Every morning, rain or shine, I walk my dog through my neighborhood, praying silently for the people in the homes we pass—the retired couple next door, the woman caring for her husband in hospice, the young family with a newborn across the street. Later, on my way to work, I often pass a man on the corner with a cardboard sign. Sometimes I offer him a coffee or a few dollars; other times, just a smile and a whispered prayer.
These small, everyday moments remind me that missional living isn’t about going overseas—it’s about being present and intentional wherever we are. As Christians, our neighbors, coworkers, and even strangers we encounter in our daily routines are part of our mission field. Wherever you are, whoever you’re with, you are on mission. The Great Commission calls you to that mission.
Wherever you are, whoever you’re with, you are on mission.
The following 10 Scriptures are intended to help Christians like us live missionally. My hope is that these Bible verses on missional living will equip and inspire you to walk boldly in that calling. Feel free to bookmark them, highlight them or tuck them away to reflect on later.
1. Ephesians 2:10 – Know Your Purpose
“For we are God’s handiwork, created in Christ Jesus to do good works, which God prepared in advance for us to do.” — Ephesians 2:10, New International Version
This verse demonstrates three truths about our life’s purpose as Christ followers:
- We were made on purpose. No matter the circumstances into which we were born, God handcrafted each of us with love and intention, and He had our purpose in mind when He did so.
- He prepared meaningful work for us to do before we were even born. Another verse in the book of Psalms says that God ordained our days before one of them came to be.
- The work God has for us to do is good, leading us to serve others practically out of love for them. It reflects God’s kingdom and His heart, and it comes as a result of our walking with Jesus.
Missional living begins with this understanding––that we are not here by accident. God made you and me for a purpose. And part of that purpose is to be His hands and feet in the world. When we see our neighbors, coworkers and baristas as part of that purpose, we begin to understand what it means to live missionally.
2. Matthew 28:18–20 – Embrace the Great Commission
“Then Jesus came to them and said, ‘All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.’” — Matthew 28:18–20, NIV
This passage, often called the Great Commission, is Jesus’ final command before He returned to heaven. It’s a charge to every believer: Go. Make disciples. Baptize them. Teach them.
Missional living means we don’t keep Jesus to ourselves. It means stepping out and sharing the love we’ve received. Whether we fly across the globe or step across the street, we as Christians are called to participate in the mission of sharing His message of hope and love.
3. Colossians 4:2–3 – Start With Prayer
“Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful. And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.” — Colossians 4:2–3, NIV
The apostle Paul knew the importance of prayer in living a Christ-centered life. In his letter to the Colossian church, he encouraged them to devote themselves to prayer for themselves and for him and his ministry, even through the persecution he suffered.
When we pray, we partner with God in the mission. We can ask Him to prepare hearts, open doors for us to share the gospel and to give us boldness. And He is faithful to answer prayers.
Don’t underestimate the power of your prayers for the people around you. Even silent or whispered prayers can impact someone’s eternity.
4. Acts 2:42–47 – Live in Community
“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer. Everyone was filled with awe at the many wonders and signs performed by the apostles. All the believers were together and had everything in common. They sold property and possessions to give to anyone who had need. Every day they continued to meet together in the temple courts. They broke bread in their homes and ate together with glad and sincere hearts, praising God and enjoying the favor of all the people. And the Lord added to their number daily those who were being saved.” — Acts 2:42–47, NIV
The early church thrived because they lived out their faith together in community. They shared meals, met needs, worshiped and prayed side by side.
You don’t have to live missionally alone. In fact, you’re not meant to. True community—genuine, Christ-centered relationships—is one of the most compelling witnesses to a watching world. When those outside of a relationship with Jesus see how we as Christians live our lives alongside one another, serving each other out of genuine love and care, it shows them a picture of what life looks like as a part of God’s Kingdom, as part of His family. This picture of love in action shines a light in a world longing for connection, revealing the gospel in a practical and tangible way.
Your church community is a great place to start. And if you’re looking for a way to challenge your congregation to live on mission, this resource by Pastor Tim Keller gives a great picture of what a missional church looks like.
This picture of love in action shines a light in a world longing for connection, revealing the gospel in a practical and tangible way.
5. 1 Corinthians 9:22–23 – Be Relevant
“To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.” — 1 Corinthians 9:22–23, NIV
Paul’s letter to the Corinthian church challenges them to understand that living a holy life does not mean acting so differently from the rest of the world that they no longer relate to those around them. Paul wasn’t about putting on a religious mask. His ministry brought him face to face with people, and he served them and taught them, caring for them and showing them how Jesus changed his life.
Living missionally means being approachable. It means caring about what others care about, learning their language and stepping into their world—not to become like those who don’t know Jesus, but to bring Jesus to them.
