Discovery Bible Study

“Tell us: Why do you follow Jesus?”

Mar 20, 2021 | Stories

After discussing several Bible stories with *Rayyan in his shop, *Karly and *Julie asked if he had friends who might like to discuss Scripture outside of work hours. He did!

On the day of the scheduled meeting, Rayyan texted that 10 guys might come. Karly and Julie were worried. “How will this work in the public restaurant setting? Will these guys be okay with our topic or just want to debate?” The ladies prayed they would at least leave knowing who might be interested in studying further.

That night they were surprised to see 17 men present! An older man dove straight in with the first question: “Tell us: Why do you follow Jesus?”

Using lots of Scripture, Julie explained. Everyone listened. Some had questions, but there was no debating.

The ladies were amazed and reminded of Cornelius from Acts 10. After gathering people together, Cornelius addressed Peter: “Now we are all here, waiting before God to hear the message the Lord has given you.” And Peter declared: “Jesus is the one all the prophets testified about… everyone who believes in him will have their sins forgiven through his name.”

Pray these men would find and embrace the Truth they seek.

BEYOND donors, your support enables spiritual discussions just like this one in the story.

*pseudonyms

“Well That’s Easy! I Can Do That!”

Mar 6, 2021 | Stories

Each day, Niah teaches Dean and Penny the Thai language. She also helps them understand Thai culture and religious beliefs. She has become their friend.

Dean and Penny share stories about Jesus with her and answer her questions about the Christian faith. In December Niah asked, “Why do you give gifts at Christmas?”

Penny happily told Niah about the gift of forgiveness and love that God gave through Jesus and that this amazing gift is free and for all people.

Thai Buddhists, Niah said, carry their good and bad from life to life, never putting it down. They hope their good will outweigh the bad so their next life is better. When Penny asked how she knew if she’d done enough good, Niah said, “You don’t until you die and face judgment.” She agreed it would be nice to set it down and not pick it up again.

As the discussion continued, Penny shared that followers of Jesus read God’s word, obey what it says, and share it with others. “Well that’s easy,” Niah responded. “I can do that.”

If you give to BEYOND, you have played a part in Niah hearing the Good News. Pray that spiritual conversations like these, happening all over the world, will yield ever-increasing fruit to the glory of Father God.

*pseudonym

House Parties Building Kingdom Relationships

Feb 20, 2021 | Stories

*Gabriella lives in Central Asia and is the only known follower of Jesus in the city where she lives. For a while, she didn’t really share stories from the Bible with those around her. She was afraid.

*Frank and *Helen, Beyond movement catalysts, have been praying for Gabriella to have Jesus’ heart for the lost, especially for her own unreached people group. They were delighted to hear that she now hosts weekly dinner parties in her apartment. Delicious food, fellowship, and conversations around stories from the Bible are all on the menu! Every week several people gather, including a young man named Mahir.

Mahir began doing Bible studies with Frank a little over a year ago, and in a recent conversation, Mahir told him of the parties he was attending in Gabriella’s home. Mahir has not stopped studying the Bible! Instead, he has found a place for his interest to continue to grow, all because Gabriella stepped out in faith.

Please pray for Mahir and all who attend Gabriella’s parties to understand and obey the truth they read in the Bible. Pray they would share it with those they meet, that the Good News would spread through this unreached people group.

And thanks to Beyond donors who support Kingdom relationships like these.

*pseudonyms

Spiritual Conversations Over Tea

Feb 11, 2021 | South Asia, Stories

“That song sounds nice, and it’s wonderful to hear new songs in the Tibetan language and style . . . but who is this Savior Jesus that you are singing about?”

In the Himalayas, all good conversations happen over tea – sometimes in the home around a warm fire and sometimes in the warmth of the sun. Recently during these tea times, our Tibetan team members have begun sharing new worship songs they’ve written. They do this to spark a spiritual conversation with those around them.

Often an older family member will comment on the traditional Tibetan style of the song and inquire about the Jesus mentioned in the songs. The team then tells those gathered about Jesus and why they are his disciples. When the household or group of friends show further interest, the team leads them in a Bible study. A Bible app with sets of stories about Jesus and instructions on how to keep having discovery Bible studies is given to the group.

Historically, Tibetans have been slow in walking the path toward following Christ, but it doesn’t have to be that way! Beyond donors, you’ve been part of bringing the gospel to this unreached region. For that, we thank you. Please pray that interest in Christ would grow and that seekers would begin studying the Bible together.

Getting to the Harvest is Doable

Feb 6, 2021 | Stories

Charlie and Sarah hadn’t planned on the pandemic. They began 2020 with plans to move to Southeast Asia in July, to join one of Beyond’s movement catalyst teams.

Though they had already left their jobs and were making preparations, the move was halted when their destination country closed to visitors. They hit their knees in prayer and sought God’s direction.

God directed them to continue investing in a small team of intercessors who would stand in the gap for them and their ministry. They also learned that a medical issue was more complicated than they had initially thought, thus more easily addressed in the US.

After weeks of praying, God opened a door. Charlie and Sarah obtained a visa to enter their country of service. They arrived 10 weeks later than planned. “But,” they declare, “it wasn’t 10 weeks later than God had planned! God’s timing is perfect!”
Getting to the field is doable! God made a way through the obstacles, and Charlie and Sarah are stronger for it.

*pseudonym