FIRM FOUNDATIONS - NTM (edited)

IMPORTANT NOTE TO TEACHERS: Contents

To effectively use the lessons in this book, Acknowledgements
READ AND STUDY PART 1 AND PART 2 Foreword
before you begin studying and teaching the lessons Part 1 - Firm Foundations-
themselves. Building According to Plan
Firm Foundations-Creation to Christ was adapted The Master Builder's Plan
from the Check the Foundations
Building on Firm Foundations Series by Trevor People Unprepared for the Gospel
McIlwain. Foundations for the Gospel
The original Building on Firm Foundations series Divine Building Principles
by Trevor Mcllwain was written primarily for church Building Chronologically in Evangelism
planters ministering among tribal people. Because of Correct Foundations for Teaching Believers
the great interest and demand for foundational, Part 2 - HowToUseThisBibleStudy
chronological teaching among a wide variety of people Practical Questions and Answers
in modern societies, the evangelistic phase of these Special Note
original lessons has been adapted into this course, Guidelines for the Teacher
Firm Foundations-Creation to Christ. Specific Instructions About the Lessons
Part 1 of this book contains essentially the same Part 3 - The Lessons
material as Volume I of Building on Firm Foundations. Lessons 1-50
Part 2, "How to Use This Bible Study," is changed
substantially from the similar section in the beginning PART 1
of Volume II of the original series. These changes Firm Foundations-Building According to Plan
reflect many considerations, such as teaching students The Master Builder's Plan
who have their own Bibles, teaching in various
environments-home, church, etc., and teaching Check the Foundations
different types of groups: large and small; believers,
People Unprepared for the Gospel
unbelievers, and mixed groups.
Part 3, the Lessons, have been adapted from the Foundations for the Gospel
original lessons for tribal people in Volumes II and III,
referred to as "Phase I" of the original Chronological Divine Building Principles
Teaching Outline. (In this book, Phase I is referred to
as the "evangelistic phase.") Many considerations Building Chronologically in Evangelism
were incorporated into these adaptations with the
Correct Foundations for Teaching Believers
hope that the teacher will be adequately prepared to
teach and respond to students who may have had The Master Builder's Plan
varying degrees of exposure to the Scriptures. With a thunderous sound, the walls cracked and
The original Building on Firm Foundations series is crumbled. Timbers splintered. The roof buckled and
still available from New Tribes Mission, Sanford FL fell into pieces. Floor after floor crashed one upon
32771. Please see p. 70 for a more detailed another, crushing, trapping, killing the tenants. In a
explanation of the series. few moments, the high-rise apartments were reduced
to rubble.
How had the disaster happened? The building

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looked sturdy. Why would it suddenly collapse? things is God' (Hebrews 3:4). God builds everything
Subsequent investigations proved that the builder according to His eternal plans. He will not change. He
had not followed the proper building specifications will never accommodate man's ideas or go with the
and plans. Willing to gamble with the lives and the times. He will never permit any change in the
safety of human beings for the sake of money, he had specifications which He has laid down for all that He
cut corners and economized on every part of the has planned to do in what we call "time." His work
building. always has adequate foundations, and He builds
The depth of the concrete had been reduced, and carefully, patiently, and precisely. He refuses to take
not all of the steel reinforcements required for the short cuts in anything He does, and He never uses
foundations had been laid down. Thus, the inferior materials or methods which are contrary to His
foundations were inadequate for the height and the holy and perfect nature.
weight of the building. The walls and floors lacked the The first account in Scripture of God's building
necessary steel rods to hold and strengthen the work is when He created the heavens and the earth.
building. "By the word of the LORD were the heavens made;
The builder had disregarded the instructions which and all the host of them by the breath of his mouth ....
had been given to him. He had followed his own way For he spoke, and it was done; he commanded, and it
because it was easier and quicker and brought him stood fast" (Psalm 33:6,9). God was the Creator
greater profit. Builder of all things, seen and unseen. Satan's lie, the
The results? Sorrow! Destruction! Death! theory of evolution, foisted on foolish, unbelieving
Just as this builder carelessly ignored construction man, is contrary to the nature and character of God.
standards and specifications, many Christians all over Nothing is left to chance with God. He is always in
the world carelessly disregard the Master Builder's full and complete control of all His works. Everything
plans for building His Church. was created according to His perfect plan, and He
In most instances, mass evangelism and personal declared that it was all good (Genesis 1:31).
evangelism, as well as the preaching and teaching of the Later in the Scriptures, we have the account of
Word of God, is not being done according to the God's command to Noah to build an ark. But God did
biblical plans given to the Church by the Divine not command Noah to build the ark and then leave
Architect. Many who are engaged in the work of Noah to formulate his own plans. God told Noah
building the Church are so engrossed in their own ideas exactly what must be done; and Noah, God's faithful
and schemes that they do not stop to consider if they workman, did everything just as the Lord commanded
are working according to God's divine directions or him (Genesis 6:22).
whether their work will pass His final scrutiny. When God chose to dwell with Israel, He com-
God is the Builder of His Church (Matthew 16:18). manded Moses to build the tabernacle. And how was
But He has chosen His earthly children to be laborers Moses to build it? "...See, saith he, that thou make all
together with Him (I Corinthians 3:9). The Christian's things according to the pattern shewed to thee in the
work in building the Church is similar to that of a mount" (Hebrews 8:5). Every detail, from the silver
building contractor. Just as a contractor is responsible sockets which were the foundations for the boards of
to follow exactly the plans given to him by the owner the tabernacle to the outer coverings of badger skins,
of a building, so we are responsible to follow God's was to be made exactly according to the divine pattern
plans for building His Church. shown to Moses on Mount Sinai. Scripture assures us
God is the true builder of all things. "For every that Moses was faithful to Him that appointed him
house is builded by some man; but he that built all (Hebrews 3:2). Only on one account is it recorded

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that Moses was careless and did not obey the clear (I Corinthians 3:10). He laid the foundations of the
command of the Lord. For striking, instead of Gospel on which the Corinthians' faith and hope were
speaking to the rock, he was banned from entering the built, and he warned the Bible teachers in Corinth to be
promised land (Numbers 20:7-12). How important it careful what they built on those biblical foundations
is to do all things according to God's plan! which he had laid (I Corinthians 15:1-4).
God's work of building the heavens and the earth Which is the clearest, most simple, and yet
was done by the power of His Word. Noah and most comprehensive method of teaching the
Moses followed the Word of God in all that they built. Word of God to prepare people for the Gospel
God's present work of building His Church is also and to teach them God's way of salvation? How
being accomplished through His mighty Word. "For should we teach in order to build up God's
God, who commanded the light to shine out of children and lead them into a knowledge of the
darkness, hath shined in our hearts, to give the light of whole counsel of God? These questions should
the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus be of great importance to us, whether we are
Christ" (II Corinthians 4:6). seminary professors, pastors, missionaries, Bible
The building of the universe was the work of God class leaders, Sunday school teachers, youth
alone. He did not use any angelic or human agent. But workers, or concerned parents wishing to see our
the great work of building the Church, like the work of children taught the Word of God.
building the ark and the tabernacle, has been committed Christ and His Gospel are the only
to His children. "...we have this treasure in earthen foundations which God has ordained as a basis
vessels..." (II Corinthians 4:7). "...we are for the faith of guilty sinners (I Corinthians 3:11,
ambassadors for Christ..." (II Corinthians 5:20). 15:1,2). But there is great confusion even among
"...Ye shall be witnesses unto me ... unto the uttermost Christians regarding these foundations and the
part of the earth." (Acts 1:8). God has chosen to bring correct way to establish them through preaching
His Church to completion through the teaching of His God's Word.
Word by the members of the Church. In the construction of any building, the foundations
If the ark and the tabernacle had to be built exactly are the first part of the structure to be prepared. The
according to God's plan, should not the Church also be majority of Gospel preaching, however, is usually
built according to His plan? Surely the Bride of Christ done with very little foundational preparation. This
is of even greater importance than the ark or the lack has contributed to a multitude of false professions
tabernacle. The use for the ark came to an end, and the and the uncertainty of many new Christians about the
tabernacle was superseded by the temple, but the foundations of their faith.
Church is to last for eternity. Therefore, "If any man Another obvious mistake in Christian education has
defile the temple of God, him shall God destroy; for the been the failure to teach the Bible consistently as one
temple of God is holy, which temple ye are" (I Cor 3:17). book, just as God has prepared it for us through
Every man's work, in relationship to the building of progressive revelation. Teaching outlines are carefully
the Church, will be tried by fire. It will all come under devised and prepared, but we rarely stop to consider
the scrutinizing gaze of the Great Master Builder that the Bible has already been prepared for us with an
whose servants and co-laborers we are. "For we are inbuilt teaching outline which, if followed, will give us
labourers together with God..." and must therefore be a clear uncomplicated, comprehensive coverage of the
wise, taking careful note to see if we are doing our entire Word of God.
work as He has commanded (I Corinthians 3:9-23). The majority of Christian teaching emphasizes
Paul refers to himself as a wise masterbuilder individual doctrines of the Bible rather than presenting

