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  • Why Discipleship

    Why Discipleship

    "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."
    - Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20

  • Partnerships

    Partnerships

    "And my God will liberally supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
    - Phillipians 4:19

  • Why Discipleship

    Back

    Why Discipleship

    "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."
    - Jesus' words in Matthew 28:19-20

  • Partnerships

    Back

    Partnerships

    "And my God will liberally supply your every need according to His riches in glory in Christ Jesus."
    - Phillipians 4:19

  • Join the Mission

    Back

    Join the Mission

    With your help we are able to train leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples.

Sharing the Gospel of Jesus Christ is crucial to our faith as Christians.

The Good News can help others find salvation and eternal life.

While some may hesitate to share their faith, it is essential for many reasons. This article will explore ten crucial reasons to share that part of God’s Word.

1. To Fulfill the Great Commission

One of the primary reasons to share the Gospel is to fulfill Jesus’ Great Commission. In Matthew 28:19–20, Jesus commanded His disciples to “Go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you.” As believers, we are called to follow this commandment and share the message of salvation with others.

2. To Love Our Neighbours

Sharing the Gospel is also a way to show love to our neighbors.

As His followers, we are called to love our neighbors as ourselves, and there is no greater act of love than to share the good news of Jesus Christ with them.

By sharing the Gospel, we are helping others find hope, peace, and purpose in their lives.

3. To Spread the Truth

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is the truth, and it is essential to spread it to those who may not know it.

In John 14:6, Jesus said, “I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.”

By sharing the Gospel, we are helping others find the truth that can free them.

4. To Follow Jesus’ Example

As believers, we are called to follow Christ’s example, and He spent much of His time sharing the Gospel with others.

In Luke 19:10, Jesus said, “For the Son of Man came to seek and to save the lost.”

By sharing the Gospel, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and do what He did during His time on earth.

5. To Bring Glory to God

Sharing the Gospel is also a way to bring glory to God. When we share the good news of Jesus Chhers, we proclaim His greatness and show others what He has done for us.

In Psalm 96:3, the psalmist says, “Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous deeds among all peoples.”

By sharing the Gospel, we are declaring God’s glory to others.

6. To Help Others Find Peace

Many people are searching for Peace in their lives. By sharing the Gospel from God’s Word, we are helping others find the Peace that only comes through a relationship with Jesus Christ.

In John 14:27, Jesus said, “Peace I leave with you; my Peace I give you. I do not give to you as the world gives. Do not let your hearts be troubled, and do not be afraid.”

By sharing the Gospel, we are helping others find the Peace that surpasses all understanding.

7. To Help Others Find Purpose

Sharing the Gospel can also help others find purpose in their lives. Many people search for meaning and direction; the Gospel can provide both.

In 2 Corinthians 5:17, Paul says, “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!”

By sharing the Gospel, we are helping others find a new purpose and direction in their lives.

8. To Help Others Find Hope

The Gospel of Jesus Christ is a message of hope. By sharing the Gospel, we are helping others find hope in a hopeless world.

In Romans 15:13, Paul says, “May the God of hope fill you with all joy and peace as you trust in him, so that you may overflow with hope by the power of the Holy Spirit.”

By sharing the Gospel, we are helping others find the hope that can only come from a relationship with Jesus Christ.

9. To Obey God’s Word

Sharing the Gospel is a way to obey God’s Word.

In Romans 10:14-15, Paul says, “How can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one whom they have not heard?…how can they hear without someone preaching to them?.. As it is written: ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!'”

By sharing the Gospel, we obey God’s Word and do what He has commanded us to do.

10. To Help Save Souls

The most important reason to share the Gospel is to help save souls.

In Mark 16:15, Jesus said, “Go into all the world and preach the Gospel to all creation. Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be condemned.”

Sharing the Gospel allows others to receive salvation and eternal life.

Join the Great Commission with Global Disciples

There are many important reasons to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ. From fulfilling the Great Commission to helping others find hope, Peace, and purpose in their lives, sharing the Gospel is essential to our faith. We must follow Jesus’ example and share the good news with others.

By doing so, we are helping to save souls and bring glory to God. So let us go forth and share the Gospel with all we encounter, knowing that we are doing God’s work and fulfilling His purpose for our lives.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near to reach least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” we’re committed to doing just that. If you want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today! 

