The 2022-23 Missional Report encourages and reminds us, as we emerge from a season of disorientation and disconnection, that by leaning into the story of the Road to Emmaus we encounter Jesus, we are transformed and engage in making disciples like Jesus —our rock and redeemer, working in and through all of us.

The report is framed around Luke 24:13-35, the Emmaus story.  Three distinct parts of the story are highlighted. How we encounter the risen Christ, Luke 24:17-24. Ways we are transformed by the story, Luke 24:25-32. Our response to the discovery that Jesus is with us, Luke 24:33-35.

Here are three ways to use the Missional Report to enhance ministry in your church.

A visioning tool: Throughout the Missional Report there are examples of local churches that are making disciples and are IN mission and ON mission. Gather your leadership, or the entire congregations, and watch the 2022-2023 Missional Report. After each of the three sections of the report, consider these questions:

• Encounter: Where do we need to open our eyes—what are we missing? (View Missional Report video from the beginning to six minutes)
• Transform: What practices and processes do we need to change? (View Missional Report video from six to 11 minutes)
• Respond: What is one thing we plan to do different in 90 days, the next year, the next two years? (View Missional Report video from 11 to 16 minutes)

Small group study. The Missional Report can serve as a four-session small group study. Here are four study guides to frame the small group discussion.

1. Session one guide, Introduction and discovery (Watch the entire Missional Report video)
2. Session two guide, Encounter (Use Missional Report video up to six minutes)
3. Session three guide, Transform (Use Missional Report video six to 11 minutes)
4. Session four guide, Respond (Use Missional Report video 11 to 16 minutes)

Sermon series. Use the 2022-2023 as a four-week sermon series, titled, “The Emmaus Experience.” Frame the sermon series with prayer, using this Breakthrough prayer.  Here is an example of how the series might shape up.

• Week one, Why the Emmaus story? Use Luke 24:13-16 as the scripture focus. Key topics include: The journey before the two men walk on the road. Why and when we do not recognize Jesus in our lives. Pre-occupation with fear and anxiety of today’s world blinds our view of the presence of God and trust for God.  Use Missional Report video use the first 25 seconds.
• Week two, Encounter—Use Luke 24:17-24 as the scripture focus. Key topics include: The disciples encounter of Christ in the story as ordinary people living lives like us. Encountering Christ today happens when we least expect it and often don’t recognize the presence of God. The resurrection story was doubted in scripture and still is today. Christ is with us, even when we don’t see it. Use Missional Report video from 00:26 to 06:05 minutes. 
• Week three, Transform—Use Luke 24:25-32 as the scripture focus. Key ideas include: The two men on the road to Emmuas invited the Risen Christ to stay with them and to share a meal. Inviting someone to the table as a guest is discipling—it can lead us closer to God. Transformation in happens to each of us in different ways, at different times, again and again in our lives. In the Emmaus experiences we are transformed. The Holy Spirit enters our hearts and souls when we are open to transformation.  Use Missional Report video use 06:07-11:16 minutes.
• Week four, Respond—Use Luke 24:33-35 as the scripture focus. Key ideas include: The disciples—two men, got up right away and told others; they did not wait. In today’s world we cannot afford to wait. Responding to the nudges of the Holy Spirit or transformational experiences is our call today to be disciples of Jesus Christ. They are many ways we can respond in our community and world.  Use Missional Report video 11:16-16:00 minutes.

You can review the 2023 Missional Report here, and download the entire video for your local use.