Week 2: Partner in Confidence

Self-confidence is overrated. In a world that prizes autonomy, independence, and self-sufficiency, the Apostle Paul’s words here might sound like nails scratching on a chalkboard: “…he who began a good work in you will carry it on to completion until the day of Christ Jesus.” Whose good work is it? God’s. Who began the good work? God. Who brings it to completion? God. Who does the verbs? God. Our confidence in mission rests not in any effort or skill or strategy of our own, but in Christ alone. The mission is his, not ours, and its success is guaranteed because we know how the story ends: God redeems and restores his lost and broken world. Spoiler alert (see Revelation): Jesus wins! Imagine this: A soldier enters battle for the first time. His heart beats fast. His hands shake, and he is filled with fear and anxiety because the outcome of the battle is uncertain. Now, imagine that same soldier in an alternate reality, one where he knows in advance that victory is assured. In which of those two situations do you imagine he will feel more confident? The second situation is ours as believers, not on a battlefield, but entering the mission field together to sow the seed of the Word, sure that the Lord of the harvest will bring fruit.

Reflection Questions:

1. How does self-confidence differ from Christ-confidence? Are they compatible? Mutually exclusive? What are some other sources of confidence people place their trust in?

2. Read Revelation 7:9-10. How does this passage encourage you? How does it challenge you to partner in mission?

3. Paul wrote this letter from prison. How might that affect the way we understand this verse? Do we face similar hostility to the message of Christianity today?