G O D ’ S T R E E O F L I FE ___________________________

A THREE-DAY COURSE ON GRASS ROOTS MINISTRY PARTNERSHIP GOD’S DESIGN FOR  Us, the world around us, and our place in eternity  Our relationships and working together in partnership  Through partnership, see transformation around us – spiritual, economic, social, and our place in society

visionSynergy/Scriptures in Use January 2014

For more information: www.visionsynergy.net Tim Brown, Associate Director of Oral Partnership Development [email protected]

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GOD’S TREE OF LIFE PARTNERSHIP FOR SALVATION, FOR WHOLENESS, FOR TRANSFORMATION This course has two objectives: 1) Helping grass roots church leaders come to know more about who we are in Christ: how we are made in His image and how this relates to who we are as individuals, families and communities. 2) Helping God's people understand the great, powerful, practical value of working together and the skills needed to effectively work together in Partnership. It is specifically designed to encourage and empower believers and their local fellowships and churches to work together for four purposes:  To reach the people and villages around them with the Good News of Jesus.  To develop means for long-term economic sustainability.  To transform their lives, their communities, and those communities around them in health, education, and other essential services for daily living.  To deal with social justice – the political and social forces that normally resist the freedom and expression of people who have long been marginalized. THIS COURSE HAS TWO LONG-RANGE GOALS FOR BELIEVERS AT THE GRASS ROOTS LEVEL: 1) That they will be encouraged and challenged with what they can do as their local fellowships work together in partnership vs. what they cannot do when trying to act alone. And that God will greatly bless them personally, their communities, their relationship with others, and their standing in their communities as they work together. 2) That as believers and local churches work together in partnership more people will come to Christ sooner and the believers' lives and their villages will be transformed. __________________________________________________ THE THEME, GOD’S TREE OF LIFE, COMES FROM THE BIBLICAL STORY OF THREE TREES: Tree #1: The Tree of Death. Genesis 3:22-24 Adam and Eve made a terrible mistake by eating from the first tree, the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil. That sin affected everything in God’s design:  Our relationship with Him.  Our relationship with ourselves.  Our relationship with others.  Our relationship with God’s creation around us.  Our relationship with eternity. When Adam and Eve disobeyed, their sin kept them and us from ever having access to the other tree in the Garden of Eden, the Tree of Life. Now alienated (separated) from God’s design at all levels, man was completely lost. Tree # 2: The Tree of Redemption. Luke 23:26-49 Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection was God’s plan for dealing with the terrible alienation and separation caused by Adam and Eve’s sin. Jesus’ death had been predicted long before in the Old Testament, and He consistently told His disciples that His death on the cross would ultimately be His glory. On the Tree of Calvary, Satan was defeated, our salvation was won, and hope was forever placed in our hearts.

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Jesus’ resurrection confirmed His victory over death. His death on the Tree of Calvary and His resurrection three days later became the second tree – the great tree at the center of man’s history, the Tree of Redemption. Tree # 3: The Tree of Restoration. Revelation 22:1-5, 12-16 The third tree is the final symbol of God’s great grace and His promise to all those who believe in and follow Jesus. Because of Jesus’ sacrifice on the second tree, we will be completely restored in the New Heaven and New Earth. All things will become new; there will be no more tears, death, sickness, or grief. In God’s promise, we at last have access again to the Tree of Life. God’s intention from the beginning was to give us access to all good things. Only our sin and pride interrupted His blessing. Jesus’ death on the Tree of Calvary and His following resurrection give us access to the eternal Tree of Life. The circle of redemption is complete as we enter Heaven and, for the first time since the Garden of Eden, have access to the Tree of Life. What amazing Good News! This course is about understanding that we are not victims but stewards empowered by God’s grace and strength. He wants to restore us as individuals, families, and communities, and give us lives that are healthy and full of hope. In this course we will come to know these stories and be able to apply them in practical ways to our families and communities. Who Should Attend This Training Course? The purpose of this course is to help every member of the Body of Christ to understand God's will, and to adequately train and equip each person to understand the importance of working together to help every member develop to his/her full potential. Due to the limited amount of resources available, however, we must set out some guidelines about who should be invited to attend this training course. The final decision must rest with each organization that chooses to teach this course. It is recommended that no more that 25-35 people attend each training event. We recommend that you include a balanced mix of the following people for this course: 1. Local Believers. Invite a maximum of 25 people who have been faithful to the Lord and have shown some interest in serving and helping others. They do not need to be literate in order to attend this course. 2. Mentors/Coaches. Invite a minimum of 6-8 people who can read well enough to assist those who do not read. Invite those who have shown the capacity to teach new stories to non-reading believers. They will be called upon to check the efforts of others to memorize Bible stories and check for accuracy in small groups. They will be asked to help develop dialogue. They will also be asked to encourage believers to continue to repeat their Bible stories so that they do not forget them. 3. Local Trainers for God's Tree of Life. Invite a minimum of 6-8 people who can read well enough to follow the instructions in this manual. They will be called upon from time to time to repeat this training to other local believers in their area or region. If people like this do not exist in the beginning, then you must help develop and train those who have shown they are faithful to the Lord in their manner and way of life. It is very important to the long-term health and well being of the local church that local trainers in the area are available to teach this course on an annual or semi-annual basis. Mentors and coaches can also serve as local trainers. 4. Master Trainers. The spread of the Gospel to every part of your region depends on well-trained Master Trainers. The primary purpose of a Master Trainer is to equip and train local people to teach God's Tree of Life to others in the local church. 5. Lead Trainers. Lead trainers have one primary responsibility. They must train, coach and mentor Master Trainers of God's Tree of Life across regional and national levels. 2

God’s Tree of Life Schedule Day 1 – God’s Design 8:30 – 10:30 Welcome, Introduction, Overview 10:30 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 12:30 God’s Design 12:30 – 1:30 Lunch 1:30 – 3:00 Lesson 1 – The Tree of Life 3:00 – 3:30 Break 3:30 – 6:00 Lesson 1 – The Tree of Life (continued) Day 2 – Partnership Principles 8:30 – 9:30 Lesson 2 – Trusting Relationships 9:30 – 10:30 Lesson 3 – Working Together 10:30 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 12:00 Lesson 4 – Vision 12:00 – 1:00 Lesson 5 – Implement Vision 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 2:00 – 3:00 Lesson 6 – Prayer 3:00 – 4:00 Lesson 7 – A Committed Coordinator 4:00 – 4:30 Break 4:30 – 5:30 Lesson 8 – Celebrate! Day 3 – Partnership Application 8:30 – 9:30 Lesson 9 – Church Planting/Evangelism 9:30 – 10:30 Lesson 10 – Economic Sustainability 10:30 – 11:00 Break 11:00 – 12:00 Lesson 11 – Community Development 12:00 – 1:00 Lesson 12 – Social Justice 1:00 – 2:00 Lunch 2:00 – 4:00 Lesson 13 - Group Project 4:00 – 5:00 Closing Celebration

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God’s Tree of Life and Its Fruit God’s Design For Me, For The Church, As We Work Together, For Transformation Day 1: Introduction/Course Overview

Lesson Time: 2 hours

Welcome/introductions: Suggestion: Maximum 15 minutes.  Staff and teaching team.  Course participants: Share name; location of where they reside or work; if they are with a ministry or Christian organization, what is that ministry; and why they decided to be part of this course. Prayer: Suggestion: 10 minutes for small group prayers. The group breaks into small groups of no more than 3-4 people. Pray for:  God’s blessing on the course.  That each participant will take home valuable, practical ideas and skills.  One personal prayer request from each person in the small group. 1. Bible Verses/Reason for this course John 17:20-23 My prayer is not for them alone. I pray also for those who will believe in me through their message, that all of them may be one, Father, just as you are in me and I am in you. May they also be in us so that the world may believe that you have sent me. I have given them the glory that you gave me, that they may be one as we are one: I in them and you in me. May they be brought to complete unity to let the world know that you sent me and have loved them even as you have loved me. God commands us to live and work together in Unity! 2. Course Content and Application: Suggestion: 20 minutes for this overview. The course content will focus on four areas:  A Biblical Christian worldview – how knowing who we are in Christ changes everything.  Working together in partnership for evangelism and church planting in our regions.  Working together in partnership for sustainable economic health in our families, local church, and village or region.  Working together in partnership for improved social conditions in matters areas such as health, clean water, and education.  Working together for social justice to deal with religious persecution and other forms of injustice.

Evangelism and Church Planting

Economic Development

Social Conditions

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Social Justice

_____________________________________ Course Model of Partnership Throughout the course we encourage using a “model” (example) of an Indian pin code region (or district) of approximately 100 villages. In this region assume that there are about 15 villages where ‘oral Bible churches’ have been started. At each stage of the course we want to always ask ourselves, “How can the people in these 15 churches work together in partnership?” to:  Do evangelism and church planting among the other 85 villages.  Strengthen economic conditions in the lives of believers and the 15 villages where churches exist.  Improve social conditions in those same villages.  Strengthen believers’ ability in those villages to deal with social justice issues.  In demonstrating the power of Christ as God's people work together in the 15 village churches be a witness, inspiration, and blessing to the other 85 villages. 

