RCCG YAYA Sunday School Students Manual 4 May 2025 Lesson 36 – Cross-Cultural Missions (Part 2)
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TOPIC: Cross-Cultural Missions (Part 2) (RCCG Sunday School Manual For Young Adults And Youths (YAYA)
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) (Scroll down for RCCG Sunday School 4 May 2025 HYMN)
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.
Also Read:
– Open Heaven 4 May 2025 – Lights, Camera, Action (1)
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.
FURTHER READING:
Sunday: Romans 8:35-39 (KJV);
35 Who shall separate us from the love of Christ? shall tribulation, or distress, or persecution, or famine, or nakedness, or peril, or sword? 36 As it is written, For thy sake we are killed all the day long; we are accounted as sheep for the slaughter. 37 Nay, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him that loved us. 38 For I am persuaded, that neither death, nor life, nor angels, nor principalities, nor powers, nor things present, nor things to come, 39 Nor height, nor depth, nor any other creature, shall be able to separate us from the love of God, which is in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Monday: Romans 1:1-32 (KJV);
1 Paul, a servant of Jesus Christ, called to be an apostle, separated unto the gospel of God, 2 (Which he had promised afore by his prophets in the holy scriptures,) 3 Concerning his Son Jesus Christ our Lord, which was made of the seed of David according to the flesh; 4 And declared to be the Son of God with power, according to the spirit of holiness, by the resurrection from the dead: 5 By whom we have received grace and apostleship, for obedience to the faith among all nations, for his name: 6 Among whom are ye also the called of Jesus Christ: 7 To all that be in Rome, beloved of God, called to be saints: Grace to you and peace from God our Father, and the Lord Jesus Christ. 8 First, I thank my God through Jesus Christ for you all, that your faith is spoken of throughout the whole world. 9 For God is my witness, whom I serve with my spirit in the gospel of his Son, that without ceasing I make mention of you always in my prayers; 10 Making request, if by any means now at length I might have a prosperous journey by the will of God to come unto you. 11 For I long to see you, that I may impart unto you some spiritual gift, to the end ye may be established; 12 That is, that I may be comforted together with you by the mutual faith both of you and me. 13 Now I would not have you ignorant, brethren, that oftentimes I purposed to come unto you, (but was let hitherto,) that I might have some fruit among you also, even as among other Gentiles. 14 I am debtor both to the Greeks, and to the Barbarians; both to the wise, and to the unwise. 15 So, as much as in me is, I am ready to preach the gospel to you that are at Rome also. 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: for it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth; to the Jew first, and also to the Greek. 17 For therein is the righteousness of God revealed from faith to faith: as it is written, The just shall live by faith. 18 For the wrath of God is revealed from heaven against all ungodliness and unrighteousness of men, who hold the truth in unrighteousness; 19 Because that which may be known of God is manifest in them; for God hath shewed it unto them. 20 For the invisible things of him from the creation of the world are clearly seen, being understood by the things that are made, even his eternal power and Godhead; so that they are without excuse: 21 Because that, when they knew God, they glorified him not as God, neither were thankful; but became vain in their imaginations, and their foolish heart was darkened. 22 Professing themselves to be wise, they became fools, 23 And changed the glory of the uncorruptible God into an image made like to corruptible man, and to birds, and fourfooted beasts, and creeping things. 24 Wherefore God also gave them up to uncleanness through the lusts of their own hearts, to dishonour their own bodies between themselves: 25 Who changed the truth of God into a lie, and worshipped and served the creature more than the Creator, who is blessed for ever. Amen. 26 For this cause God gave them up unto vile affections: for even their women did change the natural use into that which is against nature: 27 And likewise also the men, leaving the natural use of the woman, burned in their lust one toward another; men with men working that which is unseemly, and receiving in themselves that recompence of their error which was meet. 28 And even as they did not like to retain God in their knowledge, God gave them over to a reprobate mind, to do those things which are not convenient; 29 Being filled with all unrighteousness, fornication, wickedness, covetousness, maliciousness; full of envy, murder, debate, deceit, malignity; whisperers, 30 Backbiters, haters of God, despiteful, proud, boasters, inventors of evil things, disobedient to parents, 31 Without understanding, covenantbreakers, without natural affection, implacable, unmerciful: 32 Who knowing the judgment of God, that they which commit such things are worthy of death, not only do the same, but have pleasure in them that do them.
Tuesday: 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 (KJV);
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.
WED: Matthew 28:19-20 (KJV);
19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 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.
Thursday: Romans 2:14-15 (KJV);
14 For when the Gentiles, which have not the law, do by nature the things contained in the law, these, having not the law, are a law unto themselves: 15 Which shew the work of the law written in their hearts, their conscience also bearing witness, and their thoughts the mean while accusing or else excusing one another;)
FRI: 2 Corinthians 4:1 (KJV);
Therefore seeing we have this ministry, as we have received mercy, we faint not;
Saturday: Acts 20:24 (KJV)
But none of these things move me, neither count I my life dear unto myself, so that I might finish my course with joy, and the ministry, which I have received of the Lord Jesus, to testify the gospel of the grace of God.
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).
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 friend friendship suits me well,
Both young and 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 be 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?
