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;
- God’s Heart for the Nations
- Understanding and Reaching Across Cultures
- World Religions and Cults
- The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
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!
In this blog we’ll learn to understand the world religions of Islam, Hinduism, Buddhism. Understand the beliefs, practices, and teachings of each religion and popular cults too.
Jesus Christ came as the Word of God in human form to model God’s heart and His way of living. Through His death and resurrection, He paid the debt for our sins. He makes it possible for all who will believe to be transformed into ambassadors of God. We can be part in reconciling God with peoples of every tribe, nation, and language.
We can better understand World Mission and how it relates to the Church and our lives by exploring the following;
- God’s Heart for the Nations
- Understanding and Reaching Across Cultures
- World Religions and Cults
- The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
What is a religion?
Religion is an institution or a set of beliefs constituted by human beings in order to approach a god or gods. It is an organized set of beliefs, ceremonies, and rules in which one believes and which one follows devotedly. There are many different religions in the world.
Below we briefly address three of the world’s religions—Islam, Hinduism, and Buddhism.
The World Religion of Islam
Islam means submission to the will of God. The founder of Islam, Mohammed, was born in 570.
According to his revelation, there are six doctrines of the faith that Muslims hold to:
- The existence of one God, Allah, who is supreme and eternal—God of all mankind
- A hierarchy of angels with two angels assigned to every Muslim
- The existence of God’s Holy Books—the Torah, Psalms, and the Gospels with the Quran as the final revelation
- Prophets—Noah, Abraham, Moses, Jesus, and Mohammed (who is the last and best)
- Predestination—all things, both good and evil, are the direct result of the will of Allah
- The Day of Judgment—those whose good deeds outweigh their bad will be rewarded with Paradise while all others will be judged to hell.
There are five pillars in the Islamic religion. These obligations that every Muslim must keep are as follows:
- Confession of faith—“There is no true god except Allah, and Mohammed is his messenger.”
- Prayers five times a day (morning, noon, mid-afternoon, sunset, and night). Prayer in Islam is a direct link between a worshipper and God. It begins with a confession of sins, a purification of the body, and ends with the purification of the soul.
- Almsgiving—2.5% of one’s income for the poor. Possessions are purified by setting aside a small portion for those in need.
- Fasting during the lunar month of Ramadan—From dawn until sundown, abstaining from any food, drink, and sexual relationships. It’s the act of worship where the faithful deny their own needs and seek Allah.
- Pilgrimage to Mecca at least once in a lifetime if they are capable of doing it. It requires financial sacrifices.
The World Religion Of Hinduism
Hinduism is tremendously diverse. It encompasses those who believe in one reality, Brahman (the ultimate reality underlying every phenomenon), as well as those who believe in many gods, up to 330 million. It is common in one house for the husband to worship one god, the wife another god, and the children others. Regardless of the diversity within Hinduism, there are some core beliefs.
- Brahman is Truth and Ultimate Reality—Hindus believe in Brahman as the all-inclusive true God who is formless, limitless, and eternal. Brahman is not an abstract concept; it is a real entity that encompasses everything (seen and unseen) in the universe. This is the belief that nothing is distinct; all is one, all is God. The many gods of Hinduism are thus part of Brahman as are human beings and all animate and inanimate things in creation. According to Hinduism, humanity’s primary problem is that we have forgotten we are divine. The New Age movement is a product of this teaching.
- The Vedas are the ultimate authority—The Vedas are Hindu Scriptures that contain revelations received by ancient saints and sages. There is no one holy book, but there are several sacred writings, all of which add up to the “sacred corpus.” They believe that the Vedas are without beginning and without end; when everything else in the universe is destroyed (at the end of a cycle of time), the Vedas remain.
- The consequences of our choices, both bad karma and good karma, follow us from lifetime to lifetime.
The World Religion Of Hinduism Part Two
- Reincarnation/samsara, the ever-revolving wheel of life, death, and rebirth—The person’s karma determines the kind of incarnated body in the next lifetime.
- Individual souls are immortal. A Hindu believes that the individual soul (atman) is neither created nor destroyed—it has been, it is, and it will be. Actions of the soul, while residing in a body, require that it reap the consequences of those actions in the next life, placing the same soul in a different body.
- Moksha is liberation, the soul’s release from the cycle of death and rebirth—Liberation from the wheel of birth, death, and rebirth occurs when the soul unites with Brahman by realizing its true nature. Several paths can lead to this realization and unity: the path of duty, the path of knowledge, and the path of devotion (unconditional surrender to God).
- Most Hindus believe in an immense unifying force that governs all existence and cannot be completely known by humanity. As the apostle Paul did in Athens, this Hindu belief can become a common point to start presenting the Gospel in their context.
The World Religion of Buddhism
Buddhism does not believe in a personal God. It does not have worship, prayer, or praise of divine beings. It offers no redemption, no forgiveness, no hope of heaven, and no final judgment. In Buddhism, there are “The Four Noble Truths”:
- Life consists of suffering—Life includes pain, getting old, disease, and ultimately death. Buddhism explains how suffering can be avoided and how we can be truly happy.
- We suffer because we desire those things that are impermanent—Desire is the cause of all sufferings.
- The way to liberate oneself from suffering is by eliminating all desires.
- Desire can be eliminated by following the Eightfold path.
The Eightfold path is:
- Right Understanding, where one sees the universe illusion (the individual does not exist, so do I.)
- Right Thought
- Right Speech
- Right Action
- Right Livelihood
- Right Effort
- Right Awareness
- Right Meditation.
The Eightfold Path is a set of steps that describes not only a good life but one which will move the follower toward Nirvana—extinction wherein lies one’s essence. The individual doesn’t actually exist in Buddhism; you can turn off existence like a candle flame marking the end of desire and the end of suffering.
How do you feel when you hear the belief of these religions compared to what we as Christians believe?
