YOUR KINGDOM COMEWorkshop Manual

(Abridged)

The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy;I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.”

- Jesus (Jn.10:10)

“Your kingdom come, Your will be done, on earth as in heaven.” (Matt.6:10)

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What are some of the ideas that currently “rule” the world?

How do you see this world? Why is the world the way it is? What are the causes of the problems in this world?

Introduction

What on earth are we doing here? In other words, what is the purpose of life? Your answer to this question depends on your worldview. If you are a Christian, that question is the same as asking, why did God create us? If you are a nominal Christian, you might not be concerned much with that question. But if you are a serious and committed Christian, your answer might be to love God, to worship and serve Him, and do His will. But what does that mean?

What that means can go in 2 very different directions depending on whether your worldview is “salvation from this world” or “God’s Kingdom on earth”. For the “salvation from this world” worldview, the assumption is that this world is perishing and God has no more plans for this world. So our task is to get as many people saved as possible. Our destination is heaven. If this is your worldview, you would have no, or little, concern for what is happening in the world outside of the 4 walls of your church. But if your worldview is “God’s Kingdom on earth”, you would be not only very concerned for what is happening in the world, you would be engaged in bringing change to this world on the basis that God’s Kingdom has come to invade this world and take back all that the devil has stolen. Your desire would be for God’s Kingdom to reign and for His will to be done on earth, and for people to be living by God’s Kingdom culture.

This workshop addresses the subject of worldviews and the transformation that Paul talked about in Rom.12:2 – from all other worldviews including the “salvation from this world” worldview, to “God’s Kingdom on earth’ worldview. We will also examine the culture of God’s Kingdom and how we are to live it out in this world, with a special focus on the poor. Why focus on the poor? Because Jesus said the Kingdom belongs to the poor. Why? We will discover later why, and how the Kingdom can come to them. But first, let’s examine our worldview and what shapes it, and the consequences of our worldview.

1. WORLDVIEWOur worldview is our perception of reality. It is like an invisible pair of spectacles we are wearing that we are not conscious of. Through these invisible spectacles we filter, see, perceive and interpret everything around us. Our worldview is made up of assumptions and beliefs that were formed in us through our upbringing, culture and environment. It is said that politicians do not rule the world. It is ideas that rule the world. Ideas are formed through our worldview and beliefs which are powerfully shaped by the media today.

“A worldview interprets, defines and explains the world for us. It is a conceptual scheme by which we consciously or unconsciously place or fit everything we believe, and by which we interpret and judge reality.” - Ronald Nash, (Worldviews in Conflict).

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“A worldview is a set of assumptions and beliefs held consciously or unconsciously about the basic makeup of the world and how the world works.” - Darrow Miller (Discipling Nations)

There are many different worldviews in the world today. They can generally fall into three categories: Animism, Secularism and Theism. In animism what is real is the spirit world; the physical world is an illusion. In secularism what is real is the physical world; the spirit world is an illusion. In theism, both the spirit world and the physical world are real. Here’s another way of looking at it : In animism there are many gods. In secularism there is no god. In theism there is only one God. Theism can be sub-divided into Islam, Christianity and Judaism. Whatever our worldview may be, it has consequences.

Worldviews give us the key to understanding why the world is the way it is – why cultures are the way they are, why some nations or cultures are progressive while others are backward and mired in poverty or even chaos and social disorder. As for Christianity, though there are other sub-categories, we will be looking at the difference between two main categories of worldviews : one which might be described as the “Salvation from this world” worldview, and the other “God’s Kingdom on earth” worldview. Each also has its consequences – whether we engage and serve and influence, or disengage and withdraw from the society around us into a false spirituality.

1.1 Why we do what we do – a model of cultureA person’s behavior arises out of the choices he makes. The choices he makes arise out of his values – what he considers really valuable and important. His values come out of his beliefs – what he considers true. His beliefs arise out of his worldview – his perception of reality. Our worldview forms the foundation for our beliefs and values, and determines the choices we make, from which we reap the consequences of our behavior.

1.2 All ideas have consequences. The concentric circles can be compared to a tree :

FRUIT

BRANCHES : TRUNK :

ROOTS :

Just as the health of a tree depends on what is in the ground, the spiritual, emotional, mental, physical and social health and well being of a person depends on his worldview and beliefs.

1.3 What foundation are we building on?

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What are the worldview, beliefs and values of your nation/culture? What do you think are the worldview, beliefs and values of the poor? What are the consequences of their worldview, beliefs and values?

“What” and “Why” forms the foundation for “How”. It is fundamental that we know the “What” and “Why” of anything before we go on to ask the “How” questions. What foundation (worldview, beliefs and values) have we been building on?

1.4 Population, Resources and WealthMost people think that poverty is the result of over-population, lack of space and lack of natural resources. Compare these nations and think again!

1.5 Eyes to SeeWhy are some cultures/nations more progressive while others struggle with poverty? We have already seen that the answer is not a matter of population or space or natural resources. What are the root causes of underdevelopment and poverty? Ultimately, it is the worldview, beliefs and values (the culture) of the people that determine the outcome. Poverty is not just an external problem but more an internal one. Dealing with the external problems alone will not help the poor. Here are some stories that illustrate how worldview leads to consequences : Oil Sand Israel v. Palestine Uzbekistan v. Afghanistan Singapore Ghana Haiti Papua New Guinea

What makes Japan, Holland & Taiwan what they are? Where are the resources for their wealth? China today is the world’s fastest growing economy. What change brought this about?

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In what way do these illustrations confirm the truths in the Bible? What are the proportions in your nation? Why? What needs to happen for your nation to develop and not be mired in poverty?

1.6 Where is the Wealth of the Nations?In 2005 the World Bank did a study to assess the relative contributions of various kinds of capital to economic development. In its study, "Where is the Wealth of Nations? : Measuring Capital for the 21st Century," they identified 3 types of capital : 1) Natural capital, 2) Produced, or built, capital and 3) Intangible capital

Natural Capital(non-renewable)

Physical Capital(produced)

Human Capital(intangible)

Land Bricks and Mortar Mind and ReasonWater Tools and Machines Heart and EmotionsAgriculture Roads and Bridges Creativity and InnovationMinerals Communication and IT Temperament and PersonalityPetroleum LanguageEnergy Conscience and MoralsNatural Laws Knowledge and Skills

Wisdom and VirtueWill (Volition)Worldview

The World Bank found these proportions in the [materially] wealthiest nations :

Natural Capital %

Physical Capital %

Human Capital %

The World Bank’s Conclusion : "Rich countries are largely rich because of the skills of their populations and the quality of the institutions supporting economic activity …. In the [materially] wealthiest countries, intangible capital accounts for more than three-quarters of the producible forms of wealth.”

What are the root causes of underdevelopment and poverty? Poverty is not just an external problem but more an internal one. Dealing with the external problems alone will not help the poor. Why are some cultures/nations more progressive while others struggle with poverty? We have already seen that the answer is not a matter of population or space or natural resources. Ultimately, it is the worldview, beliefs and values (the culture) of the people that determine the outcome.

