Good Soil E&D is for Cross-Cultural Missionaries

as well as many other kinds of ministries.

Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship training and resources were specifically created to help cross-cultural missionaries—missionaries from any evangelical mission agency! Missionaries going to any country or people group!

As a missionary, do you sometimes find it difficult to help unbelievers from non-Christian worldview backgrounds clearly understand the gospel of Jesus Christ?
Do you find that they tend to hang on to some of their previous religious beliefs and practices, even after they have professed to become Christians?
Would you like to get some training to help you with these, and other, cross-cultural evangelism challenges?
And would you like to find evangelism training resources to help you train national believers where you serve?
Are you looking for evangelism and discipleship resources that are translated – or could be translated – into the language of the people to whom you minister?

Good Soil can help you overcome some of the common problems that cross-cultural missionaries face as they evangelize Buddhists, Hindus, Muslims, spiritists and animists, postmoderns, staunch Roman Catholics, and others from non-Christian worldview backgrounds.

Good Soil has helped many missionaries—from a wide variety of mission agencies and other international non-profit organizations—to become more effective in “making disciples of all nations.” And we believe that Good Soil can help you.

Good Soil can help you with
worldview-relevant Training and Resources.

Missionary Training

For Worldview-Relevant Evangelism and Discipleship

Good Soil Evangelism & Discipleship Seminar Workbook

Available to those that have received Good Soil Trainer Certification. Workbook used in training Worldview-Relevant Evangelism & Discipleship.

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Good Soil Basic Seminar

Two Days in May or October

Good Soil’s Basic Seminar will help you...

Understand key principles of cross-cultural evangelism that are found in the New Testament, especially from the ministry of the apostles in the book of Acts. Good Soil is solidly based on a Biblical theology of evangelism and missiological worldview-relevancy.
Learn many practical tools and tips for effective evangelism, even in cultures that may be totally ignorant of, and hostile to, the gospel of Jesus Christ.
Cut through the “worldview noise” that often prevents non-Christians in other faith-cultures from understanding the essential distinctives of the Biblical gospel, and from failing to forsake their non-Biblical beliefs and practices when they do profess faith in Jesus Christ.
Present the Bible’s BIG Story of redemption, beginning in Genesis 1 and proceeding chronologically through the Bible to the end of Revelation 22.
Do evangelism in a way that unbelievers—even those from non-Biblical worldviews—will clearly understand the gospel, so that they can sincerely embrace it and hold on to it.

Here are a few sample pages from the Good Soil Seminar workbook:

Begin by attending a Good Soil BASIC Seminar, so that you can enhance your skills in worldview-relevant evangelism and can begin using Good Soil’s resources most effectively.

Learn More and Register

Then, participate in a Good Soil TRAINER CERTIFICATION workshop , where you will be qualified and certified to teach Good Soil seminars on your field or to others in your mission agency.

Trainer Certification Workshop

One Day in May or October

Participants deepen their understandings of Good Soil theology and missiology of evangelism and discipleship and seminar content.
Participants become certified to teach the Good Soil Basic Seminar in their own ministries.
Participants become eligible to purchase Good Soil Basic Seminar workbooks.
Participants are granted access to the online Instructor’s Resource Center, which includes instructional resources used in Good Soil training.

Learn More and Register

In the last month, my husband has talked with several influential leaders here who see a problem with a popular evangelism training program from North America, which is being widely promoted by some here. They like the fact that it gets the people out and gives them the boldness, but the statistics are abysmal-only a very small percentage of all “decisions” are proving to be legitimate, which leaves the rest deceived, thinking that they have “covered all the bases“.
One of our partners is the head of the publishing department for the registered church in the whole south of the country. When my husband showed him The Story of Hope and explained “Good Soil Evangelism”, he asked for a copy of the book and said he’d give it to the translation team immediately. In January, my husband will have a class here for several pastors of the largest churches in the country.
Our church planter from the North came down for a week. My husband held a training for our four men who are in leadership training. The young man from the North loved the Good Soil Evangelism concepts and went back to the North to explain the principles to the leaders in the North. Everyone we talk to remarks that it’s exactly what is needed here. We are so excited about the impact this will have in another restricted access country where we minister, too.

Missionary in a restricted access country

Evangelism Class Curriculum Guide

Curriculum guide for teaching Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship in a Bible institute, Bible college, or seminary class. 30 class sessions. Includes a plan for each of 30 sessions, course requirements, and other suggestions to consider for requirements. Also, useful in local church classes.

For Teaching the Good Soil Seminar Contents in 30 Class Sessions

Establish a Biblical theology of evangelism and discipleship (E&D) as the foundation for the methodologies and resources presented in this class.
Teach students to understand and practice E&D in ways that are worldview-relevant, training them to share God’s story of hope in a world of competing faiths and cultures.
Equip students for ministry in international missions, as well as in multi-faith North American communities.
Introduce students to resources that have been broadly tested internationally with people of various worldview contexts and that are available in numerous languages.
Great for use in Bible Institute or Bible College evangelism classes.

Download Free Class Curriculum Guide

Moving Beyond Lecture Workshop

Two Days in October

Moving Beyond Lecture will enhance your ability to teach and train, beyond what you can probably imagine. You will…

Learn a seven-step process for developing a curriculum plan for teaching a seminar, workshop, or course of lessons.
Enlarge your teaching toolbox with lots of creative techniques and tips for teaching.
Become more sensitive to classroom factors that can enhance your teaching-learning environment.
Engage your students more actively and make learning FUN for them.
Become more confident and effective in your teaching or training.

For More Information and to Register

I just wanted to share the impact of Moving Beyond Lecture on the teaching team at Biblical Ministries Worldwide.

One week after Gil’s Moving Beyond Lecture seminar here at our office in Georgia, we started our Candidate Seminar. I challenged all of those who attended Moving Beyond Lecture (MBL) to take at least one principle from MBL and apply it to one of their classes and then report back to me. I made it a contest of sorts: the winner would receive a nice gift.

Results? I have ten (10) examples of how impactful MBL was on the training team. In just one week, this course material has dramatically changed how we design and conduct many of our sessions. One of my trainers is a VP of Academic Affairs for a seminary and he completely revised his approach to his class. Who is the winner? They all are! Not only did they see more enthusiastic response to material from the students, they now “own” the MBL principle they used. So, everyone is going to get a small reward (Starbucks card).

I'm not going to let the pressure off, though. Even though everyone has returned to their “real job,” my thoughts going forward are

-Have everyone complete a Training Wheels for their course(s)
-Revise the handouts they use, if any, with learning objectives clearly stated
-Reduce dependence upon PowerPoint as the primary content transfer mode

Thank you so much for making such a contribution to our training processes at Biblical Ministries Worldwide. Only eternity will tell the real impact of your gracious gift to (or for) the cause of Christ.

Clark, Training Director of Biblical Ministries Worldwide

BibleStorying Workshop

Two Days in May

One of the keys to effective Bible teaching with any age is telling Bible stories so that historical Bible events “come alive” in the minds of those who hear them!

This BibleStorying (Bible story telling) workshop will enhance your skills as a Bible story teller and teacher. You will learn lots of tips and techniques for improving your ability to tell Bible stories that will gain and hold student interest. And, you will learn about—and practice using—several Good Soil Bible teaching resources.