A Biblical Vision of Worship

The prophet Isaiah had a vision of worship in heaven. In Isaiah 6 we read:

“Th seraphim called to one another, “Holy, holy, holy is the Lord Almighty; the whole earth is full of his glory.” Isaiah was convicted of his sin. “Woe to me!…For I am a man of unclean lips, and I live among a people of unclean lips, and my eyes have seen the King, the Lord Almighty.” A seraph touched his lips with a coal, cleansing his sin and guilt. 

Then Isaiah overhears a conversation in the heavenlies—the voice of the Lord, saying, “Whom shall I send? And who will go for us?” Isaiah replied, “Here am I! Send me!” 

When we come to the Lord in fervent worship and seeking prayer, we draw close to His heart, just like Isaiah did.

We experience healing and transformation. God will give us His burden for the lost and His commissioning and empowerment to go. 

A fresh emphasis on worship.

Three years ago, we at Global Disciples felt the Lord leading us to initiate a fresh emphasis on worship.

Many newly-planted churches wanted to understand how to worship. So, we created regional training days where carefully selected worship leaders gather with our regional staff. Our goal was to multiply a movement of trained worship leaders who are sound in character and, anointed by the Holy Spirit. We wanted to give them skills to lead and equip others in fervent, anointed worship. 

Over four days, we explored what it means to worship the Father in spirit and in truth (John 4:23)

We minister within the local cultural context and language. We teach worship leaders to write songs based on scripture. And we teach them and to train others too .  

We look at what the Bible says about praise and worship. Then we seek the Holy Spirit’s anointing to lead others into God’s presence. Isn’t that what we all long for? To be in His presence, to enter into the Holy of Holies, to find grace, forgiveness, healing, and life.  

Worship leader training in the DRC.

In many regions, worship leaders immediately go and train other worship leaders. In December in the Democratic Republic of Congo, we held a powerful worship leader training event.

This group has hosted six self funded worship leader trainings since then! 

Volunteer-led Worship Leader Trainings also took place in Brazil, Zambia, Malawi, Ethiopia, Cameroon, Chad, Central African Republic, Kenya, Zambia, Rwanda, India, and Nepal.  

People have been healed filled with the Holy Spirit at these training days, with people committing their lives to Jesus too.

A woman walking by a church in Kenya heard the worship, came inside, and immediately surrendered her life to Jesus because she encountered God’s presence.  

At Global Disciples, we want to go deeper in fervent worship, to better know our incredible God whose great love propels us into His mission for the lost. 

–Tim Bentch, Global Disciples Worship Leader  

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

If you want to help meet the spiritual needs of people then go where the need it the greatest. Join Global Disciples today and help us meet these needs!

Read on for a powerful story of God at work in Rwanda.

“See what God is doing here in Rwanda!”

You could almost feel the joy in the email from one of our Global Disciples Rwandan staff members. He was forwarding a report from a discipleship-mission program that is embracing the vision to reach least-reached people.

Pastor Albert, a Global Disciples discipleship-mission program trainer in Rwanda, shared a testimony from a recent training.

Usually, the training happens in one location and then the disciple-makers go out in pairs or small teams to a community in need of the Gospel.

This time, Pastor Albert arranged to do the training in the place they wanted to reach!

Rwandans hungry for Gods Word

They chose a district and community with little representation of the Gospel and relocated. Pastor Albert led the classroom training each morning and focused on key components of being a disciple of Jesus, and how to share the Gospel with people.

Then in the early afternoon, the participants would go out and put it all into practice. They went door-to-door, striking up conversations with people they met and telling them about Jesus.

In the evening, Albert and the team held an open-air meeting preaching the Gospel and calling people to follow Christ.

Albert said, “God was so faithful! We had 90 people accept Jesus as Lord and Savior. Several people were demon-possessed, and the Lord set them free!”

He sent a few photos of the new believers, their faces were beaming with joy as they gathered together to worship and learn more about Jesus.

A new church begins with Global Disciples support

“A new church was started and it is going to be very strong,” Albert reported. “People in this area are so hungry for the Word of God. We are going to do our level best to follow up with these young babies in Christ so they grow in their Christian faith.”

We rejoice with Albert to see this new church begin and to know that the life-giving message of the Gospel is reaching those who are hungry and searching for it.