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Which tree represents your nation/culture? Why? What are the lies in the culture that “steal, kill and destroy” life and that lead to stagnation, destruction and death?

The ascendancy of the West over the rest of the world is because of their culture – their worldview, beliefs and values, which were first shaped by early Christian teaching and later during the time of the Reformation and the Renaissance. It is from the Bible that the West first came to grasp and appreciate the idea of the dignity of man – as a creative, rational being made in the image of God, ruled by law and order. These concepts were not known in animistic cultures where man was ruled by irrational spiritual forces or ruled by man, not by law or rational thought.

1.7 Truth and lies in a cultureThe belief system of every culture contains true beliefs and false beliefs (although assumed by the people to be true). In other words every culture has truth and lies in its worldview and beliefs. Jesus said : “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.” (Jn.10:10). Satan, “the father of lies,” (Jn.8:44) steals kills and destroys the abundant life that God intends for us. He does this by distorting the truth and planting these half-truth lies in our minds. These lies penetrate customs, practices, institutions, social structures, and laws. Satan deceives not only individuals but

entire nations as well (Rev. 20:3). His lies are the ultimate source of all the suffering, corruption and poverty we see in our own culture and around the world. Jesus said, “When you know the truth, the truth will set you free.” (Jn.8:32). Lies lead to death. Truth leads to life. Only God’s truth can bring release, freedom, and healing from satanic lies so that we can experience the abundant life that God intended for us.

1.8 Lies in My Nation/CultureTry and identify the root to the problems in your nation and in the communities you are working in. What are the lies that are operating in the minds of the people that keep them trapped in poverty? How does it work in the mind of the poor and what are its consequences?

Problem Lie Consequences Truth Solution

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2. POVERTY AND CORRUPTION

2.1 Lies in Animism : Spirits control the physical world : Natural disasters, sickness, accidents,

misfortunes – all caused by gods and spirits. Solution is to constantly appease the gods and spirits. Otherwise nothing can be done. People are trapped. The gods are in control. People are not in control.

Karma or takdir/nasib determines your future. We are powerless to change anything. So no point trying to work hard or improve or change anything.

The powerful were born to rule over the weak. The weak were born to serve the powerful. Only way anything can be achieved is to be in a position of power or control, or to bribe the

powerful. (When people worship/value or accept a chaotic spirit world, it produces/results in a chaotic physical world)

Physical world transient : Therefore the environment is not valued. So dirt and degradation in public spaces is common. No one takes responsibility.

Physical world transient : No vision for future. No planning. “Jugard” (temporary fixes) Good deeds done only for accumulating merit for oneself for attaining nirvana or moksha. Consequences : Resignation/Fatalism, Poverty, Corruption, Dirt, Disorder/Chaos, No Love.

Transparency International (http://www.transparency.org) has a CPI (Corruption Perception Index) that gives a list of nations ranging from the least to the most corrupt. It is not surprising that the most corrupt nations are also those that are the least developed and have an animistic background.

2.2 Lies in the Church“When the church fails to disciple the nation, the nation disciples the church” – Darrow Miller

What is the relationship between poverty, corruption and animism?

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2.3 What is Poverty?How we define poverty is how we will approach it.

View of Cause Proposed ResponseThe poor are sinners EvangelismThe poor are sinned against Social action, work for justiceThe poor lack knowledge EducationThe poor lack things Relief / Social welfareThe poor lack opportunities Skills trainingThe poor lack capital Micro-credit loansThe culture of the poor is flawed Become like us; ours is betterThe social system makes them poor Change the system

Poverty has many dimensions – economic, social, political, religious, cultural, physical, and spiritual, all of which interact to keep the poor, poor. These forces produce a mindset that keep the poor trapped in the belief that they are nothing and that they are powerless to change anything. Diagrams from Bryant Myers’ ‘Walking With the Poor’ :

If poverty is understood as the lack of things, then we assume that giving them things will solve their problems. But does it? For example, all over the developing world, NGOs dig wells and install hand-pumps. They work only for 2 -3 years and then they break down. Actually the problem is minor and simple. Either some part has worn out or broken and need replacing. The cost is little. The community can put together some money to repair it but they don’t. Instead they leave the well in disuse and disrepair. They would rather walk 2km to fetch water. Why? Why will just giving them things not solve their problems?

Why are People Poor? Billions in Western aid (both finances and training) have gone to many poor nations, but they still remain in deep poverty. What are the Causes of Poverty? What keeps the Poor, poor?

To what extent are the cultural beliefs and values of your nation in the church? How much does your surrounding culture shape your worldview and beliefs? How do Christians in your nation view truth, work, time, happiness, money, leadership, authority, women, problems, suffering?

What are the lies in animism and secularism that need to be uprooted from the culture of the church so that we can be salt and light / agents of God’s Kingdom transformation to communities around us?

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Theme Social System LieCaptivity to the Social You are outside the social system.god -complexes of Political Your purpose is to serve us.the non-poor Economic You have no assets, nor should you.

Religious We will speak to God on your behalf.

Marred identity of Social We are not worthy of Inclusion.the poor Political We are not worthy of participation.

Economic We have nothing to contribute.Religious We are not worthy of Cod's concern.

Inadequacies in Social Our place in the social order is fixed.Worldview Political They are supposed to rule over us.

Economic Our poverty is ordained.Religious We sinned: God gives us what we deserve.

Deception by the Social Social systems are not for the likes of you.principalities and Political Political systems are not for the likes of you.Powers Economic Economic systems are not for the likes of you.

Religious God Is not for the likes of you.

Weakness of Social I'm not smart enough.mind, body, and Political I'm uneducated.Spirit Economic I'm too weak to matter; I have nothing.

Religious I can't understand these things anyway.

Figure 3-8: The all-encompassing web of lies. (Developed from Christian 1994, 264)

Jayakumar Christian (World Vision) says that the identity of the poor is distorted and kept distorted by a web of lies that entrap the poor. These lies are a result of the god-complexes of the non poor, the distorted worldview of the poor and the deception by the principalities and powers. In ‘Walking with the Poor’ Bryant Myers, integrating Chambers, Friedman, Christian and Jayakaran, says that the poor find themselves trapped inside a system of disempowerment made up of interacting systems – personal, social, spiritual/religious, cultural that result in them suffering from a marred identity.

“This captivity becomes internalized as the poor acquiesce to what appears to be normal and unchangeable. A lifetime of suffering, deception and exclusion is internalized by the poor in a way

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that results in the poor no longer knowing who they truly are or why they were created. This is the deepest and most profound expression of poverty. The poor come to believe that they are and were always meant to be without value and without gifts. People who are poor no longer know who they are (being) nor do they believe that they have a vocation of any value (doing). When the poor accept their marred identity and their distorted sense of vocation as normal and unchangeable, their poverty is complete. It is also permanent unless this issue is addressed and they are helped to recover their identity as children of God, made in God’s image, and their true vocation as productive stewards in the world God made for them.”

