RAISING DISCIPLES FOR WORLD OUTREACH

Built to Last In Damascus, there was a disciple named Ananias. The Lord spoke to him in a vision, “Ananias!”   “Here I am, Lord,” he answered.  [11] “Get up!” the Lord told him. “Go to the house of Judas on Straight Street and ask for a man from Tarsus named Saul, for he is praying.  [12] In a vision he has seen a man named Ananias come and place his hands on him to restore his sight.”  [13] But Ananias answered, “Lord, many people have told me about this man and all the harm he has done to Your saints in Jerusalem.  [14] And now he is here with authority from the chief priests to arrest all who call on Your name.”  [15] “Go!” said the Lord. “This man is My chosen instrument to carry My name before the Gentiles and their kings, and before the people of Israel.  [16] I will show him how much he must suffer for My name.” (Acts 9:10-16) The wisdom of God was shown when He sent Ananias to minister to Saul after the latter had an encounter with Jesus o...

 Understanding the Cultural and Belief System of the Host Community For though I am free from all, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win more of them. To the Jews I became as a Jew, in order to win Jews. To those under the law I became as one under the law (though not being myself under the law) that I might win those under the law. To those outside the law I became as one outside the law (not being outside the law of God but under the law of Christ) that I might win those outside the law. To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some. I do it all for the sake of the gospel, that I may share with them in its blessings. 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 ESV Understanding the cultural beliefs and practices of our host community is imperative to our success as missionaries. An open attack, sanctimonious attitude, and defiant condemnation of people's age-long practices would end the ministry and inf...