Suggestion: Ask each course participant to describe their region -- district, pin code, panchyat. How many villages are in the region; how many have local churches; to what extent are the leaders or people in those church already talking to or working with each other? During the training, encourage participants to always think about applying the course ideas to their own, home situation. _______________________________________________

3. Tell African Story in appendix or a local story that illustrates working together. Suggestion: Break into small groups of 3-4 and ask the following questions:  What were the main ideas you take from this story?  What were the principal reasons they people in this village had success in transformation?  What would it take in your village or community to have a similar experience? Have each group report back with their ideas. 4. What Has Been Your Personal Partnership Experience? Suggestion: Have 4-5 individuals from the full class speak from their experience. Maximum 10 minutes. Have you ever been part of a project in your home area – with your friends, church, or others – in which you tried to work together? Was it a good or bad experience? Why? 5. Partnerships and Working Together at the Town or Village Level Suggestion: Participants share their experience in small groups of 3-4. Have each group share one example with the full class. Maximum 20 minutes. Are there any examples of partnership or people working together for a common cause in your home area? What is the purpose of the group? How effective has the group been? Are there problems or issues in your home area for which working together in partnership could really help deal with the problem? Give examples. Exercise: Divide the class into three groups. Assign each group one of the three tree stories in the Bible (Gen. 3:22-24, Luke 23:26-49, Rev. 22:1-5, 12-14). Have each group prepare a mini-drama of the story they read, acting out what happened in the story. Focus on short dramas of 2-3 minutes in length. Give the groups 20 minutes to prepare. Total time for this exercise should be around 30 minutes.

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Optional Course Overview You do not have to try to cover this in a regular class session. You may suggest that the participants join in smaller groups after classes conclude and have someone read this with them.

Key Ideas: 1) In the Garden of Eden, because of man’s sin of eating the fruit of the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil, he was denied access to the fruit of the Tree of Life (Gen. 3:22-24). 2) Jesus death on the tree of Calvary and His resurrection restores our relationship with God, with each other, and with eternity (Luke 23:26-49). 3) We know this because in Heaven (Revelation 22:1-5, 12-14) we finally have access once again to the Tree of Life because of our relationship with Jesus. As believers here on earth, Jesus power produces fruit in us through His Spirit – He IS the Tree of Life. This course closely relates to the core ideas and skills taught in the Communication Bridges To Oral Cultures training courses. However, for the local church to be sustainable and growing in maturity and good works, we need to understand and be able to train others in these key fruit that flow from God’s Tree of Life:  Fruit: God’s view of myself, others, and creation around me.  Fruit: God’s view of the healthy Church.  Fruit: God’s view of our working together in partnership.  Fruit: God’s view of transforming life and society around us. Understanding and training others in each of these areas will make our local fellowships (churches) stronger, our lives together more effective, and empower us to greatly improve the living, health, economic, educational and other circumstances in our villages, towns, and the regions around us. Bible verse: Genesis 1:31a “And God looked at everything He had made and it was very good.” Day One: God’s Design – What We Believe 1. 2 Hour: Introduction 2. 6 Hours: Fruit: A healthy, strong worldview.  We are made in His image.  We are designed to live in harmony with God and our community.  We have dominion over all things.  We are to have whole relationships.  We are to be fruitful and have great abundance.  We are to have confidence as we live in innocence without shame. Day Two: Kingdom Partnership – How We Work Together 3. 8 Hours: Fruit: Working effectively together in partnership. We are created to live and work in relationships. There is special power in working together.  Trust of God and each other is essential for working together.  It is a great vision that powers our work together.  Prayer is essential for effective work together.  We must establish clear objectives that can be accomplished as we work together.  There must be someone that helps and encourages us to work together.  When we meet our goals together, we need to celebrate together. Day Three: Transformation – The Results of Working Together 4. 5 Hours: Fruit: Transformation of our communities spiritually, economically, socially, and without fear and persecution, together.  Evangelism/church planting – in partnership.  Economic sustainability – in partnership.  Community development – in partnership.  Dealing with persecution – in partnership. 5. 2 Hours: Group project 6. 1 Hour: Closing Celebration

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God’s Tree of Life Seminar What We Believe Day 1- Lesson 1

Lesson Time: 4 hours

Opening prayer 1. Bible verses: Rev. 22:1-5, Rev. 22:12-14 (5 minutes) “Then the angel showed me the river of the water of life, as clear as crystal, flowing from the throne of God and of the Lamb down the middle of the great street of the city. On each side of the river stood the tree of life bearing twelve crops of fruit, yielding its fruit every month. And the leaves of the tree are for the healing of the nations. No longer will there be any curse. The throne of God and of the Lamb will be in the city, and his servants will serve him. They will see his face, and his name will be on their foreheads. There will be no more night. They will not need the light of a lamp or the light of the sun, for the Lord God will give them light. And they will reign for ever and ever.” "Behold, I am coming soon! My reward is with me, and I will give to everyone according to what he has done. I am the Alpha and the Omega, the First and the Last, the Beginning and the End. Blessed are those who wash their robes, that they may have the right to the tree of life and may go through the gates into the city.” 2. Introduction to the principle: (10 minutes) This is an image of God’s vision for the End of Days: the healing of the Nations, a vision of hope for the future, and a time of great rejoicing and thanksgiving. 3. Learning objectives:  Each student/participant will memorize the story and internalize the message in each of the 5 segments. We will accomplish this through memorization and repetition.  Provide each participant with an opportunity to interact with the story and participate in guided discussions about the story.  Develop an adequate opportunity for each participant to experience a worldview change of heart through the telling of the stories and the 6 dialogue themes that are discussed during the guided dialogue session. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (90 minutes) A. Learning the story (30 minutes) Divide the class up into groups of 3-4 people per group. Ask each group to memorize a part of the story from Genesis 1-4 using the 7 Steps for Learning Stories (see Appendix) according to the following instructions. Group #1

Gen. 1:1-26

Group #2

Gen. 1:27-31 to Gen.2:1-3

Group #3

Gen. 2:4-25

Group #4

Gen. 3:1-24

Group #5

Gen. 4:1-16

(Note: Combine Group 2 and Group 3 assignments to form one group if four groups are formed based on class size.)

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If the area’s culture practice includes song and music, give the teams freedom to include song in their storytelling. If appropriate, the group may select one or two verses from the story to use as a choral response during the storytelling. Optional choral recitations are included for each group. Group #1 - Gen. 1:1-26 Ask Group #1 to learn the story found in Gen. 1:1-26 using 7 Steps to Learning Stories. Everyone must learn the story and practice telling it. The group will choose a person to tell the story to the full class. For the rest of this activity, the storyteller must practice telling this story while the others listen for accuracy. Optional choral recitation Gen. 1:10,12,18,21,25,31: “and God saw that it was good”. Group #2 - Gen. 1:27-31 to Gen. 2:1-3 Ask Group #2 to learn the story found in Gen. 1:27-2:3 using 7 Steps to Learning Stories. Everyone must learn the story and practice telling it. The group will choose a person to tell the story to the full class. For the rest of this activity, the storyteller must practice telling this story while the others listen for accuracy. Optional choral recitation Gen. 1:27: “So God created man in his own image, in the image of God he created him; male and female he created them.” Group #3 - Gen. 2:4-25 Ask Group #3 to learn the story found in Gen. 2:4-25 using 7 Steps to Learning Stories. Everyone must learn the story and practice telling it. The group will choose a person to tell the story to the full class. For the rest of this activity, the storyteller must practice telling his/her story while the others listen for accuracy. Optional choral recitation Gen. 2:16-17: “And the Lord God commanded the man, “You are free to eat from any tree in the garden; but you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.” Group #4 - Gen. 3:1-24 Ask Group #4 to learn the story found in Gen. 3:1-24 using 7 Steps to Learning Stories. Everyone must learn the story and practice telling it. The group will choose a person to tell the story to the full class. For the rest of the class, the storyteller must practice telling his/her story while the others listen for accuracy. Optional choral recitation Gen. 3:23-24: “So the Lord God banished him from the Garden of Eden to work the ground from which he had been taken. After he drove the man out, he placed on the east side of the Garden of Eden cherubim and a flaming sword flashing back and forth to guard the way to the tree of life.” Group #5 - Gen. 4:1-16 Ask Group #5 to learn the story found in Gen. 4:1-16 using 7 Steps to Learning Stories. Everyone must learn the story and practice telling it. The group will choose a person to tell the story to the full class. For the rest of this activity, the storyteller must practice telling his/her story while the others listen for accuracy. 8

Optional choral recitation of Gen. 4:16: “So Cain went out from the Lord’s presence and lived in the land of Nod, east of Eden.”

B. Telling the story: (60 minutes) Each group is now asked to go to the front of the class. The storyteller will stand in front with the others gathered around him while he tells the story. The group repeats the choral recitation assigned to the group (if used). C. Discussion: At the conclusion of each story, ask the class participants if the story was told well. If a choral recitation was used, discuss if the recitation would aid in memorizing the key principles from the story. 5. Report: (50 minutes) Ask the class participants to go back to their groups for a time of guided dialogue and discussion. Each group will take 10 minutes to discuss each of the topics listed below. A. Made in God’s Image! We are made in God’s Image - in His image and likeness we were created.  Do you believe we are made in God's image and likeness?  Does your village community believe it is made in God's image and likeness?  Does the God of the Bible love and care about His creation? How do we know? B. Living in Harmony vs. Broken Relationships and Mistrust We were created to be in harmony with God, each other, all of creation, and eternity until the sin of Adam and Eve.  What was the original condition in the Garden of Eden?  What happened? What went wrong?  Why did God have the angel guard the Tree of Life?  What did it mean to have our relationship with God broken? C. Having Dominion Over All Things and are not Victims! We have been given dominion over all things vs. the curse of sin and becoming the victims of sin. 1. Did God command that man should rule over all of creation? 2. How did the serpent deceive Adam and Eve? 3. What was the curse on Adam and Eve? D. Having Great Abundance vs. Poverty and Death God richly provided for man in abundance vs. the curse of the ground and the poverty and death that came from the results of sin. 1. What day did God command that the land should be filled with animals and fruits, and gave man every green plant for food? (Gen. 1:26-31) 2. What did God say about eating from the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? 3. Is that tree the same tree as the Tree of Life? (Gen. 2:9) E. Living in Innocence Without Shame vs. Living in Fear and Anger God created Adam and Eve to live in unity and love vs. living in fear and anger. When Cain killed Abel, Cain went out from God’s presence. 1. What did God plant in the Garden of Eden? (Gen. 2:4-9) 2. What did God command concerning the Tree of the Knowledge of Good and Evil? (Gen. 2:10-17) 9

3. Did God think that man should be alone? Is it true that Adam and Eve were naked and felt no shame? (Gen. 2:18-25) 4. What did Cain and Abel offer God? (Gen. 4:3-4) Who was angry? 5. What happened to Abel? (Gen. 4:1-8) What happened to Cain? (Gen.4: 9-16) Teaching notes: Close the day with time for feedback to instructors using a few short questions: 

What do these five themes (A-E) tell us about relying on God alone?

