Paths v3n3 2014 summer

News & Views from Walk Thru the Bible

Growing Deeper in South America The Making of an Instructor Weekly devotionals for Summer

Summer 2014

Walk Thru the Bible 4201 North Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30341 www.walkthru.org Volume 3, Number 3 Summer 2014 Published quarterly President Phil Tuttle Vice President for Advancement/International John Houchens Editor Chris Tiegreen Designer Michael Koiner Contributors Chris Tiegreen

Walk Thru the Bible ignites passion for God’s Word through innovative live events, inspirational biblical resources, and lasting global impact.

© 2014 by Walk Thru the Bible® Ministries, Inc. Contents may not be reproduced in any form unless authorized in writing by the publisher. Printed in the U.S.A. All scripture quotations, unless otherwise indicated, are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®.

Copyright © 2011 by Biblica.

Used by permission of Zondervan.

All rights reserved.

I

was 30 when I came to Walk Thru the Bible—a young instructor eager to learn from the more seasoned instructors around me. I had the zeal and energy of youth; they had the wisdom of experience. That seems like only a few weeks

ago, but you and I both know how the decades

can fly by. Somehow, I suddenly became one of

the seasoned instructors eager to pass on our

wisdom to the next generation.

I recently had a chance to sit in on a focus

group of that generation— “millennials” in their

20s and early 30s giving feedback about our

ministry. I loved hearing their insights, which were both affirming and challenging. I was encouraged by their interes t in what we do and their desire to learn from our events and resourc es.

But, like every other organization, we need to make sure we’re effectiv e in the coming decades. We constantly have to learn how to reach the world around us.

The mission of the church—and of ministries like Walk Thru the Bible

that serve the church—is to reach the unreached, serve the unders

erved, and connect with the disconnected. By nature, that demands an ever-ad apting approach with frequent adjustments. We want to bring the strengt hs of our past into the present and the future as effectively and relevan tly as possible. We are not content to keep reaching only those we currently reach.

I hope you’ll see that in this issue of Pathways. Whether we’re serving diverse populations in South America, equipping new instruc tors to extend their ministry, or developing new resources, our goal is always to stir hearts—including yours—with biblical truth. Your partnership in that mission is vital, and I know you’ll be encouraged by what you see in the following pages. God is using your investment of resources and prayer around the world to impact multiple generations through many languages across many cultures. And, like us, He is always reaching for more.

Phil Tuttle President

If you are not currently receiving Pathways and would like to, email pathways@walkthru.org or use the attached envelope to let us know.

Summer 2014

VOL. 3

NO. 3

Features

6 Modern Frontiers

The Changing Spiritual Landscape in South America Amid South America’s rich cultural diversity is a growing spiritual diversity in which churches and evangelical movements are seeking to apply God’s Word to marriages, families, careers, businesses, and more.

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From Vision to Vehicle

The Making of a Walk Thru the Bible Instructor Most Bible teachers have a vision for touching hearts and seeing lives transformed. Walk Thru the Bible training gives them a vehicle for increasing their platform and impacting more people with the Word.

Devotionals 22 T K G he

ingdom of

od

Weekly readings excerpted from indeed magazine

departments

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New at Walk Thru the Bible

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Regional News

16 27 29 30

Resource Updates and Events

Highlights from around the world

Country Profile Paraguay

Step Into the Story Leader Profile

Where Few Will Go Philip Tutu, country director for Ghana

Donor Profile

Giving with a Personal Touch Walt and Lynnette Maynes

Cover and above: Plentiful resources and rich history have shaped South America’s cultural landscape, and Walk Thru the Bible hopes to impact its spiritual landscape too.

What’s New @ Walk Thru B&H picks up Crucible >

F

SPINE

.54”

WALK THRU THE BIBLE

TUTTLE / TIEGREEN

or the last two years, Crucible has been making its way around the world as a multi-faceted resource on the life and key decisions of David. It includes live-event material, PowerPoint visuals, workbooks for large and small groups, a DVD series, and a full-length book with two additional chapters.

Now the book component of Crucible is being released in July

by B&H Publishers.

The new version, with a redesigned cover and layout, retains the same The Choices That Change Your Life Forever structure and content as the previous version

By Phil Tuttle published by Walk Thru with Chris Tiegreen and Walk Thru the Bible the Bible. But partnering with a publisher like B&H will allow for greater availability in bookstores and online.

Crucible is the first training resource in the Biblical Character Series, which helps people apply the truths of Scripture in the midst of daily challenges. Examining how biblical characters dealt with fear, adversity, temptation, compromise, and other issues equips believers to live with faith, endurance, resolve, commitment, and more. Crucible has been translated into several languages and is being used around the world in thousands of churches and in hard-to-reach fields of ministry.

M

CMYK

From the beginning . . . >

T

he first five books of the Bible are fascinating, foundational, and . . . well, a little frustrating for many people.

That’s because among the stories of great figures like Adam and Eve, Abraham and Sarah, Jacob, Joseph, and Moses are confusing rituals, ancient customs, and obscure genealogies. Walk Thru the Pentateuch, a popular Walk Thru the Bible resource for years, explores the importance of these books, ties the storyline together, and paints a picture of a God who overflows with love and looks for every opportunity to forgive.

Now Walk Thru the Pentateuch, originally developed and taught by Bruce Wilkinson, has been remastered and is available on DVD for the first time as a Walk Thru the Bible Classic. The series includes 10 half-hour sessions and a workbook for group participants. For more information about this inspiring look at a portion of Scripture many people neglect, visit www.walkthru.org/pentateuch.

embers of NorthStar Church in Kennesaw, Ga., gathered in Chattanooga in March for a marriage retreat led by David Hodge, vice president for North American Ministries. Participants were “engaged and captivated,” said C. A. Phillips, NorthStar’s married couples pastor. Walk Thru the Bible offers two teaching events on marriage, Understanding the Love of Your Life and Biblical Portrait of Marriage, either of which is ideal for church marriage retreats. www.walkthru.org/list-of-events. .

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Regional News South Asia > Seventy-four leaders from a variety of denominations in Pakistan, many of them pastors with two or three churches, attended a Crucible training event in March. During the training, two pastors who had previously refused to speak to each other openly forgave each other and reconciled in front of the audience; many participants confessed and repented of sins they had been struggling with; and one participant who had nearly lost faith after some tragic events in his life was strengthened to reclaim faith and overcome fear. Most participants are planning to teach the material in their congregations and organizations and expect collectively to reach more than 5,000 people in the coming months.

being equipped to address many family and relational issues they will face.

Africa > Instructors in Angola conducted a teaching tour for church and civil service leaders in May. Participants came from government and military organizations and churches and were trained in Solving the People Puzzle and Vision of the Leader, as well as some parenting resources. Many were counseled afterward and made life-changing decisions.

Middle East >

Latin America > Alejandro Colombo, regional director for South America, taught a weekend spiritual growth event to more than 100 participants at a church in Asunción, Paraguay, in late March and a marriage event in Córdoba, Argentina, in early May.

Thirty-seven Syrians travelled for hours through many checkpoints to a town in southern Lebanon for training in Detour in April.

