Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 6

In this article we will talk about looking for spiritual hunger in an urban village.

By “spiritual hunger” I mean a desire that relates specifically to spiritual life. It might be a desire to know God, to walk with Him more closely, to understand the Bible, to grow spiritually, or a desire for greater inner peace or self-control.

Engaging Urban Affinities - Part 5

So much in effective urban mission involves listening and discerning.

In this article, I'm going to zoom in on seeking out the hunger that He is stirring up within the affinity. How can we be confident there is hunger for God's Kingdom? What might that hunger look like?

"That might work in African or Asian villages, but it can't happen here."

Yet in Finland, one of Europe's most secular and individualistic nations, a different story is emerging.

I've facilitated and coached a LOT of Discovery Bible Studies over the years and have probably made every mistake there is to make.

Here are seven mistakes I have seen have the biggest impact on helping people to discover and encounter God (or not).

10 Ways to Kill a Discovery Bible Study (DBS) (and How to Avoid Them)

Have you ever watched someone try to dig with a shovel held upside down? Discovery Bible Study (DBS) is a powerful tool for helping people encounter God through His Story. When facilitated well, Word and Spirit speak powerfully to open hearts.

How do you lead in a VUCA (volatile, uncertain, complex and ambiguous) environment like a city? It is not easy to lead in complex urban environments. Bottom-up leadership is a solution that multiplies our impact.

Cities are complex. There is so much need. So many opportunities and possibilities. You know God is calling you to engage in the urban harvest. You know the task is too big to accomplish by yourself. You know you need a team, but where do you start?

I have had a number of cross-cultural assignments in over the last 25 years. The "what" was clear. Less clear was the "how". Each urban context is different. There are no guaranteed formulae to success. However, we are seeing patterns across different cities.

It can be tough carrying a burden for discipleship movement in cities! There can be great encouragement from learning with and from the experiences of peers. That's why peer learning is an important part of the work we are doing in cities.

We recognise that the vast majority have said "No" to our evangelistic approaches and they are not changing their minds. This creates challenges both for followers of Jesus and for seekers.

Discipling the Urban Harvest aims to provide practical insights and encouragement to walk with God in multiplying discipleship in an increasingly urban world - growing as a Child of the Father, serving the communities He has called us to, and discipling those who are hungry to know Him.