- Bryant Myers (Walking With the Poor)

If the poor see themselves as nothing or less than nothing, valueless and powerless and totally incapable to change anything, what then is our role to reverse that? How can we help the poor “recover their identity as children of God, made in God’s image, and their true vocation as productive stewards in the world God made for them.”?

We need to ____________ them as _______________ to God and _______________ to us.

We need to _________________, ________________ and __________________ them; not

dis-empower them and reinforce their poverty mindset.

3. THE GENESIS MANDATEIn Gen.1:26 God said, “Let Us make man in Our image and in Our likeness ..” In other words, God created us to be like Him. The ultimate goal of each person is to be changed to become more and more like Him. We glorify God when we reflect His character. The heavens declare the glory of God and the skies proclaim the work of His hands (Ps.19:1) but of all that the Artist has created, no work of art that would glorify the Artist more than something that the Artist made to be like Him .. who actually lives out that design and purpose.

So what does it mean to be like God? The church has been faithfully teaching some of the attributes of God like holiness, righteousness and justice. There are however other attributes that God has revealed to us of Himself that give us a more complete picture of who God is, and therefore of what we were designed to be, or how we were designed to function. They also reveal to us what the Kingdom of God is because the character of the Kingdom comes from the character of the King :

In our work with the poor, in what ways would we dis-empower them and reinforce their poverty mindset? What can we do to show that we value them? What can we do to empower them? In what ways can we be community with the poor?

In what way are we to be like God? What are the attributes of God and what do they reveal to us of how life was designed to function?

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3.1 Community and LoveThe Father, Son and Holy Spirit is a team, a partnership and a community. So we were also made to be community. That means we are incomplete without each other. That is also why loving our neighbors as ourselves is part of the greatest commandment and should define for us what true spirituality is. True spirituality is not as many suppose some kind of self-focused “inner spirituality” (as taught in eastern mysticism) but a focus on others. In the dialogue between the expert in the law and Jesus, Jesus told the parable of the good Samaritan. He compared and contrasted between the religious priest and Levite, and the non-religious Samaritan. He corrected wrong ideas that the Jews had about spirituality. True spirituality is not the performance of religious duties, nor is it measured by how much we pray or know the Bible. True spirituality is love for God and love for people, especially those in need.

If it can be said that there are certain core truths in the Bible, I believe one of them must be that God is love and that we were made to be like Him, meaning we were made to love. We become most like Him, most alive, and find our greatest joy and fulfilment when we love – when we feel for others, when we give, and when we bring joy to others and serve others. Not when we are immersed in ourselves, and accumulate, and hoard and serve ourselves. This is a paradox but the more we seek fulfilment for ourselves, the further we will be from finding it, because the further we will be from what we were created to be. But the more we turn our gaze away from ourselves and love and give and serve, the closer we will be to what we were created to be, and the more we will experience fulfilment.

To be community is to share all the resources that God gives to us with others. My intelligence and skills and ability were not given to me by God just to bless “I, me and myself” and my family, but they are meant to be shared especially with those in need (2 Cor.8:13-14). This is the greatest commandment, and we could even call it the constitution of the Kingdom : We are to love God with all our heart, soul, mind and strength and love our neighbors as ourselves. (Mk.12:30-31, Rom.13:8-9). When we know His love, and when His love rules in our hearts, not only would there be no fear (1 Jn.4:18), it would be a joy to give. Furthermore, God’s promise is that it is more blessed to give than to receive, because the one who gives will get more in return.

Jesus told us it is love that binds us together and makes us community. Jesus prayed that we would be one just as He and the Father are one, so that by this love (not by our preaching, or talk about love, but actual love) people would be drawn to Him (Jn.13:34-35, Jn.17:21-23). This was evident in the early church (Acts 2:44-47, 4:32-35). The world is waiting to see true community again.

3.2 CreativityIf God is our creator, and we were created to be like Him, then we were also created to be creative. That means we are to use our minds to innovate and overcome challenges we face. It also means that we are to not only find solutions to problems we encounter in our environment but we are to also discover ways and means to progress, to develop and to enhance the quality of life for all on earth.

3.3 Order and structureGod is a God of order and structure. Though equal with the Father, the Son submits to the Father. Therefore we were created similarly to have order and structure in family and in our relationships. We were also created to have order and structure in everything in life. Not disorder and chaos, or lack of planning or no planning at all, that we see in so many cultures and nations where the minds of the people are still deeply rooted in false religions – a reflection of the chaotic spiritual world they believe in. The Bible tells us that whatever we worship is what we value, and whatever we value is what we will become. It is no wonder then why animistic

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cultures exhibit the chaos we can see of their way of life – a reflection of the chaos among the gods they worship who are unpredictable, jealous and capricious and at war with each other.

3.4 WorkIn the creation, God worked six days and on the seventh day He rested. Since God works (Jn.5:17) and we were created to be like Him, then we were created to work. Not only that, in Genesis, God put man in the Garden of Eden to work it and take care of it (Gen.2:15). This was before the fall. Work is therefore not a curse (as some teach) but rather a gift and blessing to be enjoyed. Like our creator, when we work with a spirit of excellence and produce something, we can stand back and look at it and feel a sense of satisfaction and like our Creator, say “It is good”.

When we do so not just in the big things, but in even something as simple as washing dishes, or sweeping the floor, or arranging the shelves, and we produce something of order and beauty, and we take delight in it, we are fulfilling a part of the image of God that we were created to be. That would be part of the worship (giving worth) to God for creating us. Cultures that value work and excellence in work and that take delight both in their work and in the product of their work are evidently far more advanced than cultures that regard work as a curse or as a burden just to put food on the table.

3.5 Vision, Planning, Organization, Step by step Progression, Development, Time Management

Before God created man on the sixth day, He created the environment that will sustain human life. He also gave man the beauty of the natural environment to enjoy. Just from the six days of creation, we can see not only order, structure and development, but we can see God as One who has vision, who plans (Ps.33:11, Jer.29:11, Eph.1:11) organizes, and works in a time oriented systematic step by step progression towards a goal. This tells us that God created us, like Him, to function in the same way in our lives – to have vision, planning, organization, order, structure, and systematic step by step progression and development. Not trapped in a meaningless cycle of existence or reincarnation as animism dictates. It is obvious that cultures today that still do not value or practice vision (Pr.29:18) and planning, and who are lacking in order, structure and organization, and time management, have little progress or development.

3.6 Productivity and DominionGod also told man to be fruitful and multiply. So we were created to work creatively with what God has given us and to be productive. God gives us seeds to work with, but this is not necessarily limited to physical seeds that produce plants that produce fruits, but also seeds as creative ideas that can germinate in our minds to produce things in the sciences (engineering, architecture, transport and travel, medicine and heath, etc) and the arts (music, writing, painting, design, drama and plays, etc) of efficiency and beauty and that blesses the nations.