Many expressed how relevant the curriculum on the life of Joseph was for their current situation, especially as they anticipate the need for reconciliation within their country in the future. Having lost homes and suffered inhumane conditions, the Syrian

participants said they were encouraged

by Joseph’s life that God is in control of the future and offers hope in any situation.

Several live events covering marriage, spiritual growth, and Bible surveys have been taught in Israel over the last few months to Russian-speaking immigrants. These resources, taught not only in churches but at times in recovery/ rehab centers, help address many of the issues Russians in Israel face, including a high divorce rate among those who have immigrated within the last five years.

Asia and the Pacific > More than 2,500 people in New Zealand, Fiji, and other Pacific islands attended recent events that included Walk Thru the Old Testament and New Testament, as well as training on teaching and leadership skills. Venues included churches, camps, and Bible schools. .

Police trainers in Honduras were recently trained by Walk Thru the Bible instructors in management and leadership strategy, developing their leadership skills as well as 5

6

Modern

Frontiers

The Changing Spiritual Landscape in South America

S

omewhere deep in the Amazon, a tribal leader canoes downstream for days to get to the meeting where the story will be told.

It will take him twice as long to return to the village upstream, but he isn’t concerned with that now. He’s anticipating the story, the long-awaited answers to the questions of his village. His people already know of Jesus, but they also know they are missing vital background information. How did we get here? What went wrong? Why are we afraid of the spirits among the trees? These things had to be answered.

As the story goes—and it’s essentially true, though some of the facts seem to have evolved over the years—the leader experiences the Walk Thru the Old Testament, spends nearly two weeks canoeing back

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upstream, and finds his villagers waiting along the shore for him to answer their questions. He gets out of the boat and begins the story: “Creation, fall, flood, nations . . .” And the entire backdrop to Jesus’ ministry, as well as the answers to their questions, is laid out before them.

There are few vintage stories like this left in Christian ministry because there are few places remaining in the world as remote as the Amazon. This tale has become part of Walk Thru the Bible lore because it pictures the biblical story penetrating the deepest jungles to reach the unreached. Ever since Jesus mentioned the ends of the earth, Christians have been fascinated by the prospect of actually arriving there.

It’s profoundly satisfying to think of the gospel finally getting to everyone.

But we all know that isn’t the end of our mission.

Jesus told His followers to make disciples of people, not just convert them. And whether those people live in remote rainforests or at the heart of urban jungles, reaching them with a message that truly transforms their lives is a challenge.

Compelling stories play out every day in South America, but most are not in the few remaining regions that seem lost in time. They are instead in suburban neighborhoods, high-rise office buildings, forgotten slums, resort areas, shopping malls, and farmland. God is continually moving through His people wherever they are to meet needs and change lives.

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n the not-so-distant past, South America was considered by outsiders to be overwhelmingly Catholic, linguistically confined to Spanish and Portuguese, and economically underdeveloped.

But like other regions of the world, it is really a widely diverse continent where numerous strains of Christianity are practiced and promoted. The religious landscape includes not only a long history of Catholicism but rapidly growing evangelical and charismatic movements, an array of indigenous practices and superstitions, a fair share of minority religions and cults, and quite a bit of personalized, hybrid belief systems.

Spanish and Portuguese are the dominant official languages, but numerous more localized languages are still spoken, and there are pockets of English, German, Dutch, Italian, Japanese, and Hindi cultural influence. The economic diversity is perhaps more pronounced, with income ranging from subsistence farming to high finance and living conditions ranging from extreme poverty to extravagant luxury—though the majority fit solidly in a strong middle class.

North Americans often think of their southern neighbors in clichés, drawing on images of Rio’s beaches, Colombia’s drug trade, Patagonia’s rugged cold, Peru’s Incan icons, the Andes’ coffee production, and, of course, the Amazon’s dense ecosystem. But even in these images there’s considerable diversity, as well as intrigue. From the decidedly tropical north to the European style of the south, the continent is a rich display of culture.

This is the landscape in which South American Christians live, work, and express their faith.

From the decidedly tropical north to the European style of the south, the continent is a rich display of culture.

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The presidential palace in Asunción, Paraguay, is a reflection of South America’s colonial history.

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Like everywhere else in the world, there are common threads running through the diverse cultures: marriages and families need help; people fall prey to online and substance addictions, materialism, and misplaced priorities; relationships between coworkers or family members can be strained; everyone longs for a fulfilling career; social issues are not effectively solved by government and Christian responses are needed. On any continent, these are challenges for the people of God. Churches are seeking increasingly effective ways of addressing these spiritual and relational issues, which is why solid biblical teaching and leadership training are ongoing needs. Many South American churches have strong leaders who are equipping their people to have an impact in their society, and Walk Thru the Bible resources help.

Marriage and family events are among the most requested; though Catholic influence has kept the divorce rate lower in Latin America than in Europe and North America, spouses still feel the strain of

relational conflict and unfulfilling partnerships.

And parenting is always an issue in any culture, especially as youth face unprecedented levels of temptation to stray from traditional Christian values.

“You leave your house, and everything your flesh desires is there in front of you,” says Jorge, a young man working with the youth of his church in Paraguay. “It is very difficult. We have to push and struggle through it.”

Jorge recently attended a Walk Thru the Bible youth event that stressed the need for personal holiness, and he said it was life-changing for him and for the students who attended. At the end of the retreat when many students were making decisions, one came to him and said, “I can’t go on living like this. I’m tired of getting up and falling down again.” They talked about their personal struggles and how God was calling them both to a higher awareness of His presence. They acknowledged that people their age rarely realize that every

Soccer is easily the favorite sport in South America. A little open space and a couple of goals can enhance any church’s recreation facilities.

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decision we make in life is important. They made a commitment to live differently than most of their peers.

Will that commitment stick? Only time will tell, but they realize that they need the ongoing support of Christians around them and daily engagement with God’s Word.

Walk Thru the Bible’s new God’s Grand Story churchwide campaign is designed specifically for the kind of community and accountability Jorge and his friend are looking for. Miguel, a pastor of another church in Paraguay, is enthusiastic about launching God’s Grand Story in his congregation when the Spanish translation is completed this fall. He believes mutual accountability among believers and daily immersion in Scripture are keys to spiritual growth and strong defenses against compromise. Those needs are addressed by the campaign, which takes an entire congregation through the

same portions of the Bible simultaneously, developing long-term habits, deepening relationships, and transforming a church’s culture. It creates an environment for discipleship, which in turn equips Christians to face the personal and social challenges around them.

Many Christians are becoming more aware that spiritual transformation cannot be confined to churches— that it must take place in the course of daily life outside the walls of Christian institutions.

And in many South American countries, businesspeople have few restrictions on bringing their faith into the workplace. Business owners Santiago and Victor Vega adopt a Bible verse as an annual theme for their company and lead a devotional service at the beginning of each month.

“It is very important in our family and our culture to speak about Christianity because it’s our way of life,” says Santiago. “Not everyone here

“You leave your house, and everything your flesh desires is there in front of you. It is very difficult.”

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S達o Paulo, Brazil, is the largest city proper in the southern hemisphere and in the Americas.

