Tool 1
Your Mission Field
"Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you."
Mark 5:19
Grow where you are planted
Many Christians assume that mission is something done overseas or by professional clergy. But in the way of Jesus, mission is everyone's responsibility, and it usually begins at home — by simply paying attention.
Before we learn what to say or what to do, we learn to see.
This first tool in Try Jesus is about recognising the mission field you are already standing in. It is made up of the people and places you regularly encounter: your household, workplace, neighbourhood, social spaces, and online environments. These are not interruptions to your discipleship — they are the primary context of it.
Apart from the Apostles, Jesus did not send his other disciples far away. He sent them into everyday life — meals, workplaces, roads, homes, and friendships. In the same way, God has already placed you among particular people that you can reach out to.
Tool 1 helps you
Remember that we need to go together with a co-worker — Jesus sent them out two by two so we could encourage each other on the way.
Notice and name your mission field — move from vague ideas of 'reaching people' to developing relationships with people you already know.
Pray more intentionally — noticing more and praying about what and who you notice, finding People of Peace and projects to serve the community.
Why this matters
Many disciples feel paralysed by the challenge of the Great Commission. The world is vast, the needs are many, and without focus it is easy to feel overwhelmed or ineffective.
Defining your mission field brings clarity. Clarity leads to focus. Focus leads to fruit.
This is achievable. When you recognise who God has already placed around you, your time, energy, and prayer become intentional. You notice people differently — not as interruptions, but as neighbours God deeply loves.
Naming your mission field grounds prayer. Rather than praying generally, we begin praying specifically, inviting the Holy Spirit to guide us, prepare hearts, and open doors at the right time.
Scripture reminds us that this is God's work first. Like Lydia in Acts 16, it is the Lord who opens hearts. Our role is to be present, loving, and attentive.
God often changes communities through ordinary believers who simply become attentive to the people already around them.
Group exercise
Find a co-worker
Discuss who you think might be a good co-worker. Explain why and discuss how and when you could approach them to see if they share the same calling. What might that relationship look like? What projects might you engage in to serve the people in your mission field? Pray.
Create a prayer map
This is simply a list of people by name that you can regularly and intentionally pray for — for the needs in your community. It could be paper or digital.
Begin praying by name
Ask God to prepare their hearts, show you how to love them, and show you where He is already at work. Then be faithful. Trust that God has heard your prayers and be intentional about having spiritual conversations as the Holy Spirit leads you.
Deepen existing relationships
Discuss how you can deepen the relationships you already have.
Start or join a project
Is there a project you can start or join that serves your mission field? Think about practical ways to love and serve the people around you — and how that might open doors for spiritual conversations.
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