God intended man to take dominion and rule over all that God had created and placed under the authority of man. This means that we are to overcome, not to be overcome by nature or the elements or our circumstances, nor to bow down and worship them. To overcome of course requires creativity, vision, planning and work. Jesus told each of the 7 churches in the Revelation that they must overcome. Jesus Himself overcame and He now sits at the right hand of God His Father. We too are to overcome, not only the challenges we face and our discouragements (Rom.8:17-39, Heb.12:1-2), but the devil also (Rev.12:11) that we may reign and rule with Him (Rev.3:21). All of life, I believe, is actually a test and an opportunity to learn to overcome.

3.7 Communities founded on Biblical Theism – the worldview of the KingdomThe Biblical worldview does not define the world or the universe as a closed system where everything is limited, but open to God’s purpose and intervention. Matter is not all there is.

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Jesus told us to pray “Let Your Kingdom come, let Your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven” What does that mean? What are the consequences of a “Salvation from this world” worldview? What are the consequences of a “God’s Kingdom on earth” worldview?

Where necessary, and when faith works with God and His plans, miracles can happen. But there is already an embedded miracle in each of us – we were made in God’s image! By creativity and hard work we can take what there is and make it many times more than what it was. Because God exists and He is almighty and present, and He cares, God can intervene, even in giving us fresh creative ideas, and everything is possible and there are no limits. We are only limited by our understanding of who He is and what His purposes and intentions are.

If we would be creative, and work with vision and planning, order and structure, and be productive, and love, and share our resources and the fruits of our labor, then there would be no poor among us (Deut.15:4-11). And if we would live by the other attributes of God – righteousness, holiness, truth, mercy, compassion, goodness, faithfulness, under His Lordship, empowered by His Spirit, and directed by His counsel (His Word and His voice speaking in us), that would give us a picture of the abundant life that God intended life to be on planet earth.

4. LIFE IN THE KINGDOM – COMMUNITIES OF THE KING

4.1 “Salvation from this world” Worldview : A Sacred/Secular Divide

Jesus gave us a picture of the kingdom of heaven invading the earth and that He had come to

drive Satan out (Matt.11:12, Jn.12:31). That is the good news of the Kingdom. However when the Kingdom is taken out of the good news and it is replaced with “salvation”, the result is a “salvation from this world” worldview, that results in a spiritual/secular divide and this is how life would be viewed :

4.2 What is the Good News? The good news is the Kingdom (Lk.9:2,6) and that it is near. See also Mk.1:14-15, and

Matt.4:23. Jesus sent the disciples to preach the Kingdom (Lk.9:2-6, Matt.24:14). He did not send the disciples to preach the good news as salvation to go to heaven.

In the context of the history of Israel : The “good news” (Isa.40:1-5, 9, Isa.52:7-9, Isa.61:1-7), “salvation” (Isa.52:7-9, Lk.1:69-79, 2:25-32) and the “kingdom” (Lk.1:30-33, 52-55, Jn.6:15) that the disciples preached was not about being saved from hell to go to heaven but about

Jesus did not preach the good news of salvation to go to heaven. He preached the good news of the Kingdom. What is the good news of the Kingdom?

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restoration of the kingdom to Israel (Acts1:6, Acts3:21). The disciples preached the Gospel of the Kingdom (Lk.9:2,6) before Jesus was crucified. The good news they preached was that the Kingdom is near because their King had come to save them from their enemies.

The disciples understood this Kingdom to be an earthly kingdom, not a heavenly kingdom (Isa.2:1-4 and Isa.11:6-9). The king will rule over all the kingdoms of the earth and they would reign and rule with him. See Dan.2:44, Dan.7:13-14, 17-18, 22, 27, Matt.20:21, Jn.6:15. See also Isa.9:6-7, Am.9:11-15, Mk.1:14-15, Mk.15:43, Lk.4:18-19.

Jesus however did not confine the Kingdom to Israel but extended it to the world (Matt.24:14, Matt.26:13, Matt.28:18-20, Mk.16:15, Acts 1:4-8)

Jesus did not preach the good news of salvation, He preached the good news of the Kingdom. The focus of the good news of salvation (that is popularly preached) is heaven. This has produced a “Salvation from this world” worldview. The focus of the good news of the Kingdom is earth (Matt.6:10). God wants His Kingdom to invade every area and aspect of life, that He may be Lord of All : Business, Government, Science, Arts, Agriculture, Education, Family, Sports, Entertainment, Housing, Public Health, Environment, Law & Justice, Transport, Media : Col.1:15-20. Our task is to influence the world in all these areas with Kingdom values.

The Kingdom is now; not after we die : Lk.16:16, Matt.12:28, Matt.11:12, Matt.21:31, Lk.17:21, Col.1:13-14. The kingdom parables are about life on earth; not what happens in heaven after we die.

Salvation therefore is not escape but restoration. We are to be part of the restoration that Jesus has brought, which would be completed when He comes again (see Acts.3:21, Matt.17:11-13, Matt.11:12).

Jesus said He came to give good news to the poor (Lk.4:18) and the Kingdom belongs to the poor (Matt.5:3, Lk. 6:20). Jesus told the poor that while the rich and powerful who rule this world may have oppressed and rejected them, while the world has marginalized them and forgotten about them, God is for them (Lk.4:18-19, Matt.5:3-6). One day when Jesus returns, the big shots, the rich, and the powerful will be cast out. The nobodies and rejects of society will rule with Him (Lk.3:3-14, Jas.2:5, Lk.1:52, 1 Sam.2:7-8, Lk.16:19-26).

For those who have been rejected by the kingdoms of this world, God’s Kingdom is obviously good news. It is however bad news for the rich who are to give up their wealth and share it with the poor (Lk.18:23-25). It can’t be very good news either for those who have kingdoms to surrender.

Reconcile Jn.3:16 with Lk.10:25-28 “believe” (pisteuo) and “eternal life” (know – ginosko)

4.3 Kingdom worldviewMost Christians understand the Gospel to be a message about salvation from hell to go to heaven. But the Gospel is more than that. Jesus preached the Gospel of the Kingdom. He called men to repent and be part of His Kingdom that has invaded, and is advancing on earth. God’s kingdom concerns not only the “spiritual” but also the practical issues of life. God wants His kingdom to penetrate and rule over every sphere of life. But if salvation and spirituality are understood as only a personal and private thing between God and us, then Christians see no purpose in being concerned for, or to be engaged in, society to be transformed. If we have a Kingdom worldview, this is how we would view life. Salvation is not the center, but the entrance into the Kingdom.

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The Bible talks about God’s kingdom, Satan’s kingdom and the kingdoms of this world (Man’s kingdom). How did Satan’s kingdom come about? How did the kingdoms of man come about? What has God done, and what is He doing to restore everything back to original design?

