Paths v4n3 2015 summer by MK Designs

News & Views from Walk Thru the Bible

Reaching Millions in India Bermuda

. . . and Beyond Weekly Devotionals for Summer

Summer 2015

Walk Thru the Bible 4201 North Peachtree Road Atlanta, GA 30341 www.walkthru.org Volume 4, Number 3 Summer 2015 Published quarterly President Phil Tuttle Vice President of Advancement Michael Gunnin Editor Chris Tiegreen Designer Michael Koiner Contributors Chris Tiegreen Emily Tuttle

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

ear the end of our conference in India in January, I got an idea. I put a chair in the middle of our circle and asked our regional director, Vallab Sathyabal, to sit in it. I knew this would make him uncomfortable, but I assured him it would be good, and he reluctantly took his place. For

the next few minutes, each sub-regional director took turns looking him in the eye—which was

equally uncomfortable for them—and telling

him what they most appreciated about him.

One of the highlights of these affirmations

was hearing how these leaders felt that Sathyabal’s character had influenced their own. He had spent years workin g to multiply ministry impact in the countries of South Asia, but he hardly realized how much he had multiplied his own leadership in the leaders under him.

That’s what discipleship is all about—fruitfulness in every form. Multiplication not only involves numbers of hearts that have been touche d and lives that have been changed, pastors and leaders who have been trained, and churches and communities that have been transformed. It also involves slow and subtle growth that happens in the course of meaningful spiritual relationships.

You’ll see plenty of examples of the quantifiable kind of multiplication in this issue of Pathways—millions of lives reached in India, Pakista n, Bermuda, and many other countries. But I hope you’ll also see the less tangible multiplication of heart and character that takes place anytim e one person shares his or her life with others. In every case, God’s Spirit uses His Word and His servants to bring people into a closer relationship with Himself.

That’s the heart of our ministry, and I’m grateful to be a part of it. I’m grateful your part of it too, and I hope you’ll be encouraged by all the ways your gifts and prayers are being multiplied around the world. © 2015 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.

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 2015

VOL. 4

NO. 3

Features

6 Reaching India’s Millions

Growth, Strength, and Beauty in the Face of Adversity In a diverse country of 1.2 billion people, there are plenty of needs and challenges. Walk Thru the Bible’s regional partners are making great strides in meeting them.

Small Island, Big World

Gary Simons’ Heart for Nations One instructor in Bermuda has a calling much bigger than his island, and it’s opening doors all over the world.

Devotionals 22 T K H he

ingdom

ope

Weekly readings excerpted from indeed magazine

departments

New at Walk Thru the Bible

Regional News

InstructorFest 2015

Highlights from around the world

Country Profile

Step Into the Story

Leader Profile

Donor Profile

India

Jesus in the Old Testament Strong in Any Season Curnilius Gill Multiplied Influence Judy Huber

Cover and above: Amid pervasive Hindu and Muslim influences, Christians seek to extend their own influence among India’s vast population.

What’s New @ Walk Thru InstructorFest >

ifty-six veteran instructors from across North America and many of their spouses gathered in Atlanta in March for InstructorFest 2015 for a time of reconnecting with each other, training, and fellowship. The instructors came from the U.S., Canada, and Bermuda, and were joined by global leaders from the Philippines, Ghana, and Egypt. The training focus of this year’s gathering was the official launch of God’s Grand Story with its new components for students and children, making it a true churchwide experience for all ages. Attendees participated in the campaign’s new promotional video (view at www.thegrandstory.org). Six instructors received service awards for teaching Walk Thru the Bible courses for more than 30 years. By the end of the

New Look for Kids in the Book >

ids in the Book has long been effective as a children’s version of Walk Thru the Old Testament and Walk Thru the New Testament events. Throughout the Kids in the Book live event, children become actively involved with stories, lessons, games, puzzles, and other interesting activities aimed at teaching Old and New Testament themes. Each activity stimulates imagination, fosters creativity, and enhances group participation, helping kids learn in a way that comes most naturally to them. Now the workbook for Kids in the Book has been updated with a new look more consistent with the graphics and style of our Keyword Learning System. The update will help them connect with the material better and facilitate their learning.

three-day meeting, instructors were equipped to take God’s Grand Story into churches. The campaign begins with a Walk Thru the Old Testament event but also includes six weeks of sermons, devotional readings, and small-group or Sunday school discussions. It gets participants engaged with God’s Word at a church-wide level, giving them a thorough overview of Scripture and helping them establish long-term habits for integrating it into their lives.

An App for That >

n app for YW is now available so students can enjoy the devotional magazine on their portable devices. The new YW app can be downloaded in Android, Kindle, or Apple formats. The app is free and includes sample content for anyone who downloads. Full content is available to current subscribers; users can also purchase by subscription or on a per-issue basis through the app. Video clips, links to the YW website, and Bible-reading links are some of the features accessible through the app, and clipping tools make content shareable on social media. YW has long been limited to mailed, hardcopy subscriptions. The app is a huge step for the ministry in making it available electronically worldwide. For more information on YW, call 1.800.361.6131 or visit our website.

Regional News Latin America >

More than 250 pastors and leaders across many denominations in Nicaragua received teaching and training in February in Elegida—the Spanish translation of Chosen: When God Changes Everything, our newest course in the Biblical Character Series on the life of Mary. These leaders will spread the teaching across the country, helping people understand how God sets apart His people for His purposes. This course, as well as others in the Biblical Character Series, helps local leaders increase the impact of their churches and ministries. Through networking and training, the effectiveness of these leaders and their ministries continues to grow and is reaching more and more people across the region with biblical truth. God’s Grand Story, the churchwide campaign that immerses congregations in an overview of God’s Word for six weeks, was launched in Latin America, initially reaching eight countries including Mexico, Honduras, Nicaragua, Colombia, Peru, Chile, Brazil, and Argentina,

as well as churches in Spain and the U.S. Hispanic community. The materials have already been translated into Spanish, and new instructors have been trained in preparation for this campaign. Thousands of followers of Jesus will reach deeper levels of discipleship.

Europe > The Hungarian translation of the Daily Walk Bible was completed in April and is currently being printed. Walk Thru the Old Testament and Walk Thru the New Testament have been taught in Hungary for years, but this will be the first follow-up resource that instructors and churches can offer at the end of the events. Event attendees will now be able to read through the Bible in a year in Hungarian with insights and a reading plan that further explores the material from the events.

Middle East > This year’s Middle East/North Africa (MENA) conference is being held in late June in a Middle Eastern country accessible to the majority of interested participants. This annual meeting brings together pastors, teachers, and other leaders from across the region for strategic planning, training, and fellowship. The result will help our partners in the region extend and improve their already effective ministries.

