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After His disciples had observed how He took the Good News to cities and villages of their region, but before He sent them out on their own road trips, Jesus put the huge task they were tackling into perspective for them. Today's passage summarizes that orientation session.

Matthew 9:35–38

1. What two word pictures describe the inhabitants of our world (vv. 36–37)? Can both be true at the same time?
2. In a parallel Scripture—John 4:35—Jesus stated, "Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest." Do you sense that many people in North America would be ready to give their lives to Christ if someone would show them how? Might another culture be different?
3. How does it help to know that God is "in charge of the harvest" (v. 38)?
4. Jesus instructed His disciples to pray for more harvesters. Is this a component of your prayer agenda?
5. God often answers our prayers by using us. Are you prepared for God to use you this way here? Cross-culturally?

Ask God to help you become knowledgeable and concerned about your world. Ask Him to deal with the issues in your life that raise obstacles to His call for harvest workers.

Matthew 9:35–38

35Jesus traveled through all the cities and villages of that area, teaching in the synagogues and announcing the Good News about the Kingdom. And wherever he went, he healed people of every sort of disease and illness. 36He felt great pity for the crowds that came, because their problems were so great and they didn't know where to go for help. They were like sheep without a shepherd.

37He said to his disciples, "The harvest is so great, but the workers are so few. 38So pray to the Lord who is in charge of the harvest; ask him to send out more workers for his fields."

Copyright © 2004 Christianity Today. Click for reprint information.

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Prayer for the Week

Lord, give me a feel for the world You sent Your Son to save. Show me how to become engaged.

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