4.4 Your Kingdom Come : The theme of God’s Kingdom from OT – NT :

God’s Kingdom : Dan.4:34-37 Satan’s kingdom : Matt.12:25-26 The World’s kingdoms : Lk.4:5-7, Rev.11:15 God gave the earth to man : Gen. 1:26, Ps.8:4-6, Ps.115:16 Man gave dominion to Satan : Gen.2:16-17, 3:1-7, Rom.6:16, Lk.4:5 Satan rules this world : Jn.16:11, 1 Jn.5:19, Rev.20:3,7, Rev.13:2-4, Eph.6:12 The earth still belongs to God and He will restore it back to be under His rule : Ps.24:1, Rev.5:9 Jesus came to destroy all dominion, authority and power to bring everything back under his

Lordship : Lk.3:3-14, Jer.1:10, Heb.2:14-15, 1 Cor.15:21-25, Matt.11:12, Matt28:18-20, Jn.12:31, Matt.12:28, Matt.6:10, Matt.6:13

God will establish His Kingdom on earth : Rev.11:15, 1 Cor.15:24, Col.1:15-20, Matt.28:18-20, God’s kingdom advances as domains on earth come under His rule : Dan.2:34-35, Isa.9:6-7,

Matt.16:18-19 We will reign and rule with Christ on the earth : Rev.5:9-10, Dan.7:27 Between now and then : Rom.8:18-21, Rom.8:29, Heb.2:10-15, Matt.21:31, Lk.17:20-21,

Lk.16:16, Matt.12:28, Col.1:13-14, Acts 3:21, 1 Cor.15:24-25, Matt.19:16-26 The Kingdom is hidden – only some can see : Jn.1:4-5, Lk.10:21-22, Matt.13:9-16, Jn.12:35-40,

Mk.4:9-12, Jn.8:43-47

4.5 Comparison between the Salvation Gospel and the Kingdom Gospel

“Salvation” Gospel Kingdom Gospel

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The good news

Salvation : Jesus came to save us from hell and from this perishing world to take us to heaven

The Kingdom : Jesus came to defeat the devil and restore all of creation to be under His rule

Salvation Escape Restoration

Worldview and

Beliefs

God is holy. The world is sinful and lost. A person’s soul is saved if he accepts Christ as his savior. After that, life consists of two parts : spiritual/sacred and non-spiritual/secular. Spirituality is an internal personal experience maintained through personal devotions. This world is not our home. Our destiny is heaven.

God created us in His image, to reflect His character/glory. All of life is sacred as God created all. Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. He is establishing His Kingdom on earth. Everything is to be brought under His rule. All who surrender to His Lordship will be part of His Kingdom. They are empowered by His Spirit to live out His design in all areas of life as they remain one with Him.

Focus Us : our salvation Jesus : our King

Spirituality and Concern Self-centered and introverted.

Inside a person and inside the Church : “our spirituality”, our standing with God, the eternal future of the soul.

Other-centered : Loving God and neighbours. All of life here, now and forever : law, government, politics, business, art, science, family, sports, education, media.

Church Building, congregation, meetings God’s Kingdom community

Mission Save souls for heaven, church planting, church growth

Work with God for His Kingdom to advance on earth

Workers Pastors, seminary teachers, missionaries, evangelists

Every person who is a citizen of the Kingdom

Activity “Spiritual” : Personal devotions, Evangelism, Church planting, Church services, Church programs, Cell groups

“Non-spiritual” : work, sports, hobbies, entertainment, etc

Life as God designed it to be - living under the Lordship of Christ, living out and discipling nations in the truth, culture and values of the Kingdom (especially love), being salt and light influence wherever we live and work, being communities of the King

4.6 The Church : Center of the Kingdom or Agent of the Kingdom?

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What did Jesus mean by the kingdom advancing? In what way does the Kingdom advance? Against what or whom does the Kingdom advance?

What changes are needed in my thinking and ministry if we are to become agents of transformation : What is God’s end-goal? What is spiritual? What areas of life are we to disciple? How are we to disciple? What is church? What is Biblical leadership? How should church be structured for effective discipling of the nations?

In Matt.11:12, Jesus said, “From the days of John the Baptist until now, the kingdom of heaven has been forcefully advancing, and forceful men lay hold of it.”

Church Growth v. Kingdom Advance

“Bring them in” “Send them out”

Navel Gazing : “How Are We Doing?”

Outward Vision : “Lift Up Your Eyes and look at the Fields …”

Congregation, Membership, and Building

Engaging People and Communities

Order & Program Creative Ventures

Guarding Territory Taking Territory

Growth & Succession

Multiplication

To what extent have the churches in your nation been salt and light / agents of transformation of your nation?

Most Christians today have a salvation-heaven focused, church-centered paradigm. Few have a worldview and vision of the Kingdom of God on earth. Many nations and people groups have been “reached” with the gospel. Souls are “saved” and churches are planted, but most fall short of the Biblical worldview of God’s Kingdom on earth. If God’s kingdom is to advance on earth, we need to do more than mouth a wishful prayer each Sunday of “Your kingdom come, Your will be done on earth as it is done in heaven.” This calls for nothing less than a total transformation of our worldview to a truly Biblical worldview of God’s kingdom and the Holy Spirit’s power to live it out. (Rom.12:1-2). It requires a wineskin change. Lk.5:37-38. What are the “old wineskins” of today that resist change? Why do people hang on to them?

4.7 Two Paradigms of Spirituality

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In Lk.10:25-37, Jesus told the parable of the good samaritan. Why did He tell that parable? Why did the priest and levite pass by on the other side? What was the difference between the lawyer’s question and Jesus’ question?

Lawyer’s/Priest’s/Levite’s concern Jesus’/Good Samaritan’s concern

His spirituality and his salvation The plight of the man in need

What he needs to do to qualify What the man needs to live

I need to get to Jerusalem. I must not be late for the worship

He needs to get to a hospital. He cannot be late

Law : To what extent is it my duty/obligation/responsibility?

Love : What is happening with him? What if that was me?

Why me? Not my responsibility. Someone else will help the man

Why not me? If I don’t stop to help him, who will?

How would it affect me if I stop to help? How would it affect him if I did not stop to help?

4.8 Serving the PoorJesus said the Kingdom belongs to the poor. Why? Because it is only the poor/poor in spirit who are humble, broken and contrite in their hearts who are able to receive the Kingdom like little children (Isa.57:15, Mk.10:15, Lk.10:21). But God did not create man to be trapped in poverty, sickness and misery, and dependent on others to survive. The devil steals, kills and destroys by injecting lies (false beliefs about life) into the minds of the poor, but Jesus came to set the captives free (Lk.4:18-19). How are we to serve the poor so that they can be set free to experience the abundant life of the Kingdom? If the poor see themselves as valueless and powerless, and if this is the root of poverty, then what the poor really need is to be reconnected to God and to people who love them. Then they can recover their dignity and identity as children of God, made in God’s image, precious and valuable to God, and that they were created to enjoy abundant life, and created to be productive stewards in the world God made for them.

