Lesson #2 -- Mission in the Old Testament

Let's start at the beginning and take a look at how the Bible portrays God and his mission. First, watch this six-minute overview of the biblical story.



Then, I want you to open up the textbook, Introducing World Missions, and read the introduction to Part 1 -- "Encountering Mission in the Scriptures" (starts at Kindle location 578, page 27 in the print edition) and chapter 2 -- "Encountering Mission in the Old Testament" (starts at Kindle location 594, page 29 in the print edition). Then respond to each of the five short tasks below, sending your responses to me embedded in an email (no attachments) or share a Google Doc with me at bboydston@piu.edu. (Make sure that your responses are informed by the reading.) That is,

1. According to the authors, what are the four acts in the Mission drama of the Old Testament? What happens in each of the four acts?

2. Define the Latin term missio Dei. What are two or three implications of this idea for how we view missionary activity?

3. What does being "made in the image of God" have to do with mission?

4. Look at sidebar 2.1 -- The Divine Drama -- How Many Acts? (Kindle location 646, page 31 in the print edition) . Choose one of the three questions at the bottom of the sidebar and answer it to the best of your ability.

5. Look at sidebar 2.2 (Kindle location 737, page 34 in the print edition). This is about Psalm 67. What are the three reasons in Psalm 67 that God's community is called to bless the whole world?

I am looking for effort -- not expertize. I want to see how you are interacting with the ideas presented in the reading. If you disagree with something it's okay to say so. Make sure that your writing demonstrates your best English. Use a grammar checker like PaperRater so you can make corrections to your writing before you submit the assignment. Do not be offended if I return the assignment to you and ask you to rewrite something. This is how we learn.

YOU CAN EARN UP TO 60 POINTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. Reach out to me if you need any clarification.