Weekly Evangelistic Meetings for International Students
Contents
The meeting should be such that international students
will want to come again!
Atmosphere
The atmosphere of a welcoming, friendly meeting begins
with a personal invitation. Of course, the invitation
flyers and posters also help to set the atmosphere and
expectations.
As students arrive, greet them, and have people there who
will engage them in conversation. It's somewhat frightening
for a new international student to come to a new country, a
strange meeting, and stand around alone wondering what's
going on.
The atmosphere is helped by a relaxed room, some colorful
posters, tea, and something for people to munch on.
If you sing, be sure to choose simple, applicable songs.
Sing songs which your international friends can join in on,
and don't make liars out of them. For example, don't choose
songs such as, "Blessed assurance, Jesus is mine," unless
the international students are Christians and can truly join
you.
Introduce the evening's program. People are more relaxed
when they know what's going to happen.
Introduce all people who are present, not just the
"newcomers." Don't single people out as "new" or "our
guests." Let everyone share their name, country, something
personal, such as what they're studying, what they find
funny or strange in the culture here, what they like to eat
for breakfast, or something else unusual. This will get
people laughing and relaxed.
Be sure to take time for people. Friendliness goes a long
way; be a friend. Christians in the group should make a
point of talking with the international students, not with
each other or other "insiders." Use people's names in
conversation, they appreciate it, and it makes them feel
more at home.
If you get Christian international students involved in
leading the meeting, they'll help the atmosphere be truly
international.
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Timing
Far better that the meeting be too short than too long!
It's better having people wishing that they had more, than
going home wishing that the meeting had ended half an hour
earlier.
It's helpful to build bridges from one element of the
evening to another. This can be done through a simple
statement, such as (for a transition to Bible study),
"Tonight we've enjoyed eating some international food. Now
we'd like to read about what happened when Jesus was at a
party," or "Toby has just shown us some beautiful pictures
of her country, Norway. Now let's see what the Bible says
about the beauty of creation."
Be sure to end on time, so that there's enough time for
unhurried personal conversation. This is perhaps one of the
most important parts of the evening - the time after the
"official" end, when people are relaxed and talking with
each other.
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Content of Meeting
Four parts:
1) Introduction of evening and each other,
singing
2) Casual time for tea and chatting
3) Program
4) Personal conversations at the close of the meeting
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Program suggestions:
Thematic: You could do something which
relates to a holiday, such as Easter, Christmas,
Thanksgiving Day, or one of our national holidays. You
might have a party, games, or some other theme
("Mountains," "Peace," or "Family" for example). It's
good sometime during the meeting to include a 5 minute
devotional from Scripture, trying to tie Scripture into
the theme (not always easy!)
Country: Invite some of the international
students to take an evening to introduce their country
(nationals from this country can do this occasionally,
too). They could prepare some samples of their national
foods, show pictures, a film or slides of their country,
and teach songs or folk dances. Christian internationals
could include a short devotional or testimony.
Bible study: Aim --> To help
international students get to know the Lord Jesus Christ.
A Gospel account is the best, choosing a passage in which
Jesus comes into contact with people in their everyday
need.
Important! Leave time at the end of the "official"
meeting time for personal conversations.
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