God deserves all the honor and glory for this amazing work!

And you and I get the incredible privilege of participating with God as we serve, equip, and pray for these brothers and sisters around the world.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

A life changed by God. What does it look like?

Read on for some real life examples.

Alain’s Story

Listen to Alain’s reflection. He trains believers to make disciples through the Global Disciples partner program he directs in the Democratic Republic of Congo.

Alain said, “We had two medical doctors participate in the discipleship training. One told me that in all of his studies, he had never tried to evangelize another person. Now, he feels a burning flame to share the Gospel with everyone he meets! Walking to work one day he passed a tailor’s workshop. He felt the Spirit telling him to go in and share the Gospel. So he did—and the women who worked there gave their lives to Jesus!”

For this doctor, change came as he found he could share the Gospel.

And he discovered the thrill of listening to the Spirit’s prompting and seeing people find new spiritual life. He now “works relentlessly for the Lord,” Alain said.

Another example of lives changed came when Alain and his disciples went to a community for outreach.

Two mothers lives are changed

They met two young single mothers. They both had some church background, but they carried lots of guilt and shame in their lives. The women felt like outsiders, rejected by others.

But as the disciple-makers talked with them about Jesus, about His forgiveness and compassion, they opened their hearts to the Gospel. And both women found hope and healing. They were restored to the Lord, and to fellowship in the Body of Christ.

Radical change or simply a renewed sense of mission, the loss of shame, the joy of restoration—all these are ways the Holy Spirit transforms people inside and out.

And He gives us the privilege of being part of what He’s doing as we help to train people like Alain to share the Good News of Jesus with people waiting to hear it.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Do you have a heart for mission as a small business owner?

Are you looking for funding opportunities and examples of sustainable ministry?

Discover how small businesses can be key to sustainable ministry and reaching people with the Gospel with the help of Global Disciples Canada.

“God Has Not Called Us To Sit And Wait.”

Sempala is from Uganda. He leads a Global Disciples partner program that equips disciple-makers and church planters in small business training.

“God has not called us just to sit and wait,” Sempala said. “As God’s servants, we’re called to move out and get involved in business, while sharing the Good News and building relationships.”

In missional context, a small business can be a key to a sustainable ministry. In fact, we’ve seen this time and again with Global Disciples. A business gives a church planter a means of support. And the effects are transformative.

A person with a business can be viewed with less suspicion and connect more easily in the community.

A small thriving business provides an identity and a social hub in a community too.

Consequently, this is crucial in places with religious or social restriction or where there’s opposition to an evangelist or someone hoping to plant a church.

Creating A Business Plan

In Sempala’s training program, he trained 15 people to consider what God has placed in their hands that could be used for a business. And then he helped them create a business plan, develop a budget, understand the marketplace, and work through other key issues.

More importantly, they looked at how they can use their business to reach people with the Gospel by building relationships and opening up conversations about Jesus.

However, Sempala took a more direct approach with those he trained. He spent time developing their businesses, but he also engaged in focused outreach.

Consequently, he reported, “We went to two different locations—15 people gave their lives to Christ in one place. And 10 at second place, and a new fellowship was started. Our men and women are now sharing the Good News through their businesses. God is being glorified through the work of their hands.”

The Combination Of Mission And Small Business

This combination of outreach with business is having a broader impact too, Sempala said. “The community sees that God can use what you have in your hands. We’re not called to just sit and wait! We have the desire to see Uganda come to Jesus Christ, and this is what we can do.”

May God raise up more people like Sempala to equip others and share the Gospel in the isolated and least-reached areas of Uganda…and around the world.

Could you get partner with Global Disciples Canada and help people like Sempala in their ministry?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Ayomi is a young woman in her early twenties.

As a Christian, she attended her church in Sri Lanka. But like many believers, she never really developed her relationship with Jesus. And she wasn’t interested in serving in ministry or outreach.

However, her church connected with a discipleship-mission training program, launched with the help of Global Disciples. And Pamu, a program director, decided Ayomi needs this training.

When he invited her to participate, Ayomi half-heartedly agreed.

Then the Holy Spirit went to work.

Eager To Serve

Ayomi began to experience the love of God in a fresh way. She started to understand what it meant to have the right relationship with God and develop intimacy with Him.

