Introduction
Overview
One of the keys to leading a successful mission trip is to have devotions. Devotions will
help you keep the team focused on why they are there and gives them time to reflect
on God. As a leader, it is your spiritual responsibility to keep God the focus. To do this,
you must have devotions and prayer each morning before you even start the day. This
will set the tone as to what their mission is. Furthermore, it is important to debrief each
night as well. This will allow you to help each person on the team to process what they
have experienced for that day.
Steps to Take
Start each morning out with a word of prayer. It is important to have team participation
in prayer. You may read the devotional as it is, or select a key that is relevant for that day.
If you find that the team is struggling with kindness, then use that key for that day and
read the corresponding devotion. End each morning with prayer and remind them to
stay focused on the key of the day and how if will affect them throughout the day.
Debrief
At the end of each day, after coming back from the mission field, it is important that your
team share their experiences with the group. Ask a few out of the group to share how
the key has affected them while on the mission field.
Very Special Thanks
Mission Key Tags would like to thank Pastor David Taylor for his contributions
in writing this devotional. Pastor David conducts private counseling and
works with Life Partners Ministries in San Juan Capistrano California.
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Fruit of the Spirit Devotional
LOVE
By this we know that we love the children of God,
when we love God and keep his commandments.
I John 5:2
In Galatians 5:22 the word love comes from the Greek word agape. Agape expresses a
deep and constant giving with an unfailing and unselfish interest in the one being loved.
When referring to God, it is always recognized as unconditional love. An interesting
feature of unconditional love is this: You must know a person so well that you are aware
of all their negative characteristics, yet those characteristics do not prevent you from
giving of yourself freely to them anyway. That type of love is especially descriptive of
God because He knows everything about us and still sent His Son to die for us
(Rom. 5:8, “But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet
sinners, Christ died for us.”).
As you go into the Mission Field don’t be shocked when you experience attitudes of
selfishness, wanting to keep to yourself, not wanting to give. This is our natural self
at work. In fact being selfish is the opposite of love. I used to think that hate was the
opposite, but because of the giving nature of agape love, selfishness seems a better
opposite because I am more naturally inclined to not be giving. This may happen in
association with those whom we minister with, as well as those we minister to. As we
become more honest about the condition of our heart we stand a greater chance of
receiving the grace and mercy that God has for us. In that way we can experience the
love of God more and thereby give that love to others as well. Take some time today to
recognize your self-centeredness and confess that to God. He is faithful to forgive you
and love you so that you might do the same for others.
Thought for the Day:
Be aware of your selfishness and let agapa love overcome those feelings.
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