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Study Guide for

Land of Revelation

A Reconciling Presence in Israel

Foreword and Chapters 1 - 5

By Roy H. Kreider

This Study Guide is also available for download as a Word document or in PDF Acrobat format.

See also Land of Revelation in the Herald Press online catalog.

  		 
Foreword & Chapters 1 - 5

Foreword

  1. What are the several levels Wilbert Shenk identifies on which this memoir can be read? What are those struggles that came with living in a dynamic and tense environment? What are the surprising breakthroughs in response to the call of God?
  2. In this Land where monotheistic faith originated, both Jews and Christians receive inspiration from reading the same Hebrew Scriptures, while reading and interpreting it from different perspectives. How is Scripture to be read so as to allow it to judge and inform attitudes and actions?
  3. Why is the State of Israel so adamantly opposed to any expression of Christian missionary activity in the Land? What were those limited freedoms officially allowed for the Christian churches and mission agencies? Israel declares itself a democracy, a Jewish State that circumscribes the religious activities of other religious groups. How is this contradiction in official positions explained? At what point does an official and national attitude constitute a closed door to missions?
  4. Where does vision for the mission of God originate? In representing the God who calls and commissions as “ambassadors in Christ’s stead” (2 Corinthians 5:20 ) in a ministry of reconciliation, what are those qualities essential for an ambassador to be effectual? How important is the acceptance of an ambassador’s credentials for validation of that representation?
  5. How would you interpret the mission directive, “presence in the Spirit of Jesus will be the manner of mission”? Can missions be justified if those sent do not establish local churches? Is it a valid commissioning if those sent out are not provided with a clearly defined job description?
  6. What does Wilbert identify to be the grace note running through this memoir?
  7. Of the eleven themes gleaned from this writing, “upon which one can draw important insights that are of enduring value for missiological reflection,” which ones appear to be universally relevant, and which are applicable especially to Israel?
  8. What are those “other numerous theological and missiological issues raised by this writing”?

Chapter 1, CALLED OUT

  1. According to Psalm 110:3, how is “the day of Thy power” recognized? Isaiah over-heard the Lord say, “Whom shall I send and who will go for us?” At once he volunteered, “Here am I, send me.” How is the call of God heard? Is the call of God my discovering what I am fitted for? Or is it hearing what God says? What is the role of the Holy Spirit in bringing me into the zone where I am able to hear the voice of God? Is the call of God for the special few, or is it the privilege of everyone?
  2. How do we recognize the signs of divine stirrings when the Lord is doing something new in which he would have us prepare to be involved? How do we avoid the impulsive moving out ahead of God’s guidance? How do we wait on God to bring it round to his timing, so as to avoid heartbreak and disappointment?
  3. How do we learn the spiritual culture to see “in everything God at work turning it for the good”? How can I as a follower of Jesus be made ready to face Jesus Christ at every turn which is my greatest need? How did this visit to the synagogue become the Lord’s surprise revelation?
  4. In reaching out to people of other faiths, what can we learn from the welcoming hospitality shown by the synagogue to visitors recognized as representing another faith community? Without embarrassing by targeting us, what can we learn from the Rabbi’s spontaneous adaptive refocusing of his message appealing to both his Jewish audience and Christian guests?
  5. What is this dynamic of kindred feeling through historic suffering imparting the powerful bond of empathy and understanding as a bridge between peoples of other faiths? What examples can be cited and reflected upon? How important is it to pray to build bridges and develop positive bonds of relation from tragic chapters of common historic experience?
  6. How is the Hand of the Divine Potter working in molding and shaping the clay to form a vessel for his own purpose and use? Does this shaping process only begin when the call of God is heard and responded to? Is this process life-long?
  7. “You shall be witnesses unto Me!” What does this call mean? Have you heard this call of the Lord?

Chapter 2, PROMISED LAND, CONFLICTED LAND

  1. Why was this small geographical region historically designated “The Promised Land”? Can divine promises made to Abraham 3800 years ago be considered valid in this present? On what was the promise based? How has the revelation of Messiah Jesus “in whom all the promises of God have their focus” affected this promise regarding land?
  2. Isaiah 11:11 and 12, highlights the theme of the great exodus which is itself the great home-coming, bursting the bounds of nationalities as nations flow to the Messianic king. What insights are conveyed in the resultant peace that springs, not from possession of Land but from righteousness and a resultant hope characterized as “knowledge of the Lord producing transformed character”?
  3. Into this seedbed of awakening aspirations and rising hopes within both the Arab and the Jewish peoples, seeds of official promises were sown that have grown into the harvest of mounting conflict over rights to this Land of Palestine. What were the formative historic events that gave rise to the modern Zionist movement? What were the formative events giving strength to a simultaneous Arab national movement? To whom was Great Britain giving assurances that their national movement of independence in Palestine would be recognized and supported?
  4. What sequence of events resulted in the shift in British government support for an Arab state in Palestine to support for a Jewish state? What was the significance of the Syke – Picot Treaty? What were the circumstances that created the Balfour Declaration, and why did it take precedence over other proposals for dealing with the Arab-Jewish Palestine question?
  5. What role did Dr. Chaim Weizmann perform in influencing direction in decision making? What assurances regarding the Jewish state did Dr. Weizmann give? What was the significance of the “White Paper” issues by Lord Passfield in 1930? What new policy guidelines for Palestine did it set forth? What was its impact upon the Zionists and upon the Arabs? What was the Peel Commission? What were its findings and recommendations? What was the Partition Plan prepared by the League of Nations for Palestine ? What was the Zionist response to this Partition Plan? What was the Arab response? How was the destiny of Palestine determined by events in Nazi-dominated Europe ? When the British Mandate of occupation of Palestine ended on May 14, 1948 , what sequence of events brought irreversible changes for both the Jewish and the Arab populations in the region?
  6. Arthur Koestler has called Palestine “The Twice Promised Land,” doubly promised, first from Mount Sinai , then from 10 Downing Street . If this ingathering into Israel does not fulfill the spiritual return to the Lord as envisioned by the Prophets, does it possibly have a relation to what is envisioned by the Apostle Paul in Romans 9 – 11? Is it divine preservation of the shell for the sake of the kernel, the remnant who embrace Jesus as Messiah by faith? Could it be a preparation for a fresh encounter with grace? Could these events have happened to rouse the Church to prayer?