As messengers of the Gospel of Jesus, we need to pray and find ways to engage the Gospel in the context of other religious beliefs.
Cults
Cults are religious groups that claim to be in harmony with Christianity but deny foundational Christian teachings such as the Trinity or the unique deity of Jesus Christ.
The word “cult” is generally used to denote a group or organization which deviates from Christian teaching.
In Matthew 7:15-17, Jesus gives us warning about the coming of cults, and much of the New Testament is written to correct their distractive influence (2 Corinthians 11:1-11; Galatians 1:8-9).
Jesus stated, “Watch out for false prophets. They come to you in sheep’s clothing, but inwardly they are ferocious wolves.” What Jesus was warning us of was that followers of cults will look and act like Christians. However, that is only in external appearance. They might argue as true believers for the time, but eventually, their words, actions, and especially their fruits will reveal their true identity.
The failure of the Church in making disciples contributed a lot to the emersion of many cultic movements. The increase of cults is also a fulfillment of the warning given by Jesus and the apostles (Matthew 24:23-26; 2 Peter 2:1-3). As the day of the return of our Lord is approaching, there will be an increase in false prophets and teachings.
How do we identify cults from real Christian teaching?
All cults have a distorted view of the triune God; they promote false teaching based on the nature of God.
But the Bible teaches us there is one God who has revealed Himself in three persons—Father, Son, and Holy Spirit (Matthew 3:16-17; Matthew 28:19; 2 Corinthians 13:14).
Cults also teach a false view of Jesus Christ (2 Corinthians 11:4). For example, Christian Science teaches that Jesus Christ is a historical figure but not the God-man, and Jehovah’s Witnesses also teach that Jesus is not God. But the Bible tells us that Jesus is fully God and fully human (John 17:3; 1 Timothy 2:5; Philippians 2:6-7).
Cultic understanding of salvation is also distorted. Most cults have a works-oriented Gospel by undermining the finished work on the cross (Ephesians 2:8-9).
Cults and The Early Church
In the early Church, there were a number of schisms and heretical movements such as Arianism. These heresies were essentially doctrinal ones. As the church councils met in response to them, the creeds of the Church formed, and the canon of the New Testament was finally agreed upon.
Throughout history, there have been heretical teachings of many kinds, but in recent years, there has been an explosion in the number of these groups. In the end, most cults fail, but they still can cause enormous personal damage and create confusion amongst Christians and non-Christians alike. The good thing is that, as the cults continue to increase, we know that the day of the Lord is near.
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 want a Christian mission organization to partner with to become a better disciple and help make disciples, connect with us today!
Our God is a missionary God who created human beings in His image and for a relationship with Him.
God has chosen a people to join with Him in seeking restoration of relationship with all of humanity.
Jesus Christ came as the Word of God in human form to model God’s heart and His way of living. Through His death and resurrection, He paid the debt for our sins. God invites us to into His work of reconciliation with peoples of every tribe, nation, and language.
We can better understand World Mission and how it relates to the Church and our lives by exploring the following;
- God’s Heart for the Nations
- Understanding and Reaching Across Cultures
- World Religions and Cults
- The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
The vision of our missionary God is to enfold people of every nation, tribe, and language into His Kingdom.
God’s Heart To Reach Across Cultures
God has chosen to work through a particular people of His calling. That is, the nation of Israel in the Old Testament and the Church in the New Testament. This calling was always with the intent that His people would become agents of His mission to all peoples.
Many Old Testament passages point to the day when God will gather peoples from all nations. They will be included in His purposes and become agents of His Kingdom. Some verses that explain this journey can be found here(Isaiah 56:3, Isaiah 56:6-8; Isaiah 66:18-21; Zechariah 8:20-23).
Jesus said that the Gospel of the Kingdom would be preached among all peoples (Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10).
After His resurrection, he commissioned His disciples to go and preach the Gospel. And by the power of the Spirit, to make disciples of all nations (Matthew 28:19; Mark 16:15; Luke 24:46-47).
They were sent on a mission into the world as Jesus Himself was sent by the Father (John 20:21).
The Holy Spirit And Making Disciples
After Jesus ascended into heaven and after the Holy Spirit was sent at Pentecost, Jesus mission transferred the Church.
In Acts 1:8, Jesus indicates that the Spirit will empower His people to become His witnesses. The spread of the disciples’ witness involved moving outward from Jerusalem to Judea, Samaria, Antioch, and every remote region.
In fact, this mission required crossing ethnic and religious barriers. The Gospel moved from the people of Israel to the Samaritans who had a form of Old Testament faith. The message then moved onto the Gentiles. They consisted of diverse ethnic groups and were followers of a variety of religious beliefs.
How can we reach the entire world by crossing different cultural and religious backgrounds?
Creative Ways to Reach Across Cultures With The Gospel.
Reaching the least reached is not an easy task for the church.
We need creative methods and entry points. God has empowered the Church to be HIs witness in the world.
Key areas of innovation include the following:
Awareness and adaptation of cultural differences so as to minimize the challenges to effective communication of the Gospel
Ralph Winter, in his essay “Cross-Cultural Evangelism: The Task of Highest Priority,” highlights the need for awareness of the “cultural distance” between the messenger and the recipient.
The nearer the messenger is in cultural adaptation to the recipient culture, the more effective is the sharing of the Gospel. This “nearness” may be due to one’s culture of origin or even the result of careful adaptation to the recipient culture.
The messenger must work hard to understand the other culture by learning the language, traditions, historical problems, religious allegiance, and patterns of behavior.
At Global Disciples, we believe and encourage indigenous clusters of churches to train and send their own workers.
These are people who know the culture well in order to reap the plentiful harvest.
The willingness of clusters of churches to send church planters to least-reached, remote, and difficult areas
In Global Disciples, we believe that churches in close proximity to the least-reached areas are instrumental. If these clusters of churches are willing to identify and train church planters to cross to the next village/town, we will provide a Small Business Development (SBD) training tool for them.
