ROLE OF WORLDVIEW AS A FOUNDATION FOR CBS

Worldview Definition Profile of the way people l i v e l i v e a c t a c t t h i n k t h i n k w o r k w o r k r e l a t e r e l a t e within a specific culture. within a specific culture.

Worldview Definition It is a "map" of a culture's social, religious, economic and political views and relationships.

Worldview Anthropologists refer to the process of constructing a worldview as an "ethnographic interview" or ethnographic study of a people. An ethnography is a description of the behavior and lifestyle of a people— a community, a society, or a culture.

Role of Worldview 1 Foundation to understanding 2 Contrasts (especially with Christianity) 3 Major issues identified 4 Barriers & bridges to the gospel identified 5 Basis for biblical doctrine & lesson objectives 6 Themes, issues & story selection 7 Understand gospel implications 8 Learning scale & gospel receptivity scale 9 Avoid syncretism

Role of Worldview 1. Foundation to understanding The basic aim for identifying a person’s worldview is to know how to tell or share Christ’s story with the lost person in light of their worldview so the Gospel will make sense to them. Basic witness demands that we understand the worldview of the target people.

Worldview 1. Foundation to understanding Therefore, a witness learns the target people’s worldview so they will be better prepared to present Christ’s claims, to know what specific issues should be covered in discipleship and how to train pastors to serve within the setting of that worldview.

Worldview 2. Contrasts (especially with Christianity) A worldview analysis will help determine the particular views of a people and contrast them with other people’s worldviews and the Christian worldview specifically

Worldview 3. Major issues identified It is necessary to know a target people’s worldview in order to identify the issues that need to be addressed in order for the presentation of the gospel to be relevant to their context. It is necessary to know a target people’s worldview in order to identify the issues that need to be addressed in order for the presentation of the gospel to be relevant to their context.

Worldview 4. Barriers & bridges to the gospel identified It is necessary to know a target people’s worldview in order to identify and list the bridges and barriers that should be addressed if Christianity is to have the opportunity of impacting the people’s worldview

Worldview 5. Basis for biblical doctrine & lesson objectives To serve as the basis for combining the worldview and the essential biblical truths in developing lesson plans with specific objectives to be accomplished during biblical presentations

Worldview 6. Themes, issues & story selection Knowledge of a people group’s worldview is essential in isolating the themes that are relevant, determining the issues that are vital, and selecting the Bible stories that will address these.

Worldview 7. Understand gospel implications To impact the target group’s worldview so that individuals can have a chance to understand the Gospel and consider Christ as a legitimate alternative.

Worldview 8. Learning scale & gospel receptivity scale Understanding a worldview is essential to know where to position the people group on a learning scale and a gospel receptivity scale as a part of the process of targeting them

Worldview 9. Avoid syncretism Learning a people group’s worldview is essential to prepare presentations that will help the recipients avoid syncretism should the people prove positive toward the Gospel of Christ.

Worldview Development Steps 1 Research 2 Map 3 Demographic Information 4 Conduct Study 5 Worldview Document (people profile) 6 Christianity Comparison 7 Consider other issues including these categories: Individual The Supernatural, Religious Family HabitsEconomy & Vocations Social HabitsCultural Structures, etc.

Worldview Issue Barrier?Bridge? Doctrinal Teaching Worldview Development Analysis & Response

Worldview Issue Barrier?Bridge? Doctrinal Teaching Worldview Development Analysis & Response IgnoranceApathy Cultural Tradition Former Beliefs & Practices Other Religious Teachings Nominalism Fear of Persecution Fear of Losing Material & Social Benefits Fear of Disturbing Community Harmony Fear of Disturbing Spirit World Misinformation about Christianity, Biases

Worldview Issue Barrier?Bridge? Doctrinal Teaching Worldview Development Analysis & Response DreamsBrokennessTestimonies Cultural Stories Relief Need Moral or Spiritual Desire Media Exposure Curiosity Prior Knowledge of God, Jesus, Christianity Christianity Other Analogies

Sample of Basic Christian Doctrines Necessary for Salvation 1God acts in history and communicates with man. 2God is all powerful, all knowing, sovereign. 3God is faithful to His word. 4God loves man and wants fellowship with him. 5God hates sin. 6God punishes sin by death (separation from God). 7Man is accountable to God. 8Man is a sinner separated from God. 9Man can do nothing to save himself. 10 Man can approach (have fellowship with) God only through a perfect (acceptable sacrifice. This only through a perfect (acceptable sacrifice. This involves faith and trust in God. involves faith and trust in God. 11 Jesus the Son of God is the only perfect sacrifice.