A Glimpse into an Insider Ministry

An Environment of Trust and Grace

The parable of the weeds in Matt. 13:24-30 tells us some important lessons about living and discipling among the lost.

God has been teaching me through the Japanese student community that even reading and discussing the Bible (one of the activities we do that can be threatening to non-Christians) can be done in a very natural and fun way both for believers and non-believers in an environment of trust and grace.

We do several things to create an atmosphere of equality. First we cook together, with everyone contributing an ingredient to the meal, after which we all pitch in to clean up. Then we get into the Word with everyone taking turns in facilitating the discussion. There's not anyone one in particular teaching the passage, but there are three simple questions that are always asked:
  • What does the passage say?

  • How can we paraphrase it?

  • How can we apply it to our lives?
By the time we discuss our application, we become transparent with one another because of the love and security we feel in this community. We have had some very personal and transforming discussions at times. This is a co-learning community where both believers and non-believers learn from one another and from the Holy Spirit. Indeed, it is surprising to see how much non-believers can teach us.

In the minds of the believing students, there seems to be no line that would separate them from their non-believing friends. It is amazing to see how the Holy Spirit works in this kind of community.