Missions...

Welcome to the Missions class.

​There are two parts to this class. The first part is inspirational, the second is invitational. The goal of the first part is to inspire you thru the exploits and adventures of those who have served the Lord as full time workers. 

The resource for this part is a set of missionary biographies. 

The goal of second part is to invite you to become involved in God's mission of reaching the nations with the gospel. The hope is that you would become SOGY (Support Others or Go Yourself). That you would begin partnering with those who work among unreached peoples (Support Others) or start the process of discovering if God is calling you to work among the unreached (Go Yourself).

The resources for this part of missions class includes books, websites and a powerful learning experience called PODs. More about that later. 
Therefore, since we are surrounded by such a huge crowd of witnesses ​to the life of faith...let us run with endurance the race God has set before us. Hebrews 12:1 NLT
Required reading. 

  1. Christian Heroes: Then and Now, by Geoff and Janet Benge.

    This is a series of over 40 biographies of the great men and women from the modern missionary era (1700 thru today). All the books are great. You can't go wrong with your selection. Look over the titles and pick what interests you. Read about someone you've never heard of, an area of the world you've not familiar with or a mission focus that is new to you.
    ​
  2. The Abrahamic Revolution, by Todd Ahrend​. 

    This book focuses on three things. First it identifies the Abrahamic character as the pioneer for global missions. Second, it examines the missional theme throughout Scripture. Third, it invites the reader to become part of God's plan to share the gospel with those who need to hear it most. 
Recommend reading. Optional resources for further study.  
Part 1. Inspiration
Lesson 1
  1. Read Hebrews 11. This is the great cloud of witnesses spoken about in Hebrews 12:1 (see quote above). What is it about these great men and women of faith that should stir us? What words, phrases and individuals inspire you the most? Take time to observe the passage. Read it several times in your translation and then read it in different translations. You can do that at Bible Gateway (you can change translations to fit your preferences). 

  2. Write a Summary Paper
Lesson 2
  1. Read one book from the series titled, Christian Heroes: Then and Now, by Geoff and Janet Benge.
    ​
  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 3
  1. Repeat the steps from Lesson 2.

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 4
  1. Repeat the steps from Lesson 2.

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Part 2. Invitation
Lesson 5
Picture
  1.  Read chapters 1-9 in The Abrahamic Revolution, by Todd Ahrend. 

  2. ​Write a Summary paper.
Lesson 6
  1.  Read chapters 10-18 in The Abrahamic Revolution, by Todd Ahrend. 

  2. ​Write a Summary paper.
Lesson 7
  1. Read Global Starting Points 1-13 from GreatCommission.com. These are foundational truths that lay the groundwork for future Missions lessons. Don't just read the print, watch the videos, and view the websites. Learn, contemplate, and explore. Spend two hours on the "reading" portion of this assignment. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 8
  1. Read Global Starting Points 14-23 from GreatCommission.com. See note from the previous lesson. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 9
  1. Go through The Nations POD (meetings 1-3) at GreatCommission.com. PODs are powerful learning experiences about global missions for small groups or individuals. Answer the questions, watch new videos and explore new websites. Write down your answers and record your observations for consideration for your Summary paper. This will hold true for all lessons about PODs.
    ​
  2. ​Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 10
  1. Go through The Nations POD (meetings 4-5) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. ​Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 11
  1. Go through the Tribal POD (meetings 1-3) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 12
  1. Go through the Tribal POD (meetings 4-5) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 13
  1. Go through the Hindu POD (meetings 1-3) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 14
  1. Go through the Hindu POD (meetings 4-5) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 15
  1. Go through the Unreligious POD (meetings 1-3) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 16
  1. Go through the Unreligious POD (meetings 4-5) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 17
  1. Go through the Muslim POD (meetings 1-3) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 18
  1. Go through the Muslim POD (meetings 4-5) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 19
  1. Go through The Buddhist POD (meetings 1-3) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. ​Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 20
  1. Go through The Buddhist POD (meetings 4-5) at GreatCommission.com. 

  2. ​Write a Summary paper. 
Lesson 21
  1. Explore The Learning List. You may have encountered some of these resources in earlier lessons. This time take a deep dive into two of the resources on the list. Spend one hour investigating an informational website of your choosing and one hour investigating an educational event of your choosing. Read, watch, observe. Record your thoughts for your summary paper. 

  2. Write a summary paper. 
Lesson 22
  1. Watch David Platt's Urbana address. This is a seminal moment in modern day missions. Platt's message will be remembered for years to come as a clarion call to join God as He makes the gospel known to unreached peoples. 

  2. Write a Summary paper.  
Feedback 
Congratulations! You finished the Missions class. We hope this has been a rich experience. You have been evaluated by others now it's time for you to evaluate us. Feel free to email us and let us know about your experience. We would be encouraged to know how you may have been blessed as well as how you think the class might be improved.