CULTURE SPECIFIC EVANGELISM 201

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Purpose of this class

Develop an understanding of cultural specific evangelism, learning principles that will assist in presenting a non-western cultural gospel within the Japanese cultural context.

Course Requirements:

Completion of CSE 101

Course Description:

This eight-week study program builds on the principles introduced in CSE 101. There will be a specific study emphasis on Japan and Japanese culture.

Format for Course:

1. Reading:

*From Buddha to Jesus by Steve Cioccolanti, Monarch Books, Available at Amazon
*Sharing the Good News with the Japanese: A Cross-cultural Consideration, by Arthur Rouzer
* Supplamental Reading (Not Required): Shinto: The Gospel’s Gate by Brian T. McGregor, Amazon

Material from the internet:

i. Japan-Guide $0.00
ii. The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game, Japan Supplement,
iii. Operation Japan, CD version is now available from Don Wright. This is an updated version for $5 and linked with the internet. It includes pictures and greatly expanded content. Request for Operation Japan CD

2. Listening & Viewing:

* Weekly Introductory videos by Daniel Kikawa
* RJC Audio Tapes–One Lecture at RJC Audio
– Christian Matsuri
* One panel presentation, Cultural Barriers to the Gospel, Panel from International RJC 2009
2. God’s Fingerprints in Japan, #1 and #2. Order from Aloha Ke Akua Ministries

3. Practical Application:

Interview: Two interviews with Japanese and one with a non-Japanese. If a Japanese person is not available, a contact will be provided.

4. Writing:

Weekly Observations: Due every Saturday by 11:59 pm on “What I Have Learned.” This will be submitted on-line and posted on www.rjcnetwork.org, accessible by password only.
Students will read other students’ weekly observations and make comments.

5. Attend two Conference Call Discussions.

Planned for the beginning and end of the course.

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CLASS SCHEDULE

Session 1

Japanese Religion

* View Week One Video.
* Read Religion in Japan Wikipedia
* Read A Guide to Japanese Buddhism by Buddhanet.
* Participate in a telephone conference call. The call will help to get acquainted with the students, explain procedures and answer any questions.

Session 2

Understanding Japanese Thinking

* View Week Two Video.
* Read Sharing the Good News with the Japanese (’12 Christmas Edition), by Arthur Rouzer. This Sharing the Good News with the Japanese powerpoint is helpful as your read the presentation.
* Interview at least one Japanese (preferably a non-Christian) and discuss his/her understanding of the different meanings of “god (kami).
* Post Observations.

Session 3

Cross Cultural Thinking

* View Week Three Video.
* Finish reading Sharing the Good News with the Japanese: A Cross-cultural Consideration by Arthur Rouzer.
* Review the games in The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game.
* Read the Questions for Cross Culture Game related to Japanese Culture
* Create three new questions for “Questions for The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game related to Japanese culture.”
* Add your questions to the “Questions for The Cross-Cultural Evangelism Game related to Japanese culture,” and play with a group.
* Post Observations.

Session 4

God’s fingerprints in Japan

* View Week Four Video
* View God’s Fingerprints in Japan #1
* View God’s Fingerprints in Japan #2
* Share the DVDs with at least one Japanese and get their impressions.
* Read From Buddha to Jesus (Ch 1-9, Pg. 1-76). This book comes from the conversion experience of a Thai person. Although Japanese Buddhism and Thai Buddhism differ in many ways, the principles of the book are helpful for us as we seek to share Jesus with Japanese people.
* Interview Japanese Christians and non-Christians concerning their understanding of Buddhism.
* Post Observations.

Session 5

Budhism, Part 1

* View Week Five Video
* Read From Buddha to Jesus (Ch. 10-18, Pg. 77-134).
* Interview Japanese Christians and non-Christians concerning their understanding of Buddhism.
* Post Observations.

Session 6

Budhism, Part 2: Japanese Religion

* View Week Six Video
* Read From Buddha to Jesus (Ch. 19-26, Pg. 135-203)
* Japanese Religion and A Guide to Japanese Buddhism The same assignment was included on Week One, so use this as a chance to finish the reading, or review it.
* Listen to Christian Matsuri.
* Post Observations.

Session 7

Overcoming cultural barriers in Japan

* View Week Seven Video
*Read From Buddha to Jesus (Ch. 27-Addendix, Pg. 204-254)
* Review the material, and finish any incomplete reading, listening and viewing assignments.
* RJC Audio Tape– Panel-“Cultural Barriers to the Gospel” from International RJC 2009
* Post Observations.

In your eyes, what are the biggest obstacles in Japanese culture, religion, protocols, thinking, etc. that prevent the Japanese from realizing the God of the Bible is their God and not a foreign God? How can we overcome these by using Culture Specific Evangelism?

In your eyes, what needs to change for the Japanese to see that becoming a Christian is not rejecting their family, ancestors, culture and being Japanese to become more foreign, but is Coming Home to the ultimate fulfillment of being Japanese? How would you change this?

Session 8

Review

* Review the material, and finish any incomplete reading, listening, writing and viewing assignments.
* Post Observations and applications from your learning.
* Participate in a final telephone conference call.

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