Last year in the Middle East and North Africa, for example, more than 250 pastors and teachers were trained, more than 4,000 people were taught in live events, and more than 25 million were reached through media. This year, leaders from this strategically significant region are busily preparing to launch Chosen and God’s Grand Story, two of our newest resources, to strengthen and equip churches to reach their culture with biblical truth. Please pray for this meeting and the ongoing ministry that follows.

Central Asia > Love, Sex, and Lasting Relationships has been translated into the Georgian language, and a training event was held in Tblisi in May. This is the first follow-up event to Walk Thru the Bible’s launch in Georgia in 2014.

Pacific > God’s Grand Story was recently launched in Australia at a church in Adelaide, Australia, with more than 140 people participating. This event will be followed by many others, as the campaign is currently being promoted and planned in other churches and venues throughout the country. In addition to the God’s Grand Story initiative, other Walk Thru the Bible events—Walk Thru the New Testament as part of a school’s curriculum in Victoria; Walk Thru the Old Testament training events in Tasmania; and training events for camp counselors—continue to make an impact in Australia. .

Reaching India’s

Millions

Growth, Strength, and Beauty in the Face of Adversity

church in West Bengal, India, was going through some internal crises a few years ago, and one of its committees planned to call the denominational leaders to inform them the church had decided to split. But a training event for a Walk Thru the Bible marriage course had been arranged for that week, and the announcement of a split would have been disruptive. The committee decided to wait until after the training was over. A few of the committee members sat in on some of the training sessions, mainly out of curiosity. As they listened to the instructor teach on the importance of forgiveness in marriage, they realized how applicable his words were for their church. After the training, they reopened their discussion within the committee and eventually decided not to split. The training event not only saved and strengthened many marriages; it saved a “marriage” between members of a church. Because of experiences like this, the denomination—the Church of North India—actively encourages its churches to host Walk Thru the Bible events and training sessions for their members. Likewise, a bishop in one region has specifically recommended to the entire network of churches that they take their congregations through God’s Grand Story, a six-week campaign that immerses churches in the story of Scripture. These kinds of endorsements have been a vital help in extending the

reach of Walk Thru the Bible instructors throughout the country. Last year, more than 1.1 million people in India attended a Walk Thru the Bible event, and more than 900 pastors and teachers were trained as instructors. Those numbers are expected to be matched or exceeded this year, with nearly 1.2 million reached in the entire South Asia region (India, Bhutan, Nepal, Bangladesh, Sri Lanka). That’s possible because the South Asia region, which began its partnership with Walk Thru the Bible in 1998, has long modeled the ideal training system for multiplying instructors. Whenever a new course is developed with all its components—the live event, visual aids, workbooks, and leader guides—it is presented to a handful of trainers in each country that chooses to use it. In South Asia, that means almost 30 sub-regional and zonal leaders gather to receive training and then develop a strategy for teaching it to churches throughout the country. But not only do they teach it; they train

People gather in Kolkata for the launch of Chosen, a course on the life of Mary. Right: Mother Teresa’s Missionaries of Charity continue to serve the underprivileged of Kolkata. 8

other instructors, who then teach and train others. The result is exponential increase. That means that when one leader in India is trained, the impact extends to hundreds and even thousands of people. The cost on the field for training that instructor is minimal by U.S. standards. But the fruit of that instruction is enormous. In a land of 1.2 billion people, that multiplication is vital.

his year, the focus of instruction is God’s Grand Story, which is launching not only in South Asia but around the world. Because the campaign immerses every aspect of congregations—preaching, worship services, Sunday schools and small groups, and more—in God’s Word, it’s a critical response to the problems many congregations have with members not knowing Scripture very well or not engaging with it consistently at a heart level.

As in any other country, some churches in India are quite thorough in teaching God’s Word, but many others do not have leaders with a strong biblical background or the resources to give their members the big picture of the biblical story. God’s Grand Story not only introduces congregations to the overview of Scripture, as Walk Thru the Old Testament and New Testament have always done; it leads people through the story for six weeks together in a way that helps them establish a potentially lifelong habit of engaging with God’s Word daily. And that’s where real life-change happens; statistics show that engaging meaningfully with Scripture at least four days a week spurs dramatic spiritual growth. So hundreds of thousands of people on the subcontinent will have the opportunity to experience Scripture this year as they never have before through God’s Grand Story. And early reports are encouraging: • A leader from the state of Maharashtra says

that in churches that have already tried God’s Grand Story, attendance has increased, Biblereading is having powerful effects on individual lives and marriages, and giving is up. • A church that initially was not very enthusiastic about the campaign tried it, got hooked, and now credits it with a growth movement among its youth. • Two small groups in South India gathered to study God’s Grand Story. After hearing the messages and meeting for six weeks of study and devotions, they decided to continue meeting around God’s Word. The result? Two new churches and many new disciples being nourished regularly with life-changing material.

“I sensed God calling me years ago,” the young woman said, “but I thought I had made the wrong

decisions and that it was too late. I realize now that God is still calling, and I am committing my life to serving Him.” That was the testimony of a college-age woman who attended the launch of Chosen in Hyderabad. This course on the life of Mary—the third installment in the Biblical Character Series—focuses on the dynamics, privileges, and costs of being called by God. Like the young woman who sensed a renewal in her calling, many participants grew in their understanding of God’s purpose for their lives and how He works through His people. “I came confused but now I am returning confirmed,” said one. President Phil Tuttle taught four sessions of Chosen twice in India in January, once at a church in Kolkata (Calcutta), and once at Hyderabad in south-central India. Like previous courses in the Biblical Character Series, it is being translated into

India’s 12 most widely spoken languages and will be taught in churches throughout the country. And, like the first two in the series, it addresses deeply felt needs. Crucible on the life and choices of David and Detour on the life and experiences of Joseph have bolstered the faith of many Indians, who often endure severe trials as Christians in a land dominated by Hinduism and a Hindu government. Though most Hindus live peacefully with Christians, some, including many in government, are strongly nationalistic and feel that Christianity does not fit with Indian culture. Christians experience opposition ranging from passive intolerance to intense persecution, depending on the area of the country. The messages in Crucible and Detour have strengthened them in the face of hostility. Chosen addresses many of the internal struggles Christians face, especially in their unique

“I came confused but now I am returning confirmed.”

calling to serve God. Together, the three installments in the character series are helping the Christians and churches of India face the challenges of this age. These challenges are nothing new, of course. Ever since the apostle Thomas took the gospel to India in the first century, the Christian faith has faced resistance in one form or another. But India’s Christians are determined to remain strong. “This is an issue to pray for,” says Vallab Sathyabal, Walk Thru the Bible’s director for South Asia. “My request is for Christians to have strength. Don’t pray for the problem; pray for the strength to endure the problem. Pray for Indian revival.” Sathyabal strongly believes in a statement

often made by Dr. Vararuchi Dalavai, the founding director of Walk Thru the Bible–South Asia who passed away last year. “He said this again and again: ‘Persecution beautifies the church.’ This is what God has intended in this place—to beautify the church—and we are ready for a big revival.” Whether beautifying the church through resources that help Christians face persecution, growing the church through resources that instill God’s Word in their lives, or strengthening the church through teachings on leadership, marriage, and family, Walk Thru the Bible– South Asia continues to play a significant role in the spiritual lives of millions of Indians. And God continues to grow His people through His Word. .