This will allow them to train their church planters. Then they can develop their own legitimate businesses to give them the resources to access least-reached people and to sustain their families and ministries.
How did Paul present the Gospel to the people of Athens (Acts 17:16-34)?
Becoming all things to all men
We must begin on common ground by understanding the culture of the people we are trying to reach. Without understanding the culture, we can’t begin on common ground in order to engage the Gospel in this people’s context.
Understanding another culture is not as easy as we think. Everything that a culture is and will ever be is driven by its worldview. This is the deepest part of the culture.
Understanding the culture of our audience allows us to properly present the Gospel message in their context. The Apostle Paul was an expert at understanding cultures.
He was provoked by all of the idols that he saw in the city of Athens (Acts 17:16). But He began his talk by observing that they were very religious in all respects. Then he mentioned that he found an altar that was dedicated, “To an unknown God.” He used this “unknown God” to tell them about the true God who created heaven and earth. He showed them the supremacy of God by saying,
“The God who made the world and all things in it, since He is Lord of heaven and earth, does not dwell in temples made with hands, nor is He served by human hands, as though He needed anything, since He Himself gives to all people life and breath and all things” (Acts 17:24-25).
Understanding The Culture & Context
Paul even used their writing, “‘For in him we live and move and have our being.’ As some of your own poets have said, ‘We are his offspring.’” He used their poet’s sayings to support his argument that all human beings came from one man and that we are all children of God. Finally, he called them to repentance and faith in Jesus Christ (Acts 17:30-31). “In the past God overlooked such ignorance, but now he commands all people everywhere to repent. For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to everyone by raising him from the dead” (emphasis added).
Here, Paul made it clear there is no salvation without repentance and submission to the saving power of the One who defeated death. Contextualization means beginning with some common ground and presenting the saving Gospel in that context.
Distinguishing between culture and Gospel
Every ethnic group has its own culture and some kind of religious background. Therefore, for the Gospel to be understood and received by any people group, it has to be communicated in the context of that culture to make it meaningful. But most of the time, we do not go with a “pure” or naked Gospel to adapt it into the new culture. In taking the Gospel across cultures, one of the mistakes we often make is that of going with a Gospel wrapped in our own cultural context. So we need to be careful to distinguish between the two—culture and Gospel.
The Gospel message we received originally came in the historical context of the Hebrew and Greek cultures. But these practices had to cross many different cultures as the Church expanded. For example, in the early Church, the Hebrew practices of circumcision and dietary laws were set aside in the Gentiles’ culture (Acts 15:1-35; Romans 14). The churches did not always agree as to how to relate to surrounding cultures which resulted in controversies and division.
The Gospel And The Culture
Our Gospel is the universal message of salvation for all people irrespective of race, language, culture, or circumstances. It does not presuppose the superiority of any culture to another but evaluates all cultures according to its own criteria of truth and righteousness based on the Word of God. To communicate the Gospel effectively, we have to separate it from our culture and present it in terms of the culture of the people we are reaching. It is good to remember that Jesus Christ is the captive of no culture and is the master of all cultures. The central task of our mission is to present the message in the context of our audience so that they can respond positively (1 Timothy 2:5-6).
Cultural incarnation
We have the authority to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to all people within their context. Just as Jesus Christ became flesh and dwelt among people, we, the messengers of the Gospel, must have a cultural incarnation in order to be meaningful (John 1:14-18). We cannot communicate the Gospel withot concerning ourselves with culture because our Gospel is super-cultural in its origin, truth, and application.
Did you know that sharing the Gospel effectively requires thoughtful, biblical contextualization? This means the removal of non-scriptural cultural elements from the Gospel of Jesus Christ. Contextualization requires choosing appropriate words, analogies, worship styles, etc. In the early Church, the decision about the necessity of circumcision was a critical issue requiring contextualization. Some saw it as a prerequisite to becoming a follower of Christ. The Jerusalem council realized that the deeper intent of the Old Testament passages was that circumcision (the form) was only a sign of actual spiritual submission to God (the meaning [Romans 2:25-29]).
How Paul Reached New Gospel Audiences
Paul contextualized the Gospel message in the context of his audiences (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). He chose to live like the people he was reaching. The Gospel message must be contextualized in the language and custom of the local people as God speaks to them in their real situations as Paul did. Even if we believe in contextualization, we do not compromise on salvation that is only through Jesus Christ our Savior and Lord (Acts 4:12; John 14:6). It is through Jesus Christ that God is reconciling the lost and dying world. Anyone who does not accept Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior is eternally lost.
We are on a mission of reaching and discipling the entire world with our Commissioner, Jesus. He invites us to participate in the greatest, most diverse, and most significant historical gathering of the harvest in the last days. This mission, which He has entrusted into our hands, needs to go to the ends of the earth by crossing cultures as it is prophesized in Isaiah 49:6: “I will make you a light to the Gentiles, and you will bring my salvation to the ends of the earth” (NLT). These words anticipate not only the work of Christ (Luke 2:32) but also the future witness of His disciples, including us (Acts 13:47).
God’s Mission And Making Disciples
One day, God’s mission to include people from every nation, tribe, and language in His kingdom will be fulfilled (Revelation 5:9-10; Revelation 7:9). The Church today, as God’s missionary people, can confidently bear witness to Christ to advance His kingdom, near and far, crossing every cultural barrier. We will not rest until the Gospel has reached every people, has been shared in every locality, and until churches have been planted at every corner among the least-reached peoples around the world.
We will look forward to the day when this global mission is accomplished, when great multitudes from every race, tribe, nation, people, and language will stand before the throne of our true God and sing the song, “Salvation belongs to our God, who sits on the throne, and to the Lamb” (Revelation 7:9). Getting involved now will allow us to experience in advance a little of what heaven will be like.