And it changed her life!

Her prayer life deepened and she committed her life to serve the Lord. As she learned about evangelism, it moved her to work in new ways.

Ayomi started to serve in the Sunday school in her church, eagerly teaching the children and helping them to meet Jesus. Along with Pamu, and others she went to a remote village to help out with outreach.

Discipleship And Boldness

This once shy and uninvolved girl became a bold witness. Ayomi started sharing the Gospel and telling others about the love of Jesus and the salvation that He offers.

Today, Ayomi is eager to serve whenever and wherever she can. Pamu, the director, says she is engaged in equipping other people to make disciples too. Her experience with the Lord, through the training of Global Disciples, has changed her life and been a glowing witness to those around her.

Ayomi is just one person—but she’s one of the thousands who have discovered that she can be part of Jesus’ Commission to make disciples of all nations. For her, it’s working in her homeland in Sri Lanka where millions still do not know the message of the Gospel.

Eager To Serve With Global Disciples

As Global Disciples, we want to make it possible for people like Ayomi to become disciples of Jesus Christ, equipped and empowered to make disciples, especially among the least-reached!

How are you helping those who have never heard the Good News, to receive and accept it?

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

We may have dreams of doing great things for the Lord, but it is important to remember that our most significant contribution to the Kingdom of God may not be something we do but someone we raise.

Even if we have grand visions of sharing the Gospel with the world, it is essential to start with those closest to us. Certainly, our initial ministry field is our own family, leading our children to faith in Christ.

For those parents wondering how you can lead your children to Christ. Here are a few things you must know:

Is It Easy?

Children are often willing to accept the Gospel message with eagerness and joy. They have an openness to the Lord that many adults can miss (Luke 18:17). God desires to have a special relationship with these young ones, and as a parent, it is our job to encourage that connection. We need to be open to the Holy Spirit’s influence in our words and actions so that our children will be able to receive God’s grace and love.

Remember, Jesus tells us that children are very important to God and that we should not stop them from coming to Him (Matthew 19:14). We should be living our faith out loud and being an example for our children. We should be praying for guidance to be able to teach our children about the truths and values of God.

What Should I Consider?

There are a couple of things you must consider when bringing your child to Jesus:

1. God is patient and merciful in His desire to save everyone (Psalm 145:8-9), and He is much more concerned with the eternal well-being of your child than you are.

He deeply wants all people to come to repentance so that they can have everlasting joy and peace.

2. Ask God to grant you understanding and discernment in order to handle each child according to their individual level of development.
3. Avoid using complicated theological terms when speaking to children.

These terms can be confusing and unclear for young minds and may not accurately portray the message you wish to convey. Speak plainly, as the Bible does, meeting them where they are at in their own language development. Remember, God also met you on your level!

4. Give each kid your undivided attention, and allow enough time for them to understand.

Have a conversation with them, and ensure that the message is clear. Don’t rush things. The quality time you give them will help them understand how special they are to God.

Is There Anything I Should Be Careful Of?

1. Since the beginning of humanity, God has given us choice (Genesis 2:15-17) He wanted children to be given a chance to choose for themselves. In other words, don’t force your children. Let them choose.

2. Without the Holy Spirit’s involvement, there will be no real spiritual transformation of the heart. Even the most amazing parents cannot know for sure what direction their children will choose. Even if we fill their surroundings with biblical teachings, which greatly increases the chances they will follow Christ, at the end of the day it is the Holy Spirit who does the work in their hearts (1 Corinthians 3:6-7)

Remember, God is loving and kind, filled with mercy and compassion. He is not holding your child’s fate over their head like a guillotine. Trust that things will work out in God’s timing, and don’t rush Him. Pray with confidence, trusting in God’s plan. Be concerned, but don’t force your child to make a decision.

How Do I Begin?

Here are a few tips to help you begin bringing your child closer to God:

1. Be a Shining Example Of Jesus

Make sure to show your children that living a life in faith with Jesus is not something that is only done on Sundays. Model to them the importance of honoring Christ every single day and make it a part of your family life. Talk openly with your children about God, and show them how to talk to God through prayer. Doing this will help them understand that following Jesus is a daily lifestyle (Deuteronomy 11:18-21).