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What do the themes tell us about solving our local problems by working together?

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What was most difficult for you today?

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What was one new idea you learned today?

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What was most important to you from today’s activities?

Remember to make assignments for Scripture memory for Day 2 lessons. Partnership Principle 1 - Trusting Relationships 

Genesis 1:26-31

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Genesis 3:8-13

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John 17:13-26

Partnership Principle 2 – Working Together 

Daniel 3:26-28 End the Day 1 with prayer

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Teachers Note: Start Day 2 with review of Day 1 and then saying that this day will focus seven partnership principles.

God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 1 – Trusting Relationships Day 2 – Lesson 2

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verses: Genesis 1:26-31, Genesis 3:8-13, John 17:13-26 Genesis 1:26-31 And God said, Let us make man in our image, after our likeness; and let them have dominion …. Genesis 3:8-13 I heard thy voice in the garden and I was afraid, because I was naked; and I hid myself …. John 17:13-26 I pray…that they all may be one, as thou, Father are in me, and I in thee, that they may also be one in us; that the world may believe that thou hast sent me. Teaching note: At the end of the first day you assigned these passages to three participants to memorize. After the introduction of this lesson, have them tell these stories. 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) For our work together in partnership we must have open, trusting relationships. This is God’s nature and design for us. Man’s sin destroyed the open, trusting relationship with God and with other men and women. Jesus’ death and resurrection give us access to restored relationships with God and with others. Experiencing and demonstrating open, trusting relationships among believers is central to our joy, our access to the Holy Spirit’s power and blessing, and our credibility or testimony to those around us. This takes active work and spiritual initiative, and is essential to working together in partnership. 3. Learning objectives:  That we are made to live and act like God in open, trusting relationships. This is a key part of Jesus’ redemption of us individually and of all creation.  That as we build and maintain open, trusting relationships, we are able to work together more effectively.  That as we work together in open, trusting relationships, the world around us will see the proof and power of Jesus’ life, death, and resurrection. Our lives, together, become a powerful witness to His power, love, and grace  Learn to do a drama about God and man’s broken relationship, and how Jesus’ work restores that relationship. 4. Interactive learning time: (70 minutes) A. The story: Divide class into groups of 3-5 participants and assign stories. Each group makes up a short drama that tells their assigned story. (20 minutes) Group 1: Genesis 1:26-31 Group 2: Genesis 3:8-13 Group 3: John 17:13-26 Teaching note: Review the 7 Steps to Learning Stories and 7 Steps for Dialogue if needed. B. Telling the story: Each group shares their drama with the whole class. (30 minutes) C. As a large group discusses these questions: (20 minutes)  What caused the broken relationships in the Garden of Eden?  What happens to Jesus’ reputation when His believers do not work together?  How do broken or trusting relationships affect our lives, work, and ministry together?  How do we restore broken relationships?  What are examples of how the principles in these stories might be applied in our home situations?

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God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 2 – Working Together Day 2 – Lesson 3

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verses: Daniel 3:26-28 26 Nebuchadnezzar then approached the opening of the blazing furnace and shouted, Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, servants of the Most High God, come out! Come here! So Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego came out of the fire, 27 and the satraps, prefects, governors and royal advisers crowded around them. They saw that the fire had not harmed their bodies, nor was a hair of their heads singed; their robes were not scorched, and there was no smell of fire on them. 28 Then Nebuchadnezzar said, Praise be to the God of Shadrach, Meshach and Abednego, who has sent his angel and rescued his servants! They trusted in him and defied the king's command and were willing to give up their lives rather than serve or worship any god except their own God. Teaching note: At the end of Day 1 you assigned someone to memorize this passage. After the introduction of this lesson, have him/her tell the verses to the class. Main story: Daniel 3:4-30. 2. Introduction to the principle: Working together in ministry partnerships of open, trusting relationships, believers can do things that will never be possible trying to work alone. 3. Learning objectives:  That living in open, trusting relationships working together can/should be more productive and fulfilling than working alone.  That in doing God’s work together, our faith in each other and our faith in God are strengthened and encouraged.  That trusting God as we live and work together, we can have a great impact on people around us – including those of great influence.  How to make up a song about living and working together. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (45 minutes) A. The story: Each small group learns the main story, Daniel 3:4-30. (20 minutes) B. Tell the story: Three groups share the story. (5 minutes each/15 minutes) C. Discussion: Discuss these questions as a large group. (15 minutes)  If Shadrach, Meshach, and Abednego had not stayed together, what would have happened?  Because the three DID stay together, what was the impact on the king and the events that happened afterward?  What part did trust play – trust in each other and trust in God?  What does this teach us about working together as believers at our village or community level?  Discuss examples of applying the story and its principles to our home situation.

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God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 3 – Vision Day 2 – Lesson 4

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verses: Nehemiah 2:17-18 17 Then I said to them, You see the trouble we are in: Jerusalem lies in ruins, and its gates have been burned with fire. Come, let us rebuild the wall of Jerusalem, and we will no longer be in disgrace. 18 I also told them about the gracious hand of my God upon me and what the king had said to me. They replied, Let us start rebuilding. So they began this good work. Teaching note: Have one of the course participants read these verses to the class. Main story: Nehemiah 1:1 – 2:20. 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) Effective ministry begins with a great vision that we all agree on, larger than any one person or organization, and only possible because we work in partnership. Motivation leads to dreams. Dreams lead to goals. Goals lead to purpose and commitment. Every vision takes time to realize. Plant vegetables and you may see results in 3 months. Plant a coconut tree and you may see results in 10 years! 3. Learning objectives:  That working together is motivated by some great sense of need.  That a vision to respond to this great need is needed to motivate and sustain our work together.  That the vision must be something that we all share with equal commitment.  That (particularly in the beginning) we must establish limited, realistically attainable goals – working on the big vision one step at a time.  That everyone will see the benefits of working together. 4. Interactive learning time: (50 minutes) A. The story: Memorize the story. (15 minutes)  Group 1: Nehemiah 1:1-11  Group 2: Nehemiah 2:1-8  Group 3: Nehemiah 2:9-20 B. Telling the story: One person in each group tells the story. (15 minutes) C. Discussion: Discuss these questions. (20 minutes)  What motivated Nehemiah’s heart? How did news from Jerusalem motivate his vision?  How big was this vision? Was it one that Nehemiah could accomplish alone?  What was it about the vision that captured the hearts of those in Jerusalem to join together in building the wall?  What examples of vision are needed in our communities back home?

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God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 4 – Implement Vision Day 2 – Lesson 5

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verses: Nehemiah 3:1-3 1 Eliashi the high priest and his fellow priests went to work and rebuilt the Sheep Gate. They dedicated it and set its doors in place, building as far as the Tower of the Hundred, which they dedicated, and as far as the Tower of Hananel. 2 The men of Jericho built the adjoining section, and Zaccur son of Imri built next to them. 3 The Fish Gate was rebuilt by the sons of Hassenaah. They laid its beams and put its doors and bolts and bars in place. Teaching note: Have someone read these verses as an illustration of the whole chapter. Point out that the huge task of rebuilding the destroyed walls could only be done as each group did one part. Working together, they accomplished the seemingly impossible task. Main story: Nehemiah 3:1-32. 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) Use Nehemiah 3 as the illustration. Working together will only succeed if:  Each person or group sees that the work has high value, for them personally as well as for the whole community.  We can see that the larger goal is only possible by working together.  Each person or group has a clear part to play. 3. Learning objectives:  That a great vision must be understood and seen as high value by both individuals within and the whole community.  That our big goals must be made up of clear parts that different people or groups can play – each knowing and seeing the value of their role.  That our goals and each person’s parts in reaching the goal are clear so that we know when we are complete or successful. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (40 minutes) A. The story: (15 minutes) Divide class into groups of 4-5. Each group develops a 2-minute drama that tells the main story of Nehemiah 3. B. Tell the story: (10 minutes) Each small group does their 2-minute drama for the larger group. C. Discussion: Discuss these questions. (15 minutes)  What was the big vision and what were the individual goals?  How can you achieve a big goal by breaking it down into many smaller goals?  Were the different groups aware of each other and how their contribution was important to the big goal?  What is the difference between selfish, individual goals and Kingdom goals?  What goals for our communities would have high value to everyone in the community? What part(s) could each person or family play?  Give examples of a big goal for community back home, what each person/group would do, and how they will know if they are successful.

