The Blessing

God’s Promise, Our Purpose

 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

© 2008 Institute of International Studies (IIS)

Written by Molly Wall

All rights reserved. We grant permission to reproduce and adapt this material for use
in classroom settings or other training contexts with credit given to the source. For
permission to translate into other languages, please see the A Message for Translators
on page 4. Any material reproduced from this work for distribution must be offered
free of charge, or for sale without profit (at actual cost), just as we have made it
available to you. By granting these permissions, we hope to make this material easily
accessible to as many as will use it responsibly, and for its intended purpose.

Copies available at: http://www.uscwm.org/IIS

Scripture taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®.

NIV®. Copyright© 1973, 1978, 1984 by International Bible Society. Used by
permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved.

Acknowledgements

Many ideas in this material draw from the work of others who have gone before
and faithfully recorded their experience for our use. The foundation for this material
originally comes from the reader, study guide, and course Perspectives on the World
Christian Movement™. We extend great appreciation to Dr. Ralph Winter and Steve
Hawthorne who first made available this inspiring material, and are indebted to the
editors for their encouragement in the production of this course. We also recognize
and appreciate the lives and work of these devoted men, and the others on their
teams, on behalf of the least reached peoples of the world. We appreciate the vision
and enthusiasm they shared with us, that we might follow it in our generation. For a
complete list of works referenced or used in this material, please see Bibliography on
page 172.

We especially thank all who skillfully contributed to the production of this material
through writing, editing, publishing, providing feedback or generating ideas. This
course and its contents was created by the leaders and staff of the Institute of
International Studies.


 

Table of Contents
A Message for Translators.................................................................................... 4
A Message for Group Leaders or Instructors....................................................... 4
How to Study the Bible to Be Transformed........................................................... 5

Introduction......................................................................................................... 9

Chapter One: The Early Story of God’s People............................................ 13

Lesson One: God Reveals A Promise....................................................... 14

Lesson Two: Abraham and God’s Covenant............................................. 21
Lesson Three: The Hebrew People and God’s Covenant........................... 28

Chapter Two: The Story of Jesus Alive on Earth.......................................... 39

Lesson Four: Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son............................ 40

Lesson Five: Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God..................................... 50
Lesson Six: Jesus and God’s Covenant................................................... 59

Chapter Three: The Age of the Apostles, Part One.......................................... 71

Lesson Seven: The Holy Spirit and God’s Covenant.................................. 72

Lesson Eight: Sent-Out Disciples............................................................... 81
Lesson Nine: Kingdom Communities........................................................ 91

Chapter Four: The Age of the Apostles, Part Two......................................... 101

Lesson Ten: Daily Life of Early Sent-Out Disciples............................... 102

Lesson Eleven: Early Sent-Out Disciples Communicate Good News......... 110
Lesson Twelve: Barriers to Communication................................................. 122

Chapter Five: The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom........................... 135

Lesson Thirteen: The Spreading Kingdom, First Century to Our Day........... 136
Lesson Fourteen: Our Generation and God’s Covenant.................................. 145
Lesson Fifteen: Our Role in God’s Great Story ........................................... 154

Conclusion........................................................................................................... 171

Bibliography......................................................................................................... 172
Appendix A: For Leaders—How to Use This Resource........................................ 173
Appendix B: Making Plans—Imagine What God Can Do Through You ............. 179
Appendix C: Optional Chapter—The Story of Your People and the Great Story...... 187
Appendix D: Additional Articles........................................................................... 197


 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

A Message for Translators

We hope this manual will benefit many peoples in their quest to know and experience
God’s story. Our primary aim is to make this material available to as many as will use
it, in a way that honors everyone involved in the work. For this reason, we grant you
permission to translate this work into languages other than English, free of charge,
and without soliciting our written permission, in accordance with the following
conditions:
1) You must inform us of your intent to translate this work. Contact us at
theblessing@uscwm.org. If we are aware of all translation projects,
we can help prevent multiple parties spending time and resources
on duplicate efforts. We may also be able to connect you with other
translators from the same language group to assist with the work.
2) You must send us your completed publication. Contact us at
theblessing@uscwm.org. If we receive copies of all translations, we
can post them online for download alongside the original English
version, making them freely available to any who might have use of
them. We will always give proper credit to translators for their work.
3) Your publication must be affordable. The content or manual you
have translated must be offered free of charge, or for sale without
profit (at actual cost), just as we have made it available to you.
4) You must faithfully translate the material as written. Except for
minor issues of vernacular, you may not alter the author’s meaning.
5) You must credit the owners and the original author(s). You may not
claim to have written the material yourself. Include the following
statement in your translation: “Translated with the permission of the
Institute for International Studies (IIS) and the author.”

Finally, you may use our graphics and illustrations without any cost to you. We make
them available online, for download. For information on locating and downloading
these files, please contact us at theblessing@uscwm.org.

A Message for Group Leaders or

Instructors
We designed this material for study in a group setting, whether through formal
classroom instruction or informal discussion and training. However, the material
may also be used for individual study. For the information you need to use this
material effectively, please see page 173, Appendix A: For Leaders—How to Use This
Resource.


 

How to Study the Bible to Be

Transformed
A people group, community, family or individual can only experience transformation
when there are radical changes in their views of the world. A people must seek
and find better answers to the basic questions of life. All people groups of every
generation seek answers to these questions.

» The Bible answers these questions for us:

» Who are we? Where do we come from? What is our purpose?
» What has gone wrong with humanity and the world?
» What is the solution or the way out?

God’s answer to these life questions is at the heart of the Great Story revealed in the Bible.

When we come to each story or passage of text in the Bible, we face an opportunity
to encounter God and experience His transforming power. This is no small matter and
we must begin with reverence and open hearts.

Understanding the Bible is something God makes possible When we come to

for every man, woman and child to do today. “Ears that
hear and eyes that see—the LORD has made them both” each story or passage
(Proverbs 20:12). of text in the Bible, we
The steps for study we outline below come from Jesus’ face an opportunity
teaching to the disciples in Matthew 13:15. They will guide to encounter God
you through the process of opening your heart and mind to
God so that He might transform you, your family, and your and experience His
community, through the study of His story as He reveals it transforming power.
through the Bible.

“… they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears….” (Matthew 13:15)

Step One: When we come to a story or passage of text in the Bible,

we first put aside all the things we think we know or understand about
God, about humanity, and about the world.

If we do not open our hearts and put aside our boastful knowledge, we cloud our eyes
and ears with messages from our own culture and from God’s enemy. We must put our
own ideas aside enough that we are able to truly see what is in this part of the Bible.
» We ask:
» Who are the characters?
» What are the important events?
» What do humans do and say in this story?
» What does God do and say in this story?
» What thoughts, feelings, decisions and actions do those in the story experience?


 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Step Two: As we think of questions, we look for answers in the story

itself. Engage in conversation with the story.

We often must read or listen to a story several times to see and hear all the
information the author includes. We begin to hear how the story breaks into sections
marked by key ideas, words, or phrases the author repeats. We begin to identify the
important thought of each section of the story, then the important thought of the story
or passage itself, and we are ready for what God does next.

“… they might…understand with their hearts….” (Matthew 13:15)

Step Three: Once we hear and see the truth revealed in what a story
or passage of text tells us, we are able to discover what it means. God
transforms our minds and beliefs as He reveals truth to us.

Each story or passage we study in the Bible was included by its author for a reason.
There is a meaning or message God wants us to understand.
» To discover that message or meaning, we ask:
» Why does the author include this story or text in this place?
» How does it fit with the other stories that come before or after it?
» If you were the author, what message would you be trying to give?
» If you were one of the original readers or hearers of this story or text,
what message would you understand?
» To help you understand more about the meaning, ask:
» How is God at work in this place, among this people, to restore His
good relationship with all peoples?
» How is God at work in this place, among this people, to restore His
righteous rule over all kingdoms?
» How is God at work in this place, among this people, to make His
name and reputation known to all peoples so that they may honor and
follow Him?

Step Four: Only when we understand the meaning of a story or

passage can we begin to understand it with our hearts.

When we understand the original message of a story or text, we can translate that
message into our own culture, to our own people and our own generation. If we seek
to understand the message in this way, we will gain more than just information. We
will gain true understanding of God’s message, revealed to our hearts.

“…if you…[apply] your heart to understanding, and if you call out for insight and
cry aloud for understanding, and if you look for it as for silver and search for it
as for hidden treasure, then you will understand the fear of the LORD and find the
knowledge of God” (Proverbs 2:1-5).


 

“… and turn…” (Matthew 13:15)

Step Five: When God reveals His truth and His message to us in the
stories and texts of the Bible, they touch our minds and hearts in a way
that compels us to respond.

After Jesus reveals God’s truth and message to the crowds, He asks them to repent
and believe (Mark 1:15). When we repent, we turn away from seeking our own way,
and turn towards seeking the way of God. When God reveals truth in the stories and
texts of the Bible, we recognize Him asking us to repent and believe.
» We ask:
» Does this story or text contain a new truth for me to believe?
» Does it correct an error in my previous understanding?
» Does it reveal a new attitude I must adopt or a new command to obey?
» Does it reveal a sin or destructive behavior I must give up?
» Is there an example I must follow, or one I must avoid?
» Is there a promise I must believe and remember?
» Is there a prayer I must pray?

As we repent and turn, we remember the warning James gives, “Do not merely listen
to the word, and so deceive yourselves. Do what it says. Anyone who listens to the
word but does not do what it says is like a man who looks at his face in a mirror and,
after looking at himself, goes away and immediately forgets what he looks like. But
the man who looks intently into the perfect law that gives freedom, and continues to
do this, not forgetting what he has heard, but doing it—he will be blessed in what he
does” (James 1:22-25).

“… and I would heal them.” (Matthew 13:15)

Step Six: When we repent and believe, God restores us to good

relationship with Himself. God heals us. He transforms us. He invites
us to share the truth of this story and text with others.

When God heals us, we reflect His image to others. Our hands do His good and loving
deeds, our mouths speak His truth, our feet carry us throughout the world to bless all
peoples. When we are healed we have life, and we share that life with others.

Healed families and communities reflect God’s righteous kingdom to all peoples. Our
relationships demonstrate love and forgiveness. Our families bring strength and honor
to our people. Our community prospers and overcomes evil and suffering, replacing
them with good works. When our families and communities are healed we bring the
kingdom of God near to others.

God heals and transforms us in this way if we are faithful to study the stories and
texts in the Bible. Every lesson in this material contains key stories designed for
you to study in this way. Each story reveals God’s truth and important messages for
all people and for your people. Follow the six steps outlined above each time you
approach a story. Expect God to heal and transform you through this process.


The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose


 Introduction

Introduction
The Great Story It tells of God’s love, and how all peoples
can have their relationship with God
History is the Great Story of God at work restored through the Promised Son,
among the peoples of the earth. It is the Jesus. The Bible reveals the Great
story of God restoring His rule over His Story—past, present and future.
creation. It is the story of God blessing and
transforming entire peoples. It is the story More people have wanted to read the
of God displaying His glory to and through Bible than any other book ever written.
His creation and receiving worship from They can read it now in over 1,700
all He has made. languages. The hard work and sacrifice
of those who made God’s Word available
God reveals His Great Story to humanity to us in our own language inspires us.
through the words and deeds of His
followers. Entire groups of peoples A Story for All Peoples
recognize their part in the story. They
worship Him. They reveal His glory on Two men on the road to Emmaus, confused
earth. They join in His work in the world. by events that just happened in Jerusalem,
This Great Story transforms thousands hear a story from Jesus that changes their
of peoples and individuals—Europeans, lives. “And beginning with Moses and
Asians, Africans and Latin Americans. all the Prophets, (Jesus) explained what
was said in all the Scriptures concerning
God reveals His story all through history. Himself” (Luke 24:27).
Through the work of the Holy Spirit,
men and women recognize it. Obedient Soon after they hear His story, the events
prophets and servants of God preserve in Jerusalem make sense to them. Jesus
the meaning for us. We hold that inspired opens their eyes and they recognize Him.
record in our hands—the Bible. His story connects these followers’ lives
to God’s Great Story (see Luke 24:30-
All peoples must discover how their story 32). Stories still capture our minds and
is part of God’s Great Story. We designed hearts. They make it easy for new truths
this course so that your people might to take root in our lives.
recognize how your story brings glory to
God, then help others discover the same. In the Great Story, we find the early
parts to our own peoples’ story. We find
The Bible Reveals the Story meaning to the stories unfolding in our
day, both for us individually and in the
The Bible is not just a collection of life of our people. We find understanding
stories, myths and fables. It is the most for both the difficult and wonderful parts
trustworthy book of all time. In its pages, of our story.
the Bible tells about Creation, including
the creation of humanity. It reveals how People—alienated from their Creator,
evil enters creation and how humanity unaware of His love and work—wander
responds to the Evil One. It reveals God’s off to seek after their own way. By their
promise to overcome evil and restore His own efforts, they try to find meaning and
rightful rule over creation. purpose in life. They are on a path that


 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

leads nowhere. They become corrupt in (John 4:34). Can we say the same about
their thinking and behavior. They exchange our lives today?
a lie for the truth of who they are and why
God created them (Romans 2:25). The Great Story is the
Whole Bible

We designed this course How do you use your Bible? For many
people, it sometimes feels overwhelming
so that your people might to read and understand the Bible. They do
recognize how your story not take time to hear it or learn from it.

brings glory to God, then help Others turn only to the last part of the
others discover the same. book, the New Testament. This is like
starting in the middle to tell a story.
Much of the story’s meaning is lost. We
must know the beginning of a story to
Humanity’s deepest need is to turn away understand it fully.
from seeking after its own way and return
to the way of the Creator God. Returning to Others choose parts of the Bible they want
God gives us new identity as members of to study, and focus only on that which
His household. This identity gives us honor. interests them. These people may have
It gives us value. It also gives us purpose: an incomplete understanding of a story
to connect others to the Great Story. and miss the truth. We look to the Bible
to meet our needs. We find comfort when
Prophets of the Old Testament and apostles we hurt (I Peter 5:7). We find spiritual
of the New Testament recognize God’s food to help us grow (II Timothy 3:16-
purpose in their day. They understand 17). We find guidance for the future (I
God reveals truth and writes history. Corinthians 2:9-16).
They believe God controls history and
completes it according to His promise. The Bible is a good resource for us. But
if we use it only as a resource for our
This truth changes their lives and they needs, we may miss the overall message
become His followers—ambassadors and it reveals.
servants who worship Him and make Him
known on earth. Every book of the Bible, and even each
small story inside every book, is a part
Our purpose as God’s people is to realize of God’s Great Story. Two themes work
our place in His Great Story in our own their way from the beginning of God’s
generation. The most freeing, life-giving Word to the end.
experience is to know and worship the
Creator God, to recognize His work in ▪ God’s purpose for all peoples is to
the world, then to offer ourselves for worship and follow Him (Genesis 3:15,
the completion of His story on earth. He 12:1-3 through Revelation 7:9-12).
makes us for this purpose.
▪ The Promised Son, Jesus, makes
Jesus says, “My food is to do the will of a way for blessing to flow to all
Him who sent Me and to finish His work” peoples (Genesis 3:15).

10
 Introduction

In this way, God restores His rule over story gives us our identity and purpose,
humanity, and over all His creation. for which we work and give our lives.

It is easy to miss the Great Story when As you work through the pages that
we only focus on the concerns of our follow, let God connect you now to the
own lives. Few people connect their own Great Story for life. Begin on the first
stories and the story of their people with the page of the Bible, where God begins His
Great Story. Few people understand this story to us.

11
The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

12
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

Chapter 1

The Early Story of God’s People

“Be still, and know that I am God; I will be exalted among the nations,
I will be exalted in the earth” (Psalm 46:10).

Chapter 1 introduces us to the early characters and events of God’s Great Story.
Through these characters and events, we meet the central themes. When we discover
these themes of the Bible, the whole Great Story makes sense. Our understanding of
the whole Bible and the world around us deepens.

It takes time and careful thought to read and understand the Bible. We do not
understand the Great Story without studying the smaller stories it contains in order.
We follow the story as it passes from one era to the next, from one people group and
language to another. As we see it develop, we see God’s promise fulfilled from one
generation to another, throughout history up to our own day.

Lesson 1. God Reveals a Promise

Lesson 2. Abraham and God’s Covenant
Lesson 3. The Hebrew People and God’s Covenant

13
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

Lesson 1. God Reveals A Promise

The Creation and the Fall

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 1-2

“…God created the heavens and the earth. The earth was formless and
void, and darkness was over the surface of the deep, and the Spirit of
God was moving over the surface of the waters” (Genesis 1:1-2). God
bursts forth and speaks His creation into being. He looks at all He makes
and sees it is good (Genesis 1:3-25). God continues creating and makes
a man—the first man, Adam—in His own image. To Adam, He gives the
first woman—Eve. God blesses them and enjoys relationship with them
(Genesis 1:28). They worship Him and enjoy Him deeply. God sees that
what He has created is very good (Genesis 1:31).

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 3:1-7

One of the most significant characters in all world history enters the story
as a serpent in Genesis 3. The Evil One—Satan—is God’s adversary.
Satan asks Eve, “Did God really say…?” He deceives and distorts the
words God speaks. In doing this, he reveals his rebellion against God
and his own purpose for humanity. Satan is at war with God. Adam and
Eve choose to disobey God and join the Evil One in his rebellion, a
cosmic conflict that rages through all human history.

Beginning in the Garden of Eden, this conflict between the kingdom of

God and the kingdom of darkness continues to our day. The reality of
this conflict touches every man, woman and child, every day. Because
of the rebellion of Satan and the disobedience of Adam and Eve, life is
a war between these two kingdoms.

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 3:8-24

Immediately after they disobey, Adam and Eve hide in shame. They are
afraid of God and shamed by their wrongdoing. What will God do to
them? If God were human like us, He might choose to destroy man
and all His creation, including Satan and the kingdom of darkness. He

14
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

has the power and the right to do this when His creation rejects and
dishonors Him.

God’s character is certainly righteous and just, but it is also loving and
merciful.

God acts with a purpose that will both affect all peoples and defeat
the kingdom of darkness. God seeks out Adam and Eve and promises
He will “…put enmity between (Satan’s) seed and
(Eve’s) seed” (Genesis 3:15). The Great Story is the
God reveals His intention to fight and win the war
story of God at work
so that His creation might worship and enjoy Him in the world to restore
again. He also reveals His strategy for victory,
which involves sending a Promised Son.
humanity and to restore
His kingdom rule.
God intends to bless humanity by removing our
shame of rebellion and disobedience and restoring us once again to a
good relationship with Him in His kingdom. He intends to destroy the
kingdom of darkness and restore His rule over all creation.

God is active in the war. He never loses control over history. He never
leaves humanity or the world alone. It is all to His glory—that He may
be known, worshipped and enjoyed by all peoples (Psalm 67).

The Great Story is the story of God at work in the world to restore humanity and
to restore His kingdom rule. God will restore followers to good relationship
with Him from among every people. God will restore His rightful rule over all
kingdoms, all creation. This is His purpose for all history and all peoples. The Bible
reveals how He fulfills this promise from one generation to the next, even up to our day.

When we open our eyes to see the Great Story, we understand God’s love for all
peoples is actually the whole message of the Bible. This understanding reveals many
things to us about our own people and our purpose. Reflect on your own life. How
does your peoples’ story connect with God’s Great Story? How are your people still
seeking after their own way and rebelling against God?

“Now is the time of God’s favor, now is the day of salvation” (II Corinthians 6:2). Turn
from seeking after your own way, reclaim your identity, and fulfill the purpose God
intends for you. “Worship the Lord your God, and serve Him only” (Luke 4:8).

» Tell about the Great Story:

» How does it begin (Genesis 1:1, 31)?
» What is the problem (Genesis 3:1-13)?
» How does God promise to solve the problem (Genesis 3:15)?

15
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

» God’s purpose is to restore. What two destroyed possessions of His does

He seek to restore?
» What is the Bible? How does the Bible relate to the Great Story?
» What does it mean to say “life is a war between the kingdom of God and
the kingdom of darkness?”
» Who is at war?
» Who starts the war? What do we know about the character of this being?
» Who is the real enemy?
» How does the war end?
» How does this war between the kingdoms affect your family, your
community, or your people?

Saving Faith—What is it?

W e clearly understand from God’s Great Story that He requires His followers
to demonstrate faith that He will restore a good relationship with them.
Hebrews 12:1 says faith is “being sure of what we hope for and certain of what
we do not see.” As you study the smaller stories within the Great Story, watch
for the many examples of faith demonstrated by the people of God.

God continually invites people back into a good relationship with Him:
• By asking them to believe Him and His Promised Son,
• By having them demonstrate faith both in His ability and in His promise
to save them from the rule of the kingdom of darkness, and
• By giving them opportunities to obey or act on that belief in the context
of their own lives and families.

Obedient belief in God’s promise pleases Him because we depend on Him

alone. Obedient belief is confidence in God’s promise and in His character.
Obedient belief saves us from the fate of those who disobey God. This is why
some call it saving faith, or a faith that saves (Luke 7:50, Ephesians 2:8,
James 2:14).

Regardless of when we live on earth, we must all put our belief in the Promised
Son, Jesus Christ. Today, we can know what His life is like, and what His
death and resurrection mean for humanity and for God’s purpose. We know
Jesus removed the shame of our sin, overcame the sting of death, and made it
possible for God to restore His good relationship with us.

We also know Jesus will come again to rule God’s kingdom at the end of the
age. This has not happened yet but, by faith, we believe it will. By faith we
obey God and follow His commands, sure of what we hope for because of the
finished work of Jesus. This gives us confidence in what the future holds: God

16
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

will accomplish His work on earth, just as He says He will.

As we study the Great Story, we find examples of men and women who dem-
onstrate saving faith in the promise God makes of a seed: the Promised Son
(Genesis 3:15). For a good list of these examples, read Hebrews 11. Jesus’
work fulfills God’s promise for all peoples.

The Flood

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 6-9

Many of Adam’s descendants begin seeking after their own way,

following their own wicked desires rather than honoring God, until the
“wickedness of man was great on the earth… every intent of the thoughts
of his heart (were) evil continually” (Genesis 6:5).

Humanity’s behavior saddens God so much that He decides to destroy

His creation with water. He does not forget His original promise to
restore and rule (Genesis 3:15). He cannot allow His promise to go
unfulfilled. By sparing the family of a righteous man, Noah, He allows
His purpose to go forward (Genesis 6:6-8).

Noah’s family survives the flood and God promises never to destroy
all life by water again (Genesis 9:12). A very short time later, however,
Noah’s family sinks into wrongdoing (Genesis 9:21-22). Within a few
generations, the people begin seeking after their own way by trying to
honor themselves and make themselves famous instead of honoring the
Creator (Genesis 11:4), the Most High God.

God again intervenes in history to move His purpose forward for the
people He loves.

The Tower of Babel

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 11:1-9

At that time, every person had one language. Together, they rebel against
God and seek great fame for themselves. At the Tower of Babel, God
divides the people into many separate people groups, so that each one
speaks a language different from all others (Genesis 11:6-9). They no
longer communicate as one group.

From that time until our day, these many people groups have divided into
thousands more, speaking many different languages and following many
different traditions. Some count over 24,000 people groups in the world today.

17
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

Before the tower of Babel, every person At the Tower of Babel, God scatters many
had one language. peoples throughout the whole earth.

By dividing humanity into separate groups, God prevents them from continuing to
rebel together. He also changes the way He communicates witht humanity. From
Babel until our day, God speaks with people in their separate groups, through their
separate languages and traditions, rather than speaking to them as one group. Watch
for examples of this as you study God’s story.

God’s Plan to Restore All Peoples

After Babel, God reveals more to humanity about His

plan to reach out to all the peoples of the earth. He plans
to select one special people out of the many He creates.
He blesses that people, shares more with them about the
Great Story and the Promised Son, then tells them that
all the other people groups will be blessed through them.

God’s plan begins with Abraham’s family and continues

until our day. God’s plan will continue until Jesus comes
again at the end of the age. In lesson 14, we learn how
many people groups already know God’s story. We also God selects one people to
learn how many people groups are still waiting for God to receive his blessing and
bless all other peoples.
reveal His story to them through His people.

STORY FOR STUDY: REVELATION 7:9-17

We know all the peoples of the earth will hear the Great Story before
the end of the age. Jesus says, “And this gospel of the kingdom will be
preached in the whole world as a testimony to all (peoples), and then the
end will come” (Matthew 24:14).

18
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

In Revelation 5 and 7, we see how the story ends—John’s great vision

reveals that many people from “every nation and all tribes and peoples
and tongues” gather before the throne of Jesus to worship Him. God
accomplishes His purpose.

While that day may be close, it is also yet to come.

We find ourselves somewhere in the middle of God’s
God invites us to live
story. What does this mean for us as God’s people? in such a way that our
If we recognize that life is a war between kingdoms,
and if God has given us a new identity as citizens
story connects with His
of His kingdom of light, then we have an amazing story once again, just as
opportunity. God invites us to live in such a way that
our story connects with His story once again, just as it
it did in the beginning.
did in the beginning.

In war, there is no neutral ground. Jesus says, “He who is not with Me is against Me,
and he who does not gather with Me scatters” (Matthew 12:30). Either we participate
with God in His work or we assist in Satan’s rebellion against God.

» What is God’s plan for restoring His relationship with all the people
groups of the earth? How does the story end (Revelation 22:1-5)?
» How does participating with God to carry out His plan define our own
identity and give our people purpose?

Humanity Worships God

G od creates us to worship. All of humanity worships someone or something.

Some people worship using complicated rituals. Others worship by
offering gifts. Others seek out special people and pay them to worship for them.
Others do not believe in God. They worship themselves or their possessions.
They seek after their own way.

The Most High God desires and commands our worship. Worship means to
honor, praise, adore and obey. We worship God by making Him the ultimate
ruler of our lives and our people, giving Him everything we have and everything
we are for His use.

Worship has two parts: what we see and what we do not see. We cannot see
what is on the inside of a person. God sees the inside. There is only one type
of true and acceptable worship. God desires worship that starts with a right
attitude. He is less concerned with specific actions. People are free to worship
God according to their traditions.

19
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

To learn more about acceptable worship, hear what Jesus says in Matthew 23:25-
28, Mark 12:38-40 and Mark 12:41-44. The attitude of the heart is important to
Him. Look for ways God’s people worship Him throughout the Great Story.
Watch for what is important to God about every people’s worship.

Explore the Scriptures

» Read Genesis 3-11.
» Answer the following questions about God’s purpose:
» How does God act to restore His good relationship with humanity in
this part of the Great Story?
» How does God act to restore His kingdom rule?
» How does Satan try to prevent God from carrying out His purpose to
restore?
» Answer the following questions about humanity’s response to God. Tell
about our identity.
» How does humanity participate in the war between God’s kingdom and
the kingdom of darkness?
» How does God reveal Himself to humanity and communicate with them?
» How does humanity respond to God’s revelation?
» How do the people of God honor and worship Him, both as individuals
and as a community?

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» What has God revealed to you in lesson 1 about Himself, His purpose and
your people through this study of Genesis 3-11?

Pray God Accomplishes His Purpose through You and

Your People
» Ask God to reveal to you specific things you and your family can do
to participate with Him in carrying out His purpose to restore His
relationship with all peoples, and to restore His kingdom rule on earth.
» Share the things God reveals with your family and with others who study
this course. Commit to pray this week for direction and guidance in these areas.

20
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

Lesson 2. Abraham and God’s Covenant

Do you realize if our ancestors had not listened to Satan and rebelled against God
we would probably not need a Bible? There would be no promise to trace through
the Old Testament. There would be no Promised Son to expect and no resurrection
victory to proclaim.

Instead, we would still be sharing life face to face with God as part of His family.
God would rule His good kingdom without opposition and we would be in a loving
relationship with Him, worshipping Him unhindered by our shame and sinfulness.

Because of our rebellion, God’s love compels Him to set a plan in motion and carry
out His purpose to restore. He reveals this plan to those who listen and obey. In
Genesis 12, God selects one man and his family to reach all the families of earth. He
selects Abraham’s family to be the one to bless all others.

The Family of Abraham Receives the Blessing of God

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 11:10-12:9

Abraham has a very intimate relationship with God. God speaks to Abraham.
Abraham hears God’s command and says “Yes” to His call. His journey
begins with a relationship with His creator and
an act of obedience (Genesis 12:4). God uses one righteous
God invites Abraham and his family to become
man and his descendants to
His partners and to join Him in carrying out bring the Great Story to all.
His purpose. Abraham and his family have a
big task ahead. God works through this family to share His story with the
other families on the earth.

Beginning with Abraham, God’s story becomes a story of one people

reaching out to another people, bringing them back to worship the Most
High God, their Creator.

God uses one righteous man and his descendants to bring the Great Story to all. He
sends them out with the blessing they receive to be a blessing to all the other families.
This is His plan to bless all the peoples of the earth.

God interacts personally with individuals, speaking to their hearts in order to restore
them to a good relationship with Himself. When restored individuals begin living in a
way that honors God, whole families can be renewed in their relationship to God.

21
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

Families begin joining other families and God restores them to righteous living
within the natural community where He places them. Through communities living by
obedience and faith, God restores entire people groups and societies.

God desires a good relationship with all the people groups on earth, and He works
through individuals—in their families, in their communities—to restore all peoples.

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 12:1-3

God makes a covenant with Abraham and his descendants. A covenant

is a special agreement. Much like a contract or partnership, a covenant
identifies the duties each individual or group
God’s covenant with agrees to do. Each person must fulfill his part of
the agreement or there will be consequences.
Abraham shows us
how He works in and God reveals more about His promise. He tells
Abraham He will make him the father of a great
through the traditions of people. He promises to bless him materially and
Abraham’s own people. spiritually. God’s part of the covenant includes
making Abraham’s name or good reputation
known to all and using Abraham to bring glory and honor to Himself.
He promises to bless those who bless Abraham and curse those who
curse him. God’s blessing restores Abraham to good relationship in the
security of God’s family.

At the same time, God instructs Abraham to leave his own country and
go to a land that God will show him. He tells Abraham He will bless all
of the peoples of the earth through him and his descendants.

God loves Abraham and wants to bless Him. But He does not want to bless only
Abraham—He wants to bless one man and his family so that they will bless the other
families of the earth. God begins working through His servant to accomplish His purpose.

» What is God’s covenant with Abraham? What does God promise to do?
For what is Abraham responsible?
» What does God’s covenant with Abraham reveal about His purpose to
restore His relationship with humanity and to restore His rightful
kingdom rule?

God Values the Traditions of Abraham’s People

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 15

God seals His covenant with Abraham using a tradition common among
Abraham’s people: splitting animals in two pieces and passing between

22
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

the two halves (Genesis 15). Later, God seals the covenant again by
using another tribal tradition commonly used among several ancient
people groups including Abraham’s: circumcision (Genesis 17:9-14).

God speaks to Abraham according to the traditions of his people. When Abraham meets
God, he is already part of a people group. His people have their own customs and
traditions regarding food, language, worship rituals, and more. These traditions make up
Abraham’s natural identity—the identity of his people, into which he was born.

God’s covenant with Abraham shows us how He works in and through the traditions
of Abraham’s own people. God does this even though the traditions of Abraham’s
people are no more holy than the traditions of any other people group. He does this
so that Abraham understands Him. God also does this so that Abraham may keep his
natural identity and continue living as part of his own people. Not everything about
the traditions of Abraham’s people is pleasing to God, but God knows how to speak
through the good that is there.

» Why does God seal the covenant with Abraham according to the tradition
of his own people?

STORIES FOR STUDY: GENESIS 12:5-9, 22:9-14 and ROMANS 4:3-25

Abraham worships God using worship rituals of his people such as

sacrificing animals, building altars, or stretching himself out face down
on the ground in God’s presence. He takes his family away from their
home to a new land because God tells him to do so.

When Abraham follows God, God gives him a new identity as a member of His
family and His kingdom. Abraham lives according to his natural identity on the
outside, but his heart changes on the inside—he chooses to align himself with God
and His kingdom. Because Abraham obeys God, he begins to live his life differently.

As the story continues, Abraham learns to live by some traditions of the other peoples
he meets in Canaan and Egypt. Even when Abraham adopts some new traditions on
the outside, he always worships the Most High God in his heart. His true identity
never changes. Paul tells us it is not what Abraham does that makes him a righteous
man. It is Abraham’s faith that makes him righteous (Romans 4:3-25). It is the
attitudes and motives of his heart, which only God can see, that make his actions
acceptable worship.

This is important for us to understand because God values the traditions of every
people group. He rejoices in the variety of all the natural identities of the different
people groups. In our day, He still communicates with people through their own
traditions as He does in Abraham’s day. We will see more examples of this later in
God’s story.

23
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

» What is Abraham’s natural identity?

We understand that in reality, we cannot divide our identity. We are human,
and both natural and spiritual at once. In this course, we use this way of
thinking about our identity to help us understand the difference between the
following two things:
• The different traditions people follow on the outside (their natural
identity – part of an earthly people or family group).
• The way we are all the same on the inside (true identity – part of God’s
people or family, or else part of the rebellion).
We hope this distinction will be useful to you, even while it an imperfect
means of describing our human experience.
» How does Abraham worship the Most High God according to the
traditions and customs of his own people, even when his people use these
traditions to worship other gods?
» What does God reveal about Himself with regard to human customs and
traditions?
» How do we offer acceptable worship to God?

Abraham’s Family and the Covenant (Genesis 12-50)

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 26:1-5 and GENESIS 28:10-17

God repeats His covenant four times in Genesis: two more times to
Abraham, once to Isaac, and once to Jacob (Genesis 18:18, Genesis
22:16-18, Genesis 26:2-5, Genesis 28:13-15). We find God’s covenant
repeated, in fewer words or with different words, nearly 400 times in the
Bible. For example, it is in Psalm 72:17, Isaiah 49:6, Jeremiah 4:2 and
Zechariah 8:13.

This covenant reveals God’s promise—the unchanging promise He

fulfills through Abraham’s descendants. This includes Abraham’s
physical descendants—his family, the Hebrew people group, and even
his descendant, Jesus. It also includes all the people of God who are the
spiritual descendants of Abraham: the followers of Jesus in our day.

God’s covenant with Abraham in Genesis 12 is an early announcement of the Great

Commission Jesus gives His followers thousands of years later (Matthew 28:19-
20). Jesus commands them to “make disciples of all nations.” This is also God’s
command to Abraham and his descendants, that they bless all the other families or
people groups of the earth. All who follow the faith of Abraham in every generation
are heirs of God’s covenant promise and command.

24
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

» God’s Covenant is with Abraham and all his descendants. The Bible tells
us that we who follow the faith of Abraham are Abraham’s descendants
(Romans 4:16-18). What does it mean for your people to be heirs of the
covenant promise God made with your ancestor Abraham?

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 16 and 21:8-20

God chooses Abraham’s son, Isaac, to fulfill His covenant promise.

Remember that God chooses Abraham and his family to be a blessing
to other people groups not because He loves them more,
but because He loves all peoples and He wants to use All who follow the
Abraham’s family to reach them.
faith of Abraham
God cares about and has just as much love for Abraham’s in every generation
first-born son, Ishmael, and for Hagar, his mother. God
loves the descendants of Abraham through Ishmael, are heirs of God’s
too. God speaks to Hagar through His angel in her time covenant promise
of distress, encouraging her and blessing her son with
strength and fruitfulness (Genesis 16:10-16). and command.
Abraham also asks God to bless Ishmael, whom he loves. God also
promises Abraham that Ishmael will be both fruitful and the father of a
great people (Genesis 17:18-20).

Many people groups and families trace their ancestry to Abraham through Ishmael.
They, too, are the peoples of the earth that God loves and wants to bless through His
covenant promise. Abraham loves all the members of his family and understands they
are also part of God’s story, even when they play different roles. We must understand
this, too, and join in God’s loving plan to bless the many Arabic people groups
descended from Ishmael.

Saving Faith—Abraham, Friend of God

A braham may not meet Jesus on earth, but God fulfills His promise to
Abraham in Jesus. God’s covenant with Abraham’s family includes a
promise that all peoples will receive blessing through Abraham’s descendant.
That descendant is Jesus.

Abraham does not know the details of the Great Story or how God writes
history to fulfill His promise of salvation and blessing. Still, Abraham believes
God and looks forward to the Promised Son (the “seed” of Genesis 3:15) who
will come. Jesus says, “Your father Abraham rejoiced at the thought of seeing
my day; he saw it and was glad” (John 8:56).

Abraham obeys God’s commands based on this belief. This is his saving faith.

25
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

God credits righteousness to him through the work of Jesus Christ (Genesis
15:6, Galatians 3:6, Revelation 13:8). God brings salvation and blessing to
Abraham and his family through Jesus Christ, by faith, because of his belief in
God demonstrated by his obedience.

The apostle Paul writes that God announces the Good News in advance to
Abraham (Galatians 3:8). Did Abraham hear and believe the Good News?
What is the Good News?

We often have modern definitions of the Good News that include many specific
beliefs about God and His Son, Jesus. Jesus preaches the Good News before
He dies and rises from the dead. What is the Good News Jesus preaches?

Paul calls the covenant promise to Abraham—that all the peoples will be
blessed in him—the Good News preached to Abraham. He says that Abraham
believes this Good News.

God restores us to relationship with Him through faith in Jesus—whether we

look forward to the Promised Son, as Abraham did, or backward to Jesus’ life,
death, and resurrection, as we do now. We demonstrate this faith through our
belief in God’s promise, and our obedience in worship.

God Reveals Himself to Other Families

Genesis provides the record of God fulfilling His promise through His people. The
smaller stories usually focus on God, His people and His plan. But there are also stories
of others, among other people groups, who know and worship the Most High God.

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 14:17-24

The king of Salem, Melchizedek, meets Abraham after a difficult battle.

The king brings Abraham food and drink, blesses him, and blesses God.
Though he is not part of Abraham’s family, Melchizedek is a priest of
the Most High God (Genesis 14). God restores His good relationship
with this king before he encounters Abraham or his family.

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 20 and 21:22-34

Abimelech is another king who lives in Abraham’s day. Though he is

not part of Abraham’s family, God speaks to him in a dream. Abimelech
listens to and speaks to God (Genesis 20). Abraham sees the outside
acts of the people in Abimelech’s kingdom and wrongly decides that
nobody fears God there (Genesis 20:11).

God is always at work revealing Himself in every people group. We find people who

26
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

worship the Most High God in even the most unexpected places. These people might
be eager to hear the story we bring them about God and His purpose for their people.

Explore the Scriptures

» Refer to the smaller stories found in Genesis below.
Genesis 1:1-2:3 Genesis 11:1-11 Genesis 25:19-34
Genesis 2:25-3:24 Genesis 12:1-3 Genesis 37:1-11
Genesis 9:20-29
» Answer the following questions about God’s purpose.
» How does God act to restore His good relationship with humanity in
this part of the Great Story?
» How does God act to restore His kingdom rule?
» How does Satan try to prevent God from carrying out His purpose to restore?
» Answer the following questions about humanity’s response to God. Tell
about our identity.
» How does humanity participate in the war between God’s kingdom and
the kingdom of darkness?
» How does God reveal Himself to humanity and communicate with them?
» How does humanity respond to God’s revelation?
» How do the people of God honor and worship Him, both as individuals
and as a community?

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» What has the Holy Spirit revealed to you about the identity of your people
through this study of Genesis 1 through 50 in lessons 1 and 2? Share what
you have learned with your family and others in your study group.
» Think about blessings.
» What is a blessing?
» What does it mean to speak a blessing to someone?
» What does it mean to receive a blessing from another?
» What does it mean to bless another people group?
Pray for the Families of the Earth
» Think about this: If God’s plan is to bless a people so that they can bless
other people groups, then Satan’s plan must be to attack that people and
stop the blessing. In what ways do your people experience Satan’s attack?
God has blessed your people, and He desires that through your people the
other peoples of the earth will receive God’s blessing. Pray that:
» God’s protection for your own people extends to even the fourth generation.
» God’s healing, peace and restoration will be upon your people, on each
family within your people group.
» You have authority to fight against Satan’s attack on your people, and
each of the families in your people group.
» Ask God to reveal to you the people group He would like to bless through
you. Begin to pray regularly for them.

27
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

Lesson 3. The Hebrew People and

God’s Covenant
The Birth of a People (Exodus 1-15)

As the story continues, God grows a large people from Abraham’s household.

STORY FOR STUDY: GENESIS 37, 41 and EXODUS 1

Abraham’s family grows in size and fame in the land of Canaan, but a
famine comes to the land and almost destroys them. How does God save
them? Years before the famine, Jacob’s sons sell their brother, Joseph, to
slave traders who sell him in Egypt. But God uses this shameful situation
in Jacob’s family to advance His plan.

Over time and through much suffering, God raises Joseph to a position
of power in Egypt. When the famine comes, his family—Abraham’s
descendants—finds safety there. Even though Joseph is a blessing to
the nation of Egypt, over time the Egyptians forget Joseph’s name, good
reputation and service to them.

The Egyptians force Joseph’s descendants into slavery. This time of

oppression is harsh and painful for them. God blesses them by allowing
them to grow in numbers without having their own land. By the time
Moses is born about 400 years later, Abraham’s descendants are a large
nation. We know that nation as Israel, or the Hebrew people group.

God intends for the Hebrew people—the people descended from

Abraham through Isaac and Jacob—to bless all the other peoples, just as
His covenant promises. The Hebrews bring blessing to Egypt through
Joseph’s leadership. The Hebrews also bless Egypt by sharing the Great
Story of the Most High God. Some Egyptians choose to follow Him.
But God’s plan is to use the Hebrew people in a greater way.

STORY FOR STUDY: EXODUS 2:23-4:17 and 5:22-6:8

God chooses to send Moses, a Hebrew who is raised in the palace of the
Egyptian king, to reveal His power and make His name and glory known
throughout the earth. The God of the Hebrews does this by proving
Himself through mighty deeds and miracles to be more powerful than
all the Egyptian gods (Exodus 7-12). God proves all-powerful over all
nature by parting the Red Sea (Exodus 14).

Through these deeds, God makes Himself famous throughout the known
world (see Exodus 9:16, Nehemiah 9:10, Psalm 106:8, Isaiah 63:10-12,
Jeremiah 32:20, Daniel 9:15, for examples).

28
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

Why does God make His name known? When people seek fame it is prideful and
boastful. But God is not like us. He is completely good. It is not boasting for God to
make Himself known as good. It is truth. He wants to be known for being a good,
loving and just God. He wants more people to know and worship Him. He wants this
for everyone because He loves all the peoples of the world.