2. Always Be Open to Communicate

Encourage your children to build a strong connection with God by talking to them about your own relationship with Him. Share stories from your life that demonstrate how God has provided for you and been there for you. Explain the importance of prayer and how it helps you to stay connected with God. Remind them that they can always turn to God when they need help and that they should trust in Him to always be there for them.

3. Build a Jesus-Serving Environment

Help your children explore and discover their own connection with the Lord. Make sure they have many chances to build an intimate relationship with Him, not just learn about Him in a classroom setting. Create an atmosphere of worship and spiritual growth in your home, incorporating activities like journaling and art to open up their hearts to the presence of God. This will enable them to directly experience His power and guidance in their lives.

4. Read the Bible

It is important to teach your children about the Bible and the Gospel. Explain to them the basics of sin and repentance in a way that is easy for them to understand. Encourage them to read and learn from the Bible so that they can develop a deep love for God’s Word.

5. Pray as One Group

Encourage your family to incorporate prayer into their daily routine. Help them understand that seeking out God’s guidance is an important part of life and that it’s something to be pursued often.

6. Let Your Child Interact with Other Like-Minded Kids

Entreat the Lord to provide wisdom and direction for discovering places of worship and fellowship for your little one. Take the lead in modeling a life of faith, and let them observe your example. When they come into contact with other young people who are devoted to the Lord, they have an opportunity to enjoy fellowshipping with others who are on their peer level.

Conclusion

As children develop, they are rapidly learning and engaging with the environment around them. Their parents are typically the focal point of their lives, and other family and friends are other areas of importance. What they observe and experience with their five senses captures their interest. Help your child see Jesus and implement Him as part of their life. Start now, and start while they’re young.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet, Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

“Don’t be drunk with wine, because that will ruin your life. Instead, be filled with the Holy Spirit (Eph 5:18-20NLT).  ” Ephesians 5:18-20

One of the best parts of my job is welcoming students from out of the country into school in Canada. 

Moving into a different place, learning a different language, and navigating a new culture is a massive challenge. Sometimes there are so many changes that students become stressed and homesick. 

The Holy Spirit Brings Joy

A few years ago, I met a new student from Columbia who had just entered Canada.  Right from the beginning, I noticed something different about her that I could not put my finger on.  As she entered classes and began the new chapter in Canada.  I noticed that there was such a consistent joy in her life that she shared with everyone she met.  Later that year, she confirmed my suspicion that she was a follower of Jesus.  The joy, that was so obvious in her life, came from the Spirit of God living inside her.

In his letter to the Ephesians, the apostle Paul tells them to “be filled” with the Holy Spirit. 

When people are discouraged, depressed or just having a bad day when they seek filling from different sources.

Drinking alcohol can make us feel carefree and lead to a great night of singing at the pub. In reality, it really doesn’t give lasting satisfaction. Others may attempt to use sex, food, shopping, fame, fitness, or fashion to numb the pain and difficulty of life. 

Learn To Rely On The Holy Spirit

The apostle commands followers of Jesus to be filled with the Spirit of God. He want us to that deep, long-lasting satisfaction in Him. The logical question then is, “How can we be filled by God’s Spirit?”

The answer that scripture gives us is incredibly simple and difficult–a deep reliance on the Spirit’s power.  

One alternative to a deep reliance on the Spirit’s power is a deep reliance on self.

There is a popular myth in our culture that, believing in yourself is all you need to navigate lifes difficulties. This can easily slip into the matrix of our beliefs causing us to malfunction concerning God’s purpose for our lives. We can miss out on the true source of joy and power.

Samson’s life, described in Judges, illustrates the need for a deep reliance on the Spirit of God. 

The period of the Judges is one of the lowest points in Israel’s history.  Everyone was living in a way that seemed right to them (Judges 17:6) but very few of them were following God’s path. 

Samson’s Story

By the time we pick up Samson’s story in chapter 16, God has allowed the Philistines to conquer God’s people in hope that they will again follow Him…but they don’t.  God, in His mercy and patience, supplies judges (who were like warlords) that beat back their enemies for a time but they soon return to their old way of doing things.  Samson is one of the judges raised up by God to give relief to His people.  

Unlike some of the other judges, he is not a conventional military leader.  In fact, he does not lead an army at all. He is not even a team player. His life consists of several solo battles revolving around personal conflicts that have resulted from broken relationships with Philistine women. 

