For anyone involved in a small group study, here’s a series based on a book that I highly recommend: Ajith Fernando’s Jesus Driven Ministry. If you want to go deeper, this can help you do so. You’re welcome to copy these studies and use them. They were prepared for my small group, and other groups are also using them. I know the numbering is a little weird, due to incompatible programs, but they should be easy to fix (if you feel a need).
Jesus Driven Ministry, by Ajith Fernando
10 Studies by Tim Stafford
INTRODUCTION
Jesus Driven Ministry is loosely based on the first chapter of Mark. Ajith Fernando uses that fast-paced narrative as an outline of the concerns marking Jesus’s ministry.
It’s an intensely serious and pious book, initially prepared to help Sri Lanka Youth for Christ workers. Ajith’s Methodist background shows through in the consistent, scrupulous attention to personal holiness. At some points the book seems like a throwback to something written a century ago. Its piety might seem heavy handed, except that it comes from someone who freely confesses his own weakness and vulnerability, and from someone who has done almost all his ministry in an extremely poor, multi-ethnic, multi-religious, war-torn context. Ajith has earned the right to be heard.
For western readers, it takes some work to apply Sri Lankan lessons to our own context. Ajith, who has lived in the west, offers some suggestions. And the strangeness of Ajith’s context is also an advantage: it makes familiar Christian practices and concerns come alive with new meaning.
This is manifestly not a book aimed at readers who want their problems solved or their emotions lifted. It is a book that calls as soberly and deeply as Jesus himself. Most of what it says is simple and familiar. To live up to what it says, however, is anything but simple and familiar.
Questions for Chapter 1, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Identifying with People”
Read Mark 1:1-13
1. Ajith notes that even though Jesus was sinless, he chose to be baptized for “repentance for the forgiveness of sins.” What does Ajith say is the reason for Jesus’ baptism?
2. In what other ways did Jesus choose to identify with those he ministered to? What strikes you as the hardest identification for him?
3. Whom has God called you to minister to?
4. What are ways you can identify with them?
5. What are the frustrations?
6. Do you see yourself as a servant/slave to them? Where does that pinch?
7. Ajith talks about people ready to quit a church, small group, or marriage when it gets difficult. What are the pros and cons of sticking it out?
8. Do you agree that we in a postmodern age are prone to follow our personal preferences more than gospel principles? Why or why not?
9. Ajith identifies two temptations when we mInister to wounded, angry people. One is to ignore them in order to save time. What do you think of this?
10. The second temptation is to signal to them they are not welcome, so they go away. Have you seen this done? What was the result?
11. What concrete acts of identification is God calling on you to do for those you are called to minister to?
Questions for Chapter 2, Jesus-Driven Ministry
“Empowered by the Spirit”
The chapter’s basic premise is that Jesus needed to be filled with the Holy Spirit in order to do ministry; therefore so do we. Ajith considers many different New Testament scriptures that speak of the Holy Spirit. It’s a long chapter; give yourself time so you can read it reflectively with time to look up Scriptures.
Read Mark 1:9-13
- In reflecting on chapter one, did you have any further thoughts on identification? Regarding whom you identify with? How?
- Ajith says that “baptism… implies fullness,” (page 31) whether at the beginning of our life in Christ or in subsequent times. For you, what does it mean to be full of God?
- How does fullness (or the lack of it) affect your ministry?
- “Paul lays great stress on the Spirit’s work in the formation of Christian character.” (page 32) Do you think this is neglected today? Or overemphasized?
- Ajith sets a premium on examining yourself before ministry. (pp. 34-35). What does this involve? What is the best way to do it?
- “Burnout takes place when the wick and not the oil is burning.” (p.36) What helps you experience the immediacy of God through the Holy Spirit?
- “The early Methodist homes could be recognized by the sound of singing.” (p. 38) Are there ways to identify Spirit-filled homes today?
- Under anointing for service, Ajith notes:
i. –anointing to be faithful amidst opposition (p. 38)
ii. –anointing to face death, emotionally or physically (p. 40)
iii. –anointing for rebuking (P. 41)
iv. –anointing for “everything we do for him.” (p. 41)
For what do you need anointing today?
9. “There is a close link between prayer and experiencing the Spirit.” (p.42) Has this been true for you?