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is a Christian, but they are very comfortable to come and listen. A lot of people want to work here because we try to incorporate Christian principles.”

That kind of openness is not uncommon.

Alfonso, a Bible teacher who travels among several South American countries, recently led a retreat for a Christian company with more than a thousand employees.

He thought his presentation of the Christian message might have been a little too direct for their comfort level, so he was surprised when they welcomed him back for a second event. He encouraged the company to help its employees find churches where they could be discipled on an ongoing basis; a business can’t fill that need. But he was gratified that this business was at least providing an initial platform for Christian teaching.

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here are obstacles among the openness. Most of Walk Thru the Bible’s national leaders in South America point to denominationalism—deep divisions that limit cross-denominational ministry—as one of their biggest challenges. Denominational leaders are often very suspicious of ministries that don’t come from within their own organizations. But Walk Thru the Bible’s non-sectarian approach is often able to bridge those gaps.

Pastors and church leaders “need a friend who can hear them,” says Eduardo Arata, national director for Brazil. Longterm relationships that encourage and support their work are vital.

So Walk Thru the Bible and regional director Alejandro Colombo work to cultivate and strengthen those relationships across denominational walls. One of the best ways to do that is to partner with other cross-denominational ministries that have a reputation for supporting local

The opportunities to grow are vast and, at times, almost overwhelming.

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Christians depend on printed resources to supplement their discipleship. Many Walk Thru the Bible devotionals and training materials have been translated into Spanish.

churches and leaders.

In recent years, Walk Thru the Bible and the Colombian Bible Society have developed a partnership for outreach and discipleship among various sectors and people groups in Colombia. The Bible Society is well connected with national and international ministries, churches, pastors’ associations, schools and universities, media, and government bodies. By partnering with that ministry, Walk Thru the Bible can have a hand in reaching a wide variety of people, including indigenous populations and minorities it would not otherwise be able to reach.

More partnerships like that would help expand the ministry’s impact across the continent.

While Walk Thru the Bible has been active in most South American countries, the opportunities to grow are vast and, at times, almost overwhelming. The goal of the ministry’s South American regional and national directors is to come alongside

Christian leaders and help them multiply their influence—to offer whatever tools and resources will be most helpful, to support and strengthen their vision, and to help them make disciples who powerfully and effectively shape their society.

Lives are changing in South America through the ministry of its Christians and church leaders, and Walk Thru the Bible is helping. Frontiers remain, but they are often subtle ones that play out in the context of daily life—in coffee shops, office buildings, classrooms, apartment complexes, houses, and churches. Those are the fields where people are growing deeper in their relationship with Christ. While Amazonian forests may make a dramatic backdrop for Christian outreach, the biggest opportunities for reaching the unreached are found in the busy cities and suburbs of a progressive society—where teachers are faithfully advancing, and where the story of human hearts being transformed by God’s Word is still being written. .

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Country Profile

Paraguay Population: 6.7 million (103rd in

the world) indian) 95%; other 5%

Ethnicity: Mestizo (Spanish/Amer

Ă­ (both official)

Language: Spanish and Guaran

republic Political system: constitutional

ntry in the world, slightly smaller

Geography: the 60th largest cou California

Religion: Christian 96% (Catholic ethno-religionist 1.5%* *rounded to the nearest half

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than ;

86%, other 10%); non-religious 1.5%

Peru Bolivia

Chile

Brazil

Paraguay

Rio de Janeiro Sao Paulo

Asuncion

Argentina

Uruguay

Santiago Buenos Aires

L

ike the “Asian tigers” of the late 20th century, Paraguay is developing into an economic success story.

With little public debt and a strong financial system, its growing economy is reflected in an increased standard of living and a landscape dotted with new construction projects. Paraguay formally recognizes a separation between church and state and the equality and freedom of all religions. The Paraguayan church is growing in numbers and maturity but, like churches everywhere else in the world, seeks balanced teaching and stronger leadership development.

Prayer needs: The Catholic Church has given the country a rich background for learning the biblical story, but as is often the case in former colonies, Christian teaching is often combined with indigenous beliefs, superstition, and unbiblical church traditions. Pray for Paraguayans to come into and/or grow in a true relationship with Jesus Himself, and for evangelicals to have full freedom from cultural constraints in sharing the gospel message and discipling believers. In addition: • Pray for bridges across denominational barriers that will allow churches to work together more effectively.

• Pray for a genuine, widespread move of the Spirit in bringing people to Christ and into deeper fellowship with Him. • Pray that God would raise up a generation of future leaders who will saturate the country with biblical teaching and be sent to other Latin American countries as missionaries.

• Pray for Walk Thru the Bible instructors in Paraguay—that they would have opportunities to minister effectively and impact many churches, marriages and families, and individual lives. .

Sources: U.S. Department of State (www.state.gov), CIA World Factbook (www.cia.gov), and Operation World

by Jason Mandryk, 7th edition, ©2010.

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18

Vision to Vehicle

From

The Making of a North American Instructor

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or many experienced Bible teachers, it begins in the middle of a Walk Thru the Old Testament or New Testament event—an imperceptible itch somewhere between, “I’ve never put it all together like this before!” and, “Wow, I could do this.” A vision begins to grow.

Maybe that vision is to impact the churches in a geographical area with this accessible Bible overview, or perhaps it’s to reach prisons, schools, camp/conference attendees, or even businesses and government agencies. Whatever the focus, somewhere in the heart of every teacher is a desire to increase effectiveness and influence. And a Walk Thru the Bible event stirs that desire like few things can.

Of course, many new trainees come through other avenues, perhaps having heard of Walk Thru the Bible’s reputation for equipping communicators or by learning about the ministry through one of its print or video resources. But regardless of the reason, the desire is the same—to enhance ministry and reach more people.

That’s why many Bible teachers with practical experience—whether in churches, schools, conferences, camps, or anywhere else—travel to Atlanta for training in a specific course. A teacher can add any of Walk Thru the Bible’s events to his or her repertoire. All begin with Walk Thru the Old Testament or Walk Thru the New Testament, with versions for adults, students, or children, though other

courses on marriage and parenting and relational and communication skills are also available. In the process, they not only learn some accessible, engaging material; they also leave as better communicators in general.

Walk Thru the Bible equips 50-100 teachers in North America per year, and thousands more around the world, to teach one of the ministry’s courses. (Most North American instructors pay for their own training, but Walk Thru the Bible can train an instructor in other countries for about $95.) At least two training events for North American teachers take place at the Atlanta headquarters, though others are offered as needed in other parts of the country or as “closed trainings” for specific groups like military chaplains or a particular denomination’s leaders. Over the years, the ministry has trained more than 80,000 teachers worldwide—across denominations, ethnic groups, languages, and generations—influencing millions of hearers in well over 100 countries.

Some trainees come with a specific plan in mind for how to use the course material they will learn. God redirects some afterward; quite a few teachers planned to offer their Walk Thru the Bible event in one venue and ended up with more opportunities in others. Many begin training with a particular audience in mind—perhaps a language group or an underserved inner-city population— and follow that goal all the way into an effective

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ministry with that audience. They may be seminary graduates who realize the need for practical, transferable material or people from many other walks of life who have discovered an undeveloped teaching gift within them. Whatever the background or intentions, the result is the same: effective communicators with a well-crafted message that helps people understand the Bible.