Day One: How to Learn Bible Stories
Day Two: How to Tell Bible Stories

For More Information and to Register

Another Special Gift Offer for Mission Agency Leaders

For the sake of the gospel, we want to share with other mission agencies the cross-cultural ministry training and resources that God has given us.

We will gladly waive the registration fees for two of your agency's key leaders to attend up to a full week of our May or October Good Soil training seminars or workshops. A $600 value.

As seminar participants, representatives from your agency will be certified and equipped to teach the Good Soil Basic Seminar in your ministry organization.

Dates and More Info Regarding Good Soil Training Events

Use this form to send us your name, contact information, name and website of your mission agency, and we will send you the code for FREE registrations, which you can share with one other key leader or trainer in your mission agency.

Contact us at Info@GoodSoil.com or 717.909.2397 for more information.

Equipping missionaries to share God's story of hope in a world of competing faiths and cultures.

Bible Training for Missionaries

Learning the Bible chronologically, in a way that will equip you for effective ministry in a world of competing faiths and cultures.

The Roots of Faith - Old Testament

The Roots of Faith Old Testament Instructor Kit

A kit providing the resources needed to teach the Old Testament portion of the Bible's Big Story chronologically.

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50 chronological Bible event-lessons, from Genesis through Malachi.

The Roots of Faith - New Testament

The Roots of Faith New Testament Instructor Kit

A kit providing the resources needed to teach the New Testament portion of the Bible's Big Story chronologically.

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50 chronological Bible event-lessons, from the Intertestament Period through the Book of Revelation.

God’s BIG Story: In August we began teaching in Garjaws Town, Grand Bassa County. For our first teaching, we placed a 600-foot long orange timeline through the middle of the village. We then hung most of the 100 events we will study in The Roots of Faith, along with the 25 Bible “Eras” (Creation, Fall, Flood etc.). We then gave an overview of God’s Story from eternity past to eternity future. The people are excited to see what God has, is, and will do and that they are included in God’s Story! In September the lessons continued and included integrating “Bible Telling” for those who cannot read.

Gary, missionary in Liberia

Chronological Bible courses that unfold the BIG Story of the Bible, based on 100 key redemptive story events. Specifically created for training missionaries to share God’s redemptive story in non-Christian worldview cultures AND to use in teaching the Bible to Christians from those cultures who often carry non-Christian “worldview baggage” into their Christian lives and practices—teaching the Bible to help purge the “worldview baggage.”

The Roots of Faith - Old and New Testaments

The Roots of Faith courses are three courses in one:

Chronological Bible survey courses—Students master the overall chronological framework and core content of the Bible.
Biblical theology courses—The Bible’s basic theological concepts are presented as they were progressively revealed, from Genesis 1 through Revelation 22.
Worldview apologetics courses—Common non Christian worldview (“worldview noise”) issues are addressed throughout the courses in order to equip Christ-followers to live and minister in a world of competing faiths and cultures.

The courses also include:

Downloadable Bible commentary for each course, to provide expert help for all of the Bible passages included in the lessons.
Instructors Guide for each course.
Access to online instructional resources for each course.

Additional supplemental resources are available, such as printed and PowerPoint teaching visuals and chronological Bible cards and more.

Taking The Roots of Faith after being on the mission field for several years was a great encouragement and review for us. It also gave us the tools to help teach the Old and New Testament in our Bible school here in the Philippines. Both the outline and the pictures have been so helpful in organizing our materials for teaching. It also helps the students understand The Story of Hope in the bigger context of the Bible.

Phil and Barb, missionaries to the Philippines

How can you be certified to teach
The Roots of Faith Courses in your ministry?

Full Certification Option: Participate in The Roots of Faith Courses

Image of a TROF OT Class at ABWE - FUN Learning

Image of a TROF NT Class at ABWE - Interactive & Engaging Learning

More Information and Registration

Provisional Certification Option: Purchase The Roots of Faith

The Roots of Faith Old Testament Instructor Kit

A kit providing the resources needed to teach the Old Testament portion of the Bible's Big Story chronologically.

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The Roots of Faith - Old Testament Kit

The Roots of Faith New Testament Instructor Kit

A kit providing the resources needed to teach the New Testament portion of the Bible's Big Story chronologically.

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The Roots of Faith - New Testament Kit

Missionary Resources

For Worldview-Relevant Evangelism & Discipleship

Good Soil provides a wide variety of evangelism and discipleship resources for missionary ministries. And some of these are already available in multiple languages. But if the language you need is not currently available, we are willing to work with you on translation projects.

Translations Translation Procedures

We all want to share our faith effectively…but how do we do it?

The Story of Hope Workbook - English Version

A time-flexible resource for presenting the Bible’s big redemptive story in as few as fifteen minutes or as long as twenty or more hours. Designed for evangelistic Bible studies, one-on-one or in small groups, but also helpful in teaching God’s redemptive plan to believers. Includes a study of 40 Bible events (20 Old Testament and 20 New Testament) and Bible maps. 64 pages and plastic coil binding. FREE Leader's Guide and FREE Classroom Facilitator Guide available as downloads from this site.

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64 Pages - Plastic Coil Binding

The Story of Hope

Evangelistic Bible Study Workbook

The Story of Hope was specifically created for evangelism (or discipleship) with people from non-Christian worldview cultures—for missionary ministries.

It begins with the assumption that Bible study participants know little or nothing about the true God, the Bible, or Jesus Christ.
It begins with Genesis 1:1 and unfolds the BIG Story of God’s plan of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation. In doing so, it provides the overall context in which the gospel of Jesus Christ makes sense, even to people from other faith backgrounds.
It engages participants in direct Bible study, allowing them to have “Aha!” moments about the truths of Scripture, especially regarding Jesus Christ—His claims and His provision for the forgiveness of sins and the promise of eternal life.
It is visually and colorfully illustrated and designed for easy understanding.
It is time-flexible. You can use it in one-on-one studies, in groups studies, or individuals can use for self-study.
There is a FREE downloadable Leader’s Guide available.
There is also a Global English Edition available, written at 7^th—9^th grade reading levels
Generous quantity pricing.
Available in many languages . And we are open to working with you on translation projects.

The Story of Hope Workbook Leader's Guide (64 Page Coil-Bound Edition) - Download

A leader's guide for The Story of Hope Workbook (64 page coil-bound edition) . FREE DOWNLOAD.

103 Professionally Designed Pages

103 professionally-designed pages of answers to the Bible study questions contained in The Story of Hope and suggestions as to how to deal with some of the common questions you may face, as well as many other tips for making your study successful. Download it for FREE and see for yourself.

FREE Leader's Guide

I have found The Story of Hope and related resources to be the most effective tools for evangelism in my 35 years in the ministry. I have found no better material for evangelism and discipleship for any country than the Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship's The Story of Hope. Good Soil also has a children's edition with lots of games and songs. I HIGHLY RECOMMEND IT! With all my responsibilities in our ministry in Southeast Asia, IF I could only do one thing, it would be to teach this material.

Steve, independent missionary to the Philippines, Vietnam, and Myanmar

The Story of Hope

Evangelistic Bible Study Workbook

We have developed a curriculum plan for teaching The Story of Hope in a class setting. Lots of people were teaching it that way, so we decided to make it easier for them and others who would want to do so. A generous donor provided funds so that we could have the class facilitator's guide professionally created and offer it to you FREE—the entire 120 beautifully designed pages!