“Don’t pray for the problem; pray for the strength to endure the problem.”

Country Profile

India Population: 1.2 billion

people groups Ethnicity: more than 2,500 distinct , es spoken; Hindi 41%; Bengali 8.1% Language: more than 450 languag , 4.5% i arat Guj , Urdu 5%, Telugu 7.2%, Marathi 7%, Tamil 5.9% Oriya 3.2%, Punjabi 2.8%; Kannada 3.7%, Malayalam 3.2%, English widely spoken ic; the worldâ&#x20AC;&#x2122;s largest democracy Political system: federal republ country in the world. It is about one Geography: the seventh largest more than three times the third the size of the U.S., but with population of the U.S. ; 6% Christian

Religion: 74% Hindu; 14% Muslim

China

Afghanistan

Iran Pakistan

Nepal

Bhutan

Myanmar

India

Bangladesh

Sri Lanka

ndia is a colorful and complex mix of cultures, ethnicities, languages, and beliefs. Hinduism is the dominant religion, but there’s enormous diversity within it. Religious freedom is a legal right, but at times laws are overlooked in areas where Hindu extremism confronts religious minorities. Christians in most regions of India face little or no persecution, while those in other regions experience it regularly—sometimes intensely. Prayer needs: Christianity is widespread in India—it’s where the apostle Thomas ministered in the first century, and where William Carey pioneered the modern mission movement. But even with a strong foothold, many Christian leaders are sent out with very little specific preparation for their ministry. As a result, discipleship and teaching are huge needs in the Indian church. As Hindu nationalism surges, Christians in many regions face various forms of resistance. Pray for their ability to stand firm. In addition: • Pray for spiritual revival across denominations and increased unity between denominations, and for God’s Grand Story to spark a Bible-reading movement. • Pray for opportunities for Walk Thru the Bible instructors to train and teach; an estimated 1.2 million people will attend at least one Walk Thru the Bible event this year, and more than 2,000 pastors and teachers will be trained • Pray for leaders to emerge from the younger generation—70 percent of India’s population is under 35. .

Gary and Belle Simon 16

Island, Big World Small

Gary Simons’ Heart for Nations

ne of the most significant ways God is using Walk Thru the Bible around the world is by raising up a team of men and women who teach and train people to dig deeper into His Word. This group of national and regional leaders is hard working, humble, and dedicated to igniting a passion for God’s Word in the hearts of people all over the world. Recently, we sat down with Gary Simons, our country director in Bermuda, to hear the story of how God has used his journey with Walk Thru the Bible to touch the lives of thousands of people around the globe.

Gary, how did God first call you to a life of ministry? “God burdened my heart through a book called Fresh Wind, Fresh Fire that Jim Cymbala wrote, and it ignited my heart for prayer. So I started praying, ‘God, what do You want to do with my life?’ And through that book and lots of prayer, we ended up starting a church in Bermuda that now has about 35 nations represented in it.”

How did you first get involved with Walk Thru the Bible?

“Twenty years ago, Phil Tuttle trained me in the Walk Thru the Old Testament seminar, then he had me come back and do the New Testament, and on and on until I was trained in about 15 courses. I had attended a Walk Thru event in college and thought the material would be great to bring back

to Bermuda someday, but I never dreamed how important Walk Thru the Bible would be in my life and ministry. I even met my wife through Walk Thru!”

What made you want to get involved with Walk Thru the Bible initially? “I think the greatest thing was to want to understand the Old Testament because most believers know about the New Testament, about Jesus, about the Gospels and the miracles, but not about how the Old Testament fits together. So I think the greatest strength this ministry has brought to people is to help them understand God’s Word and remove the mystery from certain parts of it. “Even though I went to Bible school, learning to teach Walk Thru the Old Testament helped me understand the Bible more because you have the big picture so you can go deeper. You have the box cover so you have an idea where the puzzle pieces fit.”

So how did you end up teaching Walk Thru the Bible courses around the world, not just in Bermuda?

“I think getting trained with Walk Thru the Bible is what stirred my heart for missions. I loved the idea of taking God’s Word into different countries and seeing what God does in different people groups. “I started doing yearly training on the Operation Mobilization ships for all the OM missionaries,

and people started to call my team and me to come and teach them in other countries. They called from Africa, Asia, and the Far East because they wanted us to come train them with Walk Thru the Bible resources. So now we do about five mission trips per year in different countries based on where we get called to or where the needs are.”

What are some of the biggest challenges of ministering cross-culturally?

“We work a lot with translators in different countries to bring God’s Word to where people are. Sometimes you have to find a word that translates correctly to what you’re trying to communicate so people can get the full meaning. Like in the mountains in Ethiopia, we had to meet with our translator before the event and go through every hand sign to make sure they would be something the people could understand fully. “And sometimes you’re faced with cultural challenges. In a place like Haiti where a church might not even have electricity, how are you going to do a PowerPoint? So you come up with creative

A Walk Thru the Old Testament event on Operation Mobilization’s ship Logos II. Right: Teaching in Cambodia. 18

ideas of how you’re going to teach an event without the basic needs.”

Tell us some of your favorite stories from around the world. What are some of the moments you’ve seen God at work?

Zambia: “We got a call to come to Zambia to do two events, one for adults, one for children. Our contact told us there would be 200 children at the event, so I started thinking of ways to raise money to get 200 workbooks for them. Then he emails later and says the number has increased. Now it will be 500 children. So I talked to my team and asked them how we were going to teach a Walk Thru the Old Testament to 500 kids at one time. “And then he called back again and said to expect 750. And then 1,000. And then it increased from 1,000 to 1,500. By the time we were ready to leave, it was up to 2,000 children. “So they gathered 2,000 children from all different schools in a field at 8:30 in the morning, and we taught them the Old Testament. They

didn’t want to leave until they learned it all. So from 8:30 in the morning until 6:30 at night we taught these children in Zambia who were excited from beginning to end to learn the Old Testament. It was crazy but a lot of fun!” Guyana: “We were invited to come teach the Indian tribes of Guyana and to lead a youth conference through the Old Testament. There were 200 teenagers from the Wai-Wai tribe. They’re some of the original native people of South America, near the border between Brazil and Guyana. They came from the surrounding villages—some of them walked and canoed for eight to ten days to get there. “It was a remote area, so we flew in on a small plane, and they were all waiting for us when we got there. It was awesome to be with these kids who were so excited to learn that they traveled for that long just to get there. They really absorbed what we taught them. It was a really cool experience.” Ethiopia: “A friend from Brooklyn Tabernacle asked me to come do a Walk Thru the 19

