Long-time Brigada participant ‘Ed’ was wondering if anyone had any good books or manuals which can be used for an adult SS Class on missions. Ideally, this should be a course that’s fairly self-programmed (i.e., didn’t require outside speakers to fulfill it). Any ideas? If so, please click “Comment” below this item on the web at…
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I have used “A Mind for Missions” by Paul Borthwick with the goal of developing a “world” mindset. It was an easy read and a good starting point for developing awareness.
I recommend “Through God’s Eyes” by Patrick Cate (usually available through US Center for World Missions). Another great resource is by Mission One called “Operation Worldview.” It is video based and designed to use with S.S. classes or small groups. Here is a link for it: http://www.mission1.org/opwv_purchase-special.html
Rachel in IL
Bridges by Crescent Project, is great for study of Islam and Muslim outreach. See http://www.bridgesstudy.com/
Try missionary biographies. We've used the following to guide our thoughts about missions and missionaries – some with high impact on the participants.
Look at "Missionary Biography Series" 1 & 2 on this site:
http://www.propempo.com/drupal/node/10P
–2020 Vision (Bethany House)– is the core of the intensive Perspectives course…for "normal" believers! Provides a traditional quarter of Bible study sessions as participants read weekly chapters. The leader has a full curriculum guide that's free to download at:
http://www.BillAndAmyStearns.info
Let us know if we can help!
–Bill & Amy Stearns
Best one I know is: Until the Whole World Knows by Alicia Britt Chole – complete with learning activities for adults. http://www.truthportraits.com
Great site too.
A number of years ago, I taught a basic missions course using Bruce Camp’s Discovering Our Place in His Plans (http://www.nsresources.com/browse.cfm/4,2954.html).
If you are more creative, have a more time/talent. John Pipers Let the Nations Be Glad is a great book that could be used to develop a course.
Check out the Kairos course website http://www.kairoscourse.org
Kairos is a 9-session course with reading assignments. It has significant impact on the world view of believers, calling them to discover their own role in the Great Commission. Yes – missions is not just for missionaries! One of the Kairos distinctives is that graduates of the course can be trained to run it themselves for their own church or organisation.
The “2020 Vision” book sounds very good, but the ‘source’ book (Perspectives …) should provide plenty for several classes, could be ‘mined’ to fit the group or fellowship…..
It seems ideal to me, especially if the Sunday School can function more as a ‘small group’ study instead of the traditional lecture mode.
In 2005 Caleb Project produced a missions curriculum for small groups and SS classes called "Eternal Impact." It includes videos, workbooks for participants, and lesson plans that help Christians explore common roles in missions – Intercessor, Giver, Sender, Goer, Welcomer, or Connector – in various applications – e.g., your "Jerusalem," "Judea and Samaria," and "The Ends of the Earth." See http://store.calebresources.org/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=1740000-1174495589
Besides the books and Bible study booklets that have been mentioned – good stuff – I'd also put in a word for "God's Heart for the Nations," by Jeff Lewis. http://store.calebresources.org/ProductDetail.jsp?LISTID=1730000-1174495589
Disclaimer, the ministry I work for distributes both these things.
I hope a few others will respond to this post – Love to hear what else others are using.
Somebody should put together an awesome multi-media missions SS class that you can get online anywhere in the world, downloading high-quality videos to show and lesson plans to use – wouldn't that be a good resource? Does it already exist?
In August Zondervan is coming out with a DVD curriculum that sounds top notch. But it's not just about missions, it's about being salt and light in the world: "start>Becoming a Good Samaritan." http://www.zondervan.com/Cultures/en-US/Product/ProductDetail.htm?ProdID=com.zondervan.9780310285069&QueryStringSite=Zondervan
"Let the Nations Be Glad" by John Piper will stir the heart and mind.
Finding God’s Vision: Missions and the New Realities by William Tinsley
http://search.barnesandnoble.com/Finding-Gods-Vision/William-Charles-Tinsley/e/9780970811868
email: bill@tinsleycenter.com
Participating in God’s Mission (adult study guide and teaching guide)
http://www.bgct.org/texasbaptists/Page.aspx?pid=705&srcid=459
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