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the Bible as one complete, interdependent revelation of framework of history; and, therefore, the best way to
God. Heresies, misinterpretation and overemphasis of teach divine truth in any culture is God's way, within
certain Scriptures, and denominationalism can, in most the chronological and historical framework of the
cases, be traced to this lack of chronological and Scriptures.
panoramic Bible teaching.
After many years of listening to non-sequential, Check The Foundations
topical, doctrinal sermons, most of which are based on The Palawano tribe, living on the island of Palawan
isolated texts, many church members still do not know in the southwestern region of the Philippines, was
the Bible as one book. Often repeated verses and some downtrodden for centuries.
doctrines may be known; but the Scriptures, according The proud, fierce Moslems who lived on the
to their divinely-given historical structure, are seldom smaller islands lying off the coast of Palawan
understood. oppressed these timid, fearful jungle people for many
This is equally true in most Sunday schools. years. Numerous stories, now part of Palawano
Children are usually taught stories from the Bible out folklore, tell of the massacres and molestations of the
of chronological order, and large portions of God's Palawano tribal people by the marauding Moslem sea
Word are never taught to them at all. Even a faithful warriors, called Moros.
Sunday school pupil is unlikely to graduate with an Then came an unexpected reprieve from their fear
overall knowledge of the Bible. and degradation. The U.S.A. liberation forces landed
Foreign missionaries have not usually been any in Palawan. In all my years with the Palawano people,
wiser when teaching the Scriptures to people without I heard only praise and admiration for these soldiers,
any previous Bible knowledge. Few changes are made never one word of reproach. While visiting in the
to the methods used in the homeland. Insufficient time homes of the tribal people, many of the older
is generally given to teach the Old Testament Palawano men asked me if I knew some particular
background and foundations for the Gospel. officer by whom they had been befriended. They
Syncretism of heathen and Christian beliefs is often spoke of them with great affection.
the sad result. Many in foreign lands who have They obviously enjoyed remembering incidents
professed Christianity do not understand the Gospel when the "Amirikans" had warned the national
and the Scriptures as one book. Many missionaries Filipinos not to ill-treat the Americans' "little
are so eager to preach the Gospel that they feel it is an Palawano brothers." The Palawanos saw it as a sad
unnecessary waste of time to teach tribal people too day when the U.S. forces withdrew from Palawan and
much of the historical portions of the Old Testament their future became uncertain once again.
Scriptures. Nevertheless, these Old Testament Years passed, and then, quite unexpectedly for the
historical sections form the basis for a clear under- Palawanos, another American came to their part of the
standing of the coming of Christ and the necessity of island. He was even more generous than all the other
His death, burial, and resurrection. The Old Americans they had known previously. Meanness
Testament Scriptures, correctly taught, will prepare and anger are frowned on in Palawano society. This
the heart of the believing sinner to receive the Gospel missionary displayed love and kindness. Through his
in true repentance and faith. ministry and the ministry of the missionaries who
Through my own experiences, but more impor- followed him, several thousand Palawanos professed
tantly, on the basis of the truth of God's Word, I will conversion, were baptized, and organized into
endeavor to show that the Scriptures were progres- indigenous churches.
sively revealed by God within the context and When we arrived years later, we questioned the

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Palawanos as to why they had so readily submitted to They were trusting in a mixture of grace and works.
baptism. One man answered, "We would have done In spite of the emphasis on Christian living, many
anything for that first missionary. If he had asked us failed to live according to biblical standards. Divorce,
to cut our fingers off, we would have gladly done it for remarriage, and drunkenness were the normal practice
him." in the Palawanos' old way of life and continued to be
The danger always exists that previously rejected major problems in all of the churches. The
and exploited people will respond to the Christian missionaries and the church elders were very
missionary's message, not because they see their real concerned about the condition of the churches and
need as sinners and understand the Gospel, but constantly exhorted the people to lay aside these old
because of genuine appreciation for the missionary and ways and follow the new way in Christ. The
a longstanding desire to escape their difficult and wayward church members would repent and function
degraded sociological conditions. This was the major outwardly as Christians for a while; but often, they
reason for the "people movement" to Christianity would fall back into their old ways until they were
which took place almost immediately when the first once again challenged and "revived," starting the cycle
New Tribes missionary preached to the Palawanos. all over again.
Even though there were the faithful ones, the
Confusion regarding the Gospel Palawano church was like a building lacking the correct
Following this major people movement to foundations. Large cracks appeared continually in the
Christianity, more missionaries arrived to assist in the upper walls. The missionaries and church leaders
work. They faithfully taught the duties of believers to spent their time running from church to church, trying
those who had professed conversion. Unbeknown to to patch up the gaping holes. The problem, however,
the missionaries, the majority of the Palawano church was in the people's basic foundational understanding
members were interpreting the responsibilities of and acceptance of the Gospel.
believers in the only way that they could as unsaved Because they had never seen their own personal
people. They thought the duties of the believer were sinfulness and inability to please God, they had not
the things they must do so they could continue to be realized that their only hope was to trust in God's
"in God." "In God" was the term they generally used provision for all sinners through the death, burial, and
to describe their conversion to Christianity. They had resurrection of Christ. If they had trusted only in Him
come "into God" by their acceptance of Christ through for God's acceptance, then their faith would have
faith, baptism, church attendance, singing, prayer, not produced godliness and obedience to the commands of
stealing, and not committing adultery. For the truly Scripture, not in order to obtain salvation, but as the
dedicated, abstinence from alcohol, betel nut, and fruit of true saving faith.
tobacco were also understood as being necessary to The true spiritual condition of the people became
guarantee their continued position "in God." apparent as I began to question them concerning their
During their church meetings, they sometimes basis for salvation. I usually began by asking, "What
spoke of Christ and His death; but more frequently, must a person do to be saved?"
they testified of their faithfulness to the Lord by They were often reluctant to answer, but after some
abstaining from sinful works and by church atten- encouragement and direct questioning of individuals,
dance. Obviously missing was praise to God for their they would begin to respond. Some answered, "Trust
salvation by Christ through His unmerited favor alone. in God," and some said, "Believe on Christ."
Even though salvation by faith through grace alone had To these answers, I replied, "What if a person truly
been taught, the majority had not clearly understood. believes and puts his faith in Christ as his Saviour, but

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he does not attend church? Could he truly be saved?" religious meetings being held regularly.
Many answered emphatically, "No!" "In each locality, a semi-annual evangelical
Others said, "Yes, if a person truly believes, he is conference is held. The first one I visited was attended
saved, even if he does not attend church." by 700 Indians, some having traveled as far as a three
"But," I added, "What if that person is not bap- days' walk. We were the first white missionaries to
tized?" visit the area; and yet, here were 700 people gathered
Only a few were persuaded that anyone could be together to sing and preach to each other. Was there
saved without baptism. really any need for us as missionaries? Was this not a
I then added what seemed to many to be the New Testament church in action? It was only the
deciding point, "But what if that person who truly assurance that God had led us here that kept us.
trusts in Christ were to get drunk or commit adultery? "With the passing of time, serious problems have
Could he really be saved?" Only a few in each come to the surface in the Guajibo church. We are
congregation believed that such a person could be finding that they never really understood the message
saved, and even they had grave doubts. in the first place. Even those who seem keenest have
Multitudes throughout the world are members of hang-ups in the fundamentals of salvation. They
evangelical churches but have no firm biblical quote catechismal answers to questions but do not
foundations on which they build their hope for eternal understand the substitu-tionary work of Christ.
life. Illustrations could be given from many areas of 'Having a form of godliness, but denying the power
the world, including our own home churches, where thereof..' (Il Timothy 3:5). And so, we have been
confusion and syncretism have occurred through the forced to look back at the mistakes and failures of the
sincere, but unwise or careless, ministry of Christian past to try to determine where we are now and to look
workers. to God for divine direction for the future."
From South America, Dave Brown wrote about the We can readily understand and accept that people
Guajibo churches in Colombia: are going to believe in faith plus works for salvation in
"The Guajibos have a long history of missionary places where the Gospel is not taught. But how is it
activity. As early as 1650, the Jesuits made mission- possible that church attendees and members who have
ary trips into this territory which covers almost the been taught the Gospel still do not understand that
entire eastern plains of Colombia. They were partic- salvation is by the grace of God alone? What is the
ularly interested in the Guajibo tribe, as it was the answer? Are we missing something in our preaching?
largest in this area (today numbering about 15,000).
When the Jesuits entered the area, the Guajibos were Shepherds should know their flock
still nomadic; but with the progress of time, they have While it is true that the Gospel can be understood
now settled in small permanent villages. About 1958, and refused, there are other reasons why people can
news of a new religion called the 'Evangelical continue in evangelical churches but not be truly saved.
Way' began to trickle into this area. It immediately One is because many pastors, youth leaders,
attracted widespread attention; and before long, with missionaries, and Christian workers do not check the
the arrival of more information, many be an to accept spiritual foundations of those whom they are teaching.
this new way of life. Or, even when Christian workers do make the effort to
Today, almost thirty years later, this new influence find out wnat people are really understanding and
from the outside world has made its mark on the trusting in for their salvation, are reluctant to confront
Guajibo tribe. Many native-style, thatched-roof people with their true condition before God.
churches can be found throughout the region with It was only through persistent questioning that I

