This is a special bible study in preparation for Dr. Daniel Sze's visit to NVBC AM service on September 24. Daniel works for Baptist Mission Australia, supporting First Nations churches and leaders around NSW. You can read more about Daniel's First Nations Gospel Ministry on our mission page here.

• Brainstorm: What are the things on you think are on God's heart, the things he most cares about? (And as a group, see if you can come up with a bible story or verse that demonstrates each answer given)

Read each of the following passages about God's heart for all humanity, and answer the questions below. You might like to do this exercise in pairs: give a passage to each pair and then report back to the group:

​Genesis 12:1-3	Psalm 96	Isaiah 49:1-7
Matthew 5:13-16	Matthew 28:19-20	John 3:16-21
Acts 1:7-9; 2:1-12	Acts 26:12-23; 28-29	Revelation 14:6-7

1. What does each passage show us about God's heart?

2. How does God say he wants to fulfil his heart's desire here?

3. Does this passage invite us to join in with God in some way? How do you want to respond to this passage?

4. How does this text contribute to our understanding of God's missional heart?

Read Matthew 9:35-10:1

• How does Jesus invite his disciples to join in the missional work he is doing?

• Can you think of any ways you have seen the 'plentiful harvest' in your life?

• Can you think of any ways you have seen 'the workers are few' in your life?

• What would it look like for Jesus to equip us to do what he's calling us to do (i.e. to give us 'authority')?

Spend some time 'asking the Lord of the harvest to send out workers into his harvest field' this week, in your life and in the life of your fellow workers here at NVBC. Pray as well that Jesus would give us everything we need to do the work He wants us to do.