LEAD E R’ S GU ID E
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Acknowledgements The first edition of Discovering Jesus was originally launched in 2014 and so it is with honour, appreciation and a grateful heart that we thank all those who contributed to the original resource. Your prayers, encouragement and commitment helped lay a foundation that continues to bear fruit. Thank you to the original authors, Clive Thorne and Robin Thomson, and to all those who contributed to previous editions. More than a decade later, we have prayerfully sought to discern what is needed for this season. Our desire is that this course will be truly accessible – whether to those who are encountering Jesus for the very first time or to those who have already begun to know Him. We thank Interserve and Fusion for partnering with us on this so generously. Above all, we give glory and thanks to Jesus, whose wisdom, guidance and unfailing love continue to inspire and sustain this work. It is our prayer that Discovering Jesus will be a blessing to many, opening the way for countless lives to experience His transforming love and hope for the future.
First edition published by The Good Book Company 2014 © South Asian Forum of the Evangelical Alliance 2025 Evangelical Alliance, 176 Copenhagen Street, London, N1 0ST Unless indicated, all Scripture references are taken from the HOLY BIBLE, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION. Copyright © 1979, 1984, 2011 by Biblica. Used by permission. Images in this booklet are stock photos; the people pictured are used for illustrative purposes only. Design by danielwatsondesign.co.uk eauk.org/discoveringjesus
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4 Introduction and background information 6 Course objectives 7 Who is this course for? 8 What you will need to run this course 9 What each session looks like 11 Tips for leaders 15 How to continue for those who are interested 17 The sessions: •
How to set up the space for groups
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Individuals and safeguarding
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Cultural awareness – the dos and don’ts
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Material reading/watching videos before the session
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Preparing a meal
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During the session
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In between sessions
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After the course finishes
20 A brief introduction to the main Asian religions, beliefs and geography
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COURSE OBJECTIVES
The four aims of the course are to:
01 Give space for people to explore
fundamental questions about who Jesus is.
02 Help people journey with Jesus in a safe and non-pressurised environment.
03 Clarify and deal with misconceptions about Christian belief.
04 Introduce people to the gospel
message and inspire further discussion. This course can be with friends, neighbours, colleagues, family members or other contacts in a variety of ways, whether online, in a small group, in a bigger group or in church. You can go through the Discovering Jesus course over a cup of co!ee, or you could invite people to join you on a full structured course. You can use it with individuals or with groups, according to your situation.
“We are in a time of an awakening to who Jesus is. People are encountering Jesus in all kinds of ways and are recognising that the world cannot offer the freedom and love Jesus does. I’d encourage anyone using this resource to be comfortable with the assurance that the Lord will lead and guide your conversations. We have done the ‘hard work’ so hopefully you don’t have to. We want to allow people to come as they are – real and raw, whilst we remain open and ready for what the Holy Spirit wants to do during the time you are together. So don’t overthink it; it doesn’t need to be perfect – just honest and humble. We are there to serve.” – Rani Joshi, South Asian Forum co-ordinator.
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WHO IS THIS COURSE FOR? This course is for anyone exploring the Christian faith from an Asian background (South Asian, Southeast Asian and East Asian) who may come from Hinduism, Islam, Sikhism, Buddhism, Jainism including those who may consider themselves atheists, agnostic and/or practising New Age beliefs. It’s for those who want to discover who Jesus really is as they explore their own spiritual journey. The course is designed to help people, from other faiths and none, understand key biblical truths about Jesus, His resurrection, life, death, salvation, freedom and forgiveness. It’s best used in groups but can also be used with individuals in a one-to-one setting.
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