A tool for learning about the biblical and theological foundations of world missions
Based on material in chapter 2 of Discovering Missions by Gailey and Culbertson
Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book? If not, then use this online PDF of Discovering Missions to find the answers!
Word document with puzzle grid
| ACROSS | |
|---|---|
| 3 | A Hebrew word meaning "peoples" that appears hundreds of times in the Old Testament |
| 4 | God's covenant with this man included the promise that through him "all peoples on earth will be blessed" |
| 6 | What King Solomon built as a place of worship for all peoples, not only those born as Hebrews |
| 7 | The number of language groups represented among those who heard the gospel on the Day of Pentecost |
| 8 | What Paul's missionary strategy reminds us we need to do with the gospel message |
| DOWN | |
| 1 | The Old Testament prophet often described as a reluctant—even obstinate—missionary |
| 2 | The place where God made a covenant with His people and called them "a kingdom of priests" (Exodus 19:6; compare 1 Peter 2:9) |
| 5 | The kind of people for whom we need to look if we follow the pattern of Paul's missionary strategy |
— Howard Culbertson, hculbert@snu.edu
Based on material in the book Discovering Missions by Charles Gailey and Howard Culbertson, published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (now known as The Foundry).
Can crossword puzzles be effective educational tools?
The Christian world evangelism movement is well rooted in biblical and theological principles. Jesus' Great Commission is the central motivator. In the Great Commission, Jesus tells His followers, "Therefore go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This mandate speaks to the gospel's universality. It makes sharing the gospel with all ethnolinguistic groups an imperative. From the Old Testament onward, the Bible repeatedly calls God's people to bear witness to the far corners of the earth. At least 200 Bible verses provide us with a rationale for global evangelism.
The belief in the transformative power of the gospel to redeem people everywhere fuels the fervor behind evangelism efforts. Understanding humanity's need for reconciliation with God, as articulated in Romans 3:23–24, should also motivate Christians to share the Good News worldwide. Furthermore, the label missio Dei, or God's mission, reminds us that evangelism is not merely a human activity. Rather, we are participants in God's work of redemption and reconciliation.
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"What a fun way to ensure memory and comprehension! Thank you so much for sharing this activity! I did manage to get them all right with minimal reference to the text which is very encouraging." — Mandie M., Nazarene Bible College student