Crossword Puzzle: Introduction to Missions

A tool for learning about the biblical and theological foundations of world missions

Based on material in chapter 2 of Discovering Missions by Gailey and Culbertson

cover of Discovering
Missions

Challenge: Can you solve this puzzle even if you do not have the book? If not, then use this online PDF of Discovering Missions to find the answers!

crossword puzzle grid

Word document with puzzle grid

ACROSS
3 A Hebrew word meaning "peoples" that appears 500 times in the Old Testament
4 God's covenant with this man included the promise that through him, "All peoples on earth will be blessed"
6 What King Solomon built to be a worship center for all peoples and not just for those born as Hebrews
7 The number of different language groups who heard the gospel on the Day of Pentecost from Peter and others of the 120 who had been in the Upper Room
8 What Paul's missionary strategy reminds us we need to do with the gospel message
DOWN
1 The Old Testament prophet who is often called the stubborn or reluctant or even "obstinate" missionary
2 The place where God made a covenant with His people, saying that they would be "a kingdom of priests." Peter says that phrase indicated they would declare God's praises to the world (1 Peter 1:3 and 2:9)
5 The kind of people for whom we need to look if we follow the pattern of Paul's missionary strategy

Puzzle answers

    -- Howard Culbertson,

Based on material in the book Discovering Missions by Charles Gailey and Howard Culbertson, published by Beacon Hill Press of Kansas City (now known as The Foundry)

Afterword: Biblical Foundatioins

The Christian world evangelism movement is well-rooted in several key biblical and theological principles. At its core is the Great Commission, wherein Jesus instructs his followers to "go and make disciples of all nations" (Matthew 28:19). This mandate underscores the universality of the Gospel message. It clearly makes an imperative out of sharing the Gospel with all ethnolinguistic people groups on earth. Additionally, passages such as Acts 1:8, speak of spreading the Gospel to the ends of the earth. Those provide a further theological basis for global evangelism.

The belief in the transformative power of the Gospel message to bring salvation and redemption to individuals and societies fuels the fervor behind evangelistic efforts. The theological understanding of humanity's need for reconciliation with God, as articulated in Romans 3:23-24, also motivates Christians to share the Good News with the world. Furthermore, the concept of missio dei, or God's mission, emphasizes that evangelism is not merely a human endeavor. Rather it isbut a participation in God's work of redemption and reconciliation. Stronpg biblical and theological foundations underpin the Christian world evangelism movement. Over the centuries they have inspired believers to proclaim the Gospel message worldwide.

Crossword puzzles: Click on numbers to retrieve sheets

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"What a fun way to ensure memory and comprehension! Thank you so much for sharing this activity! I did manage to get them all right with minimal reference to the text which is very encouraging." -- Mandie M., Nazarene Bible College student

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