God Works Through Moses in a Special Way

M oses has a natural identity that includes the traditions of two different
people groups. He is born into one group, the Hebrew people. He also
learns the ways of the Egyptians (Acts 7:22) because the family who raises
him in the palace is from that people group. He is a Hebrew, a descendant of
Abraham, and considers the Hebrews his people (Exodus 2:11). He learns the
Hebrew traditions from his mother, who is his nursemaid in the palace. Being
a Hebrew is part of his natural identity.

Moses communicates well with both Hebrews and Egyptians. Both people
groups accept him as one of their own. Moses does not plan this. But, because
he is comfortable with both traditions, God has a special use for Moses.

Throughout Scripture, God uses other people like Moses to accomplish His
plan. Paul and Timothy are other examples of individuals whose natural iden-
tity includes the traditions of two or more people groups. While God uses any
person who obeys Him, we know He uses people like Moses in unique ways to
fulfill His promise to bless all peoples.

Are you a person like this? Does your natural identity include the traditions
and customs of more than one people group? Pray that God reveals to you how
your unique identity plays a role in His Great Story.

STORY FOR STUDY: EXODUS 19:1-9

God powerfully delivers the Hebrews from Egypt. Then He reminds them
of His covenant promise given to Abraham, their ancestor (Exodus 19:4-
6). He reminds them that He blesses them by allowing them to grow into a
great people and by delivering them from slavery in a miraculous way.

God says they will be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. This
defines their identity and purpose. As a kingdom of priests, they serve
God, receive His blessing and make Him known among the peoples.
They help others be restored and reconciled to God. As a holy nation,
they reflect the goodness, love and holiness of God by how they live,
both as individuals and within the community. They glorify Him as the
one and only good and righteous God.

29
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

To help them know more about living as a holy nation in His kingdom,
God gives them the Law through Moses (see Exodus and Leviticus).
This Law teaches them to honor and worship God with all their heart,
soul, and might (Deuteronomy 6:4-5). They learn how to live rightly and
lovingly with one another and how to dwell righteously in the land He
gives them (Leviticus 19:18).

Some parts of the Law are very similar to laws used by the other people
groups living around the people of Israel. Other parts are unique to God
and His kingdom. The Law shows that humanity is not perfect—that we
will sin. It shows people how to cope with personal sin and with the sins
of the community in a righteous way. The Law is part of God’s plan to
make the people of Israel a blessing to all people groups.

» What does it mean for God’s people to be a kingdom of priests? What

role does God expect His people to have as priests?
» What does it mean for God’s people to be a holy nation? What does this
tell us about our identity as His people?

God Dwells Among His People

God dwells in a tabernacle in the midst of His people now called Israel.
Israel becomes a bridge between God and the people groups dwelling
around them. Through Joshua, God blesses Israel with land and—through
King David’s family—with a righteous political kingdom to rule. These
blessings are part of God’s plan to use Israel to bless all peoples.

30
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

The land God gives to Israel is located in a place where three continents
come together: Africa, Asia and Europe. Ezekiel calls it “the center of
the land” (Ezekiel 38:12). Peoples from all over the world pass through
this area as they trade and migrate. In this way, God
blesses the kingdom of Israel with opportunities to God blesses the
bless many peoples.
kingdom of Israel with
By watching Israel’s actions and hearing Israel’s opportunities to bless
message, all nearby people groups can know the Most
High God. This plan works when Rahab, in Jericho, many peoples
meets and follows the God of the Hebrew people
(Joshua 2:8-11, 6:25). The plan works with Naaman the Syrian (II Kings 5:15),
Ruth the Moabitess (Ruth 1:16-17) and others from nearby people groups.

The Glory of God

W hen we speak of God’s glory we speak of His person, power, beauty

and value. We are talking about His honor. To glorify God is to first ex-
perience His beauty, value and power, and then to make Him known to those
around us and to all the peoples of the world.

God reveals His glory through His creation, through His Word and through the
peoples who worship Him in Spirit and in truth (John 4:23). We return glory
to Him by honoring Him among the peoples with our lives—our words and
deeds—so others also can know Him, worship Him and join in His work.

“Sing to the LORD all the earth; proclaim His salvation day after day. Declare
His glory among the nations, His marvelous deeds among all peoples. For great
is the LORD and most worthy of praise; He is to be feared among all gods”
(I Chronicles 16:23-25).

» God dwells among His people and reveals His glory to them. What does
this reveal to us about the character of Most High God?

Israel and the Kingdom of God

STORY FOR STUDY: I SAMUEL 15; 2 SAMUEL 7; I KINGS 8:22-61

The Hebrew people ask for a king. After the first king fails to obey

31
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

Him, God chooses a special individual, King David, to establish a

righteous kingdom on earth for Israel. God expects this kingdom to act
as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation. He expects this kingdom to
reveal truth about the kingdom of God which Jesus reveals more fully
at His birth (Psalm 99, Matthew 4:17).
Starting with Abraham,
As with Abraham, God blesses King David. This
the task given to the blessing is not only for Israel’s sake. God expects
people of Israel was them to fulfill the covenant and bless all peoples.
God uses this kingdom, under David’s son,
a sacred task—to Solomon, to draw the queen of Sheba to Israel
represent the Most High where she learns of Israel’s famous God (I Kings
10:1). Through Israel, God attracts other peoples
God among all the to Himself.
peoples of the world.
The temple built by Israel’s kings—the place of
God’s dwelling in Israel’s midst set apart for special ceremonies and
religious practices—is also for all peoples. In the temple, there is room
for peoples other than the Hebrews to come and pray before God. (See
Solomon’s prayer to God for dedication of the temple in I Kings 8:41-
43.)

In Isaiah 56:6-7, God again reveals His desire for all peoples to worship at the temple
of Israel. In Matthew 21:13 and Mark 11:17 when Jesus quotes this Scripture, He
is angry that the Hebrew people do not allow the other peoples access to the temple
courts dedicated to them. Starting with Abraham, the task given to the people of Israel
was a sacred task—to represent the Most High God among all the peoples of the world.

» How does God fulfill His promise to bless Abraham and his family
during the part of the Great Story from Abraham to Solomon’s day as
they grow from a family into a large people, then a nation and a kingdom?
» How does God carry out His purpose to restore His good relationship
with humanity and to restore His kingdom rule through the Hebrew
people during this part of the Great Story?

Saving Faith—Israel, Kingdom of God

G od expects the people of Israel to bless all peoples. What is the blessing
Israel brings? It is the Good News of God’s Great Story. This story is
the story of all peoples. God chooses the people of Israel, through their father
Abraham, to share the story with all peoples so that they might worship and
follow the Most High God, allow Him to restore their good relationship with
Him, and join Him in advancing His plan.

32
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

Through the people of Israel, God reveals His kingdom. The way God interacts
with the people of Israel reveals His nature, character and deeds to the
surrounding people groups (I Chronicles 16:7-36). They tell of God’s saving
power and the Good News that humanity may call on God to receive it (Genesis
4:26, Romans 10:13). They tell of His promise to bless all peoples. They tell
of the Promised Son who will destroy the kingdom of darkness and provide a
way for humanity to be restored to God. They tell of God’s victory at the end of
the story and His return to rule His kingdom (Psalm 67, Micah 4:1-4).

Throughout history, men, women and children receive salvation by

demonstrating belief in the Most High God, by placing their faith in His ability
to save them through the Promised Son and by obediently submitting to His
kingdom rule in their lives and families.

The New Testament reveals more of the story—information about how God
fulfills His promise through Jesus. But the people who live before Jesus have
as much confidence as we have that God saves them.

Long before Jesus comes to earth, one righteous man says, “I know that my
Redeemer lives, and that in the end He will stand upon the earth. And after my
skin has been destroyed, yet in my flesh I will see God; I myself will see Him
with my own eyes…how my heart yearns within me” (Job 19:25-27).

The Hebrew People Forget the Covenant and Disobey God

God commands that there be a kingdom of priests and a holy nation.

A small group of faithful servants and prophets that obeys and worships
God exists throughout Israel’s history. We can read their stories in the Old
and New Testaments in places such as Hebrews 11.
The people of God take
Sadly, Israel does not always choose to obey the the blessings God gives
commands of the Most High God. Many times,
they turn from Him to worship other gods. The and begin to build a
kings that follow David and Solomon lead the name and reputation for
people in rebellious deeds, and the people gladly
follow. They seek after their own way. They even themselves rather than
begin to sacrifice their own children to other gods making God famous.
(2 Kings 16:3).

Again, the people of God take the blessings God gives and begin to build
a name and reputation for themselves rather than making God famous.
Israel largely forgets God and His covenant requirement to bless all the
peoples. It seems God’s plan to use one people group to bless all the
peoples of the earth ends. What will God do with His rebellious people
this time?

33
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

God’s Plan to Restore All Peoples

God does not forget His covenant with Abraham. He still keeps His promise to use
Abraham’s descendants to bless all peoples, even if He must do it by force. Let us see
how God accomplishes this.

STORY FOR STUDY: JONAH

God sends the prophet Jonah to a nearby people group. The Assyrian
people are enemies of Israel who oppress them. Jonah, a prophet of God,
needs to have an attitude toward the Assyrians that is humble and loving,
not superior or arrogant. He receives the blessings of God for his own
people, but is unwilling to bless this other people group, who are his
enemies on earth (see Jonah 1-4).

We see or meet people like Jonah today who receive God’s love but will not share
it with those of another caste, race, religion or social position, especially with those
who have caused them harm. No matter what our reason may be, we must depend on
God for the power and humility to love and forgive others. We must remember the
covenant and obey as He commands.

STORY FOR STUDY: 1 KINGS 16:29-17:24

PROPHECY FOR STUDY: ISAIAH 42:1-9 and 49:1-6; JEREMIAH 3:6-
4:4; DANIEL 9:1-19; HAGGAI 2:1-9

For many years, the people of Israel go back and forth obeying and
disobeying God. For a while they serve God. Then, for a very long time,
Israel turns her back on God and goes her own way. God’s people are
like an unfaithful wife. God’s prophets work very hard to ask the people
of Israel to turn from seeking their own way. They ask them to go
back to God and back to walking in paths of righteousness. Sometimes
it works. Many times it does not.

You can find the messages of these prophets preserved in the Old
Testament. Most of the prophets speak only to Israel, though some
prophets speak to other people groups, too.

In time, God judges the people of Israel. They come first under the power of
the Assyrian people then, later, under the power of the Babylonian people.
Eventually, the people of Israel wander the earth, living among many
different people groups.

God sends prophets to the leaders of Israel to remind them of the covenant, and of their
true identity and purpose. When the leaders repent and turn towards God, He blesses
Israel. When the leaders refuse to repent, God removes His hand of blessing from Israel.

34
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

STORY FOR STUDY: 2 KINGS 17:5-23 and 24:1-25:21

The people of Israel fail to fulfill the covenant requirements, and fail
to sincerely serve God. God’s punishment is to send them into exile,
scattered among the peoples. This results in their blessing by helping
them finally turn away from the worship of
idols and seeking their own way, and turn God judges and punishes the
back to the worship of the Most High God.
After the period of exile, the people of Israel
people of Israel, allowing
never worship idols again. other peoples to take them
But the punishment of exile also provides
away from their land as
a way for Abraham’s descendants to fulfill captives. This punishment
God’s covenant responsibility to bless other
peoples. In His mercy, God restores His
is difficult, but God will
good relationship with the people of Israel so accomplish His purpose.
His plan can go forward. Many peoples of
Babylon, Persia, Greece, Rome, and other nations finally encounter the
Most High God through the words and deeds of the exiled communities
of God’s people living among them.

In their new lands, the people of Israel again follow the Law and honor
God. Many other peoples who see them begin to worship and obey the
Most High God. This prepares the way for the coming Promised Son
and the spread of the kingdom of God throughout the world.

God judges and punishes the people of Israel, allowing other peoples to take them
away from their land as captives. This punishment is difficult, but God will accomplish
His purpose.

» How does God use the punishment of exile to bless other peoples after
the people of Israel stop obeying God and participating in His plan? What
does this reveal to us about the character of Most High God?

Explore the Scriptures

»
Read one or more of the following passages
Exodus 5:1-2; 7:1-5, 17 I Kings 4:29-34; 10:1-9
Exodus 8:10, 18-19; 9:13-17, 29 Esther 8:15-16
Deuteronomy 4:5-8 Daniel 6:16-28
» Answer the following questions about God’s purpose.
» How does God act to restore His good relationship with humanity in
this part of the Great Story?
» How does God act to restore His kingdom rule?
» How does Satan try to prevent God from carrying out His purpose to restore?

35
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

» Answer the following questions about humanity’s response to God. Tell

about our identity.
» How does humanity participate in the war between God’s kingdom and
the kingdom of darkness?
» How does God reveal Himself to humanity and communicate with them?
» How does humanity respond to God’s revelation?
» How do the people of God honor and worship Him, both as individuals
and as a community?

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Why do you think Israel disobeys God’s covenant command to bless all
peoples? Why do you think they ignore God’s purpose for them and their
responsibility in that purpose?
» Do you think the people of God in our generation forget the covenant
requirement, too? Do you think we miss God’s purpose for blessing us
and miss our responsibility in that purpose?

Pray for Repentance

» Ask God to reveal any ways you or your people receive God’s promised
blessing but forget to bless others as He commands. Repent and ask His
forgiveness. Recommit to be part of His covenant promise to bless you so
that you can bless others.

36
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God's People

Apply What You Learn

Share the Great Story

Gather your family and share the Great Story revealed in the Old Testament record.
Use the illustration below as a guide to help your family understand the main events
and plot of the story. Help them see God’s love for your family, community, and
your people. Help them see God’s desire for your family to carry on the covenant
responsibility given to your forefather Abraham.

When you meet again with your study group, discuss together your experience as a
storyteller.
» Did your family see that their own story connects to God and His Great
Story? How did you help them see this?
» What new things did your family learn while they listened to you?
» What new things did you learn while you were telling the story?

Be Transformed

Knowing God requires knowing His story well. We must learn to see His hand at
work in the world around us today and through all of history. Are you committed to
knowing God and His Word intimately? Are you committed to studying each of the
smaller stories in order, so you may fully understand the message of the Great Story?

If you have not done so already, set aside a time each day or week for Bible study
with your family. Begin working through the smaller stories of the Great Story in
order, from the beginning, following the unique way the Great Story unfolds from
generation to generation. See How to Study the Bible to Be Transformed for a guide to
help you study the Bible.

(continued on next page)

37
 Chapter 1 - The Early Story of God’s People

Get Involved

God blesses us so that we can be a blessing to the peoples of the earth. Reflect
together with your study group on ways your people group already fulfill their
covenant responsibility to bless all peoples. If you are not already involved, list some
ways to participate in God’s plan for the world. First consider the following.

Pray for God’s kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth.
Pray for the peoples of the world who do not worship Jesus and pray
for those who go out to bless them (Acts 12:12, Romans 14:30-31,
II Corinthians 1:8-11, Ephesians 6:18-20, Philippians 1:19). Pray for
the restoration of God’s rule over all creation and pray for His people
who work to overcome evil with good (Micah 6:8, Romans 12:21,
Ephesians 2:10, James 1:27).

Find people from other people groups living in your village or city.
Welcome them to their new home. Bless and serve them in a way that
makes God’s name and character glorified among them (Leviticus 19:34).

Who from among your people will go out to share the Great Story
and blessing with other peoples (Matthew 28:19)?

Care for those who go out from your people to bless others. Care for
their physical, emotional, and spiritual needs (Philippians 4:15-20).

Share the Great Story with others from your people. Challenge your
own family and friends to join God in carrying out His purpose.
Connect those who go out to those who will pray and care for them.

38
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive on Earth

Chapter 2

The Story of Jesus Alive on Earth

“…when the time had fully come, God sent his Son, born of a woman…” (Galatians 4:4)

When the majority of Abraham’s descendants and the people of Israel choose to
seek after their own way, God allows nearby kingdoms to force them into exile
and scatter them among many other people groups. It may seem that God’s plan of
blessing the Hebrew people to be a blessing to other people groups ends badly. If we
look more closely, however, we see this is not the case.

Chapter 2 introduces more characters and events of the Great Story. Beginning with
a birth, God brings to light the most significant character of all, a Hebrew son called Jesus.

Lesson 4. Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son

Lesson 5. Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God
Lesson 6. Jesus and God’s Covenant

39
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

Lesson 4. Jesus is the Long-Awaited

Promised Son
The New Testament record continues the Great Story with the birth of Jesus, the
coming Promised Son. Since God’s first promise to Adam and Eve (Genesis 3:15),
humanity believes and looks for its fulfillment. God can choose to fulfill this promise
at any time in history, yet He carefully designs the time and the place for Jesus to
enter the world as a human.

What makes this particular time and place so perfect? We must pick up the story
hundreds of years before Jesus’ birth to find answers to this question. God mercifully
works in the world through many people groups to prepare for the coming Promised
Son and the spread of the kingdom of God.

God Prepares the Way for Jesus by Making His Name Known

At many times in the Great Story, God receives glory throughout the world from
true worshippers among many people groups. Over time, peoples begin seeking after
their own way. They forget God and allow Satan to distort much truth about Him.
After the Hebrew people become the political nation of Israel ruled by a king, they
also begin seeking after their own way.

When God’s people no longer worship Him or reveal His glory among the peoples,
many people groups forget God throughout the world. God acts to make His name
known once again.

STORY FOR STUDY: DANIEL 1-6

While the Israelites live among other peoples, they have opportunities
to speak about the Most High God and demonstrate His power. Daniel
does this with the Chaldeans, the Babylonians and the Persians. Esther,
Ezra and Nehemiah do this in Persia. In some cases, even the rulers
of these kingdoms praise and honor the Most High God through the
witness of faithful Israelites (Daniel 4:34-37, 6:25-28). In some cases,
God calls these rulers His servants and works through their words and
deeds as well (Isaiah 44:28, 45:1-17).

God works through His faithful servants to be a blessing to other peoples,

even when those servants are oppressed, held captive and treated badly.

» How does God act to make His name known on earth before the time of Jesus?

During the 700 to 800 years following the first exile, the people of Israel finally begin
to make their God known among other peoples. In this way, God makes Himself

40
 Lesson 4 - Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son

known throughout the world once again. We have record of some of the Israelites’
experiences in Babylon and Persia (in Daniel and Ezekiel, for example), but little
record of their exile among other people groups.

The Old Testament record stops about 400 years before the birth of Jesus. From other
historical documents, however, and from New Testament references, we learn how
God uses the Jews to bless and reveal God to the peoples of the world among whom
they live.

The temple at Jerusalem is the worldwide center of Jewish worship for

centuries. It is the place where God dwells among His people. When
God sends the Jews into exile, invading armies destroy the temple. Jews
scatter throughout the world, far from the temple or a tabernacle. Where
does God dwell? How do His
people worship Him? The Jews learn that in truth, God
God’s people begin to meet dwells among His people, not in
together in synagogues in the buildings made with human hands.
foreign lands where they now
live. Synagogues are centers of group worship established wherever
communities of Jews live. The local families meet at the synagogue for
prayer and community events. The heads of each family lead the community.
They meet together to help one another have faith and be obedient to God,
to hear from the Holy Scriptures and to worship God together.

Because the Jews follow Abraham’s tradition of worshipping and

honoring God together with others from their own family and household
(see Genesis 18:19, Deuteronomy 6:6-9), they can continue that practice
while living in foreign lands.

Scattering the Jewish community does not destroy the kingdom

community, or the community of God’s people. The Jews learn that in
truth, God dwells among His people, not in buildings made with human
hands (1 Kings 8:27). The center of daily devotion to God is their own
household and local community, not a temple building.

We know there are many synagogues around the Roman Empire (parts of Africa,
Asia, and Europe) by the time Jesus comes to earth. During this time, God scatters the
Israelites widely and uses them to bless many other people groups. He uses them to
make His name known throughout the world once again.

» Where does God dwell on earth? Where does God dwell among your people?
» What is a kingdom community?

41
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

God Prepares the Way for Jesus by Working Through Other

People Groups

A people that seeks after its own way seeks fame, power, and wealth on earth. Yet
even while political nations disobey God and practice evil to accomplish this, God
often works through them to accomplish His great purpose.

During the years before Jesus comes, Greek becomes the most common
language used in the Roman Empire. The Roman Empire at this time
included parts of Europe, Africa, and Asia. Faithful servants of God
translate the Old Testament Hebrew scriptures into Greek. Today we
call this Greek translation the “Septuagint” or
God works in all peoples, LXX. Jesus and His followers read and study
at all times in history, in this Greek translation in addition to Hebrew
and Aramaic texts.
order to accomplish His
purpose for the world. The Greek translation of Scripture allows
people in synagogues all over the Roman world,
both Jews and others, to study and hear the Scriptures in a language
they understand. Even though Greek is not the mother tongue of many
people, it is a trade language through which God can reveal His story. A
Greek translation of the Scripture prepares the way for many to receive
the message of the coming Promised Son, Jesus (Acts 8:26-40).

God uses a widely known trade language and a translation of Scripture to reveal the
Great Story to many people groups that do not speak Hebrew. Many years later
when Latin becomes a widely known trade language, faithful servants translate the
scriptures into Latin. This also allows many peoples to learn the Great Story in a
language they can understand.

During the years before Jesus comes, Romans build good roads from the
city of Rome in Europe to many parts of Europe and Asia. They open
good sea routes to parts of Africa. Jews who are no longer captives in
foreign lands travel these same passages to centers of business. There
they share truths about God among the people groups with whom they
work and live.

Other Jews travel these roads to return to Jerusalem for feasts and holy
days at the temple in Jerusalem after it is rebuilt (see Nehemiah). Later,
Jesus and His followers, and Paul and the other apostles, use these same
roads and sea routes to make their way to “the ends of the earth” (Acts
1:8) with the Good News of the kingdom.

God uses the technology of the Roman peoples to spread the Great Story to many
people groups. The Romans build these roads for their own glory and fame, but God
uses them for His glory and fame. God works in all peoples, at all times in history, in
order to accomplish His purpose for the world.

42
 Lesson 4 - Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son

» How does God prepare the way for Jesus and His followers through the
work of other peoples during the years before Jesus comes?

The World at the Time of Jesus

In the time of Jesus, the Jews see the peoples of the world in two groups: themselves
(Jews) and everybody else (Gentiles). Jesus interacts with people in both these
groups. Later Paul and the other apostles do, too. To understand the stories of the
New Testament we must understand a few things about both these groups.

Jews

Jews are the natural or physical descendants of Abraham through Isaac and Jacob.
In the Old Testament record they are also called the Hebrew people or the people of
Israel. There are different groups of Jews: the Pharisees, the Sadducees, the Essenes,
the Zealots and others. Each group holds different opinions on God, the Scriptures,
and the Promised Son, but they all worship the God of Israel.

Jesus is born to a Jewish family that traces its ancestors back through King David to
Abraham (Matthew 1, Luke 3). The twelve apostles He selects are Jews. Jesus spends
most of His time on earth with other Jews.

Gentiles

Gentiles are not natural descendants of Abraham like Jews. They can be spiritual
descendants—and part of God’s people. Jesus says, “I say to you that many will
come from the east and the west, and will take their places at the feast with Abraham,
Isaac, and Jacob in the kingdom of heaven” (Matthew 8:11). Rahab, who helps God’s
people, is a Gentile (Hebrews 11:31). King David’s ancestor, Ruth, is a Gentile (Ruth
1). Jesus spends time with Gentiles. He loves and serves Gentile peoples and teaches
His followers to do the same.

STORY FOR STUDY: ROMANS 1:18-2:16

At one time in the Great Story, all people know the Most High God.
However, since the time God scatters humanity at the Tower of Babel,
many forget about Him. Eventually, lies replace the truths people once
knew about God.

People turn to seeking after their own way. This clouds the truth about
God. But the truth is not completely hidden. God is always at work in
every people group.

At the time of Jesus’ birth, Gentile peoples all over the world still need to be reconciled
to God. They need the truth of the Great Story revealed again within their people group.

43
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

They need to be reminded of what they forgot—that they are God’s people, that He loves
them and wants them to worship Him, and that they have a part to play in His story.

We see later in the Great Story how some of these Gentile groups learn about God’s
story and are restored to relationship with Him, joining His work in the world. Today
many Gentiles worship God. Unless your ancestors are Jews, your people are a
Gentile people.

» How do a people who worship God become a people who forget God
and worship false gods, idols, or distort the truth about Him? What things
must your people do to be sure you do not become a people who disobey
God and forget about Him?
» If we know that all peoples at one time know and worship the Most High
God, even if they now forget Him, how does this affect the way we view
other people groups who are not yet reconciled to God in our day? How
does this affect the message and story we bring to them to bless them?
How does this affect they way we serve and honor them?

Gentiles Who Worship the Most High God

When Jesus comes, Jews have two ways of describing Gentiles who worship the Most
High God: proselytes and God-fearers.

Proselytes are Gentiles who want to follow the Most High God, and who
choose to leave the way of their own people and adopt the Jewish way of
life. The Jews in Jesus’ day require this change of any Gentile wanting
acceptance within the Jewish community.

These Jews require Gentiles to follow Jewish law and traditions

completely. They must change their lifestyle, their customs, their friends
or community. Often their morals and their ways of thinking must change,
too (see Matthew 23:15, Acts 2:11, 6:5 and 13:43, for example).

The Jews misunderstand God’s plan for all peoples, and will not accept Gentiles
as true worshippers of the Most High God unless they first change their outward
appearance. They forget that God does not look at our outward appearances, but at our
hearts. They think that without changing natural identity to become like the Jewish
people, God will not give Gentiles a new identity.

Some Gentiles are attracted to the Jews and to their God and desire to
worship Him. However, unlike the proselytes they do not want to leave
their own people and become like Jewish people. The Jews call these people
God-fearers or devout persons. They allow them to visit the synagogue for
meetings if they stay at the back of the room and do not speak. This does
allow many Gentiles to hear about God from Scripture.

44
 Lesson 4 - Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son

Imagine how excited the God-fearers are when the apostle Paul brings them the
message that God fully accepts them in His kingdom even when they keep the
natural identity of their own people. Imagine how free they feel when they
recognize their peoples’ story is part of the Great Story, too.

Gentiles Who are Attracted to the Jews

It is curious that so many Gentiles are attracted to small communities of Jews

scattered throughout the Middle East, North Africa, Europe and into Asia and Africa.
What makes the Jews so attractive to Gentiles? Why do they want to learn more
about the God of the Jews? Why are some even willing to leave their own people and
become like the Jewish people?

While some Gentiles probably see God

performing miracles through Jews, Sending Jesus to earth is not a
most are probably attracted to the
kingdom communities because of the
new plan in the Great Story. It is
way they live. Compared to the Gentile the next step in God’s amazing
communities, the Jews—while still
sinful—are comparatively successful
plan—a plan He forms from the
within their families and households. beginning of time.
They care for one another well and they manage their affairs effectively.
These things allow them to prosper. The orderly aspect of their lives
is attractive to some Gentiles who may believe the lives of their own
people are meaningless and immoral. Even though many Jews do not
fully follow God as He desires, by practicing His good Law they reveal
God’s holy, loving and merciful character. The events Gentiles see confirm
God’s Word they hear. The Gentiles are attracted to the Most High God.

» Reflect for a moment on the kingdom community within your own

people and how attractive you are to others. Does your family and
community stand out from the people groups around you in ways that
attract others to you?
» Do you live differently than people who worship other gods?
» Are your families and households more loving and in better order?
» Do you manage your affairs more honestly and carefully?
» Do you handle sin and conflict with humility, repentance, forgiveness
and reconciliation (John 13:35)?
» Has your kingdom community separated itself from others in ways
that may offend and dishonor them, whether in your dress, diet, or
traditions?
» Do you reveal God to others by loving and serving them as Jesus
loves and serves them?
» Reflect on ways the kingdom community within your people might
attract others through your love for one another, your deeds, and the
presence of God and His Word dwelling among you.

45
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

As the Great Story continues, keep in mind the different people groups with whom
Jesus and His disciples interact—Jews, proselytes, God-fearers and other Gentiles.
Watch how God reveals Himself to each group and how He helps His followers better
understand His plan to bless all peoples.

Saving Faith—The Jews, People Who Follow God’s Law

Simeon is a Jewish man who meets Jesus’ parents at the temple when they
bring him there for circumcision, according to the Jewish Law. We do not
know much about Simeon, but we know he is a righteous and devout man.

God reveals to Simeon that he will not die until he sees the Promised Son. He be-
lieves this promise, and demonstrates his faith by going to the temple courts when
the Holy Spirit tells him to do this. He sees the baby Jesus and praises God saying,
“…my eyes have seen Your salvation…” Simeon does not place hope for salvation
in his good deeds or in keeping the Jewish Law. He places his hope in what God
will do in the future through the Promised Son, Jesus (Luke 2:25-35).

Before Jesus comes, the Jews believe God will fulfill His promise even though
they do not meet His Promised Son on earth. The Jews obey the Law God
gives to Moses because of this belief. This is their faith. God gives righteous-
ness to them through the work of Jesus Christ, slain from the foundation of
the world (Revelation 13:8), even though they do not know Jesus’ part in the
Great Story.

God gives salvation to the Jews and foreigners who live before the time of
Jesus based on their faith, demonstrated by their belief in God shown in their
obedience. They keep and follow the Law out of obedience to God, and to
help them live as a holy nation.

God never intends the Law to be a list of rules to follow in order for people to be
reconciled to Him. However, many Jews misunderstand the Law, and, over time,
look at the Law in this way. They begin to believe and act as if they can claim
righteousness and salvation by keeping all of the Law’s requirements. Many
Jews in Jesus’ day believe this, so He corrects their wrong thinking and actions.
When Jesus does come to earth, those like Simeon who believe God’s promise
for their salvation, recognize Him as the Promised Son for whom they wait.

Keeping the Law is never a way for God to reconcile humanity to Himself (Ro-
mans 3:20). Only Jesus can accomplish that. God’s requirement for His people
always remains the same: have faith that leads to obedience. The prophet Mi-
cah explains God’s requirement this way:

“He has showed you, O man, what is good. And what does the LORD require
of you? To act justly and to love mercy And to walk humbly with your God”
(Micah 6:8).

46
 Lesson 4 - Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son

The Promised Son is the Savior of the Whole World

STORY FOR STUDY: LUKE 1

After almost 600 years of exile, God speaks to His people once again
in a special way. God sends His angel to announce the birth of John
the Baptist who will “… go on before the Lord, in the spirit and power
of Elijah, to turn the hearts of the fathers to their children and the
disobedient to the wisdom of the righteous—to make ready a people
prepared for the Lord” (Luke 1:17).

The angel then announces to Mary and Joseph that a son will be born to
them, and that they are “…to give Him the name Jesus. He will be great
and will be called the Son of the Most High. The Lord God will give Him
the throne of His father David, and He will reign over the house of Jacob
forever; His kingdom will never end” (Luke 1:31-32).This announces
the coming of the long-awaited Promised Son, the Jewish Messiah—
the world’s coming righteous King.

» Jesus is the Savior of the whole world and you are His follower. What
does it mean for you, your family, and the kingdom community within
your people to be followers of the Savior of the world?

Sending Jesus to earth is not a new plan in the Great Story. It is the next step in
God’s amazing plan—a plan He forms from the beginning of time. God asks Jesus to
take the punishment for the sins and rebellion of all humanity through His suffering
and death. Jesus willingly submits and obeys God.

God then washes away the shame of all our wickedness with Jesus’ resurrection.
Jesus reveals His power over the curse of sin and death and gives that power to us so
that in Him we may live a new kind of life, free from this curse.

Jesus’ life is important, too. God reveals His kingdom to humanity more fully through
Jesus, then spreads it far and wide through the work of Jesus’ apostles and all who
follow Him. This spread of the kingdom continues until our day.

Sending Jesus makes it possible for God to accomplish His purpose for all peoples.
▪ Through Jesus’ sacrifice—His death and resurrection—God removes the sins of
man that Adam brings to humanity thousands of years before. Jesus defeats the
power and shame of sin (see Romans 5:12-21).

47
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

▪ Through Jesus’ life, death and resurrection, God defeats evil once for all time.
God makes clear the destiny of the evil kingdom—utter destruction. While
Satan’s kingdom remains for a time, the final defeat is already clearly determined.

» How do Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection make it possible for God to
accomplish His purpose to restore His relationship with humanity?
» How do Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection make it possible for God to
accomplish His purpose to restore His kingdom rule?

Explore the Scriptures

» Refer to the smaller stories found in Luke below.
» Luke 1:46-80
» Luke 2:21-35
» Luke 4:14-30
» Luke 13:22-35
» Luke 19:28-44
» Luke 24:13-35
» Answer the following questions about God’s Promised Son and His purpose.
» How does God act to restore His good relationship with humanity in
this part of the Great Story?
» How does God act to restore His kingdom rule?
» How does Satan try to prevent God from carrying out His purpose to
restore?
» Answer the following questions about humanity’s response to God. Tell
about our identity.
» How does humanity participate in the war between God’s kingdom and
the kingdom of darkness?
» How does God reveal Himself to humanity and communicate with them?
» How does humanity respond to God’s revelation?
» How do the people of God honor and worship Him, both as individuals
and as a community?

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Think about the ways God carefully designs a time and place for Jesus to
enter the world as a human. Praise God for His faithfulness to work in all
history, even in ways people cannot see at the time.
» In what ways might God be at work in our day to carefully design the
spread of the Good News to the ends of the earth? Think of events
happening in our world today, or in your region in particular.
» How might God use these events to reach all peoples?

48
 Lesson 4 - Jesus is the Long-Awaited Promised Son

» What kingdom communities are scattered and living among other

people groups like the communities of Jews after their exile?
» What trade languages do many people know in our day that can help
Scripture begin to be widely understood by many?
» What areas of new technology, such as the Roman roads, give
followers of God today easy access to new areas and people groups?
» What ways has God prepared your people to reach a people group that
does not yet know their part in His Great Story?
» What unique roles in the modern world has He given you that connect
you with another people group?
» For more information about current global trends, see page 208, “What is
God Doing in the World Today?” in Appendix D: Additional Articles.

Pray for God to be Known and Worshipped Throughout the

World Once Again
» Pray that Jesus is known as the Savior of the whole world. Pray that
the false teachings that Satan spreads about Jesus—that He is a god for
Western people only, or that He is not the Promised Son, for example—
are revealed as false. Pray that the truth about who Jesus is and His saving
acts will be known by every family and people on earth. Pray that those
who do not yet know or see the truth about Jesus are finally willing to hear
and accept Him. Pray that God restores all peoples to right relationship
with Him.

49
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

Lesson 5. Jesus Reveals the Kingdom

of God
God reveals some truth about His kingdom through the kingdom of Israel we learn
about earlier in His story. He reveals His kingdom is to be a kingdom of priests and
a holy nation whose citizens are heirs of the covenant promise with their ancestor
Abraham. This reveals the identity and purpose of all citizens of His kingdom. We
see glimpses of truth about the kingdom of God in Israel.

Prophets of old understand God’s kingdom in their own day. King David says,
“…Yours, O LORD, is the kingdom; You are exalted as head over all” and “Your
kingdom is an everlasting kingdom, and Your dominion endures through all
generations” (I Chronicles 29:11, Psalm 145:13).

But the political kingdom of Israel is an earthly kingdom, ruled by sinful humans, and
it falls short of truly revealing the kingdom of God.

Jesus is the image of the invisible God (Colossians 1:15). He is the living revelation
of God’s purpose to restore His people to good relationship with Him—to His
kingdom—and to restore His kingdom rule. Jesus tells stories about the kingdom,
brings messages from God, and performs many signs and good deeds, all to help people
recognize the kingdom of God.

Secrets of the Kingdom of God

STORIES FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 13

One day Jesus goes out from the house where He is staying to spend
the day by the sea. Many people recognize Him. Soon a large crowd
surrounds Him. He gets in a boat to escape the pressure of the crowd
and begins to tell them stories. He
Jesus tells stories about the tells a story about a man who goes out
kingdom, brings messages from to sow seed and what happens to that
seed as it falls along the path, upon
God, and performs many signs the rocks, among the thorns and onto
the good soil.
and good deeds, all to help people
recognize the kingdom of God. The crowd listens carefully to this
story, but does not understand its
meaning. Jesus’ followers take Him aside. They ask Him why He speaks
in stories the crowd does not understand. Jesus explains, “…knowledge
of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you, but not to
them”(Matthew 13:11) because their hearts are not open to hearing it.

He goes on to share some of these secrets of the kingdom with His

followers whose hearts are eager to hear. They sit before the King of all

50
 Lesson 5 - Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God

creation as He reveals His secrets to them on that special day. Can you
imagine how excited these men and women must have been to hear such
teachings from Jesus Himself?

We, too, can learn these secrets about the kingdom of God from Jesus.

“The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed
into a large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough”
(Matthew 13:33).

We introduce the kingdom of God from the outside, but it spreads in every direction
through the inside. We introduce the kingdom of God in small measure, yet it
quickly leavens a larger area.

“The kingdom of heaven is like a mustard seed, which a man took and
planted in his field. Though it is the smallest of all your seeds, yet when
it grows, it is the largest of garden plants and becomes a tree, so that
the birds of the air come and perch in its branches” (Matthew 13:31-32).

The kingdom of God may appear very small, but when planted, it grows to be very
great, extending great distances.

“…the kingdom of heaven is like a net that was let down into the lake
and caught all kinds of fish. When it was full, the fishermen pulled it up
on the shore. Then they sat down and collected the good fish in baskets,
but threw the bad away. This is how it will be at the end of the age. The
angels will come and separate the wicked from the righteous and throw
them into the fiery furnace, where there will be weeping and gnashing
of teeth” (Matthew 13:47-50 and see also the parable of the seeds in
Matthew 13:24-29, 36-43).

As the kingdom of God spreads and grows in the world, there are followers of God
and followers of the Evil One living and growing together, side by side. God sows
the good seed, His followers, but the enemy sows bad seed, those who do evil. God
gathers both the good and the bad. God alone knows people’s hearts. It is not for us to
separate the good from the bad. God separates these at the end of the age.

“The kingdom of heaven is like treasure hidden in a field. When a man

found it, he hid it again, and then in his joy went and sold all he had
and bought that field. Again, the kingdom of heaven is like a merchant
looking for fine pearls. When he found one of great value, he went
away and sold everything he had and bought it” (Matthew 13:44-46).

A person who recognizes the kingdom of God values it so much he gives everything
he has to make sure he does not lose it.

Jesus shares many more secrets of the kingdom of God with His followers. To learn more,
take time to read and consider all that Jesus teaches about the kingdom in Matthew and Luke.

51
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

» Why is it important for us to learn about the kingdom of God from Jesus’
own teachings on this subject?
» Jesus spent many hours teaching about the kingdom of God.
» Have your people spent many hours studying this subject?
» Do teachers and preachers of our day spend hours sharing about this
subject?
» Why do you think this message often has been lost or changed since
Jesus and the apostles taught it to all who had eyes to see and ears to
hear?

The Kingdom of God is Spiritual

STORY FOR STUDY: LUKE 17:20-21

One day, the Pharisees ask Jesus when the kingdom of God will come.
They look and wait for another earthly kingdom similar to the rule of
David or Solomon. Jesus tells them, “The kingdom of God does not come
with your careful observation, nor will people say, ‘Here it is,’ or ‘There
it is,’ because the kingdom of God is (among) you” (Luke 17:20-21).

This kingdom of God is a real spiritual rule and reign. The spiritual kingdom comes
near to us, on earth (Matthew 4:17, 10:7). We recognize it. We enter it. We become
citizens of it. We do not have to die to enter God’s
The kingdom of God is kingdom because it is His rule here on earth as in
not bound by any earthly heaven. We labor to see it spread throughout the earth.
The kingdom of God is not bound by any earthly
limits of nation, race or limits of nation, race or politics. It is not even bound by
religious limits.
politics. It is not even
bound by religious limits. All people groups must have the opportunity for God
to restore them to good relationship with Him. They
must no longer be slaves to Satan’s rebellious kingdom. “For He has rescued us from
the dominion of darkness and brought us into the kingdom of the Son He loves, in
whom we have redemption, the forgiveness of sins” (Colossians 1:13-14).

The Kingdom of God is Relational

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 8:5-13

On one of Jesus’ journeys to the town of Capernaum, an officer in the

Roman military approaches Him. The man asks Jesus for help because
one of his servants lies at home paralyzed and suffering terribly.

When Jesus says He will go to the officer’s home, the man replies,
“Lord, I do not deserve to have You come under my roof. But just say

52
 Lesson 5 - Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God

the word, and my servant will be healed.’ When Jesus heard this, He
was astonished and said to those following him, ‘I tell you the truth, I
have not found anyone in Israel with such great faith.’ Jesus sends the
man away, telling him He has granted this request. The man returns
home and finds his servant healed from the very hour when Jesus spoke”
(Matthew 8:5-13).

What does this Roman officer see when he looks at Jesus that gave him such faith?
He reveals his understanding in this verse: “For I myself am a man under authority,
with soldiers under me. I tell this one, ‘Go,’ and he
goes; and that one, ‘Come,’ and he comes. I say to my The kingdom of God
servant, ‘Do this,’ and he does it” (Matthew 8:9).
is relational, like a
He does not see Jesus as a magician or a healer with family, and our identity
special powers. He sees Jesus as a man with authority
in a spiritual kingdom who commands others under within it comes from our
His authority to do His work. He sees Jesus in relationship to King Jesus
relationship to others. He sees a new spiritual family—
the kingdom of God. and to our fellow servants.
Jesus reveals to His disciples more about this reality of kingdom relationships when
He grants them authority and power to bind and loose earthly matters (Matthew
18:18), and again when He sends them out to make followers of Jesus from every
people group (Acts 1:8). Paul teaches us more about this, as he describes the kingdom
as a living body (I Corinthians 12) and a household (Ephesians 2). The apostle Peter
later describes it as a spiritual house or holy nation (I Peter 2).

The kingdom of God is relational, like a family, and our identity within it comes
from our relationship to King Jesus and to our fellow servants.

The Kingdom of God is Already but Not Yet

One great mystery of the kingdom of God is that it is already upon us, ruling over all,
and not yet upon us, ruling over all.

