Training & Equipping
Good Soil E&D equips Christ-followers to share God’s story of hope in a world of competing faiths and cultures.
View Training EventsHelping people clearly understand, genuinely embrace, & firmly hold on to the gospel
Our purpose is to motivate, train, and resource people in worldview relevant evangelism and discipleship.
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Upcoming Events
The Roots of Faith Chronological Bible Courses
Old Testament (June 15-19, 2020) and New Testament (June 22-26, 2020) courses taught at ABWE, near Harrisburg, PA. Students become certified to teach these courses in their ministries.
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Future Good Soil Training
October 2019 at ABWE - Near Harrisburg, PA.
October 14-15: Good Soil Basic Seminar.
October 14-15: (Evenings) Hooks OT & NT Workshops.
October 16: Good Soil Trainer Certification.
October 17-18: Moving Beyond Lecture Workshop.
FREE Class Facilitator Guide
The Story of Hope - FREE curriculum guide for leading a class study in The Story of Hope. 31 interactive, engaging, FUN class sessions. 30+ free activity resources also available.
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Stories and articles to help you cultivate good soil.
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How to Share Your Faith
How to Evangelize with Confidence - Overcoming Fear in Sharing Your Faith
In a random 2013 telephone survey of 2,083 adults in the United States, 100% of adults who identified as “evangelical Christians” agreed with this statement: "I, personally, have a responsibility to tell other people my religious beliefs." The even more positive news from that survey was that 69% of these evangelicals agreed with this statement: "During the past 12 months, I explained my religious beliefs to someone who had different beliefs, in hope that they might accept Jesus Christ as their Savior." But the negative side of that response was that nearly one-third (31%) of the evangelicals had not shared their faith in the previous year, even though they knew they were supposed to do so. And we can probably safely assume that some of the positive 69% were not being completely honest, wanting to sound better than they really were.
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Stories
Passing of the Onion
When missionaries Beky Poteat and Jane Schmitz were introduced to Good Soil Evangelism & Discipleship training, they not only appreciated the benefits for their own ministry but wanted to share it with the pastors’ wives that they train in Togo. In the oral teaching method that they use with the women, many who are still illiterate, they teach two of the pastors’ wives who then train others, who then train others, and so on until the teaching is passed on to pastors’ wives all over the country. Beky and Jane were never quite sure if the concepts, especially that of peeling the onion, were quite understood.
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Teaching and Training
Engaging Kids in Bible Learning
Three of my “all-boy” great nephews and their sister grabbed their jackets and tore out the door, unusually eager to get to church for the Purim party their teacher had promised. Ages 12, 10, 9 and 7, they enthusiastically participated in the special activities. They had been captivated by their teacher’s message and methods and entered the party atmosphere wholeheartedly. Mothers on the sidelines commented, “We can’t get our children this motivated!” Yes, children can be captivated by the messages of the Bible, when connected to methods that fully engage them in the learning process.
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Stories
A Child's View of the Sufferings of Jesus
Karen Weitzel, who adapted The Story of Hope for kids, said that her sister showed her youngest grandson The Story of Hope--Kids and talked to him about some of the pictures. Ephraim said the “grossest “ picture in The Story of Hope--Kids was #20 which represents the prophecies of the Messiah. He didn’t like seeing Jesus being whipped.
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