Old Testament event in the mountains of Ethiopia. You drive up about 10,000 feet from the city. It was freezing cold in February, and we gathered there with about 400 pastors, a lot of them from new church plants. “They were so excited to learn God’s Word that they were practicing during the break times and going over what they learned at night. They were staying in people’s homes, in tents, in compounds away from their families in order to get this training. The leaders came to me and asked me to stay for a month and teach them more of God’s Word. I couldn’t stay then, but it humbled me to see how hungry people are for God’s Word that we sometimes take for granted. I’m supposed to go back there this year, and I’m excited.” Cambodia: “Cambodia has the largest amount of children involved in the sex trade of any country. We were working with a ministry that reaches out to the children in the slums to keep them from being taken advantage of. They started a school, and they invited us to teach the adults

and the kids. “There were kids there from all walks of life. Some of them had been exposed to the sex trade, but they had accepted Christ since. Many of them were from the slums. They learned Walk Thru the Old Testament through translation, and they were so excited to learn the hand signs. “A few days later we walked out to the villages, and we were walking through the slums to minister to the people there. We noticed this girl standing in the doorway of a small shack. She made eye contact with us. She recognized us, but we didn’t recognize her. And then she started doing the hand signs, ‘Creation, Fall, Flood, etc.,’ and we recognized her as one of the girls we had been teaching. “It was so amazing to see how excited she was to hear God’s Word and learn it and take it home to where she lives. It’s awesome to see how people can grow in their relationship and have their whole life changed just by going to a seminar.”

What’s the biggest thing God has been teaching you through all these experiences you’ve had around the world? “I think a lot about the next generation. How are we going to get God’s Word out even more to those who are hungry now and help younger people understand it? “I’ve learned through the years that the more we can teach God’s Word and get people depending on the Lord and relying on the Holy Spirit, the more we’re going to see the church of Jesus Christ deepen around the world. Every country seems to have the same issue, and that is, ‘Yes, we know Jesus Christ, but we need to understand the Bible.’ “So my heart asks, ‘How can we share the resources we have with other pastors and teachers around the world? How can we teach more, train more, go deeper and wider with this message and reach more people with God’s love?’” .

A team of Walk Thru the Bible instructors prayed for Gary and Belle in March at InstructorFest 2015. 21

Into the Word w e e k l y

the

d e v o t i o n a l s

Kingdom Hope

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 29–July 5

Revelation 11:15-19

The Rightful King “The kingdom of the world has become the kingdom of our Lord and of his Messiah, and he will reign for ever and ever.” (Revelation 11:15) In Word According to common Christian belief, the kingdoms of the world will disintegrate in defeat, and the kingdom of the Lord will rise up and take their place. That’s how the end of days is pictured. But that isn’t exactly what Scripture tells us. No, the kingdom of the world—the earthly domains now

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.

governed by fallen human beings—are redeemed and restored to their rightful King. The nations don’t lose their identity at the Second Coming of Christ; they find their fulfillment in it. We see a hint of this in the temptation Jesus endured in the wilderness. The adversary gave Him a very real option: he showed Jesus the kingdoms of the world with all their splendor and glory and then offered to give them to Jesus—for a price. Jesus would have to bow down and worship His enemy (Luke 4:5-7). The temptation was real because Jesus came for that purpose—to win the kingdoms of the world. But this devilish shortcut was certainly the wrong means. Nevertheless, the kingdoms were on the heart of the King. During the temptation, Jesus never denied the glory of the kingdoms. Their glory was real. Like human beings made

in the image of God, earthly communities have the potential to reflect divine fellowship. Though they have fallen far short of that goal, they are not irredeemable. If we look, we can see the glory and the potential. We can find something in them desired by God. In Deed Look for the redeemable qualities of your culture. They are there for discerning eyes to see. When you find them, desire them for the kingdom. Pray, speak, live, and love in ways that bring them into their true identity. Whether you work in education, media, government, business, family, church, or any other sphere of society, you have opportunities to influence your world with kingdom values and solutions. Let the King come to them through you long before He comes for you.

Week 2

Week 3

Week 4

Isaiah 58

July 6-12

July 13-19

July 20-26

Kingdom Manifesto

Kingdom Generosity

Behind Breakthrough

“. . . to loose the chains of injustice . . . to set the oppressed free . . .” (Isaiah 58:6)

“. . . to share your food with the hungry and . . . when you see the naked, to clothe them . . .” (Isaiah 58:7)

“Then your light will break forth like the dawn.” (Isaiah 58:8)

In Word The best way to find out what a kingdom is like is to look at the heart of the King. What is His vision? What are His values? What does He want to accomplish? What kind of people does He surround Himself with? We get a glimpse of the answers in numerous sections of Scripture—the inspired book is, after all, the revelation of who He is—and one of the clearest is Isaiah 58. In this passage, the prophet voices God’s manifesto for His people. It’s a snapshot of the kingdom culture, a summary of values that are important to Him. His people have been falling short of the vision, specifically in how they treat the disadvantaged in their society. How can God’s kingdom have disadvantaged people? Doesn’t His goodness overflow to everyone? Aren’t those assigned to represent Him actually supposed to reflect His true nature? Somehow the leaders in His kingdom forgot. Somehow we do too. There is no injustice in heaven. There are no oppressed people. If His kingdom is to come on earth as it is in heaven— if earth is to be a reflection of His unfallen realm—then someone needs to address the injustices. Someone needs to look out for the oppressed. Someone needs to right the wrongs. Heaven has no wrongs. Wherever they exist, it isn’t His kingdom. In Deed The prophets voiced this kingdom culture often. Clearly, it’s important to God. It is not an insignificant theme represented by a few passing comments. No, this is a reflection of God’s heart. It is not His will for people to suffer, and especially not for some of His people to oppress others. Injustice is a violation of His nature and His heart. It is a contradiction of the divine character. Synchronize your heart with God’s on this issue. Speak up for those who are unjustly treated. Live with compassion and understanding, even toward those who have put themselves in an unfortunate position. Remember God’s mercy toward you and demonstrate it as extravagantly as you can.

In Word Imagine visiting a children’s home funded and directed by a wealthy benefactor. Most of the children are wellclothed, well-fed, and well-supplied with toys and games. But a few are barefoot, dirty, wearing tattered shirts, bony, and excluded from recreational activities. They are left to fend for themselves, perhaps because they don’t quite fit in, or maybe because they haven’t behaved as well as the others. Regardless of the reason, the discrepancy is disturbing. It raises all kinds of questions about the benefactor and his staff. And when you find out he doesn’t even know the situation—that he has provided plenty of resources for everyone—your anger turns toward whomever is squandering the funds. Someone has clearly discriminated against the poor children and violated all sense of goodness. It seems so wrong. It is wrong. That’s a picture of how hungry children might appear to an objective observer of God’s kingdom. Surely no one would expect exact equity among every child, but none should be hungry. That doesn’t fit the culture of His kingdom by anyone’s definition—except perhaps the privileged children’s. To everyone else, it makes no sense. In Deed This is not a political issue best addressed by government policy. It’s a spiritual issue that tests the hearts of God’s people. As John points out centuries later, the love of God within a person will compel that person to care for the hungry and hurting (1 John 3:17). The absence of that care reflects an absence of the love of God. That’s a problem. A big one. Make it a practice to ask God what’s on His heart. He will highlight a variety of expressions of His love, and this will often be one of them. He doesn’t want anyone in His kingdom to be poor, and He wants His kingdom to extend everywhere. That has huge implications for us. And it compels us to express His love very practically and tangibly.