Chapter 3, COME UP HIGHER

  1. To be brought into the atmosphere of the call of God is to be made aware of a higher purpose to live for. What changes in life does the call of God inaugurate? Why did Jesus refer to it as “the light”? What happens if we do not respond? Is it possible to hear and know the call of God in childhood? See 1 Samuel 3:1-14; Jeremiah 1:4-5.
  2. Since the Lord directs our steps, is there evidence of a pattern emerging of how he is preparing and shaping direction for our life? When thoughts throb within, “I must get out from this cabined and confining place,” how do we discover whether it is God? What initiative is ours to take that will bring us into the place where the thoughts and plans of God can be made known?
  3. How important is an immersion into disciplined study of the Word, and especially saturating our soul and memory with the promises of God as basic preparation for whatever will be direction toward a God-planned future?
  4. The Israel Committee was newly formed, and already at first meeting our names were recommended as possible candidates to be considered. Henry Garber was a member of that committee, and a participant in those discussions. Therefore his comments and caution were in fact intended encouragement, all of which was unknown to me. What is to be learned from this misunderstanding of the caution and of conclusions drawn regarding my qualifications for overseas assignment? Could this humbling experience have been the Lord’s necessary work?
  5. What are the essentials to be looked for to confirm that God is leading and that we therefore should respond with acceptance of the invitation, despite deficiency of essential information, knowing full well the overwhelming challenge involved, and aware of high risk such assignment entails? In the light of what the MCC Director discovered, and the restrictive caution he communicated, would it have been wiser for us all to conclude that the door into Israel is from all indications closed? If the sending agency is unable to provide adequate guideline, a clearly defined job description, and more satisfying answers to essential questions, is it foolhardy to accept assignment, and to venture forth in faith ill-prepared?
  6. What were the priorities outlined as initial steps for us on arrival? Are these appropriate first considerations? Would such limited guidelines be considered adequate for commissioning workers in this present? What is the difference?
  7. What is the basis for the confidence that prayer will enable God’s rule and over-rule? If on God’s side the door is standing open, how can I conclude the door that appears shut is indeed shut?

Chapter 4, CALLED TO BE SENT

  1. What significance is discovered in this sequence, first called of God into a deepening relationship with the Lord, then called to be sent?
  2. How does the mission of the Servant in Isaiah 49, to bring Israel back to God, compare with the mission of those sent to Israel in this present crisis? Is a restoration that happens only within a remnant of faith in Israel of this present a revelation of fulfillment of the mission of God in that Land today?
  3. In what ways was the hand of God upon an apparent fruitless mission? Is the mission of God to Israel part and parcel with the mission of God to the nations, so that it would be discrimination to exclude them from the global mission?
  4. How is the example of Joseph sent of God to Egypt a paradigm of the call to be sent—a life that is a presence with integrity, with an uncommon spirit that redeems whatever situation in which it is placed? An alien in a strange land, hearing a language he did not understand (Psalm 81:5), sent without a job description, ready to trust God to open doors and find roles to fill, willing to do the commonest tasks in an uncommon way so that it ceases to be commonplace? Conscientious in practical ways in every situation, because God was with him? An adaptability that was exemplary with the power to adjust to every set of circumstances into which he was “pitch-forked”? How do we learn to be a presence with these rarest assets of life, able to transform whatever he touches? How do we measure our life by self-expenditure?
  5. What is revealed in the missiological principle of “calling forth the Israel of the Spirit out from Israel of the flesh”?
  6. What spiritual lessons were learned at the outset of our mission venture, the entire oceanic voyage from New York to Southampton sailing through hurricane winds and violent waves?
  7. What are those spiritual gyro-stabilizers that can keep us afloat and on course in an uncharted sea of our life and service in an unwelcoming and conflicted Land?
  8. How did the festive atmosphere of the Feast of Tabernacles aboard ship minister calm and encouragement of faith in preparation for our arrival in Israel ?

Chapter 5, ENTERING THE LAND

  1. What is required in our faith experience that enables us to lay hold upon those ancient promises spoken of God to people of faith in this Land, and that can still minister encouragement, direction, and refreshing to people of faith today?
  2. How can we be assured that when we arrive at our destination, God will be with us, and have his prepared servants willing to advise and assist as needed?
  3. Where are those precious promises in Scripture assuring that the Lord goes before and opens the way, making preparations for our arrival?
  4. How does this same Land remind equally of devastation and restoration, of judgment, fulfillment, and the unfulfilled? How is God at work in these contrasting realities?
  5. In this Land of Revelation so pregnant with reminders of ancient words ever true, the parables Jesus told, and the mighty acts of God accomplished in times past, is it too much to believe that this unchangeable God can repeat them in our time?
  6. How had the Lord prepared a better place for us when we were informed of “no room in the Inn ”?
  7. In what ways did the Jerusalem prayer meeting introduce us to an initial discovery of how ministry in the Land would be accomplished?
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