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God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 5 – Prayer Day 2 – Lesson 6

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verses: Nehemiah 1:2-4 2 Hanani, one of my brothers, came from Judah with some other men, and I questioned them about the Jewish remnant that survived the exile, and also about Jerusalem. 3 They said to me, “Those who survived the exile and are back in the province are in great trouble and disgrace. The wall of Jerusalem is broken down, and its gates have been burned with fire.” 4 When I heard these things, I sat down and wept. For some days I mourned and fasted and prayed before the God of heaven. Teaching note -- Optional Chant: Have someone read each verse and have the class chant an appropriate response after each verse. The chant should be appropriate for the mother tongue. For example: The walls are broken, the gates are burned; Weep, oh, weep for Jerusalem. Main stories: Nehemiah 1:5-11, Nehemiah 4:1-5, Nehemiah 4:7-9, 6:9. (Key focus is on examples of prayer in these stories.) 2. Introduction to the principle: Working together on a great vision can only succeed if the vision and the work are rooted in strategic prayer from the beginning through to the end. 3. Learning objectives:  That any great vision can only be accomplished through prayer.  That we should expect discouragement and that, in response, action and prayer are both required.  That our prayers reflect our dependence on God’s blessing and power.  That prayer needs to be a natural part of our life and work together. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (40 minutes) A. The story:  Group 1: Nehemiah 1:5-11  Group 2: Nehemiah 4:3-5  Group 3: Nehemiah 2:11-20 B. Telling the story: (20 minutes) Each group develops a 2-minute drama that tells the main story of each section. C. Discussion: Discuss these questions. (20 minutes)  What caused Nehemiah to pray before taking action?  What happened when Nehemiah prayed?  Did Nehemiah pray alone or were others involved in his prayers?  How could prayer affect our vision and work together in our communities?  Can you share a story like this from your home area?

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God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 6 – A Committed Coordinator Day 2 – Lesson 7

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verse: Nehemiah 5:16 I devoted myself to the work on this wall. All my men were assembled there for the work. Main story: Nehemiah 5:16-6:16. 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) Use Nehemiah as the illustration. Big goals require a partnership coordinator who:  Is completely committed to both the goal and the importance of working together.  Is concerned about each person/ministry in the partnership.  Has long-term commitment and is trusted by all partners. 3. Learning objectives:  That any effective partnership must have a coordinator that is committed to both the goal and to working together in partnership to reach the goal.  That the coordinator just be patient, build trust with everyone, and have a long-term commitment.  That the coordinator must be committed to everyone in the partnership, and play a neutral but fully committed role.  That the coordinator must work with a team.  That the coordinator must actively communicate with partners and build an on-going active communications system to inform and encourage. 4. Interactive learning time: (40 minutes) A. Discuss main story: (15 minutes) Divide into groups of 3-4 participants. Each group reviews main story and identifies two important qualities a partnership coordinator will need to have personally OR two activities a partnership coordinator will to do to achieve success. B. Report: (10 minutes) Each group has one minute to report the two things the coordinator must be or do for success. Note similar answers. C. In the larger group discuss these questions. (15 minutes)  What was Nehemiah’s motivation? Why did he take on the role of coordinator?  What were two qualities of Nehemiah that helped him be successful as coordinator?  What are the one or two most important things for a coordinator to do?  Does the coordinator work alone or with a team?  With so many different groups and different interests, how did Nehemiah get them to work together?  How will we find coordinators for the partnerships we need back home?

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God’s Tree of Life Partnership Principle 7 – Celebrate! Day 2 – Lesson 8

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verse: Nehemiah 12:27 At the dedication of the wall of Jerusalem, the Levites were sought out from where they lived and were brought to Jerusalem to celebrate joyfully the dedication with songs of thanksgiving and with the music of cymbals, harps and lyres. Main story: Nehemiah 12:27-43. 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) Use Nehemiah and the people of Jerusalem as the illustration. A partnership needs to celebrate success. To do that everyone should:  Know their part and how they have contributed to the success.  Be aware of progress that is being made because we evaluate our work.  Acknowledge God’s blessing and the contribution by everyone to the success. 3. Learning objectives:  That everyone in the partnership needs to know his role and why it is important.  That active communication makes for effective partnerships and this will, in the end, lead to celebration – all sharing in the success.  That to be able to celebrate, our short and long-term goals need to clear and understood by everyone, and then evaluated as we move forward.  That God is to receive the glory for our success and we are to rejoice in being able to work together for the partnership’s goals. 4. Interactive learning time: (40 minutes) A. Discuss main story: (15 minutes) Divide into groups of 3-4. Each group reviews main story and identifies one reason why we need to:  Make sure everyone knows their role and their value to the partnership.  Evaluate our progress in a partnership.  Celebrate reaching our goals. B. Report: (10 minutes) Each group has one minute to report the two things the facilitator must be or do for success. Note similar answers. C. Discussion: In the small groups, discuss these questions. (15 minutes)  How did Nehemiah and the people know they had achieved the goals of the partnership?  Since so many people worked on the project, did they all feel they had made a contribution? How did they know that?  Who needs to keep track of the work in the partnership, its progress, and whether it is or is not meeting its objectives?  What would have happened if there had been no celebration?  How does celebration affect our unity?  Can you share examples of celebration in your local area?

End Day 2 by leading class through a brief review of 7 partnership principles. Close with prayer.

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Teachers Note: Start Day 3 saying this day will focus on thinking about how to apply the stories and partnership principles.

God’s Tree of Life: Applying Partnership To Evangelism and Church Planting Around Us Day 3 – Lesson 9

Lesson Time: 1 hour 1. Bible verses: Luke 10:1-2, 17-20 1 After this the Lord appointed seventy-two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. 2 He told them, The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.

17 The seventy-two returned with joy and said, Lord, even the demons submit to us in your name. 18 He replied, I saw Satan fall like lightning from heaven. 19 I have given you authority to trample on snakes and scorpions and to overcome all the power of the enemy; nothing will harm you. 20 However, do not rejoice that the spirits submit to you, but rejoice that your names are written in heaven. Related scriptures: Matt. 9:37-38, Romans 10:13-15. Teaching note: Have someone volunteer to read this passage aloud to the group. Ask the group this question and take feedback: “Why do you think Jesus sent the disciples out two by two, witnessing and serving together rather than alone?” 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) Local fellowships do more effective evangelism and church planting by working together in partnership. More people will come to know Christ sooner if we witness not only as individuals, but also as local fellowships together. To do this we must:  Pray and research needs of people and the communities together.  Plan and prepare together.  Take action and celebrate together. Teaching note: Remind the class that we are using the example of a pin code district of 100 villages, among which are 15 villages with emerging oral Bible churches. The idea is to discuss how we can motivate the help of the people in these 15 churches to work together to do Evangelism and Church Planting in the other 85 villages. 3. Learning objectives:  That each person has a spiritual vision for the people, villages, and wider area around them.  That each person will believe that they will see more people come to Christ sooner and formed into local fellowships with others if we work together in partnership.  That the participants will know the practical, spiritual steps they need to take to get ready and carry out effective church planting in partnership with others.  That by getting the oral Bible churches in villages near us to work together, we can more effectively reach the other villages that do not yet have a church.

4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (40 minutes)

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Teaching note: From this point forward it is best to use the groups that may be working together in the future. They may be created based on geography and/or prior relationships. It is important that those within the group can continue to learn together – and to be able to interact with the other groups as they discuss, explore the ideas, and learn. The size of these groups may be larger than prior groups. A. The vision: (15 minutes)  Group 1: Why is prayer together important and what must we pray about as we prepare for the evangelization of those around us? What must we learn or know (research/investigation) about the people, the villages, and the circumstances of those we want to reach if our evangelism is to be effective?  Group 2: What will be important elements in our planning and preparation to enlist the believers in other churches near us to join us in evangelism and planting together in our region where there are no churches?  Group 3: Based on our prayer, research, planning and preparation, what specific evangelism/church planting action can we take together that we cannot take as individuals? What will motivate our celebration together and why is that important? B. Reports: (10 minutes) One person from each group has 2 minutes to report. Allow 4 minutes for additional ideas/discussion. C. Discussion: (15 minutes) Groups meet again and discuss specific action steps they will need to take to address church planting together.

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God’s Tree of Life: Applying Partnership to the Economic Sustainability of the Church Day 3 – Lesson 10

Lesson Time: 1 hour 1. Bible verses: Exodus 16:4-5, II Thess. 3:6-12 Exodus 16:4-5 Then the LORD said to Moses, I will rain down bread from heaven for you. The people are to go out each day and gather enough for that day. In this way I will test them and see whether they will follow my instructions. On the sixth day they are to prepare what they bring in, and that is to be twice as much as they gather on the other days.

