Bible Studies and Door Knocking

Bible studies can happen anywhere at anytime. In someone's home, on a front porch or outside under a tree. In Africa, it is common to leave your door open during the day, with a piece of cloth hanging over the doorway. If the door is open then the proper thing to say is "Hodi, Hodi", this is like us saying knock, knock.  If no one is home then that is okay, you can just go next door to have a Bible study.  It is very unusual for someone to say no.

Passing Out of Tracts

When passing out tracts it was interesting to see that people would read the tract right away. Some will even stop their work to see what it was about.  It is estimated that for every 1 tract that is passed out 10 people will read it.

Correspondence Courses

People in Tanzania love written material because they are not bombarded with it like the U.S. Because of this correspondences courses have been effective. When you sign someone up for a course you have to really have to write down good directions to their home.  There are no addresses or house numbers.  For example you might say, "By the tree, between the two mud huts, the one with the tin roof.


The maturing of new Christians is a constant work in Tanzania. With so many new Christians in Tanzania, there is a great need for preaching, teaching, fellowship, and edification.

Edification & Church Growth

Preaching

Part of the churches responsibility is to reprove, rebuke, and exhort. 2 Timothy 4:2.  One way this is done is through public preaching.

Teaching

Following our goals teaching is one of the main objectives of our work here in Tanzania. We are encouraging the Tanzanians to teach others and to continue to grow the church. The ladies at the Arusha congregation have gone through teacher training classes and the men of the congregation are involved in personal Bible studies and take turns teaching Bible classes.

Fellowship

In Acts 2:42 we read that one of the four things the early church devoted itself to was “fellowship.” Fellowship was a very important part of their reason for meeting together. True fellowship involves getting together for spiritual purposes, the sharing of needs, for prayer, for discussing and sharing the Word.

Edification

Edification is a responsibility of each member of the church, no matter what part of the world that you live in. In Tanzania we have seen where it is especially important. Life is hard, the death rate is high, and there are a lot of discouraged people. We focus on encouraging one another in the church, to help build one another up, and to help one another through hard times.

Their are many aspects to the work here in Tanzania. A few of these consist of : Evangelism, Edification, Church Growth, Teacher/Preacher Training, and Benevolence Outreach.

Planting the seed of God's word happens in many different ways in East Africa. It can be done by word of mouth, seminars, home bible studies, or correspondence courses.

In Tanzania the people are friendly and easy going.  The society as a whole is laid back and is in no hurry.  "No Hurry In Africa" is a popular saying.  Because of this people will stop what ever they are doing to visit and talk with you.  This opens the door to evangelize.  When you are visiting with someone that has the time and is in no hurry you have more of an opportunity to spread the Gospel.  "Good news of Christ".

Evangelism

Benevolent Outreach


Benevolence outreach is done in so many ways. The physical needs of the people can be overwhelming at times. The people of Tanzania truly appreciate any help that you can give. This outreach can be done by giving someone a ride, offering them a meal, helping them with a personal need, or simply give them advice.


The best thing that you can do for anyone is pray for them. So please keep the people of Tanzania in your prayers.