Are we willing to cross-cultural and religious barriers so that we will fulfill the mission Jesus has given us?
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!
In this blog, we’ll help you discover more about spiritual gifts, how to identify your personal gifts and how you can use them to serve God with an eternal impact!
Did you know that spiritual gifts are given to every Christian when they receive the gift of salvation. God The Holy Spirit gives us these gifts freely when we put our faith in Him.
In fact, each of us has our own spiritual gifts. Read on to discover what they could be and what they might mean for you.
Discover Different Kinds of Spiritual Gifts
1) Ministry
The gift of “tongues” was more than just a language unknown to anyone else. Tongues was intended to be a sign to the church that a particular believer was ministering in a foreign tongue.
In reality, the spiritual gifts given for ministry are God’s way of using what believers do to meet the needs of others and serve them. The act of giving such gifts is called administration. To administer is to apply and bring into use.
The 5-Fold Ministry Gifts include the following:
- Apostles
- Prophets
- Evangelists
- Pastors
- Teachers
- Helpers
2) Manifestations
The manifestations of the Holy Spirit are the ways that God uses to bring the truth of salvation to light. Consequently, they are actions that were performed by the early church and demonstrate the plan of salvation.
The gifts given by the manifestation of the Holy Spirit are the abilities that enable believers to confirm and strengthen other believers in the faith. They are the gifts that help to build up the body of Christ, the Church. The act of giving such gifts is called serving. The Greek word means to enter into spiritual service.
In fact, there are nine Manifestations of the Holy Spirit and they are:
- A message of wisdom
- A message of knowledge
- Faith
- Gifts of healing
- Miraculous powers
- Prophecy
- Distinguishing between spirits
- Speaking in different kinds of tongues
- The interpretation of tongues
3) Motivation
Motivation is the spiritual gift of prayer that helps encourage others to do things that are God’s will, and to do them in a way that pleases God.
The gifts given by the motivation are spiritual gifts that help believers do what God wants them to do. They are the tools that help people to strengthen and encourage one another.
God The Holy Spirit gives us these gifts freely. Each believer has a different set of gifts. These gifts are given for the purpose of serving God and others.
How to Discover Your Own Spiritual Gifts
Some churches provide tests to determine spiritual gifts. In this case, your pastor can administer the test for you and input the results for you. Why not take this test online?
Ask someone who knows you well. People who know you or who have worked with you in the church can usually tell you what you enjoy doing and what you do best.
Discover The Greatest Spiritual Gift.
Have you ever wondered which is the greatest spiritual gift? They say that love is the best gift. It means that love matters most. Gifts are great, but it’s more important to know how to love. God has given us His love as a gift. We love because He loved us first. Without love, all the actions supposed to be gifts are empty.
Conclusion
Spiritual gifts are given to every Christian when they receive the gift of salvation. As a reminder that salvation is a gift of grace, they are given freely by God when we place our faith in Him. He is constantly giving things to us.
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!
Repentance is changing the mind and heart regarding a past action or attitude and turning away from it in favor of a more righteous path.
It typically involves an acknowledgment of wrongdoing, regret for that wrongdoing, and a commitment to avoid similar actions in the future.
But where can we find out more about repentance in the Bible?
In this blog, we’ll explore 5 Bible verses about repentance that every Christian should know.
1. James 1:14
“But each one is tempted when he is drawn away by his own desires and enticed.”
We all face temptation, whether to do something wrong or something we know isn’t good for us. The verse reminds us that temptation is a part of life but that we have the power to resist it.
Each of us must sincerely desire to change our hearts and minds about our past actions and attitudes. We must be willing to acknowledge our mistakes, admit our guilt, and ask forgiveness from our gracious God.
It’s worth reminding ourselves that temptation can come in many forms. It can be anything from a desire for money, power, or fame to an urge to do something wrong or harmful. With the help of God, we can stay on the path of righteousness and lead a life of faith and obedience.
Whatever your desires are saying to you today, know that you have a savior whose love is greater than the temptation you are facing. He WILL give you a way out!
2. James 4:17
“Therefore, to him who knows to do good and does not do it, to him it is a sin.”
The verse reminds us that it’s not enough to know what is right and wrong. We must act on our knowledge and do what is good.
As Christians, we must use the knowledge and understanding we have been given to further God’s plan and do what is just in HIS eyes. This verse is a reminder to pay attention to the Holy Spirit’s prompting & to look out for opportunities to do good wherever we can. We must use our knowledge to further God’s plan and do
3. Ecclesiastes 7
“A good name is better than precious ointment…”
We’re living in a day when reputations can be inflated and created overnight. With the rise in social media and celebrities seemingly everywhere, its tempting to think that building a good name can be done instantly. But scripture reminds us that building a life of legacy & impact takes persistence and hard work. And it takes time.
Let’s not be in a rush to win the popularity stakes and forget that Jesus is looking for the “perfume” of obedience and integrity.
4. Ecclesiastes 7:20
“For there is not a just man on earth who does good and does not sin.
Nobody is perfect. Even the bible admits that! No matter how hard we try, no one can live a life free of sin. Therefore, we aim to live life fully with the best intentions.
The truth of this statement is sobering, but it’s also important to remember that it doesn’t mean we should give up on trying to be good people. Instead, it reminds us that we should strive to improve and learn from our mistakes, and rely on the grace of God to continue to perfect us until we are all that He created us to be.
5. Psalm 51:5
“Behold, I was brought forth in iniquity, and my mother conceived me in sin.”
The verse is a reminder that sin is a part of the human condition. We are all born with an inclination toward sin and wrongdoing, reminding us to recognize and confront our sinful nature.
It also serves as a reminder that even though we may have been born into sin, we can still make positive choices and pursue a life of righteousness. We must be willing to recognize our faults and seek forgiveness for our sins to be reconciled to God.