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found out that some of the Palawano church elders and Sometime later, we returned to visit the church in
many members were ignorant of basic biblical truths the area where this old man lived. Stepping out of the
and had misunderstood the way of salvation. The Mission plane, I asked the tribal people who had run
majority of the people had been trusting in a false down to the airstrip to welcome us, "Is Grandfather
message for over ten years, but the missionaries who still living?"
had taught them were unaware of the misunderstand- They said, "Yes, he is. But he is blind and crip-
ing in the people's minds. Certainly, we must be wise pled."
in questioning people; but many Christian teachers are Immediately, I made my way up the hill to his little
so cautious not to offend that they rarely, if ever, find old, rickety hut and sat down with him. He was
out the truth about their congregations. pleased that I'd come. After visiting with him for a
An elderly Palawano man who had attended while, I said to him, "Grandfather, you are going to
meetings for months came down to visit us from his leave this world very soon. What is your hope? In
little hut on the side of the hill. As we sat talking, I what are you trusting for your acceptance by God?"
asked him, "Grandfather, what are you trusting in for He answered, "Grandchild, it is like this. When I
your acceptance by God? What is your hope?" stand before God, I am not going to say to Him that I
He replied, "Grandchild, haven't I been coming to am not a sinner. God knows that I am."
the meetings? When you pray, I close my eyes. I try I thought, "Well, praise the Lord! He has been
to pray. I can't read, but I try to sing." And truly he taught that much of God."
did. He used to sit right at my feet and stare up into He continued, "I am going to say this to God, 'God,
my face as I taught God's Word. He tried to do you see your Son there at your right hand? He died
everything as I did it. But the old man had not for me!" And then turning to me, he said, "Grandchild,
understood the Gospel. He thought the things done in won't God accept me because of Him?"
the meeting were a ceremony or ritual to please God, I answered, "Grandfather, He certainly will!"
in order to be accepted by Him.
I said to him, "Grandfather, if that is your hope, if What is the Gospel?
you are trusting in what you are doing, then God will Yet another reason why some people in evangelical
not accept you. When you die, you will go to Hell. churches remain unsaved is the way in which the
God will not receive you because of these things." We Gospel is presented. Many dedicated Christians
continued to talk for some time about these matters present the Gospel in such a way that unsaved,
before he returned home. Later, some of the people unprepared people do not understand that they
came and told me that Grandfather was angry and he deserve only God's judgment, that salvation is
was not going to come to any more meetings. completely God's work, and that sinners are unable to
I thought, "That's good. That's a beginning. At contribute anything towards their own salvation.
least he now knows that attending meetings will not Romans 1:3 tells us that the Gospel is God's good
save him." news concerning His Son, Jesus Christ our Lord. It is
I began visiting Grandfather in order to teach the God's assurance "...that Christ died for our sins
foundational truths of the Gospel to him personally. according to the scriptures; and that he was buried,
He listened attentively, and he did eventually begin and that he rose again the third day according to the
once more to attend the meetings. But even when my scriptures" (I Corinthians 15:3,4).
wife and I moved from that area to live and teach in The Gospel is first and foremost about Christ. It is
another place without any Gospel witness, he still had the message of the finished historical work of God in
not made a clear profession of faith in Christ. Christ. The Gospel is a work of the Godhead alone.

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Christ was "...smitten of God.......... it pleased the tell them what they must do. The result? Confusion
LORD to bruise him; he hath put him to grief..." The about the Gospel! People's interest and concern is
Lord made "...his soul an offering for sin..." (Isaiah turned inward to their own experience, instead of
53:4,10). outward to trust only in Christ's death, burial, and
Many confuse the Gospel, God's work FOR us in resurrection on their behalf.
Christ, with God's work IN us by the Holy Spirit. If people's attention is directed inward to their own
The Gospel is entirely objective. The Gospel is com- doing, even those who are truly saved will often lack
pletely outside of ourselves. The Gospel is not about assurance of salvation. The question will constantly
the change which needs to be made in us, and it does arise within their hearts, "Was I sincere enough? Did I
not take place within us. It was completed in Christ, do it correctly? Did I truly receive Christ? Did I
quite apart from us, almost two thousand years ago. really give my heart to Jesus?"
The Gospel is not dependent on man in any way. The The Gospel is not man accepting Jesus as his
Gospel is distorted when we turn people's eyes to Saviour, but that God accepted the Lord Jesus as the
what is to be accomplished in them. We were not and perfect and only Saviour two thousand years ago. The
cannot be involved in any part of Christ's historical, Gospel is not man giving his heart or his life to Jesus,
finished, redemptive work. The sinner must be taught but that Christ gave His life, His whole being, in the
to look completely away from himself and trust only place of sinners. The Gospel is not man receiving
in Christ and His work of salvation. Christ into his heart, but that God received the Lord
Jesus into Heaven as the mediator of sinners. The
Unscriptural terminology Gospel is not Christ enthroned in the human heart, but
We distort and confuse the Gospel in people's that God enthroned the Lord Jesus at His right hand in
understanding when we try to present the Gospel Heaven.
using terminology which turns people's attention to Do we see the great distinction between these two
what they must DO rather than outward to what God messages? One is subjective and puts the emphasis on
has DONE on their behalf in Christ. We should use what man must do. The other is objective and puts
terminology which directs repentant sinners to trust in the emphasis on what Christ has already done. The
what has been done FOR THEM through Christ, sinner is only to trust in what has already been done
rather than directing their attention to what must be on his behalf. The Lord Jesus cried, "...It is finished...."
done IN THEM. "Accept Jesus into your heart." He did it all. He took upon Himself the load of sin,
"Give your heart to Jesus." "Give your life to Jesus." the full responsibility for the sin of mankind. Because
"Open the door of your heart to the Lord." "Ask Jesus Christ paid the complete debt, God raised Him from
to wash away your sins." "Make your decision for the dead and accepted Him into Heaven. The
Christ." "Ask Jesus to give you eternal life." "Ask resurrection was God's sign to all that He accepted the
God to save you." These modern and commonly-used Lord Jesus Christ forever as the perfect Savior. God is
phrases confuse people's understanding of the Gospel. satisfied. Is the convicted sinner? Will he rest the
In our preparation of people for the Gospel, we whole weight of his soul's salvation on Christ's
must bring them to the point where they realize they acceptance by God as the perfect Saviour? Will the
can do nothing. But even when people do understand sinner cease once and for all trying to do anything to
their inability to do anything, many evangelists, save himself? Will he trust only in God's Son for
missionaries, and preachers tell enquirers things such salvation?
as, "Now, you must give your heart to Jesus." Having In most evangelical circles, it is the norm to require
told them they are unable to do anything, they then people to publicly indicate their decision for Christ

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by raising their hand, standing, or walking to the believing ye might have life through his name" (John
front of the building, and praying a prayer of 20:31). Each Christian is responsible to make certain
acceptance of Christ. The majority of Gospel that his preaching and evangelistic methods focus on
preachers and Christians place so much emphasis on Christ and His death, burial, and resurrection as the
the "invitation" and people's outward response, that only firm foundation for his hearers' assurance of
many Christians are now convinced that it is an inte- salvation. Just as the physical eye does not behold
gral and vital part of the ministry of the Church. On itself but sees only the object on which it is focused,
one occasion when a relative of mine clearly preached so true faith looks only to Christ. We should never
the Gospel but did not give a closing appeal, a accept any outward act of a professed convert as the
Christian lady when leaving the meeting expressed basis for acceptance as a born again person. The only
her disapproval by the remark, "He didn't even give scriptural basis for receiving a person's claim to
people the opportunity to be saved!" The great salvation is his understanding and faith in the
danger is probably not so much in giving people the foundational truths of the Gospel.
opportunity to publicly express their faith in Christ,
as in the emphasis before and after the "invitation" People Unprepared for the Gospel
which causes people to rest their salvation on their We have already used the biblical analogy of
own personal actions in response to God, rather than "building" to illustrate the work of preaching the
on the actions of Christ which are declared in the Gospel, but the Lord has also used "farming" in His
Gospel. Word to teach us the correct procedures for doing His
On one occasion, during a conversation with work. Therefore, I would like to tell you a parable
another missionary, he told me how, many years ear- about a farmer and his sons.
lier, he had come to assurance of salvation. His A man, leaving home for a period, left his sons with
assurance came unexpectedly at the close of a meeting instructions to plant good seed in every part of his
when the preacher asked everyone who was saved to farm. He provided them with the good seed and
raise his hand. Since, at that time, the man did not promised to return at harvest time.
know if he was truly saved, he tried desperately to Over the years, their father had written a book in
keep his hand down, but it was forced up by a power which he recorded his experiences as a farmer. He
outside of himself. He related that, because of this explained how he had worked with each different type
experience, he never again doubted his salvation. Yet of soil. He recorded how he dealt with various weeds
another Christian told me how she was assured of and conditions which hindered the growth of the good
salvation through an unusual experience. When seed. Some of his accounts told of useless soil which
confronted by a wild, vicious bird, poised to attack produced only weeds and thorny bushes. Other soil,
her, she looked it in the eyes and said, "You can't if properly prepared, had proven to be productive; but
touch me for I am a child of God." Because the bird did all of the soil, even the best, needed lots of preparation
not peck her, she felt certain from that time that she and constant care if it was to yield a good harvest.
was indeed in the family of God. The sons were glad to obey their father, so in
Experiences, regardless of their vivid and startling accordance with his command, they set off for the
nature, should never be the grounds for believing that fields. They took with them the book and the good
one is saved. The Word of God alone must be the seed.
foundation for assurance of salvation. John says of his Arriving in the fields, they found large trees and an
Gospel, "But these are written, that ye might believe undergrowth of tangled vines and thorny weeds. Even
that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that the fields where their father had worked previously

