Missions | Beyond

Praying Kingdom Opposites

Sep 27, 2018 | Stories

From a field worker in Austronesia: “Yanti* called, desperate to line up a second DMM training. She described renewed enthusiasm and attested that this is the only method that really works in her region. We had trained other partners from the same region and when I (Melissa*) mentioned them, she described an ugly falling-out. This is a perfect scenario to pray Kingdom opposites over the work that was begun. God’s Kingdom is full of unity and peace (Ephesians 2:14, 4:3). Instead of division, I pray unity and peace over the situation, so that His glory will be showcased through these followers of Christ: “The glory You have given me, I have given to them, that they may be one even as we are one, I in them and You in me, that they may become perfectly one, so that the world may know that You sent me and loved them even as You loved me” John 17:22,23.

As illustrated above, praying Kingdom opposites means asking God to bring His Kingdom-sized future into being. Our prayers of faith are based on God’s promises, specifically those in direct opposition to troubling things presently happening. God has already declared His intentions through His promises. When we align our prayers with His declared intent, He will answer. Our lives will be changed from glory to glory (2 Cor 3:18). As we wait on Him in prayer, we will see what else He will accomplish. Because, as God speaks, all opposition to His anointed King will fail. King David knew this when he penned Psalm 2 and Psalm 24:7-10. As we become aware of hindrances to the advance of God’s Kingdom, may we ask all the more for His Kingdom to come, and His will to be done, on earth, as it is in Heaven (Matthew 6:10). May we usher in the King of Glory as His Kingdom reigns in and through our lives and our prayers.

A Few More Examples of Kingdom Opposites

• Confusion: Peace. “For God is not a God of confusion but of peace” 1 Cor 14:33.
• Hard hearts: Receptivity. Pray that Gospel seeds will fall on hearts prepared to receive it. Matt 13:8
• Despair: Hope. “Behold I lay in Zion a choice stone, a precious corner stone, and he who believes in Him, shall not be disappointed.” I Pet 2:6.
• Weakness: Strength. “The joy of the Lord is my strength” Neh 8:10b.
• Rejection: Acceptance. “for you once were not a people, but now you are the people of God; you had not received mercy, but now you have received mercy” I Pet 2:10.
• False religion: One Way. “There is one God, and one mediator also between God and men, the man Christ Jesus” 1 Tim 2:3-5.
• Mental fog: Clarity. “Gird your mind for action, sober in spirit, fixed hope on God’s grace” 1 Pet 1:13.
• Frustration in language learning: God’s provision. “The Lord has given me the tongue of disciples and He awakens my ear to listen” Isaiah 50:4,5.
• Darkness: Light. “Again Jesus spoke to them, saying, ‘I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will not walk in darkness, but will have the light of life’” John 8:12.
• Destruction: Life. “For the bread of God is he who comes down from heaven and gives life to the world” John 6:33.
• Deception and lies: Truth. “If you continue in My word, then you are truly disciples of Mine; and you will know the truth, and the truth will make you free” John 8:31b-32.
• Fear: Love. “for God gave us a spirit not of fear but of power and love and self-control” 2 Tim 1:7.
• Unbelief and Doubt: Faith. “Now faith is the assurance of things hoped for, the conviction of things not seen” Heb 11:1.
• Weariness: Rest. Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest” Matt 11:28

*pseudonyms

Why Discovery Groups Work

Aug 1, 2018 | Stories

A Beyond team worker writes: “A few weeks ago, I did some training in East Asia. The 16 trainees were leaders of various discovery bible groups started over the past year. They trained leaders and co-leaders, and helped these groups become stable. But found that the groups were not reaching out into their communities. They still weren’t reaching non-believers. They called us and asked for help. We trained their leaders in a simple process which we’ve found, helps ordinary believers, to start and multiply new discovery groups.

Traditional methods often focus on evangelism. We focus on inviting people into a process in which they can gradually learn about God, as they study through the scriptures, including stories from Creation, all the way to Christ. Each story asks them to repeat the story several times, to put it into their own words, then to answer what the story teaches them about God, Man, and what they should change in their lives, as a result of the story. In the midst of learning about God, people make the decision to follow Christ. It’s not forced, it’s organic.

We took three days to train the group how to share their daily testimonies of how God has been at work in their lives during the previous days and weeks, and to engage non-believers in discussion.

For instance, a Discovery Group member may tell a story of how God helped them at work, then ask a question, “Do you ever think that there’s a God that cares for us in such a way?” If people seem interested, we start new discovery group with them. It turns evangelism into a non-forced, natural, organic conversation.

As a part of the training, we provide time for the trainees to train each other, in each lesson. We’ve found this gives members the confidence to go out and train others as well. We’ve found that discipleship movements grow faster, as we train more believers to be involved. To help them out, we produce a bookmark, with images that show them the basics of the training. They can copy the bookmark and give it to anyone to do the same.

We gave the trainees a challenge, each night, to prayer walk their neighborhoods, and to share stories of God’s grace in their lives, with at least three people, and to follow up with a question. As trainers, despite the language difficulties, we committed to the homework as well. Surprisingly, most of the trainees shared three times, and many found the process so enjoyable, they shared with as many as five!

Less than a week later, we’ve found that many of the trainees have already trained someone else, to do the same! Many are continuing to share daily, and there’s already the beginning of a new discovery group as a result!”

Join us in praying that these groups multiply into movements.

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Stand Up for the Truth

May 31, 2018 | Stories

‘Stand up for Truth’ – that is how Jasi summarized what she will do in obedience to what she learned through our Bible reading that day. Jasi’s words took Lauren by surprise, so Lauren asked how she came to that conclusion for the third chapter of 2 Peter.

“I am easily discouraged by unkind behavior and that people seem to get away with doing the wrong thing and have no punishment. I struggle to find relevant ways to share about God with my young adult relatives and so I often just keep quiet and give up. Reading this chapter today with you reminds me that God knows what is going on and that He is not disinterested, disengaged or dismissive of the bad that happens. I am challenged to change my attitude and behavior,” she answered.

“What’s that going to look like for you? I’m eager to hear,” Lauren responded. “First, I will practice changing my thinking about God when I see or experience something that seems unfair or selfish. Second, I will be bolder about talking with my nephews about God’s love and truth.”

“That’s super. I’d like to hear more about what you plan to say to your nephews in the next week, before we meet again,” said Lauren.

“Well, one thing I could do is to read some of this chapter with them,” she shared, “and talk with them about my belief that this world has limited time left and that we must be humble and know that He is God.”

Lauren was impressed by the very clear message that Jasi was going to share with her family and together they prayed for Jasi’s nephews; that they too would listen and be challenged by 2 Peter: 3.

Pray for Jasi, that she would be bold in her witness and the same spirit that is willing to stand up for the truth will stand up for the gospel.

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