In Your Bible Read This
Philippians 1
Here Is Your Memory Verse
I know that through your prayers and the help given by the
Spirit of
Jesus Christ, what has happened to me will turn out
for my deliverance. Philippians 1.19
Afterwards Talk About
This
The value of friendship and what it means to you. Do you have
any
close friends? If not ask for them in prayer and given time
you will see what God does for you.
Something To Do Before
Next Time
Why don`t each of you arrange a meeting at your home to
invite your friends
and explain to them over drinks and snacks what God is saying to
you and
what you hope to do with your life. Raise friends not funds,
dont even mention money.
Written Diploma Work
Practice writing a one page news letter to tell your friends
and your
church what you are doing. Say what it is and why. Tell them
where you
are going, when and who with. Say how you are going to reach your
goal and what the expenses will be.
Meditate On These Verses
Job 16, 20-21
- Spend
a Minute to Change the World
- Pray For The Pacific -
28,000,000 popn, 1,533 peoples
- 75% Christian, in
decline, a few remaining unreached tribes
-
-
Be sure to
teach this lesson to others.
-
Always pray and
prepare well adding
-
your own verses and
stories to bring it to life.
To respond to the call of God and enter the
Great Commission you will have to find a way of living, working
or being supported in your missionary ministry. Some Western
people may be supported by their home church, but they would be
the exception in these days as most of the missionary manpower is
being raised up from the poorer parts of Europe and in the
developing world countries of South America, Africa and Asia
where financial support is difficult to find.
-
See The Kingdom Economy Section
-
This will help everyone in the
developing world churches to find faith for finances and
lots of ideas of how to move forward in the Great
Commission.
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What Happens If Your Church Cannot
Support You?
-
This is not unusual even in the West
where missionary vision is in decline at the moment. Do
not worry if the leaders have to say no to you. There are
other ways, which are even more effective and a greater
blessing than just receiving a cheque each month from the
church treasurer.
What Happens If Your
Church Cannot Support You?
This is not unusual even in the West where
missionary vision is in decline at the moment. Do not worry if
the leaders have to say no to you. There are other ways, which
are even more effective and a greater blessing than just
receiving a cheque each month from the church treasurer.
People Need People.
If all you do is raise funds then all you
get is money to spend. If you raise friends instead, you will
also get their love, their prayers, their advice and wisdom and
their friendship for the years ahead, which is a priceless
blessing. There are many times when money alone is of little
value. Read about Pauls precious partners in Philippians 1.
Lessons From God In Nature
For example, imagine a tree growing strong and upright.
Don't you know that just below the surface it has generated a
whole network of far-reaching roots that provide stability
and nourishment for it. Let the north wind blow, or the
monsoon pour down, our tree stands.
Natures Expert In Networking
Now look at a spider. Just look at the intricate web that
it is giving so much attention to. The spider lives in the
centre of numerous, outstretched diligently woven spokes
which stabilise its home and catch food for it to eat. Let
the wind blow, our spider will still be there tomorrow
morning, comfortably digesting the last meal to be caught!
Raising Friends Not Just Funds
Missionary ministry needs to be two-way
traffic with you at that point where the two roads meet. Ministry
to the unreached peoples is very important but never forget to
minister back to the people who make your work possible. It often
happens that the people who support missions work would love to
go themselves but cannot because of family commitments, age or
infirmity. You are their hands, feet and lips and they would love
to see what you see, hear what you hear and feel what you feel.
Always make sure they do.
Supporters Need Support As Well
Not everyone who supports you will have a live, caring
active church and pastor. It could be that the only person
who prays for them and cares about them is you. Be sure to
live up to your responsibility before the Lord.
Do Unto Others As You Would Have
Them Do Unto You
If you will sow seeds of kindness, concern and generosity
then that is the harvest that you will reap. Little gifts and
postcards make all the difference, especially to house bound
people.
Someone, Somewhere Is Waiting To
Hear From You
You cannot give too much attention to communication.
These days everyone seems to be in such a hurry and no one
has time to give and receive news. Dont you be like
that. Send a picture postcard with a few lines. Send a news
letter regularly and dont forget Christmas and
birthdays. Use the post, the phone which is often cheap at
weekends and at night, use faxes, e-mail, messengers and any
way open to you to stay in touch and say thank you to your
friends who support you.
Keep Your Eyes On Jesus
It is impossible to exaggerate the importance of your
friends. A group of six or maybe a dozen is worth more to you
that whole congregations who have forgotten your name by the
next day. But behind every one is the grace of God, and it is
upon him alone that you must depend with a disciplined holy
life of prayer, faith and trust in his promises.
Where Do You Start?
First, actually make a start, remembering
that signs follow you but rarely come before you act in faith.
Mark 16.17.
Let The People Know
Remember the raising of Lazarus? Jesus did the miracle
but many people were involved in that day. Personally visit
family, and the friends God puts along your path to explain
your vision and ask for their faith and prayers. God may well
prompt them to ask you about support then or later on but be
their friend and ask for their friendship before you involve
money. When they do give to you, always be very, very
thankful. They are the grace of God to you.
Know Your Facts, Make A Budget
Divide your need to make your goal more manageable. For
example 10,000 pesetas a month is just 10 people each giving
1,000 pesetas monthly. You can easily talk about 1,000
pesetas but 10,000 might make you shy.
Watch Out For Your Jugular !
The enemy loves to squeeze the jugular vein of finances
because he knows that if he does life slows down. Watch out
for his attacks and never, ever give in to his temptations to
manipulate stories or people, or to be lax in your own giving.
He may tempt you to compromise your call or integrity to get
money, or to take people for granted because they have money.
Stay close to God, forgive all who do not help you, and
always make your friends your VIPs.
Taken from the
Joshua Project Unreached Peoples List
these people have no church and as yet
no cell, church or mission has committed themselves
to prayer, adoption or church planting among this people.
China
|
People
Name |
Language |
Population
|
Wunai |
Bunu, Wunai |
13,000
|
Yang Huang |
T'en |
20,000
|
Younuo |
Bunu,
Younuo |
13,000
|
Yung-Chuun |
Yongchun |
12,000
|