Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

INTRODUCTION

The Missio Dei Catechism is a handbook of sorts to aid pastors and laity in knowing, understanding, and applying the sending of God.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

I — WHAT IS IT?

Out of God’s love for the fallen world and by His gracious initiative, God sent His Son, Jesus Christ to save the lost world that was incapable of saving itself. This is the Missio Dei, the mission rescue act of God.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

II — MEANINGS

“Missio” is Latin for the Biblical English word “mission,” which is based on the original Greek word for “send,” “sending,” and “sent.”

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

III — AUTHORITY

God’s mission is centered in Christ, the divine Apostle (Hebrews 3:1), who was the Sent One. In that apostolate (office of sending), He was given the authority to go into the world to be flesh of our flesh to rescue mankind.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

IV — WHY

The church needs to repent, be converted and be saved from its selfish war. It can no longer face inward and be an end unto itself. True humility and repentance will lead the church to a commitment, a heart transformation. This is the reset, renewal, and return to God’s Missio Dei, His great sending.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

V — ESSENTIALS

Individual believers and the community of faith do not ascribe their mission unto themselves. Their Sender is Christ, who gives authority in His sending of the believers to be co-heirs and co-associates with Him in His mission to the world.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

VI — APPLICATION

If the sent ones fail to participate in God’s Missio Dei essentials, they should expect disaster and eternal consequences. Neglecting God’s Missio Dei leads to chaos and rebellion.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

VIII — SIGNIFICANCE

Participants are invited to survey the entire Gospel of John to discover how the use of “sent,” “send,” “sending,” and other key words relate to the entire Gospel!

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

IX — APOSTOLIC

For centuries, the Christian community of faith and mission has confessed one holy Christian (catholic) apostolic church in the Nicene Creed. This reflects the Missio Dei.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

X — CHRIST’S PRAYER

In His High Priestly prayer, Christ prayed for Himself and His mission, He prayed for His disciples and their participation in His mission, and He prayed for all believers and those “who will believe” through their being sent.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

XI — WORLD

Participants are encouraged to read and study John 17 with these questions (and more) in mind.

What is the meaning of the “world?”
What is the significance of “not of the world?”

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/17/24

XII — MEANING OF SENT

Because it is the object of Christ’s redeeming love, the world is on the receiving end of the sending of God and the mission of the church. Being sent means that the community of saving faith is fully aware that it is sent to more than the church.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24

XIII — THE HOLY SPIRIT

In the great sending of John 20:21-23, Jesus spoke of receiving the Holy Spirit for the mission. In Luke 24:49, Jesus referred to sending the promised “power from on high.” In Acts 1:8, Jesus spoke again of the power when the Holy Spirit comes to empower the believers’ mission of witnessing to the ends of the earth.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24

XIV — MEANS

Through the Holy Spirit, the spoken Word of God, Baptism, the Lord’s Supper, and the Office of the Keys are the divinely appointed means of grace that create and sustain saving faith in Christ and His merits.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24

XV — SERVING TOGETHER

Participating and serving together as a fellowship of the baptized begins with a relationship with Jesus and a trust in Him. Once we are in relationship with Him, He creates in us a trust in and unity with one another.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/13/24

XVI — REPENTANCE

Repentance, which is a change of thinking and behavior, and forgiveness of sins (Luke 24:47) is essential for Christ-followers to participate in the Missio Dei.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/12/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/12/24

XVII — PRACTICES

Missional practices, performances, facilities, properties, and arrangements are beneficial aids, which must be aligned to the mission of God.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/12/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/12/24

XVIII — LEADERSHIP

To equip, restore, perfect, or repair (καταρτισμός or katartismŏs) God’s people for participating in His mission, strong leadership in Christ is required.

Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/12/24 Rev. Dr. Wilbert J. Sohns 9/12/24

XIX — MOTIVATION

How do we motivate ourselves and others to participate in the Missio Dei? That is another big question. The answer to this last Missio Dei catechism question is essential.