THE NATIONS: MEETING 1
Fast Facts
The term "nation" is mentioned over five hundred times in Scripture, yet it doesn't denote individual countries but rather groups of people within countries. Globally, there are just under 200 recognized countries, but the number of distinct people groups exceeds 7,500. This differentiation underscores the rich diversity and myriad of cultures and communities that exist worldwide.
Study
Take a look at these verses from different parts of the Bible. What words or phrases do you notice that reflect God's concern for all peoples?
Old Testament
Old Testament
- Law: Genesis 12:3
- History: 1 Chronicles 16:23-24
- Poetry: Psalm 67:2-3
- Prophecy: Isaiah 12:4-5
- Gospels: Matthew 28:16–20
- History: Acts 1:8
- Epistles: Romans 1:5
- Prophecy: Revelation 7:9–10
Watch
Reaching the Unreached (4:20)
Read the following quotes from the video. Which one stands out the most to you? Explain.
Read the following quotes from the video. Which one stands out the most to you? Explain.
- "There are almost three billion people who will live and die without ever hearing the story [of God’s love]. Not because they don’t care, but because they don’t have a choice."
- "40% of the world does not know this [the gospel], and they won't know unless something changes; not unless someone goes to tell them."
- "Only 3% of missionaries are going to the 40% who have never heard about Jesus. Only 1% of cross-cultural giving goes to the [almost] three billion people who have never heard about Jesus."
- "We have an imbalance, are we okay with this?"
- "We have a Spirit-led calling to rethink our focus."
The Biblical Basis of Missions/ God's Heart for the Nations (6:28)
What stood out to you from the video?
What stood out to you from the video?
Discuss
Read these quotes and share which resonates with you the most, and why.
- “It’s only good news if it gets there in time.” — Carl Henry
- “No one has the right to hear the gospel twice while there remains someone who has not heard it once.”— Oswald J. Smith
- “Missions exists because worship doesn’t.”— John Piper
- “We talk of the second coming when half the world has not even heard of the first.” — Oswald J. Smith
- "It will not do to say that you have no special call to go … you need rather ascertain whether you have a special call to stay." – Hudson Taylor
Learn
View
If you have not already done so, do a quick overview of REACH, the resource you are presently going through.
Pray
Share the most important thing you learned in this meeting, and let it serve as a guide as the group prays together.
Watch
Only the Global session has closing videos. They are for reflection; not group discussion. Enjoy.
- Watch Shine (7:28)