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Ever wish there was computer software that would analyze all the variables and then print out step-by-step details of God’s plan? Or maybe you wished for a fool-proof formula for knowing God’s will?
Could it be that God doesn’t want His people attached to formulas, but to Himself? Intimacy with Christ is the single most important prerequisite for knowing God’s will.
Well, it isn’t scientific, but here are some things that will further a more intimate relationship with Christ and prepare a believer for service in His harvest fields.
Living this way will start you on an awesome adventure with God that you will never regret! |
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It's a Relationship
Instead of constantly trying to figure out God’s will, spend time getting to know Him personally. Then His desires will become plain, and your desire will be to please Him.
- Become immersed in God’s Word.
- Talk to God, but also learn to listen through His Word.
- Grow in understanding and practice of spiritual disciplines.
- Begin making a regular habit of memorizing Scripture.
Look for these great books on Prayer:
- The Complete Works of E.M. Bounds on Prayer
- Living a Prayerful Life by Andrew Murray
Worship!
As a personal relationship with God deepens, God gives a strong urge to praise and worship Him. Through authentic worship, God draws His people into His heart for the nations. Two resources that discuss this are:
Pray
Engage in regular prayer for the Bibleless peoples of the world:
- Find a people group and learn about their specific needs.
- Start a prayer group focusing on the needs of the world.
Get to Know a People Group
- Learn about a specific area of the world that is of interest.
- Check into the geography of that region.
- Explore its history, culture, language and religion.
- Find ways to interact with people from the region, and begin to appreciate new ways of thinking and doing things.
- Learn to cook the foods, sew the clothes and build the houses. Get into it!
Give
Faithful giving enables Bible translation to happen. Get involved now by becoming a regular supporter of a project.
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Serve
Don't wait until you're overseas. Get involved in your church now:
- Help out on the missions committee
- Teach a Sunday school class
- Serve as an usher
- Become part of the visitation ministry
Use whatever skills you have to help out.
This is great training for future ministry.
Don’t know what your spiritual gifts are? Take a free online analysis.
Be Intentional
Set out to mobilize your church so they will be eager to join God in what He is doing:
- Pray
- Share ideas with the missions committee
- Supply the church with eye-opening resources
- Inform them of conferences and speakers
- Offer to organize a mission trip or coordinate a Perspectives course.
Be Deliberate
Make life choices that will strengthen your walk with God. For example:
- Read God's Word regularly and be sensitive to how He is directing.
- Commit to obey God in every situation, no matter how difficult.
- Make a commitment to biblical purity in all areas of daily life.
Go
Be a part of Bible translation now—Serve now!
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Connections
- Date and pursue friendships with those who share the same standards and vision for reaching the world with God's Word.
- Pray for God’s leading to find a spouse who shares the same call.
- Don't become isolated!
- Share your faith and vision with people who don't already share your worldview.
Peers
- Find mission-minded friends (particularly those that share your heart for Bible translation).
- Pray regularly with and for each other.
- Good friends can be a source of encouragement and accountability.
Mentors
Even those with a lot of experience can benefit from a mentor. There is always someone out there with more experience.
- Ask for guidance.
- Does your pastor know of the vision growing in your heart? Write him a note or get together to talk.
- Pursue a mentoring relationship with someone who is knowledgeable about mission opportunities—someone who shares your heart for Bible translation. This mentor could help in discerning your spiritual gifts and might see the direction the Lord is leading you.
Bible Translators
Connect with missionaries working in Bible translation:
- Host them in your home to get to know them better
- Ask tons of questions
- Exchange pictures
- Sign up for their newsletter
- Do they live overseas? Visit them!
Cross-Cultural Relationships
- Make friends with people of other races, religions and cultures
- Ask them about their lives
- Spend time with them and invite them to your home
Since Bible translation teams are often multicultural, learning to work with many types of people will be a valuable skill.
Connect with foreign students in a local college or through International Students, Inc.
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Simplify
Practice contentment. Learn to live with as few possessions as possible, so you'll be free to go places and do things when God calls. Live below your means and help support someone else involved in Bible translation. Consider how you can be ensnared by consumerism and materialism.
Avoid Debt
Credit card and school debt delay many people from active involvement in Bible translation work. Don't lose focus. Live on a tight budget and use extra cash to pay off any remaining loans or credit cards. Consider a variety of schooling options. Remember, an expensive private school is not necessary to receive quality training.
Be Available
It's easy to get busy and lose sight of where God is leading. Consider writing a mission statement for your life and use this to prioritize your activities, so you will be available when God calls.
Build a Support Group
Your local body of believers will serve as an anchor as you venture overseas into ministry. Don't let the process of gaining their support intimidate you. Here are some resources to help the preparation process:
- Check out Friend Raising, a book by Betty Barnett that presents a refreshing biblical alternative to fund-raising hype.
- Talk to us to see what our guidelines are for the support-raising process.
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Bible Training
For both Bible translators overseas and “senders” in the home country, Bible training is critical to spiritual development. Use Bible study materials to keep your reading fresh and to help you dig deeper. Consider also attending Bible school or seminary. The resources below are a good place to start a study of the Bible. You may also want to check out your church library or your local Christian bookstore for audio sermons, books, etc.
Language Education
For work in linguistics, translation or literacy, consider studying Greek or Hebrew. For a specific area of the world, study the country’s national or trade language.
In college, taking an introductory linguistics or phonetics course. Look for a school with a good applied-linguistics program.
Cultural Education
Anthropology is another important area of training for cross-cultural mission work. Any courses in this subject will be helpful.
Remember, Many Gifts are Needed
God has given each person unique talents and interests. Develop your God-given abilities and be confident that He can use you for His work. The job of translating Scripture requires a diverse team of support personnel working behind the scenes to accomplish the task.
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Read
Read widely on mission topics and language-related subjects. Subscribe to a missions magazine. Keep an eye on what is happening in the world and in missions.
Read missionary biographies to learn from men and women who have already been where you want to go.
Research Your Options
Check out different Bible translation organizations. Don't stop there. Ask questions!
- Attend mission conferences to meet representatives from different organizations.
- Ask your church which organizations they are working with already and get to know those organizations.
- Look into your church's missions committee and its policies.
What to Look For
There are many factors to think about when choosing a mission or Bible translation organization. Some considerations:
- Do you sense God calling you to a specific people group or area of the world? Does the organization serve in that area?
- Do you share the organization's doctrinal beliefs and vision for Bible translation?
- What is the organization's philosophy on cultural sensitivity? On national involvement in Bible translation? On denominational alliances?
- Does the organization make provision for international membership?
Make Your Move
When it's time to apply to an organization, remember that each organization may have a different application process. These processes can be rather lengthy, so plan ahead if possible. Wondering if Wycliffe is right for you? Take the first step.
Don’t hold back now! God wants to launch people into His harvest fields for the gladness of the peoples of the earth in the greatness of God. God wants to use you to accomplish this!
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