The Story of Hope Workbook - English Version

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Download FREE Class Facilitator Guide

Class Facilitator's Guide for The Story of Hope - Hard Copy

Printed curriculum and instruction guide for facilitating a class through The Story of Hope in 31 engaging, interactive, and fun class sessions!

Class Facilitator’s PowerPoint

Class Facilitator Presentation for The Story of Hope - CD

400+ PowerPoint slides for facilitating a Bible class study through The Story of Hope. Designed to accompany the FREE Class Facilitator Guide for The Story of Hope (curriculum for 31 class sessions).

Lesson plans for 31 class sessions (can be adapted for fewer sessions, or for more sessions).
Creative learning activities for all sessions that make learning: engaging, interactive, and FUN.
Strategically designed to equip students to be motivated and confident in using The Story of Hope in evangelistic or discipleship studies.
"It's Your Time" is the final lesson, where students are launched to use what they have been taught.
An optional Class Facilitator PowerPoint presentation available for teaching The Story of Hope class, with 400+ slides.
FREE online access to the online Instructor's Resource Center, with files for class activities.

FREE Online Instructor Resource Center - Go There

The Message of Hope

Bible Study Workbook for Ministry with Muslims

The Message of Hope - Folk/Popular Islam Version

The Message of Hope is a chronological, evangelistic Bible study of 40 redemptive events (20 old testament and 20 new testament) strategically chosen to address Muslim worldview and culture. Adapted from The Story of Hope, it incorporates the same flexibility of design to teach God’s redemptive plan and is a time-flexible (contractible and expandable) resource allowing one to present the Bible’s big redemptive story in as few as fifteen minutes or as long as twenty or more hours. The Folk / Popular Islam version has pictures visualizing each event along with Bible maps.

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The Message of Hope Folk/Popular Islam Edition

The Message of Hope - Orthodox/Classical Islam Version

The Message of Hope is a chronological, evangelistic Bible study of 40 redemptive events (20 old testament and 20 new testament) strategically chosen to address Muslim worldview and culture. Adapted from The Story of Hope, it incorporates the same flexibility of design to teach God’s redemptive plan and is a time-flexible (contractible and expandable) resource allowing one to present the Bible’s big redemptive story in as few as fifteen minutes or as long as twenty or more hours. The Orthodox/Classical Islam version is text only along with Bible maps.

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The Message of Hope Orthodox/Classical Islam Edition

The Message of Hope is a chronological Bible study workbook for ministry with Muslims. The study begins in Genesis 1:1 and proceeds through the Bible to the very end of the book of Revelation, including 40 lessons, each focusing on one major event in the Bible's BIG Story of redemption. The Message of Hope lets the Bible speak for itself and engages participants in thought-provoking discussions along the way. The 40 events were strategically chosen to address religious issues of interest and concern to Muslims. While the study is similar in many ways to The Story of Hope, five events were substituted in The Message of Hope in order to make this study more appropriate for a Bible study with Muslims. There are two editions of The Message of Hope:

Edition for Bible studies with Muslims who embrace "folk" or "popular" Islam - includes pictures that depict the Bible events and characters in the study. Blue border.
Edition for Bible studies with Muslims who adhere to "classical" or "orthodox" Islam - does not include pictures of Bible events and characters. Yellow border.

FREE Leader's Guide - 147 professionally designed pages, developed by people who lived and worked in Muslim majority countries for many years.

32 Pages - Both editions contain Bible maps. Available in a growing number of languages.

Download FREE Leader's Guide

The Message of Hope Leader's Guide - Download

A leader's guide for use with The Message of Hope, a Bible study book for helping Muslims understand the Bible's BIG Story of redemption as it unfolds chronologically from Genesis through Revelation. Includes a lot of helpful information regarding concerns that Muslims generally have about the Bible and the Christian faith. 176 pages

The Message of Hope PowerPoint Download

A 40 event image PowerPoint presentation for The Message of Hope.

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The Message of Hope Power Point Presentation: A 40 event image PowerPoint presentation for The Message of Hope. Includes Bible map images and the tabernacle image. All text can be translated and changed in PowerPoint.

A couple years ago I showed copies of beta-versions of The Message of Hope for Muslims to a faculty member colleague who had been a missionary in the Middle East. At the time he did not seem too interested. He uses “The Story” and likes it. He then left our college for a year to head up the Muslim Studies program at a major seminary. He just came back to our college to teach again. By now he must have had more time to look over The Message of Hope and told me today that he really likes it. So I showed him one of my older versions of The Roots of Faith—Old Testament and he was impressed. He said if we had that in Arabic he would love to teach it to Muslims. In addition to the content and concept, he is impressed with the quality of the materials—and who wouldn’t be? He says the Muslims have a different “story” about the Old Testament, which undermines the gospel. He sees this type of work, such as The Message of Hope and The Roots of Faith, as setting them on the right trajectory.

PhD College Professor of Old Testament in the USA

The Way to Joy

Basic Discipleship Workbook

The Way to Joy was designed to teach new believers some of the most essential Biblical truths they need to know and help them establish basic spiritual disciplines they need to begin to practice, after receiving Jesus Christ as Savior. The study includes these ten lessons:

The Joy of Hope: Knowing God's Eternal Plan Gives Us Hope
The Joy of Eternal Life: Receiving God's Salvation Gives Us Eternal Life
The Joy of Confidence: Having Salvation Assurance and Security Gives Us Confidence
The Joy of Guidance: Reading and Studying God's Word Gives Us Guidance
The Joy of Prayer: Praying Brings Us into an Intimate Relationship with God
The Joy of God's Power: The Holy Spirit in Us Gives Us Power to Live for God
The Joy of Purity: Obeying God's Word Helps Us Live Pure Lives that Please God
The Joy of Sharing: Sharing the Gospel with Unbelievers Offers Them Hope
The Joy of Fellowship: A Bible-Believing Church Provides Us a Place to Grow and Serve
The Joy of Service: Understanding God's Plan for Us Gives Us a Sense of Purpose

Bible memory verse cards, as well as a Bible reading and prayer journal are included. Available in several languages . Contact us if you are interested in a language currently not available.

The Way to Joy - English Version

A leader-guided foundational Bible study workbook, intended primarily for use as an evangelistic follow-up discipleship study. New 64-page spiral bound edition.

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64 Pages - Plastic Coil Binding

The Way to Joy (TWTJ) was specifically developed at the request of missionaries who serve in a variety of countries around the world, in order to provide a foundational discipleship study to help new believers or others who have never been grounded in the Christian faith and walk.

The Way to Joy Leader's Guide (2016 Edition) - Download

For use with the 2016 Edition of The Way to Joy - 64 pages, spiral bound. 44 pages. FREE DOWNLOAD

44 Professionally Designed Pages

44 professionally-designed pages to help you lead someone through this discipleship study. Includes answers to all of the Bible study questions in the study as well as lesson plans for all 10 discipleship sessions. Can be used for one-on-one studies or small groups studies. Download it for FREE and see for yourself.