What Does Repentance Look Like?
a. Recognize Mistakes
The first step in repentance is recognizing our wrongs and accepting responsibility for them. It means acknowledging that our actions, words, or thoughts were wrong and that we are accountable for our behaviour.
b. Accept Consequences
We must be willing to accept the consequences of our actions and be honest about our mistakes. We must also be ready to forgive ourselves and move on. The second step in repentance is to make amends, which means doing what we can to repair any harm caused by our actions.
c. Make Amends
We must be willing to apologize, make restitution, and take whatever steps are necessary to rectify the situation. It also involves being willing to forgive others and asking for forgiveness in return. The final step in repentance is to commit to doing better in the future.
Why Should People Repent?
We each should repent because it is a way to restore relationships and heal hurt feelings. It is also a way of recognizing that we are all imperfect and that mistakes happen. Repentance can help us learn from our mistakes, grow as individuals, and become better people.
Finally, repentance can help us build a stronger relationship with God by acknowledging our wrongdoings and seeking His forgiveness. Repentance should fuel people to become better and commit fewer mistakes as possible moving forward.
A Prayer of Repentance
Here’s a prayer of repentance that you can pray today:
“Heavenly Father, I come to you to ask for forgiveness. For things, I have done wrong through neglect or weakness or even wilfully. For the things I have neglected to do & the opportunities, I have missed. Thank You that because of Jesus’ death and resurrection, I can be forgiven. So I receive your forgiveness right now. Help me today to walk in the power of Your Spirit. In your Sons precious Name. Amen”
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!
Our God is a missionary God who created human beings in His image and for a relationship with Him.
Jesus Christ came as the Word of God in human form to model God’s heart and His way of living. Through His death and resurrection, He paid the debt for our sins. And He invites us to get involved in HIs divine plan for reconciliation with people of all nations.
We can better understand World Mission and how it relates to the Church and our lives by exploring the following;
- God’s heart for the Nations
- Understanding and Reaching Across Cultures
- World Religions and Cults
- The Uniqueness of Jesus Christ
From the very beginning to the end, the Bible message is a missionary message. God is in the business of restoring the broken relationship between Him and humanity. Let us observe the missionary nature of God in His missionary manual that He has given us, the Bible.
Introduction
The Book of Genesis begins with the beautiful story of Creation (Genesis 1 – 2). Its followed by the disobedience Adam and Eve who allowed sin to enter the world and God’s response (Genesis 3-10). When mankind sinned, our missionary God took the initiative to come and find our parents, Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:8-9). Then God divided them from Himself in order to win them back.
The Story
Our missionary God didn’t give up even when mankind continued to sin against Him. He called Abram, whom He later called Abraham, and worked through him by setting apart a missionary people (Old Testament). Jesus later became human and died as an atonement for our sin. He destroyed the power of death by His flesh (Matthew-John). Finally, He displayed the way of life to all people. So, if we closely look at all Bible stories, they are mission stories.
Genesis 12:1-3: God promised to bless Abraham to make him a blessing for all the families of the earth. In the same way, God blesses us to make us a blessing for all people.
- 1 Samuel 17:45-46: David overcame the giant in the name of the Lord God so all the earth would know that there was a God in Israel, who saves. God will give us victories over the giants in our lives so that we can make His name known to the people in our lives.
- Psalm 46:10: When we trust and wait upon the Lord beyond the situations that surround us, He shows us His protection, care, and provision.
- Isaiah 49:6: God promised to make the people of Israel a light for the Gentiles, so that they would bring His salvation to the ends of the earth.
Gods Heart For The Nations
- Daniel 6: God gave Daniel the courage to be faithful to His God and, miraculously, He rescued him from the hands of his enemies so that all people and nations would know the one true God (Daniel 6:25-27). In the same way, Daniel’s three friends trusted in their God and gave themselves to fire. In a miraculous way, God delivered them from the burning fire so that their God was known as the God who saves. Through our trust in Him, God will do miracles in our lives too so that all people and nations will know the one true God.
- Jonah 1-4: God called Jonah to go and present the message of repentance to the people of Nineveh. His heart is always for the outsiders, for those with whom we might not want to relate as Jonah did not. The only book in the Bible that is concluded with a question is the Book of Jonah where God asks Jonah, in response to his anger over Ninevah being saved, “Should I not have concern for such a great city?” (Jonah 4:11). When God calls us for His mission, it is very important to obey. It is good to keep in our mind that His heart is always for outsiders.
- Luke 4:14-30: Jesus was filled by the Holy Spirit for the mission to bring the Good News to the poor, to heal the brokenhearted, and to set the oppressed and the captives free. In the same way, the Spirit of the Lord empowers us to give us God’s heart for the outsiders and for our enemies so that they will come to know and worship Him.
More Scriptures About Gods Heart For The Nations
- Mark 6:30-44 and Mark 8:1-25: We read here that Jesus, moved with compassion, miraculously fed a large crowd so as to show the love of God for them. Jesus is the bread of life for all peoples of the world (John 6:35).
- Acts 1:8; Acts 2:5; Acts 3:24-26: God empowered the disciples with the Holy Spirit so as to make them a blessing to all people. Since the day of the Pentecost, God has poured out the Holy Spirit on His people to make them a blessing to the people groups of this world.
- Acts 13:42-47: The Good News of Jesus is for the Jews and then, through them, for all people everywhere. Once we receive the Good News of Jesus, it is our responsibility to share it in our actions and words. God’s blessing for us must make us a blessing to others.
- Revelation 7:9-12: We are told that the end goal of our missionary God is to see people from every nation, tribe, and language come to the knowledge of God and worship Him from eternity to eternity (Matthew 24:14).
