CROSS Conference Podcast

Panel #2 at CROSS20 with the topic "Preparation and the Missionary Task."  Speakers are David Platt and Brooks Buser.

Panel #1 at CROSS20 with the topic "Your Purpose and God's Glory."  Speakers are David Platt, Zane Pratt, Mack Stiles, Cyndi Logsdon, and Jonathan Morgan.

Plenary #5 at CROSS20.

Reflection Questions:

1. From David Platt’s talk, why is it critical for Christians to pray, “Lead us not into temptation?”

2. We’ve been reminded that the best thing we can do with our lives is spend them making Jesus’ name known in every corner of the world. But we also know that in the coming days we will face many temptations. What are some of those temptations and how can we aim to stay focused on what matters most?

3. The message of Christianity is that we all are sinners (we all will fall into temptation) and that’s exactly why we need a Savior. How can we both strive to fight temptations while at the same time not relying on our works for salvation? (Or another way to ask: what is it that motivates you to fight temptation?)

4. As you consider your role in God’s plan for saving the nations, where do you think you fit in? (sender?, goer?, unsure?) 

5. Are there sins or even simply distractions in your life that have kept you from leveraging your life for what matters most — the hallowing of God’s name among the nations? Take some time to confess these to the Lord and to a trusted Christian friend or mentor.

6. We have new life in Christ only because Jesus never gave into temptation. He lived the perfect life we couldn’t, he died in our place for our sins, and rose again defeating death so that through believing in him, we may have eternal life. Take some time to dwell on Christ’s perfect life and thank him for never giving into temptation.

7. Ask God to guide and direct the next steps that you should take — either as a “sender” or “goer.” Pray that God would make you faithful to obey Him wherever he calls you.

Plenary #4 at CROSS20. 

Reflection Questions:

1. It is common in our day to use words like “mistakes”, “struggles,” or “issues” instead of “sin.” How can that confuse the need for forgiveness that comes through the gospel?

2. Wayne Chen said, “When we ask God for daily bread, we are asking God to supernaturally help us to trust in His grace for tomorrow.” What are some ways we grow in having a deep, unshakeable trust in God to provide all that we need?

3. Wayne Chen cited Matthew 10:28 (“And do not fear those who kill the body but cannot kill the soul. Rather fear him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.”) and encouraged us to prioritize gospel proclamation over merely doing mercy ministries. Does this sound like you’re loving your neighbor?

4. Wayne Chen encouraged those interested in taking “the next step of obedience” to “throw themselves at their local church.” What are some ways that you can serve and grow through your local church?

5. Wayne Chen challenged us to take a step of obedience either as a “sender” or as a “goer” rather than simply hearing biblical truth. Is there a step you need to take? And consider how your local church can help you through this process.

Plenary #3 at CROSS20. 

Reflection Questions:

1. When we ask for “Christ’s Kingdom to come,” what are we asking for?

2. Kevin DeYoung talked about how Christ’s kingdom is carried out through the church. Why is it critical for local churches to be central in missions?

3. How does this prayer for “Christ’s Kingdom to come and His will to be done” strengthen our faith?

4. In order to be a part of Christ’s Kingdom, it requires that you know, follow, and submit to Christ as the King. Have you done that with your life? If not, talk to a Christian friend or mentor about what is holding you back. 

Plenary #2 at CROSS20.  

Reflection Questions:

1. John Piper pointed out that the Lord’s prayer is made up of petitions, not exclamations. How can that change the way we approach the Lord’s Prayer?

2. What does it mean to ask God to “Hallow” His name? What other words did John Piper use to replace or illuminate “hallow”?

3. The first commandment Jesus gives is to love God (Matt. 22:37-38) and the first line in the Lord’s prayer is that God’s name would be hallowed. How are these connected?

4. John Piper argued that while there really are two groups of three petitions in the Lord’s prayer, nevertheless he made the case that all five other petitions serve the first one. It is in a class by itself, he said. What is unique about that act of hallowing that puts this request in a class by itself?

5. Jesus pursued the hallowing of God’s name ultimately through suffering. How did Jesus’ suffering in the place of sinners make much of God? 

6. John Piper argued that the pandemic is a time of affliction that need not hinder the cause of missions. What ways might this season of suffering actually advance God’s purposes in global evangelization?

7. “Hallowed be your name” is the only petition in the Lord’s prayer that calls for an explicit response of the heart. In other words, we are commanded to ask God to change us so that our lives would be consumed with making much of God. Ask now that God would do this in your life; that you would prioritize God’s glory above everything.

Plenary #1 at CROSS20.  

Reflection Questions:

1. Trip Lee said, “If applause is what you really want, then that’s all you’ll ever get.” What are some good things in your life that you’ve tried to take credit for when in reality those good things are all from God?

2. Matthew 6:6 encourages us to pray in secret so that we might receive a reward rather than praying for the recognition of others. (1) Have you ever thought about getting alone with God to pray so that you might receive a reward? (2) What are practical steps you can take to pray more?

3. Trip Lee said, “Prayer is not us informing God but rather casting our cares on Him.” How can this reality encourage your prayer life?

4. How does Jesus give Christians freedom to pray imperfectly?

5. Would you be content doing good things for Jesus if no one else knew that you were doing them? And if not, who are you really serving?

6. Trip Lee said that one way to fight hypocrisy is to confess sin. Do you regularly confess your sin both to God and to other people? If not, why?

Edgar Aponte serves as IMB’s vice president of mobilization. He previously served as director of Hispanic leadership development and professor of theology at Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary. Prior to SEBTS, Aponte served as Minister Counselor at the ministry of foreign affairs in Washington, D.C., on behalf of his home nation, the Dominican Republic. In addition to undergraduate and graduate degrees in business, he earned a Master of Divinity from The Southern Baptist Theological Seminary and a Ph.D. in Theological Studies from SEBTS.

This breakout session was delivered at CROSS19 in Louisville.

Find more resources at CROSSforTheNations.org

Zane served as dean of the Billy Graham School at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary from 2011 until 2013, before returning to the IMB where he now serves as the Vice President of Training. He previously served 24 years in an Islamic context with the IMB as a church planter and regional leader in Central Asia. Pratt also has experience as a church planter and pastor in New England and as an Army Reserve chaplain. He is a co-author of Introduction to Global Missionsand a contributor to Theology and Practice of Mission, both published by B&H Academic. Zane holds a BA from Duke and an MDiv from Gordon-Conwell. He is married to Catherine with whom he has two grown children, Charlotte and Greg.