Missions with Don & Rosemary

These are pictures of some of the 275 or more sojourners that are spending some time together having morning coffee together before we have morning devotionals. These morning coffees together give us time not only to get to know each other better but to learn from each other opportunities for service and often share ideas as to how to improve our outreach and service to the church. There are many members of the sojourners, that as opportunity arises would be happy to come to the congregation with whom you worship and not only conduct a bible class but also to tell people about the mission of the sojourners. What you might learn from these lessons may well help a congregation of which you are aware can use our help. Looking forward to going to Granny White in Nashville tomorrow night to teach another class on personal evangelism. Much of our lesson tomorrow night will deal with how to make the church a center in the community. There is so much interest at Granny White that they are giving us a bigger room. Had a great bible study with some fine people today. Finished the daylight part of the day with a dinner that Rosemary and I shared with a couple of our dear brethren in the sojourners Neal & Thelma. Finishing the day with you. Good Night Don

I want to encourage those who have an interest in personal evangelism to check out the open bible method of bible study. Thus far we have had much interest generated by those with whom we study. We had 2 studies this evening. 2 more are scheduled for tomorrow morning. 2 others have expressed an interest about 40 miles from here in another county and we have scheduled a study with them this Sat. morn. We are looking forward to our class on personal evangelism at Granny White this Wed. There has been such interest in this class that they are getting us a bigger room. In these seminar, we present opportunities in evangelism that all christians can egage themselves in. There is much more to personal evangelism than the actual teaching. Contact must be made, notes for the teacher are often needed, sometimes transportation may be needed to get to a study. In this seminar, we endeavor to teach all of this as well as the use of the open bible method of teaching. Of course I would be honored to help all in this method of study to the extent of my ability. I would suggest, however, that you contact the Northwest Church of Christ in Lawton, Okla. 580- 353-4230 or email them at workshop@nwcoclawton.com . I believe they have very capable teachers in this method that will be glad to help. Don

Bible Study--What He says unto your--do it.
Jn.2:5, Acts 1:2

Three important issues of life that Jesus addressed

I. What He says concerning the issue of worship, do it.
"Worship has to do with what God wants, rather than what mankind likes.
Jn.4:24, Jn.5:39, Heb.8:5

1.Prayer ITim.2:1, 2.Lord's Supper or Communion Acts 20:7
3. Giving ICor.16:2, 4.Music in worship Eph.5:18, 5.Preaching IITim.4:2

II.What He says about the use of our influence--do it.
Mt.5:14, Phil.2:15, Jn.12:32
We can make wise use of our influence.

III. What He says about preparing for the after-life, do it
Job 14:5&14, Jn.11:25, Mt.25:34,41,46

Bible Study----What He says unto you--Do it.
Jn.2:5, Acts 1:2

Three important issues of life that Jesus addressed:

I. What He says concerning the issue of worship, Do it.
Worship has to do what God wants, rather than what mankind likes.
Jn.4:24, Jn.5:39, Heb.8:5

Let's look for a pattern of worship in the New Testament.
1.Prayer ITim.2:1, 2. The Lord's supper or communion Acts 20:7
3. Giving ICor.16:2 4.Music in the worship Eph.5:19
5.Preaching IITim.4:2

II. What He says about the use of our influence--do it
Mt:14, Phil.2:15, Jn.12:32
We can make wise use of our influence.

III. What He says about preparing for the after-life, prepare for it.
Job 14:5&14, Jn.11:25, Mt. 25:34,41,46

When it comes to evangelism, this is one of my heroes. Pictured here is Windsor, a sojourner for many years. Not only does Windsor and his family envolve themselves in several evangelistic sojourns durring the year, he teaches personal evangelism at the work shop at "Camp B" in Marshall, Tx. I was fortunate enough to take his classes. What a teacher. Whenever he is asked to speak at the congregation, the building fills quickly. We learn so much from his many years of experience. He teaches us not only how to teach in a manner to convert people, he also help us understand how to obtain studies with prospective learners. May I encourage you to learn more about the sojourners by going to our web site at www.sojourning.org Call me if I can help. 931-698-3150 or email me at donchudson.mcis.us. Don't wait. The schedule fills up fast and there are always more sojourns requested than we can do. Remember, we do not accept financial payment for our help. Don

What a wonderful class on personal evangelism we had last night at Granny White. We had to send out for more copies of the material on two occasions. Next week they are putting us in a different room to accommodate more people. At the class last night we discussed how to get contacts and prospects for bible teaching. ( How to get started) We plan to finish this lesson next Wed. and begin a lesson on how to make the church a center of the community.--- from the bible. Then we plan to have two lessons on the use of the open method of bible teaching also called the "safety chain method" of bible study. The class is very excited and I am also learning a lot from them. It is always a joy for us to be involved in personal evangelism and to teach this course, but last night was very special. Br. and Sis. Leo Snow heard that I was going to be at Granny White and they came to the class. I have known Br. Leo for some 50 yrs. My dear mother. when she was alive, often told people that Bro. Snow was one of the most influential people on my life. She was right. He taught me in VBS in S. Fla. and then when I went to Lipscomb in the fall of 1960, I was privileged to take many bible classes under him. We have had requests to learn of the open bible method and we are only to happy to share info on this. Email us if we can help. I might also suggest that you go to the sojourners web site at www.sojourners.org . We have many members in the sojourners who use this method or very similar and it is our great joy to help the church. Many of us are involved in personal evangelism As you may know the sojourners never receive payment for our volunteer work. We are thrilled we can serve our God by serving the church. I am aware that you may also email the church in Lawton Okla. at workshop@nwdodlawton.com for some good info on the open bible study. Thanks for the email and the bible questions. Don