FREE Leader's Guide

Just want to let you know that my use of The Way to Joy is going great. I now have four different discipleship classes going on. On Monday’s at 9:00, I meet with a new believer, Carlos. He was a devout Catholic. The questions he has is just incredible. He has lot of questions about idols, etc. When we finished Monday, he said I want you to teach me to pray! Man I am so thrilled. Today I have two different classes going on—one this morning with five ladies, none of which are in our church yet, but hopefully soon. I have another class tonight, with the youth of the church. I probably have four or five for that class and another Thursday mornings with a man who just started coming to church. His son was saved back in January. Everyone seems to like it so far and I am thrilled to have these materials. I hope to have at least one more class lined up by the end of the month. I met with a Peruvian pastor yesterday and showed him the materials and I will be with his church for an outing the 28th presenting the materials to them. The sky is the limit. Can you tell I am excited? I am totally blown away!

Aaron, missionary in Peru

The Way to Joy

Class Facilitator’s Kit

The Way to Joy was originally developed to be a one-on-one or small group basic discipleship study. But, many organizations found it very useful for teaching in classroom settings. Now, we have a FREE resource that provides the adaptation and curriculum design work done for you—for teaching a The Way to Joy class. Thanks to a generous donor, we are now able to offer this professionally designed resource to you for FREE.

The Way to Joy - English Version

A leader-guided foundational Bible study workbook, intended primarily for use as an evangelistic follow-up discipleship study. New 64-page spiral bound edition.

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A fun way to teach a basic discipleship class and train believers to make disciples

Download

No boring sessions in this study either!

Students learn best when they are having FUN, and this study combines learning with FUN, so the truth sticks!
Thirteen (or more) class sessions covering topics essential for basic, foundational discipleship.
Great for baptism or new converts or new members classes, but for equipping disciplemakers as well.
The final session is called “It’s Your Time” in which students are challenged to put into practice what they have learned, by discipling someone else.
The 42-page professionally designed Class Facilitator’s Guide is available as a FREE download.
FREE access to the online Instructor’s Resource Center for The Way to Joy Bible class.

Instructor's Resource Center - Go There

The Bible's Big Story PowerPoint CD

Three PowerPoint presentations used with teaching the Bible's redemptive story in 20, 40, and 100 event images.

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The Bible's BIG Story PowerPoint CD

The Bible's BIG Story PowerPoint CD contains three PowerPoint presentations of the Bible's story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation:

20 Events - to use with short presentations and The Story of Hope Condensed.
40 Events - to use with medium-length presentations and The Story of Hope.
100 Events - to use with more extended presentations of the Bible's BIG Story.

Each Bible event is beautifully illustrated with an image from the Good Soil Redemptive Art Series. Also, included in each presentation are slides of Bible maps and the Chronological Bridge to Life.

All text can be exchanged with your translated text on the PowerPoint slides.

Sample Old Testament Images

Eve and serpent in Eden

Abraham & Isaac

Sacrifice of lamb at altar in front of tabernacle

Sample New Testament Images

John the Baptist

Resurrection of Jesus

Believers in heaven - around Jesus - the rapture scene

I am a WorldVenture (Baptist mission in Littleton, CO formerly in Wheaton as CBFMS) missionary in Senegal, West Africa, where I teach Old Testament courses at the undergraduate level, Bible institute level, and grass roots level. I would also like to teach an overview of the whole Bible such as these slides in a biblical theology course that I would like to create. Thanks for this great resource!

Charles, WorldVenture, Littleton, CO

The Bible's Big Story Teaching Visuals

The Bible's BIG Story Teaching Visuals - Set of 105

Set of 105 laminated, double-sided teaching visuals for teaching the Bible's redemptive story, from Genesis through Revelation.

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13.5” x 10.75” laminated printed teaching visuals. Key Bible event content on the back, event image on the front. 105 teaching visuals, 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament, plus five that work especially for ministry with Muslims. Great for teaching the BIG Story of the Bible that begins in Genesis and culminates in Revelation.

Key content on the back side is translatable – just request the document for translating the text into the language you need for your ministry. It’s possible that your ministry language document might already be available.
Contact us: Info@GoodSoil.com

Chronological Bible Cards: Genesis — Revelation

ChronoBible Cards: Genesis-Revelation

A complete set of 135 pocket-size cards (4.5" x 3.375") for learning and reviewing the content and chronology of the Bible's Big Story.

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Pocket-size cards for learning and reviewing 100 key Bible events as they appear chronologically from Genesis through Revelation. Each Bible event card contains an image from the Good Soil Redemptive Story art collection on the front and key content information on the back. 25 major Bible era cards and 10 Chronological Bridge to Life cards included.

We continue to work with the pastors and their wives at the Simbai Baptist Pastors’ and Wives’ Fellowship. In November, we introduced them to The Story of Hope (TSOH), an evangelistic tool which includes 40 laminated picture cards. TSOH is a short story of the Bible and God’s provision of salvation. Our pastors are excited about this tool. We have 30 sets of cards for them and will be giving them some concentrated teaching and training beginning next year.

Bill, missionary in Papua New Guinea

Hooks for Hanging the Bible’s Storyline

Believe it or not - in just a couple of hours you can teach people to think their way through the Bible, from Genesis through Revelation! You can do so in this FUN workshop that helps them hang the storyline (the BIG Story plot) of the Bible on 25 "Hooks"–major Bible eras that summarize the Bible, from beginning to end.

Hooks for Hanging the Bible's Storyline Visuals

A complete set of 25 Bible era teaching visuals with corresponding events listed on the back of each era visual.

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Hooks for Hanging the Bible's Storyline Visuals

A complete set of 25 Bible era teaching visuals with corresponding events listed on the back of each era visual.

The activities for teaching Hooks are FUN for students of all ages, even the teachers.
And there are FREE instructional helps.

Hooks for Hanging the Old Testament Storyline

A student worksheet designed to help teach participants to grasp an overview of the Old Testament in a 50 minute to 2 hour session.

Hooks for Hanging the New Testament Storyline

A student worksheet designed to help you teach participants to grasp an overview of the New Testament in a 50 minute to 2 hour session.

The 12 "Hooks" for Hanging the Old Testament Storyline

The 1 + 12 "Hooks" for Hanging the New Testament Storyline

Learn More About "Hooks" - and How to Teach Them

My latest Hooks for Hanging the Bible’s Storyline workshop was last Saturday in a Bible study in the home of the owner of Sam Ash Music Stores in Bayonne, NJ. Several very diverse cultures were represented in the group (Filipino, Russian, German, American, African, Hispanic, Arab, and Jewish). They were amazed and enjoyed it - and everyone understood. Some said, “I finally got it!” “I’ll read my Bible again.”

Ariel, Filipino visiting in New Jersey

Reflections from God’s Story of Hope

Reflections From God's Story of Hope

A coffee table book unfolding the storyline of the Bible through 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament Events. $20 each for 8 or more!

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Reflections from God’s Story of Hope unfolds the storyline of the Bible through 50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament events—from Genesis through Revelation.

100 key Bible events organized by 25 major Bible eras.
100 full-page Bible event images.
More than 200 pages, 9" x 12".
A Bible storybook for all—adults, children, Christians, or non-Christians.

$20 in Quantities of Eight or More - $40 for One Book, $30 each for Two

Many missionaries have given these as “Thank You” gifts to their prayer and financial supporters.

And other missionaries have used the book and its 100 Bible event pictures to tell and teach the Bible’s redemptive story to non-literate individuals and small groups.