II Thessalonians 3:6-12 In the name of the Lord Jesus Christ, we command you, brothers, to keep away from every brother who is idle and does not live according to the teaching you received from us. For you yourselves know how you ought to follow our example. We were not idle when we were with you, nor did we eat anyone's food without paying for it. On the contrary, we worked night and day, laboring and toiling so that we would not be a burden to any of you. We did this, not because we do not have the right to such help, but in order to make ourselves a model for you to follow. For even when we were with you, we gave you this rule: If a man will not work, he shall not eat. We hear that some among you are idle. They are not busy; they are busybodies. Such people we command and urge in the Lord Jesus Christ to settle down and earn the bread they eat. Teaching note: Choose two volunteers to read these passages to the entire group. 2. Introduction to the principle: God is the provider of all things. The community of local believers is a family of families through which God can work and wants to provide for the local community. Individual families in the church and the whole group of believers can be economically stronger over a long period of time by working together in partnership. We are stronger still when our local group of believers works together with believers from oral Bible churches in villages near us. We will see our economic welfare and our lives become healthier and more stable as, together, we:  Obey God – individually and as a group  Are not selfish but generous and sensitive to each other’s needs  Work together on ideas and projects to strengthen and sustain our economic welfare 3. Learning objectives:  That each person will understand that God is concerned about and desires us to be healthy economically.  That each person will understand that very practical spiritual, personal action, and collective work will be required to achieve economic health and stability.  That each community already has resources that, when we work together, allows progress without having to look outside for help.  That each person will understand that their own economic health will be stronger by getting the believers in oral Bible churches to work together. People in all of the nearby churches will benefit and their communities will as well.  That as the local fellowship is healthier economically, it brings encouragement and hope to our people, and it is seen by those around us as bringing additional strength to our witness. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (40 minutes) A. The vision: (15 minutes) Each small group identifies 2 or 3 ideas relevant to the issues below. 1. Group 1: What are the greatest economic needs in our village and in nearby villages where other oral Bible churches exist?

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2. Group 2: What practical ways can we share the talents, gifts, and resources God has given us for the economic benefit of those in our local fellowship AND the oral Bible churches nearby? 3. Group 3: What benefits will there be if we work together with believers from other oral Bible churches in our region on our economic situation? How will the economic health of our local fellowship influence our own sense of hope and affect our witness among the people around us? B. Report: (10 minutes) Each group has 2 minutes to report on their conclusions. Allow 4 minutes for additional ideas/discussion. C. Discussion: Each small group meets to discuss specific action steps they will need to take to begin to address the economic issues. 5. Report: (15 minutes) Each small group reports one idea regarding spiritual health, or sharing resources to strengthen the local fellowship, or what benefits will occur if we work together on our economic situation, or how economic health will affect our witness in the community.

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God’s Tree of Life Applying Partnership To Development of the Community Around Us Day 3 – Lesson 11

Lesson Time: 1 hour

1. Bible verses: Isaiah 58:9-12 Then you will call, and the LORD will answer; you will cry for help, and he will say: Here am I. If you do away with the yoke of oppression, with the pointing finger and malicious talk, and if you spend yourselves on behalf of the hungry and satisfy the needs of the oppressed, then your light will rise in the darkness, and your night will become like the noonday. The LORD will guide you always; he will satisfy your needs in a sun-scorched land and will strengthen your frame. You will be like a well-watered garden, like a spring whose waters never fail. Your people will rebuild the ancient ruins and will raise up the age-old foundations; you will be called Repairer of Broken Walls, Restorer of Streets with Dwellings. Related scriptures: Acts 20:32-35, Luke 4:18, Isaiah 58:6-7. Teaching note: Have a volunteer read to the group. 2. Introduction to the principle: (5 minutes) Local fellowships are able to transform the health, educational, and other social aspects of their community more effectively by working together in partnership. This may often be seen most readily in the lives of women and children in our villages and towns. The health, educational, and other social aspects of our communities are more likely to be improved, new hope can be realized, and lives can be blessed more effectively as we work – together. Particularly as we work together with believers from other oral Bible churches in villages near us. To do this we must:  Be convinced that God is the source of all blessings – in our lives and in our communities.  Be aware that God knows the circumstances in our community and wants our community to be healthy and an example of His grace and goodness.  As a local fellowship, we must be aware of the circumstances around us that are affecting the quality of life in our community, and consider our action together as an important part of God’s work in the world.  Be aware that God has already given us resources in our hearts, minds, and, in our community that can be used to respond to these priority needs.  Set practical, limited, high priority goals that, with others in the community, we can work on together. This is important to being able to measure our progress and celebrate our success.  That these changes take time and that it is only by working together that we will be able to start and complete effective action regarding these needs. 3. Learning objectives:  That each person/group has a vision that God wants their villages/towns to be healthy – medically, educationally, and in all aspects of community life. This transformation is rooted in the Bible, God’s nature, and His desire for us.  That each person/group will have a vision for working together to achieve these community health, educational, and other social development priorities. That this vision will include working with the believers from the oral Bible churches in villages near us.  That each person/group will have identified key issues that will be required to take action in their communities in order to see real change.  That each person/group will have identified resources that can help them achieve their objectives, people or agencies that may resist change, and a clear action plan to communicate with and relate to these people/groups.  That each person/group will have clear objectives in mind for community development action for the next

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12 months. This will include practical outcomes, timetable, clear responsibilities, and agreed way communication will take place within and between the churches about their work together. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (40 minutes) A. The vision: (15 minutes) Group 1:  What are the greatest health, educational, or other social needs in our communities?  What resources do we already have in our villages/towns (or in our region) that would help or could be used as we seek to address our educational, health, or other social needs? Groups 2:  What are the biggest roadblocks or obstacles to realizing these benefits in our communities?  Who is likely to resist our efforts to make these changes?  What action will we need to take with them? Group 3:  How can we identify other motivated believers, nearby local oral Bible churches, or other Christian ministries that can help us influence the health, educational, and other social needs in our communities? B. Reporting: (10 minutes) Each group has 2 minutes to report one key idea/issue that they identified in response to the question. Allow 4 minutes for additional open discussion/ideas. C. Discussion: (15 minutes) Small groups meet again and discuss specific action steps they will need to take to address the issues they identified in the first 15-minute session. 5. Report: (15 minutes) Each group has 2 minutes to report on key idea/issue, which they identified in response to the question. Allow 9 minutes for additional open discussion.

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God’s Tree of Life: Applying Partnership To Social Justice In Our Individual and Community Life Day 3 – Lesson 12

Lesson Time: 1 hour 1. Bible verses: Exodus 3:7-12, 13-16

Exodus 3:7-12 The LORD said, I have indeed seen the misery of my people in Egypt. I have heard them crying out because of their slave drivers, and I am concerned about their suffering. So I have come down to rescue them from the hand of the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land into a good and spacious land, a land flowing with milk and honey— the home of the Canaanites, Hittites, Amorites, Perizzites, Hivites and Jebusites. And now the cry of the Israelites has reached me, and I have seen the way the Egyptians are oppressing them. So now, go. I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people the Israelites out of Egypt. But Moses said to God, Who am I, that I should go to Pharaoh and bring the Israelites out of Egypt? And God said, I will be with you. And this will be the sign to you that it is I who have sent you: When you have brought the people out of Egypt, you will worship God on this mountain. Exodus 3:13-16 Moses said to God, Suppose I go to the Israelites and say to them, 'The God of your fathers has sent me to you,' and they ask me, 'What is his name?' Then what shall I tell them? God said to Moses, I AM WHO I AM. This is what you are to say to the Israelites: 'I AM has sent me to you.' God also said to Moses, Say to the Israelites, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers— the God of Abraham, the God of Isaac and the God of Jacob—has sent me to you.' This is my name for ever, the name by which I am to be remembered from generation to generation. Go, assemble the elders of Israel and say to them, 'The LORD, the God of your fathers—the God of Abraham, Isaac and Jacob—appeared to me and said: I have watched over you and have seen what has been done to you in Egypt. Teaching note: Choose two volunteers to read these passages to the entire group. Ask the group the following questions. (5 minutes for feedback)  The Egyptians and Israelites were living in the same society. Was one group more privileged in that social order?  God looks at the heart of the individual. Did He consider the Egyptians of greater value because of their privileges?  Why was it difficult for Moses to imagine he could influence Pharaoh to let the Israelites go? 2. Introduction to the principle: God created us to be whole – individually, in our relationships, and in our communities. While each person is unique, He made us all equal in value. This is why Jesus said, the greatest of all commandments is 'Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your strength and with all your mind, and, 'Love your neighbor as yourself.' (Luke 10:27). By working together in partnership with fellow believers from other local Bible churches in villages near us we help others realize the social justice and freedom when society around us understands and practices this God-given value.

We will see the social justice in our communities and regions improve as, together, we:  Acknowledge each other’s equal value in Christ.  Demonstrate this in our day- to-day relationships in our families, communities, and in the region around us.  Work together in circumstances where an individual’s value is being threatened or ignored.