The Training Process > As a group of new trainees sit around a table introducing themselves on Friday night—that’s when most training weekends begin—a tapestry of compelling stories emerges. Some teachers-in-training had to overcome significant financial hurdles or carve out a few days away from family and church to get to Atlanta. Some had intended to enter training a year or two, or even a decade or two, earlier, and have only recently managed to make arrangements for it. But a common theme weaves its way through the varying personal stories; each participant has sensed God’s call to teach and is passionate about that calling. And over the next few days, that passion will come to the surface in mutually beneficial ways.

After the initial welcome and introductions of Friday night, trainees spend all day Saturday

Trainees attend a model Walk Thru the Old Testament event during their training so they can observe teaching styles and pick up tips for leading their own events.

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working on the fundamentals of the presentation—the flow of the course, the factual details, the memory devices that they will pass on to their audiences. On Sunday, they attend a model presentation, usually at a local church, where the course is being taught by an experienced instructor. They look for particular aspects of the instructor’s presentation, notice how he engages the audience, and debrief in the evening about what they observed.

Then on Monday, they each teach a portion of the event and receive feedback from the trainer and their peers.

The three full days of training go from morning to evening and can be tiring. They are very practical, very focused, and hands-on—and very encouraging. The trainers make it a safe place to learn, experiment, fail, and practice. Parts of it sound scary, but no one regrets going through it. It invariably sharpens each teacher’s skills.

The training ends on Tuesday, when participants connect with ministry consultants who guide them in talking to churches and leaders about opportunities to teach, scheduling their events, and implementing “best practices” in their ministry plan. They then return to their ministry fields— churches, communities, mission fields—equipped with specific event material and reenergized to carry out their work.

Breaking into small groups allows each trainee more time to practice hand signs in front of others.

After the Training > People who have gone through training together often develop a bond that lasts for years.

Their peers become ongoing contacts, references, and support because three and a half intense days of shared experiences have revealed a common heart for ministry and formed the basis for friendship. A private Facebook page for Walk Thru the Bible instructors facilitates communication afterward; instructors can ask questions, find information about others events, and encourage each other.

They have become part of an ongoing community.

One of the side benefits of the training process is how it can expand trainees’ global vision.

“It’s rare for someone to go through training, hear about what we’re doing internationally, and not begin to think in terms of teaching elsewhere in the world,” says David Hodge, vice president for North American ministries. Participants see how other teachers around the world are being equipped with the same resources they are receiving, and they realize they have channels through

their churches and missions organizations to take the training across national borders.

But whether a teacher actually goes global or not, new avenues will open up in his or her ministry. A sampling from a recent Old Testament training included a youth pastor in Iowa planning to teach the event in Christian schools; a missionary to Mexico planning to spend time in the U.S. ministering to Spanish-speaking churches; a youth pastor from Cleveland who was interested in beginning a Bible Club in the local public school; a woman moving from Texas to Uganda with opportunities to teach in Christian schools; a pastor from California offering the event as an outreach tool for churches in the region; and more. The applications were very diverse. The heart was the same.

However a teacher uses his or her new skill set, the result is lives that are more powerfully impacted by God’s Word. In receiving training in a specific event, Walk Thru the Bible instructors have a vehicle for touching hearts at a deeper level than before. And the vision for effective ministry, whatever shape it once took, grows a lot closer to being fulfilled. .

For information on becoming a Walk Thru the Bible instructor, see p. 27.

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Into the Word w e e k l y

the

d e v o t i o n a l s

Kingdom of God

W

alk Thru the Bible exists to ignite passion for God’s Word wherever we go and to provide the opportunities and resources for eternal truth to work its way into people’s hearts.

One of the best ways for the truth of scripture to sink in is to meditate on it daily. The following devotionals, adapted from indeed magazine, are a valuable tool to aid that process.

One devotional is provided for each of the next 13 weeks. You can read the weekly reading any day during your week, but you may also want to revisit it every day of the week to make it a regular part of your time with God. If so, many have found this approach helpful: On Monday, read the devotional. Become generally familiar with the Bible verse, its original context, and the insights in the devotional reading. On Tuesday, look upward. How does this verse or passage apply to your relationship with God? What does it teach you about His will and His heart? What aspect of His character is He inviting you to experience and enjoy? On Wednesday, look inward. How does this truth apply to your heart

Week 1

June 30–July 6

Mark 1:14-15

KINGDOM CAME “The time has come,” he said. “The kingdom of God has come near.” (Mark 1:15) In Word In Mark’s gospel, these are the first words out of the mouth of Jesus.

Anyone who expected the end of evil and the beginning of utopia would have gotten excited at first and then grown disappointed in the coming years—especially when evil seemed to win decisively on a cross in Jerusalem. Clearly the coming of the kingdom of God wasn’t a sudden shift in the ways of the world or

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o n

and your own spiritual growth? What does it teach you about yourself, your needs, or your goals in life? In what aspects of your personal life is God inviting you to grow and mature? On Thursday, look around. How does this truth apply to your relationship with others? What does it teach you about how to relate to them? What is God inviting you to do differently in your relationships? On Friday, look outward. How does this verse or passage apply to your ministry and mission in life—to your role in God’s kingdom, in society, and in the world? What does it teach you about God’s purposes? What part of His mission is He inviting you to participate in? On Saturday, look forward. How does this verse or passage apply to your future, both in this age and in eternity? What does it teach you about God’s plan for your life, now and forever? What aspect of eternity is God inviting you to participate in?

This approach can help you look at God’s Word from every angle and incorporate its implications into your life. As you saturate yourself in scripture, God will shape your heart to align with His own.

an overhaul of government structures.

So what exactly did Jesus mean when He said the time had come? In what ways had the kingdom of God come near?

Theologians are still trying to unpack that statement, but one thing is clear. The kingdom was near because the King was near. People got healed. Evil was cast out of hearts. Dead people got up and walked around again. And truth astounded seekers and aggravated the keepers of the status quo. These are signs of the kingdom and evidence that it has indeed begun to flourish. It is not a theory or an unattainable ideal. It is a dramatic intervention on a fallen planet. It is the beginning of a radical restoration.

The kingdom is still growing and miracles still happen. That’s because the King is still among us. He didn’t come for a while and then leave—what would be the point of that?—or give us a taste we

would never be able to experience again.

He came to stay. So if the time had come and the kingdom came nearly 2,000 years ago, and Jesus remained with us as He promised, then the time has still come and the kingdom is still near. Those who bow to the King have already entered the kingdom.

In Deed What does that mean in the reality of daily life? It means we can still experience the miraculous, still see hearts fundamentally changed, still overcome evil, and still receive wisdom and revelation from the King’s mouth. It means we need to look at the world not as others do but as citizens of another realm. And it means we need to act as though the time has come. Things are changing. Everything is becoming new.

