Finding Faith in Tete

March 28

Further Study:

Read The SDA Bible Commentary, vol. 5, pp. 345-348, 553-560, 658-660, 881-887, 1110; Ellen G. White, The Desire of Ages, pp. 359-363, 377-379, 411, 419-421, 687-693; Education, pp. 80, 259.

Here are some of the practical things that our church can do in the area of discipleship:

1. Designate disciple-making as its primary goal.
2. Formulate plans and methods to accomplish the task.
3. Train individuals for leadership for each program.
4. Mobilize all members for involvement in discipleship.
5. Institute a program of discipleship training.
6. Ascertain the types of people living in the community surrounding the church and their needs.
7. Institute a bridge-building program that will break down barriers, then meet the needs of and forge relations with the community surrounding each church.
8. Introduce programs to use the skills of new converts, to incorporate them into the local church, and develop a deeper commitment to Christ.
9. Develop programs that will assist members, especially new converts, in discovering, developing, and putting to use their spiritual gifts.
10. Ensure that there are adequate programs designed for making and nurturing disciples.

Discussion Questions:

Take a prayerful look at those steps listed above. What might you add or embellish that would be important for a church to be successful at making disciples? What can you do to help see these steps, or some like them, implemented at your local church level? How much time do you spend in prayer for the work of the church as a whole? Determine to spend a certain amount of time each day praying for our worldwide mission. Why not have your Sabbath School class set aside a certain time during each class to pray for the work of the worldwide church? How can we help both the clergy and the laity better understand that the work of discipleship is the work of every member of the church? How can you help the local church better utilize the gifts and talents of members? What are the kinds of things that tend to get in the way of the laity being involved in the work of discipleship and witness?

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		I N S I D E Story
		Finding Faith in Tete by CELIA BAIONETA I grew up in Mozambique, following the beliefs of the church my family attended. We didn't go to church every week, but we never missed Christmas and Easter. As a teenager I had a friend, Maria, who went to church every Saturday. She often brought friends home after church, and they spent the afternoon singing. Watching Maria, I asked my mother why we didn't go to worship every week. She answered, "If you want, you can go to church every week." Maria invited me to visit her church, and my mother gave her permission. I loved it, especially the singing and the sense of unity I found there. I loved how they hugged and shook hands, and I appreciated that they made me, a visitor, feel welcome. That afternoon some members of the church came to my house to pray with me. Even my mother was impressed. I continued attending Maria's church, and when I became sick and unable to go, Maria and her friends came to pray for me. I joined the baptismal class to learn what the Bible teaches, and I accepted everything. I asked my mother if I could be baptized. She agreed. However, I still had issues to deal with. I liked playing basketball and soccer, and when a game was scheduled for Sabbath I had to choose between the church and sports. I often chose sports. Then I began skipping church even when no games were scheduled. I started staying out late with my friends. I hardly noticed that I was slipping away. But my mother noticed and warned me that I was walking down the wrong path. I made a stronger effort to return to the church. Then I met Fidelino, a dedicated Adventist young man who encouraged me to give my life completely to God. He prayed with me and for me, and his encouragement helped me realize what was really important in life. The following year we were married. We moved to another city to live, and the next year we invited my mother to visit for a month. She was surrounded by Adventists and couldn't escape. She visited church, and now she attends church near her home. The next year my father visited. He, too, was impressed with our home and our close circle of Adventist friends. He went home and started attending the Adventist church. Recently he was baptized. My two younger brothers now attend church. God used my friend Maria's witness and a boy's attention to draw me to His love and to a church family I truly enjoy. CELIA BAIONETA lives in Tete, Mozambique.
		Produced by the General Conference Office of Mission Awareness. email: info@adventistmission.org website: www.adventistmission.org