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were now filled with weeds, and the ground was rocky home and on the mission field do not spend sufficient
and hard. time preparing the minds and hearts of people before
Feeling despondent, the sons took up their father's they offer the Gospel to them. The Gospel seed is
book and reread his last command. Yes, it was clear, usually sown into hard, unploughed, poorly prepared,
"Sow the good seed in every part of the farm." thorny ground. In many cases, the results are
Therefore, they set about to do, as best they could, professions which last only for a short time. There is
what their father had commanded. One son cut away little permanent growth and fruit.
some of the undergrowth; and removing some of the In the Parable of the Sower in Matthew 13:3-8,
weeds, he began to plant the good seed. Another son some seed fell on the wayside, some on shallow
chopped down some of the trees, while another tore ground, and some among the thorns. This seed was
away the undergrowth with his bare hands before he soon taken away, withered, or choked. Some people
put in the good seed. Each tackled the job with believe this parable is teaching us that it is our
enthusiasm and vigor but with little success. With responsibility to sow the seed of the Gospel, regard-
great devotion, they tried many different ideas and less of the condition of the hearts of our hearers. It is
methods. Although their ideas seemed to bring true that there will always be the types of people
results for a little while, eventually, the weeds choked illustrated by the Parable of the Sower. Even some
most of the new plants or they died because of the who claimed to believe and follow our Lord Jesus were
hard rocky ground. Only a little of the seed actually false professors. But what is Jesus really teaching
took root and grew. through this parable?
Meanwhile, their father's book, containing the Was Jesus teaching that we should sow the seed on
account of his experiences and farming methods, was unprepared and rocky soil? Did the farmer plan to
cherished, but not applied to their own work. sow seed on the wayside? Was it his intention to sow
Finally, in desperation, the sons took up their seed among the thorns? Did he think he would receive
father's book and began to read how he had a harvest from seed sown on shallow, rocky soil?
experienced problems which were exactly like their Indeed not! This farmer had prepared the ground in
own. They carefully read his methods of preparation order to plant it with good seed. His purpose was to
before he planted the good seed. Then, following his plant the seed only in the ground which he had
example, they chopped down the trees, dug up the prepared. He did not intentionally throw good seed
weeds, ploughed, fertilized, and watered the onto unprepared ground; but, as he sowed the seed on
ground. Once the ground was broken up and well prepared ground, some of it fell on unprepared soil.
prepared, they planted the good seed. As a result of None of the seed which fell on unprepared soil yielded
following their father's recorded methods and a harvest. The main point Jesus is teaching through
principles, more and more seed took root and the Parable of the Sower is that good seed grows well
flourished. and bears fruit only in prepared soil.
The human heart is not naturally good soil for
Unprepared ground Gospel seed. The history of man recorded in the
In Jeremiah 4:3, the Lord says, "...Break up your Scriptures makes it clear that no descendant of Adam
fallow ground, and sow not among thorns." This verse is naturally inclined towards God or His way of
teaches a spiritual principle which is emphasized salvation. "There is none that under standeth, there is
continually throughout the Scriptures, and it highlights none that seeketh after God.' "...the way of peace have
one of the greatest failures in most evangelism. The they not known: There is no fear of God before their
majority of evangelists, preachers, and teachers at eyes" (Romans 3:11,17,18). "...the carnal mind is

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enmity against God: for it is not subject to the law of judgment I am come into this world, that they which
God, neither indeed can be" (Romans 8:7). see not might see; and that they which see might be
The natural person may follow false religions and made blind" (John 9:39). Those who realized they
serve man-made gods or even what he believes to be were spiritually blind would be given spiritual
the true and living God. Some will even gladly accept understanding through the truth which Jesus
a gospel which sounds like the true Gospel of Christ. spoke, but those who, like the Pharisees, refused to
According to the Scriptures, however, no person seeks acknowledge their ignorance would remain forever in
the true and living God or can come to Christ by faith, spiritual darkness. When Jesus said this, "...some of
unless God first seeks him out by His Spirit through the Pharisees which were with him heard these words,
His Word (John 6:44,45). and said unto him, Are we blind also? Jesus said unto
them If ye were blind, ye should have no sin: but now
Ignorance and misunderstanding ye say, We see; therefore your sin remaineth" (John
The heart must be prepared by God for the 9:40,41). The proud Pharisees believed they were
reception of the Gospel. Man's evil heart, with its already enlightened and understood perfectly the will
natural, self-centered desires, is not fertile soil for the of God. They felt no need to receive spiritual
good seed of the Gospel. Furthermore, the preaching sight, for in their own estimation, they could already
of the message of salvation through Christ will not see quite well.
bear fruit where people's minds remain in darkness, They claimed to be guides of the blind (Romans
unenlightened to spiritual realities. Saving faith rests 2:17-20), so why, they felt, should they allow this
on the comprehended truth of God. man to teach them? Because they didn't see their
great need and claimed they already had spiritual
Foundations for the Gospel sight, they were left to perish in their blindness
The Gospel is God's good news about His Son. without an understanding of the grace of God avail-
But to whom does God offer this good news? Whom able through the Gospel.
does God call to eat the bread of life? To whom does When addressing the same hardened Jewish
He offer the water of life? leaders after Christ's resurrection and ascension,
It is clear from God's Word that He offers good Stephen said, "Ye stiffnecked and uncircumcised in
news to those who know they are spiritually poor. heart and ears, ye do always resist the Holy Ghost:
He offers bread to the hungry, water to the thirsty, as your fathers did, so do ye" (Acts 7:51).
rest to the weary, and life to the [Link]'s good Nicodemus came seeking Jesus, but Jesus did not
news is meant for all, but the person unprepared by immediately tell Nicodemus the good news of the
God will never accept God's Gospel of grace. God Gospel (John 3:1-21). Instead, Jesus said to him,
knows that, and He tells us not to cast the pearl of the "Nicodemus, you must be born again." The teaching
Gospel before swine, that is, those who feel no need of the necessity of the new birth is not the Gospel.
and have no appreciation of God's mercy That was bad news for Nicodemus, who like his fel-
Luke in his Gospel says, "And all the people that low Pharisees, depended largely on his birth as a son
heard him, and the publicans, justified God, being of Abraham for his acceptance by God. Jesus knew
baptized with the baptism of John. But the Pharisees that Nicodemus wasn't ready for the Gospel.
and lawyers rejected the counsel of God against Nicodemus first had to face the impossibility of his
themselves, being not baptized of him" (Luke entering God's kingdom by virtue of his Jewish birth
7:29,30). or his own goodness.
Jesus also said to the people of his day, "...For While on a visit back to Palawan, I was asked to

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teach a seminar for some of our missionaries on the majesty and their own depravity, they would have
chronological approach to evangelism and church understood the futility of every endeavor to "pay God
planting. During one of our sessions, I emphasized back."
that, if a person's mind is filled with his own self- Furthermore, through the teaching of the Old
righteousness, he will not see any need or feel any Testament, beginning with God's warning to Adam
hunger for the Gospel. regarding the tree of the knowledge of good and evil,
As it is in the natural realm, so it is in the spiritual. "...in the day that thou eatest thereof thou shalt surely
While people are filled with their own self- die" (Genesis 2:17), they should have realized that
righteousness, it is useless to try to force the Gospel death, eternal separation from God, is God's just
on them. The Gospel is for the hungry, for the judgment on sinners. This emphasis on death as the
thirsty, and for the weary. It is for those broken only payment for sin continues through the Old
before God through a realization of their own sin- Testament historical accounts of God's judgment on
fulness. sinners and ends with the New Testament account of
But how is a person brought to this realization? Christ's death as the only satisfactory payment for
How is the heart of man prepared for the Gospel? sin. If the tribal people had understood the Old
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to prepare the Testament emphasis on death, they would have also
mind and heart of a person for the Gospel. But what recognized that only the death of Christ could pay for
particular part or message from God's Word accom- sin and satisfy God who is holy and righteous.
plishes this preparatory work? The Aziana tribe in Papua New Guinea were sun
worshippers. Missionaries claiming to preach
The knowledge of God Christianity preceded New Tribes missionaries into
Years after missionary work had begun in a highland this area. But in spite of being "missionized," the
tribe in Papua New Guinea, some of the people Aziana tribesmen had no clear understanding of the
announced that they were not going to tithe anymore. God of the Bible. They thought He must be similar to
Why? Because they had decided that they had repaid their sun-god.
God enough for giving Jesus to die for their sins. The In their ceremonial worship of the sun, they killed a
judicial system of this tribe was based on a monetary pig, cooked a mixture of its liver and blood in a piece
"pay-back" arrangement, so it is easy to see why they of bamboo; and, as the sun set, they gathered together
thought they had to recompense God for giving Jesus to worship and appease the sun. The priest first ate
to die for their sins. But why did they think it was of the cooked blood and liver, after which all present
possible to pay God back for the gift of His Son? partook. The priest also spat some of the mixture at
What didn't they understand? These tribal people the sun to blind it, so their sins would not be seen and
obviously had failed to comprehend the nature and avenged, for they believed this would appease the sun,
character of God as revealed in the Old Testament and a malicious and malevolent god, and make their souls
finally in the Gospel. They thought God was like the invisible to it.
spirits and human beings. Because they demanded When the first missionaries to the Aziana people
"pay-back," they thought God did also. To have told taught them to commemorate the Lord's supper, the
them that salvation is a gift would not be sufficient. people gave it the same name as this feast to the sun.
They needed to see, through the Scriptures, the true They believed that, by partaking of the Lord's supper,
nature and character of God. If they were to see God they were appeasing God and blinding Him to their
as He really is, they would have also seen themselves sins. But these people would never have
as helpless and hopeless sinners. In the light of God's misinterpreted the Lord's supper in this way if they

