Sending Path · Business as Mission · Lesson 2: Business as Mission in History
This lesson in one sentence: In history, people took business into mission: we can learn from their rules and faithfulness, and also take warning—the more successful a business becomes, the more we must ask who is master.
Timing (about 60 minutes)
- Opening5 min
- Read Together10 min
- Practice Together15 min
- Discussion20 min
- This Week5 min
- Pray for One Another5 min
Opening
Which missionary story has stayed with you most? Do you know where it comes from?
Read Together
7Remember your leaders, men who spoke to you the word of God, and considering the results of their conduct, imitate their faith. 8Jesus Christ is the same yesterday, today, and forever.
Heb 13:7–8 · WEB
20We are avoiding this, that any man should blame us concerning this abundance which is administered by us. 21Having regard for honorable things, not only in the sight of the Lord, but also in the sight of men.
2 Cor 8:20–21 · WEB
24“No one can serve two masters, for either he will hate the one and love the other, or else he will be devoted to one and despise the other. You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
Matt 6:24 · WEB
You can’t serve both God and Mammon.
Matt 6:24 · WEB
Practice Together
Divide into three groups, each taking one example: the Moravian shipping company, Carey’s indigo factory, the Basel Mission trading company. After five minutes each group reports back in three sentences: What was the business? Why did they do it? What happened later?
Discussion
- “considering the results of their conduct” (Heb 13:7)—which of the three outcomes is the strongest warning to you?
- Facing suspicion, Paul was “having regard for honorable things,” (2 Cor 8:21) not saying less. In business, where are we most tempted to ‘say a bit less’?
- “You can’t serve both God and Mammon” (Matt 6:24)—how do you know money is still the servant and not the master?
This Week
This week, read Acts 18 to 20 and notice how Paul, Aquila and Priscilla served while they worked. Then go to the missionary database on this site and read about one Basel Mission missionary: Theodore Hamberg or Rudolf Lechler.
Each person says when they will read Acts 18–20 this week.
Closing
Read Heb 13:7–8 together. The leader prays for the whole group: that we may imitate the faith of those before us, and consider the results of their conduct.
Tips for the leader
- The lesson opens by correcting the ‘sold themselves as slaves’ legend. Someone may have heard it in a sermon and love it; you can say ‘their willingness to pay the price is true’, without embarrassing anyone.
- The Basel Mission is a real mission, and churches and organizations that continue its work exist today. Discuss only the history and the lessons, and do not pass judgment on anyone today.
- Take the historical facts from the lesson; if someone wants to add other stories, invite them to look up the sources together after the meeting.
General principles for leaders
- The leader is not a teacher but someone who walks alongside everyone.
- Give everyone a chance to speak; with someone who talks a lot, you can gently say, ‘Let’s also hear from friends who haven’t spoken yet.’
- Don’t rush to give answers. If someone is silent, wait a few more seconds.
- For a question you can’t answer, you can say, ‘I don’t know either; let’s look it up together,’ and note it down for next time.
- What is said in the group stays in the group.
- At the opening, the leader can give their own answer first, showing that it can be simple and honest.