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We therefore need to encourage, empower and equip them; not dis-empower them and reinforce their poverty mindset by making them more dependent on aid, and when we do things for them instead of enabling them to do things on their own. On the basis of God’s kingdom, we can be in community with the poor only as we die to self and we are transformed from our god-complexes to become servants to the poor. A change of identity and vision is needed from both the poor as well as the non-poor :

Identity Vocation

Poor Realize that they are made in the image of God and are

God’s children

Realize that they have gifts to contribute and that they are called to be productive

stewards of creation

Non-poor Lay down their god-complexes and acknowledge that they are made in God’s

image and are not themselves, gods

Acknowledge that their gifts are for sharing, not control, and that they are to lead as

servants, not masters

Figure 5-2 : Identity and vocation : The transformational frontiers for the poor and non-poorPage 116 Walking With the Poor

4.9 Empowering the PoorIf we analyze what the problem is and what the community needs, and then come up with solutions and implement them, this dis-empowers the poor, and the projects are bound to fail. How do we encourage the poor to have vision but not map it out for them? How do we empower the poor to take ownership of their own future? Reversals are needed :

Normal tendencies Needed reversals

Behavior DominatingLecturingExtracting

FacilitatingListening

Empowering

Professionalism Things firstMen before women

Professionals set prioritiesTransfers of technology

People firstWomen and men

Poor people set prioritiesChoice of technology

Organizational style CentralizeStandardize

Control

DecentralizeDiversifyEnable

Modes of learning From aboveRural development

tourism

From belowRelaxed, participatory

appraisal

Analysis and action by Professionals, outsiders Local people, insiders

Figure 6-6 : Seeking reversals (Adapted from Chambers 1997, 204)

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4.10 Servant LeadershipLeadership is influence, not management. The poor lack vision and purpose. They need the right kind of leaders – servant leaders to influence and encourage them towards vision and purpose.

Leadership Paradigms

Top-down Leadership Servant Leadership

The People serve the Leader so that the Leader can fulfill his calling. The Leader says to his people : “Help me succeed and when I am successful you will share in my success”

The Leader serves the people so that the People can go out and serve others and fulfill their calling. The Leader says to his people : “How can I serve you so that you can be successful? When you are successful, I have succeeded.”

Result : Disempowerment and Redundancy

Result : Empowerment and Multiplication

In the kingdom of God, leadership is servanthood. Servanthood involves a servant-heart attitude. Servant-leadership is serving those whom we lead and influencing them by our lifestyle to become servants to others. Jesus is our example. He is the servant king (Matt.20:25-38). He said, “I am the good shepherd .. I lay down my life for the sheep .. As the Father has sent Me, I send you.” (Jn.10:14-15, 20:21), so we are to be servant leaders like Him (Jn.13:13-17). God’s nature is that of a servant : Isa.57:15, Isa.66:1-2

When leaders desire to be on top, they model the devil’s style of leadership (Isa.14:12-15). The goal of servant leaders is to work themselves out of a job. Servant leaders strive to be like John the Baptist who pointed his disciples to Jesus : Jn.1:29, 36. Servant leaders become less so that Jesus would become more : Jn.3:27-30. Like John the Baptist, they prepare the way of the Lord : Matt.3:3 and then disappear .. The servant leader's dream is to be the donkey that Jesus rode on!

Contrary to what most people think, the role of the Apostle, Prophet, Evangelist, Pastor and Teacher in Eph.4 is not to do the work of the ministry but to equip the saints to do the work of the ministry. When the leader focuses on the people he leads, there is empowerment and equipping. When the leader sets a system in place where the people focus on him, they are disempowered. People are not set free to be what God has made them to be or called them to be. Instead, they are trapped inside that system trying to live out the dream of the leader. They learn not to be creative or to take any initiative. Eventually they become dead inside. This results in one man ministries and churches where 90% of the people are just spectators. Such churches will never fulfill Matt.28 to go out and disciple nations. If the leader serves and empowers the people, then there is multiplication and Matt.28 can be fulfilled.

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4.11 Spectrum of Approaches to Engaging the Poor

Big Brother Saviour Friendship Understanding IncarnationalApproach Approach Approach Approach Approach

Big Brother Approach

Attitude : We know best. We go in and tell them what their problem is and take charge.Response : They feel small, stupid, insignificant, valueless, powerless, humiliated,

dominated, intimidatedResult : Extreme harm

Savior Approach

Attitude : We are their saviours. They need us. Without us they will never succeed.Response : They feel helpless and dependent on us and cannot succeed without us.Result : Harm

Friendship Approach

Attitude : They are our friends and we want to help them as our friends. But there are limits to what we can do.

Response : They are happy for our friendship but doubt if we truly understand their problems and wonder about our commitment to them or how much we are really able to help them.

Result : Ineffective

Understanding Approach

Attitude : We need to understand them and what they are going through and seek to hear their stories, their pain, their sadness, their frustrations, their efforts and their hopes. Through that we hope to be able to help them better.

Response : They feel cared for, accepted and loved but they are not sure how much we can really help them since we are not always there when they are in trouble.

Result : Helped but limited

Incarnational Approach

Attitude : We enter into their world by living, eating, working, walking and suffering with them. We share their experiences, making their stories our stories, experiencing with them their pain, their sadness, their frustrations, their efforts and their hopes.

Response : They know they are not alone. They find new strength and hope.Result : Helped and set free

4.12 The Heart of Community Development/TransformationCommunity Development is often understood in terms of improving the physical aspects of a community’s living conditions. But the heart of any problem is a problem of the heart. Change has to come from within the people. If the heart is changed, the external conditions can also be changed. What can speak to the human heart? Only another heart touched by God’s heart.

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People need models. People need to see, not just hear. Nothing inspires change in people more than the life of another person – especially someone who loves them. Love for the people we seek to serve and being a model to them is therefore paramount. And for people who have no confidence in themselves, who see themselves as small, stupid, incapable, powerless, hopeless, the only way they can come to see who they really are – children of God with the potential to succeed, the only way they can have confidence to achieve anything or even try, must be through our example and constant encouragement and belief in them. It is only as we value them that they can begin to see value in themselves.

To understand our part, we need to look at Jesus as our model. Jesus left His world and entered into our world to be with us in our crisis. He identified with us, shared in our condition and laid down his life for us. By His life, His love, and by His death, Jesus changed the hearts of people. They became the Kingdom community that we see in Acts 2 and 4.

Jesus said in Jn.20:21, “As the Father has sent me, so I send you.” So Jesus sends us to do the same. We are to leave our world and enter into the world of those in need. Just as He was called ‘Immanuel’ (God with us), He sends us to be with them in their crisis, to identify with them, share in their condition and lay down our lives for them. The apostle John said, “This is how we know what love is – Jesus Christ laid down his life for us, and we ought to lay down our lives for our brothers.” (1 Jn.3:16). So we are called to lay down our lives for others. Love always involves dying to self. It means putting the other person’s need in priority to ours. It is asking what it would be like to be in the other person’s shoes. Love is always about the other person. It is only as we engage with the poor and love them and they feel our love that change can begin inside of them. Our project therefore has to be the people, not the sanitation or income generation. Not only their hearts, but our hearts need to be changed.