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had been taught and understood who and what God is. and character is prerequisite to the realization of one's
They would have realized that God is not malicious in own unrighteousness and abject helplessness to escape
His intents, that He cannot be appeased like their the just judgment of God. It was only after Job
heathen deities, and that He, the omniscient, received new, clearer awareness of God's character,
immutable God, can never be blinded to man's sin- that he said, "I have heard of thee by the hearing of the
fulness. These people were not prepared for the ear: but now mine eye seeth thee. Wherefore I abhor
Gospel because they did not have an understanding of myself, and repent in dust and ashes" (Job 42:5,6).
the holiness and righteousness of God. Because they
had never been exposed to the knowledge of God, they The Law
did not see themselves as incapable of doing anything The Law is yet another means which God uses to
which would please God. prepare the sinner for the Gospel and the realization
Job, David, and Solomon all stated the truth: True that, without Christ, he will perish.
wisdom begins with a solemn appreciation of who and By the fall of man and through subsequent
what God is. "The fear of the LORD is the beginning history, man has been made aware of his sinfulness
of wisdom..." (Psalm 111:10). Only those whose through revelations of God's holy character and will.
senses have been tuned to know and accept something Why then was the Law given? "...the law entered, that
of God's nature, character, and sovereign position are the offense might abound..." (Romans 5:20). The Law
prepared for the Gospel. was brought in to classify and clearly define sin. God
If God is not truly God, as revealed foundationally gave the Law to fully expose man's sinfulness and,
in the Old Testament and finally in the New thus, prepare the human heart for the Gospel. "...the
Testament through Jesus Christ, then there is no need law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that
for the Gospel. Only those who are enlightened we might be justified by faith" (Galatians 3:24). God
through this revelation of God as a righteous and holy gave the Law to Israel, not to save them, but to show
God who hates and punishes sin will see their need for them the impssibility of salvation by human goodness.
the Gospel. "...by the deeds of the law there shall no flesh be
While people are ignorant of God's holiness and justified in his sight; for by the law is the knowledge of
righteousness, they will never understand their sin" (Romans 3:20). "...the law worketh wrath..."
desperate need for the grace of God in Christ. They (Romans 4:15). The Law reveals God's wrath against
may give lip service to the Gospel, speak about Christ, sin and shows that man can only approach God if the
attend church, sing hymns, read the Bible, pray, and complete, righteous demands of His Law are paid in
even seek to serve Christ, but they will still be full.
unsaved. Man is by nature self-righteous and will Jesus told the self-righteous Pharisees to go and
never let go of his pride and self-confidence until he learn that sinners are saved by God's mercy and not by
realizes God's infinite holiness and righteousness. The their own sacrifices to God (Matthew 9:13). How
unsaved religionist does not understand this, for he is were the Pharisees to learn this? Who or what was
constantly trying, by his own good works and God's ordained teacher? How could they see their true
religious activities, to place God in a position where condition before God as helpless sinners needing a
God will feel obligated to accept and bless him. Saviour? It was through a correct understanding of the
This knowledge of God, which man naturally hates Law!
and seeks to escape, is nevertheless man's greatest The Jews had the written Law of God, but the
need for, apart from it, he will never truly repent, scribes and Pharisees had given it such a carnal
believe, and be saved. A revelation of God's nature interpretation that it did not convict them of their

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inner heart attitudes. They did not understand the their own sacrifices of good works instead of accepting
Law as God intended it to be understood. If they had, God's mercy in the Gospel of Christ.
they would have realized the impossibility of anyone
ever obeying it perfectly, and they would have seen Our responsibility
their own unrighteousness. They would have then Today, in most evangelical circles, the usual
been prepared for Christ and the Gospel. practice is to present some verses and evidences of
Jesus taught them the correct interpretation of the man's need and then swiftly turn to the Gospel.
Law (Matthew 5:17-28). But even though Jesus Following this quick presentation of man's need, a
taught them to understand what God's laws really great deal of time is spent endeavoring to persuade the
meant, the Jewish leaders would not allow the Law to hearers to turn to Christ. Our great mistake is turning
judge and condemn them. If they had, they would quickly to the remedy without spending sufficient
have been broken in heart and truly repentant. time preparing people for the Gospel.
John the Baptist also gave the right interpretation Because Western society has a facade of
of the Law as preparation for the Gospel. But the Christianity, most Christian workers presume that
religious leaders rejected both the ministry of John the people already have the foundations for the Gospel.
Baptist and of Jesus because their correct interpreta- We assume they already have a basic understanding of
tion of the Law exposed the true condition of the God and His nature and character. However, the vast
scribes' and Pharisees' hearts. They rejected this majority of people in so-called Christian countries
preparatory ministry of the Law; and, therefore, have little biblical knowledge of God. Of the relatively
they rejected Christ and the Gospel of God's grace few in our countries who do attend church, most have
(Matthew 5:17-28). a humanistic and unscriptural concept of God.
The majority of the Jews rejected the preparatory Regardless of this tremendous lack, the average
work of the Law given through Moses and also taught preacher spends little time on this all-important, basic
by John the Baptist, Jesus, and the apostles. Even subject. It is small wonder that there is little respect
though they had received the written Law of God, for God and spiritual matters in our day. All true
they were self-righteous and trusted in a mere outward spiritual revivals and movements of the Spirit of God
conformity to the Law. Because of their self- have been the result of the acknowledgment of who
righteousness, they were not prepared to come by God really is. This alone brings true contrition of
faith alone and trust in the grace of God. In contrast, heart, genuine repentance, faith, worship, and holy
many of the Gentiles, who had been without the direct living. If evangelists and preachers spent more time
written message from God, accepted the con- teaching about the true nature and character of God
demnation of the Law and saw the reality of their and less time trying to convince sinners of the
spiritual bankruptcy. Therefore, they were ready to advantages of coming to God, we would hear the
turn in faith to Christ and the Gospel as their only question asked more often by repentant, anxious
hope (Romans 3:19). sinners, "...Sirs, what must I do to be saved?" (Acts
The problem with many of the tribal professing 16:30).
believers to whom I first ministered in the Philippines While we may agree that there must be a
was that they had never judged themselves according preparatory work done in the heart of a sinner before
to the perfection and holiness of God as revealed in the he will trust only in Christ, some may be of the
Law. Because they had not been exposed to the opinion that this is God's sovereign work in which we
correct ministry of the Law, they were trusting in a have no part. It is clear from the Scriptures that God
mixture of works and grace. They were offering God prepares man's heart through His Word. "Is not my

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word like as a fire, saith the LORD, and like a hammer see his own sinfulness and inability to please God by
that breaketh the rock in pieces?" (Jeremiah 23:29). personal obedience to the Law. This knowledge had
The Holy Spirit uses the Word of God to convict the come to him through the study of the Old Testament
world of sin, of righteousness, and of judgment (John stories and the Law which revealed the holy and
16:8). God has entrusted us with the proclamation of righteous character of God. Later, during our Bible
His message (II Corinthians 5:18-20). studies, Wim saw that Christ alone had kept the Law
We are responsible to prepare our hearers through and, through His death, had provided a way of
the Scriptures before we offer the Gospel to them. I salvation for sinful, helpless sinners.
remember beginning to teach a new weekly home Bible What would have been the result if I had given the
study with a couple in Australia. Before I started Gospel at the beginning of our Bible study, without
teaching that first night, the husband interrupted me first exposing Wim to the demands of God's holy
and said, "Now, just a moment. Before you say Law? Wim would not have clearly understood the
anything, I have something to say." absolute necessity of the Gospel. He was not
"OK, go ahead," I replied. prepared for the Gospel. He felt no need for the grace
He said, "I reckon that if a person keeps the Law and mercy of God. He was self-righteous and
and does exactly what it says, he will be all right and therefore self-dependent. Possibly, he would have
will be accepted by God." professed faith in Christ; but, in his heart, he would
When I agreed with him, his head almost swelled have still been dependent on his own efforts and self-
visibly Turning to his wife, he bragged, "There you righteousness.
are. I told you so. That woman at the City Mission We should, through the correct use of the Law,
didn't know what she was talking about. She told me I bring people to see that they need a righteousness
couldn't be saved by what I did." equal to the righteousness of God, for only that will
I told him, "I agree with what you said so I want to satisfy a holy God. The question then arises,"Where
write it down." So I wrote down, "Wim said that if we can I find this righteousness which will satisfy God?
obey the Law and do exactly what it says, God will How can God be satisfied with me? I have broken His
accept us and we will be OK." Of course, at that Law. I am condemned to everlasting punishment.
point, Wim didn't realize that he did not have the How can my debt of sin be paid? How can I be
ability to obey the Law because he had been born a justified and declared righteous before my perfect
sinner. After I had written these words, I put the Judge?"
piece of paper in the front of my Bible. My plan was
to produce it at an appropriate future date. Divine Building Principles
After a few months of weekly chronological Bible During our first years with the Palawanos, many
studies, beginning in the book of Genesis, we finally came to understand justification by faith through
reached the story of the giving of the Law. It was God's grace. Many who had previously been mere
obvious from Wim's questions and answers that the professors of salvation were saved, and others received
Lord was working in his life. As we continued study- assurance and clarity regarding their personal salvation.
ing the Law, giving the spiritual meaning and appli- Not only was I teaching justification by faith, but
cation of each of the commandments, Wim was other missionaries among the Palawanos had also real-
listening carefully Finally, one night, he interrupted ized the true condition of the Palawan churches and
my teaching and said, "I haven't got a hope. I break all were endeavoring to strengthen the basic founda-
of God's laws every day." tions of the people's faith. What a thrill to see the
Praise God! Wim's spiritual eyes had been opened to people trusting in Christ alone!

