Episode 9

We are all called to be ambassadors, but how do we actually live as ambassadors? What does this look like? In this session, through the example of Daniel, we see that doing the diplomatic work of Christ involves being formed by the local church, knowing God’s mission, learning the cultural language, and engaging in diplomacy.
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Episode Outline

Establish an Ambassadorial Community: The church nurtures our identity as Christians.

Know the Mission: Our stories only make sense in light of God’s story; our vocations only make sense in light of God's vocation.

Learn the Language: Understanding the influences that shape our society and how the gospel speaks to them is important for every Christian. Take time to recognize the goodness and brokenness in the world around you.

Do the Work of Diplomacy: We are to reframe where we are in light of God’s purposes and cultivate flourishing for those around us.
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Lecturer
Paul Williams

Interviews
Don Flow
George Sanker
Jennifer Wiseman
 

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Sample Questions

Reflection

  • What has God been saying to me through this episode (encouragement, challenge)?
  • What was significant or new? What questions did it raise?

Discussion

  • What aspects of ambassadorship stood out for you in the stories of George Sanker (teacher) and Jennifer Wiseman (astrophysicist)?
  • Don Flow works in the automobile industry. How did he reframe the purpose of his business from a biblical perspective?
  • What did Don Flow identify as the dominant secular view about the purpose of business? What issues did he have with how that got worked out in practice?
  • In one area of your life, how could you reframe a sense of purpose and intent in light of God’s story? Why does God care about this?

Activity

This exercise invites you to practice, as a group, how you might engage and reframe somewhere God has placed you as an ambassador.

Context: Have someone share where God has placed them as an ambassador (e.g., your workplace, neighbourhood, etc.). Once the person has shared, pray for the group: “Lord open our eyes and imaginations to see you and your perspective in this context.”

Now brainstorm together how you could reframe the purpose and intent of this area of life in light of God’s story? Why does God care about this?

Prayer

“For Vocation in Daily Work,” from The Book of Common Prayer (prayer book of the Anglican Communion, first published in 1549).

Almighty God our heavenly Father, you declare your glory and show forth your handiwork in the heavens and in the earth: deliver us in our various occupations from the service of self alone, that we may do the work you give us to do in truth and beauty and for the common good; for the sake of him who came among us as one who serves, your Son Jesus Christ our Lord, who lives and reigns with you and the Holy Spirit, one God, for ever and ever. Amen.
 

Additional Resources

Episode List

Download Leader Guide (PDF, 4.4 MB)

Download Participant Guide (PDF, 4.3 MB)

Subtitles: Spanish | French | Korean | Traditional Chinese | Brazilian Portuguese