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For the past three years, at the end of every training event for church planters I have drawn a trash can on a poster. Each participant answers two questions on Post-It notes:

  • What are you taking with you?
  • What are you leaving behind?

It’s a powerful moment as they share what thoughts, attitudes, or beliefs they are choosing to abandon as a result of the training. After sharing with the group, they place the “leaving behind” Post-It note on my drawing of the trash can. What are you Leaving Behind? | missionalchallenge.com

Here are some recent things that were left behind…

  • A feeling of being on mission alone.
  • Apprehension
  • Fears
  • Complacency about not obeying Christ’s command to make disciples.
  • Waiting for others to do what I should do.
  • Disobedience to the Great Commission
  • Outdated and nonfunctional discipleship.

The training focuses on starting and strengthening churches by making disciples. I am always amazed by the discoveries and commitments that are made by participants. To hear them share, it sounds like the shifts in thinking are life changing. I hope it is.

What do you need to leave behind in order to pursue the mission of Jesus?

What ways of thinking are keeping you from making disciples who make disciples?

Today’s Missional Challenge

Consider what old ways of thinking need to be abandoned in order to align with the mission of Jesus.