4.13 Spiritual Warfare in Community Work God created us in His image – to be creative, to live in a community of love (meaningful relationships with each other), to reign and rule with Him, to live with vision, order, structure, and beauty, to have dominion over creation and to be productive. Poverty is the very opposite of that. Jesus came to restore all things (God’s kingdom community) that were lost as a result of Adam’s fall, back to its original state. We have been drafted into God’s kingdom’s advance to drive Satan out and recover every area and aspect of life on earth.

Paul reminds us that we do not fight flesh and blood but our warfare is against evil spiritual forces that operate in the minds of people. Unless the poor are set free of the lies in their belief system and their eyes are opened to the truth of God’s love and grace for them, our love for the poor is not enough. We need to also battle against these forces in the spiritual realm.

4.14 Prayer and the Kingdom of GodJesus tells us to pray for God’s kingdom to come and for His will to be done. Why is that necessary? Because “the highest heavens belong to the Lord but the earth He has given to man” (Ps.115:16). Prayer is not about asking God to do our will. Prayer is agreeing with God for His will to be done on earth as in heaven. Prayer unites our hearts with God’s heart and will, and opens the door for the Kingdom to come to the community.

Conclusion 1. All over the world, the church understands the gospel as the gospel of salvation. The focus is

heaven. Christians want everyone to be saved to go to heaven. Most Christians have no concern for what happens in this world, because they believe that God has no plans for this world and that this world is going to perish. Jesus came however with the good news of the Kingdom for the poor/poor in spirit. It was not about taking us to heaven but about His

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Kingdom on earth. It is about the transformation of this world so that we will be restored to the original purposes for why God created us – abundant life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ. In the gospel of the kingdom, the focus is not heaven but earth. God wants His kingdom to come and His will to be done on earth. That means God wants His kingdom to penetrate into every aspect of life so that He will be Lord of all. And we are to be the agents of God’s kingdom transformation in this world.

2. The church has also accepted a false understanding of what “church” should be. As a result, the church has an introverted focus on itself; instead of the kingdom of God. It focuses on church growth, instead of engaging the poor and being salt and light to bring God’s kingdom transformation into every aspect of life. Since true spirituality is not a focus on one’s personal “spirituality” but love, and since Jesus has defeated the devil and taken back all authority in heaven and on earth, discipling nations cannot be just the “spiritual” growth of individuals but the transformation of cultures to God’s Kingdom culture. God’s Kingdom advances as the kingdoms of man are surrendered to Him.

3. So long as Christians have a salvation-only/heaven-focused gospel, then those who are poor can only hope for heaven. The “salvation from this world” worldview reinforces the lies in the minds of the poor to look for emancipation from their poverty when they die and go to heaven. They have no hope of getting out of their poverty in this life. They do not realize that the gospel of the kingdom that Jesus preached is not only about salvation but about the transformation of this world so that we will return to the original purposes for why God created us – abundant life under the Lordship of Jesus Christ.

4. The “salvation from this world” worldview also makes those Christians who are better off and who are in a position to help their poor brothers and sisters, remain unconcerned about change / transformation. They are concerned only about “spiritual” matters. From this paradigm, if ever the church engages the poor, it uses aid merely as a strategy to get the poor “saved” and get them to church. This is not the gospel of God’s love. The church needs to recover the truth and regain an understanding of the gospel of the kingdom for their lives.

5. If the church genuinely has a concern for the poor, they must understand what poverty actually is before they start trying to help the poor. Most people think that poverty is not having electricity, water, proper housing, health care, education, access, etc. and they think that the solution to poverty is to give these things to the poor. But this is false. Giving things to the poor is temporary relief, but does not help them out of poverty. Instead, it reinforces their belief that they are powerless to change their circumstances and can only be helpless recipients of aid. This makes them more dependent on aid and therefore more entrenched in poverty. In order to overcome poverty, we must understand the root of poverty is in the way people think or in what they believe about themselves and the world they are in. In other words, the root of poverty is in the mind. What is it that is operating in their minds? What is it they believe and think about themselves and the world around them? Are they true or false?

6. The key to life is truth. Truth leads to life. False ideas or lies lead to death. Jesus came that we may have abundant life. Abundant life is what God intended from the very beginning when he created man. The devil does not want us to enjoy abundant life. He steals, kills and destroys all that God intends for us by telling us lies. When we believe the lies he puts in our minds, then we make wrong choices that keep us trapped in our circumstances. When we know the truth, the truth will set us free.

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7. Not only are unbelievers in deception, even believers are in deception. Many believers live in terrible poverty because they have grown up believing that they were born to be poor and that they can never get out of their poverty. The poor accept a distorted image of themselves and that they are powerless to change anything and they have accepted their poverty as normal. So long as they continue to believe these lies, they will never rise out of their poverty and experience the abundant life God intends for them to experience. The root of poverty therefore is a poverty mentality or mindset (fixed way of thinking) that is full of false beliefs or lies. Since the roots of poverty are in the mind or belief system of people, true transformation must begin in the mind or belief system of the people and not trying to tackle the physical problems alone.

8. Just as the root of poverty is in the mind, the answer to poverty is also in the mind. Contrary to what most people believe, resources are not so much in the ground. Rather, they are in the mind. Some examples of seed ideas / truth that are developed / multiplied : oil, sand (silicon chip), Uzbekistan v. Afghanistan, Singapore, Israel v. Palestine. This accords with the Biblical truth that we were created in the image of God to be creative.

9. Another lie that the poor believe in, is that they need the rich and powerful to give them money and things. This is the same lie that breeds corruption. It comes from an animistic worldview (view of reality) where you see yourself trapped in a system you cannot get out of and perhaps the only way is to appease or bribe those in power to favor and bless you with something.

10. The key or solution is truth to replace the lies. The poor need a vision of the abundant life that God intends for them. We were created to be like God – to be a community of love, holiness, justice, truth/integrity, to be creative, hardworking, ordered, structured, productive (taking dominion over creation and multiplying seed of every kind – both physical seeds and seeds of ideas), sharing resources and fruits and serving each other. Since all things were created by Him and for Him, discipling the nations, especially discipling the poor, must include education in the sciences, technology, arts, economics, business, management, planning, etc.

11. Those who can help also need truth to replace the lies in their minds (that the poor are meant to be poor, that their money and possessions are for themselves, etc.). They also need the same vision of God’s kingdom community and see themselves as blessed with resources (not just finances but skills, knowledge, experience, planning, etc.) for sharing with the poor, and part of the good news for the poor. Believers also need to be set free from an introverted church mindset – from a heaven focused church-centered paradigm to a Kingdom of God on earth paradigm.

12. What the poor really need is to be reconnected to God and people who love them. It is only when they are helped to recover their dignity and identity as children of God, made in God’s image, precious and valuable to God, and that they were created to enjoy abundant life, and created to be productive stewards in the world God made for them, that they will also rise out of their physical and economic poverty.

