RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 4 May 2025 – Lesson 36
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TOPIC: Cross-Cultural Missions (Part 2) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 4 May 2025)
MEMORY VERSE: “Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.” – Matthew 28:20 (KJV)
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (KJV) (RCCG Sunday School Student Manual 4 May 2025)
19 For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more.
20 And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law;
21 To them that are without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law.
22 To the weak became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.
23 And this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I might be partaker thereof with you.
INTRODUCTION: Cross-cultural missions involve connecting with people whose culture is different from our own. Thus, we need to make efforts to remove the barrier between the gospel and the people we are ministering to, without changing the gospel message or changing who we are. The gospel should be communicated in a manner that is clearly understood in the culture and worldview of those who are intended to hear it. Today we shall look at the challenges and strategies of cross-cultural missions.
LESSON OUTLINES:
- CHALLENGES OF CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
- STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
1. CHALLENGES OF CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
In 2 Corinthians 11:23-30, Apostle Paul mentions some of the challenges he faced as a cross-cultural missionary. They include persecution, hunger, shipwreck, rejection, and suffering from harsh weather conditions, infirmity, and so on (2 Corinthians 4:8-10). Missionaries are often faced with all these challenges and even more. Having to leave one’s family, friends, vocational identity, familiar environment, and, in some cases, modern conveniences to cross geographic, cultural, and/or linguistic barriers can be extremely challenging (Acts 22:2-3; Philippians 3:8). Many missionaries battle with serious health issues which affect their work in a negative way (2 Corinthians 12:9). Language and culture learning takes time and practice and this can be challenging as well.
CLASS ACTIVITY 1: What are you willing to sacrifice for the gospel?
2. STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
Anyone who intends to engage in effective cross-cultural missions must be ready to learn new ideologies, cultures, norms, values, language, etc. (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). Do not stick to a single style of communication but learn how to adapt to the culture of the people you are sent to. Never shift ground on your conviction of faith, despite the respect for the foreign culture (Galatians 6:1). Develop a friendship atmosphere among the people (Proverbs 18:24). Have a target of how many souls you want to reach and win for Christ within a particular period and do a periodic evaluation of the target (Daniel 12:3). Above all, be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16).
As a cross-cultural missionary, Paul’s goal was to bring as many people as possible to faith in Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:22). He adapted his method and his language to the culture of the place where he was (1 Corinthians 9:20). He learned how to connect with different people so that he could be an effective witness for Christ (Philippians 3:5). In Athens, Paul spoke to the philosophers using their poetry to make his point (Acts 17:16-34). When he found himself among the Jews, he spoke to them using the Jewish Scriptures and history (Acts 13:13-42), but when he was among the Gentiles, he used the language and references they understood (Ephesians 3:6-8).
CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Are you willing to learn new languages for the sake of the gospel?
CONCLUSION: The missionary should be assured of God’s presence at all times and therefore be encouraged (Matthew 28:19-20).
QUESTIONS:
- Mention four challenges faced by cross-cultural missionaries.
- State three strategies for cross-cultural missions.
ASSIGNMENT: Choose a different culture from your own, in your country, and write out five strategies you can adopt to reach out to the people with the gospel (2×5=10 Marks).
RCCG Sunday School HYMN
- O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
O how I love Thee well,
I am happy, it makes me glad
To rejoice at Thy birth. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Thy friendship suits me well,
Both young and old will sing Thy song,
We long for Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Christ was Thy first teacher,
The Holy Spirit, great teacher,
Does manifest in thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
This testimony is sure,
That God, the Father Almighty,
Poured His blessing on Thee. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
Though the sun be so bright,
Or if the clouds black with rain,
I’ll be in Sunday School. - O Sunday School, on the Lord’s day,
I rejoice to see Thee,
Will thou pass over me today?
Without my being blest?