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3. Learning objectives:  That each person understands that no matter how “different” we may be on the outside, on the inside God has created us all equal in value. God created all of us and Jesus died to redeem each of us in the same way.  That each person will understand that in society, which is often heavily influenced by sin and broken values, it will take very specific, often hard, prayerful work to demonstrate day-to-day God’s love and the value He places on each person.  That each believer and local fellowships from nearby villages, working together, can remind each other, encourage each other, and take specific action to demonstrate and call their communities to experience these God-given values. 4. Interactive learning time in small groups: (40 minutes) A. The stories: Break into three groups and discuss these questions. (15 minutes)  Exodus 5:5-12. If God was with the Israelites, why was it so hard for them to get social justice? What do we learn from this?  Luke 18:1-5. What does the story of the persistent widow teach us about our efforts to realize social justice in our communities or the region around us?  Acts 12:1-19. Peter was facing severe punishment in a clear case of a lack of social justice. What action did the local believers take? What happened? Why were the believers surprised when Peter came to the house? What do we learn from this? Take one or two feedback comments from each group. B. The vision: Each group identifies 2-3 ideas relevant to the issues below. (15 minutes)  Group 1: How would our lives in our families be different if we really believed we were equal in value and worked together to actually experience this principle in action?  Group 2: How would our communities be different if everyone in our local fellowship of believers actively worked together to treat both other believers and others in the community as equals?  Group 3: How would society around us be different if believers in our local fellowship and the believers in other nearby fellowships could work together – calling for society to acknowledge the God values and actually demonstrating them ourselves? C. Discussion: Groups have 2 minutes to report on their conclusions. Allow 4 minutes for additional ideas/discussion. (10 minutes) 5. Discussion and report: (20 minutes) Three ideas about God’s values appear again and again in these stories: 1. It takes real faith to believe God’s values are true. 2. It takes real persistence to realize these values as there will be great resistance. 3. It takes real prayer to see these changes because all men’s hearts are naturally hard until God’s spirit works in them. Keeping these three principles in mind, each group discusses and then reports one idea regarding a social justice issue in their community or region that might be addressed if their local fellowship of believers worked together or if they worked together with other local fellowships. (10 minutes for discussion, 10 minutes for reporting)

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God’s Tree of Life Group Project and Closing Lesson 13

Lesson time: 3 Hours

1. Briefly review the 3 Tree stories and key partnership principles. (10 minutes) 2. Divide participants into working groups. It is best if these groups contain participants who will be working together on the projects they develop. For this reason the groups may be from one ministry/church that will be reaching out to surrounding churches/villages. Or groups may include churches and ministries who want to work together to develop and expand their partnerships. 3. Group assignment: (90 minutes) Have each group select one of the four application areas:

Evangelism and Church Planting

Economic Development

Social Conditions

Social Justice

For their application area each group will: A. Develop the vision and specific “hoped for” outcomes for the application area they selected. B. Define the geographic area/region where they would implement this plan. C. List whom they would ask to join their partnership to accomplish this. The would include people/churches who did not attend the TOL training. Emphasis the importance of churches working with other churches in their region. D. Develop an action plan for the next 6 months to accomplish their vision. E. Discuss how they might share the resources they have to accomplish this vision and identify any resources that might need to be developed. For example: Sharing the 3 Tree stories in TOL with their home churches and others. F. Select someone to report to the larger group. Note: Review the suggestions in the Appendix titled: "Starting Your Partnership: Practical Action Steps" and have the groups use these in developing their action plans 4. Group reports (15 minutes) Have a delegate from each group report to the larger group. Make sure they include summary statements for items A-E above. 5. Determine group plan for accountability and follow-up. Set a date between 6-10 months to reconvene so to debrief participant’s use of TOL principles and hear reports on group projects. Review the Evaluation and Reporting forms. 6. Closing comments, celebration, prayer, and dedication.

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Appendix Notes to Trainers: Thank you for teaching this course. Our prayer is that God’s Holy Spirit will guide you as you lead this course. Here recommendations that we pray will add to your success. 1. One trainer can teach the course effectively. However, you may consider using a small team to lead this course. The team approach is helpful in working with the story groups and monitoring the progress of the class. It also models partnership as the participants watch the training team. 2. If you use a team of trainers to lead the course it is important for the team to meet briefly at the end of each teaching day to review the day and, if needed, meet again in the morning prior to the start of the class to ensure all assignments for that day are covered. 3. Prayer is essential to the success of this course. We recommend you have people both at the course and those in the villages that are sending representatives aggressively pray for this course while it is being taught. We recommend having the participants assemble for at least 20-30 minutes prior to the start of the class day for prayer and worship. Participants should lead the worship and prayer. 4. It is appropriate to give small evening assignments to the participants but they should be minimal. The students need their evenings for rest and to process the material on their own. 5. At the end of the materials there are some stories that may be helpful in presenting the key partnership principles. While these stories are not Scripture stories they are stories about how God’s people are using Scripture principles to form effective partnerships in their areas. 6. While teaching the course it is critical that you and your team lead the participants along the partnership path from beginning to end. You should begin each day with a short review of the previous day’s lessons and key points. As appropriate, remind the class about the 3 Trees illustration and the foundation it makes for this course. 7. Be sure to allow time at the end of the course for the groups to develop action plans. You will also need to develop a follow-up and follow-through plan. We recommend a 6-month plan that would: a. Encourage accountability and reporting from the participants on their action plans. b. Provide a follow-up time for the class to come together to share the results of their efforts. 8. It is important throughout the course to remind participants of the 3 Tree stories that are introduced at the start of the course.

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STARTING YOUR CHURCH-CHURCH PARTNERSHIP: SUGGESTIONS FOR PRACTICAL ACTION STEPS Step 1: Find out what the people in your community feel are the greatest challenges Who should we talk with about these matters? Possibilities: Village/community elders or acknowledged leaders, positive governmental personnel, leaders of community organizations, and always remember to talk with ordinary members of the community -- the people actually living day to day in the local situation. Make a special effort to identify community leaders who have a real heart for -- a real commitment to making the community a better place to live. They may be Hindu, Muslim, or other faith. But consider them people of good will (like the "man of peace" that Jesus spoke of when He sent out His disciples). Then make a special effort to talk individually with leaders of local fellowships of believers (local churches) in your area. Remember that the hope of your partnership vision is to get local fellowships of believers, local churches actually working together for spiritual impact and social transformation in your area. Suggestions for success: People may ask, "Who are you and why are you asking these questions?" An honest, direct answer is always best. Consider something like: "As followers of Jesus, and because our fellowship of believers is in this community, we are truly concerned about the life and well-being of our friends and neighbors in the community. Along with them, we want to see the best possible life for us now and for our children in the future. We feel that if we are honest and understand the challenges we face the possibility of working together to deal with these challenges is much greater." What should we ask? Possible questions:  If we could see one change in our community what would bring the greatest benefit?  What do you see as our community's greatest need?  If we wanted to see improvement in our economic or social situation (health, education, etc.) what do you feel would be the most important? Suggestions for success: Use simple language. Always ask the same questions of everyone you interview. Keep careful record of what people say. Compile these answers you get from these people and identify what issues are mentioned most frequently. Step 2. Make a specific effort to Evaluate/Assess your community's existing resources. Look for things like: What are the active resources that might be used in a partnership such as:  Talent, experience, skills, experience of the people  Land  Unused government buildings  Natural resources (water, land, etc.)  Community leaders open to change and development What kind of other resources might be valuable in a future community, church-based partnership such as Government loan programs. 

Check with local banks to find out what kind of self-help programs they offer local communities

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 

Government training programs or community development specialists that may be available Regional Christian or 'secular' non-profit organizations that offer training in community development, micro enterprise, micro loan programs, etc.

Step 3. Summarize and then identify what you feel were the most important things you heard as you talked with those in the community.  Make a list of all the issues, ideas, and needs they have identified.  Which of these ideas are really the same or are obviously related in some way to each other?  Talk with local church leaders, elders, and community leaders about the list you have summarized.  As them, "If our community could deal with just one of these problems/challenges, which do you think would be the most important." Note: it is probably best to meet with these people individually, one at a time. Trying to call a meeting of these people and ask this same question may produce confusion and arguments about what is most important.  Get the leaders of the local churches in your area to meet together; to review the issues the people have identified -- and what the local people think are the most important issues.  Spend time praying, discussing, and asking yourselves and God which one of these projects should the believers in the area take up first?  As God gives you agreement among the leaders make sure you take time to give thanks for the progress you have made while also praying about the important, practical next steps.  Once you have established your priorities -- which project(s) you are going to work on first, make sure you visit with the influential community leaders and let them know of a) your decision and b) promise to them that you will keep them informed and continue to get their advice.

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Step 4. Moving into action.  Identify which of the church leaders (and possibly community leaders) are prepared to work together on this project.  Identify the most important steps that have to be taken and who will be responsible for each of the action items. Remember: When you have an important vision the big goal is always too much to achieve quickly. Make sure you set limited but important objectives that are vital to reaching the big goal. By setting specific, limited objectives you increase your chances of success and as you have success, you encourage those working with you that partnership really does work!  Remember that the big vision you have and the specific action steps that have been planned always have to meet three important questions:  Is this big vision that clearly is something God wants done (even if people in the community are not Christians the quality of their lives is of great interest to God).  Is this vision something that is clearly beyond the capacity or ability of any single person or group in the community? Is it something that can only be done together rather than everyone just working independently?  If the big vision is realized and the first steps taken are successful, will ordinary people in the community feel they will benefit. Can they see how this project is important to the quality of their lives?  Work out with the others an approximate time line -- a preliminary schedule of when do you expect what to happen? Remember you want to be able to evaluate your progress and celebrate that when it is called for or to make adjustments to your plans when the need for that is clear. That is why you need specific objectives and a planned timetable.  Agree on a smaller group from within all those interested -- a group who can serve as a facilitation team to coordinate things and report to all who are interested.  Agree on a communication plan. How and when will you keep everyone in the community informed of progress that is being made? The people know and understand the more they will feel part of the project -ready to work with you for success and ready to celebrate the successes as they happen.  Agree on a prayer team who will specifically pray for this project on a regular basis. Remember that Satan does not want God's people to work together. Satan will do everything in his power to discourage you, to cause divisions and misunderstandings, and discourage even the most visionary. That is why prayer is the basis for any success that we may have! _____________________________________________________

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CASE HISTORIES -- STORIES AND EXAMPLES OF TREE OF LIFE PROJECTS IN INDIAN AND NEPALI COMMUNITIES.