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Matthew 6:31-33

Luke 4:42-44

Ephesians 1:18-23

July 7-13

July 14-20

July 21-27

OUR FOCUS

WHAT KIND OF KINGDOM?

BOTH AGES

“Seek first his kingdom and his righteousness, and all these things will be given to you as well.” (Matthew 6:33)

“I must proclaim the good news of the kingdom of God to the other towns also, because that is why I was sent.” (Luke 4:43)

. . . not only in the present age but also in the one to come. (Ephesians 1:21)

In Word No one needs to encourage us to focus on our needs or our desires. We do that naturally—and almost constantly.

Whether consciously or not, we’re relentless about getting our needs and desires met in people, positions, possessions, and more. So when Jesus says to seek first God’s kingdom—to focus on that above all else—He’s making a major statement. This is a radical shift in our attention. He wants to turn us outward rather than inward. He wants us to be preoccupied with something much bigger than ourselves.

That means when we do look inward, our number one question should be not about whether we are getting our needs met but whether the kingdom is being formed in us. When we look at our households, families, friends, and other spheres of influence, we should see ourselves as catalysts for the kingdom.

Are we instigators of the kingdom culture?

Carriers of kingdom attitudes? Provokers of kingdom ideas? Vessels of kingdom solutions? Speakers of kingdom words?

This doesn’t mean we will always be spouting off religious verbiage and annoying those around us. It does mean, however, that we will be influencers of the environment around us simply because we carry the kingdom nature within us. We are inhabited by the King, after all, if we have believed in Him and therefore been united with Him. Living out that union is a kingdom expression that cannot be quenched.

In Word This is why Jesus was sent— to proclaim the kingdom of God. That certainly isn’t the only reason; He did a lot more than proclaim. But in a moment when He revealed why He kept moving around, this was His reason. And His words were deeply tied to what had just happened.

How did Jesus “proclaim the kingdom of God”? He had just healed the mother-in-law of one of His disciples from her high fever, healed numerous people of a variety of other illnesses, and cast out demons and forbade them from speaking. His words about the kingdom did not mark a shift in His activities; they indicated a continuation of the same thing. Jesus’ mission involved getting people well and free from evil. He offered life and wholeness in real situations and in real places.

Somehow we got the idea that the good news of the kingdom is nothing more than a message about how to be saved and to go to heaven one day. But Jesus’ ministry and message were much more comprehensive than that. They were a declaration of the rule and reign of His goodness in every area of life—of the shalom that everyone longs for. The government of God was being enforced in a spiritually and materially contrary world. The kingdom is more than a spiritual ticket of salvation. It’s a here-and-now way of life.

In Deed If we seek our fulfillment in people, positions, and possessions, we get neither fulfillment nor the kingdom. But if we seek the kingdom, we get both. So we can let go of the things we cling to and the desires we desperately want to satisfy and embrace the kingdom of God. We are assured that if we do that, we will not be needy, stressed, and disappointed. For a world full of needy, stressed, and disappointed people, that’s extremely good news.

In Deed Most biblical commentators make a distinction between the gospel of salvation and the gospel of the kingdom.

Salvation is included in the kingdom, but the kingdom message is bigger. Jesus didn’t just come to get us saved. He came to get us saved for the fullness of life with God now and forever. Salvation is the entrance. But the kingdom is the prize.

When we realize the difference, our faith grows dramatically. We realize God’s kindness toward us. And our expectations of His goodness soar.

In Word Much of Christendom today thinks in terms of “this world” and “that world”— life on earth and life in heaven.

Perhaps that’s because we see around us so many contradictions to the kingdom that we assume all things kingdom must be somewhere else. Or maybe we’ve simply given up on the possibility of the kingdom coming in any visible way. But the Bible doesn’t defer to the kingdom to some out-of-sight universe. It isn’t a heaven-only thing. It’s a this-world possibility.

Writing of Jesus’ authority, Paul uses a phrase often used by Jesus Himself: this age and the age to come. The difference between that and the this-world-thatworld alternative may seem subtle, but it’s significant. Neither scripture as a whole nor Jesus’ teaching specifically will allow us to defer every good promise of God to another time or place. The mindset that sees His reign only as “there and then” will lose faith in the “here and now.” That isn’t God’s desire. He wants us to believe in all of His goodness—and expect to see it—now.

That will require a shift in perspective. Our wistful “one day, Lord,” needs to turn into a “why not now, Lord?” We’ll have to be content with missteps and unanswered questions as we learn to recognize His current work and align our faith with what He’s doing. But if we persist, we will see breakthroughs we once thought were reserved for another world. We’ll see Jesus’ authority in this age and the age to come.

In Deed By faith, press in to God to see His kingdom manifest in your life and the world around you. Certainly it does not come in its fullness until the “age to come,” but plenty of it is available for this age too. And because the issue is ages rather than worlds, we don’t have to look only to heaven. Earth is longing for a revelation of the kingdom among God’s children (Romans 8:19). God invites us to demonstrate it.

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Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Matthew 13:10-17

Mark 4:30-32

1 Corinthians 4:18-20

July 28–August 3

August 4-10

August 11-17

A DIVINE PRIVILEGE

A MUSTARD-SEED KINGDOM

POWER, NOT POSTURING

“The knowledge of the secrets of the kingdom of heaven has been given to you.” (Matthew 13:11)

“What shall we say the kingdom of God is like? . . . It is like a mustard seed, which is the smallest seed you plant in the ground. Yet when planted, it grows and becomes the largest of all garden plants.” (Mark 4:30-32)

The kingdom of God is not a matter of talk but of power. (1 Corinthians 4:20)

In Word Have you ever wondered why a group of people can hear the exact same truth presented in exactly the same way, and half will believe and the other half won’t? We might be inclined to attribute the phenomenon to the different personalities and backgrounds of the hearers, and that’s probably part of the explanation. But there’s more. The mysteries of the kingdom must be given. They cannot be discerned merely by human inquiry and logic. The kingdom is not made known by a scientific discovery, and it never will be. The intellect of mankind cannot and will not figure it out.

That explains why some of our planet’s greatest geniuses were clueless when it came to the things of God. Revelation is the key, and revelation is given to seeing eyes and hearing ears. In other words, hearts that are inclined to learn of God will learn; hearts that are inclined to explain Him away will remain utterly confounded and dark.

And consider the treasure that this revelation is. What a privilege! The answers to all of humanity’s questions, the pursuit of the thinkers of all generations, the mysteries of the universe—all are given to those humble souls who will take up this gospel and read it with a hunger in their hearts to hear God speak. The answer to every why and what for is given not to the brilliant intellects but to the common seeker. Those who want to meet God on His terms and not their own will have divine mysteries opened up before them.

In Deed What a blessed treasure we’ve been entrusted with! What a sacred knowledge! We’re no more entitled to glimpse divine mysteries than a vagrant is to sit in the Oval Office and discuss policy, yet we’ve been given a glimpse anyway. The relevant question for us is this: What will we do with that knowledge? It wasn’t given for entertainment; it was given to pass on to those who will welcome it.

Share it everywhere. The divine privilege is entrusted to those who know what to do with it.