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How could these babes in Christ best be nurtured and the history of Israel.
fed? With so many people to teach, I felt like a John 1:14, "And the Word was made flesh, and
doctor dispensing vitamins to an undernourished and dwelt among us, (and we beheld His glory .. )."
starving people. Our present itinerant teaching This alludes to the Old Testament tabernacle and
program was totally inadequate to meet the needs of the Shekinah glory wherein God lived in the midst
these young believers and build them up in the of Israel. The Palawanos didn't know these
faith. I decided to turn from a predominantly topical stories.
teaching approach to verse-by-verse exposition. I John 1: 17, "...the law was given by Moses...." The
relocated my family in the middle of an area with six people had insufficient knowledge of the
small churches and began to give these Palawano chronology of the Bible story, and they didn't
churches concentrated expositional teaching. know where the Old Testament and New
Because the congregations of these six churches Testament characters fit in the sequence of events.
were a mixture of saved, mere professors, and a few They questioned if Moses and John the Baptist
who didn't even claim to be children of God, I started were contemporaries and wondered if Jesus was on
teaching expositionally through the Gospel of John. the earth at the same time as the people mentioned
Starting with great enthusiasm, it soon became from the Old Testament.
apparent that my hearers were not ready for an As these few examples show, the Gospel of John
expositional study of John. They could not under- is full of references to the Old Testament. Due to the
stand any of the verses containing direct references or Palawanos' sketchy understanding of the Old
allusions to people or stories from the Old Testament Testament, I had to intermittently break off the
because they had never been taught the basic Old exposition of John's Gospel in order to teach the Old
Testament historical sequence of events as one Testament story or truth to which John referred or
complete story. alluded. This piecemeal form of teaching was frus-
The following examples show a few of the trating for me as the teacher and confusing for my
problems I encountered: hearers. I was forced to conclude that a clearer and
John 1:1, "In the beginning was the Word...." less complicated way to teach the Scriptures must
Even though the people may have heard about exist. A major forward step had been made when
"the beginning" from previous missionaries, it turned from predominantly teaching topically to direct
was vague and uncertain in their minds. So, I had to go verse-by-verse exposition of the New Testament
back to Genesis 1 and teach about the beginning of books. Nevertheless, it was now apparent that
time. choosing any book and teaching it expositionally was
John 1:1, "...and the Word was with God..." After not the complete answer to teaching the Scriptures
explaining the "th Word" is yet another title for the clearly. What was the answer?
Lord Jesus, it was obvious that the Palawano peole
did not undersstand that Jesus was with the Father One book
in the beginning. The Scriptures were written with a definite
John 1:3, "All things were made by him..." The beginning and a definite ending. Between the begin-
people did not understand that God in Genesis 1 ning and ending are incidents which, when taught and
included the Son of God. understood in their historical sequence, form one
John 1:11, "He came unto his own...." This meant complete, cohesive, intelligible story. If one were to
little to the Palawanos without the background of teach the contents of any other book, he would
the call of Abraham, the Messianic promises, and naturally start at the beginning and follow the forward

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movement of the subject as the author develops and learning, that we through patience and comfort of the
brings it to its logical conclusion. Little wonder we scriptures might have hope" (Romans 15:4). God has
had difficulties when teaching the New Testament to not spoken directly to the Gentiles, but He has chosen
the Palawanos! to speak to the Gentiles through His Word given to
Israel and the Church. All people must come to God's
One story light shining from the Scriptures. By the infinitely
The whole Bible is God's message about His Son, wise and sovereign appointment of God, all of the
the Saviour. God's chief purpose in writing His Book redemptive story and the beginning of the Church of
was to reveal Christ. The Old Testament is the Jesus Christ is set within the cultural, geographical,
preparation for Christ. The New Testament is the and historical framework of the nation of Israel.
manifestation of Christ. The Scriptures reveal Christ Therefore, no one can understand the story of the New
from Genesis to Revelation. Jesus said to the Jews of Testament without a basic knowledge of Israel's origin,
His day, "Search the scriptures; for in them ye think ye development, and history from the Old Testament.
have eternal life: and they are they which testify of me"
(John 5:39). The entire Scriptures find their meaning History
in the Lord Jesus Christ. Jesus Christ is the origin, the That which God recorded in the Scriptures actually
substance, and the object of all divine revelation. happened in time and space. God spoke. God acted.
His-story, that is, the story of Christ, begins in the God interacted with real, historical human beings. The
first verse of Genesis, for He was there in the contents of the Bible are relevant to all people in every
beginning. But it is not until the fall of man that the age, regardless of their culture, because the Bible is a
Son of the virgin is promised, One who will over-come book of case histories. We are able to identify with
Satan and deliver his captives. The story of those people whose lives are recorded in the Bible.
Christ then continues through the entire Old God interacted and spoke to real people, people like
Testament in numerous types and prophecies. The us.
New Testament records the fulfillment of these God has revealed Himself through His acts in
prophecies through His birth, life, death, ascension, history. When God needed to remind Israel of His
and present glory. The story of Christ as told in the true identity, He pointed them back to His historical
Gospels is the sequel to the Old Testament. relationship with their forefathers. The Lord said to
Because the Christ-story cannot be clearly taught or Moses, "...Thus shalt thou say unto the children of
understood apart from its God-given beginnings found Israel, The LORD God of your fathers, the God of
only in the Old Testament, it is our responsibility to Abraham, the God of Isaac, and the God of Jacob,
teach the beginnings in the Old Testament and then hath sent me unto you: This is my name forever.."
teach the fulfillment in the New Testament. In the Old (Exodus 3:15).
Testament, God has given types and redemptive God was in action in the Old Testament as Jehovah.
analogies to prepare people to understand the New God was in action in the New Testament as Jesus
Testament story of Christ. These Old Testament Christ. God was also in action in the Acts of the
types and redemptive analogies point to and interpret Apostles in the person of the Holy Spirit.
the birth, life, death, burial, and resurrection of the
Lord Jesus Christ. The apostles' emphasis
The biblical redemptive analogies given by God to The apostles recognized the Old Testament as
Israel were also for the whole world. "For whatso- God's record of His involvement in the world and
ever things were written aforetime were written for our especially with His chosen people in preparation for

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 FIRM FOUNDATIONS - NTM (edited)
the coming of the Saviour. The Old Testament was and death because they have little, if any,
the Bible of the early Church. The apostolic preaching understanding of the biblical reasons for His coming.
recorded in the Acts first emphasized God's historical If those who declare the Gospel in homes, churches,
acts in relationship to Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Bible studies, and Sunday Schools were to teach the
Moses, David, and the nation of Israel. The apostles beginnings of the redemptive story from the Old
then linked these acts of God in the Old Testament to Testament before they teach its fulfillment in the New
the revelation of Himself in the history of His Son, Testament, many more would clearly understand the
Jesus of Nazareth. The apostles interpreted the whole advent of Christ as God's plan for their salvation. But,
of Christ's advent, life, death, resurrection, present while Christians continue to ignore this divinely
glory, and all future revelations of His majesty on the revealed order of teaching, the confusion in the minds
basis of the historical accounts and prophecies of the of many concerning Christ and His mission will
Old Testament. They used the Old Testament to continue.
authenticate the claim of Jesus of Nazareth to be the Missionaries who have taken the time to teach
Christ. For them, the story of Christ began long people the Old Testament beginnings of the Christ-
before they met Him beside the Sea of Galilee or at the story and who have carefully followed the unfolding
River Jordan where John was baptizing. The faith of historical drama to its consummation in the New
the apostles and those who believed the apostles' Testament account have testified to the great clarity in
message rested on the basis of the testimony given their hearers' understanding of the Gospel. In contrast,
concerning the Christ from the Old Testament. They many have launched almost immediately into the story
taught the Old Testament and its history and the of Christ with little preparation from the history of
events which they had so recently experienced in the the Old Testament. Some, after many years, have
company of Jesus of Nazareth as one story. found that their message was outwardly accepted but
This method of teaching is clearly evident, not truly understood.
beginning with Peter's sermon on the day of Pentecost. Bob Goddard, Sr., wrote the following about the
Another classic example is the sermon of Stephen in Ava tribal people of Paraguay:
which he gives an account of Old Testament history "A study of their culture and religion has brought
beginning with Abraham. Stephen climaxes his sermon us to the conclusion that we must begin with Genesis
with a brief account of the nation of Israel's attitude and lay a foundation upon which to build so that
toward God's final messenger, the Lord Jesus. Acts 8 they can understand who God is, what sin is, how
records the story of Philip who met the Ethiopian man fell through sin and can be saved only through
eunuch when the eunuch was reading Isaiah 53. Philip faith in God's Son, Jesus Christ."
linked this Old Testament portion of Scripture to the
events which had so recently taken place at Golgotha Building Chronologically in Evangelism
and brought this man to an understanding of the As my understanding of biblical principles for
Gospel. (Note also Acts 2:22-36, 3:13-26, 7, 10:34-43, teaching the Scriptures grew, so did my desire to put
13:16-41, 17:2,3.) them into practice by evangelizing a new area of
Palawan, yet untouched by the Gospel. In 1962, the
The Church's responsibility Lord had used Paul's ambition, "Yea, so have I strived
The Old Testament Scriptures, which prepare the to preach the gospel, not where Christ was named, lest
mind to see the need and purpose for the incarnation, I should build upon another man's foundation"
have been badly neglected by the Church. Multitudes (Romans 15:20) to challenge me to leave full-time
misinterpret the whole purpose of Christ's ministry evangelism in Australia and go to unreached tribal

