1. 1 Welcome! Friendship Partner Training

2. 2 International Students, Inc. n Established in 1953, National Office in Colorado Springs n Reaches students through friendship evangelism and discipleship n Prepares returning students for ministry in their homeland n Partners with churches to reach all international students in a city

3. 3 Today’s Trainer

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5. 5 What are the Predominant Religions? AnimismBuddhismChristianityHinduismIslamNon-ReligiousOther Religions Majority Religions by Country 5

6. 6 How Many People Groups Have Not Heard the Gospel? 0 to 55 to 2525-5050-100100-318 Number of People Groups Least Exposed to the Gospel by Country 6

7. 7 Currently at ISI... n Number of Students: n Number of Affiliate Churches: n Number of Volunteers: n Number of Campuses: n Number of Staff:

8. 8 International Students in the US n 97% of the “least-evangelized world” lives in the 10/40 Window. n 60% of international students come from the “least-evangelized world.”

9. 9 International Students in the US n 70% of all international students will never enter an American home. n 80% will never enter an American church.

10. 10 Leading Countries of Origin China Japan Republic of Korea India Taiwan Canada Thailand Indonesia Malaysia Mexico Source: Open Doors, 1998-99 Report on International Educational Exchange, Todd M. Davis, Editor

11. 11 Leading Fields of Study n Business and Management n Engineering n Math and Computer Sciences n Social Sciences n Physical and Life Sciences n Fine and Applied Arts

12. 12 Here’s our city! n Goal: To reach all the international students God has brought to our city.

13. 13 Getting a student n Call within one week n Introduce yourself as the American friend they requested

14. 14 Your partnership with ISI

15. 15 Break n Take a 10-minute break n Check out the resources on the book table

16. 16 The adventure of a lifetime!

17. 17 The priority of evangelism n To Abraham (Genesis 12:2, 3) n To Isaac (Genesis 26:3, 4) n To Jacob (Genesis 28:13, 14) n The Psalmist (Psalm 67) n Our Lord (Luke 24:46, 47)

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19. 19 Reaching the World, One Person at a Time

20. 20 Former US Senator Bill Armstrong: “When somebody steps out to help influence the worldview and to share the attitudes of a student from another country, in so doing, it is actually possible to impact the whole destiny of that country through that student.”

21. 21 Churches started in home country Returns home, begins seminary Student befriended

22. 22 Colossians 1:28, TLB “Everywhere we go we talk about Christ to all who will listen.”

23. 23 Friendship Evangelism n Friendship--without strings attached n Evangelism--communicating the Good News of Jesus Christ

24. 24 A faithful messenger understands the Gospel and, relying on the Holy Spirit, seeks to communicate the Gospel to the best of his or her ability so that the hearer knows enough to make a decision to say “yes” or “no” to Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior with sensitivity to the person, situation, and any cross-cultural issues.

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26. 26 Spiritual Stages Scale

27. 27 Stages of Relationship You extend genuine friendship-- serve practical needs Trust builds in an atmosphere of respect-- opening to sharing personal issues Student is willing to learn about Christ from you

28. 28 Why do you think people don’t share their faith?

29. 29 Common Barriers to Witnessing n Fear of rejection n Ignorance of what to say n Apathy to personal responsibility to witness n Introspection about personal walk n Busyness with less important things

30. 30 What questions would you ask to open a spiritual conversation?

31. 31 Spiritual Transition Questions n What is the religious tradition of your family? n What is your concept or belief about God? n What is your perception of religion in this country? n Where are you on your spiritual journey? n Do you know what Christians believe?

32. 32 Caution! n Student may be reluctant to open up! n Do not challenge the student’s beliefs or background! n Student may see religion and culture as one!

33. 33 What are some ways you could pray for your student?

34. 34 Pray... n For boldness n To meet those God is drawing to Himself n To understand obstacles to your friend’s understanding n Against the enemy n For love for and commitment to your student n Ask how you can pray for him or her.

35. 35 Study Among Muslim Converts n Reason for conversion –Unexplained answers to prayer –Unexplained acts of love by Christians –Exposure to multiple Christians and seeing the consistency of love Source unknown

36. 36 Sharing Your Testimony n Make it conversational n Avoid religious cliches and preaching n Three minutes only! Practice! n Assure decision steps are clear n Expect a response!