We know that Jesus triumphs over death and evil and establishes His kingdom
of righteousness when He comes to earth the first time. Through Jesus’ death and
resurrection from the dead, Satan’s power is completely defeated. His kingdom of
darkness suffers the ultimate defeat God promises in Genesis 3:15. Death no longer
rules. Sin no longer rules. Satan no longer rules. The end of the battle is decided and
there is no question that God is the victor.

But after Jesus rises from the dead two thousand years ago, we still experience death,
sin and evil on earth. The kingdom of darkness is still active on the earth. The Evil
One is still at work in the world. We experience this daily. Why does the evil kingdom
remain? According to the Great Story, the kingdom of God comes to earth in at least
two parts.

53
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 11:2-6

When Jesus comes to earth the first time, He brings the kingdom of God
near to us in a new way. One purpose of His coming is to call people to
Himself. He offers mercy, grace and forgiveness for sins to all who will
hear, repent and believe. He brings it quietly, in small ways, and begins
spreading it through those who follow Him and who do the same.

This hardly seems like the powerful coming of a kingdom that destroys
an evil kingdom, once for all, as Daniel prophesies. In fact, John the
Baptist is so surprised by the way Jesus brings the kingdom to earth he sends
some of his disciples to make sure Jesus truly is the Promised Son.

STORY FOR STUDY: REVELATION 19:11-22:21

The second coming of the kingdom—when Jesus returns to earth in

total power—will bring about the final end of this present age. At that
time, every king, president, premier and person living in this world will
come under His rule forever. The people of God will inherit the kingdom
when Jesus comes the second time (Matthew 25:34). This is where the
Great Story ends with God’s promise fulfilled.

We will see the total, visible triumph over death, sin and Satan. From
that time forward we will no longer see or know evil. Jesus’ reign will
be complete and absolute.

With Jesus’ first coming, the kingdom of God came near to all peoples (Matthew
4:17). The kingdom of God will come near to humanity in a new way again with
Jesus’ second coming (Luke 21:25-28, 31).

We live sometime between the first and second coming of the kingdom. Jesus already ushers
in the glorious age to come but His complete
reign is not yet here. The two ages overlap for
a time, and we now live while the kingdom
is already here but the present reign of the
kingdom of darkness is not yet finished.

Why does God allow the kingdom of darkness to continue its rule in this present
age? Why does He not finally destroy the Evil One when Jesus rises from the dead?
While we cannot know the mind of God, we do know His covenant promise is for all

54
 Lesson 5 - Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God

the peoples of the earth to have the opportunity to receive the blessing of a restored
relationship with Him and new identity as part of His kingdom.

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 24:1-14

One day the disciples ask Jesus when the end of the age will come. He
tells them, “No one knows about that day or hour, not even the angels in
heaven, nor the Son, but only the Father” (Matthew 24:36). We cannot
know or plan for the arrival of the age to come.

However, Jesus also tells His disciples “…this gospel of the kingdom
will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and
then the end will come” (Matthew 24:14). We do know God must fulfill
His covenant promise before Jesus returns and rules for eternity.

God already brings this blessing to many people groups as He carries out His plan
announced to Abraham. These peoples take their place in His Great Story. Still, God
has not yet restored His relationship with many peoples on earth.

» Our generation lives in a day when the kingdom of God is here already,
but is not yet completely come. Now the present evil age overlaps the
glorious age to come.
» What does this mean for you, your family, and your people?
» How do you experience the present evil age in your daily life and
work?
» How do you experience the glorious age to come in your daily life
and work?
» How does this teaching about the kingdom bring us hope for our lives and
our people, both now and in the future?

For helpful instruction about living in this present age among the kingdom of darkness,
see page 203, “Life is a War Between Spiritual Kingdoms” in Appendix D: Additional
Articles.

The Good News of the Kingdom of God

When Jesus says, “…this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all nations…” what does He mean by gospel (Good News) of the
kingdom? When Jesus’ followers today speak of the Good News, or gospel, they
often refer to a message about the death and resurrection of Christ. Sometimes they
speak of a way to get to heaven after death. Sometimes they speak of a way to have
sins forgiven.

Each of those modern messages is partly true. Jesus preaches the Good News of the
kingdom before He dies and rises from the dead. What is the Good News Jesus preaches?

55
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

The message Jesus communicates contains three important parts:

• Repent from sin and seeking after your own ways,
• Believe and live by faith that results in obedience, and
• Recognize the rule of the kingdom of God is upon us now.

The Good News of the kingdom is that all peoples can be restored to good
relationship with God and experience the kingdom reign and rule of God, here
and now. This message gives freedom, hope, and purpose to us all. It forces us to
a point of decision. Will we shift our loyalty and allegiance to God, and allow Him
to change our understanding of life and the world? Will we accept our identity as
kingdom citizens, and take our place in the Great Story?

» What is the Good News of the kingdom? What is the blessing with
which God blesses us, so that we can go forth and bless others with it?
» Compare what the Bible reveals about Jesus’ message with the way you
think about sharing the Good News. How is the Good News you share
the same as the Good News Jesus shares? How is it different? Does this
change your message in any way?

Jesus Invites Many to Enter the Kingdom of God

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 3

John the Baptist prepares the people alive in Jesus’ day for the arrival
of Jesus. His message is “Repent, for the kingdom of heaven is near”
To enter the kingdom of God (Matthew 3:2). He prepares the Jewish
people to expect a king.
we must repent, turn from
He also warns them that they must turn from
seeking after our own ways, seeking after their own ways in order for
and practice new ways of this king to accept them into His kingdom.
John also instructs them to “…bear fruit
living that honor the King. in keeping with repentance…” (Matthew
3:8). To repent means to turn from seeking after our own ways and
practice new ways of righteousness. In Luke 3:10-14, the apostle John
gives good examples of these new ways.

Not long after John begins preaching this message, Jesus preaches this also (Matthew
4:17). This teaches us that to enter the kingdom of God we must repent, or turn from
seeking after our own ways, and practice new ways of living.

Jesus says we must receive the kingdom of God as little children (Mark 10:15). What
is it we receive? Is it a church or religious community, rules to live by, or cultural
practices, such as dressing and talking a certain way? Jesus says the kingdom of God
is very different from this. He instructs us to first seek His kingdom and righteousness

56
 Lesson 5 - Jesus Reveals the Kingdom of God

(Matthew 6:33). Then we receive His The Good News of the kingdom is
rule, His kingship, His authority and
victory in both our lives and in the lives that all peoples can be restored to
of our families (Luke 18:17). good relationship with God and
To enter the kingdom of God we must experience the kingdom reign and
repent, turn from seeking after our own rule of God, here and now.
ways, and practice new ways of living
that honor the King.

» Read each of the passages below and discuss with your study group what
you learn about the message preached by each of the following people
about entering the kingdom of God.
» What message did John the Baptist give in Matthew 3:2, 8; Mark 1:4;
and Luke 3:3, 8?
» What message did Jesus give in Matthew 4:17; 21:31-32; Mark 1:14-
15; Luke 5:32; 13:3, 5; John 3:15-16 and 6:28-29?
» What message did Jesus instruct the disciples to give in Matthew
10:5-7; Mark 6:12; Luke 9:2; 10:1-8; and 24:47?
» What message do Jesus’ followers preach in Acts 2:38; 3:19; 10:43;
17:30; 20:21; 26:20?
» Look up each of the passages below and write what you learn from Jesus
about entering the kingdom.

Matthew 5:20 Matthew 18:1-4

Matthew 7:21 Mark 10:15
John 3:3-6 Mark 1:15
» Explain to someone in your own people group the way to enter God’s
kingdom. Discuss your experience with others in your study group.

Explore the Scriptures

» Look up each of the passages below and write what you learn from each
one about the kingdom of God. Create a description of the kingdom based
on what you learn.

Matthew 4:17 Romans 14:17

Matthew 5:20 Romans 3:21-26
Matthew 6:33 I Corinthians 4:20
Matthew 13:31-32 I Corinthians 15:50
Luke 17:20-21 Colossians 1:13
Luke 21:25-31 Hebrews 12:28
John 18:36 II Peter 1:10-11

57
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

»
Look up each of the passages below and write what you learn about Jesus,
the King. Create a description of Jesus based on what you learn.

Matthew 20:25-28 John 18:37
Matthew 21:5 I Timothy 1:17
Mark 9:35 Hebrews 13:8
Luke 1:31-33 Revelation 17:14
Luke 4:18-19 Revelation 19:11-16
John 12:25-26

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Discuss with others in your study group what you learned from answering
the questions above about the kingdom of God. What has the Holy Spirit
revealed to you about God, the kingdom, the King, or your role as a
kingdom citizen?
» How would you describe the kingdom of God to someone in your
own people group? Where could you show them evidence of God’s
kingdom among you?
» How would you describe Jesus to someone in your own people group?
Where could you show them evidence of Jesus among you?
» Share what you learned about the kingdom of God with someone you
meet this week. Discuss your experiences with others in your study group.
What did you learn or observe from these times of sharing?

Pray “Your Kingdom Come…”

» Jesus taught His followers to pray that God’s kingdom will come on
earth as it already is in heaven (Matthew 6:10). Have you prayed for this
lately? Take time now to ask God to bring more and more of the kingdom,
especially to the places and to the people on earth who currently see more
of the kingdom of darkness than they do the kingdom of light. Pray for
citizens of God’s kingdom to take the Good News of the kingdom to all
the people groups of the earth who still have not experienced it. Pray that
God will accomplish His purpose on earth and then bring about the return
of King Jesus.

58
 Lesson 6 - Jesus and God's Covenant

Lesson 6. Jesus and God’s Covenant

Jesus is the Promised Son, but many Jews do not recognize Him. Once again they
forget God’s covenant and their purpose to bless all peoples. They seek a blessing
from God for the sake of their own people only. Jesus challenges them by revealing
again God’s love and blessing for all peoples.

Jesus is a Different Kind of King

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 1:1-8

As Jesus grows in wisdom and stature, He does not do what the people
of Israel expect Him to do. They misunderstand God’s prophets, and
expect God to send them an earthly king, like King David. They expect
a king to make war against the nations oppressing them—against the
Roman Empire, for example—and again establish a prosperous earthly
kingdom for Israel.

They expect the coming king to free them from their oppressors, just
as God does earlier through King Saul and King David. But God’s
Promised Son—Jesus—comes bringing the spiritual kingdom to earth.
Just as before, this kingdom is not only for the blessing of Israel. The
spiritual kingdom is for the blessing of all people groups.

Jesus is a different kind of king than people are expecting. Many Jewish
people do not see the truth, and refuse to believe He is the Promised
Son. Jesus’ words and deeds reveal that He is who He says He is, and
He fulfills all the prophecies about Himself. However, very few Jews are
willing to follow Him when He asks them to.

Others grow so afraid and confused by Him they want to kill Him.
God’s Promised Son and King is murdered by men of whom Isaiah
prophesied “…you will be ever hearing but never understanding; you
will be ever seeing but never perceiving. For this people’s heart has
become calloused; they hardly hear with their ears, and they have closed
their eyes. Otherwise they might see with their eyes, hear with their ears,
understand with their hearts and turn, and I would heal them” (Matthew
13:13-15).

Even those who do believe and follow Jesus find it hard to believe He
does not plan to establish a political kingdom on earth. In Acts 1:6, His
disciples and close friends ask, “Is now the time…?” They think that
an earthly kingdom for Israel will still come through the Messiah, the
Promised Son.

Why are they so confused? See the prophecies about Jesus in the following passages
to better understand why they misunderstood Scripture: Zephaniah 3:14-17, Isaiah
2:2-4 and 66:13-16.
59
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

God never intends the kingdom of God to be a political, physical kingdom ruled by
man and entered by force. The kingdom of God is a spiritual kingdom ruled by love
and entered by invitation.

Citizenship in the kingdom of God is not a political citizenship. Citizens of any

earthly tribe or nation may be citizens of God’s kingdom. Citizenship in the kingdom
of God gives all who enter an identity as God’s people, and a purpose as heirs of the
covenant with our spiritual ancestor, Abraham.

» Why do the Jews fail to recognize Jesus as the Promised Son when he
comes to earth?
» How do our own misguided expectations cause us to miss God’s
revelation when it comes to our people? Ask God for eyes to see and ears
to hear His revelation to us.

A Kingdom for All Peoples

Jesus is very clear that the Good News of the kingdom is for both
Jews and Gentiles—for all the peoples of the earth. He spends most of
His time on earth with Jews, but He takes many opportunities to teach
them that God loves Gentiles and Jews alike, and that He wants to bless
the Jews so that they will go and bless the Gentiles of the earth. He
continues teaching them how to fulfill the covenant made with their
father, Abraham.

Jesus wants the Jews to stop thinking they are more righteous than other people groups.
They think others are dirty, unlovable and not worthy of God or His story. This is a
lie from Satan. They forget their responsibility in the covenant God makes with their
ancestor Abraham.

If we find ourselves thinking that our people are more righteous than another people
group, or that we can bring God more glory than they can, we believe the same lie
from Satan. Jesus loves all peoples, no matter what they are like or what others think
of them, and He teaches His disciples to do the same. His life and teaching reveal His
love for Gentiles as well as Jews.

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 1:1-17 and LUKE 3:23-38

In Jesus’ family tree we find that even though His mother and father
are Jewish, some of his ancestors are Gentiles. His family records are
in Matthew 1 and Luke 3. In fact, three of the four women mentioned
in Matthew’s genealogy are Gentile women who followed the God of
Israel (Tamar, Rahab and Ruth).

Even the ancestral line of the Promised Son reveals His desire for all nations—not
just Israel—to be part of the blessing and covenant.

60
 Lesson 6 - Jesus and God's Covenant

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 4:12-17

Jesus walks among both Jews and Gentiles. He starts His public ministry
from the city of Capernaum instead of Jerusalem so He can be among
the Gentiles and fulfill prophecy (Matthew 4:12-17). He performs
miracles for Gentiles (see Matthew 4:23-
25, 8:5-13, Mark 8:1-9, Luke 17:11-21, for Citizenship in the kingdom
example). Jesus shares the Good News with
a Samaritan village and many become His of God gives all who enter
followers (John 4). Samaritans are a people an identity as God’s people,
group that descends from both Jewish and
Gentile ancestors. and a purpose as heirs of the
covenant with our spiritual
Jesus teaches the disciples and Jewish leaders
by using stories and lessons about Gentiles ancestor, Abraham.
(Luke 10:30-37, Luke 4:16-30). Jesus also
corrects the religious leaders at the temple for keeping Gentiles out of
the temple and for filling the Gentile area with merchandise and money
changers (Mark 11:15-17).

Many prophets of old reveal that Jesus is the Savior of the whole world, not just the
Savior of the people of Israel (see Isaiah 42:5-7, 49:6 and Luke 2:25-32, for example).
Jesus lives and works among Gentiles to reveal His love for all peoples to all,
including His disciples (Matthew 15:21-28).

» When the Jews forget their covenant responsibility to bless other peoples,
they seek a blessing for their own people only. Why is it important for our
people to understand that Jesus came to bless all the peoples of the world?

The Jews of Jesus’ Day and the Covenant

During the days before Jesus comes, many Jews travel throughout
the Middle East trying to make proselytes of the Gentiles who spend
time in the synagogues. They understand part of God’s command and
covenant expectation that they bless other peoples. However, they also
misunderstand God. They think He wants them to change the customs
and traditions of all peoples to be like the Jewish people’s customs and
traditions.

Some call these people Judaizers because they do not necessarily make followers
of the Most High God. They make followers of the Jewish culture. They lead
people astray. They focus on themselves and the traditions of their own people
group, judging the customs and traditions of other peoples who are not like them.
Jesus harshly addresses the practices of these Judaizers (Matthew 23:15). Paul also
addresses this issue many times in his letters (see Galatians, for example).

61
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

Remember, God does not love the traditions of the Jews any more than He loves the
customs and traditions of any other people. He chooses to bless the Hebrew people
and set them apart as a kingdom of priests and a holy nation so that they will be a
blessing to the other peoples.

God wants the Jews to spread the Great Story to all peoples so humanity can be
reconciled to God. He does not intend to make all peoples adopt the natural identity
of the Jewish people.

STORY FOR STUDY: JOHN 3:16-21 and MARK 5:1-20

Jesus urges people to repent and leave the kingdom of darkness and
come to the kingdom of light. At the same time, He wants people to keep
the natural identities they have when He finds them. He does not want
them to adopt a new or foreign way of living that might bring shame to
their family or people.

When a Greek man Jesus heals wants to travel with Jesus and His Jewish
disciples, Jesus instructs the man to return to his own (Gentile) people
and spread the Good News among them. He does not allow the man to
leave his own people and travel with the Jews. Jesus does not turn this
man away because he is not Jewish. He turns Him away because He
loves this man’s people and wants them to receive the kingdom of God
from someone with their same natural identity.

Jesus never asks for a change of natural identity.

▪ Political loyalty does not change. Jews remain part of the Jewish community,
Samaritans remain in their Samaritan villages with their people, and Roman
citizens remain involved with Roman citizens, even while their spiritual allegiance
shifts from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of light. God’s people obey
Him as the highest authority.
▪ Family or household loyalty does not change. With God as heavenly Father,
servants remain servants, and fathers, sons, mothers and daughters remain loyal to
their family responsibilities.
▪ Social or religious community loyalty does not change. Jews remain part of
the Jewish community. Samaritans and Greeks each remain part of their own
communities. In the kingdom of God, God’s people worship only the Most High God.

We want to be careful not to change Jesus’ message and practice. We introduce people
to the Great Story and the kingdom of God by introducing them to Jesus the King.
Jesus does not ask people to change their natural identity, and neither should we.

In most cases, people who enter the kingdom of God will not need to make a break
from their political authorities, the authority of their family or household, or even the
authority of their own religious or community leaders and groups. What is necessary
is that God becomes the ultimate authority for all individuals and communities,

62
 Lesson 6 - Jesus and God's Covenant

and that we all follow God’s command, “You shall have no other gods before me”
(Exodus 20:3).

» What positive practices do we learn from Jews who introduce the

kingdom to Gentiles during the time before Jesus?
» What do we learn from the mistakes of Jews who introduce the kingdom
to Gentiles during this time?
» How can you apply these lessons to the work your people group does to
introduce the kingdom to other people groups?

Saving Faith—The Disciples, People Who Follow Jesus

People who live during the time of Jesus enjoy a unique opportunity to interact
with God. Jesus, “the image of the invisible God” (Colossians 1:15), walks
among them, eats with them, teaches them and performs signs and wonders
which confirm He is the Promised Son from God. We call those who follow
Jesus as He teaches and moves around the countryside His disciples.

What is saving faith for these men and women who follow Jesus? In our day,
we sometimes think saving faith is belief in a set of truths about Jesus. Today
we know more of the story than the disciples do in Jesus’ day. For example,
Jesus’ disciples did not know He would die and rise again.

In our day, we sometimes think saving faith is performing rituals or practices,

or belonging to a particular group. But at every point in the Great Story, people
demonstrate worship for God according to the traditions of their own people group.
These traditions are very different across the ages and from people to people.

God reconciles Jesus’ disciples to Himself the same way He reconciles Abraham,
the Israelites, and others before them—through the death and resurrection of
Jesus Christ. This is true even though some of them enter the kingdom before
Jesus dies or rises from the dead. Saving faith for the disciples is not a set of
practices or membership in a nation or family. It comes through belief in Jesus’
Good News of the kingdom, which results in their obedience.

Jesus invites people to follow Him and many do. Others do not. He teaches
the truth to those who do follow Him. He sends them out to do His work (Luke
9, 10). Maybe even before they recognize He is the Promised Son, He sends
them out to share the Good News about the kingdom of God. What do we
learn from this?

Jesus gives people many opportunities to demonstrate faith. As He teaches,

He calls for people to change their ways. Changing ways cannot save them or

63
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

restore them to God, but obeying Him is an opportunity for them to demonstrate
belief in Him and His message. This belief, which results in obedience, is their
saving faith.

God seems eager to use His people to carry out His plan, even before they
understand everything we now understand about Jesus. In fact, we never
correctly understand everything about Jesus while we live on earth.

Praise God that He shows us how to follow Him and be His people. He gives us
His Holy Spirit to instruct us and correct us along the way. Those who follow
Him join in God’s work, sharing His message and eventually sharing in His
suffering as they identify with Jesus.

Saving faith for the disciples is the same as faith for Abraham, the Israelites
and all who come before them. It is not simply a set of practices or traditions,
or being part of a certain people group or family. Faith comes from their
belief in the message they hear, their experience with the Promised Son, Jesus,
and their obedience to God.

Following Jesus

Jesus Blesses His Followers

STORY FOR STUDY: LUKE 9:57-62

Jesus said, “…if anyone would come after me, he must deny himself and
take up his cross daily and follow me” (Luke 9:23). This means to be a
disciple, or follower, of Jesus, we must deny ourselves and follow Him.

Men and women who receive the Good News of the kingdom experience a new
birth (John 3:5-6). God restores us to life according to our true identity as citizens of
His kingdom. Once restored, we live according to kingdom values and our lifestyle
changes. Through the transforming power of
One amazing truth about the the Holy Spirit, we live a new kind of life in
our old surroundings.
Good News is that we can follow
the ways of the kingdom of God One amazing truth about the Good News is
that we can follow the ways of the kingdom
while remaining part of our own of God while remaining part of our own
family and community. family and community, the natural identity
into which we are born.

64
 Lesson 6 - Jesus and God's Covenant

» What does it mean to follow Jesus?

» Have you made a choice to repent from seeking after your own way and
believe the Good News about God’s purpose to forgive you and restore
your good relationship with him? Do you receive the kingdom of God,
and daily follow Jesus in obedience? Pass along to your children the story
of when and how your people first made this choice.

Jesus Reminds His Followers of God’s Command to Bless All Peoples

According to the Good News preached to Abraham, our identity also gives us
purpose—that through us the peoples of the earth will receive a blessing. The kingdom
of God begins to spread like yeast through dough,
until many from among our own people recognize Jesus affirms God’s covenant
and enter the kingdom. We also join God’s people
all over the world in sending out messengers to with His people, reminding
carry the Good News of the kingdom to places them of their responsibility to
where Jesus is not yet recognized as the long-
awaited Promised Son. bless all peoples.
STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 28:16-20

Before He leaves earth and ascends into heaven, Jesus instructs His
followers, “…go and make disciples of all nations… teaching them to
obey everything I have commanded you” (Matthew 28:19). Jesus clearly
reminds God’s people of their purpose, and their responsibility as heirs
of God’s covenant promise with Abraham.

Jesus affirms God’s covenant with His people, reminding them of their responsibility
to bless all peoples.

» How does Jesus’ command in Matthew 28:16-20 remind the Jews of their
responsibility to the covenant made with Abraham?

Making Disciples in Every People Group

The only way we can accomplish Jesus’ command to make disciples in every people
group is to faithfully point people to Jesus, the Promised Son. When we see and hear
Jesus, we see and hear God and know His love for us (John 12:44-46).

Jesus claims, “But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all
men to myself” (John 12:32). Jesus seeks followers. How do we lift up
Jesus so He might draw all men to Himself?

65
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

Every person we encounter, at any time, either moves toward following Jesus or away
from following Him. We can encourage people we meet to turn toward Jesus and
follow Him and His teachings, and we can reveal truth about His kingdom to them.

God uses us to point all people toward Jesus

and His Kingdom

If the people we encourage already follow Jesus, the Holy Spirit may use us to help
them grow in knowledge and devotion to God. If the people we encourage do not
follow Jesus yet, maybe the truth they see and hear in us will lift up Jesus so He can
draw them to Himself. Maybe they will soon be ready to repent, turn from seeking
their own way, and follow Jesus. God uses us to point all people toward Jesus and
His kingdom.

Obeying Jesus by making followers puts the power, control and knowledge of entry
into the kingdom entirely in Jesus’ hands where it belongs. We do not know who is in
the kingdom or who is not. Jesus says the separating will come at the end of the age
(Matthew 13:47-52).

Only Jesus knows what is in the heart of each person. In the present age, this makes
the kingdom seem confusing to us. God is not confused. We are not to be concerned
about such things. We are only to obey Jesus.

66
 Lesson 6 - Jesus and God's Covenant

Explore the Scriptures

» Look up each of the passages below and write or discuss what you learn
about the Good News of the kingdom.
Matthew 24:14; Mark 13:10 II Corinthians 9:13
Mark 8:35; 10:29 Galatians 2:14
Luke 9:6 Galatians 3:8
Luke 20:1 Ephesians 6:19
Acts 8:25, 40 Philippians 1:27-30
Romans 1:2; 1:16 Colossians 1:5-6
I Corinthians 9:12 I Thessalonians 1:5
II Corinthians 4:3-4 I Thessalonians 2:4

Reflect on What God Teaches You
» Meditate on Matthew 18:18-20. Even if this passage is familiar to you, ask
God to reveal new insights to you about His love for humanity and His
purpose.
» Discuss these questions with your study group:
» What have you learned about the message—the Good News of the
kingdom?
» What have you learned about making disciples, or followers, and the
kingdom of God?
» Go and share with your family, including women and children, the truths
the Holy Spirit reveals to you.

Pray for Revelation

» For which people group has God specially created and placed you and
your people to bless with His story? Ask Him to reveal this to you. Ask
Him to reveal ways and opportunities through which you can bless those
people and effectively communicate with them. God wants to use you and
your people.

67
 Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

Apply What You Learn

Share the Great Story

At the end of Chapter 1 you shared the first part of the Great Story with your family.
Gather them again and share next event in the story, the coming of the Promised Son,
Jesus. Share with them the Good News about the kingdom of God that Jesus brings.

When you meet again with your study group. Discuss your experiences and the
following questions:
» What parts were easy for your family to understand as truly Good News?
» What parts were confusing to them or made them feel uncomfortable?
» Did they have questions? What were those questions?
» What obstacles do you think you face in sharing the Good News among
your own people?

Be Transformed

Jesus teaches us to pray, “…Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it
is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10). Reflect together with your study group on what it
might look like for the kingdom of God to rule and reign in your family. Discuss the
following:
» In order for the kingdom of God to rule and reign in your family, which
kingdom teachings and guidelines do you think you need to introduce?
» Are there any areas where kingdom teachings and values need to replace
worldly or cultural values that cause your family to seek after their own
way, or seek their own fame?
» In what ways can your family demonstrate the kingdom of God to others
in your community through serving them and living according to kingdom
teachings and values?
» Are there any changes you will make in coming days for the sake of the
kingdom? Choose one change to start with today. Commit these changes to
God and one another.

Repeat this activity, imagining what it might look like for the kingdom of God to rule
and reign in your local community, among your own people group, in your city or
village, and even in your entire political nation or country.

68
 Apply What you Learn

Expand Your Understanding

Read what Jesus teaches His disciples about worship in the following stories:

Matthew 23:25-28 Mark 12:38-40 Mark 12:41-44

Now read about a Gentile who begins to worship the Most High God in II Kings 5:1-19.

Discuss with others in your study group what the Holy Spirit reveals to you about
acceptable worship through these stories. Discuss how the stories relate to the
natural identity of your people group, and your true identity as God’s people.

Consider and discuss with your study group how the truth in these stories applies to
situations where a family from a Muslim, Hindu, Buddhist, or tribal people group
begins to worship the Most High God.

69
Chapter 2 - The Story of Jesus Alive On Earth

70
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

Chapter 3

The Age of the Apostles, Part One

“…you will be My witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria,
and to the ends of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

Jesus lives a life without sin, yet some of His own people conspired in His death.
They do not understand the truth of who He is. It may seem once again that God’s
plan of blessing the Jews to be a blessing to other people groups ends badly. If we
continue the story, however, we see this is not the case.

Three days after His death, Jesus rises from the earth, alive. He overcomes the
curse of death and separation from God, and breaks the authority of the evil one. He
appears to His followers to encourage them, guide them, tell them about the coming
Holy Spirit, and affirm their covenant responsibility once more (Acts 1:8).

Chapter 3 tells the part of the Great Story that begins after Jesus ascends into heaven
in a glorious way in front of His disciples at Jerusalem.

Lesson 7. The Holy Spirit and God’s Covenant

Lesson 8. Sent-Out Disciples
Lesson 9. Kingdom Communities

71
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

Lesson 7. The Holy Spirit and God’s

Covenant

The next events in the Great Story usher in the age of the apostles. This is an age
where Jesus’ apostles, together with all His faithful followers, obey His command to
make disciples of all peoples, teaching them to obey all His commands.

This part of the story continues until Jesus returns at the end of the age. Even though
the age of the apostles begins over two thousand years ago, our generation lives in
this age. We still have opportunity to enter the work of these faithful apostles and
followers in our day.

God Sends the Holy Spirit to His People

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 2:1-41

As Jesus promises before He leaves earth (Acts 1:8), God sends His Holy
Spirit to the disciples in a new and amazing way at a festival in Jerusalem
called Pentecost. At Pentecost, the disciples in Jerusalem begin to speak
in other languages and share the Word of God with people there from
many different people groups (Acts 2:4).

Later, Jesus’ followers begin to recognize God’s work among Gentiles

when the Holy Spirit comes upon Gentile families in the same way He
comes to Jews (Acts 15:8). The movement spreads quickly through the
presence and work of the Holy Spirit in the lives of the apostles and new
followers.

We recognize a kingdom community by the presence of the Holy Spirit dwelling

among a people. God’s people are empowered and led by the Holy Spirit.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 3

Once the Holy Spirit comes upon the early disciples, many begin to
work signs and wonders (see Acts 2:43, 5:12-16, 6:8). They heal people
and cast out demons as they preach the Word of God.

God also shows Himself to His followers in special ways, by speaking

through visions and dreams (see Acts 9:10, 12; 10:3, 9-16; 16:9; 18:9).
God is active and involved in the lives of His people in Jerusalem during
this time, showing Himself to the disciples in obvious ways, and working

72
 Lesson 7 - The Holy Spirit and God's Covenant

through them in miraculous ways.

Those who have eyes to see His works and ears to hear the Good News experience
the love and power of God through the work of Jesus and the Holy Spirit.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 4:1-31 and 5:12-42

After receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 1:8, 2:1-4), the early disciples speak
the Word boldly, and with powerful results. Many people repent and
begin following Jesus’ teachings through the witness of these disciples
(see Acts 2:37-42, 4:4, 4:32-35). With these great results, suffering
comes.

Government and religious leaders arrest Jesus’ followers many times

(see Acts 4:3, 5:18, 6:11, for example). Sometimes they put them in
jail (Acts 5:19), beat them, and even tell lies about them (see Acts 5:40,
6:11-12, for example). They often want to kill the disciples for disturbing
the people (Acts 7:57-60). Sometimes God miraculously allows them to
escape from jail.

Many of Jesus’ followers suffer without food and sleep. They endure
competition from those who seek fame. The disciples escape from
physical attacks by robbers. They go to prison, endure beatings, and
much more (see I Corinthians 4:11-13 and II Corinthians 1-2, 4 and 6).

Even when God’s people suffer, they consider it an honor to suffer for Jesus (Acts
5:41). They rejoice that God considers them worthy to suffer as Jesus did. Since no
one likes to suffer, this joy must come from God. Peter writes, “So then, those who
suffer according to God’s will should commit themselves to their faithful Creator and
continue to do good” (I Peter 4:19).

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 2:42-47

In Jerusalem, the new disciples devote themselves daily to spending

time with one another in their families and in the temple. They regularly
spend time eating together and listening to the teaching of Jesus’ apostles.
They pray together, share their things whenever someone has a need,
and praise God together (Acts 2:42-47, 4:32-35, 5:42, 9:31).

They stay in one another’s homes when they travel (Acts 16:14-15, 31-
34). They work together in their trade (Acts 18:1-4). They correct and
instruct one another (Acts 18:24-26, 28:30-31). They share the Good
News with households who want to hear it (Acts 18:7-8 and I Corinthians
7:17-24). They also appoint men to oversee the care of those in need
(Acts 6:3-4).

Their new faith and obedience to Jesus does not cause them to leave their community
and form a new community somewhere else in Jerusalem. Instead, God empowers

73
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

them to change their communities into loving, caring, generous, encouraging places
to be. The church is not a building they go to or even an event they attend. The church
is this community of God’s people, a kingdom community—the kind of community
that reflects the values of the kingdom of God.

The disciples continue to meet formally in the temple and synagogues,

as they had done before, according to the Jewish customs and traditions.
They meet daily in the temple to talk about
The church is this Jesus, and on the Sabbath in the synagogues
community of God’s people, (Acts 5:42, 18:4, 7-8). They stay connected
to their community and are able to introduce
a kingdom community—the people from their community to Jesus’
kind of community that teaching.
reflects the values of the They continue going to the temple for the times
kingdom of God. of prayer (Acts 3:1), even though this means
worshipping and praying alongside Jews who
do not follow Jesus, or Jews who are even hostile to Him. In spite of this,
the disciples continue to go to familiar places of prayer and to pray to
God in Jesus’ name.

» Why did Jesus’ followers continue to live and worship together with
other Jews who did not yet follow Jesus? Why did they continue going to
the temple, even though the temple authorities ordered Jesus’ execution
only weeks before? Why do they remain part of their own families and
communities?
» What do these disciples’ actions within their own community reveal about
God’s plan to bless all peoples?

The disciples do gather separately on special occasions. The focus of

these special meetings is usually to work out concerns and problems
within the kingdom community. They discuss them and make important
decisions (Acts 6:1-4). On other occasions, the apostles deliver special
messages and reports (Acts 10:24-25, 14:27, 21:17-21). Sometimes
they meet to worship God and fast (Acts 13:1-3). They meet to honor
and celebrate God with special feasts, to share together, and to build one
another up in the Lord (I Corinthians 11:17-22, 14:1-40).

“The believers, at times, devote themselves to special times of prayer” (I Corinthians

7:5). Explore the passages below and fill out the chart to see how the disciples ask
God for help to live together as a community of His people, and to pray for their needs.

74
 Lesson 7 - The Holy Spirit and God's Covenant

Scripture For what did the Scripture For what did the
disciples pray? disciples pray?
Acts 1:24 Acts 9:40, 28:8
Acts 2:42, 4:24, Acts 12:5 & 12,
6:4, 10:9 13:3, 16:25
Acts 4:23-31, 16:25; Acts 20:36, 21:5
Ephesians 6:19
Acts 6:6, 14:23 Acts 27:29
Acts 8:14-17 I Thessalonians 3:1
Acts 8:22; James 5:14
James 5:16

Prayer occurs in many places, in many forms (on knees, lying flat, while working, and in
other ways). Making time for prayer is an important part of living together as God’s people.

Jesus’ Followers Worship God

Those who repent and believe the Good News of the kingdom after meeting
Jesus join God’s people in worship.

Those whose natural identity is Jewish continue to worship by practicing Jew-

ish traditions. Because God changes their true identity, they now understand
more and believe more about God and His promise. As they change on the
inside, their outward ways of relating to God become acceptable worship.

While He is on earth, Jesus does not introduce new ways of worship. He does
not set up a church in the way we might expect. He does not set up a new
religious community. He introduces all peoples to the kingdom of God, and
reveals God to them in a new way. He lives as a Jew, but shows people what
God is like in human form. He says to worship the Father in spirit and in truth
(John 4:24, 39-42).

Jesus’ followers do not need to follow the Jewish forms of worship in order
for their worship to be acceptable. It is their changed attitude toward God that
makes their worship acceptable to Him.

» In your own words, tell about the early days in Jerusalem, when the
kingdom enters the Jewish community through the teaching of the
apostles and the power of the Holy Spirit.
» Describe the nature of a kingdom community as it begins to emerge and
grow within a people group.

75
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

The Apostles Spread the Good News Inside Their Own People Group

After these exciting times in Jerusalem where many repent, believe, and begin to
follow Jesus, the persecution in Jerusalem eventually moves the disciples out of that
city into the surrounding areas of Judea and Samaria (Acts 8:1).

STORY FOR STUDY: GALATIANS 2:7-10

The disciples focus on making disciples within their own people group.
This is an important task. People receive the Good News most naturally
from others like them, who speak the same language and know their
traditions. Apostles like Peter, and many of the other disciples who
remain in Jerusalem after Pentecost, devote themselves to spreading the
kingdom among their own people group, the Jews.

Peter spends much of his time teaching the disciples the ways of the
kingdom and how to be in good relationships with others in their family
and community (see I Peter). When there are strong community and
family relationships, the kingdom grows among the Jewish community
naturally and with greater power.

People sharing the Good News within

their own people group already have trust
relationships with those who receive it.
This makes the spread of the kingdom
more natural. Maybe there are families
with whom you do business, with whom
you are connected through marriage,
or with whom you spend time in the
community in another way. Sharing Jesus
with them is like the natural spread of
yeast through dough as the woman mixes
it in Jesus’ parable (Matthew 13:33),
whether it takes days or generations.
The kingdom of God spreads naturally
Many disciples, as they go out from Jerusalem, through a people group.
share the news of Jesus and the kingdom with
Jewish communities living in other lands. This is also an example of the natural
spread of the kingdom within a people group. This is an important task. As we study
God’s plan, however, we learn He also wants His kingdom to spread from people
groups who receive it to other people groups who have not yet received it.

The Apostles and the Covenant

The foreigners who were in Jerusalem for the festival of Pentecost begin to return to
their homes and take the Good News of the kingdom of God with them. More and
more people enter the kingdom of God.

76

The kingdom of God spreads na

 Lesson 7 - The Holy Spirit and God's Covenant

God acts very clearly in the lives of Peter and Paul to make sure they do not work
only to naturally spread the Good News among other Jews. He causes them to leave
their Jewish people and traditions in order to introduce the Good News to Gentile
people groups.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 10

God speaks to Peter in a vision and sends him to meet Cornelius, a

Roman military officer. Cornelius and his family are not Jewish, but
they are God-fearers. They give alms generously and pray to the Most
High God. God’s angel tells Cornelius to send for Peter. When Peter
arrives and shares the Good News about Jesus, the Holy Spirit comes
upon everyone in the Roman’s household. Peter recognizes that God
accepts and blesses Gentiles with the Holy Spirit, just as He does Jews
at Pentecost.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 9:1-31 and ACTS 11:19-30

Jesus appears in a mighty way to Paul—a religious terrorist known first

as Saul—who seeks to arrest followers of Jesus. Paul becomes a preacher
of grace and mercy and a witness to God’s kingdom, God’s plan and the
work of Jesus (see Acts 9). God sets Paul apart, along with other early
disciples, to take the Good News to the Gentiles (Acts 15:7).

Because Gentiles practice different traditions and worship other gods, most Jews
consider them unclean and unworthy of God’s blessings. In addition to that, one
group of Gentiles—the Romans—are their captors and rule over the region of Judea,
treating the Jewish people badly.

We can understand why the Jews do not want to share God’s Good News with people
who oppress them and cause them to suffer unjustly. However, God wants them to
make disciples of all peoples, including the Romans. Because our own prejudice and
hatred motivate us at times, we must continue to allow God to give us His grace and
love for all peoples.

» In these days, the kingdom spreads rapidly among Jews. Many of Jesus’
disciples work hard to spread the Good News to other Jews throughout
the known world.
» Why does God act to direct some disciples to Gentiles as well
as Jews?
» What do God’s actions toward Gentiles reveal about His
character and His plan?

77

aturally through a people group.

 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

The Apostles Spread the Good News Among Other People Groups

STORY FOR STUDY: GALATIANS 2:7-10 and ROMANS 15:14-22

God uses apostles like Paul and his friends to be part of spreading God’s
kingdom to people groups other than the Jewish people. They do share
about the kingdom with other Jews, but their first commitment is to
spread the Good News to the Gentile people groups—the Ephesians,
the Romans, the Corinthians, the Cretans, and many others.

These people groups speak different languages and have very different
traditions than the Jewish people do. Because of this, these apostles
work hard to introduce and communicate the message of the kingdom
of God in a way that Gentiles can understand.

Paul understands that once he introduces the Good News to a new

people group, those new followers of Jesus will then work to naturally
spread the kingdom through their own families and communities, just as
Peter and others do among the Jewish people. Paul often writes to them
about ways to strengthen relationships in their families and communities
so that the kingdom might spread more quickly and effectively (see
Ephesians and Colossians, for example).

While the kingdom spreads through one people group, other people groups still wait
to hear the Good News. In order to share the truth about Jesus with a people group
where no families follow Jesus, a family—or group of disciples like Paul and his
group—leaves their own people group and intentionally goes to another one in order
to introduce them to the kingdom of God.

Those who introduce the kingdom to a new people group must communicate
with them in ways they will understand. They must learn their language and their
traditions. They must form good trust relationships with them. Most importantly,
they must love and serve them in meaningful ways. Jesus demonstrates the kingdom
through His love and life as a servant to others. The kingdom must be introduced
carefully, like the woman introduces yeast into her dough, so it will naturally spread.

Followers of Jesus leave their own people group and intentionally go to

another in order to introduce the kingdom of God.

78
 Lesson 7 - The Holy Spirit and God's Covenant

Out of all the disciples working to spread the kingdom in our day, only a few are
working to introduce the kingdom to people groups with no followers of Jesus.
The majority serve in people groups where disciples have already introduced the
kingdom, and where it is already naturally spreading throughout that people group.

We need more disciples who express Paul’s burden: “It has always been my ambition
to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be building on
someone else’s foundation” (Romans 15:20).

» What is the difference between the primary task given to Peter and the
primary task given to Paul?
» What is the difference between the work of introducing the kingdom to
a people group with no followers of Jesus yet, and the work of naturally
spreading the kingdom through a people group where there are already
followers of Jesus?
» What do we learn about the spread of the kingdom from Matthew
13:33? What do we learn about the spread of the kingdom in Matthew
13:31? What part of the parable teaches us about natural spread of the
kingdom? What part teaches us about introducing the kingdom?

Explore the Scriptures

» Refer to the smaller stories found in Acts below.
Acts 1:1-8 Acts 5:12-42
Acts 2:1-36 Acts 6:8-7:60
Acts 3:1-26 Acts 9:1-31
Acts 4:32-5:11 Acts 9:32-10:48
» Answer the following about God’s purpose:
» How does God act to restore His good relationship with humanity in
this part of the Great Story?
» How does God act to restore His kingdom rule?
» How does Satan try to prevent God from carrying out His purpose to restore?
» Answer the following questions about humanity’s response to God. Tell
about our identity.
» How does humanity participate in the war between God’s kingdom and
the kingdom of darkness?
» How does God reveal Himself to humanity and communicate with them?
» How does humanity respond to God’s revelation?
» How do the people of God honor and worship Him, both as individuals
and as a community?