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people in the Philippines. Once again, the Lord used saving work on their behalf If our hearers are to
this verse to challenge me to go to an area in understand and correctly interpret the story of the
Palawan which was without a Gospel witness. As I Gospels concerning Christ, we should provide
prepared to begin this new work farther south, my adequate Old Testament Christological background
greatest fear was lest, after a few years, I find that my information.
methods and teaching had produced the same 5. During evangelism, our hearers should be taught
misunderstanding of the Gospel, syncretism, legalism, the basic history and culture of Israel, for only
and inadequate Old Testament foundations for the then will they be able to understand the story of
understanding of the New Testament with which I had the Jewish Messiah, the Old Testament
grappled for so many years among the Palawano redemptive types which Christ fulfilled, Christ's
churches. What needed to be included in my position as the Son of David, King, and righteous
evangelistic teaching program to prevent such Judge of Israel, His specific ministry to the lost
misunderstanding? sheep of Israel, and His final rejection by His own
It was now clear to me that, when evangelizing, one people.
should follow the teaching guidelines demonstrated in These biblical teaching guidelines are essential when
the Scriptures. These teaching principles have been evangelizing. How then could I be sure that all of
discussed in the previous chapters. In order to these necessary aspects would be included in my
consider the logical and biblical reason for the teaching evangelistic teaching program? Where could I find a
program which I am about to introduce, a brief teaching format which included each biblical teaching
summary is in order. principle?
1. The Scriptures taught in evangelism must expose Considering each principle brought me to the
our hearers to the revelation of God's nature and conclusion that the best way to evangelize is to
character in order to prepare them for the Gospel. begin in the beginning and teach chronologically
When evangelizing, one should first teach the through the Scriptures to ensure that people under-
holiness, righteousness, and wrath of God against stand the story of Christ and are properly prepared
sinners so that people will judge themselves in the for the Gospel.
light of the biblical concept of God. This first section of the Chronological Teaching
2. Because God chose to reveal Himself through His Outline, which is for evangelism and emphasizes
acts in history rather than by mere declarations and salvation, begins in Genesis and concludes with the
propositions, our evangelistic teaching must ascension of Christ, as recorded in the book of Acts.
include the historical sections of Scripture wherein The fifty lessons in this course, Firm Foundations-
God has shown His true nature and character. Creation to Christ, cover this evangelistic segment of
3. The Law must be part of our teaching as we the Chronological Teaching outline.
prepare hearts to trust only in Christ, for "...by the
law is the knowledge of sin..'' (Romans 3:20). If Following the flow of biblical history
we want to avoid syncretism, legalism, and a Because God has chosen to reveal Himself within
mixture of works and grace, we must use the Law the framework of history, the Scriptures will be most
in the correct way so that the consciences of our clearly taught if we follow the flow of history from
hearers will be exposed to the Law's convicting and Genesis to Revelation.
convincing power. The Chronological Teaching Outline is based on the
4. The goal of all true evangelism is to see people historical sections of the books of the Bible which
trusting only in the Lord Jesus Christ and His record this forward movement of history. The chart

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 FIRM FOUNDATIONS - NTM (edited)
on the following page illustrates the flow of biblical
history.
While Christians should be open to learn more
It takes too long to teach efficient and effective ways to do their work, they
One of the most common complaints regarding the must never forget that God's power is manifested and
form of teaching suggested in this book is that it takes His work is accomplished by the declaration of God's
too long to teach. truth in the power of the Holy Spirit. There is no
This is the day of speed and easy ways to do other way. God does not change His methods to fit in
everything. Precooked frozen meals, instant desserts, with modern thought and so-called advancements. "...I
and microwave ovens help make sure everything is on am the LORD, I change not..." (Malachi 3:6). This is
the table in minutes. Every conceivable gadget to true of God's nature, and it is also true of His ways of
speed up the process of daily living is available. working.
The same type of thinking has made inroads into
the Christian Church and is often applied to
evangelism, church growth, and every other area of
church life.
==================================== ============================================

The Flow of Biblical History

The Books of Historical Movement Other Books Written During These Periods
Genesis......................................................................... Job, Psalms
Exodus........................................................................... Leviticus, Psalms
Numbers........................................................................ Deuteronomy, Psalms
Joshua........................................................................... Psalms
Judges........................................................................... Ruth, Psalms
I and II Samuel............................................................. Psalms
I and II Kings................................................................ Proverbs, Ecclesiastes, Song of Solomon, I Chronicles,
II Chronicles, Isaiah, Hosea, Joel, Amos, Obadiah,
Jonah, Micah, Nahum, Habakkuk, Zephaniah, Psalms
Daniel............................................................................ Jeremiah, Lamentations, Ezekiel
Ezra................................................................................ Haggai, Zechariah
Nehemiah.....................................................................
Malachi.........................................................................
Matthew, Mark, Luke, John....................................... Esther
Acts................................................................................ James, I and 11 Thessalonians, Galatians,
I and II Corinthians, Romans, Philemon, Ephesians,
Colossians, Philippians, I Peter, I Timothy, Titus,
II Timothy, Hebrews, II Peter, Jude, I, II, and III John
Revelation.....................................................................

===================================== =====================================

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 FIRM FOUNDATIONS - NTM (edited)
The Christian's responsibility is to teach God's we can trust Him to give the increase.
Word in total dependence upon the Holy Spirit. No The most effective witnessing programs are those
amount of human wisdom, ingenuity, or high-pressure which allow Christians to teach God's Word
evangelistic methods can hasten the work of the Holy systematically and to depend upon the Holy Spirit to
Spirit and the conversion of a soul. It is not our do the work in His time. God's children should get to
responsibility to determine or try to force the time of know unsaved people, establish Bible studies in their
the new birth. We are to faithfully teach all that has homes and teach consistently, even over weeks or
been committed to us and leave the work of months, those things which God has recorded in His
transformation to the Lord. Word as the foundations for the Gospel.
One of the greatest faults in the ministry of the
Church worldwide is the unwillingness to take the time Tell the Gospel to the prepared
to teach unsaved people over a long period of time and I have already given the reasons why the basic
allow God the Holy Spirit to do His work of structure of the Old Testament should be taught to
enlightening, convicting, and leading people to the type unsaved people before they are taught the New
of faith in the Lord Jesus Christ which will give them Testament story of Christ and the Gospel. But it
the assurance to say with Paul, "...I know whom I must not be inferred that I am suggesting that no
have believed, and am persuaded that he is able to person can be saved until he has heard and understood
keep that which I have committed unto him against that all of the Old Testament Outline presented in this
day" (II Timothy 1:12). Jack Douglas, missionary to teaching program. Nor am I saying that the teacher
the Pawaia tribe in Papua New Guinea, commented, must not give the Gospel to a person prepared for the
"To teach right through from Genesis took a long time Gospel until he has been taught the proposed outline.
and much effort, but it was well worth it. The We must not be bound by an outline, but we should be
Pawaians know what they believe and why." guided by biblical principles which are clearly taught
Most witnessing programs lead Christians into throughout the entire Word of God.
brief, face-to-face encounters with the unsaved.
Insufficient effort is put into preparing the non- Brief encounters
Christian to either understand the real reasons for or I trust it is obvious all the way through this book
the meaning of the Gospel. Usually, just a few verses, that I have in mind situations where people can be
such as Romans 3:23, are quoted to the unsaved and ministered to over an extended period of time. This is
the person is then urged to make his or her decision for possible in well-programmed missionary work,
Christ. Sunday schools, Bible classes, and the ministry of the
The Scriptures make it clear that one person may be local church. But what does one do when he only has
given the responsibility by God to sow the seed, a short time to preach to people?
another to water it, and yet another may reap the While we should never be bound to any teaching
harvest (John 4:36-38; 1 Corinthians 3:6,7). In most outline, we should always be guided, even in brief
methods of evangelism today, the person who sows is encounters, by biblical principles. One clear principle
also expected to reap immediately. Truly the Lord is which we have already discussed is that only those
not limited. His Word is mighty to save, and He often prepared and drawn by God the Holy Spirit can and
does use the same person to both sow and reap. But will come to Christ. God does not do what He
our responsibility is to be sure that we are faithfully commands us not to do. He does not "cast pearls
preaching all He has told us from His Word so that before swine."
people are scripturally prepared for the Gospel. Then