Samson’s dysfunctional relationships with Philistine women go badly in different ways but in each case, the end result is similar–violent, hand-to-hand combat with city guards and sometimes entire armies.   

Although Samson constantly disobeys his parents and lives by his own moral code, God graciously uses him for the good of His people. God’s gifting to Samson is super-human strength in battle. 

The Holy Spirit Comes Upon Samson

At one point, the Holy Spirit comes upon him and he kills 1000 soldiers with the jawbone of a donkey.  After this particular battle, Samson is so exhausted that he is near death.  He cries out to God for water and God miraculously provides him with water from a rock.  In this scene of the story, Samson is found relying on God as his provider but he soon grows proud, and that reliance changes into arrogance. 

Fast forwarding the story closer to the end (Judges 16:4), Samson falls in love with yet another Philistine woman named Delilah.  Seeking an opportunity to gain an advantage over Samson, the city leaders offer Delilah a huge sum of money to learn the secret of Samson’s strength.  Delilah uses her beauty and seductive powers to draw the secret out of Samson. 

Samson Tells The Truth

After lying to her several times, Samson finally tells her the truth.  

 So he [Samson] told her everything. “No razor has ever been used on my head,” he said, “because I have been a Nazirite dedicated to God from my mother’s womb. If my head were shaved, my strength would leave me, and I would become as weak as any other man.” When Delilah saw that he had told her everything, she sent word to the rulers of the Philistines, “Come back once more; he has told me everything.” So the rulers of the Philistines returned with the silver in their hands. After putting him to sleep on her lap, she called for someone to shave off the seven braids of his hair, and so began to subdue him. And his strength left him (Judges 16:17-19).

What’s interesting at this point in this story is that, even though Samson says that his strength is connected to his Nazarite vow, his response shows that he doesn’t believe this.

“Then she called, ‘Samson, the Philistines are upon you!’ He awoke from his sleep and thought, ‘I’ll go out as before and shake myself free’” (Judges 16:20).

Samsons mistake

Samson’s thoughts at this moment show us an attitude that grieves the heart and Spirit of God. Samson has become so self-reliant that he begins to take credit for God’s gifting and power in his life. The results are immediate and devastating.    

Samson’s super-human powers were tied to God’s purpose and plan for Samson but when he became overconfident in his own abilities, God withdraws.

The retreat of the Spirit leads to Samson’s defeat and humiliation.

“Then the Philistines seized him, gouged out his eyes, and took him down to Gaza. Binding him with bronze shackles, they set him to grinding grain in the prison” (Judges 16:21). 

This low point of Samson’s life illustrates a massive roadblock to being filled by God’s spirit, and self-reliance. Self-reliance is an attitude that says, “I can be who God has called me to be and do what God has purposed me to do without the help and power of the Holy Spirit”  If we are honest with ourselves, I think all of us can identify with this mindset, we have all bought into the lie of self-sufficiency to one degree or another.    

Serious Consequences  

Notice that God makes a temporary departure in Samson’s life here and this is a serious consequence of taking credit for God’s work in our lives.

God sometimes presses the pause button on His work in our lives at times to draw us back to Himself. It is not that God gives up on us or stops pursuing us. However, His loving discipline is sometimes required to bring us back to a life of faith and dependence on the Spirit. 

Are you feeling distant from God because you once orbited your life around God but now find yourself adrift?  

Thankfully Samson’s story doesn’t leave us there, it also gives us hope for renewed fullness of the Spirit.

Blinded and weak, Samson waited in his prison cell.  As he waits, a new humility and reliance on God emerge.  In the last chapter of his life, we find Samson making a desperate plea to God to renew his power one last time. This prayer signals a re-acknowledgment of the true source of power in His life.  God is merciful to Samson and gives him one last victory over the Philistines. 

Keeping In Step With The Spirit

In this last chapter, Samson gives us a glimpse of Jesus, who relied perfectly on the Father and fulfilled God’s purpose for his life. Jesus perfectly kept in step with the Spirit of God throughout his life.  His life was full of the Spirit’s joy and power.  Knowing that God would require a sacrifice for our sins, Jesus sacrificed himself on the cross. He took the punishment for our sins upon himself so that we could enjoy–new life, everlasting life, and the fullness of God’s spirit.   

