Post by disciple on Apr 27, 2011 16:52:01 GMT -5
In the Gap
Session 4—notes
Seeing a World Full of People without Christ (c. 12)
•Problems with visibility—the reasons we struggle to see & care for people as God does. Reasons: the overwhelming number of people; the geographical, social, cultural, racial, linguistic, & religious differences between us; our own lack of proper information
1. A vision of how we’re similar—need for communication & relationship; basic human needs; need for purpose, Christ, & the gospel
2. A vision of how we’re different—1) geographic location 2) social/cultural practices 3) race 4) language used 5) religious background & beliefs
3. A vision of the many worlds in America—(as of 2010) 500 different people groups; large unreached people groups, such as the Jews, Middle Eastern/Eastern Indian peoples, & French/French Canadian peoples; 58% Caucasian, 15% Hispanic, 12% African-American, 7% Asian.
4. The crucial vision of the hidden people—(as of 2010) Largest religious groups: Muslims (1.6 billion), Hindus (almost 1 billion), the non-religious (almost 1 billion, but probably closer to 2 billion in practice). Largest unreached populations: India (over 2,000 peoples), China (over 400 peoples), Pakistan (nearly 400 peoples).
5. A vision of strategies that fit the mosaic—We must keep the uniqueness of individuals and their cultures in clear focus and learn to love them in their own contexts. Every culture requires uniquely designed strategies & methods if the message is to make sense to them.
Seeing My Own World-Sized Part with Christ (c. 13)
1. With Christ (“follow Me,” Mark 8:34). He wants us to follow Him across the boarders of our familiar friends and family & our own social and cultural securities. He wants to take us out of our personal barriers into His global cause, out where there are no limits on whom He may touch through us.
2. Our part (“lose your life,” Mark 8:34-35). Losing ourselves for Christ’s cause by denying ourselves and taking up the cross is the greatest love we can ever show the world.
3. World-sized (“find life,” Mark 8:35). We help Him harvest those who are reconciled from among the nations. Following Christ points us beyond knowing, purifying, or improving ourselves and points us to multiplying ourselves.
4. A vision of those who have set the pace (previous & current world Christians)
5. A vision to go as far as we can go (not about where we are involved but about who we are reaching)
6. My part needs the Holy Spirit (whenever Christians give top priority to world impact, the Spirit has His greatest freedom in our lives)
7. My part needs the whole Body (the church has many ministries but only 1 mission; we are united in the same global cause)
8. My part needs many mission teams (smaller mission teams can make best use of the church’s many mission opportunities around the world)
Session 4—notes
Seeing a World Full of People without Christ (c. 12)
•Problems with visibility—the reasons we struggle to see & care for people as God does. Reasons: the overwhelming number of people; the geographical, social, cultural, racial, linguistic, & religious differences between us; our own lack of proper information
1. A vision of how we’re similar—need for communication & relationship; basic human needs; need for purpose, Christ, & the gospel
2. A vision of how we’re different—1) geographic location 2) social/cultural practices 3) race 4) language used 5) religious background & beliefs
3. A vision of the many worlds in America—(as of 2010) 500 different people groups; large unreached people groups, such as the Jews, Middle Eastern/Eastern Indian peoples, & French/French Canadian peoples; 58% Caucasian, 15% Hispanic, 12% African-American, 7% Asian.
4. The crucial vision of the hidden people—(as of 2010) Largest religious groups: Muslims (1.6 billion), Hindus (almost 1 billion), the non-religious (almost 1 billion, but probably closer to 2 billion in practice). Largest unreached populations: India (over 2,000 peoples), China (over 400 peoples), Pakistan (nearly 400 peoples).
5. A vision of strategies that fit the mosaic—We must keep the uniqueness of individuals and their cultures in clear focus and learn to love them in their own contexts. Every culture requires uniquely designed strategies & methods if the message is to make sense to them.
Seeing My Own World-Sized Part with Christ (c. 13)
1. With Christ (“follow Me,” Mark 8:34). He wants us to follow Him across the boarders of our familiar friends and family & our own social and cultural securities. He wants to take us out of our personal barriers into His global cause, out where there are no limits on whom He may touch through us.
2. Our part (“lose your life,” Mark 8:34-35). Losing ourselves for Christ’s cause by denying ourselves and taking up the cross is the greatest love we can ever show the world.
3. World-sized (“find life,” Mark 8:35). We help Him harvest those who are reconciled from among the nations. Following Christ points us beyond knowing, purifying, or improving ourselves and points us to multiplying ourselves.
4. A vision of those who have set the pace (previous & current world Christians)
5. A vision to go as far as we can go (not about where we are involved but about who we are reaching)
6. My part needs the Holy Spirit (whenever Christians give top priority to world impact, the Spirit has His greatest freedom in our lives)
7. My part needs the whole Body (the church has many ministries but only 1 mission; we are united in the same global cause)
8. My part needs many mission teams (smaller mission teams can make best use of the church’s many mission opportunities around the world)