The growth of Christianity in Latin America, Africa, and Asia should make us rethink our approach to missions.

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Overview

Philip Jenkins, author of “Companions of Life,” says, “By the 13th century, there were probably more Christians in Asia than in Europe.” He claims that, “Christianity is a religion born in Africa and Asia, and in our lifetimes it is going home.” So, forget trying to plant the faith on virgin soil, he says. It’s time we spent our efforts reconverting once-Christian Western societies.

Is the Great Commission nearly complete? There is that swath of land missiologists call the 10-40 window. Recognizing that exception, Jenkins says, we’d better start paying attention to where the faith had been home for at least a thousand years, and where now the process of secularization is nearly complete: Europe.

Table of Contents

SCRIPTURE: Matthew 28:16–20; Luke 4:14–30; 24:44–49; Acts 13:26–41

LEADER'S GUIDE

    • Identify the Current Issue

    • Discover the Eternal Principles

—Teaching point one: Missions is fulfilling the Great Commission.

—Teaching point two: The gospel is the salvation of our sins by Jesus’ death and resurrection.

—Teaching point three: The gospel is not for our protection.

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