LORD JESUS, you've told us to take your Gospel to all peoples of all lands. But we find this too hard! We're required to leave families, friends and familiar culture and go to a strange land to tell your message in a foreign language to an alien people. Most of them already have a religion which is interwoven into their whole culture and lifestyle. Besides, we Christians aren't welcome in some parts of the world, and are forbidden to teach your message (or even to go) to some lands. And the cost! If we really tried to reach the world in this generation, it'd bankrupt us all.

So we propose an alternative plan: you send the world to us! Have them come at their own expense - and learn our language before they come! Make them hungry for our friendship, anxious to come to our homes and willing to go to church with us. Send the young, teachable ones. Send those who are bright and vigorous, who'll someday be leaders in their home countries. Arrange for them to stay for several years so we can win a hearing for the Gospel and have time to teach them well after they become believers. Especially send many from places where missionaries are forbidden to go, including Iran, Saudi Arabia and Mainland China. How many, Lord? Oh, some 700,000 perhaps, well spread around the country so many churches and individual Christians can take part.

Now, if you'll do this, then we promise to make sharing Christ with these people one of our highest priorities. We'll get to know them, win a hearing through extending friendship and try to learn how to explain your Gospel to them clearly. We'll work and pray. It might sound like a lot to ask, but you can do it, can't you?

Glen Zumwalt

BIBLE STUDY

Just to Think About: Just how far does God's offer of salvation extend? To the foreigner as well? What strategy does God have for reaching all people in the whole world?

As you read through this passage, note how God takes the initiative (and Philip's obedience follows) to reach this international - one individual who comes from a country today known as Sudan. The early church didn't just "discover" the idea of reaching the foreigner, it did so under the influence of God's freeing initiative.

Breaking Through the Barriers

1. Which cultural, social, religious and practical barriers was it necessary for Philip to overcome in order to meet this foreign finance minister?

2. Notice how the Holy Spirit helped Philip at each step along the way in this contact. What can we learn about God from this?

The Great Potential for World Evangelization

3. How had God already prepared this finance minister for the Good News?

4. In what ways are international students on our campus similar to this finance minister?

Personal Application

5. Which cultural, social, religious and practical barriers exist for us and the members of our group, which hinder our work with internationals? How do we need to change?

6. "He went his way rejoicing." How can this give us motivation for our witness to internationals?

For further Biblical motivation, also see and study Genesis 12:3; Leviticus 19:33-34; Deuteronomy 10:18-19, 31:12-13; 1 Kings 8:41-43; Psalms 67:2-7, 96:1-10, 13; Isaiah 56:6-8; Matthew 28:18-20; Romans 15:8-12; and Revelation 5:9, 7:9-10.