WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance
WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance
WHEN YOU CROSS CULTURES - World Evangelical Alliance
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82 <strong>WHEN</strong> <strong>YOU</strong> <strong>CROSS</strong> <strong>CULTURES</strong><br />
2 Giving a Testimony<br />
People almost anywhere are interested in stories. Every believer should<br />
prepare his story and learn to tell it naturally. A story about oneself is always<br />
non-threatening. It is also a way of introducing the Gospel in an indirect way.<br />
Communicating our personal faith in Christ is not something religious but<br />
relational. It introduces a relationship with a Person Jesus Christ.<br />
We should learn to be sensitive to the occasion. We can prepare to give<br />
our testimony briefly or with more detail as circumstances permit. Read Acts<br />
22 and 26, and note how Paul graciously gives his testimony.<br />
3 Starting a Discussion on the Bible<br />
We can learn to discuss the Scriptures with others. This is particularly<br />
effective with those who have inquiring minds and who wish to look more<br />
carefully into the claims of Christ. There are variations in doing such a study<br />
with a non-Christian - from exploring key passages to studying one book in<br />
the Bible, for example the Gospel of John. Studying a book could help to lay<br />
the foundations for faith in Christ. In some cultures, a topical study on Knowing<br />
God and His Attributes can be relevant.<br />
4 Answering Questions<br />
We need to learn to answer all sorts of questions, not only the difficult<br />
philosophical questions: Why the innocent suffer? What about those who have<br />
never heard the Gospel? Is Jesus the Only Way? and so on.<br />
In cross-cultural situations, questions related to practical issues need to<br />
be answered. The issues include the worship of ancestors, polygamy, arranged<br />
marriages, the spirit world, and many others. The Bible does speak on these<br />
issues. Sometimes these issues have to be resolved before people will commit<br />
their lives to Christ.<br />
5 Presenting the Gospel<br />
The Christian witness needs to be alert to share the Gospel. An<br />
opportunity may arise unexpectedly at any time – whether during or after a<br />
general discussion on spiritual things or even after a sports game. As someone<br />
said - a person needs to be ready only on two occasions: “in season and out of<br />
season”, quoting 2 Timothy 4:2. Peter in 1 Peter 3:15 tells us, “Always be prepared<br />
go give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope<br />
that you have” and adding how to do it – “with gentleness and respect.”<br />
Communicating the Gospel can be complex. Firstly, there may be<br />
different views of Christ (as in India). Secondly, there are many ways of
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