01. A Vision for Movement Copy

Posted by Alex Georgiev on September 13, 2018

What and Why

God is raising up student movements around the world, which are embracing a great vision. We may speak different languages, have different fields of study, but we have a common heart and passion.

We believe God has placed us at our universities not only to study, but to be the light of Christ. We believe that by God’s grace, the Name of Jesus will be lifted up in our schools and universities. This is why we gather to pray. This is why we ask God to do above and beyond all that we could ask or imagine. This is the cry of our heart. This passion unites us.

“A small vision does not inflame the hearts of men.” But the images we see in the book of Revelations do! We know the end of the story. A throne will be surrounded by the nations worshipping the Lord. We long for our friends and fellow students to be with us at that throne. We long for God to touch their lives. We know that his goodness can transform our communities, and restore shattered relationships. We know that God desires to bring hope to the hopeless. By his grace, he will use us, his children to accomplish this work.

This vision inflames the heart, grabbing hold of students everywhere.

Learning from the Word

The book of Acts describes another group of people who pursued a vision. They were men and women full of faith, ready to study the Word and do what it said.

Read Acts 19:1, 7-10

Click for the text

In your own words, describe what was happening in the city of Ephesus.

What impresses you about this brief description of God’s work in the city of Ephesus?

The text briefly mentions what Paul was teaching. What was it? What do you know about it?

It is important to note that those who contributed to this impact were the ones who “withdrew with Paul,” joining in his time of training and instruction in the school of Tyrannus.

The world started to change:

This story gives evidence that society began to shift because of God’s work through this small group of people.

Please read Acts 19:24-27.

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Based on this passage, what evidence do you find that significant parts of society began to change?

Given that after two years, “all who lived in Asia heard the word of the Lord,” how would you describe the impact of this group of disciples?

Though the salesman Demetrius was upset by the changes in Ephesus, we consider his reaction to be a sign of great success. Why? In what way does the hardship Demetrius experienced express a transformation that we long to see?

To appreciate this story we need to consider that the religious perspective of the people of Ephesus was quite different. Given that Demetrius had become prosperous in his work, what do we learn about the values of the people?

What sort of changes might we expect to see in our society when God is at work?

Acts 19 informs us that God can use a few people to CHANGE the WORLD. Jesus once said, “Truly, truly, I say to you, he who believes in Me, the works that I do, he will do also; and greater works than these he will do; because I go to the Father” (John 14:12). The story of Acts 19 gives us a glimpse of God doing great works through his followers. Those men and women, filled with the Spirit, trusting in the Lord, walking by faith…were used by the Father to accomplish his will in Ephesus.

Connecting to the Truth

The words of Acts 19 help us understand what we might expect to see in our day and age as we follow the Lord. We find both highs and lows. Lives are changed but challenges arise.

What was challenging in this passage?

Verse 9 conveys a sobering message. Not everyone who initially expressed interest and curiosity to know Jesus continued to pursue God. What happened in Ephesus is still seen today. While some might start to pursue God, not everyone stays the course. Some turn aside and even “speak evil” of the message that once fascinated them.

When this happens, each person determines whether they will also turn away with the one who is “hardened,” or continue to follow Jesus. What type of convictions are needed to stay the course and continue to pursue serving God today?

What was amazing in this passage?

Verses 10 paints a picture of a group of people who committed themselves to study and learn. The school of Tyrannus became a place of transformation for God’s people. God instructed them and then worked through them. As a result, people in their city and country heard the gospel! Just imagine what is implied in the affirmation “all who lived in Asia heard the Word of the Lord.” It wasn’t a few people who heard about Jesus. It wasn’t just immediate family members. Everyone was affected. This is envisioning!

If there was a school like “Tyrannus” today, would you want to be part of it? Why or why not?

Why would you desire to be part of taking the gospel to everyone in your university and city?

We hope that the VOLT training program will help you grow in Christ and become a movement builder.

Taking Action

One day we will have the privilege of listening to the stories of the 12 men that Paul mentioned in Acts 19:7. They will tell us how God brought the gospel to their city and transformed it one person at a time. They will tell us how they stepped out in faith and confronted their fears. With a genuine smile, they will share how God surprised them by working through them to bless others.

Today many believers are having a similar experience. They are surprised to see how God works through them. Some of them are students in your country. They are discovering at their university that God is asking them to follow and giving them the power to be his ambassadors.

These students have discovered that living for God is the greatest experience in life. They have exchanged some of their previous dreams for greater desires that God has given them. They have a new vision for life, which gives them satisfaction.

Reflect for a moment on Jesus and his great sacrifice for you, and consider what you saw in the small group of disciples in Ephesus. In light of this, consider your current vision. What might God be asking you to do?

In the space below, take a few moments to write out that vision.

As we listen to the Lord, read his Word, and seek to be obedient, God directs us. He gives us an important mission. He has placed you at your university not only to learn the disciplines of your field of study, but also to develop you as a disciple who will proclaim the glories of Christ.

VOLT training is designed to help you move along the path that God revealed in his Word. In the Scriptures we see how those who followed Christ learned to share their faith. They taught others, motivating them to prioritize their relationship with God.

VOLT will help you pursue these goals and become confident in your service to the Lord. By investing in this training you will take steps in:

1. Developing as a faithful disciple

2. Sharing the good news of Jesus Christ

3. Discipling others

4. Developing a movement of like-hearted disciples at your university

5. Being equipped for a life-time of service to the Lord

These are worthy goals. They honor the Lord. They are God’s intention for his followers. Would you commit yourself to pursue these goals for the next 3 months by working throughVOLT training? Ask the Lord if He would have you do this.

Write out the commitment you want to make to the Lord.