Reflections - The Audio Experience

Professional recordings of all 100 narratives from the book, Reflections From God's Story of Hope.

MP3 files on a flash drive

Sample Audio Montage

Watch a (2:36) video to see how the Reflections - The Audio Experience audio stories are correlated with the printed and visually illustrated stories in the Reflections from God's Story of Hope coffee table storybook, as well as The Bible's BIG Story Teaching Visuals.

Watch the Video

Sample Audio Montage

Watch the Video

Mobile Apps - for Android & Apple

For you to use in your ministry and to encourage those to whom you are ministering to load on their own mobile devices. Great way to teach and review the events of the Bible's BIG Story and the eight chronological Bible concepts.

The Story of Hope Condensed App

Twenty beautifully visualized Bible events (10 Old Testament and 10 New Testament) that summarize the Bible's Big Story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation.

The Story of Hope App

Mobile app. Forty beautifully visualized Bible events (20 Old Testament and 20 New Testament) that summarize the Bible's Big Story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation.

The Roots of Faith App

One hundred beautifully visualized Bible events (50 Old Testament and 50 New Testament) that summarize the Bible's Big Story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation.

Reflections: The AudioVisual Experience App

Apple and Android mobile apps. 100 Redemptive story event images with 100 audio narratives (6 1/2 hours of audio) plus the ChronoBridge. The redemptive story Bible event images are synchronized with the audio narratives.

Children’s Ministry Resources

Good Soil’s resources for reaching and teaching children include the same distinctives and emphases as our adult resources. The Story of Hope, for example, teaches the chronological story of redemption in a way that kids come to understand how the Bible fits together.

Some of these resources are available in non-English languages. And, if not, we are open to working with you on translation projects.

Go to the “Children’s Ministry” Page to Learn More About Resources for Ministry with Kids

The Way to Joy - Kids

The Way to Joy Kids is a study in basic discipleship for kids, ages 8-12. It’s a visual-design and language-level adapted version of The Way to Joy for adults.

The Way to Joy - Kids Leader's Guide

FREE downloadable leader's guide for The Way to Joy - Kids Edition. Forty-plus professionally designed pages. Answers to questions in the ten lessons of The Way to Joy - Kids basic discipleship book and tips for leading kids through the study.

The Story of Hope - Kids

This kids’ edition of The Story of Hope with new plastic coil binding is a full color adaptation of the adult-level book. It is visually designed and language level adapted for kids, ages 8-12.

The Story of Hope Kids - Leaders Guide

A free Leader's Guide (102 pages) for use with The Story of Hope--Kids Edition book.

Adventures in the Story of Hope

A high quality, thorough 48-lesson curriculum for teaching children God’s redemptive story from beginning to end. Available as a free download to missionaries and children’s teachers around the world. 2018 Colorized Edition.

Kids Worship The God of the Big Story CD

Fun Worship Music for a Variety of Ages

Kids Sing the Story of Hope CDs

Kids Sing the Story of Hope is a 2-CD set support resource for The Adventures in the Story of Hope curriculum. The 12 songs are kid-tested kid-approved fun ways to retell the story time after time as they sing the catchy tunes.

It was my privilege to travel recently to a communist country where it is illegal to teach children about Jesus Christ, as well as to a Muslim country. In both countries, I chose to present Adventures in The Story of Hope to the children’s workers who wanted to reach and disciple their children for Jesus Christ. It was so exciting as the workers saw the beautiful pictures. I was able to tell them how most teachers in America had not seen these pictures or learned how to do chronological Bible teaching. In both countries, children’s teachers went back to their local churches and had a fantastic tool to present the one redemptive plan of God which gives hope to all sinners. These teachers now have a one year plan to teach their children how God always existed and proceed through the rest of the 40 stories. We also taught them how to teach creatively. They really “grabbed hold of” how to use The Story of Hope so that children will understand the redemptive plan of God and have real hope!

Jim, missionary to children around the world

Chronological Bridge to Life

Teach the BIG Story of the Bible to your congregation, based upon eight key concepts that emerge chronologically from Genesis through Revelation:

God
Man
Sin
Death
Christ
Cross
Faith
Life

Laminated Teaching Visuals

The Chronological Bridge to Life Visuals

Set of 8 laminated teaching visuals focusing on 8 essential truths.

Look Inside +

ChronoBridge — A walk through the Chronological Bridge to Life

Instructional
Video DVD

How to Use the ChronoBridge to Life DVD & Card Set

This ten minute video presentation illustrates how to use the Chronological Bridge (ChronoBridge) to Life in presenting God’s story of hope.

Pocket Size
ChronoBridge Cards

The Chronological Bridge to Life Cards

These playing-size cards are designed to be used in presenting the "ChronoBridge to Life" in personal witnessing.

FREE
Mobile App

The Story of Hope Condensed App

Twenty beautifully visualized Bible events (10 Old Testament and 10 New Testament) that summarize the Bible's Big Story of redemption, from Genesis through Revelation.

Learn More About the ChronoBridge to Life

Gaining Ground with Good Soil

Learning to Share God's Story of Hope in a World of Competing Faiths and Cultures.

Gaining Ground with Good Soil is a story about and for missionaries. In an interesting narrative form, it explains the theology and missiology of evangelism and discipleship of Good Soil E&D. You will love the story of a missionary couple, and their national colleagues, who learn some Biblical principles that revolutionize their ministries—Good Soil principles that can help you to become more effective as well.

The audio book can be downloaded to your phone or pad. Audio clips from the audio book can be used to spice up teaching sessions.

There is a FREE Leader’s Guide for teaching the contents of this book in 12 or more class sessions. See the FREE resources below.

Learn More About Gaining Ground with Good Soil

Gaining Ground with Good Soil

Want to understand more about Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship? This is the place to start! NEW Visually Enhanced 2016 Edition - An evangelism and discipleship training narrative that is a scaled-down version of the Good Soil E&D seminar in a narrative format. Full color throughout.

Look Inside +

Audio Book

Gaining Ground with Good Soil - Audiobook

A 4 hours and 7 minutes audio narrative that will help you understand worldview-relevant evangelism and discipleship and their importance in a world of competing faiths and cultures. A professionally produced audio book version of Gaining Ground with Good Soil.

This morning, Josué asked me about how he can share his faith more effectively with his friends at school. I’ve been reading Gaining Ground with Good Soil, a book about evangelism, written by Gil Thomas, a former missionary to Portugal. I’ve been learning a lot from the book and I was able to share some of it with Josué.

Phillip, missionary intern in France

All the resources needed for teaching Gaining Ground with Good Soil in a small group or class.

Leader's Guide

FREE Download

Gaining Ground with Good Soil Leader's Guide - Download

A free instructor's guide for leading a group of students through Gaining Ground with Good Soil. Includes a wide variety of creative and interactive teaching methods. Great for Sunday school classes or small group Bible studies. 2016 edition.

FREE Download

Gaining Ground with Good Soil Power Point - Download

A free PowerPoint presentation to be used in conjunction with the Gaining Ground with Good Soil Leader's Guide. Contains 31 beautifully designed slides. 2016 edition.