10. When you are preparing for ministry, have you asked others to pray for you? What has been the result?
Chapter 3, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Affirmed by God”
- Last chapter we discussed the empowering of the Holy Spirit. Now we turn to God’s affirmation. Is there a difference? What? Can you illustrate?
- Ajith says that God’s affirmation of Jesus fulfills three basis needs: for identity, for security and for significance. (48) What does he mean by these terms?
- In which of these three areas do you most need affirmation? Why?
- God’s affirmation, Ajith says, prepares us for ministry. Do you see affirmation in terms of your own preparation for challenging ministry? Where?
- Ajith refers to Luke 9 as one of the loneliest chapters in the Bible. (49-50) Of the challenges Jesus faced in that chapter, which do you think would be the hardest? Why?
- In writing of Jesus and of Paul, as well as Moses and Elijah, Ajith reminds us that not only is ministry lonely and difficult, it can involve suffering and sacrifice. In your mind, is there a link between ministry and suffering? Why or why not?
- One kind of affirmation is “the Spirit testifying with our spirit that we are children of God.” Ajith lists several ways that this can happen. (54) What is your experience?
- Ajith notes that when he turned fifty, he decided to list the really big battles in his life. What were they? (56) What would be on your top 3?
- Ajith believes in grappling with the Lord on long solitary walks. (56) He takes his emotions seriously and feels that they require direct spiritual action. What do you think of this approach?
10. When people minister without a sense of such God-given affirmation, Ajith sees the possibilities of serious mistakes. He lists several possibilities. (58) Do you identify with any of these? In what way?
11. Ajith ends the chapter by discussing the linkage between affirmation and servanthood. Have you observed this? Where?
12. Some think our generation does too much affirming, e.g. participation trophies. Do you think we have too much, too little, or the wrong kind?
Questions for Chapter 4, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Retreating from Activity”
You could look at this chapter as a continuation of our last study, “Affirmed by God.” That emphasized our need for the experience of God’s affirmation. Now we go on to the question of what activities enable that kind of affirmation to occur.
- A retreat is an activity. It involves withdrawing from normal routine in order to do something else that draws us closer to God. If you planned a personal retreat, what elements would make it most helpful to you?
- When you consider the multiple examples of Jesus (page 62) withdrawing in order to pray, what do you learn about Jesus? About life?
- Ajith makes the point (page 63) that God ordains certain set-aside days in order to emphasize spiritual priorities, e.g. festivals, sabbaths. Do you practice anything like this—a set-aside of time that underline priorities?
- Ajith mentions that it takes him about 15 minutes to get into “the mood of prayer.” Do you identify praying with a mood? What is Ajith getting at?
- Ajith suggests that retreats slow us down…. that our busyness and our use of TV and other media keep us from facing reality. (page 64) What reality is he talking about?
- “A person of prayer helps breed people of prayer.” (page 65) Ajith notes that church ministry and youth ministry are often more about activities than about meeting God. Have there been people of prayer who influenced you? If so, how would you describe the influence?
- Ajith suggests that retreats are especially useful in times of crisis. He also says that they can help when you are starting something new–a new job, new year, new project. Do you see these as practical suggestions for you? What would it take to make retreats happen?
- Is there a specific retreat–mini or otherwise–that you think God is calling you on?
Questions for Chapter 5, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Affirming the Will of God”
This is a deep chapter, but more than any other to date it is obviously written to help pastors and evangelists in a Sri Lanka context. We’ll have to do a little transposition to make it work for us.
Because it’s long, you probably want to take two weeks for this.
- Before beginning his consideration of Jesus’ temptations, Ajith offers several examples of ways in which an important chapter in life is preceded by a “test” that, if avoided, will create problems for us downstream. One example is in early marriage. What is the test? How do you reflect on this in your own experience?
- Another test has to do with persevering with difficult people. Ajith has a very strong conviction that we shouldn’t flee problematic people if we want to do ministry, and that we must burn into our minds early on the priority of sticking with and loving them. What do you think of this?
- How would you summarize the lesson of the first temptation, about turning stones into bread?
- Can you think of ways in which Satan might “remind you of your privileges” in order to take you off course of God’s will?
- “Our passion should not be focused on how to provide for our needs. It should be to know and do God’s will.” (p. 77) What are your reflections on this statement? How it might apply to you?