In Word There’s a connection between our willingness to fulfill God’s heart and His willingness to fulfill ours. We may not know how to explain that theologically; it sounds a lot like earning His favor or being rewarded for good behavior. But it’s a solidly biblical principle. When mercy and resources stop flowing out from our lives, God’s blessings tend to stop flowing in. When we return to the generosity that reflects His nature, He returns to the generosity He demonstrated to us to begin with. He lets our willingness to bless others affect His willingness to bless us. The truth is that God always wants to break forth like the dawn in our lives. He wants to overflow with His goodness. That’s His default attitude toward His people. He doesn’t reward us for occasional obedience; He withholds for occasional disobedience. His normal posture is to extend an open hand. That means that when we experience lack in our lives, it should affect our perception of ourselves rather than affecting our perceptions of Him. He isn’t the problem. He may be waiting for us to take on more of His nature, to meet the needs of people in a way that reflects kingdom values. While we’re focused on our believing and receiving, He may be focused on our unwillingness to give. After all, He gave us a promise in Jesus: we will receive according to the measure we use (Luke 6:38). A heart open enough for blessings to flow out is a heart open enough for blessings to flow in. In Deed If you need a breakthrough in your life, this is one place to look. The promise applies not just to ministries of help for the hurting but for every expression of God’s compassion and mercy. He wants His kingdom to be reflected in this world among His people. When we withhold kingdom benefits from those who need them, He shows us what it’s like by withholding some from us. But when we learn to invest in His desires, He’s much more inclined to invest in ours.

Week 5

Week 6

Week 7

Isaiah 58

Luke 9:57-62

July 27–August 2

August 3-9

August 10-16

Open Communication

Better than Before

One Direction

“Then you will call, and the Lord will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I.” (Isaiah 58:9)

“Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings.” (Isaiah 58:12)

“No one who puts a hand to the plow and looks back is fit for service in the kingdom of God.” (Luke 9:62)

In Word Every relationship has its moments when communication is difficult and moments when it flows freely and easily. Our relationship with God is no exception. At times, He seems distant. But the kingdom ideal is for us to experience deep communion, hearing His voice and knowing He hears ours. The kingdom culture is one of open and clear communication. We were designed to hear and be heard and to draw close to the heart of the King. Why isn’t that always the case? Partly because the kingdom is still in the process of coming. In that process, we hear the voices of other kingdoms, we get distracted by the busyness of our lives and by other relationships, and, if we’re completely honest, we sometimes walk out of step with the true kingdom. The open communication we desire depends on our focus, our attention span, and our willingness to align with kingdom values and purposes. According to Isaiah, His responses to our calls often hinge on our return to a kingdom lifestyle. That should highly motivate us to eat, drink, and breathe the environment that flows from God’s being. He is surrounded by praise, His throne sits on righteousness and justice (Psalm 89:14), and He embodies love, compassion, and mercy. Those are our cues; we can’t go wrong by embracing the nature and the desires of God. In Deed Learn to read Scripture, particularly passages like this in which God expresses His desires for us, not as a collection of dos and don’ts but as a template of the kingdom culture. God is not interested in developing a race of robotic servants. He wants His realm to be full of people who have adapted to the lifestyle, who have cultivated the mannerisms, the expressions, the values, and the attitudes of the King Himself. His instructions are not directed at our behavior; they are directed at our hearts. And when we embrace them as expressions of His heart, His answers flow much more freely.

In Word A careful reading of Scripture will show us that God not only longs to redeem us. He wants to restore us too. The church in general has not expressed that message clearly over the centuries, but it’s true. God is a repairer at heart. That means it’s okay to pray for missed opportunities to come around again, even if they come around in another form. It’s okay to ask for the restoration of things lost. It’s vital to seek not only forgiveness but reconciliation, not only healing but health, not only survival but thriving. Just as God promised ancient Israelites that they would return from captivity and prosper—and that the glory of the new temple would be greater than the glory of the old one (Haggai 2:9)—He wants us to express His best to the world around us. He can make up for years the locusts have eaten and place His people in higher, better places than ever before. He fills us with hope. Many Christians don’t know that. Some think the goal of the redemption and restoration process is to return us our prefall state—innocent like Adam and Eve. But God isn’t turning the clock backward. Every loss in His economy can be followed by a gain that catapults us further than before. Adam was without sin, but He wasn’t God. We can have God’s own Spirit living within us. Where redeemed human beings end up is far better than where we began. And the new heavens and new earth will far exceed the old ones. In Deed Know the heart of God well enough to hope beyond measure. Place no restraint on your expectations for what He is doing with you and those around you. Participate in the process; seek His restoration everywhere and in everyone. Yes, the process may be hard, but the outcome is more beautiful than you can imagine. Why? Because you and this world are a restoration project, and God is a master craftsman. And you are designed to be like Him.

In Word Few invitations lead with warnings of the difficulties involved, but Jesus was always realistic with potential followers. The kingdom is not for people who want a comfortable, easy life. It’s for people who want a meaningful life anchored in truth. And to pursue that kind of life necessarily involves coming up against all its contradictions, both internal and external, many of them hostile. So the follower of this King should be prepared for some hardships, free from distracting obligations, and clearly focused on the goal. Looking back is not an option. Jesus presented a picture to make his point. A farmer doesn’t pull the plow; the ox handles that. The farmer guides the plow, and the only way to guide something in a straight line is to look forward while doing it. If the farmer turns around and looks behind, the row will be crooked. That’s not the best way to work a field. The farmer won’t cease to be a farmer; he just won’t be a very good one. He’ll need to learn his craft a little better to really be fit for the job. Jesus isn’t telling potential followers, “Suffer hardship or don’t bother coming at all.” But to experience kingdom life the way we are designed to experience it, we’ll have to be single-minded about it. The kingdom isn’t about what already happened; it’s about what is to come. And we’ll need to keep our eyes ahead if we want to see it well. In Deed Too many Christians are weighed down by the things in their past— or by the peripherals and distractions going on around them. Focus forward, diligently looking to see what God is doing and how you can be a part of it. Know that it requires constant attention and may involve hardship. Those who are looking for a comfortable life will find the kingdom uncomfortable for now. But by gazing into God’s plan, everything else fades into the background. Focus brings clarity. And it brings the kingdom into view.