79
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Ask God to reveal truth to you about any bad attitudes or prejudice among
your people that prevent the Good News from going forth in your city,
your area, or from your people group to other people groups.
» Confess your sin and ask God to forgive you and your people. Ask Him to
remove any hatred and replace it with love and mercy.

Pray for those who Suffer Persecution

» Like the early disciples in Jerusalem, many in the world today suffer
unjustly because they follow Jesus. They are in prison. People attack them
physically or emotionally. Some are murdered like Stephen (Acts 7). Pray
that these precious brothers and sisters in the Lord find hope, comfort and
encouragement in the Lord Jesus, just as Stephen found (Acts 7:54-55).
Pray that they are strong and bold. Pray for their families and communities
to find forgiveness, healing and encouragement. Ask God to meet the
needs of widows and children. Pray that God uses this evil for good and
that His kingdom grows in spite of the attack. Pray by name for those you
know who are suffering in this way. Pray that your family and community
will be prepared to endure unjust suffering when the time comes.

80
 Lesson 8 - Sent-Out Disciples

Lesson 8. Sent-Out Disciples

Jesus reveals Himself to Paul, changing him from one who persecutes Jesus’ disciples
to one who makes disciples. God reveals His love and acceptance of Gentiles to Peter,
his friends, and Cornelius’ family (Acts 10). Soon after these life-changing events,
the Holy Spirit reveals more about God’s plan to the kingdom community in a town
called Antioch.

Kingdom Communities Send Off Disciples

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 13:1-3

One day, some devoted disciples worshipping in Antioch receive a

message from the Holy Spirit. After praying and fasting, they send off
Paul and Barnabas to visit other communities in the Roman world.

Paul, Barnabas, and a number of other devoted disciples form the first
group sent off to introduce the kingdom to new people groups (Acts
13). Apostle means “sent one,” so the Bible often refers to these men
and women as apostles. In this course, we refer to them as the sent-out
disciples.

The local kingdom community focuses on seeing the kingdom Both the local
naturally spread within its own people group. The community
is the place where God dwells among a people group. They kingdom
use all the gifts God gives them to build up the community of communities
God’s people within their own people group. They manage their
households according to kingdom values and work to introduce and the sent-out
other men and women to the truth about Jesus within their disciples rejoice
families and communities.
and share together
But local kingdom communities also recognize their covenant in the work God
responsibility. They send off disciples and support them by
providing resources, by encouraging them, and by praying gives each to do.
for and sometimes joining their efforts. They wait eagerly for
reports from the sent-out disciples to hear about the work God does among other
people groups. They actively seek opportunities to bless other peoples around them.

The sent-out disciples go off from a local kingdom community to focus on

introducing the kingdom to new people groups. They use all the gifts God gives
them to build up one another so that they can introduce families and communities
from other people groups to Jesus, His kingdom values, and His purpose for them.
They tell the Great Story to others who are different from them.

The sent-out disciples pray for the local kingdom communities who send them.
Whenever they can, they return and bring reports of their work so their own people
can pray for the new kingdom communities that begin to grow in new areas.

81
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

Both the local kingdom communities and the sent-out disciples rejoice and share
together in the work God gives each to do. They work separately from one another
at times, to focus on two different ways of spreading God’s kingdom. They work
independently, and neither group is under the control or authority of the other group.
They rejoice together in all God does through their people. They rejoice in the
purpose God gives them all.

» Think about the two different groups of Jesus’ followers we can identify
at work in Acts—the local kingdom community and the sent-out
disciples.
» What are their two different focuses in the spreading of the kingdom?
» How are they alike?
» How are they different?
» When and how do these two groups relate to one another? What do
they share? What do they do separately?
» How do these two groups share in the work God gives His people?

Paul’s Group of Sent-Out Disciples

The kingdom community sees Paul off on three different journeys. On

the first journey, the disciples at Antioch see Paul and Barnabas off with
a small team. This is their first attempt to introduce the kingdom to
people groups who have not yet heard the Good News. They learn many
lessons and visit several cities where Gentiles begin to follow Jesus.
Then they return to Antioch and gather the community of disciples
together to share with them what God has done (Acts 13-14).

On the second journey, Paul and Barnabas go separate ways. Although

this is a result of a sad conflict, God uses the new teams to spread the
kingdom over a greater area. Barnabas takes John Mark, Paul takes Silas,
and later Timothy joins Paul. A network of sent-out disciples begins to
develop. They stay in contact with one another by sending letters and by
passing messages through the kingdom communities of the towns they
visit (Acts 15:36-18:23).

By the third journey, this network of sent-out disciples is quite large.

Paul directs Jesus’ new disciples to go throughout the known world for
specific purposes. For example, he sends Timothy to Ephesus and Titus
to Crete to appoint elders and instruct the disciples there. The authorities
capture Paul and take him to Rome, but the work continues under his
direction through letters and messengers. Paul recruits and trains those
who can continue this work (Acts 18:23 to the end of Paul’s life).

82
 Lesson 8 - Sent-Out Disciples

» Think about your own people group as you answer the following:
» Who makes up your local kingdom community?
» Who are the elders of this local kingdom community?
» Who are the disciples you have sent off to other peoples?
» With what new people groups have the sent-out disciples shared the
Good News?
» How do the sent-out disciples organize themselves? Who guides and
directs them?
» How do the sent-out disciples relate to the rest of the kingdom
community within your people?

» Are your local kingdom community and group of sent-out disciples

organized and governed in ways that make sense for your people group
and your current situation?
» If so, what makes your situation work well?
» If not, what complications do you face? What structures or networks
might work better for your people?

Introduce the Kingdom—Learn From Paul

When Paul and the other sent-out disciples go on a journey to introduce the
kingdom to a different people group without a kingdom community, what do they
do when they arrive there? We find the stories of his journeys in the book of Acts.
Every situation is different from another, but the stories of the early sent-out disciples
guide us in our work.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 14:20-28

Paul and his friends go to a Gentile city to preach the Good News.
Many believe and begin to follow Jesus. Paul and his team do not stay
long, but continue on their journey. They pass through cities they visited
earlier to encourage the disciples there who face persecution because
they now follow Jesus.

In each city, they appoint elders among the local kingdom community
as it emerges and grows. Paul spends special time with the elders and
commits them to the Lord. Paul and his team return to Antioch where
they report on the journey and on all God has done in their travels.

“They preached the good news in that city and won a large
number of disciples” (Acts 14:21).

Paul and his companions follow Jesus’ command to make disciples. He preaches in the
synagogues and he talks in the marketplace or outside the town. He speaks to individuals
who invite him and his companions into their households. He performs miracles.

83
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

The Holy Spirit sometimes shows the sent-out disciples exactly what to do and gives
them power to do extraordinary things. Other times, disciples use the knowledge,
wisdom and intelligence given by God to make wise and strategic decisions.

“Then they returned…” (Acts 14:22)

The sent-out disciples do not usually stay very long in one place. They travel to a
village or city, stay a while, then travel on to other places to which they sometimes
return later. They are able to do this because many of them already know the language
and traditions of the different people groups they visit.

“…strengthening the disciples and encouraging them to remain true to

the faith. ‘We must go through many hardships to enter the kingdom of
God.’ they said” (Acts 14:22).

The new followers of Jesus sometimes experience persecution and times of testing.
Paul and the other disciples encourage them. They challenge them to be true to their
faith in Jesus, remembering the comforting words of Jesus, “In this world you will
have trouble. But take heart! I have overcome the world” (John 16:33). They do not
seem to remove the new followers of Jesus from their communities or families and
take them to safer places when persecution comes. They encourage the new followers
to persevere.

“Paul and Barnabas appointed elders for them in each church” (Acts 14:23).

The new kingdom communities are not dependent on the sent-out disciples for
leadership in matters of daily life and worship. In each community, Paul and Barnabas
designate elders to oversee the local kingdom community. These elders manage
the households of faith. Paul does not train new followers of Jesus to be pastors or
elders. He finds those who are already elders in the community and appoints them as
overseers of the local kingdom community in that place. He spends time with them,
teaching them to obey all that Jesus’ commands.

In I Timothy 3, we learn that elders must be able to teach those within their household
and under their care. Paul understands that the Holy Spirit gives gifts to each member
of the kingdom community and those with gifts of teaching, teach others (see
Ephesians 4).

“…and with prayer and fasting, committed them to the Lord, in whom
they had put their trust” (Acts 14:23).

Paul trusts the Holy Spirit to guide the new followers of Jesus and their elders. He
does not stay to give them daily direction. He knows he is a sent-out disciple and
must continue to share the Good News with other people groups. He introduces the
kingdom like yeast into dough. Then he leaves it to work with the help God’s Word of
those already within the community. He writes to them and sends them messages. He
even sends other disciples to them to teach them or give advice when they experience
times of testing.

84
 Lesson 8 - Sent-Out Disciples

“From Attalia they sailed back to Antioch… On arriving there,

they gathered the church together and reported all that God had
done through them and how He had opened the door of faith to the
Gentiles” (Acts 14:26-27).

Paul returns and shares with the kingdom community in Antioch all that God does
in other new kingdom communities. He connects the followers of Jesus in Antioch
with new followers of Jesus he knows in other cities. As Paul tells of the great and
marvelous works of God, he encourages all God’s people. This increases compassion,
concern and love between these communities who do not know each other face to
face. This is one way God brings unity to His people living around the world.

A Great Conflict The kingdom of God

The kingdom of God spreads rapidly among Jews and spreads rapidly among
Gentiles during this part of the Great Story due to the Jews and Gentiles
work of the Holy Spirit through Peter, Paul and other
faithful apostles and disciples. As it spreads, however, during this part of the
some of Jesus’ followers begin to disagree. Difficult issues Great Story due to
arise and cause sharp conflict. The apostles and other
elders must address these disagreements (Acts 15:2). the work of the Holy
Spirit through Peter,
The roots of this conflict begin hundreds of years before
Jesus comes, when Jews share the teachings of God Paul and other faithful
with Gentiles. These Gentile converts become Jewish apostles and disciples.
proselytes (see lesson 6). These Jews misunderstand the
commands of God and think all Gentiles must change their natural identity and
become like Jews in order to be true worshippers in the kingdom of Most High God.
We know through the teachings of Jesus and His disciples that this teaching is false.

At this time, some Jews are true worshippers Many Jews misunderstand God and think
in the kingdom of Most High God. Some Gentiles must become like Jews in order
Gentiles are as well. to be true worshippers.

85
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 15:1-35

As Paul introduces the kingdom to other people groups, he instructs

them in the ways of the kingdom of God but not in the ways of Jewish
traditions. He does not require them to adopt Jewish
The kingdom of God ways of worship or receive circumcision. He allows
is free to enter any them to keep their natural identity and remain part
of their own people group.
people group. It can
take on the traditions Without first becoming Jewish, the Gentiles receive
the Holy Spirit from God (Acts 10:44-48, 13:52).
of every unique people Paul sees God work in this way and understands the
group as the Holy only requirements of God are repentance and faith
that leads to obedience.
Spirit transforms
minds and hearts. The Jewish followers of Jesus who still misunderstand
God and believe Gentiles must change their natural
identity oppose Paul, who teaches that they do not need to do so.

The kingdom community in Antioch sends Paul and Barnabas to

Jerusalem when the conflict grows serious. Paul and Barnabas discuss
the disagreement with the Jewish disciples and the elders of the kingdom
community in Jerusalem.

The leaders in Jerusalem listen to arguments on both

sides of the issue. Many Jewish followers of Jesus
still claim that without following all the Law, Gentiles
cannot enter the kingdom of God or become true
worshippers (Acts 15:1, 5).

Others, like Paul, believe that because God loves

Gentiles and gives them the Holy Spirit, He approves
of them just as He approves of the Jewish disciples.
They believe God gives the Gentile disciples a new
identity, even while their outside appearances remain
the same. They understand that all peoples—Jewish The Holy Spirit reveals that
Gentiles are accepted as true
and Gentile—enter the kingdom of God and become worshippers without following
true worshippers only through faith in Jesus. Jewish laws and traditions.

After hearing both opinions, the elders meet to think about the arguments
and examine the Scriptures. Finally, they decide that Gentiles who want
to follow Jesus do not need to follow Jewish laws and traditions. Gentiles
are free to remain part of their own people group. They may keep the
natural identity they have when they begin following Jesus. However,
Jesus’ disciples and the other elders in Jerusalem do require them to
follow a simple dietary rule and to remain pure.

After this decision, the disciples and elders become more aware of

86
 Lesson 8 - Sent-Out Disciples

how God’s Great Story is unfolding. The kingdom of God is free to

naturally spread within any group. It can finally take on the traditions
of every unique people group as the Holy Spirit transforms their minds
and hearts.

» How does the decision of the leaders in Jerusalem show God’s purpose
to restore His good relationship with humanity in this part of the Great
Story?
» How does this decision reveal that the elders understand that God’s plan
includes not only the Jews, but also all the peoples on the earth?

A Great Conflict in Our Day

Even while the elders and leaders in Jerusalem resolve this disagreement,
many continue to oppose Paul and the other sent-out disciples who
abide by the elders’ decision. In fact, this Great Conflict continues
throughout history. Almost every time a sent-out
disciple introduces the kingdom of God to a new A follower of Jesus is
people group, this conflict appears in some form. identifiable by the ways
On one side of the issue are disciples who believe He is like Jesus, not by
the new followers must change parts of their natural his natural identity.
identity to be more like their own natural identity in
order to be true worshippers, accepted by God. On the other side of the
issue are disciples who, like Paul and the early leaders, recognize that
God does not require this kind of change.

» Has this Great Conflict touched your people in some way in the past or present?

We know God changes our true identity when we repent and allow Him to restore
us to good relationship with Him. We must not also require people of other social or
religious groups—like Muslims, Hindus or Buddhists—to enter the kingdom of God
and become true worshippers by first changing their natural identity to be like the
natural identity of another people group. We learn this lesson from the decision the
leaders made in Jerusalem (see Acts 15).

In the eyes of most law-abiding Jews at that time, the Gentiles are dirty
people with many evil practices and sins. God does not see the Greeks
or Romans this way. He sees their sins as He sees the sins of all people
groups. God allows Greeks and Romans to repent, enter His kingdom,
and worship Him. He restores them to good relationship with Him and
accepts worship from a pure heart. He does this in the same way He
allows Jews to enter His kingdom and accepts worship from a pure heart.

87
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

If your Muslim friend repents and begins to follow Jesus, God gives him the same
Holy Spirit He gives Cornelius (Acts 10:44-48) and you. If your Hindu friend repents
and begins to follow Jesus, God will forgive his sins in the same way He forgives yours.

People of other social or religious groups repent, enter the kingdom of God and
worship Him just as Jews and Greeks do. No one can enter through adopting the
cultural traditions and practices of another social or religious group. At the meeting in
Jerusalem, James concludes, “It is my judgment, therefore, that we should not make it
difficult for the Gentiles who are turning to God” (Acts 15:19).

We misunderstand God if we think other All peoples are free to remain part of
people must become like our people in their own people group and worship
order to be accepted as true worshippers. God according to their own traditions.

A follower of Jesus is identifiable by the ways He is like Jesus, not by his natural identity.

God plants the Good News like a seed in the good soil of a receptive person, family
or community. This seed takes root and grows up within the traditions of that person
or people group. The plant that grows looks like that people group. It may look very
different from the plant growing up within your own people group or ours. We may
not recognize it at first, but the fruit it bears—the fruit of the Spirit—will always
reflect the character of God (Galatians 5:22-25). Jesus’ followers might express love,
joy or kindness differently, but their words and deeds points others to God.

» What is the difference between the natural identity of a people group

and an identity as true worshippers of Most High God?
» What do you learn from the diagrams above about entering the kingdom
of God and becoming God’s people who worship Him in spirit and truth?
» How does the natural identity with which we are born relate to the way
we enter the kingdom of God? How does God change our identity when
we enter the kingdom of God?

88
 Lesson 8 - Sent-Out Disciples

Saving Faith—The Gentiles, Heirs Together with Israel

The Great Story is full of examples of saving faith among many peoples
living in many different places and times. Truly, God wants to restore all the
peoples of the earth to a good relationship with Himself. God reveals this in a
powerful way to Peter, to Paul, and to other early disciples as many Gentiles
repent and believe the truth of who Jesus is by the work of the Holy Spirit.

Gentiles throughout history learn of God’s story and of His desire to forgive
and restore them. God uses Israel to bless many Gentiles.

The Jewish people in Jesus’ day have a difficult time accepting that God also
welcomes Gentiles as His people and members of His household. Even those
Jews who recognize that some Gentiles worship the Most High God struggle
to believe that God considers them part of His promise and heirs together with
Israel of the blessing God gives Abraham.

Paul instructs Jewish followers of Jesus by asking, “Is God the God of Jews
only? Is He not the God of Gentiles, too? Yes, of Gentiles too, since there is only
one God, who will justify the circumcised [Jews] by faith and the uncircumcised
[Gentiles] through that same faith” (Romans 3:29-30). Later Paul explains
that Gentiles have become part of God’s family the way a branch cut from one
plant is grafted to another (Romans 11:17-24).

Paul understands that some Gentiles believe in God’s promise to restore

humanity to Himself. They demonstrate this belief in God’s promise through
their obedience to Jesus and to God’s commands. This obedient belief is saving
faith that moves them from the kingdom of darkness to the kingdom of God.

Throughout His Great Story, God invites people from different backgrounds to
come to Him, believe His promise and the work of Jesus, and then demonstrate
that belief through their obedience. God restores His good relationship with
all who do so, whether Jew or Gentile. All become citizens and heirs of His
kingdom. All become part of God’s household, just as Paul tells the Gentiles,
“…you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s
people and members of God’s household…” (Ephesians 2:19).

All who follow Jesus become descendants of Abraham and heirs of the promise,
as Paul explains, “Consider Abraham: ‘He believed God, and it was credited
to him as righteousness.’ Understand, then, that those who believe are children
of Abraham. The Scripture foresaw that God would justify the Gentiles by faith,
and announced the gospel in advance to Abraham: ‘All nations will be blessed
through you.’ So those who have faith are blessed along with Abraham, the
man of faith” (Galatians 3:6-9). This is Good News for the Gentiles of Paul’s
day, and Good News in our day, as well. Most of the peoples in the world are
Gentile people groups.

89
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

Explore the Scriptures

» Read the account of the council meeting in Jerusalem from Acts 15:1-35.
Answer the following questions.
» Who is on the Council and what is the purpose of the Council meeting?
» Why do some believe that Gentiles must follow all Jewish traditions?
Who argues for this position? How do you describe their primary interests?
» Why do some feel that Gentiles do not need to follow all Jewish
traditions? Who argues for this position? How do you describe their
primary interests?
» How does the Council arrive at a decision? What factors do they consider?
» What is the final decision?
» What does the decision mean for the spread of the kingdom at that time?
» What does this decision mean for the spread of the kingdom today
among those who do not yet follow Jesus?
» How can we apply the decision of the Jerusalem Council to our work today?
Reflect on What God Teaches You
» Are there ways your people have unknowingly required other people
groups to adopt your own customs and traditions before entering the
kingdom of God? Do you require that they follow your peoples’ traditions
before they can follow Jesus or be accepted by the kingdom community?
Have you asked those from other people groups to change their natural
identity as the Jewish people required of the Gentile people? What is
God showing you through this lesson about the peoples of the earth, true
worshippers and how to enter His kingdom?

Pray for the Spread of the Kingdom

» Pray that in our day, God gives you eyes to see how and where He carries
out His plan. Pray that you can have eyes to see how He wants to work
through your people. Ask God to spread His kingdom naturally within
your own people group. Pray for families and communities to come to
know and worship Jesus as their King.
» Pray that God introduces His kingdom to other people groups who have
not yet heard the Great Story. Ask God to show your people whom He
chooses from among you to be sent-out disciples. Thank Him by faith that
some among your people will carry the blessing you receive to others.
» Pray that we can have eyes to see His kingdom growing and spreading
among other people groups and ears to hear what God is doing, even
if it looks very different from how the kingdom looks in our own
people groups. Pray for God’s patience with the ways we, His people,
misunderstand Him. Ask for His grace to do His work, and for His wisdom
to know what to do and how to do it.
» Pray that we have the mind of Jesus (I Corinthians 2:16), being His
servants in the world. Pray that God continues to transform our hearts and
our minds. Pray that we will always want Him to teach us something new.

90
 Lesson 9 - Kingdom Communities

Lesson 9. Kingdom Communities

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 16:11-40 and ACTS 18:1-17

The early disciples make their way throughout their part of the world
sharing the Good News. Individuals, groups, and even communities
repent and believe the Good News and enter the kingdom of God. Most
new kingdom communities consist of households, like the household
of the official who seeks Jesus in John 4:53, Cornelius in Acts 10, Lydia
in Acts 16:15, Crispus in Acts 18:8, and many others.

As more families and groups begin to follow Jesus, the number of cities
with local kingdom communities increases throughout the ancient
world. These kingdom communities are the Church.

To learn about how this happens, we look at how God introduces the kingdom into
the ancient port city of Ephesus.

The Kingdom Introduced in Ephesus

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 18:18-19:41

Ephesus, at the time of the apostle Paul, is a regional capital and one
of the largest cities in the world. Many different people groups live or
visit there. For example, merchants come to sell or trade goods. Greeks
and Romans travel from far away to worship the goddess Artemis in the
largest temple of the ancient world. Ephesus is a very religious city and
its people are devoted to their idols and gods.
The families and
A community of Jews lives in Ephesus for hundreds of
years before Jesus comes. They form a synagogue. Like
households who
many synagogues of the ancient world, some Gentiles receive the Good
who fear God also gather there with the Jews. None has
heard yet about Jesus, His teachings or the Good News
News and follow
about the kingdom of God. Jesus become the
Paul journeys to Ephesus and speaks in the synagogue.
church in that city
Even though the Jews ask him to stay, he leaves to and God dwells
accomplish other business. His friends, Priscilla and
Aquila, stay behind. While he is gone, Apollos comes,
among them.
teaches, and learns from Priscilla and Aquila. Later, when Paul comes
back, he finds several followers of Jesus among the Ephesians who have
received the Holy Spirit.

Paul then spends three months in Ephesus preaching in the synagogue

about the kingdom of God. Some Jewish men speak harmfully about

91
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

following Jesus and strongly oppose Paul. He begins teaching in a nearby

building open to anyone who wishes to share ideas. For two years, many
Jews and Gentiles come to hear Paul teach there about the kingdom of God.

God does many miracles through Paul. Many Ephesians repent and
begin to follow Jesus, even those who practice magic and witchcraft.
This is a very exciting time because the number of disciples grows in
both the Jewish and Gentile communities.
When the community Paul sends Timothy and Silas, other sent-out
disciples who are with him during those two
becomes the church and years, to do work in other cities while he stays
the new disciples keep their in Ephesus.
natural identity, God’s Many Ephesians leave idol worship to
church grows quickly. worship the living God. One day, a great riot
breaks out because the idol makers are losing
business and are angry. They wrongly accuse Paul of bringing shame
to their people and their god. The city leader reminds the people that
Paul and his friends do not blaspheme or dishonor their god or people.
Instead, they teach about the kingdom of God. The crowd calms down
and Paul escapes to another city.

In Ephesus, the kingdom community of Jesus’ followers grows first within the
Jewish people group and the Jewish religious system. The Jewish followers of Jesus
continue to live and meet with other Jews. They follow the Jewish way of life. Later,
when others make them stop meeting at traditional gathering places, they begin to
meet in their homes or in other buildings.

The families and households who receive the Good News and follow Jesus become
the church in that city and God dwells among them. The Good News spreads within
their community.

As Gentile families and households receive the Good News, the kingdom community
also grows within Gentile people groups. Jews and Gentiles sometimes meet together
even though they worship God differently. When new disciples remain part of their own
families and communities the kingdom community is the church in that place.

Paul does not start a new religion, set up rules to follow, teach new religious practices,
or organize new followers of Jesus into separate communities. He does not even speak
badly of the people’s gods, even while he knows they are false gods and the people
are deceived. Instead, Paul introduces the kingdom and expects it to spread like
yeast through dough. He honors Jesus, and focuses His message on truth. He watches
the new kingdom community grow within the existing communities of the city. Both
Jews and Gentiles continue to practice their own traditions while Jesus transforms
their lives.

The church gathers in the same way the community gathered before they followed
Jesus. Now when they are together they thank and praise God and remind one another

92
 Lesson 9 - Kingdom Communities

of Jesus’ teachings. They also meet to listen to teaching of others like Paul, to pray, to hear
Scripture read aloud, to care for one another, and to share the Good News with others.

The new disciples talk to one another about Jesus when others are nearby who do not
yet follow Jesus. These discussions happen near Jews in synagogues, near Gentiles in
lecture halls, and near unbelieving family members. Followers of Jesus continue to
live with unbelievers as before, but now with new purpose and joy.

Those who practice magic at Ephesus change their allegiance from worship of false
gods or evil spirits to worship of Jesus when the Holy Spirit convicts them of their
sin. The Holy Spirit convicts all disciples of sin. When this happens, we begin to
remove practices or thoughts from our lives that do not please or honor Him.

When we repent and enter the kingdom, God changes our identity and restores us to
good relationship with Himself, but we keep our own natural identity. We continue
to practice many traditions in the same way, but now with new and glorious meaning,
full of worship for the Most High God. When the community becomes the church and
the new disciples keep their natural identity, God’s church grows quickly.

» We learn two important lessons from the story about Ephesus:

• The kingdom community or community of new followers is the church
in that place.
• New followers of Jesus keep their natural identity.
» How do these two lessons apply to the spread of the kingdom
today? What might it look like for the church—the kingdom
community—to grow inside another people group when
individuals and families begin living as followers of Jesus within
their households and communities?
» What are some of the unique traditions of your people that the local
kingdom community from your household, community, city or
region still uses to worship God?

Paul Writes to the Church at Ephesus

LETTER FOR STUDY: EPHESIANS 1-6

After Paul leaves, he does not return to Ephesus though he is still in

contact with the followers of Jesus there. About ten years later, another
sent-out disciple named Tychicus brings a letter from Paul to encourage
the Ephesians. In that letter, Paul reminds them about their identity as
chosen, restored members of the household of God.

He reminds them about God’s purpose both for them and for all the peoples
of the earth. He reminds them of God’s promise to restore to Himself
some from every people group and to rule again over all His creation.

93
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

He tells them that Jesus is the head of God’s kingdom community on

earth. Though as Jews and Gentiles they were once enemies, now their
faith in Jesus unites them in identity and in purpose.

We recognize the kingdom Paul instructs them to honor God and build
His kingdom by living together in community
community in every and by using the gifts He gives each person.
people group when we see He teaches them how to love and serve one
another even when they disagree and have
God’s people lovingly serve conflicts. Paul gives very special instruction
one another and serve about how, as followers of Jesus, they must
treat others in their household as members of
others in their community. a kingdom community.

Paul closes his letter by reminding them that life is a war between the
kingdom of God and the kingdom of the Evil One, and encouraging
them to stand together against evil.

The most important instruction for God’s kingdom community is to live together
daily in a way that honors and pleases God. God designs and equips kingdom
communities to make decisions, solve problems, celebrate, grieve, learn, raise
children, care for elders, and meet mutual needs for food and shelter.

Church is not a place to go, or group to join. Church is a kingdom community where
God dwells. We recognize the kingdom community in every people group when we
see God’s people lovingly serve one another and serve others in their community.

For other good examples of Paul’s teachings about relationships, see Romans 12-16,
Galatians 6, Ephesians 4-6, Philippians 2, and Colossians 3-4. Peter also teaches about
relationships in I Peter 4:8-11. James and John instruct kingdom communities about
relationships in their letters, too.

» What comes to your mind when someone mentions the word “church?”
Is it somewhere you go, something you belong to, or a daily life together
with others in God’s kingdom? How does this compare with what Jesus or
Paul says when they speak of church? If your thoughts are different from
Jesus’ or Paul’s thoughts, why do you think there is a difference?
» The strongest social group in the time of Jesus and His apostles is the
household or family. What is the strongest group of your society today?
Does your society depend primarily on strong households or extended
families? Does your society depend more on groups of friends or work-
related groups instead of households and families?

94
 Lesson 9 - Kingdom Communities

» What will it look like for the kingdom community to grow within the
existing communities of your people or of the people group among whom
you work? What will it look like for that community or social group to
become the church in that place?

Paul Sends Timothy Back to Ephesus

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 20

LETTER FOR STUDY: I TIMOTHY

The disciples rush Paul out of Ephesus because of the riot started by
the idol makers. He visits other towns in that region. On his way back
to Jerusalem, he sends for the elders of the kingdom community in
Ephesus to meet with him.

For the last time, he teaches and encourages them in person. He reminds
them of how he lived while among them and instructs them to be good
shepherds of the kingdom community they oversee.

He prophesies they will have trouble. Some among them will distort the
truth. He tells them how to suffer this hardship well and entrusts them
to God.

Paul and the Ephesians love one another dearly. They kneel and pray
together, weeping, because they will not see each other again. They
believe Paul will soon be in prison and be persecuted. They see that
God set Paul apart for this work and send him along with the others to
Jerusalem.

Even later, while in prison for several years, Paul does not forget about
those who follow Jesus in Ephesus. He sends Timothy to revisit them
and to remind them about the truth they learned from him. Timothy also
instructs them on qualifications for leadership and on maintaining good
relationships within the household and the kingdom community.

When we think of leaders appointed in the church, we often look to Paul’s letter to
Timothy. It is important to note that Paul first visits Ephesus about a decade before he
writes this letter. The Ephesian community of faith grows in maturity and spreads for
more than ten years without hearing from Paul in this way.

If we understand the church as a kingdom community growing inside an existing

community, we realize that households and communities already have leaders. When
Cornelius’ household repents, believes and receives the Holy Spirit, that community
becomes the church in that house. The community continues under the existing leadership
Cornelius provides.

95
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

We never see Jesus or any of His apostles appointing new leaders for households or
communities. The leaders of households continue to guide those under their care,
overseeing them in ways that honor God. Those under their
The leaders of authority are to honor leaders in ways that please God.
households continue to When Timothy returns to Ephesus years later, the Good
guide those under their News of the kingdom of God has naturally spread from
household to household. The number of disciples grows
care, overseeing them in throughout the city. Timothy selects and appoints a few
ways that honor God. elders from among all the elders of households. These
are the overseers of the whole kingdom community in
that city, of both Gentiles and Jews. Timothy commissions leaders who are of good
character and reminds them that their righteousness matters to God.

» If there are already elders or overseers leading the kingdom community

while Paul is at Ephesus and in the years that follow, why does Timothy
go there years later? Who are these leaders? Who selects and appoints
them? What are their qualifications? What do they do? What does
Timothy instruct them to do when he arrives?
» What do you learn about leadership in a kingdom community from this
lesson and from I Timothy 2:1-15, 3:1-16?

Jesus and His apostles do not teach about new pastors or apostles who earn money for
their full- or part-time work as leaders in their kingdom community. This practice of
paying workers develops many years later. Paul teaches that—through the gifts of the
Holy Spirit—the kingdom community builds itself up and matures (Ephesians 4:11-16).

Leadership structures in the modern church develop over time and fit the traditions
of each people group. A certain style may serve one group well but cause difficulty in
another group. As we consider the idea of leadership for kingdom communities, we
must carefully examine the principles found in Scripture.

» How do Jesus’ and Paul’s instructions to the disciples in their day apply to
our understanding of “planting churches” in our day?
» Does Jesus “plant a church” in the Jewish culture?
» Does Paul “plant a church” in Gentile cultures?
» What is it that we really want to “plant” or introduce in a new
culture?
» Think about this issue and discuss all you learn with others in your study
group. Keep a record of the insights the Holy Spirit reveals to you.

96
 Lesson 9 - Kingdom Communities

Explore the Scriptures

» Read Matthew 16:13-20, Ephesians 1-3 and Colossians 1. Write down
your thoughts about how the authors describe the church in these passages.
Praise God that He has called you to be part of His church.
» How do you think these passages about the church or kingdom
community relate to Matthew 28:18-20? Read I Corinthians 10:31-33.
What guidelines in this passage help us know how we are to act?

Reflect on what God Teaches You

» Consider the people group to whom you will send out disciples in order
to introduce the kingdom. Ask God to reveal to you what a kingdom
community might look like as it grows within that group.
» At what times and in what places do people already gather or meet and
share their lives?
» What celebrations, festivals, and special meetings already exist when
the community gathers?
» Of the regular, formal meetings that occur already, which would be
good opportunities for sharing among individuals and within the
community to teach about Jesus and proclaim the kingdom of God?
» What places do they already use for worship or religious practice?
» What expectations do you have for the kingdom community in another
people group based on your own experiences with your own people?
What expectations do you need to release in order to allow the Holy
Spirit to grow a unique kingdom community within other people
groups that are different from yours?

Pray for the Kingdom Community Within Your People

» Pray, as Paul prayed for the kingdom community at Ephesus, that the
Holy Spirit strengthen you so that Christ may dwell in you (Ephesians
3:14-21).

“…I kneel before the Father, from whom His whole family in heaven and
on earth derives its name. I pray that out of His glorious riches He may
strengthen you with power through His Spirit in your inner being, so that
Christ may dwell in your hearts through faith. And I pray that you, being
rooted and established in love, may have power, together with all the saints, to
grasp how wide and long and high and deep is the love of Christ, and to know
this love that surpasses knowledge—that you may be filled to the measure of
all the fullness of God.

Now to Him who is able to do immeasurably more than all we ask or imagine,
according to His power that is at work within us, to Him be glory in the church
and in Christ Jesus throughout all generations, for ever and ever! Amen.”

97
 Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

Apply What You Learn

Share the Great Story

Gather your family again, and share the next part of the Great Story—the exciting
way the kingdom of God spreads in the days following Jesus’ days on earth.

Seek direction from God together with your own household regarding the role He
has for you to play in the Great Story. Consider whether there is work you can do to
naturally spread the kingdom of God within your own family and community.

Consider also whether God will send you off to another people group to introduce
the kingdom. Consider whether God will use you to lead a support and prayer effort
for other sent-out disciples.

Make a plan to put your affairs in order so you are ready to participate in the work
of introducing the kingdom to a new people group, whether you go or whether you
send others to go.

When you meet again with your study group, discuss your experience sharing with
your family. Learn from one another and pray for each family represented.

Be Transformed

Jesus’ disciples gathered at Jerusalem in the early days devote themselves to prayer
and to caring for one another’s needs. Are you devoting yourself also to prayer and
caring for one another?

If you have not done so already, schedule a regular time for prayer. Bring praise and
thanksgiving to God, along with your requests. Spend time listening to one another.
Remember to ask God for ears to hear and eyes to see Him among you.

Pray for the peoples of the world. To get information about other people groups and
how to pray specifically for them, see resources like www.operationworld.org and
www.joshuaproject.net.

Get Involved

With your study group, make a list of all the workers you know of who are sent-out
disciples from your own people group for the sake of the Good News. Reflect on the
work they do. If they work with other kingdom communities in other people groups so
that the Good News spreads naturally throughout that group, write their names in one

98
 Apply What You Learn

list. If they work to introduce the kingdom to people groups where there are few or no
known followers of Jesus or kingdom communities, put their names in another list.

Evaluate and discuss your people’s current role in blessing all peoples. Where is your
current focus? Are more of your sent-out disciples working in people groups where
there are already followers of Jesus? Are more working where there are few or no
known followers of Jesus? Are there too few sent-out disciples from your people?
Set some good goals for sending off disciples in coming days.

99
Chapter 3 - The Age of the Apostles, Part One

100
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Chapter 4

The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

“Through Him and for His name’s sake, we received grace and apostleship to call people
from among all the Gentiles to the obedience that comes from faith” (Romans 1:5).

Jesus’ twelve apostles, then Paul and his group of sent-out disciples, actively fulfill the
covenant responsibility in their day. In only thirty years, the Good News of the kingdom
spreads from the area around Jerusalem in the Middle East to most major cities of the
Roman Empire in Europe, Africa, Asia, and through many villages surrounding these
cities. Three hundred years after the ascension of Jesus, the number of His followers
grows from about three thousand on Pentecost to over six million.

The Good News of the kingdom of God spreads more rapidly than at any time before
in history when Jesus and His apostles, then many sent-out disciples, travel from one
city and village to the next. The New Testament record gives us many of their stories.
These are worthy men and women of great faith and obedience.

They are also men and women like us. They disagree with one another. They become
sick or discouraged. They fail and make mistakes. They care for family. As they travel
together, they must address practical matters such as handling money, baptizing and
training new followers, recruiting more workers, and making difficult decisions.

The Bible records many of these stories, too. In Chapter 4, we think deeply about the
stories of these early followers of Jesus. They instruct us about living together on earth
as sent-out disciples.

Lesson 10. Daily Life of Early Sent-Out Disciples

Lesson 11. Early Sent-Out Disciples Communicate Good News
Lesson 12. Barriers to Communication

101
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Lesson 10. Daily Life of Early Sent-out

Disciples
How the Sent-Out Disciples Select and Train Workers and Leaders

STORIES FOR STUDY: LUKE 5:1-11, 27-28; 8:1-3; 9:57-62 and

JOHN 6:60-70

Jesus begins His service traveling throughout His home region of Galilee.
Many people see His miracles, hear His teaching, and decide to follow
Him in order to learn from Him as a teacher and leader. Some become
His disciples while others do not (see Luke 5:1-11 and 27-28, Luke 8:2-
3, Luke 9:57-62). Some people join Him in the work. Others turn back
and stop following Him (John 6:66).

STORIES FOR STUDY: MARK 3:13-19 and LUKE 6:12-16

After spending some time with His disciples, Jesus selects a group of
men from among them to travel more closely with Him. Before He
chooses them, He spends the night praying on a mountain. At daybreak,
He gathers His disciples and chooses the Twelve. He commissions them
as sent-out disciples. He will send them out to preach
Jesus trains the the Good News and perform good works.
sent-out disciples as
Jesus teaches a broad audience of hearers. Much
they live and work of the time He speaks to large crowds. The sent-
together. He trains out disciples receive instruction from this public
teaching and from extra time Jesus spends teaching
the sent-out disciples only the Twelve. He often talks to them away from
within community. the crowds to explain His message more clearly.

He helps them understand more about His own identity. He tells them
He is the awaited Promised Son, sent from God. He also helps them
understand more about God’s Great Story. He shows them how—as
the people of Israel—their story fits into God’s story. He teaches them as
they travel and live together. They learn from watching His example.

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 10 and LUKE 9:1-10

One day, Jesus sends the Twelve out to proclaim the Good News about
the kingdom of God to their own people, the Jews. He wants it to
naturally spread among that people group. The Twelve go out in twos.
Jesus instructs them to take nothing with them and to look for worthy
men who will welcome each pair into their households as guests. Then
they are to bless those men and their households through their message
and their works.

102
 Lesson 10 - Daily Life of Early Sent-out Disciples

Jesus also warns them about the challenges of rejection and persecution
they will face. Sometime later, Jesus sends out seventy-two disciples to
do similar work (Luke 10:1-24). When they return, they share with Him
about their experience (Luke 10:17-23).

He sends off the twelve apostles to proclaim the kingdom of God to

other Jews. Many days after they return, Jesus questions Peter about
who people say that Jesus is. Peter, for the first time we see, confesses
that Jesus is the Promised Son (Luke 9:18-20).

Jesus seems to focus more on the work and the obedience of the disciples than on
making sure they know all the right answers about God before they go. He seems
to look for faith, obedience, and a desire for right living. Jesus prays for those He
chooses and sends out, seeking God’s favor and blessing for them.

STORY FOR STUDY: JOHN 13:31-16:33

Jesus prepares His disciples for the time when He will no longer be with
them. At that time, He will leave them to continue doing the work on
earth with the help of the Holy Spirit. He teaches them things they will
need to know and tells them how to face the difficult days to come. He
prays for them.

Immediately after Jesus’ death, the Twelve and the other disciples are
very confused. After they see Jesus resurrected from the dead and, later,
ascend into heaven, they receive the Holy Spirit. Peter and the other
sent-out disciples then begin carrying on Jesus’ work in Jerusalem, the
Middle East and many other areas of the world.

Jesus trains the sent-out disciples as they live and work together. He teaches through
Scripture and through firsthand experiences of God working among their people.
He trains the sent-out disciples within community. Jesus never stops training His
disciples. After Jesus ascends into heaven, His Father sends the Holy Spirit to
continue the instruction and guidance.

Paul follows Jesus’ model when he selects and trains sent-out disciples. Review the
section “Paul’s Group of Sent-Out Disciples” in lesson 8.

The Holy Spirit directs Paul’s choice of sent-out disciples, such as the
time He sets apart Paul and Barnabas (Acts 13:1-3). Paul selects other
disciples to join him based on the recommendation of the kingdom
community, such as Timothy (Acts 16:1-3). Paul also recognizes that
God can select sent-out disciples directly (Galatians 1:15-17).

Paul finds people from many different people groups to travel with
him (see Acts 20:4). He reaches as many people groups as possible by
identifying disciples to send out from within each group.

103
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Paul trains the sent-out disciples much like Jesus does, by bringing
them with him in the work he is doing (Acts 13:5, 16:4, 18:18). These
disciples learn from Paul as he teaches and speaks in various cities. He
also sends them out to do specific tasks (Acts 18:19, 19:21-22, 20:5).
They also learn from his letters and messages to them, such as his
letters to Timothy and Titus. Paul prays for those he chooses and sends
out (II Timothy 1:3).

Paul recognizes the work must carry on, generation after generation,
and cannot depend on the leadership of any one person. He instructs,
“… the things you have heard me say in the presence of many
witnesses entrust to reliable men who will also be qualified to teach
others” (II Timothy 2:2).

» Based on the stories above from the lives of Jesus and Paul, make a list of
guidelines to follow in choosing and training disciples or leaders to send out.
» Consider what you are learning about selecting, training and sending out
leaders. Using the list of guidelines from the question above, evaluate how
well you select and build leaders in your current work. In what areas are
you strong and in what areas might the Holy Spirit lead you to change?

How the Sent-Out Disciples Learn About God

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 15:21-28

Jesus brings the twelve apostles with Him on a trip to the coast to
visit the Gentile cities there. A Gentile woman comes to Him for help.
The disciples tell Jesus to send her away. They do not think the Lord
is concerned about Gentiles. They think He is only concerned about
Jews. Jesus does not send her away. Instead, He grants her request and
compliments her faith.