6. 1 Peter 3:15 – Always Be Ready
“But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15, NIV)
The gospel is personal, but it’s not private. We’re called to be ready—to explain, to testify, to share why Jesus gives us hope.
Sometimes those opportunities come when we least expect them––in a classroom, at a soccer game, over coffee, or waiting in line at the store. This verse challenges us to always be ready to share the hope we have in Christ. That could mean sharing the story of how you started following Jesus, or using a ministry tool or resource to help you dive into a gospel-centered conversation. And when the door opens, speak with gentleness and respect.
7. Acts 8:34–35 – Seize the Opportunity
“The eunuch asked Philip, ‘Tell me, please, who is the prophet talking about, himself or someone else?’ Then Philip began with that very passage of Scripture and told him the good news about Jesus.” — Acts 8:34–35, NIV
Philip didn’t plan that encounter. The Holy Spirit led him there. But because he was ready and willing, he was able to seize the moment and lead someone to Jesus. He was even able to baptize the man when they came upon a body of water on their journey.
Living missionally means sharing the gospel at any time, in any situation. As Christians, it’s not enough for us to have the hope of Jesus within us. We are charged with sharing that hope with the world, just as Jesus and His disciples did.
I once taught English in a country where sharing the gospel was restricted. During a tutoring session, a student showed me an English book she was reading: The Chronicles of Narnia. I took that moment to show her parallels between the story and the Bible, and that conversation turned into a chance to share the gospel and pray with her. By God’s grace, I was able to recognize that opportunity and take action. This passage challenges all Christians to follow the Holy Spirit’s lead and share the gospel when possible.
8. Colossians 4:5–6 – Speak with Grace
“Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.” — Colossians 4:5–6, NIV
How we speak matters. In a world full of noise, missional living means choosing our words carefully. When we speak with grace and wisdom—online or in person—we reflect Jesus. That might mean responding with kindness when others don’t. And sometimes, that grace opens doors for deeper conversations about faith.
In a world full of noise, missional living means choosing our words carefully.
We represent Christ. Every word counts. You never know when a gentle answer might soften a heart or spark curiosity about your hope.
9. Luke 10:30–35 – Be a Neighbor
“Jesus said: ‘A man was going down from Jerusalem to Jericho, when he was attacked by robbers. They stripped him of his clothes, beat him and went away, leaving him half dead. A priest happened to be going down the same road, and when he saw the man, he passed by on the other side. So too, a Levite, when he came to the place and saw him, passed by on the other side. But a Samaritan, as he traveled, came where the man was; and when he saw him, he took pity on him. He went to him and bandaged his wounds, pouring on oil and wine. Then he put the man on his own donkey, brought him to an inn and took care of him. The next day he took out two denarii and gave them to the innkeeper. “Look after him,” he said, “and when I return, I will reimburse you for any extra expense you may have.”‘” — Luke 10:30–35, NIV
Jesus told this story to redefine what it means to be a neighbor. The Samaritan showed love even though it went against the cultural norms of the day. His actions demonstrated that his concern and care for this man went beyond customs and expectations.
How often do we go out of our way to serve someone who cannot repay us, or who might even consider us their enemy? Living this way pulls us out of our comfort zones, requiring us to love our neighbors in practical, sacrificial ways. Jesus modeled this for us throughout His earthly ministry, and He calls us to follow His example.
10. 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8 – Share Your Life
“Instead, we were like young children among you. Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well.” — 1 Thessalonians 2:8, NIV
Missional living is not just about proclaiming the gospel—it’s about being present. It’s not enough to tell others about Jesus, but we’re called to go further, walking with them, loving them and inviting them into our lives.
It’s easy to tell someone in need that we are praying for them or to offer encouragement when someone is struggling. But missional living goes beyond words—it challenges us to be involved in the lives of those God has placed around us, to invest our time and energy in these relationships and to meet the needs we see when we can. It means sharing our lives with others as well, allowing others to serve and care for us when we need it.
In this verse, Paul models this way of living for the Thessalonian church. Paul and his companions Silas and Timothy invested in people beyond preaching by sharing their lives. They cared for them and allowed themselves to receive care in return. We’re called to do the same.
Living out the mission
While there are many ways to express the gospel message, living a missional life takes intentionality—careful thought and focused action. It means understanding that Jesus changed us and sent us to the world to proclaim His love to everyone still waiting to encounter Him. And it means living in a way that shows Jesus to others even when we aren’t speaking.
Fulfilling the Great Commission is the mission of every believer. And living missionally doesn’t always require you to jump on a plane to a least-reached country or preach from behind a pulpit on Sunday morning. What it does require is a willing heart and a daily commitment to love people like Jesus.
I hope these Bible verses on missional living helped encourage and equip you to walk out that calling. Looking for more inspiration? We wrote this blog all about how to live missionally just for you.