FREE Download

Gaining Ground Self Study Guide - Download

A free guide for personal study of Gaining Ground with Good Soil. Ideal resource for those who are not able to attend a Good Soil seminar, but who want to gain optimal benefit from reading the book. 2016 edition.

FREE Download

Gaining Ground with Good Soil Supplemental Teaching Resources - Download

A free set of teaching resources to be used in conjunction with the Leader's Guide for Gaining Ground with Good Soil. Resources designed to make class learning more enjoyable and more effective. 2016 edition.

Gaining Ground with Good Soil

Look Inside +

FREE Book for Cross-Cultural Missionaries

Gaining Ground with Good Soil is an evangelism and discipleship training narrative—a scaled-down version of the Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship seminar in a narrative format. The principles gained from this book are applicable for anyone wishing to serve God through Biblical evangelism and discipleship, but is especially instructive and helpful for cross-cultural missionaries.

The realistic, but fictional narrative, around which the book is developed, tells the story of a couple of missionaries who were frustrated and discouraged—to the point of almost giving up—because of their lack of success in evangelism and discipleship on their field. But, the “Good Soil” principles they learned from Bible study revolutionized their ministries. It will help you think through a theology of evangelism and discipleship and help you to present the gospel so that people will clearly understand it, sincerely embrace it, and firmly hold on to it.

Free instructional resources for individual and group study are also available for download. www.GoodSoil.com/FREE

If you are a cross-cultural missionary, with a USA shipping address, and will commit to reading this book, we will send you a FREE (and postage-free) copy of Gaining Ground with Good Soil.

More Good Soil Resources for Evangelism and Discipleship

Good Soil provides an entire toolbox of resources for personal evangelism and discipleship.

Good Soil Training and Resource Catalog

This downloadable PDF catalog is a quick reference to the many resources offered here at Good Soil Evangelism & Discipleship.

Look Inside +

For a complete overview of our Good Soil resources:

Download the Catalog Go to the Resources Page

Good Soil Missionaries Stories from Around the World

On Sunday, my husband preached some key Good Soil concepts, using a couple of PowerPoint slides. After the message, we were standing at the back of the church (in New Jersey) and an Indian man from Hindu background who works with the pastor's wife came up to us and said “May I get a copy of that scale; I think I'm a -11 and I want to chart my progress up the scale.“ No kidding! We just about fell over. John has emailed him the scale and we are working with the folks at the church to get him the Hope DVD.

Also, we began to see the main concepts slip away when we started using nationals as assistant teachers, so I have written a slide by slide teaching guide that has been translated into VN already.

Missionaries in a restricted access country

Last week, we attended Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship training, which included The Way to Joy discipleship workbook and The Story of Hope evangelistic Bible study workbook. I highly recommend these resources. The evangelistic study is especially good, as it covers the 40 most important events in the Bible so Bible study participants can capture the big picture, and also includes the Chronological Bridge to Life, which includes the eight essential concepts someone needs to grasp to be saved (God, Man, Sin, Death, Christ, Cross, Faith, Life). What really struck me is how I've often short-circuited the process of evangelism, skipping over key concepts or not explaining the story line of the Bible. In our culture here, you may get "decisiones" but the person may not have truly understood the gospel. The course was especially timely since I´m going to be teaching an evangelism course at church next week.

Jon, missionary in Colombia

Peter and I worked with Ruben, the pastor. He really wanted his people to receive this training and invited those from his church for a one day conference. He also invited people from two other churches as well. We had just over 30 in attendance. With only eight hours to teach, we condensed a lot of the sessions. The training that you gave us on thinking this way really helped and Peter laid out a very good flow for the day. We also were able to include Tony and his wife Maria who are just starting up New Tribes in South Africa. He shared his testimony as an example for the last activity, but also introduced the New Tribes video before we showed it and interacted afterwards in making the transition to Johannesburg. Afterwards we received comments like “I want to teach this in Sunday school” and “I never connected all these stories before” and “storying is very practical for this culture” and “I want to use this at work.” Pastor May even commented that he is going to start preaching this as a series in his church on Sunday evenings. This will help those in the church to use this tool as well in sharing the gospel. We are thankful that we had the opportunity to share it with different cultures and races. Represented were coloreds, blacks, English, Afrikaans, as well as people from Zimbabwe and Cameroon.

John Mark, missionary in South Africa

We held a two day Good Soil training event in the capital city in January for 15 M's in this restricted access country. Here is a letter we got today from the guy who spread the word among the M's (David): Just wanted you to know that two of our church planters attended the Good Soil seminar and learned so much. In fact, one of our teammates has been significantly more effective this semester and points to the seminar as the turning point. Thanks for making it happen!

M in a restricted access country of Southeast Asia

Just wanted to say thanks for all you are doing through Good Soil. The material wonderfully fills a definite need in the realm of evangelism and discipleship. I am in the process of completing an evangelism/discipleship manual for the Hmong people of the United States. As far as I have been able to determine, all the tools presently available for evangelizing the Hmong in their language (Four Spiritual Laws, Jesus Film, etc.) assume a certain level of Bible knowledge. After preparing the section on evangelism, I knew that a large piece of the puzzle was missing. The seminar clarified the problem for me and provided access to excellent tools for addressing the deficiency. May the Lord continue to richly bless your efforts for His glory.

Rick, missionary in North America

We just completed two days of training, using the Good Soil seminar material, with 20 Baptist pastors and evangelists. I used T__ and H__, two converts who are on their way to becoming pastors to help me teach it (and to get them trained). They were great. I turned down an invitation to teach it at a church in the capital city, but the pastor then invited T___ to do it (he is only 23), and I absolutely, unequivocally... APPROVE!

M in a restricted access country in Southeast Asia

In March our church planter in the North part of this restricted access country will conduct the first national to national training session in the country. This training session will be held in the province where a famous leader was born! In April we will be training a group of pastors and we have yet another convert (starts seminary next year) who will be organizing classes this summer in his home province. Thanks so much for the privilege of being involved in the Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship. We had so much fun teaching recently in Myanmar and India. We just love this class!

M’s in restricted access country in Southeast Asia

Some messages from believers in a restricted access country to the “m” who trained them:

We are doing our first Good Soil seminar in the north of our country very soon. It is sponsored by a licensed evangelical church, but it is still very secret, as the security police definitely WILL arrest us if they catch us. The northern branch of this denomination has a new leader who we met in another country last month. He is young, brave, and willing to work with us; very exciting! After that, we are teaching Good Soil to a group of foreign m’s located in the capital city of our country. They in turn will teach their partners in our country.

Keep up the good work! We are now getting Good Soil into a new denomination which has 200-300 little churches in the central highlands among tribal peoples. It will take a while, but it has begun.

Last night J___ did a 1.5 hour presentation for a youth group at a local church. A popular American approach to evangelism was really pushed here last year, but pastors are now realizing that it's not effective and does not produce lasting results. For example: Out of 100 "professions," maybe one person really got saved. Young people were getting discouraged. Enter Good Soil Evangelism. God has really set things up for us here! J___ just shared some basic ideas: chronological approach, investing time in relationships "peeling the onion,” which our young people loved. The result is we couldn't get out of there without the pastor, the youth leader and the elders getting us to commit to come back four more times to teach the whole course, and of course, they want notes. We know this is going to be big here. Everyone loves it.