- John 3:16: God so loved the world, He gave His Only Son, Jesus, to come to this world in the form of a human being. Jesus, who by nature is God (Philippians 2:6-8), gave up everything for the sake of us and died on a tree to erase all our sins and curses and to destroy the work of the enemy, Satan, so that we could share in His blessings of abundant life (John 10:10). He conquered death, granted us victory, ascended to heaven, and sent us the Holy Spirit to help us to live according to His life. One day, he will come back to take us home (Acts 1:11).
Conclusion
The Book of Revelation culminates in final battles with the enemy, God’s glorious Kingdom, and the climax of the salvation story. Jesus, the King of all kings and the Lord of all lords, will establish His Kingdom, and He will rule with righteousness from eternity to eternity. Until then, our mission is not complete.
We are the children of the missionary God, and we need to knit our hearts with His heart so as to fulfill the mission of our Father—to reach the lost world with His name, to make Him known among the nations.
He has blessed us so as to make us a blessing for the nations. One day, the earth will be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord as the waters cover the sea (Habakkuk 2:14)!
What do we learn from the heart of our missionary God, and what is our part?
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!
Our God is a missionary God who created human beings in His image and for a relationship with Him.
From the time when the first man and woman He created chose to rebel against Him, God has been pursuing the restoration of His relationship with humanity.
Since the time of Abraham, we see that God has chosen a people to join with Him in seeking restoration of relationship with all of humanity.
Jesus Christ came as the Word of God in human form to model God’s heart and His way of living. Through His death and resurrection, He paid the debt for our sins. He makes it possible for all who will believe to be transformed into ambassadors of God, initiating reconciliation with peoples of every tribe, nation, and language.
We can better understand World Mission and how it relates to the Church and our lives by exploring the following;
Our God Is A Missionary God
Our God is a missionary God who has been at work since the beginning of Creation.
Jesus modeled the way and sent us to go to the ends of the earth, just as the Father sent Him (Mark 16:15; John 20:21).
To fulfill our mission, we need to contextualize the Gospel message in the context of the people to whom we are trying to bring salvation (John 1:14; 1 Corinthians 9:19-23).
We can do nothing apart from Jesus Christ. He promised to be with us when we go out to preach the Gospel and make disciples. He also promised to send us the Holy Spirit to empower us to make us effective witnesses for Him.
Are you reflecting Jesus’ heart of mission to our neighbors and colleagues?
How can we fulfill the mission of taking the Gospel to the ends of the world in our generation?
You’ve got an incredibly vital part to play!
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!
Discover the power of prayer in your local community. Join us in this mission to make our communities better places to live in!
How to Pray and What to Pray for in Your Local Community
In our fast-paced world, it’s easy to get caught up in our own lives and forget about the needs of our local community. Indeed, some acts of care take time, effort, and money. These resources are not always available for every need in our community.
The good news is that prayer, which is the most important resource that you can share with your community, is free and can be applied anywhere and at any time. Even if you travel all over the world, you can still pray for your local community.
The wonderful thing about living in the freedom of Christ is that there are no rules about when, where, or how to pray.
We can pray in our hearts in a busy shopping center. We can pray with our voices while diving underwater. Wherever we are, God hears us and our prayers for our local community can make a difference.
When we pray for our community, we ask God to intervene and work in the lives of the people who live there. We are asking him to meet their needs, both physical and spiritual.
There are many things we can pray for our local community. Here are some suggestions for how to pray for your community:
Pray for Community Members’ Hearts to be Stirred Up
When we pray for the Holy Spirit to reach the hearts of others, He sends people and situations their way that helps to awaken their spirits toward seeing the truth in God’s character. Our prayers stand in the gap for nonbelievers, asking God not to be silent towards their unbelief but continue sending markers their way to hopefully guide them toward the truth. It is a wonderful opportunity to be part of God’s evangelizing work!
Pray for Compassion in the Community
True compassion goes beyond just feeling sympathy, as it also includes the desire to take action to alleviate the suffering of others. When we are compassionate towards others, we create a more caring and supportive community. When we live in a compassionate community, we all benefit.
Compassion is at God’s heart, as shown in Matthew 5:4. Another good example is Psalm 103:8.
The Lord is merciful and gracious,
Slow to anger and abounding in compassion and lovingkindness.
Pray for Overcoming Social Issues
There is no single answer to addressing social issues in our local communities. However, one important step we can all take is to pray for those who are struggling. Ask God to change the hearts of those who are causing the problems, as well.
Prayer is not a magic wand that will fix all of the social issues in your community overnight. However, it is a powerful tool that can help to make a difference. If you are concerned about social issues in your community, start by praying for them. Prayer also helps us focus on what God is calling us to do in any given situation.
Pray for Zero Prejudice Towards Others
It’s no secret that prejudice exists in our world. Whether it’s based on race, religion, gender, or any other factor, it’s something that we all must deal with on a daily basis. Some experience such discrimination more in our local communities.
Make it a point to pray for zero prejudice toward others. This doesn’t mean that we should ignore the reality of discrimination, but rather that we should focus on promoting love and understanding in our communities, seeing the worth and value in every person. When the Holy Spirit reaches out to the hearts of those who are being discriminative towards others, they have the opportunity to see their own desperate need for Christ which helps them to not see themselves as better than those they are persecuting.
Pray for Restoration and Peace
Recent years have been notably difficult for many communities. We’ve seen division and turmoil all around the world. It’s easy to feel like things are falling apart. But even in the midst of all this, we can still find hope (Psalm 46:1).
One of the things that give optimism toward restoration and peace is the power of prayer.
Prayer is a special way for us to connect with God and ask for His help. And when we pray for our local community, we can see His hand at work.
Pray for Hope Over Despair
When the whole world feels like it’s simply crumbling around us, it’s easy to give into despair. But hope is a powerful force, and it’s one that we should never give up on. Hope can be found in the smallest of things – a kind word from a stranger, a sunny day after a long period of rain, or a whispered prayer.
And when we have hope, we can share it with others. When we share hope, it has a ripple effect and can help to create a more positive community. Psalm 91 shares hope with us.