Be Filled With The Holy Spirit Today

God desires that you and I be filled with His Spirit, but in order to receive this filling, we must see Him as the only One who can generate true joy and power in our lives. Walk in step with God’s Spirit today so that you can fulfill His purpose for your life. 

Ask God to take your emptiness and replace it with his fullness.

Ask Him to fill you with His Spirit so that you experience His joy and power like never before.

Jordan Mayer – Global Disciples Canada Advocate & Prayer Supporter

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective training and coaching strategy, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

Manish was struggling to figure out how to serve God and make a living.

But in his setting in India, you work a job or you do ministry. You don’t do both. So what would he do?

Manish came from a Hindu family but his parents died when he was a child and his sister raised him. When she came to faith in Jesus, she learned about a Christian orphanage where Manish could get an education. He learned about Jesus and the Bible, came to faith, was baptized, and went on to Bible school.

Manish said, “I had all this Christian experience, yet I did not have a good personal relationship with God. And I wasn’t convinced about God’s call on my life.”

Manish gets help from Global Disciples

He finished Bible school, struggling and uncertain, and returned home. He heard about a local discipleship-mission training, launched with the help of Global Disciples. His pastor insisted he attends.

“It really opened my spiritual eyes,” Manish said. “I deepened my relationship with God.” Manish finished his training and outreach but then returned to his regular job.

“I was frustrated at what I should do. I thought nobody was interested in my future,” he said.

When he volunteered to help with Global Disciples training the next year, he said, “It really took me into God’s presence. I fasted and prayed. God spoke to me and His calling was clear. I left the job and joined in His work.”

Serving God AND making a living

Then God opened the door for Manish to take a Global Disciples small business training. He learned how ministry and business can work together to reach people with the Gospel.

This answered many questions and gave him new joy and satisfaction in fulfilling his calling.

He started a business that gives him opportunities to share the Good News of Jesus with five or six unreached areas.

Manish said, “By the grace of God and the work of the Holy Spirit, there are small groups of people starting to worship the Lord and study the Word, where there before were no believers or churches.”

Praise God, for answering Manish in his struggles and opening a way to fulfill his calling to work a job and to reach the least reached.

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!

God is a missionary God who created human beings in His image and for a relationship with Him.

Scripture explains how humanity chose to rebel against God. And He has been pursuing the restoration of His relationship with us. God has chosen a people to join with Him in seeking restoration of relationship with all of humanity. 

Jesus Is The Word

Consequently, Jesus Christ came as the Word of God in human form to model God’s heart for humanity. Through His death and resurrection, He paid the debt for our sins. In fact, He makes it possible for all who will believe to be transformed into ambassadors of God. In turn, they become a part of initiating reconciliation with peoples of every tribe, nation, and language.

So, we can better understand World Mission and how it relates to the Church and our lives by exploring the following;

Jesus and the Post-Modern World

In reality, we live in a postmodern world that believes there is no absolute truth and that truth is relative. So, how in this postmodern pluralistic culture, can we present the uniqueness of Jesus Christ?

For us, as disciples of Jesus Christ, the Word of God is our guide in our journey and ministry.

In fact, in the Word of God, the uniqueness of Jesus Christ is evident.

The God of the Bible is the only God who manifested Himself through His own son, Jesus Christ (John 3:16).

He is different from all false gods (Jeremiah 10:6; Deuteronomy 6:4; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6). 

 Jesus is not one of the many ways to God—He is the only way.

No one can come to God except through Jesus Christ (John 14:6; Acts 4:12).

He is the only One who has been conceived by the Holy Spirit and born of a virgin (Isaiah 7:14; Matthew 1:18-25; Luke 1:26-38).

Jesus is the only One who is eternal (Colossians 1:17; John 1:1-3; John 8:57).

He is the only One who is God incarnate, God in human flesh (John 1:1-18; Hebrews 1:1-3; Hebrews 2:14-18; Philippians 2:5-11; 1 Timothy 2:5-6).

Jesus is the only One who is the visible image of the invisible God, who is fully God and fully man (Colossians 1:15-20; Colossians 2:9).

He is the only One who lived a sinless life that qualified Him to become the Savior (2 Corinthians 5:21; Hebrews 4:15; Hebrews 7:23-28).