13. The key is helping the poor realize that the root of the problem is internal; not external, and therefore the solution is change within, leading to external change. But we cannot change people, we can only change ourselves. And change cannot happen unless people first see the need to change and want to change. Vision is the opposite of poverty (Without vision the people perish). Unless they have a vision for change and for their future, no change can come

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about. What is needed therefore are people who will love the poor and become community with them to inspire, encourage, and empower them step by step towards vision and change.

14. Love has to be personal. God’s love is not institutional. What the poor need are servant leaders who understand their isolation, rejection and brokenness to influence and encourage them towards vision and purpose.

15. Just as Jesus left His world to enter into our world to be with us, He calls us to leave our world to enter into the world of the poor to be in community with them. We have to be the good news to them so that they know they are valued and loved and so that they recover their identity as children of God to have vision for their lives, and so that they know they are gifted with the ability to effect change for themselves and become an inspiration and a blessing to others.

16. We can create and facilitate opportunities for them to work towards change. But remember love has to be personal. God’s love is not institutional.

17. Never do things for people. It will only create dependency and reinforce their poverty mindset. Be enablers; not doers. Catalysts; not champions, Coaches; not players.

18. Never decide things for people. Unless they make the decisions, they will not own the project and the whole thing will collapse. When they make the decisions and succeed, they experience personal victory and they are set free from their poverty mindset.

19. People need real life models and examples; not being preached at. Actions speaks louder than words. For the poor to reconnect to God, and for them to recover their dignity and identity as children of God, made in the image of God, precious and valuable to God, it has to come from who we are towards them. We have to be the gospel and the living Bible. It is not what we say but who we are that brings healing.

20. The poor need leadership – servant leadership; not top-down leadership. Help them identify their needs and help them see the local resources that God has already given to them.

21. Focus on people; not projects. Focus on process; not results. Small; not big. Weakness; not strength (Parable of the Old Man Who Wanted to go to the Bathroom). One life/family at a time. No other agenda but love.

This approach attacks the very roots of poverty and sets the poor free from their poverty mentality. The poor come to realize that they are not nobodies. They come to realize that they are precious and valuable in God’s eyes and that they are capable of effecting change for their lives. Through the empowering and equipping process, hope and vision begin to arise within them for their future and the future of their children. A natural process of community transformation occurs as transformation takes place in the minds and hearts of the people.

Eng Hoeacts1322@gmail.comhttps://acts1322issachar.wordpress.com

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A Comparison of Worldviews

Worldview Animism Secularism Salvation from this world

God’s Kingdomon earth

God and this world

Many gods. They are in control, not

us. They are capricious and unpredictable.

No God. We are our own god. We

are in control. You have to take

control before others do.

God is holy. The world is sinful and

lost. God will destroy this world

and take us to heaven.

Jesus has all authority in heaven and on earth. He is

setting up His Kingdom on earth.

Why we exist We are here to suffer and be purged for the

sins of our previous life. It is

our karma.

A result of evolution.

Survival of the fittest. No

ultimate meaning or purpose.

Sin changed God’s plans. This world is not our home. We

are waiting for Jesus to return, or to go to heaven.

We were created in His image, to reflect His glory. We now exist to be part of His Kingdom and

His purposes.

Ultimate goal Escape suffering/ this world and enter nirvana/

moksha.

To be as rich and powerful as

possible. To enjoy as much as possible.

Peace with God, personal

spirituality, church growth, heaven.

To be one with God, live out His

design, become like Him and reflect

His glory.

Time Cyclical and transient. We are trapped. Accept it and bear with it.

Limited and running out.

Make the most of it while you can.

There is an end to everything. Wait for it patiently.

Opportunity to love, learn, create,

excel, work, produce, multiply.

Work A curse, a burden, a punishment,

meant for slaves. If possible, escape and avoid work.

No intrinsic value. Only a means to an end : to get

ahead of others, to make money.

A secular thing that we have to do for

an income. A platform to win

souls.

A gift from God to create, to

produce, to enjoy, to bless others, to

reflect God.

Money The source of much suffering. If we have enough to survive, that

is enough.

Security. Can’t live without it.

The answer to all problems and

desires.

Secular, worldly, don’t go after it, unless we use it

for church planting or church growth.

A medium of exchange. To be

used to enrich lives, for God’s Kingdom

purposes.

Happiness An illusion. Transient.

Depends on your fortune, on whether the

gods/spirits are favorable to you.

Unlimited freedom and the means to have what you want, and when your

desires are fulfilled.

Temporary enjoyment of

God’s blessings. But no true

happiness here. Only in heaven.

Joy and satisfaction that comes from

working with God to create, and

produce, and bless and share with

others.

Problems and Suffering

Fated – to work out one’s karma.

Undesirable. To be avoided,

circumvented, or eliminated. The strong survive.

The weak suffer.

The result of original sin.

Obstacles and hindrances to peace and joy.

Challenges necessary to shape us to become more and more like Him.

Solution to None. Use money, Use secular means Get wisdom and 26

Problems Resignation. Bear with it. Appease the

gods. Bribe the powerful. Hope for some mercy.

position, power, find short cuts,

outsmart others, take control and

eliminate the problem.

and pray for change : from

bad and difficult to good, smooth,

and easy.

strength from God to overcome (both

within and practically). Learn

from it, and be changed by it.

Relationships Depends on strata in karmic order. Submit to

those above. Dominate those

below.

How can the other person

become an asset and a benefit

to me?

Possible only if the other person is also

born again. First, win them to Christ.

We are all created in the image of God. We were created to be community.

Love Does it really exist? We do not

see it. Perhaps only a fleeting

moment in one’s imagination.

Desire. Passion. To satisfy oneself. “Altruistic love? Hmm .. a nice

romantic idea”.

Love is God giving us His Son and

Jesus dying for us so that we can be

saved. We must tell others about this.

We were made to be lke God, so we

were made to love. Love is dying to self and putting others

first, like Jesus.

Truth What is truth? We are powerless

anyway. Whatever the

“truth”, it cannot change anything.

No absolute truth. Everything

is relative and subjective. We

are our own compass.

Salvation in Christ is the ultimate

truth. Everything else must be

subsumed under this truth.

The truth is Christ and it pertains to all

of life. We are set free by Him to live out God’s design when we are one

with Him.

Leadership and Authority

Determined by your karma. If

you are higher, you dominate. If you are lower,

you submit.

To be ahead of the pack – to dominate and

control and determine outcomes.

A blessing from God. A position

from which we can lead and direct people to God.

Servanthood – to serve others that

they may succeed. To be an example

to others.

The Endof History

There is no end. Time is cyclical.

The suffering and purging will go

on and on.

As it was in the beginning – just the cosmos. Or who knows, we might colonize other planets?

God’s judgment – destruction of the

earth. The saved go to heaven. The unsaved to hell.

God’s Kingdom on earth. Man one

with God and His purposes. God

dwelling with man.

Note : The worldviews of most people are usually not so exact but a confusing, unsettled mix, or in layers.

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