Multiplication
By Lisa Boyer
“But what does it matter? The important
thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is
preached. And because of this I rejoice.”
Philippians 1:18 (NIV)
I had the privilege of leading a Snapshots [un]Study this summer
for a group of women. Each week, we went to a different location (a park, a
farm, a beach, a cemetery, etc.) and took photos for 45 minutes to an hour. I
would then share with the ladies why we were taking those specific photos, and
we’d discuss how the photos related to our assigned passage in Philippians 1. [1]
The second week of the study, our location was a farm that had
baby animals. We wandered around taking pictures of the chickens, ducks, goats
and sheep. It was so much fun. The baby goats jumped on hay bales and posed for
us!
Our focus that evening was on the progress of the gospel - - or
multiplication - - and I had intended to use the baby animals as an example. Specifically,
I was going to use the baby chicks and point out that in spite of the farm
owner’s best efforts at collecting eggs, one mama found a way to multiply. This
fit so well with story of Paul: In spite of his imprisonment and some people
preaching the gospel for selfish gain, the gospel was still flourishing. [2]
But things don’t always go as planned, and the baby chicks had
all disappeared the week before.
However, one of the participants unknowingly provided us with a
beautiful and practical example of multiplication. After spending some time photographing
the animals, Morgan handed her camera to the six-year-old girl who lived on the
farm and began teaching her to take photos. It was such a precious sight, and what
could better exemplify the multiplication process than Morgan sharing her joy
and knowledge of
photography with this little girl, and turning her into a
budding photographer!
It was so simple and so profound… just like sharing the gospel
is meant to be.
Did you know that you can share the gospel with someone using
the verse John 3:16? The main points are all there: God loved, God gave, we believe
and we receive. It’s not deep theology, but it’s a simple way to begin the multiplication
process.
GOING DEEPER:
1.
What is your role in the multiplication process of advancing the gospel?
Will you prayerfully consider how God wants you to share your joy and knowledge
of Him with others?
2.
If you are interested in helping children become budding followers of
Jesus, will you email Becci Terrill of Oakwood Church at becci@oakwoodnow.org?
FURTHER READING:
Lisa is married to Ted and they have two adult sons. Lisa serves
on a Sunday morning Welcoming Team and is an event photographer at
Oakwood.
[1] An [un]Study is a women’s summer Bible study at Oakwood Church that
uses activities as a pathway to explore Biblical concepts.
[2] Philippians 1:12-18