Jesus is the only One who forgives sin—something that God alone can do (Mark 2:5-7).

He is the only One who has conquered death (1 Corinthians 15:3-8).

Jesus is the only One who will come back to judge the world (2 Timothy 4:1; Revelation 19:11).

Jesus and the Lausanne Movement

“The Lausanne Movement” describes the uniqueness of Jesus Christ in this way: “We affirm that there is only one Savior and only one gospel . . . Jesus Christ, being Himself the only God-man, who gave Himself as the only ransom for sinners, is the only mediator between God and people.

“We are called to proclaim Christ in an increasingly pluralistic world . . . In the first century too there were ‘many gods and many lords.’ Yet the apostles boldly affirmed the uniqueness, indispensability and centrality of Christ. We must do the same.”

“The Lausanne Movement is determined to bear a positive and uncompromising witness to the uniqueness of our Lord, in His life, death, and resurrection, in all aspects of our evangelistic work including inter-faith dialogue.”

In fact, the only true God is our living, triune God. He has revealed Himself in the Bible to all of humanity.

What the Scriptures Say About Jesus

The Scriptures of the Old and New Testaments tell us clearly that God is eternally one and, as the living and sovereign One, He differs fundamentally from all false gods (Deuteronomy 6:4; Psalm 115:3-7; Isaiah 44:6; Jeremiah 10:6; 1 Corinthians 8:4-6).

In His tri-personal nature as Father, Son, and Holy Spirit, God is one perfect and complete community of love in Himself who has fulfilled His redemptive plan in the person of His only begotten Son, Jesus (Genesis 1:1; John 1:1; John 15:26; I John 4:9; 2 Corinthians 13:13).

God created humankind in His own image (Genesis 1:27).

He is the Creator, Redeemer, Sustainer, and Renewer, the origin and ultimate purpose and goal of every human being. For this reason, God calls all humanity to acknowledge Him and believe in Him, to worship, and to share His life (Ecclesiastes 11:9; 2 Corinthians 5:10; Psalm 46:11).

God the Father has spoken to us through Jesus Christ the Son as His special revelation of salvation (Hebrews 1:2). By the initiation of the Father (John 1:1-2; John 3:16), through His incarnation by the Holy Spirit, and by His atoning death, Christ reconciled the humanity to God and redeemed us from the destructive powers of sin, death, and the Devil (2 Corinthians 5:19; Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:14).

The Uniqueness Of Jesus Christ

The uniqueness of Jesus Christ, the only Son of God, demands a response.

In reality, the necessity of personal belief, is at the heart of the Christian Gospel. So, Christ fulfills and completes all the aspirations of humanity. He comes as the Second Adam to restore sinful humanity and a broken world. When people come to know Christ, they discover meaning and purpose, and their full identity is regained. While a decision to accept the free offer of salvation is crucial to evangelism, it must also affirm that this unique Savior offers not merely salvation as a work, but He also offers Himself in a transformational way. In fact, the whole purpose of the Christian life is to become like Jesus.

Jesus The Only Way To God The Father

By Christ’s bodily resurrection and ascension to heaven, God the Father has confirmed Him as the only Mediator between Himself and humanity, and He has appointed Him the universal Lord over all powers and authorities as well as Judge of the world (Matthew 28:18; Acts 10:36-42; I Timothy 2:5). Therefore, eternal salvation or eternal damnation is determined by either turning to Him in faith or by rejecting Him (John 3:16; Mark 16:16).

In reality, Jesus is the only answer to our sinful human condition. Since the Fall in Genesis 3, humanity has been sentenced to eternal death, life without God (Luke 19:10, Ephesians 2:12). But Jesus has died for us to reconcile us to God (2 Corinthians 5:19, Ephesians 1:7; Hebrews 2:14).

Global Disciples Canada is a Christian mission organization that trains local leaders living near least-reached communities to multiply disciples for Christ. One-third of our world hasn’t heard the Good News of Jesus. Yet. Global Disciples refers to these as “least-reached” people, and fewer than 10% of all missionaries work among these groups. We live in a time where many of these people are within reach of a local church. Through our simple and effective strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their own nations and cultures. Jesus said, “Go and make disciples of all nations,” and we’re committed to doing just that. If you are looking for a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!