God’s Building His Church

One of the things that has been amazing in our journey here in India is seeing how God works.  We once thought that teaching doctrine to uneducated pastors and church leaders was a daunting task. We knew that first we needed to lay a solid understanding of who God is and of the need for faith in Him.  We decided to do this through chronological Bible story telling.  The amazing thing is that through what we thought was foundation laying, we’ve seen God teach people deep theological truth.

Pastor Charles Kujur

Recently, Charles, a pastor we’ve been training,  said, “Joseph passed by many temptations and he did not even commit sin against God. He abides in the Word of God. God blesses us in our lives abundantly, and His blessings are a light which is lifted up that others can glorify God and have respect for God’s people.” It’s amazing that through Bible storytelling, which we sometimes call oral inductive Bible study, Charles understands the preeminence of God and His glory.  He understands that God’s blessings are given so that we might glorify Him. This is an example of the kind of observations many church leaders are now making. 

We go chronologically through 49 Bible stories to help them clearly see God’s redemptive story.  We use an interactive method where we go through the story 3 times. Then we dig into the story to find the spiritual truths. Finally, we make practical and personal application from the story and the spiritual truths.   

The results in the last few months are that many of the participants are digging deeper into God’s word. They understand deep concepts like the sovereignty of God, His faithfulness, the way He plans and accomplishes His plans, His mercy, and the way He foreshadows or gives examples of things to come.  One student observed that just as there was only one door onto Noah’s ark by which men could be saved from destruction, there is also only one way to be saved from the penalty of our sins – entering into God’s salvation through Jesus Christ.  Another realized that the tar that covered the inside and outside of the ark provided covering and protection.  In the same way Christ’s blood provides us protection and covering.  These aren’t lessons we taught them.  We simply taught them how to meditate on scripture and ask the right questions and they came to know the truth by meditation and revelation of the Spirit of God.  This is exciting to us, because they are learning to feed themselves, a necessary step towards being able to teach others to do the same.

Just as Charles said, God blesses as people abide in His Word. The result is that the church is built up.  God is building His church.  Through the people who are His church God is exalting Himself.  We praise God for the opportunity to be a part of this. We also thank Him for all who are participating in making this possible.

Building the Church vs. Building the Church

The church building in Malhati fell down as a result of a cyclone that passed through in April. (Above is a picture of the building at its inauguration, which I attended.) Today the pastor, Emmanuel, came to visit me to tell me of their plight. They need 20,000 Indian Rupees (about $425) to rebuild their church building.

It was a great opportunity to talk about building the church. We talked about the fact that it is God's church, and that He promised to build His church (Matthew 16:18). Of course His church isn't the building (although, He owns that too according to Psalm 24:1), but the people.

We talked about the fact that so many of the churches in this region have financial difficulties and how that is a result of people not giving, which is a sign of lack of faith. We read Exodus 35:20-29 and 36:4-7, where the people gave willingly and in such abundance that they had to be commanded to stop giving. We read Luke 21:1-4, where the widow gave her last pennies. We read 2 Corinthians 8:1-5, where from poverty and affliction they overflowed with joy in their generous giving. We talked about how it takes a miracle for people to give out of their lack. It's like water coming from a rock. Yet, it's possible with God.

Emmanuel left committed to pray for a miracle. He's praying that God would show him if there's any areas in his life where he can be more faithful and a better steward. He's praying that the 19 families that make up the church would be built up - growing in their faith and that they will give. He's going to share the stories we looked at together and ask them how they can apply them in their lives. He's praying for God to build His church and for God to provide to build His church building.

I'm praying that God would do as He promised and build His church, the people who are living stones (1 Peter 2:5). As they grow in their faith, I'm praying that their building would be repaired as well. Will you pray with me?