Week 8

Week 9

Week 10

1 Thessalonians 2:12-13

Acts 8:4-12

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

August 17-23

August 24-30

August 31–September 6

Worth the Price

The Substance of Heaven

The Re-Genesis

We pleaded with you, encouraged you, and urged you to live your lives in a way that God would consider worthy. For he called you to share in his Kingdom and glory. (1 Thessalonians 2:12 nlt)

Now the people believed Philip’s message of Good News concerning the Kingdom of God and the name of Jesus Christ. (Acts 8:12 nlt)

Just as everyone dies because we all belong to Adam, everyone who belongs to Christ will be given new life. But there is an order to this resurrection: Christ was raised as the first of the harvest; then all who belong to Christ will be raised when he comes back. (1 Corinthians 15:22-23 nlt)

In Word Nothing in the gospel tells us to be worthy of the kingdom. In fact, it tells us just the opposite—that none are righteous, none deserve grace and mercy (which by definition can’t be earned), and only Jesus can accomplish what we need. But that isn’t what Paul is talking about in this passage. He isn’t telling his readers to be worthy of their inheritance in the kingdom. He is urging them, since they have already received kingdom citizenship, to actually live like kingdom citizens. This isn’t a surprising statement, is it? People hired at a company are told to live in a way that reflects the company’s interests. Athletes who play for a team are to embrace the standards of the team. Immigrants who become citizens are urged to uphold the laws of the land and learn its language and culture. Adopted children are to take on the name and the ethos of their new family. Why would kingdom citizens be any different? Having been taken into the kingdom of light, we are to live as enlightened people. If we are to share in God’s kingdom and glory, we need to live the role of heirs of such enormous privileges. We become what we have been called. In Deed Never strain to become worthy of God’s favor as though you could earn it. But always grow into the privilege bestowed on you. Live not as one who earns but as one who embraces what has been given. You’ve been given new clothes, so wear them. You’ve been given a new name, so use it well and represent it honorably. You’ve been given the keys of a kingdom, so carry them with the intentions of the King in mind. Whatever gifts are included in the gospel, refuse to squander them. Instead, embody them. Prove that it was worth it to God to give them to you.

In Word It was essentially a spiritual showdown, though neither participant would have categorized it that way. On one side was Simon, a magician who had amazed people for years with his unexplainable phenomena. On the other was Philip, a believer in the Jewish Messiah who preached a powerful message accompanied by miracles. Philip’s combination of message-plus-miracles was apparently more impressive than Simon’s feats, even though Simon had a reputation for being “the Power of God.” The crowds were drawn to Philip, and even Simon was impressed enough to believe. In this spiritual showdown, the Holy Spirit won. Clearly, the kingdom message Philip preached was not just a philosophy or a worldview. Philosophies and worldviews don’t match up well against paranormal signs. People are always drawn to evidence over ideas. They believed Philip’s message about the kingdom because it was accompanied by evidence of power over the world and over other spirits. It was a taste of heaven on earth. That’s what the kingdom message is all about, isn’t it? The prayer Jesus gave His followers was toward that specific end—that God’s will and His kingdom would come on earth as they were already being experienced in heaven. When Philip preached, people encountered the environment of heaven, and they were drawn to it. In Deed That should always be true of the kingdom message. It can’t be preached as an idea; it has to come carrying some substance of heaven with it. If people do not experience freedom, newness, hope, meaning, deliverance, healing, and wholeness along with the message, then they haven’t heard kingdom truth. In whatever we say about the kingdom, people need to encounter the power of God in it. That’s what brings them into it. Make that your goal—to speak words that are so filled with kingdom life that people encounter God when they hear them. Let your words be filled with hope, truth, freedom, healing, and more. Wherever you go on earth, give them a taste of heaven.

In Word When the first humans relinquished their divine privilege of governing the world with God, they invited a host of side effects into this world. The worst of these is death, a horrific, unnatural characteristic of the unkingdom. The imagebearers, the icons of God, cut themselves off from life through their treason in Eden. Only a miracle, some kind of re-genesis, could restore true, lasting life to the walking dead. That’s exactly why Jesus came—to effect a re-genesis, a new creation. He promised abundant life to those who come to Him in faith, and He breathed His Spirit into His disciples before He left them, just as the Father had breathed life into dust in Eden and brought a man to life. The exact icon of God came to fulfill our original assignment, and then He died our death in order for us to be filled with His life. It was an unforeseeable restoration, though prophets had hinted at it and forecast its coming. The one died and was raised for many so that the many might live in Him. We dare not reduce this life to a spirit-only disembodied existence. The resurrection of Jesus, the second Adam, was thoroughly physical. Our resurrection could not possibly be “less than.” The firstfruits are not different fruits. They are simply first. We will be raised just as He was raised. In Deed Imagine that. This kingdom will be filled with bodies that long ago walked this earth and then died. The God who created every atom in the universe certainly knows how to reconstruct a physical body, and He will do it according to our original glory, adding the glory of Jesus’ resurrected body to the design. The aches and pains will be gone. The inconvenience of physical setbacks and needs will become irrelevant. And death will be no more. Live in that hope, fully expecting the comprehensive restoration of the genesis to come.

Week 11

Week 12

Week 13

1 Corinthians 15:20-28

1 Thessalonians 4:13-18

September 7-13

September 14-20

September 21-27

We Win

Forever Reign

Hang on to Hope

After that the end will come, when he will turn the Kingdom over to God the Father, having destroyed every ruler and authority and power. (1 Corinthians 15:24 nlt)

For Christ must reign until he humbles all his enemies beneath his feet. (1 Corinthians 15:25 nlt)

. . . so you will not grieve like people who have no hope. (1 Thessalonians 4:13 nlt)

In Word Paul pictures Jesus ruling His kingdom, destroying all opposition, and then handing the kingdom over to the Father. We may not understand all the implications of that —Revelation 11:15 is pretty clear that Jesus will reign forever, and Revelation 20:6 is just as clear that His saints will reign with Him forever. But in this kingdom, power struggles are never an issue. He reigns, we reign, the reign is handed over to the Father . . . however it works, we win. The good side is victorious. The kingdom ends up completely in the right hands and shared among all interested parties. Knowing the end of the story may not seem all that significant when we’re having a hard day, but it is. Looking forward to that end means we never get to the end of our rope, never completely lose hope, never have a reason to say things just aren’t going to get better. Knowing the future outcome sustains us in present trials. A lot of Christians need to keep that perspective. Many fret and worry about the direction of the world, lamenting how things are getting worse and worse, certain that believers are going to end up losing the battle until Jesus comes to rescue us from it. But that’s not how this story plays out. In light of His promises to be with us and empower us, suggesting that the people of God lose the battle is tantamount to saying God Himself loses the battle. It’s an absurd thought. Jesus comes back to greet His victorious bride, not His defeated servants. In Deed Live from that sense of victory today. Embrace a hopeful view of the end times. Yes, there will be trials, but they will not overcome us. We overcome them. Evil is undone by the power of Jesus in the people who are filled with His Spirit. We have no reason to lament this story or even the daily grind. The kingdom ends up in the right hands. And we’ll have forever to celebrate it.