Mandali, Myagdi District, Nepal When I returned home from TOL training I took a burden for my village, Brahmdev, which is located in a remote area of Nepal. With prayer I did a survey of what I could do for my village and what would be a good option to reach more people. God showed me one very significant thing. In the rainy region there are many seasonal rivers from the mountain. On these rivers a lot of good wood floats to India so that this good wood goes by our village and the village has no benefit. People would steal the wood from the jungle so the jungle was losing every good tree. I felt strongly I have to do something about this problem. I started visiting people in our village, especially those in high positions. I shared the problem and they said it is good thought but it would be too expensive to do anything about it. So I prayed to God for an idea and heard that we needed to do this ourselves but God would help us with favor among village leaders and we must have their permission. I returned to the village leader and shared the problem of Nepal wood going to another country and at the same time the jungle was going to disappear. The leader agreed with me and asked me “So what do you want to do?” I replied, “We can cut the good wood to sell to village and market people in Nepal. We will get money and at same time we can protect the jungle.” He told me that I could do this if I formed a board and created an organization. Once the board was formed and the business official he would give us permission to cut the wood and sell it. We formed a business call Brahmdev ban Shanraksha Samiti (BBSS). The board director is Bir B Khadka and there are eight other local people on the board. The leader gave us permission to start cutting wood and selling it in the market for a good price. The board decided that BBSS members could purchase wood for 100 rupees ($1 US) per square foot but other people would need to pay 300 ($3 US) rupees per square foot. So a lot of people came to us for membership and now the organization has 300 members from the village. We agreed that 20% of the money we received would go to the government and then rest of the money we would use in the village for development work by the grace of God. Within six months we were able to build a good road in the market. It cost 600,000 rupees ($8,200 US) and all the money came from BBSS! As a result of the success of BBSS the board came to me and said “Brother you did good job! It was great idea you had so we will give you free wood to build your church building.” So by the grace of God he did miracle! The organization now provides 30-40 people with jobs with for the BBSS so a lot of people are getting benefit from it. At the same time BBSS is distributing some help for toilets and gas for the village poor people. From this work God give me a good honor and good respect among the people. We have seen three to four families accepting Jesus Christ as personal savior in our village as a result. We also have two other initiatives in the area of cleanliness and starting women group for saving. We have mobilized church youths to clean the community. The youths joined their hands to clean the community. The church got good name and reputation in the community because of this. We have mobilized 10 women to start women group to save money and fund micro enterprises. Each women began contributing Rs.150 each. Out of this fund, they have funded a country chicken project, which is bringing good results. 5 out of 10 women in this initiative have accepted Christ. In these cases, both Christians and non-Christians were mobilized and involved in the partnership projects. I have 35 house churches in my care and am mobilizing all the churches to get trained to transform the community. -- Nariram Luhar, Khrist Mahima

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Chandigargh, UT Our actual experience in the communities and villages shows us that (following the TOL training) there are lots of changes among the people and also in their communities. There are many behavioral, emotional, and social changes that took place such as women abuse, child abuse and child labor eradicated, women self help program started, income generation projects and several self-supporting works initiated such as kitchen garden, candle making, etc. We have conducted community development initiatives, economic development and social justice activities through the Tree of Life. As a result of these, the community got awareness on health and hygienic lives. Now they use newly built toilets and bathroom facilities in the villages and they do not go to the open fields or jungles for toilet. People settle all their disputes locally and not going to police stations or courts. It is difficult to change our projected outcomes to reflect these kinds of life-style changes because they are less measurable than baptisms, training events and number of participants. However we see a direct correlation between training Grassroots Church planters and new conversions and life change through the transforming power of Jesus Christ. As a result of Tree of Life teaching in addition to the Bridges church-planting model, communities are being transformed. This encourages us as we plan training programs for the future, knowing that they bring direct change into the community - Prakash Pathi, Bethel Ministries Andra Pradesh "Life Cycle of Fruit yielding Tree compared to barren Tree." “Panimanishi”, try to pronounce this word, start: pa-ni-ma-ni-shi-. And in Telugu language of South India, it simply means “domestic women worker”, who earns from Rs. 300 to 600 per months labour of cleaning utensils and sweeping the house during early hours of the day, say from 7 am to 7:30 am. This half hour is very crucial for both the employer and employee. Enquiring about this worker is an usual pass-time enquiry among middle-class women of Indian families. This part of house work is “necessary evil” since it is quiet safe and unsafe for each house to have such workers. These women, you can see them running from house to house to complete their fixed labour appointments, in every morning time. These women are known as people of BPL – below poverty line. They have to earn and their husbands have to earn and then the family is sustained for the entire month. Planters India has gathered such “panimanishis” of one location and from Yenadi people group. We had one session get-together and we got the following very interesting observations from these panimanishis – Domestic Helpers. Under TOL, we explained about the importance and need for transformation of quality of life for everyone in the society. This is the way of life in all walks of life. We explained about the life cycle of a tree. We drew attention of different trees, like, healthy, robust and high yielding tree, compared to barren and fruitless tree, truncated, eerie and wild. Every one, with such variations of age groups of 20 to 60 years old women. Life cycle of tree is very symbolical for all women. We see trees everywhere on the way and homes and during our travel. Tree is a marvelous creation of God. People like trees, because they are green, fresh, silent and no complaints. Rabindranath Tagore said, “silence my soul, these trees are prayers”. During post message sessions, we had good tea and snacks. This was good. Delegates have brought the following two resolutions to the plenary and passed them unanimously: 1. Every “panimanishi” has to decide for life of transformation. We cannot be static. But we need to be dynamic. To be dynamic is to be transformative. Who will motive us, and simply, the concept of tree of life is our motivation. And to be transformative is to be compassionate towards transformation and development. 2. Every “panimanishi” has to fund the process of transformation, by a regular monthly donation of Rs. 25 – (1/2 a US Dollar) and this funds is towards transformation among ourselves. And this fund is called Community Transformation Fund – CTF. This is a great day – 15th May 2011. Planters India is trying to give guidelines for setting up collection of CTF into a central pool, which is the crucial recommendation of this event. We hope everything works towards good. - Shalem Raju/Mary Elizabeth Sarojini, Planters India 32

Orissa In the state of Orissa where we work, during 2009, under violent persecution by militant Hindus, tens of thousands of Christians were driven from their homes into the jungles or refugee camps; 17 people were actually killed-- some in terrible ways; no church services could be held; and hundreds of homes and churches were burned. In this setting and after much prayer and fasting, and because of my recent visionSynergy training in partnership, I decided to return to my village -- actually a town of nearly 20,000 people. I was able to locate a total of eight pastors from that and neighboring towns. None had been able to “show their faces” because of intense fear. I shared with them the vision that because of God’s creation and love, we are not victims. And, that if we work together, we can do things that are impossible alone. They were encouraged but said, “What should we do?” I recommended we first visit the regional police -- together. When nine of us arrived at the police office together, the authorities were impressed. They promised us protection. One of the pastors said, “When I went alone, they just laughed at me.” Because of this experience the pastors were greatly encouraged and asked, “What should we do next?” In my home town the government school building was in complete disrepair. A stable for cattle and no children being educated. The pastors agreed to clean up the school and start at least an informal educational program together. After six months, the whole attitude of people in this and surrounding villages began to change. They came to the pastors and said, can you please start a proper “formal” education program for our children?" So, in faith they did that -- four teachers working in a small, 4-room house that was available. Over 100 children applied in three days! We had to apologize to the dozens of parents who begged us to take their children, promising that next year we would get larger facilities and be able to take their children. The pastors then said, “The other most critical need is that for 30 miles around, there is not one single medical facility.” After much prayer and discussion, a highly trained rural medical practitioner was found in a regional city who agreed to come monthly. Today pastors are able to walk openly in their villages. Churches are meeting again. There is great, new interest in the gospel. The people who persecuted us now thank us. - Abhi Sethia/Anata Monobodh -- Jireh Ministries

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Partnership Story Transformation In Africa Phill Butler, visionSynergy

_________________________________ I want to tell you a story. This is a story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things. This is a story about ordinary people doing extraordinary things over a long period of time. It is a story about people who started with very, very, small success, and seven years later, their lives were completely transformed. Here is the story. In Africa, there was a group of villages. The gospel had come into these villages and a growing number of Christians were coming up. For centuries, these villages had lived in almost complete isolation. It was 15 km to the nearest market town, and to even get to the main road into the market town, they had small path into the jungle which was for 5 or 6 km. The people had no cash. The only thing which they had was the ability to grow a few crops, to raise a few animals, and to go hunting in the jungle for wild animals. As the number of Christians in the village began to grow, they began to see how they are not victims; that when Jesus comes into their life, they have the possibility of being set free! They began talking to each other, because there was a kind of tribal council, representatives from each of the villages, and more and more of this leadership became Christian. And these people became increasingly aware of their poverty. They realized they had no clean water; they had to carry the water 2 or 3 hours from rivers. They had no medical facilities; the closest medical facility was 15 km, and it took several hours walking on the trail to get there. They had no education; everyone was illiterate, with nothing for their children. They said, “We have a real problem. What can we do? What do we know how to do?” A few people every few months would go into the market town, because they had to try to trade vegetables for products that they needed in the village. So, the first idea which they developed was, “Let’s get together all of the villages and contribute a small piece of land, and then let’s have people from each village work together on this one piece of land. And none of us will take crops from this land; this land will only be for trying to sell crops in the market town.” And so they began growing vegetables and other things. They said, “Now, how do we get these vegetables into the market town?” So they asked young men who were strong if they would carry these into the market. Older, wise people would travel with them, but the younger people would carry these on their backs. Because it was such a long journey into the market town, the young and old had to pack the food the night before, and then they had to leave before the sun came up. The first 6 or 7 km was very difficult, because it was a very up and down, twisting path through the jungle. And they found that by the time they got to the market, the market was already underway. And when they started unloading their crops to sell, they found that half of the vegetables were ruined from the shaking and jiggling on the way, the heat, and the amount of time. So when they put their vegetables out, people looked and said, “Half of it looks terrible!” So they sold a few things, and got a little bit of money, but they came back and reported, very discouraged. So after doing this for 2 or 3 months, they said, “We have to try something else. What do we have in our capacity?” They said, “You know, we have had this path from our villages to the government road. That path has been there for over 100 years. We never had a reason to change the path. We should completely change the path. A different route. Make it wider, make it simpler, so the young men are not having to climb over trees and go through bushes.” So all the villages came together and worked one day every week. And it took them 2 or 3 months, but they constructed a complete, new – not a path – but this time, a trail. It was much straighter, it was much leveler, and it 34

