The Scrolls is a weekly Bible study written by pastors and other leaders at Central Bible Church, based on that week’s sermon topic. Use The Scrolls as a personal Bible study tool, for family devotions, and for small group discussions. You can read part of it below. The downloadable PDF also includes discussion questions, more in-depth commentary, end notes, and a kids’ page designed for families to study the topic together. This lesson goes with the sermon "Missional Prayer."
According to Matthew 9:35-38, taking the good news of the kingdom of God to all the people who needed to hear it was more than Jesus could do alone, so he enlisted the help of his twelve disciples (10:1-5). “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” he told them. In another place he said, “Do you not say, ‘Four months more and then the harvest’? I tell you, open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest” (Jn 4:35). The job proved to be more than the twelve could do alone, so Jesus later sent out seventy-two (Lk 10:1, 2), then 120 (Ac 1:8; cf., 15). It didn’t take long for the number of believers to swell to 3000, then to 5000, counting the men only, all of whom, plus an equal number of women, he commissioned to “go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you” (Mt 28:19, 20). Over the centuries the harvest has only become more plentiful, exacerbating the need for more and more workers.
When a team of workers faces an insurmountable task, what must be done? What must be done if their assigned task is to be accomplished on time? The answer is obvious. Additional workers must be added to their number. A biblical illustration of this can be found in the Parable of the Workers in the Vineyard (Mt 20:1-16). Although the story is a parable, it is nonetheless based on a common first-century agricultural practice. When his grapes were ready to pick, the vigneron hired seasonal workers to do the job. As the day went on, it became obvious to him that additional workers were needed to finish the harvest, so he went back to the marketplace to hire more. Of course, the point of the parable isn’t the vineyard owner’s hiring practices. Nevertheless, Jesus refers to an analogous situation in Matthew 9:37—only with reference to a grain harvest. “The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few,” he said. Just as more workers were needed to pick grapes, so also more workers were needed to harvest grain.
When it comes to the harvest, clearly no one can do everything, but everyone can and must do something. First, everyone must pray. Every worker must “Ask the Lord of the harvest . . . to send out workers into his harvest field” (Mt 9:38). And then everyone must “go beyond” into his or her neighborhood, church, and world in one way or another. The authors of Irresistible Evangelism are correct; “We are the messengers God is sending into the lives of our friends and family members, our neighbors and coworkers” (Steve Sjogren, Dave Ping, and Doug Pollock, Irresistible Evangelism, 60).
Going beyond is first a matter of the heart, having one like Jesus had, a heart of compassion for the lost. He saw the crowds of people in his world, and they reminded him of sheep without a shepherd. “Sheep are defenseless animals,” observes one writer. “Without a shepherd they are vulnerable to any attack. Even without predators they are in trouble if they have no shepherd, for they are not good foragers. They need a shepherd to lead them in green pastures and beside still waters (Ps. 23:2). Goats manage very well by themselves, but sheep do not. Sheep without a shepherd points to people who are in great danger and without the resources to escape from it” (Leon Morris, The Gospel According to Matthew, 239, italics added). Unlike Jesus, when we see the crowds in our world, people in deep spiritual need living in darkness, we can feel anger instead of compassion. Thinking sinful people deserve condemnation, not compassion, comes easy.
Going beyond is second, a matter of mission. The harvest is the Lord’s; he has sent us to work in his harvest field. We need to see ourselves as people on a mission to “make disciples.” But the harvest is so plentiful; where should we begin reaping? Perhaps the best place to start is right around us in our own neighborhoods.
Central Message of the Text:
Help is needed to harvest a bumper crop, so ask God to send more workers into his harvest field and get to work.
Family Talk:
The prayers of a young child are precious. They pray for a horse, not to get caught hiding their brother’s favorite toy, or for more cake. They’re sweet and innocent and filled with childlike faith. I know as parents we can be tempted to restrict what they pray for, and I fully understand there’s a fine line that crosses over into disrespect, but why would we ever want to get in the way of their conversation with God? We don’t want to foster irreverence, but let’s encourage them to open their heart to our Savior. Many of us stick with general family prayers for meals and bedtime. It’s almost like we feel it’s a requirement, so let’s get it done and move on. I want to encourage you to begin a renewed prayer life with your family today, and here a few things to consider. Most people wake up in the morning and grab their phone. Instead, let’s wake up and go to God. One new habit you might encourage is to begin your morning on your knees thanking God for the day. You can also gather as a family and pray before you scatter to different jobs and schools. Another habit is to encourage your child to pray aloud. Can’t find their favorite Bluey shirt? Stop and pray with your child. Late for school? Pray in the car as you’re driving. As prayer become more comfortable, natural and consistent, build into your regular routine praying for your sponsor child or missionaries your family supports. God tells us to pray for those on mission. As you disciple your child, know we’re praying for you!