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In Word Not only is this the rule of the kingdom; it is the rule of all kingdom things. The kingdom of God was almost unnoticeable when it began, in a sense, with a nomad named Abraham. Then a small nation of wanderers with the promise of a tiny tract of land. Then a Messiah of seemingly humble, obscure origins.

Then a band of low-pedigree disciples.

Then a fringe movement in the backwaters of an empire. Today, the kingdom of God has influenced the planet more than any earthly empire and any religious worldview. It is the largest and most fruitful of all the plants in this ravaged garden. That’s the historical implication of these verses.

But there’s also a personal application of these verses. We tend to think that accomplishing something in God’s kingdom means building large ministries with an extended reach. We are impressed by those who have done great things for God—defining “great things” as impacting lots of people in highly visible ways. And perhaps these are great things, in God’s eyes. But they began small. God’s kingdom is a mustard-seed kind of enterprise. Huge ministries often begin with one small step of faith. Lives are often changed by one kind word. Hearts are touched by one soft song, or one frightened witness, or a cup of cold water given in His name. Nothing in His kingdom is too small to count—or even too small to grow into something huge.

In Deed Never despise the small things in your life. Never spend so much time reaching for the high-impact acts of ministry that you neglect the minute details of service. The massive doors of God’s kingdom swing on tiny hinges of our faith and obedience. Focus on the hinges, and you’ll see the doors open wide.

In Word Paul had already reminded his readers in Corinth of his attitude when he came. He preached words not of human wisdom but of demonstrable power (1 Corinthians 2:2). Why? Because the message of the kingdom is not a matter of talk.

It’s a matter of experience, of change, of the Spirit actually at work in people’s lives. So as he confronts the “all talk” people in this letter, he states this truth again: at its core, the kingdom life is a powerful one. It is not simply a different lens for looking at the world, a message of encouragement for the discouraged, or a theological explanation of atonement. It is all those things, but it’s more. It’s a life fueled by the infinite Spirit flourishing within us.

If the gospel of the kingdom isn’t practical—something we can noticeably experience moment by moment—then it isn’t the good news we were looking for.

That’s the conclusion many have come to, usually subconsciously; plenty of Christians have given up on the gospel’s power, accepting it as a belief system but then looking elsewhere for practical help with daily life. But the Spirit of the kingdom is available for insights, wisdom, miracles, breakthroughs, comfort, direction, and more. We can’t systematize His work or explain exactly when, where, and how He works, but we can emphatically decide that He does. And when we do—when we believe and ask and pursue—He leads us into a quality of life that surpasses whatever we have experienced before.

In Deed Does that mean constant success and the end of hardships? Of course not.

But it does mean we can truly overcome and receive real solutions to the obstacles and problems of life. We can never be content with a faith that consists of nothing more than words; we must relentlessly go after the Spirit’s power wherever and however He offers it. He did not come into this world so we could have great conversations; He came so we could have real life in all its fullness.

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

Matthew 10:5-10

Mark 10:35-40

Ephesians 1:18-23

August 18-24

THE KINGDOM MISSION “As you go, preach this message: ‘The kingdom of heaven has come near.’ Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse those who have leprosy, drive out demons. Freely you have received, freely give.”

(Matthew 10:7-8) In Word Has Jesus sent us on an impossible mission? There are sides of this kingdom we’ve never seen, and few of us have much experience in miraculous healings, resurrections, cleansings, and exorcisms.

Has Jesus called us to declare what we have not seen?

No, even if there is much we do not know about His kingdom, we are called to declare what we do know. This is exactly what the King of heaven is telling His subjects. They have been in on His miracles, liberating the captives of sickness and sin.

They are to do what He has shown them.

Their mission comes straight from experience.

This is our calling, too. Have you seen Jesus heal? Then declare His healing.

Have you seen Him deliver? Then declare His deliverance. Have you seen Him release captives? Then declare His freedom. Whatever He has done for you, you are to do for others. It’s that simple.

In Deed We often hoard the gifts God has given us as our own possessions. They are not; they were given for a broader reason.

He intends not only to care for us, but to care for us in such a way that we become like Him in His care. Those who have been forgiven are to forgive. Those who have had debts canceled are to cancel others’ debts. Those who have been given ample resources are to give them away.

Christian service is easily summed up. We are to minister to others as Jesus has ministered to us. His blessing is the means for us to bless others. However we have experienced the kingdom of heaven, that’s how we are to share it. Then, as we become His channels, we experience the nearness of the kingdom—and the King.

August 25-31

THE KINGDOM’S COSTLY WAYS “You don’t know what you are asking.” (Mark 10:38) In Word James and John asked Jesus for a favor—a huge favor. They wanted to sit next to His throne in the kingdom. Were they envisioning a heavenly kingdom? Or reigning from Jerusalem independently of Rome? Either way, they were out of line.

They were ready for the benefits of the kingdom but had not yet counted the cost.

And they had miscalculated the type of rule this King would have.

Jesus clarified things for them. His is a kingdom that begins with death, and the way up the kingdom’s ladder is the humility of service. James and John had somehow missed Jesus’ three earlier attempts to warn them of His impending execution (one each in Mark 8, 9, and 10). They had not fully understood that following Jesus implies a cross—literal or figurative—that all disciples must carry. No wonder they didn’t know what they were asking. They knew neither the events on which this kingdom would be founded nor the principles on which it would be run. We can look on their request in hindsight and chuckle; but it would not have been beyond us to have asked the very same thing.

In Deed In truth, it is still not beyond us to ask Jesus inappropriate things. It isn’t that we don’t understand His message or His authority. Like James and John, we prefer to focus on the fullness of the finished kingdom rather than the processes that usher it in. We forget the warfare being waged and try to implement the spoils of victory now. We bypass the nature of servants on our way to the privilege of sons.

When we pray, Jesus must sometimes tell us, too: “You don’t know what you are asking.” We have a distorted picture of the kingdom. It does, in fact, include reigning with Jesus in authority, power, and victory. But the foundation being laid includes humble service and crosses. Let your prayers reflect this reality.

Love the benefits, but know the costs. Ask with the awareness that God may lead you in costly ways.

September 1-7

HEAD OVER EVERYTHING God placed all things under his feet and appointed him to be head over everything for the church. (Ephesians 1:22) In Word Jesus has always been the rightful King, but His kingship hasn’t always been practically enforced. God put all things under His feet, which means, of course, that all things weren’t already under His feet. This kingship is eternally true but progressively applied. As we thoroughly know from our daily experience, not everything goes according to His will.

But that’s changing. God put Jesus on the throne and all things under Him. The King is now seated at the right hand of the Father. Many of us have already submitted to His authority, and we are given the royal assignment of bringing others in our spheres of influence into His realm. He has given us the ability to help our homes, workplaces, and communities shift from being theoretically under His feet to being practically under His feet. We are participants in growing the kingdom.

This is the direction of history and, for those who believe, the current reality.

No opposition, no obstacle, no situation or circumstance or person is greater than the authority Jesus holds and shares with us.

Plenty of voices in our lives, including our own natural senses, tell us otherwise. But they lie. If we could see the authority He has—and that we have in Him—we would never yield to any contradiction to His kingdom. His headship over everything would embolden and empower us.

