TERM Seminar: I realized how much the world really has changed

TERM Seminar in Coeur d'Alene, ID

I realized how much the world really has changed… we really can’t just assume people are biblically literate—even those who attend our church every week. I’m going to talk to church leadership about how we can use these tools for outreach… and also with everyone who is already in our church.” – Fletcher, 2015 TERM participant

Fletcher was enthusiastic as he shared with us his evangelism plans. Having finished the one-day TERM Seminar in Coeur d’Alene, Idaho, he had caught the vision of how it was possible for an ordinary believer like himself to reach the people in his community with the gospel. He had come to see that in today’s world, believers needed to rethink how to share the unchanging gospel in a way that makes sense to people with little or no knowledge about the Bible.

Fletcher was among 100 attendees who were at the first of our seven seminars being held across the USA this fall. Some of the participants lived right in town. Others came from as far away as Libby, Montana and Seattle, Washington. But the ones who travelled the farthest were those of a church group from British Columbia, Canada!

Presented by John Cross and Scott Humphreys, the seminar sessions explored why many believers were uncertain and nervous about sharing the gospel. Then turning to Scripture, the presenters looked to see how the good news was shared with seekers, the confused and the hardened. The attendees were taught the power of the historical narrative and how Scripture, when taught from creation to Christ, can be what God uses to change a person’s worldview.

Besides Fletcher, we’ve heard from a number of the participants since the seminar:

I already have a study going with a young man who doesn’t know much about the Bible but has been coming to church. I’m glad I have the visual aids and that God has given me an opportunity to teach so soon.” – Ben

When my wife and I came to the TERM Seminar, we didn’t have a good plan of what to teach the college-aged group at our church. But now, having seen how important it is to help people understand the historical narrative of the Bible, we are planning to use the Worldview Rethink curriculum. The By This Name leader’s guide, videos, and visual aids give everything we need to get started.” – Daren

What you taught at the Seminar inspired me to take a step of faith… At the nursing home where my mother lives, I gave one of her caretaker friends By This Name and another The Stranger on the Road to Emmaus as gifts. They were so happy to receive them. Now I’m praying for them and looking forward to chatting with them as they read through the books.” – Hanna

We already started reading through By This Name with our three children. They have been really engaged and are asking great questions. We want our children to grow up understanding the gospel from creation to Christ… it’s such an important foundation for them to have!” – Jordynn

We have decided to reduce the hours we work to free up a couple of evenings each week. We bought the Worldview Rethink curriculum, and are praying, asking God to fill that time with opportunities to guide a course with two couples who are friends of ours who are not yet believers.” – Percy

My husband I talked about the visual aids and how they were used at the TERM Seminar… Especially the one with the Passover. Even though I’ve read it many times, the 3D visual aid made it so clear—just as the lamb died in the place of the first born, so Jesus died in our place, as our substitute. It was a powerful connection for me.” – Madison

We’re planning to offer By This Name as a course at our home on Sunday evenings, as one of the small groups offered at our church.” – Cary

We are encouraged to see how the participants are now looking for opportunities to share the gospel. Pray with us that they will develop a lifelong lifestyle of sharing the good news.

There are still six seminars ahead. If you, your family, small group or church leaders are seeking a time of training in evangelism and discipleship, do consider signing up for a TERM Seminar.