From Team Expansion workers in North Africa
As the years pass, one by one, we pray our way through barriers we identify to the Gospel’s spread. We are currently seeing a repetition of two barriers to the multiplying spread of the Gospel. We are not the only ones seeing this, but also our brothers in Christ who are faithfully sharing the treasure they have. We wanted to share these barriers with you so that you, too, could be praying for their removal.
“You Are Alone”
There doesn’t seem to be a shortage of one-on-one interest. However, the first barrier we are currently seeing is the lie the enemy has placed in open people that, “I am the only one interested in things like this.”
This is most definitely a direct lie from the mouth of the deceiver! As with anything in life, if he can make someone believe they are alone in something, he is victorious. He is the master of this lie. In our situation, even if that open person decided to come to Jesus, if they are fearful and ashamed and believe the lie that they are alone, what has Satan lost? Only one.
But, if they see the truth they are discovering for the treasure it is and are thrilled to share it, imagine with us the sowing and multiplication that would take place! It is not a surprise, then, that Satan would use this lie against the spread of the Gospel!
Failure to Multiply
The second barrier, we believe, is strongly linked to the first. Although we have seen groups form in the past, we are not currently seeing one-on-one interest moving into groups of people discovering God’s truth together.
Our brother, H, is constantly sharing Truth with others. He started studying about a month ago with a guy in his village. This guy, M, is very close to becoming a part of the family!
Unfortunately, he has been hesitant (as is the pattern) to share beyond himself. In an effort to break this pattern, H asked M if he could meet his family and do a Discovery Study all together, hoping that if he modeled it, it would help him cross the bridge to sharing with his family.
M agreed and took H to his house.H was able to lead them through a story and use the Discovery questions that help people engage in God’s Word. The family loved it, and M agreed to continue studying with his family. This is a huge answer!
There are parts to these barriers that only God can remove in the spiritual realm as He emboldens people that encounter His Word of Truth. After this story from H, we realize too that we need God’s creative ideas to enter our minds as we share and encourage others to do the same.