The disciples learn that their Jewish understanding of God is too small. God’s Great
Story is for all people groups, including Gentile peoples.

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 16:21-28

Near the end of Jesus’ life, He teaches His followers about the suffering
that will come. Peter does not think this kind of suffering will happen to the
Promised Son, so he takes Jesus aside to correct Him. Jesus corrects Peter
instead, because Peter tries to prevent God from accomplishing His plan.

104
 Lesson 10 - Daily Life of Early Sent-out Disciples

God shows Peter that his human point of view is too narrow. God’s Great Story is a
plan to restore His good relationship with all humanity by way of Jesus’ life, death,
and resurrection.

After Jesus ascends into heaven, God again corrects the disciples’
understanding about His great restoration plan. When Peter visits the
household of Cornelius, he is amazed to see God giving the Holy Spirit
to Gentiles. Again, God shows Peter His Great Story is for all peoples,
not just Jews.

We will see all things clearly when we are with Jesus in heaven. However, while
we live on earth, we cannot understand everything about God. We must continue to
accept correction when we are wrong and be willing to
continue to learn new things about the wonderful Most The disciples learn
High God.
that their Jewish
How do the early disciples learn about God? God understanding of God
reveals Himself through the Old Testament Scriptures
(Matthew 5:21-48 and Luke 24:27), through angels is too small. God’s
(Luke 1:8-20 and 26-38), through visions or dreams Great Story is for all
(Acts 9:10-16, Acts 10:1-8 and 9-16), and through the
Holy Spirit (Luke 2:25-27, Acts 13:2). people groups, including
Gentile peoples.
God reveals the most about Himself through Jesus, the
exact representation of God, whose words and deeds teach the disciples more about
what God is like, about His purposes for mankind and the world, and about how to
live correctly (Colossians 1:15-20 and Hebrews 1:1-14).

We use Scripture to guide our understanding because God never does anything
contrary to His Word or His character. Also, the Holy Spirit dwells in us to help us
understand our part in God’s plan. We must trust that He teaches others in the same
way He guides us.

» Discuss with your study group a time in your history when God changes
or corrects a misunderstanding about Himself among your own people.
Are you still open to receive this kind of instruction today?

How the Sent-Out Disciples Handle Money

The sent-out disciples do many wonderful things as they travel throughout the land.
They also eat, find shelter, and buy needed items. Where do they get resources for
this? Read each passage and fill out the chart below.

105
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Scripture Who receives or gives How do the sent-out disciples

support? meet their own needs?
Luke 8:1-3
Luke 9:1-6; Luke 10:1-12
Acts 18:1-5
Philippians 4:10-20

While our situations today are different in some ways, we can learn principles from
the early sent-out disciples about meeting our physical needs.
▪ The sent-out disciples do not think the work of sharing the Good News must be
a long-term paid job. They sometimes have other work they do to meet their need
for money.
▪ Other followers of Jesus sometimes give gifts to support the work of the sent-out
disciples. These gifts are meant for a short time. They are not a steady promise
of money that might lead the apostles to depend on any one group or source of
support other than their own family or community.

The disciples often run into problems with money. Read each passage below and fill
out the chart to learn ways they solve these problems.

Scripture What is the problem faced How do the disciples handle

with regard to money? this problem?
Acts 2:42-47; 4:32-27
Acts 6:2-7
Acts 11:27-30
I Corinthians 16:1-4
I Timothy 5:17-18

While our situations today are different in some ways, we can learn principles from
the early sent-out disciples about solving problems with money.
▪ Paul links the kingdom communities that have resources (like the church at
Antioch) to those kingdom communities without resources (like the church in
Jerusalem during a famine). He is involved in helping all the communities of
God’s people care for each other when there is need.
▪ When problems come, the sent-out disciples carefully consider the needs of
everyone. Then they make decisions that best allow the Good News to spread
quickly. They find solutions that both help the local kingdom communities and
allow the work of the sent-out disciples to continue.
▪ The disciples appoint small groups of trustworthy people to handle both the
money and the resources for that group.

Neither Jesus nor Paul depends on any one source for income, yet God meets the
needs of both men. They seek first the kingdom of God, and trust Him to meet
their need. They understand they might at times have very little, but later have an

106
 Lesson 10 - Daily Life of Early Sent-out Disciples

abundance (see Luke 9:57-62; Philippians 4:10-14). Their focus is on obedience to

God in the work to which they are called.

» Based on the stories above from the lives of Jesus and Paul, make a list of
guidelines to follow as you provide for the needs of the sent-out disciples
and other leaders of your people.
» Consider what you learn about providing for needs of the sent-out
disciples. Using the list of guidelines from the question above, evaluate
how well you handle finances for God’s work. In which areas are you
strong, and in which areas might the Holy Spirit lead you to change?

How New Followers of Jesus Participate in Baptism

STORY FOR STUDY: LUKE 3:3-22

John the Baptist begins baptizing Jews with water as a symbol of

repentance for the forgiveness of sins. John later baptizes Jesus in water
and the Holy Spirit descends on Him in a special way.

Jesus does not baptize anyone with water. John says Jesus will baptize
with the Holy Spirit and fire (Luke 3:16). Later, Jesus’ disciples do
baptize new disciples and the practice of baptism continues in various
forms (John 4:2, Acts 8, I Corinthians 1).

What is baptism? What does it represent? What does it mean to the Jews? What does
it mean to the Gentiles? There are many questions about this custom. God’s people
around the world practice many different traditions with regard to baptism.

What does it mean for us that Jesus commands His followers to make disciples and
baptize them in the name of the Father, the Son and the Holy Spirit (Matthew 28:19)?

There is much we do not understand about the ancient practices of baptism. But the
Bible does tell us some things about baptism that we can understand.
▪ Jesus commands baptism and His followers practice it.
▪ Baptism of the Holy Spirit or by water is not a requirement for receiving or
entering the kingdom of God. It is not required for entering or participation in the
kingdom community, in the global community of God’s people, or in the work of
the kingdom in the world.
▪ There are no rules about who can or cannot baptize. Many disciples baptize new
followers of Jesus.

Some people defend their traditions about baptism so fiercely that kingdom
communities split apart over this issue. While there is much disagreement in the New

107
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Testament, it is not about baptism. When God’s people do disagree about other issues,
however, they do the following (see Acts 10, 11 and 15).
• Look at what the Holy Spirit is doing in their day.
• Search the Scriptures to correct their understanding.
• As a group, apply the Scriptures to their situation.
How the Disciples Make Decisions

The kingdom communities and the leaders within them help answer difficult
questions for the sent-out disciples. They also help them solve problems, discipline
them when needed, and encourage them.

The examples of In turn, the kingdom communities in cities like Corinth turn
the early sent-out to Paul and the sent-out disciples for advice on dealing
with problems they face. For example, the first letter to the
disciples guide us Corinthians addresses baptism, disagreements, immorality,
because they show lawsuits, marriages, idols, temples made to honor other gods, and
other matters.
how to make good
decisions. Paul and the other sent-out disciples working with him also turn
to the authority of the twelve apostles still in Jerusalem when
they have questions on matters that cause disputes among God’s people (Acts 15).
Even while Paul and others are not under the control or authority of any group, at
times they submit their concerns for discussion within the broader kingdom community.

The examples of the early sent-out disciples guide us because they show how to
make good decisions.
▪ The disciples use principles from Scripture to help decide what to do when faced
with difficult questions (Acts 15:13-18; I Corinthians 1:18, 5:13).
▪ The disciples seek solutions that preserve and strengthen relationships in the
kingdom community (Acts 15, Ephesians 4-5).
▪ The disciples suggest ideas that allow followers of Jesus to keep their natural
identities without losing their allegiance to Jesus and His kingdom (I Corinthians
7-8).

The role of a spiritual overseer—someone who provides guidance in making

decisions—is a difficult one but one worthy of the diligence it requires. Such leaders
help provide protection for our kingdom community from the sin that so easily
entangles us.

» Think about what you have learned from this lesson so far. How would
you help another people group learn about God? How would you help
them learn to make difficult decisions?

108
 Lesson 10 - Daily Life of Early Sent-out Disciples

Explore the Scriptures

» Explore the stories in Luke and Acts and do the following:
» Look at a map and find all the places Jesus and His disciples visit.
» With what people group were they interacting in each place? For
example, were they with Jews, Gentiles, or both?
» What significant events happen in each place?
» What do you see the twelve apostles do that might guide you in your
role as a sent-out disciple?
» What do you learn from this activity about how the Good News spreads
rapidly in these early days?
» Ask the Holy Spirit to show you how this spread of the kingdom
throughout the Roman world might apply to the natural spread among
your own people. How does this apply to introducing the kingdom to
another people group among whom you live and work? Discuss this with
others in your study group and record what you learn.

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Paul makes tents for a living. At times he uses his skills to support himself
as he works at spreading the Good News around the Gentile world. You
may not know how to make tents, but maybe you or your family has skills
to use to support yourself at times as you work to introduce the kingdom
into a new people group. Consider the possibilities as you answer the
following questions.
» What are your gifts, interests and special skills?
» What education or training have you had? What is your profession?
» What do you know about the location where you might go? Is your
profession useful there? For example, if you are a farmer but are
moving to a desert where growing crops is difficult, maybe you need
other skills that are more useful. Will your skills bless or contribute to
the lives of the people in some way?
» What job opportunities exist in the place where you might go? Are
they looking for skilled laborers in a particular field? What needs or
demands are there that you can fill?

Pray for the Kingdom of God to Spread among Your People

» Pray that God, through the power of the Holy Spirit, opens wide the door
of opportunity for His Good News to naturally spread through your own
people group. Pray that this work of the Spirit moves quickly from your
people to another people group who has not yet heard or responded to the
truth of who Jesus is. Pray that God will remove all obstacles and barriers.
» Pray for healing and reconciliation within the kingdom community where
there are divisions and broken relationships. Pray for divine direction and
for effective interaction among His people.

109
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Lesson 11. Early Sent-Out Disciples

Communicate Good News
Many early disciples are not great speakers or leaders. They are fisherman,
government workers, tradesmen or farmers. They are ordinary by the standards
of the world. Yet God uses them to communicate powerfully to many peoples
throughout the region. We learn important lessons from their stories about how
to communicate Good News of the kingdom of God.

Peter and Paul Connect People to the Great Story

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 2:14-42

On Pentecost, Peter speaks to a large crowd in Jerusalem. Most of the

people listening are Jewish. His sermon reminds his hearers of the
prophesies of Joel, a Jewish prophet, and the words of King David, who
both speak of the Promised Son. Peter teaches them that Jesus is definitely
the Promised Son that the Old Testament Scriptures describe.

Peter recalls David’s words about the resurrection and, as he concludes,

many Jewish men and women are cut to the heart. Scripture records that
3,000 repent and receive baptism. The truth of Scripture is now real to
them. They see the Great Story more clearly.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 17:16-34

A few years later, Paul travels to Athens on one of his journeys. He

spends time watching and learning from the Athenians. He also preaches
to them as Peter does in Jerusalem. Paul’s sermon tells the story of God’s
creation and how all men and women continue to seek after their own way.

Paul quotes from the Athenians’ own prophet and poet. He tells them that
God wants everyone to seek Him. He tells them about the resurrection.
Some listeners follow Jesus and others ask to hear more.

What the sent-out disciples say to Athenians shows that they understand God is
already at work among the Greek people. Paul sees that the Athenians are a religious
people and connects them to God’s Great Story through an inscription he sees on one
of their own altars. By bringing attention to the space they prepared for an unknown
god, Paul alerts them to the presence of the Most High God among them, His
importance to their ancestors, and His desire to restore His relationship with them.

Paul quotes the Jewish leaders, Solomon, Isaiah, and Stephen, but he does not tell
the Athenians that his words are from the Jews’ Scriptures. He tells them God’s truth
and speaks the words of one of their own prophets, “For in him we live and move
and have our being.” He also speaks the words of one of their poets, “We are his

110
 Lesson 11 - Early Sent-out Disciples Communicate the Good News

offspring.” Because Paul uses both the truth from Scripture and some truth from
within their own traditions, his message is clear to his audience.

The message Jesus and His disciples share varies depending on their audience, but it
always connects the listeners with the understanding they already have of who God is.

» What does Peter’s message to the Jews in Jerusalem reveal to us about

where he finds God and His truth already at work in the Jewish people
(see Acts 2)?
» What does Paul’s message to the Athenians reveal to us about where he
finds God and His truth already a part of the their religious places and
traditions, even before he proclaims the Good News of the kingdom
here (see Acts 17)?

When Paul visits Athens, he wants to tell about God and His Great
Story. He begins his message with an observation about something in
their culture. He uses part of their own religious system to point them
to God. The people of Athens have many objects of worship around the
city. Paul finds an altar that says, “To an Unknown God.” He tells them
this unknown god is the Most High God.

Even though the idols and altars for false gods deeply upset Paul, he
does not tell them that it is very wrong or bad to worship
idols. Idol worship does anger God, but Paul chooses to Because Paul uses
lift up other truth instead of condemning their actions. both the truth from
He sees that they are serious about religion, and says that
the altar to an unknown God proves that their ancestors Scripture and some
once knew about the Most High God. truth from within
Paul focuses on the pieces of their culture that are true their own traditions,
and the evidence that God is already at work there. He his message is clear
encourages them to return and seek the Most High God
who is the creator of all things (Acts 17). to his audience.
Paul takes time to learn things about the people and culture of Athens before he shares
Good News with them. He listens to them and observes them. Even though these
people do not follow God and do not know about Jesus, Paul has eyes to see that
they are religious and that some of their own people speak truth. Paul introduces the
kingdom by pointing out traces of it that are already part of this people’s identity.

» Why does Paul choose to first lift up the truth he sees among this people
rather than to speak against the false gods and deception he sees? (See
John 12:32 for help.) What results does this have on his audience? What
instruction does this give us about communicating Good News with others?

111
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

God shows Himself to each unique people group. He does this through His creation
(Romans 1:20). He also gives everyone a conscience (Romans 2:13-15). We know
what is right and wrong. People who do not have Scripture still know some things
about God. God shows that He cares for all people groups (Acts 14:16-17) by
revealing Himself to everyone through Creation and the
Paul introduces the human conscience.
kingdom by pointing All peoples trace their ancestry to Adam through Noah, so
out traces of it that all peoples are in relationship with God at one time in their
are already part of story. God’s purpose is to restore this relationship and He
wants to use us as ministers of reconciliation (II Corinthians
this people’s identity. 5:17-21), His kingdom of priests.

Wise sent-out disciples have eyes to see and ears to hear the truth and presence of
God in another people group. With the help of the Holy Spirit, we can find and use
these truths to lead peoples back to Him. Sent-out disciples help a people to connect
their story to God’s Great Story once again.

» What are some of the ways God reveals Himself to peoples all over the
world? If we believe God reveals Himself to people groups in these ways,
and that He is already at work in every people group, what impact does
that have on the way we approach a people to introduce the kingdom,
even if we do not know of any followers of Jesus living among them?

Early Disciples Understand Culture and Worldview

When Paul visits Athens, he takes time to learn about the Athenian people and their
traditions and customs before he begins sharing Good News with them. In our
day, we might say that Paul takes time to learn their culture and to understand their
worldview.

Culture is a system of traditions, ideas and values people share. It is the way a group
of people lives—whether they are a small tribe or a large nation. Each people group
has its own traditions. We learn, share and maintain the ways of our people in our
community and within our culture.

Our culture binds us together, giving us a sense of identity. We know who we are.
Our culture gives us a sense of dignity. We are proud of who we are. It gives us a
sense of continuity. We share things in common with our ancestors and will pass our
traditions on to our children. Everyone lives within a culture—it is impossible to not
be part of a culture.

Culture is like the visible parts of a tree. Our customs, behaviors and many of our
beliefs are the parts of the tree you can see—the branches, the leaves and the fruit.
You can observe culture whenever you are among people.

112
 Lesson 11 - Early Sent-out Disciples Communicate the Good News

Culture is like
the visible parts
of a tree.

» What different cultures can you remember from Scripture? What cultures
do the Israelites meet when they enter the land of Canaan? What cultures
does Paul find in the book of Acts? What are some other examples of
customs and traditions in Scripture?
» What can you describe about your own culture? What are some of the
social and religious customs, traditions, and behaviors of your people?

Worldview is the lens at the heart of every people’s culture through which a people
perceives and seeks to understand the world. It is the way we determine what is real.
It is what we do not have to explain because we just
know it is true—whether it is really true or not. We People are transformed
may not realize it, but we build everything else— when there is a radical shift
our beliefs, our values, our customs and traditions,
even our individual actions and feelings—on our in their worldview, or their
worldview. understanding of truth.
Everyone has a worldview and each person’s worldview is a little bit different. But
among the same people group, there are many shared viewpoints. These help peoples
to make sense of life, to understand their experiences, to interpret events, and to
decide what is significant and what is not.

Worldview is like the part of a tree you cannot see—the many roots spreading out
below the ground. You do not see the roots, but the roots support the whole tree and
everything is connected. These are the values, allegiances, and assumptions about the
world that support our behaviors and our choices.

113
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Worldview is like
the part of a tree
you cannot see.

» Use the tree diagram to explain to someone the difference between culture
and worldview. Think of examples for each.
» Name a custom of your people. That is culture.
» Why do you perform this custom? This is more difficult. Think about
the values and priorities your people have that led your people to
adopt this custom. Think about the allegiances or power relationships
that led your people to adopt this custom. That is worldview.

If we want to see God’s kingdom come among a people group, then we need to pray
for changes in worldview. People are transformed when there is a radical shift in their
worldview, or their understanding of truth. We need to ask the Holy Spirit to show us
how He wants to bring truth, new life and allegiance to Jesus into the lives of a people.

We do not necessarily want people to change just their outward behaviors, such as
their cultural or their social and religious practices. We want to see God work at the
root—not just in the branches and leaves. Good roots produce good fruit.

» Why is it important to pray and work for change in a people group’s

worldview rather than only a change in their culture? What problems
may happen when there is a change in a people’s culture but not in their
worldview? Can you think of any examples of this among your own people?

114
 Lesson 11 - Early Sent-out Disciples Communicate the Good News

Early Disciples Identify With Others

STORY FOR STUDY: PHILIPPIANS 2:3-11 and ACTS 10

In Acts 10, Peter breaks social rules of his own culture in order to
identify with people in another culture. He puts aside his own Jewish
customs that are a barrier to sharing the Good News with the household
of Cornelius. It is probably uncomfortable for Peter to
enter the home of those he considers unclean according We must learn to
to Jewish law.
identify with other
Peter realizes we “should not call any man impure or people groups and
unclean” (Acts 10:28). “God does not show favoritism
but accepts men from every nation who fear Him
their cultures in
and do what is right” (Acts 10:34b-35). God accepts the same way Jesus
Cornelius, who is a Gentile, without requiring him to
become a Jew either religiously or culturally. He gives
identifies as a human
His Holy Spirit to all in the household of Cornelius when He is on earth.
because they trust in Jesus.

God creates all people groups to have a unique culture. We must learn to identify with
other people groups and their cultures in the same way Jesus identifies as a human
when He is on earth. He is vulnerable. He suffers rejection, loss, misunderstanding
and many challenges. He is emotional—in Scripture we see Him weep. He eats and
sleeps. At times He is hungry, joyful or frustrated. In anguish, He faces death for our sake.

Jesus also identifies as a Jewish man when He is on earth. He reveals God and His
kingdom to Jews through their own Jewish culture so they see God is not far from
them (Acts 17:27).

When we go to another people group, our natural identity is different from theirs.
We follow Jesus’ example of serving others and give up some of our natural identity
to take on some of their natural identity. We learn a new language. We learn new
social customs. We learn to live like those around us. We reveal God and His kingdom
to a people through their own culture so that they might see that God is not far from them.

Paul says, “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only
the gospel of God but our own lives as well, because you had become so dear to us”
(I Thessalonians 2:8). Paul and his fellow workers are delighted to share their lives
with the people to whom they go. They do not learn only a few things about a culture
or only speak once to the people. They share their very lives.

» What does it mean to identify with another people? What are some ways
we need to identify with another people group in order to reveal God and
His kingdom to them through their own culture?

115
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

» Jesus says, “If anyone wants to be first, he must be the very last, and
the servant of all” (Mark 9:35). What does it mean to be a servant of
all? How does living as a servant of all affect the way we relate to other
peoples we live and work among?

STORY FOR STUDY: I CORINTHIANS 9:19-23

Paul says in I Corinthians 9:19-23 that he voluntarily becomes all things

to all men. He says, “I make myself a slave to everyone, in order to win
as many as possible.” We identify with people so that they see and hear
our message that the kingdom of God is near. Like Paul, we want to see
as many won as possible.

Even though Paul is free from following the Jewish law, when he is with
Jews who live under the law, he lives like them and follows the law.
When he is with Gentiles who are not living under the law, he lives like
them and does not keep the law. Paul identifies with each people group
in order to reveal God to them through their own culture.

Paul does not expect those from other people groups to become like him. He becomes
like them so that he is able to introduce the kingdom of God to them—so that he is
able to introduce them to Jesus.

When sent-out disciples communicate Good News through a culture, the Holy Spirit
reveals Himself through what they understand already, just as He does with Abraham,
Moses, and many others. Individuals and families begin to repent, believe, and follow
Jesus.

Three times in his teaching, the apostle Paul urges people to remain in the situation in
life to which God has assigned them for the time being (I Corinthians 7:17, 20, 24).
They become like salt and light to others around them and the kingdom naturally
spreads (Matthew 5:13-16).

We become like a people, so they can stay like their people—that we may win as
many as possible (I Corinthians 9:22-23).

» Learning a new language is sometimes difficult but not always

uncomfortable. It is very uncomfortable for Peter to enter the house of a
Gentile his people consider unclean and eat with them. What are some
uncomfortable things we must do for the sake of the kingdom?

116
 Lesson 11 - Early Sent-out Disciples Communicate the Good News

» Read and meditate on Philippians 2:1-12. Allow the Holy Spirit the
opportunity to help you identify right and wrong attitudes you have
developed toward yourself and others. Which of the verses reveal
something about the attitudes we must have toward people of other
cultures or different worldviews? Write down the verse number and what
it teaches us about relating to other people groups.

The Impossibility of Completely Identifying with Another Culture

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 16:1-5 and GALATIANS 2:1-5

Paul wants to take a young man named Timothy along with him in
his work. Timothy’s mother is Jewish and his father is Greek. So Paul
circumcises Timothy before they leave because they will be traveling
among Jews. They need to show the Jews that Paul is not asking them
to abandon their own culture by not being circumcised. Instead, Paul
teaches them to keep their Jewish natural identity.

But Paul is also concerned with Greek culture and other Gentile cultures.
Since the Good News is the most important thing, Paul keeps the focus
on Jesus, who is the Good News. Paul knows that the work of spreading
that Good News requires sensitivity to cultures.

Some Jewish disciples teach that all new followers of Jesus must be
circumcised to enter the kingdom of God (Acts 15:1). Titus, another
one of Paul’s companions, is not circumcised as Timothy is. Paul and
Barnabas feel it will communicate a distorted and foreign message if
they circumcise Titus, who is a Greek follower of Jesus, since it will
appear that circumcision is required to enter the kingdom of God. It is
not possible for Titus to identify with both the Greeks and the Jews.

Even while we desire to identify with another people for the sake of Jesus and
His kingdom, we cannot give up parts of our own culture and worldview. These
differences will set us apart from each other. We cannot, nor do we need to,
completely change our natural identity. Rather, we need to identify with other people
groups in ways that reveal God and His kingdom to them through their own culture.

Some Things in Every Culture Do Need to Change

About 200 years ago, William Carey, a sent-out disciple to South Asia,
arrives, settles among a people there, and begins to learn the culture and
language. Over time, he grows aware of a custom among the people of
leaving female or sickly babies outside to die.

117
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Carey recognizes that this custom reveals a lack of value for human life
in the worldview of this people. He knows that God values all human
life—females, children, the sick and deformed—because He makes
humans in His own image. Over time he also sees the destruction this
practice brings to families and a society. Carey feels compelled to seek
change on behalf of these precious humans God loves.

Carey begins to raise awareness of the practice among other foreigners

and the government officials. They ask him to make a report of the
practice. He takes on this assignment and files the report,
God knows what and eventually the practice becomes outlawed in that area.
needs to change
However, Carey recognizes that changing the law about the
or to be removed custom will not abolish the practice. God must change the
from a culture. worldview of this people, to value human life. So Carey
spends many hours introducing the kingdom of God to
his friends among this people.

Over many years, some repent and begin to follow Jesus. God begins
to change their value or worldview with regard to human life. Carey’s
faithfulness brings lasting change to this people group.

We know there is good and truth in every culture. There is also evil in every culture.
When Paul faces evil in the idolatry of the Athenians, he chooses to first lift up truth
rather than point out sin. When Carey faces the murder of infants, he chooses to point
out the sin and work to change this part of the culture and worldview. How do we
know when to lift up truth and allow the Holy Spirit to convict others and when to
point out sin and work for change?

This is not an easy question, and we must seek guidance from the Holy Spirit in each
situation, considering the following:
▪ We remember the Holy Spirit is the one who changes the motives and hearts of
people. We cannot change a person’s heart. God knows what needs to change or to
be removed from a culture. The magicians in Ephesus bring their books of magic
to be burned and destroyed when they recognize the work of the Most High God
among them (Acts 19:19). Paul does not tell them to do this. It is the Holy Spirit
that leads them to do this.
▪ We humbly recognize there is also sin in our own people that is difficult for us
to see. Jesus says, “Why do you look at the speck of sawdust in your brother’s
eye and pay no attention to the plank in your own eye? How can you say to your
brother, ‘Let me take the speck out of your eye,’ when all the time there is a plank
in your own eye? You hypocrite, first take the plank out of your own eye, and then
you will see clearly to remove the speck from your brother’s eye” (Matthew 7:3-5).
▪ We humbly recognize that we misunderstand what we see in another culture. William
Carey lives among a people for many years, making many friends, serving the people
and revealing God to them before he works to change the culture in this way.

118
 Lesson 11 - Early Sent-out Disciples Communicate the Good News

Pray earnestly for guidance from God when your sent-out disciples face difficult
questions of culture and worldview. Only He knows the path of wisdom and right living.

Explore the Scriptures

» The apostle Paul introduces the kingdom to other people groups in
addition to the Jews. When Paul speaks to his own people, the Jews, he
shares his message in a different way than when he speaks to a Gentile
people group. Paul is inside the Jewish people group, but outside the
Gentile people groups.
» Read about a time Paul speaks to a group of Jews in Acts 13:13-43.
Answer the questions in the first column of the chart below.

Acts 13:13-43 Acts 17:19-32

How did Paul gather an See vv. 15-16 See vv. 19-21
audience?
With what information See vv. 16-22 See vv. 22-23
does Paul begin his
speech? How does he
relate to the story of this
people group?
What new information See vv. 23, 26-31 See vv. 24-25, 26-28, 29
does Paul bring them?
How does he relate the
story of this people group
to God’s Great Story?
Who does Paul reference See vv. 25, 33, 34, 35, 40-41 See vv. 28
or quote in his speech?
What name does Paul use See vv. 16, 26 See vv. 29
to describe his audience?
To whom does Paul say See vv. 26, 32 See vv. 30
this message applies?
What does Paul ask the See vv. 38-39 See vv. 30-31
people to do?
How do the people respond See vv. 42-43 See vv. 32
to Paul’s message?

» Read about a time Paul speaks to a Gentile audience in Acts 17:19-32. Paul
introduces the kingdom from outside this Gentile people group. [Note
about the text: The Areopagus is a place in that city where the elders and
leaders meet, and where thoughts are considered and decisions are made.]
Answer the questions in the second column.
» Reflect on and discuss these two stories with your study group. What
instruction do these two stories give you about communicating Good News?
» Did you notice that in Athens, Paul asks the Athenians to repent, but
he does not even mention Jesus by name? This does not mean Jesus

119
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

is not as important to Paul (see I Corinthians 2:2). This shows us that

Paul understands every people group knows different parts of the
Great Story, and he must tell the story from the beginning. With Jews,
he begins with the story of the Hebrew people in Egypt. He traces
the Jewish ancestors of Jesus, the Promised Son. With Gentiles, he
begins with God’s creation of the world. He traces the ancestors of all
humanity from Adam.

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Reflect on how the culture and worldview tree relates to your own people.

» How has the worldview of your people changed over time?

» How have the outward actions of your culture (the branches and
leaves) been changed over time because of change in the worldview
(roots) of your people group?
» Are there outward actions of your culture that have remained the same
but had their meaning change over time?
» Are there outward actions of your culture that need to change to honor God?
» Are there aspects of your people’s worldview, your beliefs and values,
which need to change in order to reflect the truth of God’s Word?
» Why is it important to work at the “roots” (worldview level) and wait for a
people group to change outward actions as God leads them to do so?
» Why is it important to understand the customs of your own people group?
Why is it important to understand the customs of another people group?
How might this understanding affect the way you share the Good News?

120
 Lesson 11 - Early Sent-out Disciples Communicate the Good News

Pray for Eyes to See and Ears to Hear

» Pray that God reveals to you an ability to see new cultures with His eyes.
Pray for a vision of what it might look like for God to transform the
worldview of the people group you are praying for. Pray that God leads
them to worship through outward actions that honor and glorify God
through Jesus. Pray that this people group worships God from the heart, in
spirit and truth.
» Pray for humility for your own people group and for a supernatural ability
to see the places in your culture and religious practices where God still
desires to transform your culture and worldview. Ask God to help you
live in that humility so that you might model to others what it means to
submit to Jesus as a King. Pray that we all together “…continue to work
out [our] salvation with fear and trembling…” remembering that “…it is
God who works in [us] to will and to act according to His good purpose”
(Philippians 2:12).
» Thank God for His continued work among your people group and for the
privilege of being part of His work among other people groups for His glory.
» Thank God for giving you the Bible and the Holy Spirit—the best training
for all sent-out disciples in every generation.

121
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Lesson 12. Barriers to Communication

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 14:8-18

On their first journey together, Paul and Barnabas meet people who speak
a different language. While visiting their village, Paul heals a crippled
man. The people see the miracle and think Paul and Barnabas are two of
their own gods. They believe that only gods perform miracles.

In their native language, the people shout, “The gods have come down
to us in human form!” The people of this village want to offer sacrifices
to worship Paul and Barnabas. At first, it seems that Paul and Barnabas
do not understand what is happening. Maybe they
We must identify do not understand the language or know about the
beliefs of this people group.
the communication
barriers we face, When they see priests come to offer them sacrifices,
they are grieved and try to teach about the Most
overcome them, and High God. The people do not understand that Paul
communicate God’s and Barnabas want them to praise God instead of
themselves for the miracle.
Good News of blessing
to all people groups. The language and beliefs of this people group are
barriers for Paul and Barnabas. Because it is very
difficult to communicate God’s message, the people do not understand
the Good News. When Paul and Barnabas leave the village, the people
there have not accepted the truth of who Jesus is and do not realize their
place in the Great Story.

Good communication happens when a person receives our message and understands
it. This is what happens when many Jews hear Peter’s sermon in Jerusalem and repent
(Acts 2:37-42). Miscommunication happens when a person receives our message and
misunderstands it. This is what happens when Paul and Barnabas perform a miracle
and the people think they are gods (Acts 14:8-18).

We want people to understand Good News of the kingdom. In order for them to
understand, we must make sure that what they receive and understand is the message
we intend to give. This is not always easy when we try to communicate with someone
whose language, culture, and worldview are very different from our own.

» What barriers in culture and worldview prevent Paul and Barnabas from
communicating Good News in the story above?
» What barriers in culture and worldview prevent the village people from
receiving Good News in the story above?

122
 Lesson 12 - Barriers to Communication

Recognize and Overcome Communication Barriers

We must identify the communication barriers we face, overcome them, and

communicate God’s Good News of blessing to all people groups. By learning about
some common barriers to understanding the Good News, we might learn to avoid
some mistakes.

Barrier #1: Cross-cultural Misunderstandings

A man says to his wife, “The mayor has blood on his hands.” His wife
hears those words and understands that there is blood on the mayor’s
hands, probably from butchering an animal.

A man from another country passes through the village and overhears
this conversation. In his culture, the phrase “blood on his hands” is a
way of saying someone is guilty of a crime. He believes the man has told
his wife the mayor is a criminal.

This is an example of a cross-cultural misunderstanding. Misunderstandings such as

these are very common barriers to the Good News. People often misunderstand both
the message and the messenger. We might think our words and actions are very clear.
However, those hearing the message might understand something very different from
what we intend.

Barrier #2: Language

Words are one way we take what is inside our minds and bring it out so others can know
what we are thinking and feeling. However, words carry many different meanings.

A British woman takes a trip to visit friends in New York City. She
arrives in a snowstorm and hires a taxi to travel from the airport to the
flat of her friends. As she gets into the taxi, she drops her hat. The driver
retrieves it for her. As he hands her the hat, she asks him to please put it
in the boot. She is surprised and offended when he reaches toward her
and attempts to place her hat inside her shoe.

In American English, the boot is a kind of shoe worn for cold weather. In British
English, the boot is the compartment in the back of a car for storing belongings. An
American must learn new meanings of certain words to communicate well in Britain
even while both countries speak English. An American must learn a completely
different language to communicate well in a country where English is not widely used
such as Chad.

To communicate with peoples of other cultures, we must learn to speak their

language in a way that makes sense to them. To learn more about the important role
of language in God’s plan, see page 206, “The Necessity of Bible Translation” in
Appendix D: Additional Articles.

123
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Barrier #3: Seeing the Outward Action, but Misunderstanding the Meaning

A man comes to a village that is not his own. He is a follower of Jesus

and is from a different culture. The people invite him to eat with them.
The man decides to give thanks to God for the meal. He closes his eyes
and bows his head in silent prayer.

The people see him do this but say nothing. The people invite the man to
many other meals. Always he closes his eyes, bows his head and is silent
before he eats. Finally, they ask him about his strange habit. Why does
he always take a nap before eating?

The people see the outward actions the man does—closing his eyes and bowing his
head. They do not know the meaning—that he is praying to God. We must be aware
To communicate of how people see our outward actions. We must learn how
they understand and interpret what we do in their culture. If we
with peoples of do not learn how others understand us, we may communicate
other cultures, we something we do not want to communicate. This man believes
he is demonstrating devotion to God. The message the people
must learn to speak receive is that the man is lazy and takes many naps!
their language in In some religions, people kneel while praying. In other
a way that makes religions, they bow down completely. Some chant prayers,
others sing them, and others say them out loud or silently. The
sense to them. particular ways people pray are outward actions. These actions
are not necessarily good or bad. People give their actions meaning and value. For
example, they decide to whom they are praying, why they are praying, and what they
hope to accomplish by their prayers. These meaningful decisions are reflected in their
outward actions.

A key to understanding cultures is to remember there is a difference between outward

actions and inward meaning.

» When you communicate well with someone, what makes the

communication work? When you have trouble communicating with
someone, what makes it difficult or confusing?
» Why is communication an important part of sharing the Good News?

Barrier #4: Outward Change Only

A village hears the Good News of Jesus. The elders of the village meet
and decide to repent and follow Jesus. They instruct all the villagers to
get rid of the idols they worshipped before.

124
 Lesson 12 - Barriers to Communication

Months later, a sickness comes to the village and several people die. Many
villagers believe the sickness is a curse from their ancestors. They feel afraid.
They perform the old sacrifices and dig up the idols they buried. They
make offerings to them and hope the sickness will leave the village.

In some cases, people make changes to their outward actions—like throwing out
their idols. However, they still feel their old beliefs and values have meaning—like
believing that, in times of danger, their idols and curses have more power than Jesus
has. In this case, change touches their culture but does not reach their inner attitudes
to change their worldview. This change in outward action, even done sincerely, does
not change their allegiance from worship of idols or other gods to worship of the Most
High God before all other gods.

The result of this kind of outward change can make the Good News seem very
confusing. Those who begin to live this way might appear very strange to their own
people. They might even appear to be followers of a new or foreign culture and
religion rather than followers of Jesus. They might appear very strange to God’s
people from another culture, too. They might appear to be insincere in their faith or
confused in their beliefs.

Barrier #5: Mixing Beliefs

STORY FOR STUDY: 1 KINGS 12:25-33

When David’s son Solomon dies, his sons divide the kingdom and rule it
in two parts: North and South. King Jeroboam, the king of the Northern
part, has much fear in his heart that if his people go
to worship the Most High God in Jerusalem—in the Ask God to reveal
Southern kingdom—they will decide to turn against
him and follow his brother, King Rehoboam. to you His special
handiwork in other
Out of his fear, he decides to create worship rituals
in Northern cities, so the people of his kingdom will people groups so that
not travel to the kingdom of his brother. He uses you worship Him more
many ideas for worship from the instructions God
gave to His people, but he mixes them with worship fully by loving others
practices of other people groups. more sincerely.
He makes idols of gold and tells the people they are the gods who brought
them safely out of Egypt and blessed them. He appoints priests, but not
from among the people God chooses as priests. He creates festivals on
the same days as the festivals honoring the Most High God, though he
makes sacrifices to the idols instead. The people follow their king in
worshipping false gods, even while many of the practices they use are
like the practices others use to worship the Most High God.

125
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

It is easy for us to mix the commands and values we learn from God with harmful
ideas from our own culture. When we do this, the kingdom community among our
people can become misled, distorting God’s truth.

The Holy Spirit guides us as we study Scripture. He shows us the truth. Every time we
add God’s truth to our lives there is more that is true and less that is false. This is how
we change, grow, and mature together as followers of Jesus.

We must be as honest before God as we can about what we know to be truth. We

must also be honest about which of our beliefs might be cultural preferences or
interpretations. Jesus’ followers from other people groups can sometimes help us see
where we are mixing our harmful beliefs with God’s truth. It is often very hard to see
it in our own people. We must consider this matter so that we pass along the Good
News to others without passing along our own mixed beliefs.

Barrier #6: Cultural Arrogance

It is sad when We sometimes feel that our culture and traditions are better
than those of other people groups. We might judge their
people reject the traditions by the standards of our own culture. After all, our
Good News of Jesus culture teaches us what is right and proper for life within our
own culture. Different traditions might seem wrong to us. We
because the sent- must avoid this dangerous, judging attitude.
out disciples among
We selfishly think about our own situations and see the world
them do not honor through our own eyes. Life in the kingdom of God involves
the people’s culture. seeing through God’s eyes. He sees that all the cultures and
people groups of the world contain some bad and some good.
“God does not show favoritism but accepts men from every nation who fear Him and
do what is right” (Acts 10:34b-35).

Ask God to reveal to you His special handiwork in other people groups so that you
worship Him more fully by loving others more sincerely.

It is sad when people reject the Good News of Jesus because the sent-out disciples
among them do not honor the people’s culture. Sometimes people may not reject the
message, but they reject the messenger instead. This can happen if the messenger does
not accept and love them or their culture. This can happen if sent-out disciples forget
to live according to Jesus’ command to be a servant of all (Mark 9:35).

» Consider each of the six barriers listed above. Discuss the following with
your study group:
» Can you think of examples in your own culture where these barriers
prevent communication within the kingdom community, or between
the kingdom community and others?
» Can you think of examples where your own sent-out disciples face
these barriers of communication with other people groups?

126
 Lesson 12 - Barriers to Communication

» Have you ever tried to communicate with someone from a different

people group than your own? Think about that experience or talk with
someone who remembers an experience like that.
» Did you know anything about the other culture?
» Did you know anything about the other worldview?
» In what ways were you able to communicate well?
» In what ways was communication difficult or confusing?

Communication Is Difficult

At first, it is exciting to live in a different culture because everything

is new. After a while, however, we may become irritated with our
surroundings. We do not understand the people around us. We might
feel helpless, unable to easily do ordinary tasks. We are not aware of
simple things that even small children are aware of in the culture. We
can feel ashamed.

Sometimes we have a hard time communicating and we make many

mistakes. We begin to feel irritated and frustrated at our slow progress.
We long to be among our own people group again, to be with those who
understand us well.

Disappointment and discouragement come from the constant pressure of

learning new things and dealing with the unfamiliar. These feelings and
thoughts are normal for anyone living among a people other than his or
her own. This is all part of growing in another culture.

If we keep going, learning, and trying, then eventually we will adjust to

the new culture. Our discouragement goes away and in its place is a new
confidence and commitment to continue in God’s work. The process
of adjusting to a new culture can sometimes take one or two years or
more.

“Let us not become weary in doing good, for at the proper time we will reap a
harvest if we do not give up. Therefore, as we have opportunity, let us do good to all
people…” (Galatians 6:9-10).

» How can knowing about the experiences you might feel when entering a
new culture help you and your family overcome the discouraging times
more quickly? What can you do now to prepare your family for these
difficult times?

127
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Explore and Reflect on Lesson 12 with this case study: Three

Different Churches

Part One

A sent-out disciple takes his family, leaves his home, and goes to live among a
people group very different from his own where there are no known followers
of Jesus. He learns the language and culture well, and makes some friends in
the community where he lives. He meets individually with some men who
seem interested in learning more about Jesus’ teachings and the Good News.

Some of these young men decide to follow Jesus. The man rejoices. He
decides to create a church like the one in his home city. He asks these new
disciples to come to his home for church meetings. He is the pastor of this
church and gives sermons like the ones he hears in his home city. He translates
the songs he likes from his language into theirs and teaches the men to sing
these songs. He teaches them from the Bible. The men do not
Sometimes we know one another at first, but they agree to meet together at the
home once a week to worship together. Their natural
have a hard time man’s identities begin changing to become more like the natural
communicating identity of the foreign man.
and we make When the man receives news of his father’s sudden death, he
many mistakes. returns to his home city. The new disciples decide not to meet
together without the man because they do not know or even
like one another well. They are from different communities in the city. They
prefer to seek out other foreigners who have other new ideas. No kingdom
community takes root and grows in that city.

After several years at home, the sent-out disciple returns. He is discouraged

to find that these men returned to their old way of life while he was away. He
begins to realize he did not introduce the kingdom in a way that it could
naturally spread into their whole people group. He considers that most of the
men he spent time with before were young, single, from different communities
and wanted to break away from the traditions and culture of their own people.
He had unintentionally found people from their culture he could easily change
and bring into his own culture, instead.

He believes his mistake is that he kept the yeast—the Good News of God’s
kingdom—inside his own house and culture. He pinched off little pieces from
the dough—the people group of the young men—and took them away from
their own people, to mix into the yeast. This is the opposite of Jesus’ parable
(Matthew 13:33).