Pray for Wisdom in the Face of Complexities
Complexity is a part of life, and it’s especially prevalent in our local communities. There are many moving parts, and it’s tough to understand what to do or where to turn. But when we pray for wisdom, we can be confident that God will guide us.
The Lord will give us the wisdom we need to face the complexities of our community. That wisdom will enable us to know how to best love and serve our neighbors to ensure clarity among everyone.
Pray for the Development and Health of Our Children
When we think about the future, we often think about our children. We want them to have all the opportunities in the world, and we wish them to be healthy and happy. As parents, it’s our job to do everything we can to help our children succeed.
One good thing we can do for our children is to pray for them. When we pray for the development and health of our children, we ask God to bless and give them everything they need to thrive. It is very possible that our prayers lead God to set plans into place that will cause people to cross paths with our children later in life that will help them focus on Christ.
Pray for Fairness from Local Leaders and Officials
Prayer is a powerful tool that can bring about positive change in our communities. When we pray for fairness from local leaders and officials, we ask for God’s guidance and wisdom to help them make decisions in the best interests of everyone involved.
We live in a world that is often filled with conflict and injustice, but the Lord is a God of justice and righteousness. When we pray for fairness, we ask God to intervene on behalf of those who are being treated unfairly.
Pray for Revival
When a community as a whole turns to Jesus and dedicates every aspect of life to Him, we say that that community is experiencing revival. During revival, crime rates drop, suicides become basically nonexistent, and gross domestic product flourishes. People enjoy living together in the same community and actively care for each others’ needs. Pray for revival in your community!
Pray for the Land
There have been times when communities have actively prayed for the Lord’s blessing and the result has been huge increases in soil fertility and crops. The prayers of hearts broken for Jesus can literally bless the land!
Conclusion
Prayer is an incredible tool that can help us to improve our local community. By praying for our community, we can ask for guidance and wisdom from God, and we can also intercede on behalf of others.
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 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!
The Gospel is the good news of Jesus Christ and His kingdom. It is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes (Romans 1:16). The Gospel is also the message we are to proclaim to the world (Matthew 28:19-20).
And, there are many ways to share the Gospel in today’s modern world. We can use technology, social media, and other platforms to reach people with the good news. We can also share the gospel through personal relationships and one-on-one conversations.
The most important thing is to be clear about the Gospel message and to be bold in sharing it. The Gospel is the power of God for salvation, and it is our responsibility to share it with others.
How Did Communicating God’s Truth Change in Different Eras?
The way Christians communicate God’s truth has changed greatly over the centuries, even as the message has never changed and remains as life-changing as it was for Peter, Paul, and Lydia.
Christians have always been creative in finding ways to share the good news. In the early church, Christians often communicated through stories. Jesus used parables to communicate his message, and the early Christians continued this tradition.
Jesus Christ preached the Gospel throughout his ministry on earth. He did this through his words and his actions. Jesus taught the Gospel in his sermons, such as the Sermon on the Mount (Matthew 5). He also showed the Gospel through his miracles. And He healed the sick, fed the hungry, and comforted the sorrowful.
Jesus also preached the Gospel through his death on the cross. He died in our place, taking the punishment that we deserve. His death shows us the great love of God.
As the church grew and became more institutionalized, sermons became the primary way to communicate God’s truth. This was partly due to the fact that the church became more formalized and partly because the average literacy rate was quite low. Sermons were a way to reach a large number of people with the message of the Gospel.
In the modern era, Christians have a wide variety of ways to communicate, including through books, movies, and the Internet. This has allowed Christians to reach a much wider audience with the message of the Gospel. Christians are no longer limited to communicating through sermons or stories; they can now use any medium that they think will be effective.
How Can You Share God’s Gospel in These Times?
It’s been said that the Gospel is “good news in bad times.” And there’s no doubt that we live in some pretty bad times right now. We’re faced with a global health crisis, an economic downturn, and a lot of uncertainty about the future.
In the midst of all this, the Gospel is still good news. It’s still the message of hope that we need to hear. Jesus said that when we hear of bad things happening, we do not need to fear because he is with us (Luke 21:13-15).
So how can we share the Gospel in these times? Here are a few ideas.
1. Pray for Opportunities
Would you pray that God would open doors for you to share the Gospel? And for boldness and wisdom too. Pray that people would be receptive to the message of hope that you have to offer.
2. Look for Natural Conversations
The Gospel is not something that we force on people. It’s something that we share in the context of natural conversations.
So look for opportunities to bring up spiritual topics in casual conversation. Ask questions about what people believe and why they believe it. Listen more than you talk. And be prepared to share your own faith story when the time is right.
3. Share Your Testimony
Your testimony is a powerful tool for sharing the Gospel. It’s a way of showing how the Gospel has changed your life and how it can change the lives of others.
So don’t be afraid to share your testimony with others. It’s a great way to start a conversation about faith.
4. Use Technology
Technology can be an excellent tool for sharing the Gospel. There are all sorts of ways to use technology to reach people with the good news.
You can use social media to share your faith story or the testimonies of others. Or, you can create gospel-centered content to share on your blog or website. Maybe you can even use technology to connect with people one-on-one and have gospel conversations?
Technology has an incredible ability to reach a huge amount of people of many different cultures all around the world. A word of caution though: While modern technology allows for even more personal, interactive discussions than older technologies, it will never be able to replace the rewarding experience of having a friend in the same room with you. We can have a deep, meaningful conversation with someone on the other side of the world, but that person will not be able to put a hand on your shoulder or share your meal with you. Technology can greatly enhance evangelism; however it cannot replace life on life discipleship.
5. Be Patient
Sharing the Gospel is not a quick or easy process. It takes time, patience, and perseverance.
So don’t get discouraged if you don’t see immediate results. Trust that God is at work, even when it’s not always apparent. And keep praying, keep sharing, and keep trusting that God will use your efforts for his glory.