37. 37 Testimony Outline ( Testimony Outline (Feel free to adapt it to fit your story.) n Before I trusted Christ n How I trusted Christ n After I trusted Christ n Conclude with a question

38. 38 Inviting Your Student to Church n Invite to “Christian worship meeting” n Don’t push n Invite to be an “observer” n Explain dress and schedule n Explain offering, baptism, communion n Introduce to Christians n Use as discussion starter n Assume nothing n Pray n Avoid defensiveness

39. 39 ISI’s Evangelism Pathway Materials for Evangelism n Knowing God Personally tract n Who Is This Jesus? (for use with the Jesus video) n Discovering God Bible study n How Will They Hear? evangelistic Bible study n Meeting God evangelistic Bible study

40. 40 ISI’s Evangelism Pathway Materials for Discipling n Growing Strong to Serve Bible study n Discovering God Bible study series –Walking with God –Putting God First –Sharing God with Others

41. 41 Other Resources n Christian literature n Jesus video n Bibles in student’s language n Local resources: ICF, conversational English etc.

42. 42 What does a person need to know to be saved?

43. 43 Bill Bright’s Responses n There is a Creator God. n God wants a personal relationship with every person. n People are sinful and separated from God. n Christ rose from the dead. n Forgiveness is free and available to all. n We must repent. n We must receive God’s gift. n Salvation is by grace through faith, not works.

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45. 45 Use Knowing God Personally in the context of a strong friendship

46. 46 Questions to help you share Knowing God Personally: n Would you be interested in reading together a small pamphlet that... –…has the information that has really changed my whole life? –…could help you experience the meaning in life God has given me and many others? –…presents the heart of the Bible in a clear way? –…shows how a person can know the God of the Bible?

47. 47 Arrangements for Sharing the Knowing God Personally tract n Find a place where you and your student can be alone. n If a suitable person of the opposite gender is unavailable, meet in a public setting that offers privacy.

48. 48 Guidelines for Sharing the Knowing God Personally tract n You and Knowing God Personally are more powerful together in God’s hands than the booklet by itself. n The Holy Spirit is the One who changes your student’s heart. n Avoid being rigid and impersonal. n Show kindness and love. n Speak with confidence. n Hold the booklet so the student can read it. n Have the student read aloud. n Seek feedback and listen carefully. n Underline key words and phrases. n Use your Bible.

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50. 50 Main Point: God made everything, including us, and He made us special.

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52. 52 Main Point: God made us to have a loving, personal relationship with Him.

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54. 54 Main Points: Our problem is that going our own way (sin) has broken our relationship with God. We can never heal this broken relationship by our own efforts.

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56. 56 Role Play!

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58. 58 Main Point: The only solution to the problem of our broken relationship with God is Jesus Christ.

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60. 60 Main Point: Your student faces the most important decision of his or her life!

61. 61 Role Play!

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63. 63 Main Point: To confess my sins and invite Jesus into my life as Lord and Savior establishes me in a new relationship with God.

64. 64 Important! n Make sure the steps are clear. n Jesus not only died, but was resurrected. n Be sure to make clear what “trusting in Christ” means. n A relationship with Jesus Christ is for now, and all eternity.

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66. 66 Main Point: We can be confident in our new relationship with God because His promises are true.

67. 67 Immediate Follow-Up Guidelines n Pray with the new believer. n Tell him/her doubt is not unusual for new believers. n God says we can know we have eternal life (Review 1 John 5:12-13). n Testify to the faithfulness of God and His Word in your own life. n Review “Walking with God” list with him/her (Section Seven). n Involve the student in Bible study and discipleship. n Arrange Christian worship. n Be sensitive to the home country situation.

68. 68 Additional Follow-Up Guidelines n Fill out Profession of Faith form –Give it to your Church Team Leader n Ask the Church Team to pray for your student. n Arrange follow up for the departing new believer (with his/her permission). –Student Transfer Form –Returnee Information Form

69. 69 Code of Ethics n International Student Advisors –Respect –Support –Harmony n International Students –Dignity –Respect –Honest and open publicity n Community Groups –Cooperation –Support

70. 70 You Are Members of a Team n At your church –Monthly call –Group activities –Prayer –Assistance n ISI –Area-wide ministry focus –Prayer network –Training –Conferences –Follow-up

71. 71 Responsibilities of a Friendship Partner n Contacts student weekly and sees at least monthly. n Keeps in contact with the church team. n Participates in church Friendship Partner activities. n Prays regularly for students and the church’s ISI ministry. n Reports problems and concerns. n Fills out reports.

72. 72 Keys to building a friendship with an international student n Respect the student and his/her culture. n Ask the student how you can pray. n Don’t be manipulative, coercive, or deceptive in the communication of the Gospel. n Encourage the believing student in his/her walk with Christ.

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74. 74 Thank you, and God bless you!