- What do you think of his applications to church ministers? (pp. 77-78)
- The second temptation of leaping from the Temple has to do with putting demands on God to meet our demands, Ajith says. This may pose as faith, Ajith says, but it isn’t, even when it may be that God gives us what we demand. Have you ever faced such a temptation?
- How does Ajith define genuine faith? (p. 79)
- Have you ever felt God asking you to surrender something that was very important to you? If so, how did it work out?
- 10. Ajith says that surrendering their desires to God has enabled him and his wife Nelun to have a happy marriage. How does that work? (p.81) Does it apply to your marriage?
11. What do you think of Ajith’s description of pastors who are pursuing conquest rather than God’s will? Does this apply to non-pastors as well? If so, how?
12. Ajith says that it’s not just crucifying desire, but also pursuing passion to please God. What are his illustrations of that? Which if any do you relate to?
13. The third temptation has to do with making compromises in order to succeed. One example is telling little lies to our children. Do you think this sort of thing is really serious? Why or why not?
14. Consider Ajith’s list (p. 85) of ways in which ministry leaders can compromise. Do you think any of these apply in our church? What can you/we do about it?
15. ”A passion for Christ and the lost… seems to have been replaced by a passion for growth.” What do you think of this critique of evangelicalism? What can we do about it?
16. What does Ajith offer as the antidote to this temptation to cut corners in pursuit of success?
17. Ajith thinks that belief in judgment and hell preserve fear of the Lord that is a great deterrent to sin. What do you think?
18. How is success to be measured? (p. 87)
Questions for Chapter 6, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Saturated in the Word”
- How do you think Jesus got to know the Bible so well?
- Practically speaking, how do you think it made a difference in his life?
- Practically speaking, does it make a big difference in your life? In what way?
- Ajith writes of the “authority” of the Word and the “security” of the Word. How would you define these?
- Which do you finds matters most to you? In what way?
- Ajith describes a crisis time [96] when he desperately needed to gather strength from scripture. Have you had a time like that? If so, please describe.
- Ajith describes the particular problems new Christians commonly face in Sri Lanka (98). Then he describes similar issues that may arise in the West. Is Bible teaching really an antidote for these problems?
- Why does Ajith say that small group Bible studies are so important? Would you agree? Why or why not?
- Do you find pleasure in the Bible? Why or why not?
10. What approach do you find helpful to keeping regular times of Bible study? What kinds of study do you find helpful?
11. What do you think of Ajith’s plea to study the Bible first without using other books?
12. What would help you to study more diligently?
Questions for Chapter 7, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Facing Wild Animals”
In this short chapter Ajith elaborates on a brief line in Mark’s gospel: “He was with the wild animals, and the angels were ministering to him.” (1:13) This completes Mark’s description of Jesus’ time in the wilderness.
Ajith takes the reference to “wild animals” to reflect destructive external forces. He notes many occasions when difficult circumstances are linked to angelic ministers in the Bible. Though the reference is gnomic, Ajith uses it to reflect on difficult experiences in our lives as ministers, and the ways in which God sends help for us.
- Have you ever seen an angel? If not, do you believe in them? What does “belief in angels” do for you?
- Ajith says that ministry inevitably involves “conflicts and fears, heartaches and tears.” What has been your experience with this?
- Do you think we adequately prepare young people for the adversity they will face when they try to live good lives on behalf of others? Why or why not? How could we do better?
- Aith refers to Paul’s second letter to the Corinthians, which begins by blessing God for comforting us in our afflictions. (2 Cor 1:3-4) Ajith says that God’s comfort “takes away the bitterness.” (p.111) How have you experienced this, if you have?
- Ajith speculates that for some, bitterness in ministry builds upon pain and disappointment they carried from childhood. What kinds of childhood experiences do you think could cause a lasting sensitivity to affronts and difficulties—an inability to forgive and forget?
- “We sometimes think we can punish the people who hurt us by remaining hurt and angry.” (p.112) Cite an example.
- How does God comfort?
- How does God turn evil into good?
- How does our struggle with evil make us better able to minister to others?