Final Thoughts
The Christian Gospel message is an eternal message relevant to today’s world.
It is a message of hope, love, and forgiveness. It is a message that can change lives. And it is evident that to share God’s Gospel in today’s modern world; we need to be creative and use various platforms and mediums.
We also need to be diligent in our efforts as Christ Ambassadors and willing to put in the extra work to ensure that our message reaches as many people as possible.
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 strategy of training and coaching, believers share the Gospel in their 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!
As is often said, Christianity starts at home.
Of all the people that you come into contact with, your own children and spouse are those that you have the closest connection with and have the potential to have the greatest impact on.
Living with people who you call family gives you one of the best ministry opportunities to live out your authentic faith, showing them God’s love and care in a profound way.
Here are some ways to encourage your family to stay close to God.
1. Pray Together as a Family
God hears every prayer, even those prayers prayed silently in the depths of our hearts. He hears us when we walk and pray. He hears us when we pray to him in the middle of a busy crowd, or a business meeting. There is nowhere that we can go that God is not able to hear our prayers.
Having individual prayer time is crucial for maintaining a healthy prayer life. However, praying corporately with our family can also be a wonderful experience that builds deep, lasting memories for our children and other loved ones that can encourage them throughout their lives.
Praying together can be a great way to model our faith to our children. By praying together as a family, we can show our kids that faith is an important part of our lives and that it is something that we take seriously.
Praying together as a family can help to foster a sense of unity in a shared love for the Lord. This unity can also be nurtured through going as a family to church.
2. Go to Church Together
When it comes to corporate worship, there is no substitute for going to church together. Church provides a community of believers who support and encourage us in our faith journey. Additionally, the church allows us to hear God’s Word preached and taught and to share in communion.
There is something special about worshiping God together with other believers. It is an opportunity to lay our burdens down at the feet of Jesus (Matthew 11:28) and to receive his strength and peace. As we sing praises to God and hear his Word, our hearts are filled with hope and joy.
Going to church together is also a great way to grow closer to each other as a family. It can be a time to pray, learn, and serve together. When we make church a priority in our relationship, it can help to keep our relationship focused on God.
3. Spend Mealtimes Together as a Family
Mealtimes are an excellent opportunity to connect with God as a family. By spending mealtimes together, we can create an environment where we can talk about our day, share our joys and concerns, and pray together. This time spent together can help us to feel closer to God and to each other.
When we’re sharing a meal, we’re naturally more present with each other. We’re not distracted by work, technology, or other things that can often pull our attention away from the people we’re with. This can create a deeper connection with the people we’re sharing the meal with and help us be more present with God.
Sharing meals also allows us to slow down and enjoy the moment. This can help us to appreciate the food we’re eating, the company we’re with, and the blessings we have in our lives.
Consider setting an extra place at the table at every meal you enjoy with your family, just as a reminder that Jesus is with you at that meal too. This empty chair will not be for Jesus to occupy, but will rather simply be a constant visual reminder for you and your family that he is right there with you, in your hearts and, since you are eating together in his name, he is there amongst you (Matthew 18:20).
4. Read the Bible Together
One of the best ways to become closer to God is to read the Bible together as a family. By reading the Bible together, you and your family can learn about God’s love for us, His plans for our lives, and how to follow His will.
Reading the Bible together can also help to strengthen your family bonds. As you discuss what you have read and learned together, you will be able to understand each other’s perspectives better and build a deeper level of trust and communication.
If you are unsure where to start, many resources are available to help you. You can find Bible reading plans online, in Christian bookstores, or in the back of many Bibles. Start by picking a plan that fits your family’s schedule and interests, then stick to it. You may also consider using a devotional guide to help you discuss the Bible passage for that day.
5. Serve Other People Together
When we serve others, we follow in Jesus’ footsteps and model our behavior after His. When we serve others, we also open our hearts to God and allow Him to work through us.
There are many ways to serve others as a family. You can volunteer at a local soup kitchen or food bank. Or collect items for a local shelter. You can visit people in the hospital or nursing home. You can write letters to soldiers or veterans. Or you can participate in a local service project. You can get involved with the life of your neighbors. The possibilities are endless!
When you serve others together as a family, you will become closer to God and to each other. You will learn more about God’s love for all people and be inspired to live out your faith in your daily life.
Serving others as a family creates happy memories for all of you, as you can spend many times talking with each other about the amazing experiences you had as you were God’s hands and feet to those who need it most. This can help you feel closer to each other and closer to God
6. Organize Weekly Family Nights
Organizing a weekly family night can be a great way to become closer to God as a family. It can be a time for you to gather together and pray, read the Bible, or just spend time talking about your faith. It can also be a time to have some fun together and bond as a family.
To start, choose a day and time that works for everyone in the family. You may want to pick a day that everyone is typically free, such as a Friday or Saturday night. Then, choose an activity that everyone will enjoy. This could be simple: playing games together, watching a movie, or going out for ice cream.
7. Create New Traditions as a Family
If you’re looking for ways to bring your family closer together and become closer to God, consider creating new traditions as a family.
One tradition you might want to start is attending a weekly Bible study or prayer group together. This can help you learn more about your faith and grow closer to God as a family. You can also use this time to bond with your children and teach them about your beliefs.
Whatever traditions you decide to start, make sure they are something that your whole family can enjoy and that will help you grow closer to God.
Final Thoughts
While individual time with God is very important, meeting with God as a family is also essential. As family members, you can help each other remain focused on Christ.
Helping your family become closer to God is a wonderful experience. It can help improve communication and deepen your relationship with your loved ones. Additionally, it can provide opportunities for personal growth, spiritual enrichment, and compassionate discipleship.
By taking the time to pray together, read the Bible, and serve others together, you can help your family grow closer to God and experience all the benefits that come with it.
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