In Deed Everything in our lives should reflect the gentle-yet-unyielding authority of Jesus. We easily acquiesce to the obstacles and contradictions because they look unyielding and overpowering. But they are smaller, weaker, and illegitimate.

And they are futile in the face of a believer who insists on the authority of Jesus over all. Sooner or later, all of His opposition will confess that He is Lord. And our royal privilege is to recognize, announce, and implement His authority now.

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Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

Matthew 6:9-13

Daniel 7:15-28

Matthew 24:1-36

September 8-14

September 15-22

September 23-29

WHOSE KINGDOM?

VISION MATTERS

WHEN?

“Your kingdom come, your will be done, on earth as it is in heaven.” (Matthew 6:10)

“His kingdom will be an everlasting kingdom, and all rulers will worship and obey him.”

(Daniel 7:27)

“This gospel of the kingdom will be preached in the whole world as a testimony to all nations, and then the end will come.”(Matthew 24:14)

In Word Earth has never witnessed an everlasting kingdom. Some have lasted centuries, and their citizens may have thought they were everlasting. Caesars of Rome certainly believed their dominion was eternal, and for the better part of a millennium, the republic-then-empire certainly seemed to be so. But it weakened and splintered and died. They all do. They are all a brief moment in the eyes of the Ancient of Days.

When all the brief moments are over and the eternal kingdom stands alone, all other rulers of earth will come and worship the King. Will they still be rulers? Of something? That isn’t clear; the King is generous with His authority toward those who are loyal to Him. But the overlords of this world will be under the dominion of God and His people, with the Son of Man at the center of all worship. As a much later writer tells us, every knee will bow to Jesus and confess Him as Lord. That can’t be comfortable for those who claimed their own lordship, but it’s true. Everything that was wrong in this world will be made right.

Think about that. All the rulers of nations will worship and obey God, fully in line with His purposes. What would such a world be like? No wrangling in congresses and parliaments. No strident public policy debates. No more injustice.

No power plays, jockeying for position, or abuses of authority. No wasted resources or selfish gains. A kingdom we can really believe in.

In Word Jesus told of a time when the temple would be torn down, and the disciples asked when. On the surface, it looks like a simple prophecy about the destruction of Jerusalem that we now know came in ad 70. Jesus elaborated with plenty of details, most of which could easily apply literally or figuratively to that terrible time.

“All the people of the earth” is just as easily translated as “all the tribes of the land,” with specific implications for Israel. But at times, the prophecy takes on a more ultimate tone, to the degree that Jesus is clearly referring not to His coming judgment in the first century but also His second coming for the entire world. Like many prophecies of Scripture, this one has ripple effects that pass through the immediate generation and into the distant future.

So which “end” are we talking about? The end of the age of Israel as the kingdom? Or the end of the age of human history as we know it? And when does it come? Not even that is clear; Jesus resolutely refuses to designate a day and hour, or even a millennium. But He does give clues. And one of them is that the good news—not just the gospel of grace as we think of it, but the gospel of the kingdom— will be preached to all people groups throughout the world before He returns.

In Word We make assumptions when we read the Bible through our own preconceived beliefs, and several common assumptions distort this verse. Though Jesus taught His disciples to pray, “Your kingdom come,” many people hear instead, “Your kingdom come (one day).”

And though Scripture indicates a fullness of the kingdom at His second coming, it in no way limits His kingdom to the distant future. Jesus’ prayer says only what it says.

It’s a prayer for God’s kingdom to come.

Why is this important? Because, as we’ve seen, in deferring everything good to “one day,” we tend to weaken in faith now. God will do miracles, but not now.

Every knee will bow to Jesus, but perhaps none today. We may see some momentary blessings—or at least glimpses of them— but we can’t expect them or enjoy them for long. But are these statements true? Nothing in Scripture would say so. It tells us we will have tribulation in the world and in this age, but it does not say we will have only tribulation. No, the biblical expectation is for a more imminent kingdom. Not immediate, but imminent, currently in the process of coming.

We wouldn’t think of applying the same assumption to the next phrase— ”Your will be done (one day)”—because God’s will is for anywhere at any time.

But isn’t that the essence of the kingdom?

Don’t these phrases have parallel meanings? Doesn’t the kingdom’s coming reflect His will being done in every way? Yes, the prayer of Jesus is sweeping and urgent.

And it applies to the details of our lives today.

In Deed Try praying this prayer with specifics. “Your kingdom come in my heart.”

“Your kingdom come in my family.” “Your kingdom come at the office.” “May Your kingdom invade my Monday.” “Let Your kingdom rearrange my assumptions, my relationships, my world.” However you can think to apply it, pray it fervently.

It’s a prayer that is always according to God’s will. And a prayer God is waiting to answer on behalf of those who persistently believe.

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In Deed That’s nice, but what does it mean for us? More than we think. These glimpses of destiny are not only for our hope, without which we can’t survive.

They are also for partnership in the process. God rarely works out His purposes in this world unilaterally. Even His decree to send a Savior was accompanied by prophecies, invitations to envision, and people who prayed the vision. He gives us pictures and proposals so we can partner with Him. We see, we pray, we labor, we believe. The vision is never peripheral.

If the kingdom comes by faith, it comes through us.

In Deed In many ways, that has already happened. Every nation (as we define nations) has some Christian witness in it.

But some people groups within nations remain isolated without their own translation of Scripture or without a clear presentation of the gospel. And though the gospel of salvation has been preached around the world, the gospel of the kingdom hasn’t.

We’re still learning the fullness of the message. All we know is that there is vast work to be done in reaching this world. And it should never stop until Jesus comes back.

Invest yourself in that work in one way or another. Give, pray, seek, preach, teach, go. Jesus made it a priority; the timing of His kingdom is tied to it. Make it your priority too. .

Step Into the Story

A Powerful Tool How to Become a Walk Thru the Bible Instructor

I

magine teaching a group of people, many of whom have known the Bible pretty well for much of their lives, and seeing their eyes light up with “a-ha moments” when it dawns on them how the pieces of Scripture fit together.

That’s a common experience for our instructors when they lead audiences through a Walk Thru the Old Testament or Walk Thru the New Testament event.

More than 500 Walk Thru the Bible events are taught in North America each year, and each one has the potential to change lives.

Many Bible teachers have increased the impact of their ministry by attending a weekend training and becoming an associate instructor. They leave with a tool they can use for the rest of their lives to increase their platform for ministry, communicate with their audiences more effectively, and help people remember the story of the Bible better than ever before.

If you think you might be interested in becoming an instructor, here are some answers to a few frequently asked questions:

What are the qualifications for being trained as an instructor?

Instructors come from a variety of backgrounds, but all share a few common characteristics. You may become an instructor if you

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Step into the Story

(Contd.)

have a passion for understanding God’s Word and a sense of calling to teach it, gifts and experience in teaching the Bible, and an entrepreneurial spirit that motivates you to discover opportunities to teach the events and courses you have learned.

Do you have to be a pastor or church leader?