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 FIRM FOUNDATIONS - NTM (edited)
Evangelism for mixed groups- I readily agreed with them, because it was also obvi-
unbelievers and believers ous to me that those whom I had taught chronologi-
Many groups and churches, like those which we cally from the beginning had a clarity of understanding
first taught in Palawan, are confused regarding the way of the Scriptures and the Gospel far beyond those
of salvation. The evangelistic phase of the taught only topically or expositionally from the New
Chronological Teaching Outline has been effectively Testament.
used to teach such churches and groups. Many indi-
viduals, who previously thought they were children of Correct Foundations
God, have been enlightened to their true condition For Teaching Believers
through the Old Testament revelation of God's holi- Our emphasis thus far has been on Biblical
ness, His demands for perfection as revealed through guidelines for evangelism. At this point, I would like
the Law, and His terrible judgments on rebellious to turn our attention to biblical principles for teach-
sinners. Then, through the story of the Gospels, they ing believers.
have seen for the first time that they have no need to Because I had been schooled in traditional Bible
work for their salvation, for Christ has provided all teaching methods, the majority of my early teaching
that God righteously requires. ministry to the tribal believers in Palawan was
I wish I had understood this when I first began to done topically The practical difficulties I encountered
teach the tribal churches in Palawan. I tried to in topical teaching impelled me to look to the
straighten out their understanding by first teaching Scriptures for more logical and practical methods of
justification topically and then expositionally from the teaching the Word of God. In this chapter, I will share
Epistle to the Romans even though they did not have some of my experiences with tribal believers which
solid Old Testament foundations. In spite of the prompted me to examine God's methods of teaching
difficulties I faced in teaching and they faced in His children as recorded in the Bible. Even though
understanding, many Palawano church members were many of the problems about which I will write are
eventually enlightened to their lost condition and came accentuated due to the primitive, poorly-educated
to trust in Christ. But how much more simple and people involved, the points are relevant and worthy of
clear the teaching and learning process would have consideration by those teaching affluent and well-edu-
been if I had followed the divinely revealed order and cated people.
taught chronologically through the Old Testament as Principally while teaching monthly Bible con-
preparation for the Gospel of grace revealed in the ferences for Palawano elders and Bible teachers, it
New Testament! became evident to me that topical teaching is not the
Years later, after I had seen my mistakes and had best form of Bible teaching for those who are poorly-
taught the Scriptures chronologically in another area of educated, slow in understanding, or easily distracted.
Palawan, I returned to the area of our initial labors to Neither is it the best form of teaching for those not
teach chronologically from Genesis to the ascension of well conversant with the location of the individual
Christ. After teachinga them for a short time, some of books in the Bible or those who are lacking a simple
the elders came to me and asked, "Why didn't you but basic understanding of the overall progressive and
teach us this way from the beginning? This way of historical biblical revelation.
teaching makes everything so much clearer!" They
could now see how everything they had been taught Difficult to follow
previously from the New Testament fit together with When I gave a Scripture reference for the Palawanos
the Old Testament and was one comprehensive whole. to find, there would immediately be a great deal of

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mumbling and whispering. They could not easily God never taught all there was to know about any
remember the reference given, so they were continually particular doctrine or subject at one specific time. He
inquiring what the reference was from whomever was often revealed some new area of truth, but He never
sitting near them. The first ones to find the verse immediately gave the whole truth regarding any one
would often begin reading the section laboriously, subject. God's method of teaching can be compared to
audibly sounding out letters and words. Instead of the way most people prefer their meals served. A man
paying attention to my teaching, they were absorbed would be surprised if he went home to find his wife
in inquiring from one another or trying to read the had prepared a meal consisting only of potatoes and if
passage which they were so pleased to have found. he heard her say, "Today, we are having potatoes.
Instead of their minds being occupied with the Tomorrow, we will have beans. The day after
subject being taught, they were repeatedly distracted tomorrow, we will have just meat on the menu." Who
because they had to find the portions from many parts would be happy with that type of menu? We usually
of the Bible. like a meal to consist of different types of vegetables
We make the teaching and learning of the Scriptures and some meat. This is how God wrote His Word.
unnecessarily hard when we insist on topical teaching This is how God feeds us from His Word when we
as our primary method of instruction. Western culture study it just as He has given it.
approaches most subjects analytically. We feel it Turn anywhere in God's Word, and you will readily
necessary to dissect everything, examining and see that one verse can give information, either
categorizing each portion. But many cultures do not directly or indirectly, about many different subjects.
approach the teaching and learning process in this Whole books could be written by carefully examining
way. and expounding one verse. Just as there are many
When the Lord prepared the Scriptures, He had all facets on a diamond, a verse, when scrutinized under
people in mind. If He had planned to speak only to us the guidance of the Holy Spirit, will reveal many
Westerners and had asked us what literary form His different points of truth relating to many different
writing should take, our answer would probably have doctrines.
been, "A systematic theology." Wisely, the Lord did God's method of revelation and instruction is
not do this. The Scriptures were not prepared in an clearly progressive in the life of every individual He
analytical, topical form, for apparently this is not the prepared for His service during the history of the Old
preferable way to teach God's Word, even in Western Testament. When God created Adam, it was God's
culture. desire and purpose that Adam should be taught to
know Him, in all His sovereignty, majesty, and glory.
God's teaching How then did God begin to teach Adam? What
God's fundamental form of teaching throughout all method did God use? Did He systematically and
history is clearly progressive. God gradually unfolded topically teach Adam all there was to know about
the Bible's message over the ages. This God-controlled Him, his Creator?
unfolding of truth has been likened to the growth of No! How mundane and limited God's first reve-
grain, " . ..first the blade, then the ear, after that the full lation to Adam appears to be! God said, "...Be fruit-
corn in the ear" (Mark 4:28). God chose to make ful, and multiply, and replenish the earth, and subdue
known His nature and character, His plan for the it: and have dominion over the fish of the sea, and over
world, His purpose of redemption through Christ, and the fowl of the air, and over every living thing that
all other spiritual matters through progressive moveth upon the earth" (Genesis 1:28). The Lord then
revelation. told Adam what he and Eve were to eat. In this initial

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 FIRM FOUNDATIONS - NTM (edited)
revelation, God did not even speak directly of Himself
Yet, by what He said and commanded, God revealed
basic and important truths about Himself. By
commanding Adam to be fruitful and to multiply, the
Lord clearly declared Himself to be Adam's lawgiver
and master of every area of life. By authoritatively
placing Adam as His vice-regent over the whole earth
and by commanding Adam to have dominion over
every living thing in the earth, He was showing Adam
that He, the Lord, is the rightful owner of the earth and
all things in it. After God had placed Adam in the gar-
den of Eden, He again spoke to him and commanded
him regarding the Tree of Life and the Tree of the
Knowledge of Good and Evil. This was but a further
revelation of God's role in His relationship to man, for
by the solemn declaration that death would be the
inevitable punishment for disobedience, He was
showing Adam that He alone is God, the judge and
executor of righteousness in the earth. These are the
only accounts that we have of the words of God to
Adam before Adam's disobedience. But, as God met
with man, it would seem that He planned to teach
Adam progressively, adding slowly to those initial
revelations of His will and plan, according to Adam's
ability to assimilate the information given to him.

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 The Browns Missionaries to
the Philippines and beyond

February 03, 2001

Dear Missionary Friend,

Last year I was in Scotland filling in for a missionary who went to the State for a furlough.

While there I noticed that one of the members of his church had a lot of Bibical knowledge. I found out that
the pastor had just finished teaching his church all the lessons in the Firm Foundations book put out by
New Tribes Missions.

I ordered the two videos "EE-TAOW the Monk Story” Part 1 and "EE-TAOW the next chapter” Part 2,
produced by New Tribes.

These two video are a "must have" for every mission minded person.

I decided to purchase the Firm Foundation Books plus the Laminated Pictures, Student Notebook and
charts.

Since the day I received this I began to study one chapter a day for my own knowledge.

I put the Packing List-Invoice on the last page of this file so you will have all the information you need to
place an order. Also the pictures of the two videos are at the end of this file.

I received permission from Donald L. Pederson from the NTM Research and Planning Dept. to copy part
of the Introduction and a few of the lessons. He said I could put this on our BAMA Bible Institute CD so
that you and others might know about this material.

I plan to present this to all our national pastors in the Philippines in April 2001.

The Introduction of this material makes good sense and I plan to put it into action in my own ministry.

May God bless you as you read this file.

Melvyn L. Brown

Baptist International Missions, Inc.

Our E-mail Address:
P.O. Box 9215, Chattanooga, TN 37412
mbrown@[Link]
Phone: (423) 344-5050 FAX: (432) 344-4774