128
 Lesson 12 - Barriers to Communication

» Reflect on the following questions about Part One of our case study:
» What barriers of communication does the sent-out disciple face
because he is a foreign man?
» What barriers of acceptance to the Good News face the people of
this group he is living among?
» What did the sent-out disciple do well in his attempt to introduce
the kingdom?
» What do you think the sent-out disciple could do to improve in
the next city?

Part Two

Now that the sent-out disciple and his family know the language and culture
well, they decide to spend time with the men and women who are their
neighbors in a new city. Over time, two families on his street decide to follow
Jesus. The man and his family rejoice. This time he plans to create a church
more appropriate for that people group, instead of creating one just like the
church in his home city.

Before he creates the new church, he goes to a local religious building and
to some of the local festivals. He wants to find furnishings or practices in the
people’s culture that can replace the items he knows from his home church.
He finds a building to rent that is similar to to the religious places used in this
culture. He furnishes it in a different way from the earlier church in his home.
For example, he sees the people sit on rugs at their religious meetings rather
than on chairs. He notices they use flutes and drums for music at the festivals
rather than guitars and pianos.

He gives new meanings that honor Most High God to some of the outward
actions of worship he observes in their culture. After he shows the new disciples
the new building and his ideas, they separate from their own community and
begin to build the practices of their new kingdom community around the new
religious practices that the foreign man teaches them.

Their natural identity as a group is still similar to that of their own people
group even though it has changed. It is not like the natural identity of the
foreign man but it is a new identity altogether—a mix between his natural
identity and theirs.

One day, the leader of the people group’s own religious center comes to talk
with the foreign man. The leader tells the foreign man to leave at once because
he has divided the community that was once peaceful. One group has remained
faithful to the traditions of the people group while the other has changed and
mixed their traditions with foreign ones. It no longer fits in with the people
group.

129
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

The man is confused. How could this new group appear foreign when they are
using so many of the same outward actions of their people group? He wonders
about this for many days.

Another sent-out disciple comes to visit the man. He sees what is happening
in the community and asks the man, “Have you introduced the kingdom of
God to this people group as yeast into their dough in a way it can naturally
spread among the people?”

The man realizes what has happened. Even though He has been more careful
not to introduce his own traditions to the people, he still put the yeast of
the kingdom inside a building, pinched off larger chunks out of dough (the
neighbor families), and separated them from their community to mix into the
yeast. This is still the opposite of Jesus’ parable.

He also realizes that he still made decisions for the people about when, how,
and where to worship God. He began noticing that this people group never
uses music at their daily or weekly religious gatherings as he does at his home
church. These people only use music at their festivals. He recognizes that his
observation about outward actions were uninformed, as he was still an outsider
to this community.

» Reflect on the following questions about Part Two of our case study:
» What barriers of communication has the foreign man overcome
since his first attempt to introduce the kingdom? What barriers of
communication does he still face?
» What barriers of acceptance to the Good News face the people of
this group among whom he is living?
» How does the community view the neighbors of the sent-out disciple
who begin to follow Jesus? Why do they view them this way?
» Why does the community leader ask the sent-out disciple to leave?
» Do you think that splitting the community is something the new
kingdom community could avoid? How?
» What did the sent-out disciple do well in his second attempt to
introduce the kingdom to this people?
» What do you think the sent-out disciple could do to improve in the
next city?

Part Three

Because the community religious leader asks him to go, the foreign man leaves
the kingdom community there and goes to a third city. He and his family seek
to introduce the kingdom into families as he did before. After sharing and
working together with the families around him, one large family decides to
follow Jesus. The man and his family rejoice.

130
 Lesson 12 - Barriers to Communication

This time, he realizes the yeast, which is now introduced into the dough, must
find a way to naturally spread. He explains this to the family and they seek
God together for wisdom. The family recognizes that they must bless their
own people, and that they must decide how to worship God together as a
people. The foreign man and the family begin looking together to the Holy
Spirit and the Scripture for guidance on how to live out their new allegiance
to Jesus among their own people and according to their own natural identity.
The foreign man provides counsel to the elders. But the spread of the kingdom
within this people group is dependent on the new followers of Jesus within that
group, as they rely on the Holy Spirit. It is not dependant on the foreign man,
whose knowledge and understanding of their traditions is good, but still limited.

Soon, the new followers have attracted the interest of many in their community
because they are repenting of sin, experiencing joy, and changing the way
they treat others. Two other families now follow Jesus. Some people in the
community are suspicious of them and keep a distance. Others are curious and
ask to study God’s Word and hear more about Jesus.

The new kingdom community begins to send out disciples together with the
man to a nearby people, in order to introduce the kingdom to another related
people group. The blessing passes from one people group to another, bringing
glory to God.

» Reflect on the following questions about Part Three of our case study:
» What barriers of communication has the foreign man overcome
since his first two attempts to introduce the kingdom? What
barriers of communication does he still face?
» How does the community view the families who begin to follow
Jesus? Why do they view them this way?
» Why are some people suspicious of the new disciples? Why are
some people curious about them?
» What did the sent-out disciple do well in his third attempt to
introduce the kingdom to this people?
» What do you think the sent-out disciple could do to improve in
the next city?
» To follow Jesus, we must give up our allegiance to other gods and idols.
God loves all cultures and wants to bring them all under His lordship.
He does not want to them to change their natural identity. We must find
ways to introduce the kingdom so it can naturally spread like yeast
through dough in a people group. Discuss what God teaches you in this
case study with others in your study group. Pray as the Holy Spirit directs
you in your discussion.

131
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

Pray for Wisdom

» When we have wisdom, we know how to live well and we choose to do so.
We live as God desires us to live. Pray that God will give you a love for
His Word and a love for His wisdom. Pray that the Holy Spirit will guide
you by Scripture in all matters of culture and worldview, and identifying
with other peoples. Thank God for His Word and for the answers He
provides us even to the most difficult questions.

132
 Apply What You Learn

Apply What You Learn

Be Transformed

To communicate well with people from a different culture we must understand

more about our own culture and worldview. We must be aware of our own cultural
behaviors and expectations in order to lay them aside to identify with the behaviors
and expectations of another culture. We are sometimes unaware of our own customs,
traditions, values and ways of thinking. To us they are obvious.

Spend time watching people from your own culture. Try to imagine you are an
outsider observing your own people. What do you see and hear? Make note of the
customs you see.
» Who is out on the street at different times of the day? How do they dress?
How do they greet one another? What kinds of gestures do they make
while talking to one another? What do they talk about? What do they do
with their time outside the home?
» What are different people feeling as they interact with one another? What
do they expect from one another when they interact in different situations?

Later, consider your notes and all you observed. Reflect on the meanings behind the actions.
» Why do your people do each of these things? Why do they dress the way
they do? Why do they greet each other the way they do? Why do they
spend time the way they do?
» What values do these activities reveal about your people? What beliefs
do your customs reveal? What relationships of power and allegiance do
feelings, and expectations reveal?

Meet with your study group to discuss your experiences as observers.

» What aspects of your culture may help your people effectively serve others
and share Good News with them?
» What aspects of your culture might be a barrier to sharing the Good News
with others?
» What cultural behaviors or expectations do you think your people will find
easy to lay aside in order to identify with another culture? What cultural
behaviors or expectations do you think your people will struggle to lay
aside in order to identify with another culture?

Expand Your Understanding

Reflect together with your study group on a religious tradition other than one from
your own background. Discuss what you may already know about people groups who
follow this tradition. As we learn from Jesus and Paul, there is some truth present

133
 Chapter 4 - The Age of the Apostles, Part Two

within every culture and tradition. Identify the truth and good you already see present
in this other tradition.

Now discuss how the story of a people group from this tradition already connects to
the Great Story.
» What parts of the story do the followers of this tradition already know and
understand?
» What parts of the story has the enemy caused them to forget, confuse, or
distort?
» How would you begin to share the Great Story? Where would you begin
the story?
» How will you use the truth God has already put in their hearts and minds
to point them toward the truth of who Jesus is?

How can you serve and bless the people groups from this religious tradition,
demonstrating God’s love for them? How can you introduce the kingdom to them
through your humble service and good deeds? If there are people from this tradition
in your community, serve them in some way this week.

134
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God's Kingdom

Chapter 5

The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

“And this gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world…”
(Matthew 24:14)

The Age of the Apostles begins as Jesus ascends to heaven in front of the early
disciples and will end when He returns to earth at the end of the age. From the days
of the early disciples until our own day, faithful individuals and communities work to
fulfill their covenant responsibility to bless all peoples.

Huge numbers of people from many people groups choose to follow Jesus in Europe
and North America, and in parts of Asia, Africa and South America. The global
community of God’s people still changes and expands.

In Chapter 5, we learn the part of the Great Story that begins where the New
Testament record ends, as sent-out disciples follow the examples of the early disciples
and spread the Good News from the ancient Roman world to the ends of the earth.

Lesson 13. The Spreading Kingdom, First Century to Our Day

Lesson 14. Our Generation and God’s Covenant
Lesson 15. Our Role in God’s Great Story

135
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Lesson 13. The Spreading Kingdom,

First Century to Our Day
As we look back at the Great Story, we remember that from beginning to end, God’s
purpose on earth is to restore His good relationship with humanity and to restore
His kingdom rule over all. When His people respond, His kingdom grows because
of His blessing and His power. In this lesson, we take a broad look at the ways many
people find the kingdom throughout the last two thousand years of history.

The Kingdom Spreads From People Group to People Group

God wants His followers to join Him in carrying out His covenant to bless all peoples
(Genesis 12:1-3). This is one purpose for which He creates us. When God’s people
willingly share the blessing with another people, this is one way the kingdom spreads.

Sometimes other people groups with no kingdom community capture or scatter

God’s people, who share the Good News with their oppressors. Even when God’s
people are disobedient or reluctant to join Him in blessing others, He can continue to
use them to do His work by sending or scattering them unwillingly to another people.
When God sends or scatters His people to live among other peoples, this is another
way the kingdom spreads.

The people of God willingly go to bless other people groups.

For more than a thousand years after the time of the

apostle Paul, many monks from the Catholic Church
willingly leave their homes as sent-out disciples. They
travel across Europe and go to locations as diverse as
China, India, Japan and the Americas to introduce
the kingdom to many people groups. Through their work God restores
His good relationship with many peoples—even very violent people
groups—who join the work of blessing the nations.

In the mid-1800s, Hudson Taylor leaves his friends and family in his
home country of England. He moves to the interior of China to introduce
the kingdom to people groups he meets there. He learns their language
and their traditions so that he can effectively communicate Good News.
He recruits many young people to join the work with him. He does many
good works that serve and bless the people. He also has many personal
struggles. God uses the willingness of Hudson Taylor to go to the people
of China to restore His good relationship with different peoples there.
These people then join in the work of blessing others.

In the late 1800s, Lottie Moon willingly leaves her family in the United
States to join her sister in northern China. She spends her life working
among a Chinese people group. She introduces the kingdom to many

136
 Lesson 13 - The Spreading Kingdom, First Century to Our Day

Chinese women, which is something men are not able to do. These
Chinese women raise their children to follow Jesus. Through this work,
God restores His good relationship with many among these people.
Today these disciples and their descendants continue this great work in
China and around the world.
From the days of the early
In the mid-1900s, Jim Elliot voluntarily disciples until our own day,
leaves the United States to work among the
Huaorani people, a tribe in South America faithful individuals and
with no known followers of Jesus. After communities work to fulfill
brief contact with that people group, men
from that group kill him and the other sent- their covenant responsibility
out disciples with him. Later, his wife to bless all peoples.
Elisabeth and other relatives of these men
introduce the kingdom to the Hauorani people. They bravely carry on
the work of the men who died. Through their work, God restores His
good relationship with this people group. The Huaorani then also join in
the work of naturally spreading the kingdom within their own people,
and they extend that blessing to nearby people groups. In fact, one of the
men who killed Jim Elliot in his younger years now leads his people in
taking the blessing to other people groups.

Stop now and thank God for all those servants who have a part in telling your people
about Jesus and the Great Story.

The people of God unwillingly go to bless other people groups.

The Old Testament shows us how God first scatters

the people of the northern kingdom of Israel among
the nations. Later, He scatters those in the southern
kingdom of Judah. In this way, the kingdom of God is
introduced to people groups in Babylon and Chaldea,
among many others.

Not long after the time of the apostle Paul, Romans attack Jerusalem
and many disciples flee, taking the Good News with them throughout
the Middle East, North Africa, Europe, and even into parts of Asia. They
come across many people groups and introduce the kingdom of God
to them.

Over 1,000 years ago, the Vikings of Northern Europe conquer the
people groups of Southern Europe. The Vikings take some Christian
women and men as slaves, and the Good News travels back to Northern
Europe through these slaves. Even though these followers of Jesus
live in horrible conditions and receive harsh and unjust treatment, they
introduce the kingdom of God to their captors. Women who follow
Jesus raise their sons and daughters to follow Him. This builds a strong
foundation of leaders for future generations.

137
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

In the 1970s, many followers of Jesus from people groups in Uganda flee
their homeland unwillingly to avoid unjust suffering in their own country.
They take the Good News with them and often introduce the kingdom
of God to the other African people groups among whom they settle.

In these stories, God scatters His people through events beyond their control, such
as turmoil, slavery, or exile. Sometimes this is punishment for sin. Sometimes it is
unjust suffering. They do not go willingly, but they faithfully introduce His kingdom
wherever they go.

Other peoples willingly come to live among the people of God.

Cornelius seeks out Peter, who introduces his household

to the kingdom of God (Acts 10).

In the early fifth century, Goths invade Rome. Once this

warring tribe settles there alongside God’s people, the
conquered followers of Jesus reveal more about the kingdom of God to
them.

In our day, hundreds of thousands of students and business people go

to the United States and Western Europe for education and business
opportunities. While they are there, living alongside God’s people, some
meet followers of Jesus who introduce the kingdom to them.

At times God brings those from other people groups willingly to dwell among His
people. These temporary or new residents often find His Good News along with
other things they seek. If these new followers of Jesus understand God’s purpose for
their own people, the kingdom of God naturally spreads among new people groups
when those residents return home to share the Good News.

Other peoples unwillingly come to live among the people of God.

Other times, God introduces the kingdom by way of terrible events such as war,
slavery, or exile.

In the Old Testament, we learn that the Babylonians

force the Assyrian people to populate Jerusalem and
the surrounding area after most of the Israelites are
in exile. The few Israelites who remain in Jerusalem
introduce the kingdom of God to those Assyrians.

For hundreds of years following the apostle Paul, Roman soldiers

who live in all areas of Europe come to Judea and Galilee to suppress
rebellious Jews. The kingdom communities they encounter there
introduce the kingdom of God to those soldiers who listen. Many
believe in Jesus even though they do not come voluntarily but are sent
by their government.

138
 Lesson 13 - The Spreading Kingdom, First Century to Our Day

Between the 16th and 19th centuries, European traders unjustly make
slaves of Africans and bring them to Europe and America. The kingdom
communities there introduce the kingdom of God to some of these
slaves. Many become followers of Jesus, even though
they come to Europe and America against their will. God is the Lord
In our day, refugees from wars, natural disasters, and of history. He
oppression often come to nations with active kingdom works through all
communities. Once there, followers of Jesus introduce
the kingdom of God to these exiled people groups who circumstances to
have come to live among them against their will. fulfill His purpose.
God even uses the evil motives of men and women to accomplish His plan. A
Hebrew boy called Joseph introduces the kingdom of God to the Egyptians even
though his brothers sell him into slavery in Egypt. He recognizes this when he says
to them, “You intended to harm me, but God intended it for good to accomplish what
is now being done, the saving of many lives” (Genesis 50:20). God is the Lord of
history. He works through all circumstances—when we are willing and when we are
unwilling—when we prosper and when we suffer—to fulfill His purpose to restore
His people and His kingdom rule.

» We take the Good News to other people groups and other people groups
come to us to receive the Good News. Sometimes we willingly choose to
go do this and sometimes we do not. Sometimes others willingly choose
to come to us and sometimes they do not.
» Describe four different ways a people group that does not know about
the kingdom of God may encounter it for the first time.
» In which of these ways did your people encounter the kingdom of
God for the first time?

To develop a thorough study of the Great Story and your own people, use the guide
Appendix C: Optional Chapter—The Story of Your People and the Great Story,
beginning on page 187. The guide helps you design three lessons for study with your
group to explore God’s unique work among your own people.

The Kingdom Spreads Throughout Communities and Across Generations

Once God’s people introduce the kingdom into a new people group, it begins to
naturally spread, like yeast through dough. As new followers of Jesus within a
people group live alongside others in their families and community, the influence
of the kingdom grows and spreads throughout that people group very quickly. The
kingdom of God spreads most naturally along the relationship lines within families
and communities.

There are many examples of men becoming followers of Jesus and then
leading entire households—including family helpers, extended family

139
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

and friends—to the kingdom of God. In the book of Acts, Cornelius

asks Peter to come not only for his own sake but also for the sake of his
family and friends. They all gather to hear the Good News (Acts 10).
There are other examples of this in the New Testament including the
household of the boy Jesus healed from a distance (John 4:35) and the
household of Lydia (Acts 16:14-15).

In many cultures today, the zeal of the household leader influences the whole family
to follow Jesus. Sometimes the love and faithfulness of a daughter or even a child
influences the whole family to follow Jesus.

In the 1800s, Korean women have a low status and are not prominent in
the society. Others do not always see them as the good creations of God
that they are. At that time, there are very few followers of Jesus among
the Korean people.

The sent-out disciples living among the Korean people intentionally

focus on loving and serving the women, sending many single women
or wives to live among them. The Korean women who believe spread
the message to their female relatives and to their children. Eventually,
some Korean widows even travel from town to town, teaching women
how to read their own language and how to study
The kingdom of God the Bible.
spreads most naturally Many Korean women find new freedom in Jesus
along the relationship through these efforts. They find a new sense of
community with other women—even eventually
lines within families with men. God restores their purpose and identity.
and communities. They are so joyful it often brings them to tears.

These women become the strength of the spread of the kingdom

throughout the Korean people in their generation. They learn to serve as
sent-out disciples, teachers, mentors and impressive spiritual servants
to other Korean women. They pass along the Good News to their sons
who lead the next generation. Their lives, although still marked by
difficulty, oppression and even death for the sake of the Good News,
leave a legacy for the kingdom community in Korea.

Thank God for the sent-out disciples who listened to the Holy Spirit and reached
out to women who became the means for naturally spreading God’s word through
their families and to their neighbors. God uses these women to transform not just one
society, but through them and their descendants, many other parts of the world.

Throughout the ages, the family is the community through which the kingdom of
God naturally spreads. Adam and Eve pass their story to their descendants. The
family of Abraham shares in the covenant. Because it is the most basic group of
relationships in any society, the family most often passes the Great Story from one

140
 Lesson 13 - The Spreading Kingdom, First Century to Our Day

generation to another. Faithful mothers, fathers, and grandparents pass the legacy of
the kingdom of God on to future generations.

Relationships within a business or a trade group form another kind of

community. For example, in our day, when Chief Executive Officers
(CEOs) of traditional companies in China encounter the
kingdom of God, their companies become centers for Faithful mothers,
gathering the kingdom community.
fathers, and
They naturally spread the Good News among their grandparents
employees, their distributors, their customers and other
CEOs who are often friends or former classmates. They pass the legacy
do this intentionally, as the Holy Spirit directs them, to of the kingdom of
influence the people they see every day.
God on to future
Businesses and other job-related groups, like guilds and trade generations.
organizations, are a valuable means of naturally spreading the
kingdom from one place to another.

In the early 1900s, a Canadian sent-out disciple named Jonathan Goforth

develops a good relationship with the Chinese warlord Feng Yu-hsiang.
Feng—also known as the Christian General—requests that Jonathan
preach and work among his Chinese troops. Goforth and his wife Rosalind
become strong supporters and friends of the general. They welcome the
opportunity to introduce the kingdom to his troops. They use their
membership in this existing community in a way that honors God and
serves others. They do so with the blessing of its leader, the general.

Opportunities opened by governments can be temporary. Those who receive

invitations must understand their importance for the people groups who need to hear
and believe. We must be ready to respond quickly. Government organizations provide
communities throughout which God’s kingdom can naturally spread.

» What is a community? What is the role of communities in the natural

spread of the kingdom?
» List all the communities of which you are a part. How is God calling you
to live and work in those communities to naturally spread His kingdom?

The Enemy Opposes the Spread of the Kingdom

STORY FOR STUDY: I CORINTHIANS 4:9-13 and

II CORINTHIANS 4:1-5:10

Paul faces much opposition as he shares the Good News with those who
have not heard it. People in the city of Lystra beat him and Barnabas,

141
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

leaving them for dead. In the city of Thessalonica, a mob riots because
of who Paul is and what he says. Eventually, the Romans unfairly put
Paul in jail and, later, execute him (Acts 14, 17 and 21).

In the early 1800s, an American named Adoniram Judson is sent-out to

the peoples of Burma. After living and working there for over a decade,
the authorities put Judson in prison on false charges where they hold and
torture him for over a year. Soon after the authorities release him, his
wife becomes sick and dies. He marries again and after several years, his
new wife dies of sickness.

Throughout history sent-out disciples face opposition. This opposition seems to be

from other people. However, the source of all opposition is really Satan and his original
act of rebellion against God. Satan is a rebellious creature destined for destruction. He
resists the spread of the kingdom of God and the spread of the Good News.

When William Carey tells the members of his local kingdom community
that God wants them to bless the peoples of South Asia, they treat him
badly. They consider him unskilled, uneducated, and foolish. They tell
him that if God wants to bless those peoples, He will
Through His Holy do it without Carey’s help. They misunderstand
Spirit, sent-out disciples their covenant responsibility.
receive strength to do When Gladys Aylward, a twentieth century British
difficult things for God. woman, asks to serve as a sent-out disciple, her
local kingdom community rejects her request.
They think she is too uneducated for the task, and too unfit as a small
young woman. She eventually finds a way to go to China on her own,
and finds God uses her small size and appearance and servant heart to
bless many people in China.

Visible opposition from the enemy is only part of the story. Satan also tries to destroy
God’s kingdom from the inside. He promotes lies, confusion, and division among
members of the kingdom of God. Among your own people, do all members of the
kingdom community join in unity to take part in His Great Story?

For a practical guide to making peace in times of conflict, see page 198, “Biblical
Peacemaking” in Appendix D: Additional Articles.

Thank God that He is much greater than Satan. His Spirit strengthens us in the
battle for the truth. Many who follow Jesus die because of their loyalty to Him, and
even consider it a privilege to do so. Other times suffering causes God’s people to
experience Him in very deep ways. King David writes psalms that still encourage us
today. A woman in China today writes beautiful songs to encourage her people, who
suffer persecution. Through His Holy Spirit, sent-out disciples receive strength to do
difficult things for God.

142
 Lesson 13 - The Spreading Kingdom, First Century to Our Day

» What are some ways Satan tries to weaken the kingdom of God and
resist God’s work to spread it?

God’s People Sometimes Suffer for the Wrong Reasons

We see that God does not excuse His people from experiencing hardship, suf-
fering, and even persecution at the hands of others. We know we can expect to
face this in our lifetime if we obey Him in faith.

In some cases, however, followers of Jesus bring unnecessary suffering upon

themselves if they do not understand well the teachings of Jesus and Paul about
the kingdom of God and natural identity. We see throughout the Great Story
that God values and works through the culture of each people group, and that
the kingdom of God grows up inside a people group. We do not have to change
our identity in order to follow Jesus.

When new followers of Jesus decide to make changes to natural identity that
are not required by Jesus, this may offend a father, mother, family and com-
munity. But God commands, “Honor your father and your mother, so that you
may live long in the land the LORD your God is giving you” (Exodus 20:12).
Jesus and Paul both repeat this command (Matthew 15:4, Ephesians 6:2).

Beyond causing offense, these unnecessary changes may separate new follow-
ers from their own people, and the kingdom of God cannot naturally spread
among them. This is not God’s purpose.

We can expect others to persecute us as they did Jesus (John 15:20) for doing
what is right (I Peter 3:13-17). It is important that our persecution comes be-
cause of our right and good deeds and because of Jesus, but not because we are
acting in ways that bring unnecessary shame to our family. Then we remember
the encouraging words of Jesus and the early disciples, and their instruction to
resist the temptation to sin, but instead to respond with love and endurance.

“Blessed are those who are persecuted because of righteousness, for theirs is
the kingdom of heaven. Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you
and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of Me. Rejoice and be glad,
because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted
the prophets who were before you” (Matthew 5:10-12).

143
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Explore the Scriptures

» Read I Corinthians 7:1-24. The strongest community we are a part of is the
household.
» What responsibilities does a wife have in her household? How might a
wife who follows Jesus influence her unbelieving husband and children?
» What responsibilities do children have? How might a son or daughter
who follows Jesus influence others in the unbelieving household?
» What responsibilities do other men and women—including helpers—
have in the household? How might a daughter-in-law, a cook, or a
field worker who follows Jesus influence others in the unbelieving
household?
» What responsibilities does a husband have in his household? How
might a household leader who follows Jesus influence his unbelieving
household?
» Paul writes, “Brothers, each man, as responsible to God, should remain in
the situation God called him to” (I Corinthians 7:24).
» What does this verse say about community?
» What impact could obeying this verse have on the actions of a new
follower of Jesus in his household, community, workplace, or other groups?
» What might God accomplish through this new follower of Jesus, if he
chooses to follow the instructions of Paul?
Reflect on What God Teaches You
» Consider both the past history and the present state of your people group.
Are your people going astray to seek after their own way, or do they
regularly receive more truth? To what do you attribute your answer?
» How might God be sending your people out to be in contact with other
people groups? How might He be bringing other people groups to you,
either willingly or unwillingly?
Pray against Oppression
» For many men and women in the world—including sent-out disciples or
others in kingdom communities—oppression and the resistance of Satan
are part of daily life. Pray that God will give you wisdom to perceive
the schemes of Satan. Pray for those around you who are experiencing
the effects of Satan’s rebellion whether or not they are already part of the
kingdom of God.

144
 Lesson 14 - Our Generation and God's Covenant

Lesson 14. Our Generation and God’s

Covenant
In our generation, the kingdom of God grows and spreads very quickly throughout
the world. About one-third of the world population now claims to be following Jesus.
Of the other two-thirds who are not following Jesus, less than half of them live among
people groups who already have kingdom communities naturally spreading among
them. The rest live among people groups with no known kingdom
community and few or no followers of Jesus among them.

Learned men and women today think that there are now about
24,000 distinct people groups on earth. As God carries
out His plan, the nations—or people groups—of the earth
receive blessing through Abraham’s blessing. God restores good
relationship to them and a kingdom community grows among
them.

What do Abraham, writers of the Old and New Testaments, and

Jesus mean when they use the word nation? In our day, we often define a nation by
its politics or its international borders as seen on maps. The authors of Scripture
use nation to refer to the families or people groups of the earth mentioned in all our
previous lessons.

How many of these 24,000 groups have received this blessing at this time in history?
How many groups have not yet heard the Great Story? They wait for God’s people
to introduce the kingdom to them, so that they might enter it through Jesus and find
blessing and new life.

Progress in Our Day

Today it is much easier than before to travel to all parts of the world. For example,
you can fly from Paris, France, to Sao Paulo, Brazil in less than a day. People from
all over the world share ideas that spread quickly. The Internet
and other new forms of communication allow us to interact Learned men and
effectively with people who are very far from us. women today think
However, these advances do not mean the people of God that there are
have introduced His kingdom to all people groups. Of the now about 24,000
approximately 24,000 people groups on earth, about 14,000
have kingdom communities among them that are able to distinct people
naturally spread the Good News. The Han Chinese, the groups on earth.
Indonesian Daris, and the Koreans are examples of these
groups. Though not every person in a people group like these follows Jesus, there is
a kingdom community within that is able to effectively share Good News in that
language and culture.

145
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

We also remember the 10,000 people groups that are not yet able to
naturally spread the Good News among their own people. We
look forward to the day when some from among them will worship
God with us. The Afghan Tajiks, the Sinhalese of Sri Lanka,
the Tatars of Russia, the Ilavan and the Chamar of India are all
examples of these remaining people groups. They have no known
kingdom communities among them and there is no way for them
to hear God’s Great Story in a way they might recognize and
accept. Among them there are very few known followers of Jesus.
Many in these people groups have never even met a follower of Jesus.

As the people of God, what do these large numbers and serious facts mean for us?
Will your people take part in this Great Story? God has blessed you to be this kind of
blessing to the nations.

Paul writes, “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how
can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear
without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent?
As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” (Romans
10:14-15)

» Would you say that, within your people group, the kingdom of God is
naturally spreading? What factors allow this spread to happen among your
people? What barriers keep the kingdom from spreading among your people?

The Harvest is Plentiful, the Workers are Few

According to recent estimates, most sent-out disciples today who live and work
among people groups that are not their own, work among the 14,000 people groups
where other sent-out disciples have already introduced the kingdom. They train
and encourage the local disciples from that people group, serve needs of communities
there, or assist local kingdom communities to naturally spread the kingdom
throughout that people group.
Of the approximately
All work done for the Lord is worship to God. All work
24,000 people groups done for the Lord is valuable to His purpose of restoring
on earth, about His relationship with individuals and restoring His
kingdom rule. However, God’s people could better
14,000 have kingdom distribute our forces of labor. Out of all sent-out disciples
communities among who go to live and work among another people group in
our day, only a few of them go to one of the 10,000 people
them that are able to groups waiting to hear the Good News. The majority go to
naturally spread the one of the 14,000 people groups where there is already a
kingdom community, to work alongside followers of Jesus
Good News. in that place.

146
 Lesson 14 - Our Generation and God's Covenant

While continuing important work among

every people group, we must also find
a way to send out many more disciples
to these 10,000 people groups with no
kingdom communities growing among
them. Paul shares his own desire: “It has
always been my ambition to preach the
gospel where Christ was not known…”
(Romans 15:20).

The Peoples of the World Without a Kingdom Community

We can generally organize the 10,000 people groups without a kingdom community
into the following six large social or religious groups.

Estimated Number of
Large Group Primary Location People Groups in this
Socio-Religious Group
Muslim North Africa, the Middle East, 3,700
Central Asia, and South East Asia
Hindu India 2,700
Buddhist Asia 1,000
Non-Religious Eastern Europe, Former Soviet 50
Union, and China
Tribal or Animistic Africa, the Americas, and Asia 2,000
Chinese Folk Religion China and Southeast Asia 150

The six large groups in the chart above do not include about 400 people groups of other
social or religious groups. This chart does not carefully define all the people groups of the
world. However, it gives us a general idea of who these groups are and where they live.

» In your opinion, in which of the large groups of people from the chart
above will sent-out disciples face the most barriers to introducing the
kingdom in a way the people can receive and understand? Discuss why
do you think this is true.
» Which of these social or religious groups live closest to you?

Learn About the Peoples of the World

A community in Asia trusts a white man who comes to their village and
offers jobs for the young women if they come with him to a far away
city. Many families need the money these jobs offer and send away their
daughters with this man. When the young women reach the new city, the
white man tricks them. He sells them as slaves to a woman there who

147
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

treats them harshly. This community hears the news and refuses to allow
any other white men or families to enter their village. They believe all
white people are criminals and play tricks.

An American man travels to Africa with his company. While in a

large city, a group of young men attacks him and steals his money and
identification. He returns home very angry and does not wish to return
to that foreign country for any reason. When a family from that same
country moves into his neighborhood, he forbids his wife and children
from greeting and befriending them. He
We must humbly admit believes all people from this African people
that we do not know all we group are criminals and thieves and cannot
be trusted.
think we know about an
individual or another group. A well-known Christian leader in the West
makes statements on television that dishonor
Muslims. A Muslim woman living in Europe hears the comment and
forces her children to break all friendships with Christians in their
community. This woman believes that all Christians in the West follow
the teachings of this leader and dishonor Muslim peoples.

It is dangerous to make assumptions about a people’s religion, society, culture

or country. Believing and acting on negative assumptions about others creates
unnecessary barriers to friendship and creates hostility between peoples. Taking an
experience with one group or individual and assuming all groups or individuals from
that people group are the same causes misunderstanding.

What can we do to avoid making this mistake as we learn about other peoples? We must
humbly admit that we do not know all we think we know about an individual or another
group. When we recognize this, we open ourselves to learn directly from others about
their own people, their society, their culture, their religion and their families. We can
learn some things about people groups from books and from the experiences of others.
We must also remember even the authors of these sources make mistakes.

We must learn about Islam from Muslims. We must learn about Americans from
Americans. We must remember that not everyone in a group has the same beliefs
or behaves the same way as others in that group. As Paul writes to the disciples at
Philippi: “Finally, brothers, whatever is true, whatever is noble, whatever is right,
whatever is pure, whatever is lovely, whatever is admirable—if anything is excellent
or praiseworthy—think about such things” (Philippians 4:8).

» Have you or others you know made negative assumptions about another
people group? Have you experienced other peoples making negative
assumptions about you and your people? How does this work of the
Enemy affect God’s plan to spread His kingdom from one people group
to another people group?

148
 Lesson 14 - Our Generation and God's Covenant

» If another people wants to learn about your people, how do you suggest
they do this? How does your answer affect the way you seek to learn
about other people groups?

Great Opportunities in Nearby or Similar People Groups

There is a large kingdom community of nearly 20 million people in

the northern and central parts of Nigeria. In Niger, the neighboring
country, the people groups are mostly Muslim and the number of known
followers of Jesus is very low.

Look at the examples below of how the followers of Jesus from people
groups in Nigeria are, in many ways, very close to their neighbors in Niger:
▪ Location��������������������������������������������������������������
: They are sometimes only a few kilometers apart and only one
international border separates them.
▪ Culture: Customs in rural Nigeria and in rural Niger are very similar and are
understandable to both followers of Jesus and those who do not follow Him.
▪ Language: They speak the same trade
People groups who need to
language.
▪ Society: They have the same family and hear the Good News may
social structures. be living physically close to
▪ Economics: They are primarily rural and, your own people group.
by trade, agricultural workers.
▪ Ways of thinking: Both have a more educated urban population and a less
educated rural population.

In addition to their similarities, there is an agreement between the

governments of the two countries that allows Nigerians to travel, work
and live in Niger without a visa or work permit. The people in some
kingdom communities of Nigeria are similar to the people groups of
Niger that have not yet heard the Good News. These nearby followers
of Jesus have many things in common with their neighbours. This
gives them an amazing opportunity to send-out disciples to serve and
introduce the kingdom to them.

Sometimes followers of Jesus have natural opportunities to move to nearby people

groups in order to introduce the kingdom. People groups who need to hear the
Good News may be living physically close to your own people group. Maybe they
live in the same area of your city or in a nearby village. Often they are similar in other
ways, such as ancestry or common stories, language or trade.

Your people have a good opportunity to introduce the kingdom to similar

people groups with no known kingdom community. There are still barriers and

149
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

differences—maybe even prejudices or rivalries—that you must overcome through

the power of the Holy Spirit. However, watch for opportunities where you might
naturally connect with other people groups in a way that spreads the kingdom across
barriers and borders.

» What are some different ways that one people group can be nearby or
similar to another people group other than geographically? Why is this
important for the spread of the kingdom of God?

The Power of the Global South

In our day, the kingdom of God spreads like yeast through dough within thousands
of people groups in the Global South (Latin America, Africa, Asia). In the Global
South, many followers of Jesus live in people groups near the large groups mentioned
above with few or no kingdom communities (Muslims, Hindus, and Buddhists, for
example). God uses the rapidly growing kingdom communities in the Global South
to lead the way in introducing the kingdom to the remaining 10,000 people groups.

» Where are your people mostly located in the world? What people groups
without a kingdom community are closest to you, geographically or in
other ways?

God does not give any single individual or people the responsibility of blessing
everyone in the world. If we work together wisely, we might see followers of Jesus
and growing kingdom communities in every people group in our own generation.
In our day, the way sent-out disciples work to introduce the kingdom brings about
great fruit. Many people groups receive the blessings of God and join in His work.

150
 Lesson 14 - Our Generation and God's Covenant

“I tell you the truth, if you have faith as small as a mustard seed, you can say to this
mountain, ‘Move from here to there’ and it will move. Nothing will be impossible for
you” (Matthew 17:20).

A New Source for Multitudes of Workers—the Global South

Many Chinese who follow Jesus believe God wants them to take the
Good News from China to countries and people groups west of them as
far as Jerusalem. This plan is known as the Back to Jerusalem movement
because it follows the path early traders take thousands of years ago
between the Middle East and China.

Traveling this path, the Chinese encounter persons from nearly all of
the six large groups of peoples we learned about earlier in this lesson.
The families and individuals with whom they interact are from people
groups with few or no known followers of Jesus among them. These
Chinese sent-out disciples will introduce the kingdom to many. They
will share the Great Story of God’s blessing.

Chinese disciples are already actively sending off disciples from their
own kingdom community to other people groups living along the way
in countries of Central Asia and the Middle East. Pray for these Chinese
sent-out disciples who face many difficulties and challenges. Pray they
are examples of faith who show their
obedience to the Word of God. Today, most followers of Jesus
live in Latin America, Africa
This great work of God continues.
Followers of Jesus from people groups or Asia. Also, most of the
in Nigeria plan to send out disciples to people groups that do not yet
people groups across Northern Africa
and the Middle East, supported only by know the Good News live in
Nigerian funds. This plan is known as Africa or Asia.
Vision 50-15 because they hope to appoint
50,000 sent-out disciples within fifteen years. Some Nigerians joke that
they will meet the Chinese in Jerusalem for a tea party!

Following this path, the Nigerians encounter many tribal and Muslim
people groups. Most of these have no kingdom community. These
Nigerian sent-out disciples will introduce the kingdom to many. They
will share the Great Story of God’s blessing with many.

Today, most followers of Jesus live in Latin America, Africa or Asia. Also, most of
the people groups that do not yet know the Good News live in Africa or Asia. Many
followers of Jesus from the Global South actively introduce the kingdom to people
groups throughout the world. They are also, in many ways, more similar to the many
people groups who still need to hear the Good News than Western disciples are.

151
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Many other groups from the Global South—like the Chinese and Nigerians—are also
setting out on journeys to serve and bless the people groups who have not heard the
Good News. Will your people join this global effort to reach the remaining 10,000
people groups?

» How might God’s people from all over the globe expect to see God’s
plan completed in our generation?
» What are some advantages that disciples from the Global South have
in our day over disciples from the West in completing the task of
introducing the kingdom among all people groups?
» What are some barriers to unity that God’s people face when they work
together? What can you do now to prepare for these conflicts? How will
you allow the Holy Spirit to bring unity in difficult situations?

Explore the Scriptures

» Read Matthew 24:14 and Ezekiel 18:32.
» What do these verses indicate about the size of God’s plan for the
world?
» What challenges remain before God fulfills Matthew 24:14?

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Make a list of all the people groups near you or in your area. Do these
groups have kingdom communities spreading within them? If you send out
disciples to that group, could they work alongside other followers of Jesus
from that group or would there be no followers of Jesus to work alongside?
» Now consider those people groups with no known kingdom communities
who are near you or similar to you in some way.
» What people groups have a culture or traditions similar to yours?
» What people groups have common ancestors with yours?
» What people groups are near you socially—with similar government,
similar jobs or trades, similar education or resources?
» What people groups speak a language similar to yours?
» Into which of the people groups do God’s people still need sent-out
disciples to introduce the kingdom?
» By which of these groups has God put your people so that His kingdom
might spread? In what ways has He made you so that you connect with
those people in a unique way? What skills or abilities do your people
possess that you might use to bless that group?

152
 Lesson 14 - Our Generation and God's Covenant

Pray for Other People Groups

» Pray for the 10,000 or so people groups of the world that still need to hear
Good News. Pray that God will establish His kingdom in places where no
one has heard the truth about who Jesus is. Pray that the kingdom would
spread quickly to the ends of the earth. Pray that God uses you to build
His kingdom nearby or far away. Praise God for the way He introduces
the kingdom to your own people and causes you and your ancestors to
receive it.

153
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Lesson 15. Our Role in God’s Great Story

The global church can work together to fulfill our covenant responsibility in this
generation by sending out multitudes of faithful disciples to people groups with no
known followers of Jesus or kingdom communities. Our responsibility in the Great
Story is the same as many who go before us, yet the way we fulfill our role may be
different and unique to the world today.

STORY FOR STUDY: I SAMUEL 17

Before the shepherd boy, David, goes out to face the warrior, Goliath,
King Saul offers him the use of his own armor and weapons. Saul cannot
imagine how David—clothed and armed as a shepherd—could possibly
be effective against a giant.

David recognizes the value of the armor and usefulness of the weapons.
Maybe he even enjoys the thought of dressing like a king. However,
after putting the armor on, young David decides not to
The global church use what Saul offers, even though it is very expensive
and elaborate.
can work together to
fulfill our covenant David is wise and knows the armor does not fit him
well. The weapons are too big and heavy. It feels strange
responsibility in this to him. In order to be effective wearing the armor, he
generation. would have to act in a way that is strange to him. David
is a shepherd. He usually fights with the resources he
has in the pasture. David wisely chooses to use his own simple weapons
and to wear his own clothing. They fit who he is.

For the past 200 years, many of the sent-out disciples start from countries in the
Western world. Like Saul’s armor, the models they develop for work have been
useful. They fit the cultures of Western people groups of the past. Like David, who
recognizes Saul’s armor does not fit him, we are wise to see that many previous
Western models do not fit all people groups or all generations. New and different
ways might better serve and bless others in our day.

New Ways of Supporting and Funding Sent-Out Disciples in Our Day

We need new sources of sent-out disciples. We must find multitudes of workers all
over the earth to send out to the remaining 10,000 people groups. We also need new
ways of sending out disciples to those people groups, and new ways of supporting
them in the work while they are there. To send multitudes, our current method of
supporting sent-out disciples may not always be practical.

154
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

Paul is a tent maker.

STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 18:1-4 and ACTS 20:33-35

Besides being a sent-out disciple and a messenger of Good News, Paul
is a tent maker by trade. He works at his trade as he travels and shares
Good News with Gentile peoples. He does this to support himself and
those working with him. He also works at tent making so that he will not
be a financial burden to the people of the community where he lives.