Messages from believers to the missionary who trained them

I appreciate the material greatly! I was a part of the Good Soil Training in May. I will now be teaching my first Good Soil E&D seminar this September in Maine. Thank you for all that you have done and continue to do.

Phil, Biblical Ministries Worldwide, Owatonna, MN

The Roots of Faith courses were great because they elegantly tied all the small stories of the Bible into one large story. I can now go into any part of the Bible and immediately know where it fits into the context of the entire Bible.

Missionary to Cambodia

The Roots of Faith New Testament course brought visual chronology of the New Testament events together with application highlights and did an amazingly great job of taking you through the New Testament in a week’s time. As I did the follow-up reading of the Daily Bible in Chronological Order I was able to picture each event as they were taking place and it deepened my understanding of the New Testament. I especially appreciated the pictured event cards (since I am a very visual learner) as they have a left an imprint on my mind that I carry with me and that will stick with me!

Jen, pre-field missionary to Cambodia

The Roots of Faith is an excellent course. It is not just another evangelism course, it equips people to share the gospel in a chronological, Biblically precise way. Getting back to a Biblical gospel will reduce the many false conversion experiences that take place from using a feel-good, gospel message.

Jim, missionary to South Africa

The Roots of Faith is a great course! I think that I had most of the "puzzle pieces" from my years of Sunday school, Bible classes etc. but this course helped me put the pieces together into one big picture. Sometimes we can get lost in the details and lose sight of the big picture but this course helps us see the developing story of redemption in an exciting and interesting way! Highly recommend it!

Melissa, medical missionary to South America

We attended a week-long class, The Roots of Faith--New Testament. The course is based on God’s redemptive plan as it unfolds chronologically through the Old and New Testaments. This New Testament course is a continuation from the Roots of Faith--Old Testament. It continues the chronological study of the Bible and adds 13 additional eras and 50 New Testament events. It continues the development of theological concepts that are vital to ministry with Biblically illiterate unbelievers.

We cannot highly recommend this class enough! This class is available for anyone who wants to have a deeper knowledge of God’s Word and to be able to explain and teach it to others. While this course will help us to share the word of God with those in Liberia, it also prepares us right now. These courses are a great asset in having the foundational understanding for teaching The Story of Hope and The Way to Joy. We are also excited to go through and teach the material to our girls.

Gary & Michelle, missionaries in Liberia

Have been using the Good Soil materials fruitfully in Micronesia and Philippines. Thank you so much!

Richard, GDM Missions, Inc, St Petersburg, FL

Many exciting stories to share but suffice it to say at least two more souls are in the kingdom from our The Story of Hope Bible study - PTL! 'Jack' and 'Eric' both gave thanks for their new salvation last night during our study then we enjoyed a big meal of roast duck - closest kin to turkey here - new record attendance for the study, too - 24 for the lesson and dinner - crowded around the table, but rejoiced as each person shared how much they are grateful for what He has done for them this year.

Missionary in China

Recently the whole group of Portuguese language students accepted a Bible study!!! Praise God for that, for we have four people studying the scriptures. We would have five people, but one of the interested in partaking is Miss ___. She is the sister in law of our Hindu priest neighbor. We will have to work it out for her, because the study is held in our house every Monday at 6 pm. If she attends, her sister in law will see and she will be in trouble with the whole family. Miss ___ faithfully sneaks into our Bible study and prayer services. We would like to thank you for The Story of Hope books; they are being wonderfully used, and we would like to highlight that The Story of Hope is a great FIT for the Guyanese mindset. The studies show God’s attributes from the beginning. The emphasis that God is “One” is made clear for our Hindu Bible students. Praise God for all that is happening.

John, Brazilian missionary to Guyana

We took a box of Good Soil resources with us while reporting to churches all year and sold them all. They were prominently displayed in our presentation, both in the church ministry and counseling at the pregnancy care center.

Missionary couple who serve in Peru

Our people at Harmony Baptist Church have almost finished their training in using The Story of Hope and are very excited about it. One of the ladies who received the training has already led a person to Christ, while she was in China.

Dave, missionary in Hong Kong

The Story of Hope has been printed in Paraguay. Good Soil training has given believers an understanding why people here are not always ready to believe in Christ until they have knowledge of God's redemptive work since the beginning of time. Concepts in The Story of Hope are clearly understood by those who have minimal educational backgrounds. The Way to Joy provides spiritual building blocks for those who want to grow in their faith. Three in a family of five have trusted Christ and are soon to be baptized. The whole family continues studying The Way to Joy now that they have concluded the Story of Hope. The graphic pictures illustrating Biblical stories help people grasp the concepts clearly. The people in rural Paraguay are drawn to visual presentations of Scriptural truth. Thank you for giving us tools for evangelism and discipleship that are being used in the ministry in Paraguay. The harvest will come!

Paul, missionary to Paraguay

We held our fourth evangelistic camp (e-camp) for this year and our campers were 80 percent native Filipinos. We used The Story of Hope in our presentations. To make the long story short, out of 80 campers who attended, 38 professed to receive Christ during the camp. I praise and thank God for The Story of Hope. We plan to use The Story of Hope in our future e-camps, and follow-up camps as well.

Michael, Filipino in the Philippines

We have been able to print the chronological Bible study workbook, The Story of Hope, and it is being used in various studies, and people are growing and have received Christ through it.

Ron, missionary in Mexico City

Our church is using The Story of Hope extensively. We use the books in all of our mid-week home Bible study cell groups. The people love it. We also use it in our youth Bible club on Saturdays and we use it in our daughter church in Rancagua in a few home Bible studies. Brian recently took a number of the books to use in his church, Mike is using them in Southern Chile in the church there, Alejandro and the northern Chile team uses them a lot. An Adelphos missionary (Mario) sent out by our church recently has requested the books so that he can use them in his church ministry in Oro Verde, Argentina. God is using it!

Scott, missionary in Chile

I’m an ABWE missionary training others to use the story of hope.

Joan, Binghamton, NY

One of our seminary students is teaching work skills (sewing T-shirts, sweat suits, etc.) to mothers living in extreme poverty. He does this at a center operated by Kids Alive. He has been using The Story of Hope for a Bible study with them. There are 19 women, only five of them believers. In the conversation, he “complained” that he was having trouble moving ahead because the ladies had so many questions. I suggested that he limit the questions and handle them at another time. He said he tried that, and almost has a mutiny on his hands! The ladies are enjoying the material.

Today I spoke with the wife of one of our national pastors, and she said they are using The Story of Hope with very good response in their church cell groups. She said that he has been promoting it to other pastors, so we may see a growing interest.

Neil, missionary in Peru

For some time now we have prayed about how we could best help all those mothers (who attend our prenatal clinic) with small children who have difficulty getting to our Bible studies because of the long walking distances. Well, about two months ago we decided to take the Bible studies to them. We focused on three neighborhoods that were on the outskirts of our town and decided to invite the new moms who had made decisions through the prenatal ministry to join us in a Bible study called The Story of Hope. We found places near their homes where we could meet and then started weekly studies. The response has been so encouraging and we are thrilled at how God is touching lives.

