Lesson #3 -- The Mission of God in the Gospels

WARNING! This assignment may be more challenging than most. But you'll be rewarded with more points than for most assignments. So just start at it, keep going, and you'll get it done. You may even surprise yourself. Again, I am looking for your best thinking and writing.

There are two parts to this assignment.

First, read chapter 3, Encountering Mission in the Gospels, in the textbook Introducing World Missions (starting at Kindle location 907, page 41 in the print edition).

The story of Jesus is told from different angles. If, however, there were a single summary word to capture the essence of the gospel mission it would be SENT.

At the end of the chapter, there is a case study called "Lilly Liu's Baptism" (Kindle location 1269, page 51 in the print edition). Explain to me what you would do if you were the missionary, and why. Tie your answer into something you learned in the chapter.

Second, watch the 67-minute lecture below by New Testament scholar Dr N.T. Wright and then send me a detailed outline of what he said. (When I do this kind of assignment, I frequently have to pause the video to write notes.) I realize that this will be a challenge for many of us. (Dr Wright speaks with a British accent and sometimes he talks fast. Sometimes it just takes getting used to.) But that's okay. Do your best. It's important that you have some exposure to one of the most important Bible scholars of our time and his biblically informed thinking about the mission of God.

Email your assignment to me (no attachments please) at bboydston@piu.edu or share your work as a Google Doc to the same address.

YOU CAN EARN UP TO 95 POINTS FOR THIS ASSIGNMENT. Reach out to me if you need any clarification.