I am sure that many of you are already aware of this method of bible study, but today we began using a method known as "The open bible method of bible study" also often called by some the "safety chain method of bible study" I like it because if you think you are going to get one opportunity to study with someone, this takes about an hour and takes the student from the inspiration of the scripture thru baptism. I had the student do all of the reading and it actually took a little less than an hour. The student responded to the gospel call in repentance and restoration. We have a study scheduled for Thurs. with another man and then Fri. morning we have a study scheduled with another man. We certainly expect positive responses from them also. To our knowledge they are not members of the Church of Christ. As you have an interest in personal evangelism that can lead to growth of the church, may I suggest you become familiar with this method of bible study. If you will email me, I can put you in contact with those that teach this course. This as I understand is done on a volunteer basis. All of us that use this method are thrilled to use it. I will be using this method as we begin our church growth series at Granny White tomorrow night. With this method you learn not only what to teach, how to teach, but also some tried and true ways of initiating-- getting someone to say yes to a study. If Rosemary and I can help, please call us at 931-698-3150 or e mail at dhudson@mcis.us http://donchudson.blogspot.com Good Night, Don

Two very impressive christians Doug and Maxine. They are very much involved in mission work. They have been members of the Sojourners for several years. Rosemary and I had a great time with them in Marshall, Tx. We also look forward in serving with them in 2007 in missions in Key West and Hollywood. A new approach in personal evangelism ( new to me) was learned not only with the help of Russ, an elder in the church in N. Ala. but also in classes at the sojourners' workshop in Marshall. This approach is often called the open bible method or safety chain method. It can be taught in about an hour and can often lead to not only conversersion but further study in christianity. Looking forward to beginning our personal evangelism classes at Granny White Wed. night. Don

Bible Study----When the Great I Am speaks, I listen...

Ex.3:14, Jn.8:58, Is.6:8

I. When the Great I Am speaks of salvation--I listen.
Jn.3:3-7, Mk.16:15&16

II. When the Great I Am speaks of personal responsibility, I listen.
A. Sin is dependent on recruitment
IIPet.2:17&18, Mt.7:15
1.promise happiness--give despair
2.promise a great high--often a great crash

III.When the Great I am tell me to speak out, I listen.
Ez.33:7-9, ICor.9:16

Bible Study (2) The affectation of the Christian on the world
Rm.12:21, Mt.5:16

I. Affecting Self--yielding to God
IICor.4:7, Ps.68:1,Ps.68:19,Ps.100:3, Gal.3:26

II Affecting Surroundings--an outward turning
"A candle looses nothing when it lights another".
Gal.6:2, Rm.15:1, Gal.6:10, Ecc.11:1, Mt.7:12
A. To affect, spiritual strength a great help. Much prayer, bible reading, ask God's help.
Ps.51:10 Mt.28:20

III. Reluctance for concern of misunderstanding
Gal.6:10, Lk.6:26
IV. Obey the gospel---everyone may not give approval or be happy.
My question? Will God approve?

First of all, may I suggest a trip to www.creekwoodcc.org David has written a couple of articles in his newletter that are very interesting. We have been working for much of today on getting better learned and prepared to use, the "Open Bible " method of bible study. We have a bible study planned with an individual next week and I plan to use it in our study. Tonight is football Fri. night. Lipscomb plays Marshll Co. here in Lewisburg. Several of the family and a great number from Nashville will be here to see the game. Two of our grandboys, Don III ("Little Donnie") a senior and his brother Dallon ("Dallie") both play for Lipscomb. You'd better believe I am a proud Papa. Rosemary and I are also thankful they are Christians. I continue to receive information about the continued need for help in the Bayou La Batre. If you have opportunity to help, if you contact us we can give you names and numbers to call. Don