In Word Paul is referring to Psalm 110:1, an oft-quoted verse in the New Testament. But where the verse in the psalm tells us that Jesus will sit at God’s right hand until God puts His enemies under Jesus’ feet, Paul says Jesus must reign until He has put His enemies under His feet. And the verse prior to this one says the end will come after Jesus has destroyed all dominion, authority, and power—the time when many of us think His reign begins. How do we make sense of these verses? One common view of the end times has Jesus coming back (not sitting at the Father’s right hand) in order to put His enemies under His feet. And those who hold this view often see Christians losing the battle in this world until Jesus comes back to rescue them. From what we can discern from the cues in Scripture, it seems that Jesus is reigning with the Father now. He will come back after His enemies have been put under His feet, and He is coming in order to put His enemies under His feet—perhaps with more finality and visibility. Though Paul says He will reign “until,” we know from Revelation that He will reign forever and ever. There will be no end. In Deed Figuring out the end times can be confusing. So it’s a good thing Scripture never tells us to figure it all out. It tells us essentials—that Jesus is King, that He reigns not only for His people but through His people, and that even though He already reigns, He is coming to reign forever. We’re part of His reign now; we have authority over His enemies even now and can participate in putting them under His feet (Luke 10:19). And we will be part of it then, as we will reign with Him as kings and priests (Revelation 1:5; 5:10). Whether we fully understand the order of things, we know His reign is in heaven and on earth, both now and forever, and we are active in it in both realms and for all time. It’s worth getting up in the morning for that. And it can influence the attitudes and actions we carry into each day.

In Word Death is indeed a fact of life in this world, and it’s certainly worth grieving. Death doesn’t belong in the kingdom picture. We instinctively know it’s not right, it’s not our original design, and it must be overcome. It’s enemy number one. So we grieve whenever we come face to face with death, but we don’t grieve like others do. Much of the world either dreads the end or refuses to spend much time seriously thinking about it. And when it comes, they grieve the loss of life rather than celebrating the life that was lived. Why? Because apart from the promise of eternal life, the world is left with nothing better than wishful thinking about a vague afterlife. That isn’t a solid hope. We have something much better. We have hope. Real, concrete hope. In English, “hope” has a range of meanings, and we use it casually—as in, “I hope it doesn’t rain today,” or, “I hope things get better soon.” That kind of hope is the wishful thinking the world has about death. They hope it isn’t final. But biblical hope is different. It’s present enjoyment of a future reality, an active looking forward to what we know to be true. It isn’t hypothetical or vague. It’s the truth of the future in our hearts today. In Deed Whatever it takes, cultivate hope. In any trial, setback, adversity, opposition, or anything else that comes against you or brings you down, find something positive about it or envision what good might come from it. That doesn’t mean you should deny real feelings or deny the hardships, but neither should you honor evil with your words and expectations. God is bigger and better than any circumstance. He always has a redemptive plan for every situation we find ourselves in. There is no problem for which He does not already have a solution—including the problem of death. Find His promise and purpose in everything. And hang on to hope against everything that tries to steal it from you. .

Step Into the Story

the

’Yes’ to God’s Promises

An Excerpt from Jesus in the Old Testament The Old Testament portion of God’s Grand Story, our churchwide campaign that immerses whole congregations in Scripture, takes people through the Old Testament in six weeks. But for small groups and individuals who want a longer study, there’s a six-week follow-up: Jesus in the Old Testament. This new guidebook, released last spring, includes background information, daily devotional readings, and questions for discussion or reflection questions. Following is an excerpt from Week 3:

Intro to Week 3: Jesus in the Promised Land God is a keeper of promises. Unfortunately, His people don’t always prepare themselves well or know how to live in the promise when it comes. That was the case with Israel, who entered the Promised Land under Joshua’s leadership, received the inheritance they had longed for, and pledged to remain faithful to God. But their pledge soon lost its power as they got distracted by the gods and customs of other people in the land and around its borders. They needed help—often. That’s where the signs of Jesus take a strong turn toward practical help in times of need. . . . The Messiah who saves from sin and death will also be the Messiah who redeems, restores, protects, and provides. Between Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land and the rise of its first king, we see how fickle the human heart can be. This period of history

shows us how desperately we need a Savior and what life is like without one. We also see God’s intentions to provide one, illustrated in His repeated rescue of people who are in need. That’s good news for those of us who fit in that category. And we all do. Our deepest needs find their fulfillment in Him.

Week 3, Day 1: Fulfillment (Joshua 1, 3-4) Read Joshua 1:1-9; Hebrews 4:1-11 If Joshua had given them rest, He would not have spoken later about another day. A Sabbath rest remains, therefore, for God’s people. (Hebrews 4:8-9 hcsb)

Moses had led Israel for a generation, and God had proven again and again that he was the chosen deliverer for His people. But Moses died before getting to the Promised Land, and it was left to Joshua to take the people in. Joshua had

Step into the Story

(Contd.)

spent years listening for God’s voice and following Moses’ lead. In terms of leadership skills, he was ready. But was he ready emotionally? And were the people willing to follow him after following Moses all those years? Only after God gave Joshua plenty of encouragement and extravagant promises, and then demonstrated to the people that Moses’ authority had fallen to his successor. It’s significant that as great as Moses was, he would never be known as the one who led Israel into the promise. Like the law God gave through him, he could only lead up to the promise, not into it. It’s also significant that Joshua and Jesus have essentially the same name: “God is salvation.” The law can’t get anyone into the promise, but God can. It’s not by works, it’s by grace. The Promised Land is given, not achieved. And the names of both Joshua and Jesus affirm that God is the author of the journey and ensures its ultimate success. In many respects, it’s not hard to envision Joshua as a picture of Jesus. Both are described as humble, yet both are seen as victorious commanders of God’s armies. Both appointed 12 men as leaders under them. Both promised an inheritance to God’s people. And both are said to have led God’s people into a place of rest and abundance. But Joshua’s victories were partial and temporary; Israel’s territory expanded and contracted several times in the centuries after his death. Not so with the Messiah, whose kingdom never ceases to expand (Isaiah 9:7). The generation after Joshua soon began to forget God’s faithfulness and lost much of what they had gained. Jesus’ victories are decisive and forever. Only Jesus can lead people into the Promised Land of true abundance and fruitfulness, where the land flows with much more satisfying milk and honey and people really do live in safety and security. Whatever God promised for His people long ago in the Promised Land, He fulfills in much greater and more ultimate terms in Jesus.