Carolee, missionary in the interior of Brazil

We have, for several months, been studying The Story of Hope with a group of believers at our church. Our goal was to prepare them to present the gospel to English speaking people. Several of them work in contexts that are multi-national. We were to study the fifth lesson this last Sunday, but all that changed when we heard that Ageu, who works at a firm owned by East Indians, would be bringing an East Indian friend. His testimony paid off recently as he gave The Story of Hope to one of his colleagues. After reading a portion, the Indian friend expressed a need to have someone study with him, to which Ageu of course offered to help. This man had actually attended a school run by missionaries in India. He knows some about the Bible but is interested in knowing more. They have been talking about this for several weeks and were excited to hear that they could bring their wives and come study with us. So early Sunday morning, when we have our English evangelism class, two young couples were there. Hearing that they were coming, I told several of my regular students that we were going to go back to the first lesson for the sake of our new students. Now my Christian friends will see how we use the materials to evangelize! Things went very well in the class time as we covered most of the first lesson and part of the second: The Great Creator God and The Creation of Plants and Animals. One of them is wanting a "spiritual experience in Brazil," not understanding that they need a spiritual transformation. Also, another is a strict vegetarian due to her Hindu reincarnation convictions. So, when we talk about the unique creation of man in God's image it is extremely important to clarify the distinctions between God’s creation of mankind and animals.

Jerry, missionary in Brazil

In our last letter we asked you to pray for Ana as we were going through The Story of Hope with her. We are so excited to be able to tell you that your prayers were answered and she is now a member of the family of God. She recently started a new job and wrote in a message to us the following: “Now more than ever I want to continue with the Bible study and I have so much to thank God for because getting this new job can only be His doing.”

Jon & Marilyn, missionaries to Portugal

Debbie is teaching literacy to Rusta in our kitchen in Simbai. Rusta is a former criminal, but God has done a great work in his life. I taught him how to teach The Story of Hope (TSOH, a chronological story of the Bible in 40 lessons with 40 illustrated pictures.) It is an excellent evangelistic tool; and Rusta has been going all over the Simbai area teaching the Gospel! This is what our ministry is really all about – Teaching faithful men who shall be able to teach others also! (2 Tim. 2:2)

Bill & Debbie, missionaries in Papua New Guinea

I just wanted to let you know that I use The Story of Hope as discipleship material. I grew up in the church learning the Bible stories, but not really knowing how they fit together. It wasn't until I got to Bible college and took Bible Survey that the stories began to make sense. I've found since college that there are many more people out there like me. Though The Story of Hope is really a brief skim of Bible Survey it really is helpful to believers who have grown up in the church to understand the full story from more of a "bird's eye" perspective. I use the material to sort of make my students thirsty for further Bible Survey study of their own. For new believers, I don't skip this material and move right into The Way to Joy. I start with The Story of Hope and then go into The Way to Joy afterward. All that to say, I am so thankful for the material. Bible Survey is what I love teaching and TSOH is a really good place to start.

Stephanie, missionary aviator in Togo

By way of this e-mail, I'll give you good news about the Good Soil course we've been doing with The Story of Hope that we finished today. It was incredible for the people involved, who were blessed during the study. I can say that beside being a simple course, there were moments that God blessed through his Holy Spirit planting His Word deep in our hearts. And last night through the study, Jesus put one more flower in His garden, as my nephew Matthew repented of his sins and asked Jesus Christ to be the Lord and Savior of his life! And as I have been asking God, the study group will continue at my sister's house. We will continue to meet and grow in the faith we have in Jesus. Amen!!

Neto, in Brazil

I learned of Good Soil a few years ago while attending a conference on Bible Storying. I serve as the SBC Missionary to the Appalachia region (AL to NY) and the Delta region (states bordering the Mississippi River). I teach Bible Storying to pastors and ministry center directors and your materials are excellent. As a general rule, people in the USA who live in poverty are visual and the use of a picture in telling the story helps in better communicating the Biblical truth. You also have a planned path they can follow. Thank you for excellent materials to use in teaching the Word of God.

William Barker, ARM with NAMB, Hurricane, WV

We like the condensed version of the chronological Bible story timeline in Lesson One of The Way to Joy and the Chronological Bridge to Life in Lesson Two. The Way to Joy is very good for a new believer. Thank you for the labor of love you have put into it.

Missionaries in China

Sunday evening at our church Brazilian missionary Ronaldo gave a report to us on his ministry in the prisons. This fellow was quite a figure around here when he was behind bars, that is when they could keep him there: he escaped more than 20 times! He got saved through Pastor Jenuan's church and is currently starting his fourth year at our seminary in the missions course. He is supported by various churches for his ministry in the prisons. During this report he showed how he is using The Way to Joy materials.

Jerry, missionary in Brazil

On Good Friday, we had an evangelistic outreach and about 100 adults attended. I presented The Story of Hope slides in PowerPoint and it was wonderful. People were listening and said that they really enjoyed it. We had about 35 people fill out the visitor’s card and are interested in our visits.

Missionary in Nepal

Have been looking for appropriate materials for outreach to Bengali workers in Singapore. Looks like the PowerPoint slides might come in handy.

Daniel, Singapore

Great training and materials. In addition to training pastors and missionaries to learn and teach this, a basic course should be standard training for all Christian workers as well as new disciples and church members.

Ed, missionary to Eastern Europe

We checked over your Adventures in The Story of Hope and love it! Our children have never had Biblical teaching, so we want to lay a firm foundation in their lives and this curriculum is perfect for it. We started using it last Sunday and are looking forward to seeing what God does with it.

Paulichens - Missionaries to Uruguay

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Previous entries

Good Soil Stories from Missionaries

Stories

Good Soil Helps Bring Hope to Poland

How do you clearly communicate the gospel in a country that prides itself on being very religious and moral? A country where over 90% of the 38 million inhabitants identify as Roman Catholics, but have no real understanding of God’s redemptive plan and very limited Bible knowledge? While on their pre-field journey to become missionaries in just such a country, Ed and Leslie Schick were introduced to the Good Soil Evangelism and Discipleship (GSED) training and the evangelism resource, The Story of Hope (TSOH). They immediately thought – This is what we need for our ministry in Poland to help train those in Polish churches in meaningful and relevant evangelism...

Congregational Warmth: Developing a Culture of Authentic Hospitality: 5th Essential for a TRULY Evangelistic Church

A church that doesn’t warmly “embrace” its visitors can’t be TRULY evangelistic.

Stories

Good Soil Training Energizes Togo Ministry Partner

When Germain Fayosseh came to ABWE headquarters for the Good Soil Evangelism & Discipleship (GSED) seminar and trainer certification in May of 2018, his enthusiasm was contagious. Dr. Sharon Rahilly, the director of ABWE’s nursing schools in Togo, had encouraged and provided for him to come and he was overflowing with joy and thankfulness. “The opportunity of a lifetime,” he told us. “This is exactly what I need for my ministry of evangelism and training and equipping church leaders, nursing students, and other believers back in Togo.” Even though English is not his first language, he listened and participated fully, and left with as many French copies of The Story of Hope that weight restrictions for his suitcase permitted...

Stories

Good Soil Plays Key Role in Planting and Growing a Colombian Church

“I’m Catholic and not interested in a new church or religion.” Jose had come to the Saturday night Bible study to get his friend, who would not quit inviting him, off his back. He wanted Dan Mee, the missionary leading the study, to know that this was a one-time thing. Dan warmly welcomed him and handed him a copy of The Story of Hope, praying that the study of God’s Word would have an impact on his life.