MEMORY VERSE: “ Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, i am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen” Matthew 28:20.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23
INTRODUCTION
Cross-cultural missions involve connecting with people whose culture is totally different from our own. Thus, we need to make efforts to remove the barrier between the gospel and the people we are ministering to, without changing the gospel message or changing who we are. The gospel should be communicated in a manner that is clearly understood in the culture and worldview of those who are intended to hear it. Today we shall look at the challenges and strategies of cross-cultural missions
OUTLINE
- CHALLENGES OF CROSS- CULTURAL MISSIONS
- STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
- CHALLENGES OF CROSS- CULTURAL MISSIONS
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-30, Apostle Paul mentions some of the challenges he faced as a cross-cultural missionary. They include persecution, hunger, shipwreck, hostility, racism, rejection, and suffering from harsh weather condition, infirmity and so on 2 Corinthians 4:8-10. Missionaries are often faced with all these challenges and even more. Having to leave one’s family, friends, vocational identity, familiar environment, and, in some cases, modern conveniences to cross geographic, cultural, and/or linguistic barriers can be extremely challenging Acts 22:2-3; Philippians 3:8. Many missionaries battle with serious health issues which impact their work in a negative way 2 Corinthians 12:9. Language and culture learning takes time and practice, and this can be challenging as well.
2. STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
Anyone who intends to engage in effective cross-cultural missions must be ready to learn new ideology, culture, norms, values, language, etc. 1 Corinthians 9:19-22. He should not stick to a single style of communication but should learn how to adapt to the culture of the people he is sent to. Yet, he must not shift ground on his conviction of faith, despite his respect for the foreign culture Galatians 6:1. He should develop a friendship atmosphere among the people Proverbs 18:24. He should always have a target of how many souls he wants to reach and win for Christ within a particular period and do a periodic evaluation of the target Daniel 12:3. Above all, he should always be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16.
Paul’s goal as a cross-cultural missionary, was to bring as many people as possible to faith in Jesus 1 Corinthians 9:22. He adapted his method and his language with the culture of the place where he was 1 Corinthians 9:20. He learnt how to connect with different people so that he could be an effective witness for Christ Philippians 3:5. In Athens, Paul spoke to the philosophers using their own poetry to make his point Acts 17:16- 34. When he found himself among the Jews, he spoke to them using the Jewish Scriptures and history Acts 13:13-42, but when he was among Gentiles, he used language and references that they would understand Ephesians 3:6-8.
CONCLUSION
The missionary should be always assured of God’s presence and therefore be encouraged Matthew 28:19-20.
FURTHER READINGS:
SUN: Romans 8:35-39;
MON: Romans 1:1-32;
TUE: 1 Corinthians 9:20-23;
WED: Matthew 28:19- 20;
THUR: Romans 2:14-15;
FRI: 2 Corinthians 4:1;
SAT: Acts 20:24