Reflection • In what ways has Jesus already fulfilled God’s promises of peace, abundance, security, and fruitfulness? In what ways are those promises yet to be fulfilled in Him? • What kind of rest does God offer in Jesus? In what ways did Israel’s entrance into the Promised Land long ago illustrate that rest?

Discussion Guide Why is it significant that Moses did not lead God’s people into the Promised Land? If we associate Moses with the giving of the law, why was it necessary for another leader to fulfill the promise and lead the people to a place of rest and abundance?

______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ ______________________________________ Read 2 Corinthians 1:20-22. In what way is Jesus the “yes and amen” for God’s promises to us? How does our “yes and amen” apply His promises to our lives?

For more information on Jesus in the Old Testament, visit www.walkthru.org/jesusintheot .

Leader Profile

Strong in Any Season Curnilius Gill, Country director for Pakistan

akistan rarely makes widespread headlines in the West unless it’s related to terrorism— attacks on a church and school in Peshawar, suicide bombings in Lahore last March, and, of course, the raid on Osama bin Laden’s compound in Abbottabad in 2011. Those incidents reflect one aspect of the country, but they certainly don’t give the full picture. In fact, Christian churches, schools, and seminaries openly exist— and often thrive—in many parts of the country. So when pastor Curnilius Gill invited Walk Thru the Bible into Pakistan seven years ago, the doors were open. Since then, he has coordinated numerous training events that have trained about 300 pastors and teachers in Walk Thru the Bible courses, including The Testing of Your Faith, Crucible, Detour, and 7 Laws of the Learner, among others. Curnilius also helps coordinate evangelistic meetings that draw thousands—with the protection of police. Christians aren’t allowed to initiate conversations aimed at converting Muslims to Christ, but inviting people to church or an evangelistic event is permitted. “By the grace of God, we are preaching and teaching,” Curnilius says. “It depends on the area. Some areas near Iran and Afghanistan are more extreme, so we cannot preach there. But in my area, the Punjab, people are liberal and educated, so there it is no problem.” That doesn’t mean it’s easy. There are times when the government feels pressure from extremists and becomes less careful to safeguard Christian

freedoms (as well as those of Hindus and moderate Muslims). And even when official policy is in full effect, Christians—less than 2 percent of the population, though some Christians estimate much more—can feel very isolated. “We are a minority and sometimes feel that we are alone,” Curnilius says. “Our friendship with Walk Thru the Bible is very encouraging for us.” And then there are moments when the church feels under attack, not only in the northern border regions but also in Punjab, as when the churches in Lahore were bombed in March. Curnilius emailed Walk Thru the Bible the next day to say that the attack had caused a lot of fear in the Christian community. “But,” Curnilius added, “believers who have attended our courses on Crucible and The Testing of Your Faith have reacted entirely differently. We were all prepared through this teaching for this season.” That is one reason Curnilius has a strong appreciation for his partnership with Walk Thru the Bible. Biblical resources are available, but many of them are mixed with denominational traditions. “Walk Thru the Bible teaches only about the Bible. We need that material.” Curnilius asks for prayer for Pakistan’s Christians—for favor with the government, and for encouragement and spiritual growth, that they would be strong in any season. Even the hard ones. .

Donor Profile

Multiplied Influence Judy Huber

udy Huber and her late husband, Ron, first got involved with Walk Thru the Bible in the 1980s, and now Judy continues to be passionate about the work God is using Walk Thru to do around the world. “I think the most important decision a person can make is to follow Christ,” she said. “But then a lot of times they’ve made that decision, but there’s no one to come alongside them and help nurture their love of Christ and to help them grow spiritually. I love how Walk Thru is coming alongside young adults and teenagers and trying to help them grow in their walk with the Lord.” For Judy, being involved with Walk Thru the Bible is a way to extend her influence beyond her circle of friends and touch people far away with God’s Word. “My husband and I were involved together, but since his passing 10 years ago, I had the opportunity to really stop and think and pray about what God would have me to do. I saw that life can change in a heartbeat, so I looked and prayed for different ways to become involved with organizations that could further God’s Word reaching thousands of people. “I have a smaller circle of influence, but Walk Thru the Bible has a large circle of influence. If I

can help an organization that gets the Word out to thousands of people, for me at this stage in the game, that’s paramount. “When people ask me what kind of things I’m involved with, I always share about Walk Thru the Bible. It’s probably one of the few organizations that I don’t have a hands-on involvement with. Normally I like to get personally involved somehow, whether it’s stuffing envelopes or getting coffee. This is the first time I haven’t, and it’s because of the distance. It’s sort of refreshing to know, even though I don’t see behind the scenes of the organization, that my gifts are being used wisely and God’s Word is being shared all across the world. “You can see your gift multiplied a hundredfold. You can see that project you helped with grow now that it’s been translated into many languages. For me personally, it’s very humbling.” For Judy, investing in reaching the next generation with God’s Word is exciting. “I look at it as a legacy that’s going forward for generations. You can change culture by changing one heart at a time, and the international work at Walk Thru the Bible is reaching thousands of people. It’s my hope that with the change in their hearts, we can change cultures and countries.” .

The Last Word

he “InstructorFest” article on page 4 reports: “Six instructors received service awards for teaching Walk Thru the Bible courses for more than 30 years.” I love reading that! Thirty years partnering with a ministry is a long time. That’s not unusual at Walk Thru the Bible, though. At our annual Global Consultation in Kenya in April, we celebrated long-time partner Phil Walker’s 25 years of ministry with Walk Thru the Bible. I recently asked a donor when he first started supporting Walk Thru the Bible. He couldn’t remember because it was decades ago. It is a very significant testimony that so many of our instructors, employees, ministry partners, and financial supporters have been a part of the Walk Thru family for such a long time. Commitment is often hard to find today. That’s true in churches, families, workplaces, and every other facet of life. But there’s something special about Walk Thru the Bible. The ministry family is deeply committed to the mission. Whether it’s the employees who have been here decades, the ministry partners who have been serving globally for years, donors who have been giving so long they can’t remember when they began, or instructors celebrating 30 years of service, the Walk Thru family is faithful. God continues to bless this commitment. Walk Thru the Bible continues to experience momentum and growth. Our global partners and North American instructors are making a big impact in helping people live God’s Word. To those of you who have been supporting the ministry for many years—thank you for your faithfulness to Walk Thru the Bible. God has blessed your commitment and is using you to change the world. All of us at Walk Thru the Bible are thankful to you who financially support our global work. Your gifts and prayers are critical to enable us to ignite a passion for God’s Word. Thanks for investing in what God is doing at Walk Thru the Bible.

Michael Gunnin Vice President of Advancement

Nonprofit Org. U.S. Postage PAID Walk Thru the Bible Ministries

4201 North Peachtree Road Atlanta, Georgia 30341-1207

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In the next issue of Pathways: Christianity in Kenya is widespread, but many local pastors and leaders long for it to grow deeper. Walk Thru the Bible training resources are strengthening its roots and extending its fruit.

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