TRIBAL #5

​Study

Acts 8: 26-40 Part 3
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1. Read Acts 8:36-38
   
   How would you explain baptism to a new convert from an unreached tribal people? Read BAPTISM after discussion. 
   
   
2. Read Acts 8:39-40
   
   What is it important for a missionary to leave? When is the right time to leave? 
   
   
3. What other mission principles are on display in Acts 8:36-40

Watch

The Portrait of Bible Translation (2:49)

1. "Perhaps you think there isn't a place for you in a ministry like Bible translation. It takes a variety of people to make Bible translation happen. And there are many roles both overseas and here at home. We need more than Bible translators. We need teams. And those teams need you. You don't have to be good with languages; you have to be willing to let God use you just the way He created you. There is a place for you in Bible translation. Let's find it together."
   
   What role could you play? 
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2. What else did you notice from the video?  

Which Is More Important? (2:32)
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1. What stood out to you from this video? 

Never The Same (15:46)

1. This is a longer, but powerful story of what it is like to return to a tribe decades after they accepted the gospel. If you watch this, what stood out to you from this video? 

You're Not Alone (2:41)
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1. What stood out to you from this video? 

Discuss

Excerpt from John Williams: Messenger of Peace by Janet Benge. 

1. “The work of Christian missions is the greatest, noblest, and sublimest to which the energies of the human mind can be devoted... no labor, we can bestow, no sacrifice that we can make, no journeys that we can undertake, are too great to be undertaken for the glorious purpose of illuminating the dark world with the light of the glorious gospel.” (locations 1708-1731).
   
   Agree or disagree? Explain. ​

Excerpt from Nate Saint: On a Wing and a Prayer by Janet Benge. 

1. "That night, Nate realized how much time and effort he'd wasted going after his own dreams and plans, and he understood the deep joy that comes from surrendering every dream and plan and talent back to God." (locations 445-446). 
   
   Are Christians wasting time going after their own dreams and plans? Explain. 
   
   Why is there deep joy in surrendering every dream, plan, and talent to God?
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2. "Some might say, 'Isn't it too great a price to pay?' When missionaries consider themselves—their lives before God—they consider themselves expendable. And in our personal lives as Christians aren't the same thing true? Isn't the price small in the light of God's infinite love? Those who know the joy of leading a stranger to Christ and those who have gone to tribes who have never heard the gospel gladly count themselves expendable." (locations 1036-1041). 
   
   ​Are our lives expendable when it comes to bringing the gospel to unreached tribal peoples? Explain

Excerpt from one of many letters written by tribesmen asking for missionaries. 

1. ​​“I am Eric Kaisoa. I'm speaking for my people again. I'm writing again for the 7th time to ask if you will come to my village or not. If you're willing to come, then please, in the name of Jesus, we want someone to really come and learn our language. We're continuing to demand this. The people are saying that you must come. I'm saying this again. I think you all didn't get my first six letters. If not, alright, now is my 7th letter. I'm writing again, and it really must bear fruit. The people are truly crying for a missionary and for God's talk. Plenty of my letters asking for missionaries have been wasted. Now I'm asking you to return a letter to me now. In the name of Jesus, please return a letter quickly. I just want a missionary. I'm just wasting my money on these pens and paper; they don't bear fruit. This one must produce the fruit right. Thank you. God bless you and me too." By Eric Kasisoa
   
   This note shares a poignant story of Eric's persistent efforts to invite missionaries to his people, writing letters for ten years without any response. Sadly, Eric passed away two years before the missionaries finally arrived to share God's message with his people. Despite his eagerness, Eric didn't have the opportunity to hear the message he longed for during his lifetime. It highlights the importance of timely and responsive action in fulfilling the call to bring the gospel to unreached people.
   
   
2. What are your thoughts?

Learn

Read Global Starting Point 10

Respond

Describe where you are in your journey of becoming SOGY; Supporting Others or Going Yourself. 

Choose your next step. Do you want to continue the journey? If so, which people group is next?

Pray

What was the most important thing you learned? Let it shape your prayers as the group prays together.