Smithfield Student Ministry Weekly Devotion Session Four - Called and Sent

Key Verse: Acts 7:57-8:4

^"57 At this they covered their ears and, yelling at the top of their voices, they all rushed at him, ⁵⁸ dragged him out of the city and began to stone him. Meanwhile, the witnesses laid their coats at the feet of a young man named Saul. ⁵⁹ While they were stoning him, Stephen prayed, “Lord Jesus, receive my spirit.” ⁶⁰ Then he fell on his knees and cried out, “Lord, do not hold this sin against them.” When he had said this, he fell asleep. ¹ And Saul approved of their killing him. On that day a great persecution broke out against the church in Jerusalem, and all except the apostles were scattered throughout Judea and Samaria. ² Godly men buried Stephen and mourned deeply for him. ³ But Saul began to destroy the church. Going from house to house, he dragged off both men and women and put them in prison. ⁴ Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went"

When you think about "being sent" by God on mission with Him, what do you think about? Do you think about missionaries working in far away exotic places? Do you think about people who leave their careers to start churches? Do you think about short-term mission trips like the ones your youth group probably takes? While these are certainly all examples of being sent, it's important for you to understand that being sent out on mission with God doesn't just mean moving to another country or planting churches.

There's more to being called and sent out than organized mission experiences. You can be sent out in the simplest of ways. For example:

Take a second and read Acts 7:57-8:4. Now, you are picking up at the end of a long story. Stephen, a member of the early Jerusalem Church and a Christ-follower, was testifying to the true identity of Jesus before one of the Jewish courts. The Jews were so furious at Stephen for claiming Jesus was the Song of God that they dragged Stephen out and killed him. That's what you read about in verse 57. Stephen boldly spoke the truth about Christ no matter the cost. But that's not where I want you to pay attention.

Focus on Acts 8:4. Paul and the other anti-Christian Jews were running these Christ-followers out of Jerusalem. Yet, verse 4 gives us a glimpse of the character in these individuals. These followers of Christ didn't allow persecution to keep them from carrying out God's mission. As they were forced out of Jerusalem, they continued to share with others about all Jesus was doing. That's pretty amazing, isn't it?

These believers found themselves in a circumstance they could not control. You probably find yourself in these types of situations often. After all, you don't have a lot of choice about going to school do you? While you're there, why don't you treat your school like a mission experience? Consider what it looks like to be called by God and sent to your school as a light for God's kingdom.

You don't have to go to a far away country. The biggest opportunity you have is right in front of you each and every day. Don't miss your chance!