

In our “We Are Family” series, we’ve focused on the “family business” of making disciples. This past Sunday, we discussed equipping and sending members into the world to share the Good News of Jesus Christ. Just as families prepare their children for independence, the church nurtures its members to share Christ and make disciples. The church at Antioch is a powerful example of a mission-oriented faith family. Acts 11:19-30 and Acts 13:1-3 show how this early church engaged with culture, prioritized discipleship, and sent its members to spread the gospel. By learning from Antioch, we can overcome the temptation to remain insular and embrace our calling as Spirit-led disciple-makers.

So how do we become an effective missional force?

1. Engage the Culture — In Acts 11:19-21, Antioch was positioned at a cultural crossroads, providing opportunities to share the gospel with Jews and Gentiles. The Antioch church lived out Paul’s idea of becoming “all things to all people” (1 Corinthians 9:22), engaging with different cultures while staying true to the gospel’s core message. As modern believers, we must engage with those who don’t yet know Jesus by walking alongside them, listening closely, and sharing the gospel in ways that resonate with their unique backgrounds.

2. Aim at Reaching the Nations — Antioch was a community where Greeks, Jews, Africans, and Asians worshiped and served side by side. This diversity was reflected in their leadership, demonstrating that the gospel transcends ethnic and cultural boundaries. Their mission to reach the nations began in their own backyard, crossing cultural divides to share the Good News. At Anchor, we can do the same by embracing diversity and reaching out to those around us.

3. Offer Dynamic Discipleship — The church at Antioch emphasized hands-on discipleship that impacted people’s lives. Barnabas and Paul spent a year teaching believers how to live out their faith practically (Acts 11:25-26). As a result, the believers in Antioch became known as “Christians,” a testament to their distinct identity in Christ. This church wasn’t just a place to attend; it was a community where people were equipped to make an impact and share their transformation with the world.

4. Prepare and Send Members Out on Mission — Acts 13:1-3 shows how the church at Antioch engaged their community while being open to the Holy Spirit’s guidance. God called Paul and Barnabas to take the message beyond their local context. The sending was a communal effort involving worship, fasting, and prayer. Antioch models a twofold calling: to be a missional presence in our neighborhoods and to support those God calls to new places. This way, the gospel spreads both locally and globally, as God uses His people to reach every corner of the earth.

QUESTIONS TO CONSIDER:

• How can you practice being “all things to all people” to reach some?

• How can you support those called to mission work, both locally and globally?

• What hinders you from embracing the Great Commission in your daily life?

PRAYER RESPONSE:

Heavenly Father, thank You for calling us to be a part of Your family and giving us the mission to make disciples. Help us to engage with those who don’t know You, foster diversity and discipleship in our church, and actively support mission work. Empower us to embrace the Great Commission in every aspect of our lives. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

MEMORY VERSE: Acts 11:21