Many of our instructors are pastors or other church leaders, but there are plenty with different professional backgrounds. Our faculty includes professors and schoolteachers, small group leaders, businesspeople, conference speakers, and mission workers. Instructors must be involved in local ministry, market their services to churches, schools, camps, conferences, or other venues with attendance under 500 people, and be willing to schedule and service their own events.

What are the benefits?

As an instructor, you will . . .

• add a powerful tool to your ministry • become a more effective communicator • increase your own understanding of God’s story • enhance and further your mission of making disciples • join a global network of Walk Thru the Bible teachers • earn supplemental income As an instructor, you will be trained to teach in churches and Christian schools. For example, you’ll start locally with churches averaging less than 500 people in worship attendance or Christian schools with student bodies of less than 500. Once you have more experience, you can qualify to teach in larger crowds throughout the U.S. After being trained, most of our instructors start with their own church and go from there. We recommend networking close to home with your local pastor, Christian leaders, and friends when you first begin teaching our live events. .

Interested? Visit www.walkthru.org/instructor-training

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Leader Profile

Where Few Will Go Philip Tutu, Country Director for Ghana

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hilip Tutu is used to overcoming obstacles.

He was born with a rheumatic disease that almost left him unable to walk as a child, but he determined to overcome it—and did.

When he was 16, his father told him he could no longer afford his education, so he worked odd jobs for several years, during which time he tutored himself and eventually passed the high school completion exams. He went on to earn bachelor’s and master’s degrees and embark on a lifetime of faithful ministry.

“Don’t give up so easily,” he tells young people today. “Keep trying. There is always a way to overcome.”

So it only makes sense that even today, while many ministers and churches in Ghana focus on their home cities, Philip goes many extra miles to reach the rural regions of his country.

That isn’t a convenient mission. Quite a few Ghanaians from the two largest cities, Accra and Kumasi, are reluctant to go into some regions. For example, ministers assigned by their denominations to a region where Philip recently led training often consider the assignment to be a punishment or a hardship. Many government workers assigned to the area live in cities hours away and commute to their offices for the workweek, returning to their families on the weekends. The way of life is

difficult, the amenities are few, schools can be substandard, the roads are in poor condition and hard to navigate, and most ways into the region require a ferry crossing over tributaries of the Volta, which some consider dangerous. Not a lot of people are taking teaching and training to pastors in the difficult places.

But Philip does because that’s where his heart is. He lives in Accra and loves the people of his city, as well as the conveniences of the city, but he also longs to see the rest of Ghana served with trainings and resources that will help church leaders teach and equip their congregations. “My vision is to bring Bible training to all five regions of the country: the northeast, the northwest, the southeast, the southwest, and the center,” he says. “Who will go if we don’t?”

Philip began working with Walk Thru the Bible in 2004 and teaches several of the ministry’s events, as well as many from other discipleship ministries. And while it’s true that some pastors can journey to Accra or Kumasi for continuing training, many cannot afford to spend the money or take the time away from their churches. They are grateful that people like Philip bring the training to them. Even if he has to overcome a few obstacles. .

Not a lot of people are taking teaching and training to pastors in the difficult places.

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Donor Profile

Giving with a Personal Touch Walt and Lynnette Maynes

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alt and Lynnette Maynes have been involved with Walk Thru the Bible long enough to consider themselves family. But even from the start, they felt that they weren’t just sending a check to a ministry; they were participating in the ministry’s global mission.

“When we talk about Walk Thru the Bible with other people, we say, ‘We are reaching people in Africa’ . . . or Asia, or wherever,” says Lynnette.

“It isn’t ‘They do,’ Walt adds. “I feel like I am part of the staff.”

That’s because the Maynes have attended numerous donor events over the years and have come to appreciate the relational side of the ministry. They meet and develop relationships with ministry staff, international leaders, and Walk Thru the Bible supporters.

“I think Walk Thru the Bible gives you an intimate touch with your giving and with the field,” Walt says. “You see where your money went, you see the results, and then you can plan how you want to give in the years to come. It’s a more personal, hands-on process of investing in eternity.”

The Maynes first connected with Walk Thru the Bible about the time Walt retired—nearly 14

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years ago. He began using the Daily Walk Bible to read through the Bible every year. He later added devotionals At His Feet and Worship the King to his daily reading. “Walk Thru the Bible became very big in my life because of the Daily Walk Bible,” he says. “And the devotionals have had a tremendous influence on me. The Word has changed my life.”

The Maynes want to help other lives change too, and they believe one of the best ways to do that is by supporting Walk Thru the Bible. They are encouraged by evangelism statistics around the world—reports of thousands of people coming to Christ each day—but they know that isn’t the ultimate goal. “If there are 20,000 people in Africa who receive the Lord, now what do we do with them?” they ask. “That’s really what Walk Thru the Bible does. This ministry helps Christians learn the Word.”

That’s how the Maynes are able to influence people around the world with God’s truth. “We know people are being touched, and we know where our money is going. These people are receiving the Word because of what Walk Thru the Bible does with our gifts.”

“It’s a great tool for participating globally,” they add. And it turns the subject of their conversations about ministry from “they” to “we.” .

The Last Word

I

remember my first high school crush—a girl named Sandy. I had dated a few girls here and there, but I was enamored by Sandy. She was lively, funny, positive, pretty. We kind of just had a “connection.” At least until she announced to me six months later that she didn’t like me anymore.

She liked James. I was crushed. And that was the end of that.

Sometimes change happens to us without our permission—like Sandy announcing one day that she had moved on, or your boss telling you there is no longer a place for you at the company, or a doctor letting you know the test results were much less than hoped for. Sometimes we initiate change. We leave one job for another. We decide to attend this school instead of that one. We move from one neighborhood to a different one.

The number of changes you could recount in your own life, small and big, would make for a long list. But it is good to know, comforting to know—important to know—that in the midst of change is the One who does not change: the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob. The One who was and is and is to come. The eternal Father. The great I Am. His unchanging nature is one of the reasons He can keep every promise He has ever made. “He has promised, and will He not do it? He has spoken, and will He not fulfill it?” (Numbers 23:18).

As I write this, change is in the air for me. I’ve been privileged to spend 13-plus years as a Walk Thru the Bible employee. But the completion of this column is my last official act. Debbie and I are leaving Walk Thru the Bible to explore opportunities that we have sensed God calling us toward for a number of years now. Neither of us are spring chickens anymore, and so the time is right for us to pursue what we believe God is calling us toward. So change is in the air for us. We are excited about the possibilities before us. Pray for us!

But one of the things not changing for us is the enthusiasm that Walk Thru the Bible placed in our hearts for God’s Word. By making His Word come alive for us through its unique resources, Walk Thru the Bible has given us boldness and confidence to step out in faith and pursue His call.

Whether change surprises you or is initiated by you, it is God and His Word that will enable you to navigate it and embrace it. He is unchanging. But He is also the Father of those who live in a changing world. And He guides us through it faithfully.

John Houchens Senior VP for Advancement/International

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In the next issue of Pathways: Much-needed training for pastors and leaders is available in Ghana’s cities. But that’s not where many of them serve.

Walk Thru the Bible is going where they are to offer help.

Discover more about Walk Thru the Bible at

www.walkthru.org