He provides an example of what it looks like to be a good worker and

community member—a follower of Jesus and citizen of the kingdom. He
gives away the message of Good News without
charge. No person can say he makes a profit from We must find multitudes
the work of the kingdom (I Corinthians 9:18). Paul
also wants to have resources available from his
of workers all over the
tent sales to help the needy in the community. earth to send out to
Sometimes Paul receives resources from kingdom
the remaining 10,000
communities to cover his travel expenses. Rather people groups.
than doing only what is best for himself or his
team, he carefully considers each unique people group and decides how
to live among them in a way that best serves and honors them.

Today there are followers of Jesus who talk about sending out disciples as tent
makers. This does not mean the workers make tents. It means they want to follow the
example of Paul, working in a trade while bringing the Good News of the kingdom
near to a people. Tent makers in our day might perform many trades. Some work on
computer software and others farm.

Tent making is a good way for sent-out disciples to live among people groups with
no kingdom community because they do not have to depend on that people group for
financial help. There are similar benefits to those Paul experiences:
▪ Sent-out disciples can be examples for a community of good workers with
kingdom values. They live out the command of Paul: “Whatever you do, work at it
with all your heart, as working for the Lord, not for men, since you know that you
will receive an inheritance from the Lord as a reward. It is the Lord Christ you are
serving” (Colossians 3:23-24).
▪ Working together with new friends from the people group that a sent-out disciple
lives among is a good way to join and serve a new community.
▪ The sent-out disciple and his family do not create a financial burden for the new
community they enter because they are able to support themselves.
▪ There may be excess resources available at times to share with others who have
needs.
▪ When the new kingdom community in that people group sends out disciples,
they will have a good tent making model to follow.

155
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Paul does not always work at his trade in every community where he stays. In our day
it may be difficult to find and begin a job in a new community when the language and
culture are unfamiliar. It might be more effective to go to a people group that, in some
ways, is more similar to our own.

Another difficulty with tent making is that some jobs—like those within very
competitive industries—have very long hours and provide no stable family life.
These trades are not ideal for tent making. However, God uses even the most difficult
situations for His glory. Let the Holy Spirit guide you in planning and making decisions.

William Carey and others introduce the modern mission society.

In the late 1700s, William Carey travels to India. Before leaving England
he forms a society or group within his own people with a goal of taking
Good News to people groups with no kingdom community.

This group collects money or other resources from individual disciples,

their families, and the kingdom community within their own people
group. The resources are pooled together and, as there is need, they are
given to the sent-out disciples.

William Carey and many others who serve after him receive this kind
of support from such societies within their own people group. These
supporters commit to send funds, supplies, and encouragement to the
ones they send out from their midst. This model—now known as a
mission agency—has been effective for hundreds of years at sending
out disciples to people groups all over the earth.

Some people groups from the Global South have also used this model effectively in
our day. This strategy has the benefit of allowing sent-out disciples to concentrate on
learning a new language and culture, spending time with people and sharing Good
News while receiving funding from the agency. However, using mission agencies to
send out disciples also comes with challenges:
▪ Success depends on fully funding the sent-out disciples for an extended period
of time. This model is very expensive and difficult to maintain if the senders are
not able to give large amounts of money for many years. When there is no more
money, sent-out disciples must return home.
▪ It is expensive to begin and to continue the work. The home office must pay
honest workers to handle funds, legal issues, communication and other needs of
the sent-out disciples. Often purchasing or renting a building is another expense.
▪ If the sent-out disciples do not have a job in their new community, people may
misunderstand why they are there. This leads to mistrust and suspicion. In some
places, those who do not work in a community do not receive respect. They may
become outcasts.

Some mission agencies now begin to send out disciples from the Global South,
gathering resources from various individuals and churches across the world. God uses

156
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

Western or international agencies to help fund the work of the sent-out disciples. This
can also come with challenges.
▪ Because funds and other resources from individuals and churches are limited,
the number of sent-out disciples is also limited. We must find ways to equip
multitudes of sent-out disciples.
▪ Funding from outside sources might be viewed as potentially harmful if sent-out
disciples are not observed doing meaningful work. The community might think
sent-out disciples represent a foreign religious or political group who seeks to
rule them.
▪ It takes a long time to apply and receive training from mission agencies. Maybe
this process does not need to take so long.

In some cases, Western groups provide resources for people groups in the Global
South to begin and maintain their own agencies to send out disciples. This helps
many effective workers go out to people groups who need to hear the Great Story.

However, funding from the West to the Global South often comes with guidelines or
restrictions. Those who receive the funding might be told they must not spend it in the
way the Holy Spirit directs or guides them. They must instead respect the wishes of
those who provide the funds. This can be a source of conflict and resentment because
it is an unequal partnership. The desire to control can slow the spread of the kingdom.

The mission agency model is useful in its place and time, but it limits the number of
sent-out disciples. There are other effective ways to send out multitudes from the
Global South.

New Ideas emerge from the Global South.

This idea comes from Ben Naja’s book Releasing the Workers of the 11th Hour: The
Global South and the Task Remaining.

A kingdom community within a people group in East Africa prepares

to send out a disciple and his family to another people group that has no
known followers of Jesus. The man and his people are farmers. They learn
that the new people group also farms. Because of this shared occupation,
they might possibly be effective in introducing the kingdom of God.

The East African kingdom community believes that it might be too

expensive and too complicated to send the man through Western or
international mission agencies. They ask the Holy Spirit to lead their own
people group in practical and effective ways to join the work of God.

As the man prepares to leave his home, the local kingdom community
gives him two cows, a plow, and money for the journey. He enters the
new community and works to support his family. Because the plow helps
him to quickly farm more land, he also plows the fields of other farmers
who hire him for the day. He earns some money using the cows to carry

157
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

goods and people to market and back. While supporting his family he is
providing services to help and bless the farming community.

This model combines the idea of a sent-out disciple receiving funding from his own
people—by way of an initial gift—with the tent making model, where he works for
his income. This model not only effectively uses existing resources of the sending
kingdom community, but it also meets the needs of the people group among whom
the sent-out disciple lives. This same idea is also applied in the following examples.
▪ The sent-out disciple goes out to a community that raises sheep, goats, or
chickens. The initial gift might be a pair of breeding animals.
▪ The kingdom community does not have enough money for the initial gift. They
choose to partner with a foreign supporter for some of the needed equipment. The
one-time gift is not as difficult on the relationship as continuous funding might be.
Also, the people themselves—not the foreigner—determine how the money is spent.
▪ The sent-out disciple receives a loan to cover his initial expenses. He makes plans
to pay back the loan over the course of the first few months or years of work.
▪ A partnership effort is created when the kingdom community throughout the
people group of the sent-out disciple contributes toward the initial gift for his
family. This brings a unity of purpose to God’s people among that people group.

Other ideas come through the guidance of the Holy Spirit as we pray and use our
God-given minds to plan for His work. Jesus tells us that loving God with our minds
is as much a part of His command as loving Him with our hearts, souls and strength
(Mark 12:30).

We must find ways to send out disciples to the nations that allow…
… The greatest number of disciples sent off…
… To the greatest number of people groups…
… In ways that effectively communicate Good News…
… And quickly spread God’s kingdom …
… So that He is glorified in all the earth!

» List some of the positive and negative sending and funding issues your
people face in sending out disciples to other people groups. Evaluate the
solutions you choose.
» What is the typical Western model for this work?
» In what ways does that model fit your situation and needs?
» In what ways does that model not fit your situation and needs?
» Is there a different way to do this work that better fits your people?
» Discuss what God is teaching you with others in your study group.

158
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

Prepare to Introduce the Kingdom

A kingdom community within one people group sends out disciples to

a Muslim people group many miles away. Among their own people, the
disciples work as pig farmers to support themselves. When they leave
their people group they expect to earn money by raising pigs when they
arrive to live among the Muslim people group. Their
kingdom community sends them out with money for Jesus teaches us to
the journey and money to buy pigs.
be wise and make
When they arrive in the new community, there are no plans for the future.
pigs to buy. Pigs offend this people group. Only the
enemies of this people raise and sell pigs. Because of the work they
seek, the community does not respect the sent-out disciples. They are
discouraged. They do not speak the new language yet and are not able to
find other jobs. Without income, they return to their own people.

Can we avoid problems like these the sent-out disciples face? Can we avoid the
expense and discouragement of so quick a return home? Not always. Some things
we learn only when we arrive and begin to understand a new community. However,
before we send out disciples, we prepare by learning what decisions might present
barriers to kingdom work or waste kingdom resources.

This is what we know:

▪ We must be willing to go to the people groups that have few or no known
followers of Jesus or kingdom community.
▪ It is best to select groups that are, in some way, similar to our own people group,
unless the Holy Spirit directs us specifically to another group.
▪ We must make an effective plan to engage and live among this people group.

As we humbly listen to the Holy Spirit and learn more, we sometimes need to make
changes to our plan. We must continue to move toward completing the task we begin.

Making plans or strategies is not a waste of time. Jesus teaches us to be wise and
make plans for the future (Luke 16:1-13). Paul shows us how to make careful plans
and to listen to the Holy Spirit (Acts 19:21, 21:4, 22:11, 22-28).

Strategic thinking and intentional planning are important ways of spiritually

participating in God’s plan. Paul instructs us to “…offer [our] bodies as living
sacrifices, which is [our] spiritual act of worship” (Romans 12:1) The word
“spiritual” means rational or thoughtful. It refers to thoughtful action. Thinking
and planning must come from thoughtful reflection that glorifies God. We offer our
bodies, including our minds, for His use to prepare us to go out to other peoples.

The Holy Spirit uses the Bible and prayer to teach us how to obey God. He gives
us insight beyond what the world offers. Remember, the wisdom of God may seem
foolish to the world, but it is infinitely more powerful than anything else.

159
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

» Read Mark 4:2-20 and Luke 16:1-13. How do these parables of Jesus
instruct us about making intentional plans? What are your thoughts about
creating and using plans? Will you make thoughtful plans under the
guidance of the Holy Spirit as a spiritual act of worship?

For a detailed planning guide, see Appendix B: Making Plans—Imagine What God
Can Do Through You.

Overcome Evil with Good (Romans 12:12)

When Jesus teaches us to ask of God, “…Your kingdom come, Your will
be done on earth as it is in heaven” (Matthew 6:10), what does He teach
us to ask? What does it mean that we ask for the kingdom of God to
come and naturally spread throughout the earth as it is in heaven?

The evil that plagues and corrupts God’s good creation is a daily barrier to the natural
spread of His kingdom. We know God seeks to rule over the thoughts and attitudes
of all humanity. He also seeks to rule over His glorious creation, once perfect but now
corrupted by the works of the Enemy. It is God’s purpose to establish His kingdom
rule over all (Genesis 1:31, Romans 8:18-24).

The world is full of evil. Disease, poverty, water shortages, corruption, war and
slavery all affect both the righteous and the unrighteous (Matthew 5:45). Even
communities with a growing and strong kingdom community face daily suffering
and experience evil. Consider the following situations prevalent in our day.

The owner of a brick kiln promises work to a thousand people from rural
villages. Then he tricks them, forces them to work in brutal conditions
and refuses to pay them or allow them to leave. He
It is God’s purpose to beats them and starves them. Several die before the
authorities see what is happening and free them.
establish His kingdom
rule over all. A country is in civil war for many years. Their people
do not know peace. Often bombs destroy the lives
and homes of the innocent because of a political message others send.
People capture and kill other people. Soldiers rape women and torture
children, leaving them as widows and orphans and bringing shame to
the family. Families flee the country and discover there is no better place
to go. As refugees their conditions are as bad as those they left behind.

A kingdom community desires to naturally spread the Good News among

their own people, but many of their people are sick. Some die. Others are too
weak to work and cannot support their families or the community. Diseases
like malaria and tuberculosis plague their own people, leaving many people
too sick to do the work they desire to do for God.

160
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

The Enemy’s work includes temptation, deception, and sin. The rebellion of humanity
and the rebellion of Satan produce many problems in society such as abuse of women
and children, corruption and the violence of war, addictions, and the destruction of
families and communities.

Yet, many evils that affect us do not seem to be problems caused by human sin. Many
diseases greatly damage and even kill the human body. Diseases also kill plants and
animals. Hurricanes and tsunamis destroy the land and people living on it. Satan
begins to mar and distort all of God’s good creation when he rebels. God designs
many living things for good purposes. The Enemy changes them, using them to harm
and destroy what is good.

» In what ways and places do you see the kingdom of God rule and reign
today over global problems—disease, war, and slavery, for example—that
still destroy lives?
» How do you think that, as part of our covenant responsibility to bless all
peoples, we must pray for and work toward overcoming these types of
global and community problems?
» If the kingdom is here now on earth as it is in heaven (Matthew 6:10,
Luke 17:20-21), how does this relate to the description of the new heaven
and earth (Revelation 21:1-4)?

Address Global Problems at their Roots

Imagine you come home one day to find there is something wrong with
a water faucet in your house. Water is running out of the faucet into the
sink and spilling all over the floor. What do you do?

You might grab a bucket to catch the water. You might use cloths to soak
up the water and squeeze it into the bucket. Maybe this helps. You work
very hard to remove the water but there is always more spilling out of
the sink and onto the floor.

You must take time to fix the source of the problem. You must turn off the
faucet and stop the flow of water. Cleaning up the spilled water is important,
but it does not solve the problem. It does not stop the flow of water.

Working to fix the problems that trouble humanity is much the same. Cleaning a mess
and fixing the damage done is important work. However, if we focus all our effort on
cleaning and fixing and no effort on the source, the problem does not go away. For
example, if all who fight against slavery in our day work to rescue slaves from their
captors, and none are available to work on preventing humans from being tricked or
sold into slavery, or preventing others from buying and selling slaves, the problem
does not go away.

161
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

» Are all human problems solved when people repent of sin and follow
Jesus? Why or why not?
» What human problems today most greatly affect your people group? What
human problems most afflict the people group where you will send out
disciples to introduce the kingdom?
» Discuss ways to address these problems by cleaning up the mess and
fixing the damage already done. Discuss ways to address these problems
by stopping it at the source or root.

To read more about addressing community problems at the roots, see page 201,
“Helping a Community Meet its Physical Needs” in Appendix D: Additional Articles.

Do Good Works for the Glory of God

If God’s purpose is to restore His rule over all creation, then His people must reveal
that purpose to all. Overcoming evil with good is part of the blessing we receive – the
blessing with which we bless all peoples.

STORY FOR STUDY: MATTHEW 5:13-16

Jesus teaches us to let our good works shine before men, so they can
see them and glorify God. The apostle Paul tells us, “We are God’s
workmanship, created in Christ Jesus to do good
Overcoming evil with works, which God prepared in advance for us to do”
good is part of the (Ephesians 2:10). One of the reasons God rescues
us and brings us into His kingdom is so we can do
blessing we receive – good works that glorify God.
the blessing with which Jesus does not ask God to take His followers out of
we bless all peoples. the world. Instead, He prays that God will protect
His followers from the Evil One (John 17:18). Jesus
sends us into the world just as God sends Him into the world (John
17:18). We follow the example of Jesus to do good works and address
the destructive works of the Enemy. Jesus “went around doing good and
healing all who were under the power of the Devil” (Acts 10:38).

God blesses us so we might be a blessing to all people groups. When

we ask ourselves how we can bless those around us, we begin to think
about identifying their needs. Then we might help them meet those
needs. James says, “Religion that God our Father accepts as pure and
faultless is this: to look after orphans and widows in their distress and to
keep oneself from being polluted by the world” (James 1:27).

Real change happens when the Holy Spirit changes individuals and communities from
the inside out. When God restores us to good relationship with Him, we receive a new

162
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

identity and begin to live our lives in a new way. We live in the truth of God, in a restored
relationship with Him, with our families, with our communities and with ourselves.

When others see the love, justice and mercy we begin to show others, God reveals His
character and kingdom through us.

When God’s people work to serve, honor, and bless all people groups, God reveals
His purpose to bless all peoples through them.

When God’s people work to overcome the evil surrounding them with good, God
powerfully works through them to establish His kingdom rule in their families,
communities, and on earth. He reveals His kingdom of goodness, justice and mercy
for all peoples.

» What does it mean to “let your light shine before men?” What are some
good deeds you can do to bring glory to God in the world?
» Read I John 3:8. What does it mean for us as disciples of Jesus to follow
Him if His work includes destroying the works of the Devil?
» How do we view human problems that surround us?
» How do we combine our view of human problems with what we
already know about our part in the purpose of God?

Scientists and doctors search for ways to treat diseases such as malaria.
This is a very important and good work. Many suffering people need
treatment. But will this good work overcome the evil of malaria, a
disease that destroys lives and harms communities?

Could God’s people also search for a way to rid the world of malaria so
no one else suffers and dies from this horrible disease? If we focus on
getting rid of the disease in addition to treating it, we address the source
or root of the problem. We can see the evil of malaria overcome with
good for the glory of God.

Some problems we face result from the presence of evil—as yet incurable diseases
and global climate changes, for example—in the good creation of God. Some
believe these problems are too big to solve and do not even try. Others try to provide
temporary relief. This is like soaking up the water spilling onto the floor while the
faucet still runs.

It is difficult to rid the world of a disease or to end a global evil such as slavery. God
gives people the ability to study, understand, and learn about such things. By His
grace, He causes some people to find solutions and persevere in work toward this end.

We must encourage and support followers of Jesus who seek to overcome evil
with good in every domain of life whether medicine, government, media, business,
education, or another. This is part of our responsibility to bless all peoples.

163
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

We must not make the mistake of separating the work of introducing the kingdom
from the work of overcoming evil with good in all parts of life. They are God’s
purpose for humanity and the world. They are the
We must not make the blessing we share with all peoples. They are the
mistake of separating the Good News of the kingdom of God. They are the
work of the worldwide kingdom community.
work of introducing the
kingdom from the work of We are born into the kingdom of God once, but we
must learn to live in it every day. Submitting our
overcoming evil with good lives to the rule of God is a life-long process. We
in all parts of life. learn how to do this as we obey His commands in the
Bible. We do not know the solutions to all problems
facing humanity today. However, when we seek God, He guides us to the truth.

» The works of the enemy include disease, sickness and other destructive
evils. Why must we be aware of his schemes in relation to human
problems? If we know these evils are the devil’s schemes, what must
God’s people do in response?
» In what ways does the Enemy distort the plan of God for creation?

The Kingdom of God Naturally Spreads If…

The kingdom community grows within the existing community.

Followers of Jesus continue to honor their family and community,
while changing their loyalty and worship to Jesus. With Jesus’
followers living within households and working among their people,
the Good News naturally spreads to others in the family and community.

New followers of Jesus keep their natural identity and remain

part of their people. Followers of Jesus recognize God values
their people and their culture, and do not adopt a foreign identity
in order to enter the kingdom of God. They demonstrate that the
Great Story is not a story for foreign people, but the story of their own people.
The Holy Spirit leads them to repent and change the parts of their worldview
and culture that dishonor God.

Community and family leaders lead their people well.

Leaders of the community continue as elders in the local kingdom
community. Elders and leaders naturally provide the best leadership
for the kingdom community and the Holy Spirit guides them to
make wise decisions that honor God. God’s people experience the work of
the Holy Spirit when they see God grow His church by using the gifts of all
members of the kingdom community.

164
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

The kingdom community grows under authority of Scripture

and guidance of the Holy Spirit. Followers of Jesus experience
God’s presence and guidance among their people. The Holy Spirit
helps them find solutions for their troubles or questions and helps
them find ways to live together in community and honor God according to their
own traditions and customs. Sent-out disciples come alongside and help as
needed, but can come and go as needed.

Sent-out disciples fulfill their covenant responsibility.

Followers of Jesus spread the Good News naturally among their
people, and send out disciples to other people groups, taking their
place in God’s Story. Sent-out disciples help connect the new
kingdom community to other kingdom communities as they work together
to introduce the kingdom to even more peoples.

Kingdom communities use existing resources or find new

resources. Followers of Jesus use resources God already provides
to live and worship together in ways that fit their culture. They
gather in places where they already spend time together. They
follow leaders who are already leaders. The kingdom naturally spreads when
it grows inside the culture without having to depend on others for resources to
find new programs, buildings, or jobs. The kingdom community is recognized
as part of the people group.

God’s people engage in the world to overcome evil with good at

every level of society. Followers of Jesus recognize God’s purpose
to restore His kingdom rule over all creation. The Holy Spirit inspires
and empowers them to do good works that reveal His glory and
kingdom rule. Good works are small acts of love and mercy, but also large acts to
rid the world of disease, corruption, wars, slavery, and other global problems.

» Discuss with your study group some ways that sent-out disciples can
unintentionally hinder the natural spread of the kingdom through their
efforts. List and discuss ways your sent-out disciples must be intentional
about introducing the kingdom in ways that allow it to naturally spread.
» Make a list of principles or guidelines for good practice you wish for all
your sent-out disciples to follow in every people group they enter.

165
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Explore Lesson 15 with this case study: Three Solutions for a

Village Problem

A mountain community only has one way to the nearest town, down a
narrow, dangerous road. The road is full of holes and there are many
slippery spots. Villagers often fall off the road and die or are badly
injured. The community faces a difficult problem because they must
travel back and forth to town in order for the village to survive.

» What is the problem facing this village? Discuss with your group the
possible root problems to address.

Solution #1

An outside group from a kingdom community far away learns about

the problem. They raise money to build a clinic at the bottom of the
mountain for the injured that survive falls off the road. This seems like
a good solution. Now when villagers are hurt, the clinic helps them.
Several lives are saved. However, when the group with the money and
staff to run the clinic leaves, the clinic closes.

» Describe solution #1.

» What was helpful about this solution?
» What problems did it solve?
» What was not helpful about this solution?
» Did it create any additional problems for the community?

Solution #2

A second outside group from another kingdom community learns

about this new problem. They raise money to buy an ambulance to take
the injured to the nearest hospital, many miles away. This seems like
a good solution. However, when the group with the money leaves, the
ambulance sits unused because there is no money to buy gasoline for it.

» Describe solution #2.

» What is helpful about this solution?
» What problems did it solve?
» Was it better or worse than Solution #1? Why?
» Did it create any additional problems for the community?

166
 Lesson 15 - Our Role in God's Great Story

Solution #3

A third outside group from a distant kingdom community learns

about the continuing problem. They ask to meet with the leaders of
the mountain community in order to ask them what needs to happen
to solve this problem of the dangerous road and injured villagers. The
community discusses the problem together with the outsiders and they
decide the best solution is to fix the road.

The leaders of the community organize the villagers who gather supplies
and begin work on the road. The outsiders volunteer to help the villagers.
Together they fix the holes and build small bridges or guard rails at the
most dangerous places. Finally, the road is fixed. The villagers no longer
fall off the road. They are proud of the way they work together to solve
their own problem and begin to meet regularly to address community
needs. They are glad the solution remains even when the outsiders leave.
They address the root of their problem.

» Describe solution #3.

» What is helpful about this solution?
» What problems did it solve?
» Was it better or worse than Solutions #1 and #2? Why?
» Did it create any additional problems for the community?
» How does the work of the outsiders reveal the kingdom of God to this
mountain village in each situation?

Reflect on What God Teaches You

» Reflect on the section in this lesson called “New Ways of Supporting and
Funding Sent-out Disciples in Our Day.” It is important to consider these
ideas if we are to see multitudes of sent-out disciples reaching all people
groups.
» Prayerfully consider the following:
» What are some practical ways that your people might support your
sent-out disciples?
» What are some ways your people group might send-out disciples that
allows the greatest number of them to be sustained for many years?
» With whom might you partner?
» Who has resources to help your people group send out disciples to the
nations who have yet to hear the Good News?
» What resources do your people have to help those from other people
groups send out disciples?
» What things need to change in the way you support and fund sent-out
disciples so you might better serve the Lord in His plan to restore His
rule and reign on the earth?

167
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Pray for the Glory of God to Fill the Earth

» Pray for the people of God to work together for His coming kingdom and
for His will to be done on earth as it is in heaven. Pray that God reveals
His glory as His people labor to do good on every front where evil is
found, in every domain of life. Pray that God reveals His glory as men and
women fight the disease, injustice, abuse, corruption, poverty, war and all
evil around us.
» Pray that God reveals His glory as His people discover and apply solutions
to problems in our family, in our community and in our people group. Pray
that God works through us, His people, to bless others and restore His rule
over creation.
» Pray that God glorifies His name by bringing in a great harvest in the
world. Pray that the Father will establish a kingdom community in every
people group on earth. Pray that He actively involves multitudes of His
people in His work among all peoples. Thank him for the vision of the
Nigerian church and the Chinese church and pray for fruitful work among
the sent-out disciples from each group.
» Pray that God will heal and restore families to loving relationships so the
hearts of parents turn toward children and children toward parents. Pray,
“Your kingdom come, and Your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.”
Amen.

168
 Apply What You Learn

Apply What You Learn

Share the Great Story

Gather your family to share the last part the Great Story—how God carries out His
plan from the end of the New Testament record until our own day. Share how the
Good News spreads from Jerusalem, throughout the Roman world, to all parts of the
earth in the modern world. Include different ways the kingdom grows and spreads,
and different challenges it faces as it grows. Explain how other disciples work through
these challenges.

When you meet again with your study group, discuss your experience sharing the
Great Story with your family. Discuss the response each family has when faced with
truth about their true identity and purpose. Share how God is at work in your family,
and in your local kingdom community in these days.

Be Transformed

Meet with the leaders and elders of your local kingdom community. Make a list of
the problems and evil that cause suffering in your community, for your people, and
for your families. Make a list of challenges you need to solve together in order to
send off multitudes of disciples into people groups with no kingdom community and
no known followers of Jesus.

Discuss which of the problems you identified most hinders your ability to fulfill your
covenant responsibility at this time. Reflect together on the roots or sources of these
problems. Then pray. Ask God to show you a solution to this problem. Ask Him to
reveal who among you must work on addressing this problem. Ask Him for grace and
power to work together to overcome the evil and suffering around you for His glory.

Get Involved

Together with your study group, consider the families in your local kingdom
community. Reflect on the domain or area of your society where they work and live.
Are some in government work, or teachers, or working in business? Are some doctors
or nurses? Are others engineers, farmers, or community workers? Make a list of all
these domains or areas. These are the areas where your local kingdom community
has opportunity to overcome evil with good through God’s power. God transforms
society through His people.

169
 Chapter 5 - The Worldwide Spread of God’s Kingdom

Organize meetings for all the people working in a certain domain, such as in business,
so that they might talk together about ways to overcome evil with good works in their
unique domain.

Organize separate meetings to discuss problems off of your original list so that all
families in the local kingdom community might discuss ways to work together
across domains to overcome that evil with good works.

Actively engage in overcoming evil with good in your community and among your
people so that you might reveal the glory of God and His kingdom rule to all who see
your local kingdom community.

170
 Conclusion

Conclusion
Once we know the Great Story, God community around your true identity
opens our eyes and ears to understand the and purpose as God’s people.
Bible more clearly. He reveals His work
in history, and in the world around us in Celebrate
our own generation.
Plan a time to celebrate God’s work
The revelation of God changes our lives. It among your people as a conclusion to
assures us of our true identity. It gives us this study. Celebrate His blessing on
purpose. It awakens us to our own covenant your people and the opportunity He gives
responsibility, and the part our people must you to bless others on His behalf as His
play in His plan to bless all peoples. ambassadors.

Reflect on Your Journey Create a special prayer, song, poem, drama,

dance, or other expression that tells God
As your study group concludes your time what you think and how you feel about
together, reflect on the ways God opened His work to restore you and your people
your ears and eyes to the Bible and the to good relationship with Him. Tell Him
Great Story during this season together. your thoughts and feelings about His work
to restore His rule over all creation.
Make a list of challenges you need to
resolve together in order to send off Offer Him acceptable worship from
multitudes of disciples into people a pure heart. Celebrate God with your
groups with no kingdom community people in ways that reflect the unique
and no known followers of Jesus. Begin nature of your own culture. Worship Him
to organize the life of your own kingdom as only your people can.

Celebrate His blessing on your people and the

opportunity He gives you to bless others on His behalf
as His ambassador.

171
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Bibliography
An Insider View. USA: Common Ground Consultants, Inc., 2006.
Catalyst: Training for Pioneer Mobilization and Member Care Teams. North
Carolina: Global Teams, 2005.
Graham, D. Bruce. “Becoming a Participate in God’s Story among the Nations.”
Unpublished manuscript, 2007.
Hawthorne, Steve. Perspectives on the World Christian Movement: Study Guide (1999
Edition). Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1999.
Huneycutt, Yvonne D. “Adapting the Historical Section in the Curriculum
Perspectives on the World Christian Movement for Non-American Contexts.”
Unpublished manuscript. 2004.
Johnson, Todd. “Priority Peoples: A Customized Approach.” Mission Frontiers.
Pasadena, CA: U.S. Centter for World Mission, January 2005.
Johnson, Todd. “World Christian Trends, Update 2007.” Lausanne World Pulse. 4
August 2008 http://www.lausanneworldpulse.com/research.php/766/08-2007.
Lewis, Jeff. God’s Heart for the Nations. Colorado: Caleb Project, 2002.
Lewis, Jonathan, Editor. World Mission: An Analysis of the World Christian
Movement (2nd Edition). Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 1994.
Lewis, Rebecca Winter. “Underground Church Movements: The Surprising Role
of Women’s Networks.” International Journal of Frontier Missiology 21:4
(2004): 145-150.
Naja, Ben. Releasing the Workers of the 11th Hour: The Global South and the Task
Remaining. Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2007.
Russell, Walter. Intertestamental and New Testament Periods from a Missiological
Perspective. Unpublished manuscript.
Ridgway, John. “Insider Movements in the Gospels and Acts.” International Journal
of Frontier Missiology 24:2 (2007): 77-86.
Sande, Ken. The Peacemaker, 3rd Edition. Dartmouth, MA: Baker Books, 2004.
Winter, Ralph and Hawthorne, Steve, Editors. Perspectives on the World Christian
Movement: A Reader (4rd edition). Pasadena, CA: William Carey Library, 2008.

To purchase many of these resources or others like them,

contact William Carey Library (www.WCLBooks.com)

172
 Appendix A - For Leaders

Appendix A
For Leaders—How to Use This Resource
The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose can be adapted for formal training in
a classroom, or used informally to train your family or community group. All the
information you need to guide yourself and others through the material is included.
There is not a separate leader manual or instructor guide.

Each people group passes on knowledge and experience in different ways. We

believe you are best qualified to decide how the stories and learning experiences in
this material will best be passed on to your group. We provide only a few helpful
guidelines for using this material.

We designed this material for use in community. While you may study it alone, you
will receive the most benefit from sharing it together with your family or others you
engage with regularly. This allows you to search the Scriptures together and see
what God reveals to you. Remember to include women, youth, and even interested
children, as God speaks through the mouth of a meek child as readily as a learned
pastor or educated leader.

Part One. General Information

Part Two. A Guide to Leading a Lesson Study

173
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Part One. General Information

Who are the right students for this study?

This study will most benefit families, groups, or individuals who desire to learn more
about God’s story, and about how their own people’s story connects with God’s story.
The study will also provide valuable training for those
Knowledge and wisdom already at work sharing His story with other peoples of
the world as well as those preparing to go.
in this material comes
through stories from the Because the foundation for this study is a story, there
are no age limits for students. It is helpful to have some
Bible, history, and the knowledge of the Bible before you begin the study, but
experiences of others. there are no requirements for what a student must already
know. A man with training in a seminary may benefit as
greatly as a youth with little training at all, provided both have interest.

Where should you meet together?

While you may adapt this material for use in a classroom setting, we recommend most
groups use it in whatever place and fashion you normally pass on stories, knowledge,
wisdom, and experience to your own family and community. Perhaps you meet
at home, or around the evening fire, or under a tree. Perhaps you have some other
community building you use for such purposes. Meet wherever your group will most
recognize this study as a time for community learning, discussion and interaction, and
as a time for meeting God.

How often should you meet together?

This text tells God’s Story from the beginning to the present day. We tell the story
across five chapters.
▪ Chapter One reveals God’s story as recorded in the Old Testament of the Bible.
▪ Chapters Two, Three, and Four reveal God’s story as recorded in the New
Testament of the Bible.
▪ Chapter Five reveals God’s story as recorded in the records and traditions of world
history from the first century until our own day.

Each chapter contains three lessons full of stories from that time in history. There are
fifteen lessons all together.

Each lesson contains several stories to read, tell or act out. Each story teaches
something important for you to know about God, His story, and humanity. Additional
information provides explanation or extra insight about the story. There are questions
to discuss and activities to complete. These give the Holy Spirit opportunity to reveal

174
 Appendix A - For Leaders

Himself to you and your group as you engage with His story in a new way. Finally,
there are prayers for your group to pray together.

There are several ways to cover the material in this course. You can meet once or
twice a week for fifteen weeks to study one lesson each week. You can meet for one to
two days on five different weekends or holidays to study one complete Chapter each
time. You can meet for one to two full weeks for an intensive study of one Chapter
every one to two days. You must decide the schedule that will best meet the needs of
your group.

What is the role of the teacher or leader?

This study moves away from a traditional lecture format of learning. The knowledge
and wisdom in this material comes through key stories selected from the Bible, from
history, and from the experiences of others. It is our hope that you will allow the
Scripture itself, along with the Holy Spirit, to be the teacher or instructor. Learning
and transformation take place as your group experiences these stories, discusses them,
searches the Scriptures together, prays together, and listens to the Holy Spirit.

The telling of the story has larger margins, like the text in this paragraph.
The margins are wider than those in the rest of the text. This helps you
separate the story from the information about it.

The text that explains or gives more information about a story looks like the text in
this paragraph. The margins are normal. This text helps you understand the main
points of the story, and helps you see how each story you study reveals something
important about God’s Great Story.

» You will find questions throughout the lesson in boxes like this.
Whenever you come to questions, stop and discuss them.

This gives God the opportunity to work the truth you have The responsibility of
seen and heard in the stories into your mind and heart. As we
allow Him the chance to do this, God turns our information the group leader is to
into true knowledge, wisdom, and understanding. He turns engage the community
our hearts and minds towards Him. He uses this process of
studying the Bible this way to change us. The questions are in the story, then to
a crucial part of this study and time should always be given guide the discussion
to discuss them.
and reflection that
Therefore, the responsibility of the group leader is to engage takes place.
the community in the story, then to guide the discussion
and reflection that takes place through use of the questions and activities. There will
be some need at times to read or teach some of the material to emphasize key ideas.
However, most of the teaching comes through the stories themselves.

175
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Part Two. A Guide to Leading a

Lesson Study
How should you prepare for each meeting?

While you know best how to lead a meeting with your own group, we think you will
find the following considerations helpful as you prepare to guide others in this study.
As you prepare a lesson, we suggest you do the following.
1) Reflect first on the lesson title and how this lesson connects with the
Great Story unfolding throughout this material.
2) Once you have a clear sense of how this lesson fits with the others,
look through the section titles to see the important events and topics
covered in this lesson.
3) Make a note of each place you see questions in the lesson text. When
your group meets together to study this lesson, make sure you stop at
each question box to discuss and reflect on what God reveals to you.
4) Once you have a clear sense of how the lesson flows, make yourself
familiar with the stories and text in this lesson by reading them
through.
5) Look at the questions and begin to think about how you might
answer each question. Many of these questions do not have one right
answer, but ask you to reflect and allow God to reveal Himself to
you. Therefore, it is important to consider your answers but also be
open to how God will reveal Himself to your group as you study
together.

Pray for your group, your family, your community, and all who study this material with
you. Ask God to faithfully come to your people as you meet together, revealing Himself
to you. Ask Him to reveal any obstacles your group must deal with in order to see and
hear from God together so that you might address the obstacles and overcome them.

What should you do when you come together?

Discuss and seek answers Make time to review the material you have learned so far.
Discuss how you are applying it, and how it is making a
together, so that you may difference in your group. Discuss how God is revealing
experience the Holy Spirit Himself and demonstrating His love and power through
this study, perhaps even since the last time you were
building up your group together. You can do this every time you meet, or as
through the contributions you prepare to begin a new chapter. Be sure you hear
from everyone in the group, as God will speak through
of each member. weak and strong, old and young, men and women.

176
 Appendix A - For Leaders

When you are ready to begin a new chapter or a new lesson, help the group step back
and look at the big story of all history, from Creation to the present. Introduce the new
chapter and new lesson in the context of this Great Story.

You will need to design your time together around your own practices or traditions for
learning. However, we suggest that you always include the following elements in your
study design.
1) Engage in the stories. Connect others to the stories in some way. You
can read a story aloud, tell a story, act out a story together, or use
pictures or other objects to represent the story. There are many ways
to share each story with others, but learning the stories in the Bible is
a very important part of this study. For instructions on how to study
the stories in the Bible in a way that allows God to reveal Himself to
you, see How to Study the Bible to Be Transformed on page 5.
2) Discuss the questions provided and do the activities suggested. You
can usually find the answers to these questions in the section above
them. In many cases, there is not one right answer.
Instead, the answer is for you to explore through However you conduct
discussion with your group, praying, searching
the Bible, and hearing from God.
your study, whether
in a formal training
If you think about answers to these questions
before the group meeting, that is good. Make sure setting or informally
you open the questions for discussion and allow with others, allow
others to reflect and answer during the meeting
time. Be open to learning something new as yourselves to
God reveals Himself to your group. We designed experience God’s story.
these questions for your group to discuss and seek
answers together, so that you may experience the Holy Spirit building
up your group through the contributions of each member.
3) Make time for listening to and responding to God together in prayer.

If you give assignments for students outside of the meeting time, we suggest you
assign them the study of the stories from a lesson. Follow the guidelines for study in
How to Study the Bible to Be Transformed on page 5. You can choose to assign the
stories from the lesson you covered, for further study. Or, you can choose to assign the
stories from the lesson you will study next, in preparation. At the end of each chapter,
you may also assign activities from the section called “Apply What You Learn.”

However you conduct your study, whether in a formal training setting or informally
with others, allow yourselves to experience God’s story. We experience this through
the stories of others, and as we consider our own experiences and stories. We learn to
connect our stories to the greater story God reveals throughout history.

Allow God to instruct you through these experiences, as you gain understanding and
wisdom, and knowledge of principles you can use the rest of your life. This is the

177
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

normal way of learning—through stories and experiences. We invite you to learn

normally, not just academically.

Finally, we urge your group to remember Paul’s good teaching for Timothy, “And the
things you have heard me say in the presence of many witnesses entrust to reliable
men who will also be qualified to teach others” (2 Timothy 2:2).

We specifically designed this manual for use in this manner. Entrust the knowledge
you find here to reliable men and women who will be qualified to teach others. Expect
that those who receive the knowledge through your efforts can go out from your study
and entrust it to others in like manner, all for the glory of God.

178
 Appendix B - Making plans

Appendix B
Making Plans—Imagine What God Can
Do Through You
The questions at the end of lesson 14 help you identify a people group to whom your
people can go and introduce the kingdom. The first step is to select a specific people
group to pray for regularly. Maybe God has already instructed your people to go to
a specific people group. Maybe through answering the questions in this section, God
will direct you further in this area.

The questions below will help you make plans to introduce the kingdom to another
people in a way that best suits your people and best honors that people and God.

Get to Know Another People Group

Learn the Story of Another People
Consider What Your People Can Do

179
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Get to Know Another People Group

Once you select a people group, you can begin learning about that group, praying
for them, and, hopefully, getting to know some families from that group. There are
several ways to do this.

Read what others write about them.

If you have access to a library, either in a city or at a university, you can likely find
books with information about peoples. If not books, you may find magazine or
newspaper articles. You can read about them on the internet.

Remember that all information others write reflects their own perspectives, biases,
and perhaps even prejudices. Consider the information you read carefully, but do not
assume it is all true for everyone in the people group you selected.

The following resources are prepared by Christian groups for finding information
about the peoples of the world.
• Operation World by Patrick Johnstone and Jason Mandryk (www.
operationworld.org)
• The World Christian Encyclopedia by David Barrett, George Kurian,
and Todd Johnson (www.gcts.edu/ockenga/globalchristianity)
• The World Christian Database (www.worldchristiandatabase.org)
• The Joshua Project database (www.joshuaproject.net)

You can also find information about the languages of the world at www.ethnologue.com.

These are just a few of the resources available. While we recommend you make use of
resources prepared by Christian groups, we also recommend you use resources from
other groups as well.

Talk to people from this group.

A good way to learn about a people group is to get to know someone from that
group and his or her family. You can interview them, asking them questions to help
you learn more about their culture, their way of life, the things they do, and more.
Interview many people if you can, since every individual will understand his or her
people in a different way.

Remember that an interview is a chance to learn, not a chance to judge or teach

others. Listen and allow God to reveal to you how He is at work in this person’s life,
family, and people.

Talk to others who know this people group.

If others you know live or work among this people, interview them to find out what
they know.

