This week marked the end of our official “Phase One” evangelistic teaching program. It was an exciting yet emotionally exhausting week! Our hearts so desperately want to see all the people, who have been coming to hear the teaching over the past months, come to a knowledge and belief in the Savior. But, we are called to faithfully proclaim truth as clearly as we can and leave the results with Him.
We are encouraged to see MANY people state a clear understanding of what the Savior came to do for them. We aren’t pushing for public decisions but as we hear people commenting and answering questions it is clear that many of those who have been listening understand clearly what Jesus did for them. We are trusting that in time people will make public what they have believed in private.
Thank you for praying for the final lessons on Monday and Tuesday. A large crowd came for the Monday lesson (the death and burial of Christ) and there was a solemnness to the group as they heard the suffering that Jesus went through to free us from sin. On the way home I (Elin) was asking the ladies, “Did you understand?” At first they were tentative and hesitant in their response but finally they replied, “We know that He suffered so that we wouldn’t have to suffer. We were sinners and deserved to die but He died for us!” Out spilled the whole Gospel story! They understand more than they think they do! 🙂
Tuesday was the story of Jesus’s resurrection which is something new for many that came to hear. There were quite a few religious leaders at this lesson but they all seemed to track along well with what was presented.
Wednesday we spent going back over Old Testament stories. We did a quick review of Christ’s substitutionary death for us, tracing the history through the story of Adam and Eve in the garden and the story of Cain and Abel. We reviewed the essential truth that God isn’t interested in our good works but in our hearts, He wants to know whether our hearts look to Him and trust what He has done to save us. From the example of Cain we saw that hearts that trust their own works get mad at God for not accepting their good works!! Thursday we reviewed the story of Noah and Abraham and Isaac. Many great truths from scripture were reviewed that really helped the understanding of those who have been attending!
Pray that those who have been hearing will believe. Pray that they will reach a point of being able to publically acknowledge their trust in Christ. Pray for wisdom for us as we get around and talk with people!
Many are clearly struggling with the idea that we are saved through faith alone and not works. They understand it but to accept it is to say that the predominant religions in the area are wrong and most people are not ready to take that step yet. We have had some really good conversations with people as they wrestle with their relationships to the established religions.