Rosemary and I have just returned from the Oct. Workshop of the Sojourners in Marshall, Texas. While we have been sojourners for nearly two years, it was our first visit to Camp "B". It was one of the greatest learning experiences that I believe I have ever had. All of the lessons and classes had very practical applications. I learned so much about how to be a better personal worker. How to better reach people. How to better teach people. These lessons were all taught by brethren who are and have been reaching out to people for years. One of my best classes was taught by a brother well over 80yrs. of age. We were introduced to several methods of teaching that can help an individual become a christian in one - two lessons and then you have an opportunity to help them grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ. This next Wed. night we begin a four (4) Wed. night study with the Granny White Church of Christ in Nashville, Tenn. on numerical church growth, out reach, and personal work. Around the first of Dec. we are looking forward to being with the church in Punta Gorda and Port Charlotte, Fla. This also affords us an excellent opportunity to spend some time with my Dad while there. We are aware of brethren going down to Bayou La Batre to help the church there in evangelism. We really wanted to go. We love the congregation in Bayou La Batre, but just can't go on this one. We are looking forward to the middle of Jan.-Feb. of 07. We will be on a sojourn with the church in Key West and Hollywood Fla. It was good to go to the workshop to learn better how to reach and teach people, like those pictured above in a bible study with us in the 5th wheel, but I've got to tell you it is good to be home for a few days and to be with my wonderful brethren at Howell. Don

Rosemary and I are in Marshall, Tx. at the Sojourners's fall workshop. It has been an excellent opportunity for learning evangelism. There are lectures in the morning and classes in the afternoon. We are taking all of the personal work classes that we can. They have all been good. There are about 275 christians here with about 150 rigs of all description. We are among the youngest here, if not the youngest. It is a blessing to us to see alot of people in there 70's and 80's still working very hard in the kingdom. It really gives us something to look up to. There is a sign at the entrance of the park that reads, "Be careful for "older" children". Thus far we have volunteered for a soujourn in Key West in Jan., a sojourn in Hollywood in Feb. and probably a sojourn in the Florence, Al. area in July. This will
be besides our meetings this summer. We are looking forward to arriving back home this coming Fri. Then we begin a series on Wed. nights at the Granny White Church on evangelism and church growth for about a month. Don

For the next couple of weeks, it may be "hit and miss" in writing on the blog and answering your email. We plan to leave in the morning for Camp B in Marshall, Tx. for the Sojourners work shop. I don't know if there will be facilities for logging on or now. Will answer your emails as soon as I can. Just received, thru Russ, an very interesting bible study course to use in evangelism. Already have a bible study lined up when I get back. The Sojourners workshop at Marshall is a great opportunity for Rosemary & I to learn and to become more effective in our mission work. Had a wonderful day with my brethren at Howell. Had a good attendance. Don

Pictured here are two of the finest people we have ever known. These are Sojourners Dick and Nita. They were the first team leaders under whom Rosemary and I served. We have been with them from S. Fla. to Indiana. Dick and Nita have been a constant encouragement to us in continuing our missioin work. Because of Dick's recommendation, we are looking forward especially to the team leader classes that are being offered at the Sojourners workshop in Marshall, Texas. If you are aware of congregations, wherever, that would benefit from Christians who have both the opportunity and desire to help the church, may I suggest you contact the sojourners at www.sojournig.org. Of course you can contact any sojourner such as Rosemary and me and they will be glad to help. Was talking to Neal, Doug, and Joe who are already at Camp B and they said there was already and good number of sojourners that have arrived. This will be our first opportunity for this workshop and we can hardly wait to get there for the excellent program that will be taught.
For the next couple of weeks it may be a little difficult to get on line as much as we normally do, so it may be a few days before we can answer your email. You can always call us at 931-698-3150. Looking very much forward to worshipping with my much beloved brethren at Howell tomorrow. Don

I am the Way--Jn.14:1-6

I. Bible discusses the importance of the way
Jer.6:16, Mt.7:13&14, Pr.16:25

II. "I am the way of eternal life" Is there life after life?
Jn.5:28&29, I Thess.$:13-18

III. "I am the way of achievement in life".
A. Many want, but not willing to pay the price.
Mt.7:12, Rm.12:11, Heb.6:12, Col.3:23
B.Sin can be a barrier to achievement
1. A "sapper"of spiritual energy
2.A "sapper"of your reputation

IV. "I am the way of salvation"
1. Eternal judgment is final
2.Eternal judgment is fair Heb.4:12&13
A. Salvation means among other things:
1.Relationship Gal.3:26&27
2.Expectation of a home in heaven Jn.3:16&17

The camp "B" work shop draws ever closer. Have talked to several that are already there helping with the camp ground. Many times we talk about mission work that many of us "older ones"are involved with. As a person who has attended the Church of Christ now for over 65 yrs and a baptized believer for over 50 yrs. I see a lot of change. I know when I was growing up and for many years I was unaware of young people and families using their vacations and summer breaks to take mission trips or for college students to take their week-ends off and go to devastated areas and work long hours to clean up. I was unaware of opportunity of evangelism and outreach thru community service. I believe we have some great young who love the Lord. I believe we have a lot of families who work hard in involvement with and for their children to have opportunity to serve, learn and fellowship. Oh, yes I'm thankful for the opportuinity of us, "a little older ones", to provide examples in missions, faith, love, teaching, worship and living for the Lord. The next mission on which Rosemary & I plan to be involved is with the Church in Key West and in the Hollywood area. Looking forward to going to the tent meeting in Huntsville tonight. Looking forward to the worship and fellowship and in seeing Joe & Gladys, Bob& Billie, Sam&Marlene. Don