RCCG Sunday School Teacher Manual 4 May 2025 TOPIC: Cross-Cultural Missions (Part 2)
OPENING PRAYER Father of mercy and grace, open the doors of salvation to the nations that are resisting the gospel of Jesus.
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PREVIOUS KNOWLEDGE: The teacher should review the previous week’s lesson.
BIBLE PASSAGE: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23 (KJV)
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.
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)
LESSON 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 AIM: To teach how to overcome barriers to cross-cultural missions.
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TEACHING OBJECTIVES: Through this study, students are expected to:
Know some cross-cultural missions challenges.
Understand some strategies for cross-cultural missions.
TEACHING PLAN: To achieve the above-stated objectives, the teacher should:
a. Allow the students to recite the memory verse, read the Bible passage, contribute to the discussion; do class activities and the assignment.
b. Allow the Assistant Teacher to see to the well-being of the class, and mark attendance and assignment.
c. Teach the lesson outlines, summarise, conclude, evaluate the lesson and give an assignment.
TEXT REVIEW:.1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
From the scripture above, identify four things the Apostle Paul did for the gospel’s sake.
i. ………………………………………..
ii. ……………………………………….
iii. ………………………….……………..
iv. …………………………………………
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LESSON OUTLINES:
CHALLENGES OF CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
STRATEGIES FOR CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
1. CHALLENGES OF CROSS-CULTURAL MISSIONS
A. In 2 Corinthians 11:23-30, Apostle Paul mentions some of the challenges he faced as a cross-cultural missionary. They include:
i. Persecution, ii. Hunger, iii. Shipwreck, iv. Rejection, v. suffering from harsh weather conditions, vi. Infirmity, and so on (2 Corinthians 4:8-10).
B. Missionaries are often faced with all these challenges and even more:
i. 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).
ii. Many missionaries battle with serious health issues which affect their work in a negative way (2 Corinthians 12:9).
iii. 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
A. 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).
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).
Be sensitive to the leading of the Holy Spirit (Romans 8:4; Galatians 5:16).
B. As a cross-cultural missionary:
i. Paul’s goal was to bring as many people as possible to faith in Jesus (1 Corinthians 9:22).
ii. He adapted his method and his language to the culture of the place where he was (1 Corinthians 9:20).
iii. He learned how to connect with different people so that he could be an effective witness for Christ (Philippians 3:5).
iv. In Athens, Paul spoke to the philosophers using their poetry to make his point (Acts 17:16-34).
v. 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).
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).
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CLASS ACTIVITY 2: Are you willing to learn new languages for the sake of the gospel?
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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.
EVALUATION: Students should mention four challenges faced by cross-cultural missionaries and also state three strategies for cross-cultural missions.
CLOSING PRAYER: Dear Lord, help us to reach the unreached in the world in Jesus’ name.