cut the travel time from the village into the city by almost half. So now they could get their crops into the city a little sooner. They started selling more, and bringing back the money. And the money that came back came back to a central fund. It did not go into anyone’s private pocket, because they were together farming one single piece of land to which they all contributed. After doing this for several months, the young men said, “In the market town, we see something. Many people who are selling vegetables and selling vegetables successfully have motos. We think we should try to get motos. If we had motos we can carry more food. It would reduce the trip from the village into the city to just one hour. Now we face two problems. The trail, even though it is much better than it used to be, is too narrow for motos. Second, we don’t have enough money to buy motos. This fund which has been growing is still too small.” So the elders said, “Let the elders go into the market town and meet with the government officials, and tell the government officials we have this fund, we have this community project, and we need help. We will come together again and we will widen the trail now to a much wider trail so we can take motos. We will put up the little bit of money we do have and we will ask the government for a loan.” So they took the plan to the government and the government made a loan. And they bought 3 motos. Suddenly they could carry 2,3, 4 times the amount, where the young men could just make one trip a day -- one trip in and one trip back. A moto could leave at the crack of dawn and go back and forth 2 or 3 times. So suddenly the ability to deliver products was increased, quantity of product was increased, and the cash sales were increased. So the elders and the leaders of the village, and the people working on this project came together, and again, not all but many were Christians, and they said, “We should be thinking about other things than just money. What are we going to do with this money? We need clean water. If we want to expand this project we can’t keep carrying water from the river; besides, we need clean water for our own health. We think we should go to the government and say, ‘We will put up some money. Will you give us the expertise to help drill wells in our villages?’” They went to the government, and they said, “We have some money. We will put up this money, but we need technical help. Will you provide the technical help and equipment to come drill wells in each of these villages?” The government agreed to do this. So now they have cash, they have 3 motos, they now have clean water, and now 2 1/2 to 3 years has gone by. They continue to go from the villages to the market city, and after 3 years, the young men said, “You know, we see that things are changing. The market town is growing, with many more people. The market is getting bigger. And we see that in another place, a group of farmers are getting together, and they have not motos, they have a small truck. And in one trip, the truck can carry 4 times the amount of 3 motos making 2 trips. But again we have a problem. The trail for the motos is not big enough for trucks. And even though we have some money, it is not enough money to buy a truck, because we have been investing money in the crops and in the clean wells, and we had to pay off the loan for the 3 motos, so what will we do?” Again, they say, “We have the capacity. We can change the trail. We will go to the government and we will say, ‘We will build a road from our village to meet with the government road. We will put up some money, but we need another loan from the government for a truck.’” So they went to the government and made the proposal. The government said, “Of course. You paid off the loan for the motos, and you now have clean water in your village through the wells. Why not?” So they gave them the loan. They bought the truck. Now these villages have 3 motos, a truck, clean water through wells in each of the villages, and now the agricultural project is expanding and expanding. So now they have more cash. They said, “We need education. None of us are literate. None of us knows how to teach our children. We need a small basic school here.” So in the market city they found that there is an NGO, or a development organization. They didn’t go to the government; they went to a private organization that focused on education. “Would you send a teacher? We will provide a place for the teacher to live. We will feed the teacher, and we will pay them a small

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salary.” They made a 2 year contract. So, now 5 years into the project, they have a cooperative agricultural initiative, they have a road from the villages to meet the government road, they have 3 motos and a truck, they have a development fund, they have wells in each village, and now they have education underway. Eventually, by 7 years, they added a medical facility, a kind of community center where every week a doctor and nurse came from the market city to the community center to deal with health issues in the villages. And village after village after village after village for many kilometers around watched these villages. They said, “This is amazing what is happening! How do we do this?” And the number of Christians inside these villages continued to grow. ____________________________________________ Now, what do we see in this project?  In the beginning everything came from inside the villages with no help from outside.  Christians believed they were both responsible and capable of doing something.  They saw that they did have capacity; they were not victims.  They could donate land and do a cooperative agricultural project. They did not have to keep everything just for their family.  They saw they had the capacity to take the initial project from a path to the trail.  They had young men who in the beginning were willing to carry these heavy loads.  They were able and willing to learn.  But it took 7 years to go from nothing to completely transformed villages and a completely transformed life. Now, partnership does not happen overnight. So, I would like you to think about your own situation.  What are we going to do in our village or in the area where we live in the next 6 months?  What kind of capacity do we have in our district?  What kind of capacity do we have in the villages where we are living or working?  What are the needs of the people I the village(s)?  Who are the leaders or influential people we should talk to about these matters?  How can we encourage the people to start with a small place and be successful, and be willing to continue to work at this? Note: The people in the African villages had many, many, many discouragements. It was not simple. It was not easy. But they were patient and persistent and God greatly blessed their efforts over time. So, think about the next 6 months, and and be ready to talk about what sort of project are you going to do. And, what practical, simple, next steps are you going to take -- step by step -- to make it happen? ______________________________________________________

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7 Steps to Learning Stories 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6. 7.

Choose and/or write down your story. Learn the story and divide it into parts. Imagine the setting of the story in your mind. Imagine the action taking place in the story. Read the story aloud. Use your voice to project the images you have imagined. Memorize the story. Practice telling the story until it comes naturally. 7 Steps for Dialogue

1. 2. 3. 4. 5. 6.

Review the story you told in the previous session. Use natural cultural patterns to introduce and tell the story. Ask listeners to re-tell story. Accuracy is important. Ask questions that help listeners review story without explaining it or preaching it. Ask questions that help you understand what the listener has understood. Be sensitive in dealing with incorrect answers or retellings. 7. Use the discussion time to develop positive relationships with listeners.

Training of Trainers Alternate Wrap-Up Session (2-3 Hours) 1. Review key partnership principles. 2. Review the idea of local oral Bible churches working with believers from other nearby village churches. Review the potential benefits and the special challenges. 3. Each Hub identifies their TOL action plan: What type of events (training trainers, etc.); how many events in the 12 months. Report back to the full group. 4. Group development of an effective communication, encouragement, and follow-up plan. What would be most helpful in sharing information, stories, and progress reports? 5. Closing comments, celebration, and prayer and dedication.

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GOD’S TREE OF LIFE SAMPLE TRAINING EVALUATION REPORT Your response is very important. It will be used to determine your needs and provide necessary information to organizations that provide financial support for God’s Tree of Life thru visionsynergy. Thank you for responding.

1. Author of this report: 2. Date of this report: 3. Name(s) of national/local organization(s) sponsoring this training: 4. Did any other organization(s) contribute funds for this training? If yes, A. Please name the organization(s) B. How much did each contribute? 5. Training Event information: A. Provide the dates this training was conducted: B. Name the location of training seminar: (country, city/village, etc.) C. Name of the trainer(s) of this workshop: D. Which language or languages were used to do this training? E. How many participants were trained at this event? F. Number of men:

Number of women:

G: Number Local Trainers:

Number of Master Trainers:

H. What churches were represented by the participants? 6. Please share one statement that you may have heard from a student attending this training that best illustrates how God is working thru TOL training. 7. Which lesson or lessons did the participants find to be the most helpful? 8. How may this training be improved?

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God’s Tree of Life SAMPLE PROJECT PLANNING REPORT Your response is very important. It will be used to determine your needs and provide necessary information to organizations that provide financial support for God’s Tree of Life thru visionsynergy. Thank you for responding. ] 1. Author of this report: 2. Date of this report: 3. Names of local churches involved with this project: 4. Project category: [ ] Church Planting [ ] Economic Development

[ ] Social Justice [ ] Community Development

5. Area project will be implemented (country, city/village, etc.): 6. Name of project champion and contact information: 7. What is the purpose of the project? The objective or hoped-for outcomes? 8. Who will be impacted or served by the project? Who are the direct beneficiaries? 9. What are the key elements of the project (number of people involved, methodology used, time required, etc.)? 10. How do you feel the village feels about the project? 11. Start date: 12. List milestones set by group and dates planned for these milestones to be achieved:

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God’s Tree of Life SAMPLE PROJECT EVALUATION REPORT Your response is very important. It will be used to determine your needs and provide necessary information to organizations that provide financial support for God’s Tree of Life thru visionsynergy. Thank you for responding.

1. Author of this report: 2. Date of this report: 3. Names of local churches involved with this project: 4. Project category: [ ] Church Planting [ ] Economic Development

[ ] Social Justice [ ] Community Development

5. Area project will be implemented (country, city/village, etc.): 6. Name of project champion and contact information: 7. How is this initiative doing? A. What is going well?

B. What needs to be improved?

8. What have been the specific outcomes of the project to date related to project category?

9. Any additional comments are welcome.

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