180
 Appendix B - Making plans

Learn the Story of Another People

The following sections give you ideas for areas to explore as you learn about another
people group. It will take a long time to learn the answers to all of these questions.
Use this section as a map to guide you as you open your hearts to this people and
allow God to reveal more to you about them.
» What is this people’s unique story?
» Who are these people, where do they come from, and what is their
history? Who are their ancestors? How large is their group? What are
the important smaller stories that make up their story?
» Where do they live? What is life like in that environment? Are they
cut off from other peoples and difficult to reach? Are they mixed
into large cities and difficult to reach? Is this people group scattered
across a large area, covering multiple countries? Is this people group
congregated together in a small region?
» In what ways do you see their story as part of God’s Great Story?
Apart from the smaller stories in Genesis 1-11, are there other parts of
their story, or references to their people, in the Bible?
» What is the identity of this people?
» What do these people do? What is their trade or profession? What
unique skills or crafts do they possess? What are the events and traits
about the story of this people that make them feel most proud of their
identity?
» What languages do they speak? Which A good way to learn
language is their heart language, or the
language in which they most comfortably about a people group is
communicate? to find someone from
» What do you know about this people’s
worldview? What do they know about life that group and get to
and death? What do they understand about know that person and
humanity – our origins and purpose on
earth? What do they know about Creation his or her family.
– the plants, animals, the universe?
» What do you know about their societies and families? How are
families organized? Who are the family and community leaders? How
are decisions made? How do they pass along knowledge from one
generation to another? Who teaches the customs and traditions?
» Where do you see the kingdom of God already present among this people?
» Has anyone introduced the Kingdom of God to this people at some
point? Is there already a kingdom community growing among this
people in their villages, towns, or cities? Is the Good News of the
kingdom spreading naturally among the people like yeast through
the dough?
» Are there any known followers of Jesus from this people group?
How do the followers of Jesus relate to their own people? Have they

181
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

changed their own natural identity in important ways to separate

themselves from their people? Is the Good News able to spread
through them like yeast spreading through dough? If the followers
of Jesus are cut off from their people, is there any way they might be
encouraged to restore relationship with their people for the sake of the
kingdom of God?
» Are there sent-out disciples already at work among this people?
» Are there others followers of Jesus living or working among this
people who are already seeking to introduce the kingdom?
» Are there other people groups living among or near this people that
have kingdom communities growing within them? Are there any
barriers that might keep this people from accepting the Good News
from those nearby kingdom communities? Is there any way these
nearby kingdom communities might be encouraged to reach out and
bless this people group?
» Is the Bible available in the heart language of this people either in
book or audio form? Is any part of the Bible available? If there is no
Bible available now, is anyone working on that project? Are there any
resources available in this language that might be appropriate (and not
confusing or offensive) for these people to see or use?
» In what ways is God already at work among this people group?
» What is the religious life of this people like? Are they very religious?
Do they practice their religion often? Are they devout and sincere in their
faith? Is their religion an important part of their identity and their culture?
» What is the spiritual life of this people? Are they eager to talk about a
creator? Do they believe the story of the Creator God is part of their
own story? Are they open to speaking of God’s story? Do they already
include Jesus as part of their story in some way? Do they include and
understand a kingdom of God and a kingdom of darkness?
» Where do you see God already at work among this people? In what
places and ways are they already seeking truth, seeking righteousness,
or seeking the kingdom of God? What traditions or customs reveal
that this people once knew the truth about God, and once had good
relationship with him?
» What is life like for this people today?
» What are the challenges currently facing this people? Are they facing
political challenges, such as oppression, occupation or war? Are they
facing economic challenges such as food shortages, unemployment, or
other hardships – including too much wealth? Are they facing social
challenges, such as young people leaving families for the city and
falling into various forms of destructive behavior? Do they face other
significant social challenges?
» What concerns them most? What things most worry or frighten them?
What would they most like to see happen for the good of their people?
» Dream and pray about what God might want to do in and through this people group.
» Where do you see places to introduce the kingdom into communities

182
 Appendix B - Making plans

and families so that it can naturally spread like yeast through dough
throughout this people group?
» What do you think are some of the most significant barriers that will
hinder your people from communicating the Good News well with this
people? What do you think are some of the most significant barriers
that might hinder this people from receiving and
accepting the Good News? How might God want In what ways is
you to overcome those barriers? God already at
» What do you think are some of the most significant
bridges or helps to your people communicating the work among this
Good News well with this people group? What do people group?
you think are some of the most significant bridges
or helps to this people receiving and accepting the Good News? How
might God want you to use these bridges or areas of common ground
to connect your people and theirs?

183
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Consider What Your People Can Do

As you reflect on the information you gather in your work above, ask God to reveal
what He wants to do in and through this people group, and how He wants your people
to be part of that.
» Pray specifically about the following decisions.
» Who will you send to live and work among this people group? What
families or groups are able and best suited to go to this people? Where
will they go to live among them?
» How will they go about learning the language and new culture? What
will they do to support themselves while living there? How might they
fit into and bless the community where they go to live and work?
» What will your communication and reporting structure be between
those sent out and those that remain among your people? How will you
support and stay connected with those you send out while they are there?
» Think about your plan.
» What can you do to demonstrate God’s love and lift up Jesus and
His kingdom? How can you take precautions to be servants of God,
introducing His kingdom, and not servants of your own people,
introducing your own natural identity and religious practices? How
will you know when you have earned the privilege to speak to this
people?
» How can you make the Bible accessible to these people in their own
language, and in a format that is sensitive to their own culture and easy
for them to understand?
» What needs does this community feel they have that your people could
help them to meet? Where are the suffering? In what ways could you
serve and honor them?
» Keep the end goals in mind.
» How will you know when God has introduced the kingdom to the
new people group? How will you know when it is time to leave and
allow the gospel to naturally spread there through the work of the
Holy Spirit and the new kingdom community?
» How will you make sure the natural leaders lead the work of naturally
spreading the kingdom among them, so that the new kingdom
community does not depend on outsiders to grow and spread?
» How will you quickly involve new followers of Jesus as sent-out
disciples to bless other people groups?
» Consider how you might collaborate with others.
» How might you work together with others to introduce the kingdom
to this people? What might your people contribute? What might others
contribute?
» How will you learn from the Bible and from others about the work
you set out to do? How will you allow the Scripture to train and guide
you in your work among another people group? Who will hold you

184
 Appendix C - Optional Chapter

accountable to following the Word of God Ask God to reveal

rather than your own way?
» How will you share what God does in and what He wants to do
through you with others? How will you in and through this
share with your own people? How will
you share with others in the global body of people group, and how
Christ? Remember to share your mistakes He wants your people
as well as your successes, so that we can all
learn and grow together. to be part of that.
» What will it take to see multitudes of people
follow Jesus from among this people group? What will it take to see
the kingdom of God spread throughout their people in miraculous and
exciting ways, and from them to others as well? Whatever God reveals
to you, work towards that end!

185
The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

186
 Appendix C - Optional Chapter

Appendix C
Optional Chapter—The Story of Your
People and the Great Story
The Bible reveals the Great Story of God at work in history. It connects us all to the
story, and the role we can play in it. The Bible is a record of many smaller stories that
together reveal God’s purpose and plan for humanity. These smaller stories tell the
story of God at work among the peoples of the Middle East from the beginning of
time until the first century A.D.

There are many other smaller stories we could tell. Every people has a collection of
smaller stories that together reveal the story of God at work among their own people,
within their own region, interacting with peoples from all over the world. Do you
know your own stories?

This Optional Chapter gives you help in gathering the stories of your people that
reveal God’s story in and through you. We provide a general outline you can follow
to create three unique lessons on this topic to include in your study. However, you are
free to compile and share these in the way that is best for your people.

This Optional Chapter gives you help in compiling the stories of

your people that reveal God’s story in and through you.

We recommend that before you begin you consider the following general guidelines
for development:
1) A project like this is best done with others. We recommend you
find a group who will commit to developing this Optional Chapter
together with you.
2) This is an opportunity to explore God’s story among your people.
That means it is important for you to look with a wide view to see
God at work. This should not be a history of only your denomination
or church tradition. That would result in too narrow an understanding
of the Great Story and God’s purpose for your people. Keep this in
mind as you proceed.
3) Spend time exploring resources to learn all you can about this
topic. Find written records of history, or other written works. More
importantly, talk to people who know the stories and traditions of
your people. Always remember to give others credit for their work
in the end.

187
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Finally, consider the world’s common understandings of history as you examine your
own. You will find these perspectives reflected in the records and stories of history.
Some believe that history repeats itself in endless cycles, with no purpose or goal or
meaning for life and events. Some see history not as God’s story, but as Man’s story,
as he conquers nature and overcomes his primitive ways by increasing in knowledge
and skills. Some see history as a collection of chaotic and diverse events with no story
or sequence to them at all.

The Bible reveals another understanding of history. It demonstrates that God creates
the world and initiates work throughout history in order to accomplish a specific
purpose. History has a beginning and an end, and the time between reveals God’s
work in the world and humanity’s response to God. History is a story, revealed
through His work in, among, and through us.

Lesson A. The Great Story is the Story of Your People

Lesson B. The Kingdom of God Comes Near to You
Lesson C. Your People and God’s Covenant

188
 Appendix C - Optional Chapter

Lesson A. The Great Story is the Story of

Your People
We know that the Great Story is the story of all peoples. We all descend from the
same ancestors. While there are tens of thousands of peoples living in the world
today, we all trace our stories to the seventy families scattered throughout the earth in
Genesis 11 and, before that, to the sons of Noah in Genesis 10 or even to the sons of
Adam in Genesis 5.

This lesson allows you to collect the stories of God revealing Himself to your people in
the earliest days of your ancestors from the Creation until the time Jesus comes to earth.

The Early Story of Your People

How far back can you trace your ancestors? Can you trace your history to the families
of the earth in Genesis 11, or to the descendents of Adam or Noah? Not all peoples
have enough information to make these specific connections, but many do.

Even if you do not know details, you know these are the stories of your people, as
they are the stories of all peoples. This part of lesson A is a place for you to tell the
early stories of your ancestors.

Your People and Abraham’s Family

Once God selects Abraham and makes His covenant promise with him, Abraham’s
family is set apart with a blessing so that they might bless all the other peoples of
earth. God leads Abraham’s family, later called Israel,
the Hebrews, and eventually the Jews, to encounter Collect the stories of
many peoples of Africa, Asia, and even Europe. The Old God revealing Himself
Testament contains stories about many of these encounters.
to your people in the
Are there stories about your ancestors in the Old Testament earliest days of your
record? Do your people interact with Abraham’s natural
family at any point in your history? This part of lesson A ancestors from the
is a place for you to tell the stories of your people from the Creation until the time
time they were scattered in Genesis 11 until the time that
Jesus comes to earth. Jesus comes to earth.
God Reveals Himself to Your People

We know God and His story, because He chooses to reveal Himself to us. The Apostle
Paul teaches that, “…since the creation of the world God’s invisible qualities—His
eternal power and divine nature—have been clearly seen, being understood from what
has been made, so that men are without excuse” (Romans 1:20). At one time, our
ancestors know and worship the Most High God.

189
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

However, most of our ancestors begin to seek their own way. They allow God’s
enemy to distort what they once knew about God. They even forget Him. They begin
to worship other gods. Paul describes how this happens, “For although they knew
God, they neither glorified Him as God nor gave thanks to Him, but their thinking
became futile and their foolish hearts were darkened. Although they claimed to be
wise, they became fools and exchanged the glory of the immortal God for images
made to look like mortal man and birds and animals and reptiles” (Romans 1:21-22).

All our traditions and customs contain reminders of a time when our ancestors
worshipped God. We can find eternity and truth in the hearts of our people, and in our
ways of living.

Our disobedience is a sad and shameful part of all our stories. But merciful God
desires to restore a good relationship with each of us. God reveals Himself directly to
us again, through prophets, visions, dreams, and through Jesus. He reveals Himself
through Creation. He reveals Himself through our very
Recognize the many conscience and soul, and through the culture of our own
ways God reveals people.
Himself to your people This part of lesson A is a chance to recognize the many
throughout the ages. ways God reveals Himself to your people throughout the
ages. Where do you find evidence that your ancestors
knew and worshipped the Most High God in your traditions and customs? After your
people forget God and begin to seek after your own way, how does God continue to
reveal Himself to you? Does He send prophets to your people at different times? Do
your ancestors see visions or dreams, or encounter holy men and women of God?

This part of lesson A gives you a chance to explore how God is at work among your
people from the beginning of time, revealing Himself and His story to you. Lesson B
is a time to explore how the Good News of the kingdom and of Jesus comes to your
people.

190
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Lesson B. The Kingdom of God Comes

Near to You
God loves you and desires to restore His good relationship with you and His kingdom
rule among your people. At some point in your story, He sends the kingdom of God
near to you in a new way. You receive His blessing and learn the story of Jesus alive
on earth. Your people remember God’s love for them. Some of your people choose to
repent and follow God again. They become followers of Jesus, God’s Promised Son.

Perhaps it begins with one individual in one family who hears God works through
of Jesus and shares it with others. Perhaps it begins with God
revealing Himself to a larger group. Once God introduces all events of
the kingdom, it naturally spreads throughout your people. A history, including
kingdom community grows among you.
our sorrows and
Lesson B explores this part of your story, remembering the tragedies, as well
important people and events that brought the Good News of
the kingdom of God very near. Remember, as you tell your as through our
story, that God works through all events of history, including victories. They are
our sorrows and tragedies, as well as through our victories.
They are all part of His story. all part of His story.
Governments and cultures and ideologies, as well as catastrophes and injustices and
foreigners, all play a part in His work. They might at times quicken or even help the
Good News to naturally spread across geographical areas, or across generational
lines. They might at times suppress or even hinder this spread altogether. God’s
adversary is at work among your people, too. Remember that life is a war between
the kingdom of God and the kingdom of darkness, and this is all part of your story.

Your People Encounter the Kingdom of God

This section gives you a chance to tell the stories about how the kingdom of God and
the Good News of Jesus come to your people. Perhaps God introduces the kingdom
to you across many years, through a number of people and events. Perhaps God
introduces the kingdom to you in a dramatic, supernatural way, as a group. This part of
lesson B is a chance to tell how your people received the blessing promised to Abraham in
Genesis 12.

Does someone come to your people to introduce the kingdom? Do they come of
their own will, or does someone bring them to your people against their will? From
what people group do they come?

Do your people learn about the kingdom by going to someone who knows of it? Do
you go of your own will, or does someone or something force you there against your
will? What people introduce the kingdom to you? Whose story touches your story as

191
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

God carries out His plan of using His people to carry the blessing to other peoples?
What people group does God use to bless your people?

How do your people respond to the Good News of the Kingdom? How do you
understand and receive this news? How does God change your understanding of your
identity? How do you grow in knowledge and understanding of God and His purpose?
When does the Bible come to you in your own language? Who brings it to you?

As you reflect on these events, and thank God for including some from among your
people among His people, remember to tell the stories as they are. The Good News
comes through peoples who are not perfect, and who sometimes do harm as well as
good. This is true through all of history.

In some places, the Good News comes to people through conquest or oppression.
In other places, it comes to people when others take them as slaves to another place.
There are often times of sorrow in your story that you may
Celebrate God, who in not wish to remember. But God knows them, and He loves
His mercy made His you. He knows your grief. He wants you to turn to Him for
healing from the pain of injustice and suffering.
love known to you, made
His blessing available God always sees the good deeds people do, as well as their
mistakes or sins. Remember this as you tell these stories.
to you, and gave you an Give honest assessments of the other peoples involved in
identity and purpose. your story, but remember to avoid speaking evil of others.
Retell your stories justly, but beware of judgmental or evil
talk about other peoples or individuals. Most importantly, celebrate God, who in His
mercy made His love known to you, made His blessing available to you, and gave you
an identity and purpose.

The Kingdom of God Naturally Spreads Through Your People

Jesus says, “The kingdom of heaven is like yeast that a woman took and mixed into a
large amount of flour until it worked all through the dough” (Matthew 13:33). Once
God introduces the kingdom to your people, it begins to spread. This part of lesson
B gives you a chance to retell the story of how the yeast of the kingdom works its way
through the dough of your people group.

There are several ways to tell the story of the kingdom spreading through your people.
Consider the following ideas.
▪ You can tell about how the kingdom spreads geographically, from one
village, area, or region to another, then on to another, and so on over time.
▪ You can tell about how the kingdom spreads across the years. Sometimes it
is a good idea to do this by describing what is happening among your people
every 100 years, or perhaps every 500 years.
▪ You can tell the story by highlighting the most important events or turning
points in the spread of the kingdom through your people. For example,

192
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

are there key times when God moves in miraculous ways? Are there times
when there are surges in the movement, and it spreads very rapidly to many
people?
▪ You can tell the story by highlighting the most Allow God to instruct
important people involved in spreading the kingdom
among your people. Are there stories of great men and encourage us today
or women of faith who allow themselves to be used through the stories of
by God in amazing ways in order to see the kingdom
spread among your people? Focus on the people who men and women, weak
worked to see the kingdom spread into new areas, or like us, who allow
advance into new ground. Focus on those who were
pioneers in new work. Tell their stories and remember themselves to be moved
to be honest and fair about both their strengths and by the power of God.
their weaknesses. Remember that God, not man, is the
hero of His story. Allow God to instruct and encourage you today through
the stories of men and women like you who allow themselves to be moved
by the power of God.
▪ You can tell the story by explaining how it spreads from one family to
another, or from one clan or group to another within your people.
▪ You can tell the story by describing how God transforms and changes your
society to reflect the principles and teachings of His kingdom over time. Tell
about how He changes the hearts of your people over time to make them
more like His own heart.
▪ You can tell the story by describing the different strategies your people use
as they work to spread the Good News among your people. Remember to
tell the things that worked well, as well as the things that failed. This is how
we learn and instruct those who follow us.

However you tell the story, reflect with gratitude as you consider the story of God loving
you and pursuing a good relationship with your people. Thank Him for the many lives
and events He uses to introduce the kingdom and to naturally spread it throughout
your own people. Pray that He will continue this work among your own people.

193
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Lesson C. Your People and

God’s Covenant
It is a joy to recall the story of God revealing Himself to your people, then of Him
introducing the kingdom and the Good News of Jesus to you. God loves you so
much He extends the blessing of Abraham—of God’s People—to you.

These stories give us identity as His people and purpose for living. They validate our
people—our traditions and the lives of our ancestors. They show His creative work in
designing each of us to love and serve Him in unique ways.

Just as God made a way for the blessing of Abraham to flow to you, He intends the
blessing to flow out from you to others, as well. The covenant responsibility to bless
the nations is now your responsibility, too. This is part of your inheritance as the
people of God. It is part of your story that you must tell for generations to come.

Your People Send Out Disciples to Bless Other Peoples

Whether your people received God’s blessing many years ago or only very recently,
God wants you to be involved in His work of blessing all peoples. This part of lesson
C allows you to tell the stories of your people at work among the peoples of the earth.

Just as God made a Have your people sent out disciples to work with a kingdom
way for the blessing community within another people group, in order to help the
kingdom naturally spread throughout that group? When did
of Abraham to flow they go? How did they go? What happened? Tell their stories.
to you, He intends
Have your people already sent out disciples to introduce
the blessing to flow the kingdom to another people group? When did they go?
out from you to How did they go? What happened? How did God use them?
Tell their stories.
others, as well.
Remember to share the victories and the defeats, and the struggles and failures and the
triumphs. Celebrate God for giving you this significant part in His story. Celebrate the
ways your people learn and grow through relationship with peoples of other cultures
and traditions.

Join With God in Blessing All Peoples in Our Generation

Often in history before a people sends out disciples, God sends His Holy Spirit to
move among them in a special way, compelling them to go and bless other peoples.
Sometimes this burden spreads like a movement throughout a people, with many
families—young and old alike—volunteering to leave their own people and go out for
the sake of the Good News of the kingdom.

194
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Have you seen God move among your people in this way? How and where did these
movements begin? How did they spread? What was the result? If the movement has
slowed or stopped, what happened to cause this?
How will your people
Often as these movements spread, people develop groups
or even official organizations to help send out disciples to fulfill their covenant
other peoples. Has this happened among your people? This responsibility in the
part of lesson C gives you a chance to tell about how the
Holy Spirit has moved among your people, compelling you days to come, and in
to send out disciples to other peoples. It also gives you this changing world?
a chance to tell about how the organizations, groups, or
communities who send out these disciples begin. Tell how they grow to their current
state. Tell about associations your people join or partnerships they form with other
peoples or groups as you go about this work.

Planning for the Future

Think about the stories you want your children and grandchildren and descendents
to tell about your people and the Great Story. How will your people fulfill their
covenant responsibility in the days to come, and in this changing world? How will
you learn from the success and failure of your past in order to let God transform you
and shape the future of your story?

This part of lesson C gives you a chance to imagine together with others in your study
group how God will use you to carry out His plan to reach the peoples of the earth for
the sake of His glory.

195
The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

196
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Appendix D
Additional Articles
The following articles each explore in more detail important topics mentioned in the material.

Biblical Peacemaking ........................................................................ 198

Helping a Community Meet Its Physical Needs................................. 201

Life is a War Between Spiritual Kingdoms........................................ 203

The Necessity of Bible Translation..................................................... 206

What is God Doing in the World Today?............................................ 208

197
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Biblical Peacemaking
The biblical principles addressed in this ▪ Conflict has the possibility of
article are adapted from Ken Sande’s causing damage to ourselves, to
book The Peacemaker (Baker Books, our families and to our communities,
2004). To find this resource and other which limits the growth of the
useful resources on this topic see www. kingdom of God.
peacemaker.net.
▪ God makes a way for His people to
STORY FOR STUDY: ACTS 15:36-41 resolve conflict and establish peace.

What happens when there is conflict When we are in conflict God wants us to
among God’s people? Paul and Barnabas work through disagreements in truth and
disagree about John Mark going with love. Then peace and spiritual growth
them on their next journey. may result. Being at peace does not mean
we agree on everything. It does not mean
Paul does not want to take him. Barnabas that everything changes.
wants to take him. They each have
reasons for their positions. Because of Peace is not the absence of conflict.
their disagreement they do not continue Sometimes conflict is small and simple,
to travel together (Acts 15). John Mark like disagreeing about what to eat.
travels with Barnabas and Paul travels Other times conflict is widespread
with Silas. and complicated, like the current
disagreements between the Jewish people
However, we know from II Timothy 4:11 of Israel and the Palestinian Arabs.
that Paul later changes his attitude about
John Mark. This change shows the work of Conflict itself is neither good nor bad. It is
the Holy Spirit among followers of Jesus not a problem. It defines one way people
to heal disagreements and bring peace. relate to one another. Conflict exists
How does this change occur? How does wherever two or more people exist.
peace come out of conflict?
Many people do not resolve conflict well.
Answers to these important questions will Conflict becomes a problem when we
determine the success of God’s people in shame and dishonor others or when we
expanding the kingdom of God on earth in do not resolve it correctly.
our generation. There are many examples ▪ We avoid it or pretend we are at
from history of disagreements within peace when we are not.
God’s people that destroy opportunities
for them to show the glory of God to the ▪ We hide from the results of our
rest of the world. May it not be so for our wrong behavior.
generation!
▪ We use force to resolve it. We
try to attack or accuse others or
We must accept the following truths.
control situations so we can get
▪ There will be conflict when we try the results we want.
to work with others.

198
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Each of these approaches is a mistake point out our sin (Psalm 139:23,
that leads to death or destruction. Each Proverbs 27:6).
approach makes conflict worse. The
Bible teaches us a better way. 2) We repent and confess our sins
before God and before others
(Matthew 7:1-5, Proverbs 28:13,
James 5:16, I John 1:9).
Conflict becomes a problem
3) We seek to restore what we
when we shame and dishonor have taken from others, whether
others or when we do not material goods or honor or safety
(Numbers 5:5-7, Proverbs 19:19,
resolve it correctly. Luke 19:1-10).
4) We worship God, seeking our joy
Glorify God (Proverbs 3) and fulfillment from Him alone
(Hebrews 12:28-29, Romans 12:1,
We glorify God by obeying His teachings Psalm 100).
and seeking to live like Jesus. Conflict is an
opportunity to show we trust God. We must Care for Others
ask ourselves how we might please God and
bring Him glory through current conflicts. If we see a brother or sister caught in
sin, we want to find a way to restore him
Examine Ourselves Carefully or her to fellowship with God and with
the kingdom community. We have a
Conflict is seldom the fault of one person responsibility to share truth with one
or group. When we think someone else is another. This is an act of kindness and
entirely to blame, we must consider our love, not an act of anger or punishment.
own responsibility in the situation.
We must be gentle and not cause shame
We must ask ourselves how we contribute for the person or family involved. Peace
to the conflict through our own wrong not only depends on our message, but also
attitudes, thoughts and actions. How do on how we deliver it. Gentle answers turn
we contribute to the conflict through away anger but a harsh answer makes the
sinful words and behavior? problem worse (Proverbs 15).

Remember that even good intentions The bruises of a friend are far more
might lead us to think or act wrongly valuable than the kiss of an enemy
toward others and God. (Proverbs 27). Be ready to be a friend
who gently speaks truth. Speaking the
We must be willing to first look at our own truth is a loving thing to do. It has the
attitudes and actions. In a conflict, Jesus might possibility of being used by God to heal a
want something in our own life to change. brother, a sister, or a relationship.

1) We ask God to reveal our own Consider how you might lovingly serve
failures so that we might confess others by encouraging them to take
them, find healing, and show the responsibility for their contribution in a
power of Jesus at work in us. We conflict (Matthew 18:12-35, Galatians
might also ask others we trust to 6:1, Ephesians 4:29, Romans 12:18).

199
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Be Reconciled to Others How can you demonstrate the forgiveness

of God and encourage reasonable solutions
Actively seek ways to show the to a conflict (Matthew 5:21-26, Colossians
forgiveness and love of God to others. 3:12-17, I Corinthians 6:1-8)?
Focus on finding solutions to conflicts
that will help everyone involved. The way we respond to conflict might be
a great witness of the love of God to the
If two brothers fight over an inheritance, world around us. He teaches us to deal
they might consider ways to divide it that with conflict in ways that are different from
benefits both of them and the kingdom what we might naturally do. Only God
of God. Practical steps might include creates the resulting supernatural unity.
canceling debt, signing an agreement, or
merely showing that both opinions are Paul finally values and loves John Mark
valuable and worth listening to. (II Timothy 4:11). Through the Holy
Spirit, even those of us who have conflict
It is more important to get reasonable and with one another see the value we each
workable solutions to a conflict than to get have.
exactly what we want. It is also important
that all individuals are respected and honored “If it is possible, as far as it depends
as men and women made in the image of on you, live at peace with everyone”
God. This allows God the opportunity to (Romans 12:18).
restore loving relationships.

200
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Helping a Community Meet Its

Physical Needs
How might a community address specific Encourage Others to Take
needs they face? Responsibility to Change Their
Own Community
Many communities need clean drinking
water, health care, basic literacy,
Help people identify their own needs.
education, and skills to find work, keep
Avoid telling them what you think their
jobs, and support families. Some need
biggest problems are. Because you are
training in agricultural methods, animal
an outsider, you probably do not fully
husbandry, food preservation, and in how
understand the situation.
to overcome addictions.

Many individuals also have significant

emotional needs. Many are recovering God will give wisdom and
from the trauma of war or forced direction for even the most
relocation, coping with death and grief,
looking for hope for the future, trying to difficult and complicated
forgive things from the past. problems.
We may need to learn new skills and seek
more training to help a community meet
A community usually knows what its own
some of these important needs. Whatever
needs are. Talk about problems with the
issues a community faces, we can help
appropriate people in the community. Find
by remembering the following basic
solutions that get many people working
principles.
together. Help people think of their own
solutions to their own needs. They know
Work Within the Community Itself what is best to do.
Contact leaders of households or people
of influence. Find those already working
Make Use of Local Resources
to bring change in the community. Join
Do not focus on what the community does
with those who already care for and love
not have. Help them use the resources
the community.
they have—their God-given minds and
their own natural resources.
It is important to work with and through
the leaders of the community. This releases
Many times, good solutions to problems
more resources and avoids damaging
use resources from local businesses, the
relationships.
government, aid agencies, churches,

201
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

and other civic organizations working Find Solutions That Spread

together. Through Families and From
House to House
Beware of taking money from foreigners
because this might come with hidden Involve as many people in the community
expectations that are not good for as possible to work toward a solution.
the community or, later, create more Information spreads and ideas are
problems. implemented effectively when members
of the community go from house to house
teaching and discussing the problem and
Seek Wise, Thoughtful Solutions solutions with one another. All members
of households can be involved, even the
Remember to make sure a solution will children.
actually address the problem at its source,
and get rid of the problem rather than Seek God’s Direction and Remember
addressing one part of a problem. That Change Takes Time
Consider how solutions that solve one New ideas and new ways of doing things
problem might create other problems. take time to gain acceptance. Be patient.
Remember that solutions must always Do not give up or lose hope. God will
build up and strengthen both the families give wisdom and direction for even the
and the whole community. most difficult and complicated problems.

202
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Life is a War Between Spiritual Kingdoms

Conflict between the spiritual kingdoms and destroy us. But Peter reminds us to
of light and darkness is present and real “cast all (our) anxiety on (Jesus) because
for all of us, every single day. We, as He cares for (us)” (I Peter 5:7).
citizens of the kingdom of light, have
a role to play in this war between the God’s Victory
kingdoms. This makes us enemies of the
evil kingdom, open to attack from Satan The Bible also teaches us truths about
and his demons. the victory of the kingdom of God over
evil through Jesus, and about the position
Paul writes, “For our struggle is not and weapons we have to win battles over
against flesh and blood, but against the Satan and his evil kingdom.
rulers, against the authorities, against
the powers of this dark world and against Look at the following verses to learn about
the spiritual forces of evil in the heavenly the victory of Jesus and the destruction of
realms” (Ephesians 6:12). We must the evil kingdom: John 12:31-32, 14:30,
prepare to engage these forces. 16:11; Hebrews 2:14-15; I John 3:8.

Our Enemy God gives Jesus authority and victory

over the enemy and all his power. Jesus
Our enemy goes by many names in gives that same power to His disciples
Scripture, including Satan, our adversary, (see Luke 10:17-19). Jesus even says He
the Devil, the ruler of this world, the gives us the power to “…overcome all the
father of lies, the prince of the power of power of the enemy…” Jesus’ disciples
the air, and the accuser of our brethren. experience this power over demons. Paul
does, too (Acts 16:18).
Look at the following passages to learn
the names and descriptions of the enemy:
Matthew 4:3, 12:24, 13:39; Luke 11:21; God gives Jesus authority
John 8:44, 12:31; II Corinthians 4:4,
11:14; Ephesians 2:2; I Thessalonians and victory over the enemy
3:5; I Peter 5:8; I John 2:22, 4:3, 5:19; and all his power. Jesus gives
Revelation 12:9-10, 20:2.
that same power to His disciples.
Now look at these passages to learn the
ways the enemy works against God’s
kingdom and its citizens: Matthew 13:19; Jesus comforts us by adding, “...nothing
Mark 4:15; Luke 22:31; John 8:44, 10:10; will harm you” (Luke 10:19). Paul
II Corinthians 2:11, 4:3-4, 11:3, 11:13-15, encourages us, saying “If God is for us,
12:7; Ephesians 6:11, 16; I Thessalonians who can be against us?” (Romans 8:31)
2:18, 3:5; I Timothy 3:7; I Peter 5:8; and “…I am convinced that neither death
I John 3:8; Revelation 12:10. nor life, neither angels nor demons, neither
the present nor the future, nor any powers,
Does this enemy sound frightening? Truly neither height nor depth, nor anything else
he is powerful and seeking to steal, kill, in all creation, will be able to separate us

203
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

from the love of God that is in Christ Jesus Declare truth about Satan’s future in
our Lord” (Romans 8:38-39). hell (Matthew 25:41 and Revelation
20:10).
Our Weapons
We only do battle in the name and under
God gives us weapons to fight against the the authority of the Lord Jesus Christ. His
enemy. These weapons are not worldly power and truth are victorious over the
weapons, but have divine power to destroy evil kingdom.
evil strongholds (II Corinthians 10:4).
Victory in Prayer
Look at the following passages to learn
about the weapons God gives you: Genesis We defeat the work of evil by doing battle
3:14-15 (God’s curse of Satan); Matthew against the enemy and his strongholds
4:4-10 (the Word of God); Mark 16:17 through prayer. Praying is a way of
(Jesus’ name); Romans 12:21, 13:12-14; declaring there are things very wrong
II Corinthians 2:10-11 (forgiveness), 6:7; with the world, and pleading with God to
Ephesians 6:13-17; Philippians 2:9-10; I change them.
Peter 4:1-2 (armed with Christ’s intention
to suffer); Revelation 12:11. Paul writes, “For though we live in the
world, we do not wage war as the world
Victory over Evil does. The weapons we fight with are not
the weapons of the world. On the contrary,
When the enemy attacks, we need to they have divine power to demolish
fight back. The best way to fight back is strongholds. We demolish arguments and
to declare truth out loud. Truth is the best every pretension that sets itself up against
kind of attack on the father of lies. Satan the knowledge of God, and we take
will try to accuse you and make you lose captive every thought to make it obedient
your confidence. to Christ” (II Corinthians 10:3-5).

▪ Declare truth about who you are in We pray for individuals, families, areas,
Jesus. Use verses like Romans 8:31, people groups and entire regions. We
Ephesians 1 and 2:4-6. Do not believe intercede and do battle through prayer
the lies. Jesus will help you. on their behalf. People need release
▪ Declare the truth that Jesus has given
from strongholds that keep them blinded
to truth and bound to the enemy and
you authority over all the power of
his kingdom. “The god of this age has
the enemy (Luke 10:19). Declare that
blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that
you are speaking in Jesus’ name and
they cannot see the light of the gospel of
by His authority.
the glory of Christ, who is the image of
▪ Declare truth about the destruction of God” (II Corinthians 4:4).
Satan, his demons and his kingdom.
Jesus has defeated them and they have Binding the Strong Man
no power over Him, His disciples, or
His creation. Jesus speaks of the Enemy as a strong
man who must be bound. How do we
▪ Declare truth that Satan will be cast
bind this strong man (Luke 11:21-22)?
out (John 12:31-32) and that he has
no power over Jesus (John 14:30).

204
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Jesus gives us the power to bind the ▪ Keep alert so that you do not also
Enemy (Matthew 16:19 and 18:18). fall into sin or temptation. “So, if you
think you are standing firm, be careful
▪ Bind the strong man through prayer. that you don’t fall” (II Corinthians
Declare, in the name of Jesus Christ 10:12).
and by His power, that you bind the
spirit afflicting the person or people. ▪ Be persistent in fighting the enemy.
Declare that you break its power, and Keep praying.
release the Holy Spirit to work freely
for God’s good purposes. Be specific
and name people, regions, or areas. Praying is a way of declaring
▪ Declare truth about the Enemy’s there are things very wrong
defeat and destruction.
with the world, and pleading
▪ Believe by faith that the Enemy is bound
with God to change them.
and commit the person or people to God.
Do not give up believing.
▪ Pray for the removal of things that keep Use prayer as a strategy to push forward
people and even people groups from in the battle against the Evil One and to
God. Pray that lies and false teachings defeat evil. Prayer is central to joining God
be torn down. Pray for deliverance in His purposes of restoring humanity and
from the love of this world and the restoring His kingdom rule.
lust of the flesh. Pray God will grant
repentance and forgiveness. Prayer movements go before the spread
of the kingdom among every people
▪ Pray Jesus will draw individuals and
group. There are many ways for you and
peoples to Himself and out of bondage
your family to labor for God’s purpose by
to sin, death, and Satan. Pray God will
engaging in prayer for the peoples of the
remove obstacles so that they may
world.
worship Him. Pray that the Word of
God is known to be truth, and that Jesus
Armed with truth about the enemy and
is known as the revelation of God.
the war, about Jesus and the power of
▪ Let the Holy Spirit teach you how to the kingdom, and about the power Jesus
pray. For focused prayer, ask Him to gives us over evil, we can be confident
reveal to you specific spirits of evil and prepared for whatever trials we face.
and specific areas of bondage under
which the enemy holds people.

205
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

The Necessity of Bible Translation

The facts and statistics used in this Since God uses His Word to tell His story
lesson come from the following useful and to communicate with us, it is very
resources: important for us to hear, read or know His
Word in a language we understand well.
• Todd Johnson’s article “World
Christian Trends, Update 2007” It is also important for all peoples to
published in the Lausanne World understand God’s love for them, their
Pulse online magazine, August culture and their language. Many years
2007 (www.lausanneworldpulse. ago, when a sent-out disciple named
com). Cameron Townsend visited a people group
• The Joshua Project Database in Guatemala, he learned they believed
of people groups (www. God does not speak their language. They
joshuaproject.org). believed this because the only Bible they
knew about was in a different language.
• The June 2000 issue of Mission However, God knows every language and
Frontiers entitled “The State of wants His story known in every people
World Evangelization” (www. group, in every language.
missionfrontiers.org).
• Facts about the progress of Bible
translation today come from An important work in
Wycliffe Bible Translators (www. progress is the translation
wycliffe.org).
of the Bible so others
The Bible is the written truth of the Great can know the truth of
Story. Men and women from Adam and
Eve until our own day pass along the the Great Story in a
story and eventually write it down for language they understand.
everyone to read.

The authors of the books of the Bible write

The task of translating the Bible requires
the stories in their own languages. Over
much time and hard work. It is not a simple
time, men or women who know more than
process of replacing the words in one
one language translate the Bible.
language with words in another language.
Translating the Bible correctly requires an
An important work in progress is the
excellent understanding of culture so that
translation of the Bible so others can
people understand the message.
know the truth of the Great Story in a
language they understand. Today there
This means a word for word translation
are almost 7,000 languages. About 400
is not possible. For example, the prophet
language groups have the whole Bible in
Isaiah says our sins will be white as snow
the language they best understand. Many
or wool (Isaiah 1:18). How do you translate
groups have only parts of the Bible. Over
this for someone who lives in a desert,
2,000 groups have none of the Bible
has never seen snow or wool, or does not
translated into their language.
understand that it is pure and clean?

206
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

Translators must be creative and receive

help from others who understand the
meaning of the message and who help God knows every language
find a way to communicate it effectively. and wants His story known
For example, they might replace the
word “snow” with something else that is in every people group, in
very clean and pure in that culture which every language.
makes the message clear to that people.

Translators must also choose words There are many people and organizations
for “God” and “Jesus” that people around the world dedicated to the task
understand. If they use unfamiliar words of translating the Bible. Wycliffe Bible
for either, it can be confusing or offensive. Translators is one such organization.
All languages have a word for the Most They have many workers and many years
High God. of experience. They use many resources to
communicate God’s Word clearly to people
Sometimes people have an incorrect in a language they understand well.
understanding of what the Most High
God is like and do not understand the Working with organizations like Wycliffe is one
truth about His ways on earth. However, way you might connect with people who are
if translators use the word for God in the spreading the kingdom around the world.
language of the people while revealing We must remember the importance of the
His true character and purpose, the people Word of God to the spread and growth of
will understand Him better than if they kingdom communities in people groups
use an unfamiliar or foreign word. where the truth of Jesus is not yet known.

207
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

What is God Doing in the World Today?

The Bible describes the men of the tribe all peoples. Look for more about these
of Issachar as those “…who understood efforts in lessons 14 and 15.
the times and knew what Israel should
do…” (I Chronicles 12:32). Like them, The Age of Information
we must seek to understand our time, so
that we might know what the people of Information now spreads all over the
God must do. earth at a faster rate than ever before in
history. Through the Internet and mobile
We have the privilege of seeing God’s phone technology, we connect to many
kingdom spread in the world in our people very quickly. We also get more
own day. Current events provide unique information for our daily life, for business,
opportunities for this, different from for farming or for education.
events at any other time in history.
We can even keep up with the daily life
Each opportunity comes with unique of people on the other side of the world.
challenges or obstacles that we must face. Information is both easier to access and
harder to hide.
Ask God to give you understanding as you
read below about five significant trends Our way of life is different from previous
that are changing the world in our day. generations because of new information
technology. We do business differently.
The Global Shift of God’s People We farm and trade differently. We fight
wars differently. We work differently to
For many years after the time of the apostle see change in our community.
Paul, the majority of Jesus’ followers live
in the West (Europe and North America). Communication has also changed. More
Today, according to author Philip Jenkins people can read than ever before. There
in his book The Next Christendom, three are more opportunities to give messages
out of every four followers now live in to those who cannot read by way of
the Global South (most parts of Latin television, radio and film.
America, Africa or Asia).
Like the Roman road system in Jesus’
Also, the people groups that do not yet day, in our day God uses the Internet and
know the Good News live mostly in the global connections as a way for His Good
Global South, near the majority of Jesus’ News to spread quickly to many peoples of
followers. the world it has not reached before.

Who will be responsible for going to these These changes bring both benefits and
peoples and sharing this Great Story? All challenges for God’s people. Some
God’s people must be involved. It also benefits are that we are better informed,
seems God now prepares a large number better connected with others, and better
of His people in the Global South to lead equipped to reach those with the Good
the effort to complete His plan to bless News who are far from us.

208
 Appendix D - Additional Articles

We are challenged to be careful to use seek to preserve their own traditions. We

information cautiously. We must work must understand those who desire to break
harder than ever to guard our speech and from the past and adopt the traditions of
conduct in every area, so that nothing we another people group.
say or do can become a cause for offense
to others who hear our message. We must These changes are important because they
be more careful than ever to state our affect how the kingdom of God becomes
message clearly. real and grows inside a people.

Information technology has a potential to God’s people also have new opportunities
be used for great good or for great evil. We to reach many other peoples by
must strive to use it to communicate the interacting with students, migrants, or
Good News in both what we say and in other foreigners now living among them.
what we do.
There are Somalis in the United States,
Filipinos in the Middle East and Latinos
in India. When the kingdom of God
We must seek to understand spreads to communities in our midst,
our time, so that we they go on to share Jesus with their own
people in other parts of the world.
might know what the
people of God must do. We know God’s plan is for His people to
go to bless other peoples. We also praise
Him for bringing many peoples to us.
The Increased Interaction
Social Awareness
Among Peoples
People all over the world show increased
People move and travel all over the
concern and now take action to make society
world more quickly and easily than
better. There is awareness of injustice and
ever before. Different people groups are
of new ways to bring about change.
interacting with each other. Foreign ideas
and opportunities are more available,
Local and international organizations
especially to young people. Our children
work to combat many evils including
often select careers and lifestyles very
disease, corruption and oppression. They
different from ours.
work through governments, faith groups
and businesses. They might use the
The West sends its products and services
Internet or work with local leaders.
east, and the East sends its students and
ideas west. As different people groups
God’s people must recognize that many
come face to face, they change and adapt.
of these people are working toward the
Some change completely. Some change
kind of restoration that pleases Him. God
only on the surface. Some clash and resist
wants evil and rebellion destroyed and
change. Some appreciate change. Some
He invites His people, in His strength, to
make changes they later regret.
join Him in this.
God’s people must understand these
We must work together with those who are
things. We must understand that people
pursuing the same purpose that God pursues.

209
 The Blessing: God’s Promise, Our Purpose

Rise of Cities are many homeless young people in cities

because they are away from their families
Today there are more people living in and unable to afford housing. There are
cities than there are people living in rural many older people living in rural areas with
areas. There are more than twenty-five no one to care for them as they age because
cities with populations over 10 million. sons or daughters move away.
This is a major historical change that is
changing global economics and politics. We must think about how we, as God’s
people, might meet the challenging
Sometimes men or young people leave problems raised by this trend. Part of the
their families in rural areas and move solution is strengthening the relationships
to the city to find work. In the cities within families and households. This
there are shortages of jobs and housing. is important for the individuals, for
Government services are not prepared to family groups, and for the spread of the
help so many people at the same time. kingdom.
There are new problems to face.
As we consider these changes and others
Families are separated, creating many like them, we seek to understand the
serious problems for wives, children, and times in which we live and know what
for men living alone and far away. There God might have us do.

210
Appendix D - Additional Articles

211