10. What is our responsibility for tapping into God’s comfort?
Questions for Chapter 8, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Bearing Good News”
This is a weighty and theological chapter, having to do with the nature of Jesus’ message and the mindset with which we communicate it. It’s not a feel-good or therapeutic subject, but it should make us think about what we have to offer in this world as Christians.
- “Despite the many problems, we can feel good about [bearing Good News] because, whether people accept it or not, we are proclaiming the most important message that people can hear.” (p. 116) Does the gospel bring you joy? Why or why not?
- Ajith gives four reasons why the gospel is compelling and compels us to share it. What are they? Which ones motivate you the most?
- Do you believe that “those without Christ are lost and without hope?” (p. 118) Ajith points out that such an objective statement counters our times’ subjective mood, especially as it is not a feel-good approach. (pp. 120-1) Do you think it is possible to convey this message today? How would you do it without turning people off?
- “Our challenge is to present the gospel in such a way that our hearers understand that it is based on objective truths and also that it gives rise to deeply satisfying subjective experiences.” (pp. 121-2) Who do you know who models this, and how do they do it?
- “What is intended by the king and the kingdom in the Gospels is communicated with the use of the word Lord in the epistles.” (p. 123) What language would you use to communicate the idea of the Kingdom of God, which is so central to Jesus’ gospel?
- Ajith says that we may name one category of sins and neglect another. (p. 124-5) Where do you see this? How do we overcome this tendency?
- How do we communicate the gospel with confidence and authority, yet with the attitude of servants?
- Ajith recommends grappling with your doubts about the authority of the Bible and struggling to a finish. (p. 127) How should one go about this?
- Overall, what do you learn from this chapter about “bearing good news?”
Questions for Chapter 12, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Ministering to the Sick and Demon-Possessed”
We are skipping over several chapters to get to this one, but I’d like to encourage you to read the skipped chapters if you can– “Launching Disciples into Ministry” in particular. That chapter is focused on a more institutional ministry than any of us is involved in, but it has some very deep reflections on the nature of life in Christ.
Chapter 12 is more practically oriented, and (at least for me) somewhat outside my comfort zone.
- Have you encountered personal problems that you think were demonic in nature, either possession or “demonization,” as Ajith uses the word? If so, how were they handled?
- What are the dangers in being quick to blame demons for problems that come up?
- What dangers might arise from ignoring the possibility of demons?
- “Power and truth are the two great attractions of Christianity to outsiders.” (p. 196) Comment.
- Why do churches rarely combine emphases on power and truth together?
- “Most people initially come to Christ because they have found that he can meet a need of theirs. But for them to stick with Christ long term, they must come to the conviction that he is the truth.” (p. 198) What about you? What needs brought you to Christ? What truth made you stick?
- Ajith emphasizes that Jesus’ healing ministry involved close personal contact—sometimes in private. What is Ajith warning against?
- Compassion may get us very emotionally involved. What does Ajith say is necessary to embrace others’ pain without breaking down?
- Why does Ajith say that Jesus discouraged publicity for his healing miracles? How can an emphasis on healing obscure the gospel message?
10. “Christian workers from the once-powerful group will need to… identify with the weakness of the group they are ministering to.” (p. 205) Can you apply this to your personal situation? How do we apply it to international concerns?
11. Do you think we do enough praying for sick people? Why or why not?
Questions for Chapter 14, Jesus Driven Ministry
“Praying”
- What helps you keep prayer as “a basic feature of lifestyle?”
- What typically gets in the way of prayer as a feature of lifestyle?
- Referring to Jesus, what does Ajith mean by a “secret place of prayer?”
- Do you have a “secret place of prayer?” Please share the secret.
- What are some strategic situations in your life that call for prayer?
- What kind of moments in your life call for “prayer on the run?”
- Ajith notes that Jesus prayed thankfully even in the context of condemning villages that refused to listen to him. (p. 234) Do you think this kind of thankfulness in negative circumstances is important? Why or why not?
- How can we best pray for our own vulnerabilities?
- “Jesus was a contemplative activist.” (p. 239) What does Ajith mean by this? How does it work out in lifestyle?
- “There are few things that help heal our restlessness as much as time spent in the presence of God.” (p. 240) If this is true, what makes it so hard to live by?
- Do you agree with Ajith that older people more often struggle with depression? (p. 241) If so, why do they, and what is the antidote?
