The document discusses various challenges and approaches related to sharing the gospel with Hindu friends in India. It notes that some potential hindrances include fear, lack of burden or time, and not feeling equipped. It also addresses how to connect with friends influenced by religious philosophies through a contextual or incarnational approach, emphasizing relationship building, patience, and investment of time. The document provides biblical examples of sharing faith cross-culturally and suggests practical evangelism methods like hospitality, festivals, social engagements, and personal listening.

1. COACH Institute of Intercultural Studies, Hyderabad
Gospel & Culture
Dr. Pothana

2. Witnessing Gospel to Friends

3. QQ 1 2 3 4 5 6 7
42
What are the possible
hindrances to share the Gospel
to Hindu students? (n=177)
24% 22% 17% 6% 25% 3% 3%
1. Fear, 2.No Burden, 3. No Appropriate Literature, 4. No Time, 5. Not equipped, 6. Any other 7. Not Answered
Hindrances for evangelizing Friends

4. Social implication
Missionaries came to India to open the mind of people by
opening schools. Friends went to West and closed the minds
through yoga, transcendental meditation..etc.

5. How do we
disciple Indian
Friends?
What are the
challenges in
discipling friends
influenced by
Religious
philosophy &
theology?

6. Response from other Friends
Do the Friends respond to the Gospel positively?
Indians are longing to know Christ; they respond positively

7. Shivite VaishnaviteBetween the two world views
Ascetic world view
Action world view
Asceticism is a religious discipline designed to
de-emphasize the pleasures of the world
so the practitioner can concentrate on the
spiritual life.
Vaishnavite Bhakti movement
is a religious discipline designed to
emphasize need for morality, purity of
heart and an attitude of selfless service.
How to connect the unconnected Friends

8. Connecting with congnitive mind
Relational : Jesus’ Approach_ John 4
Persistence : It takes time
Investment : Needs to go an extra mile

10. Difficulties
Rejection
Reputation of the family
Physical assault and persecution
Fear of the future

11. The way they
connect

12. Where to Begin

13. Contextual or incarnational Approach
• Is step-by-step
• Conversion typically results from a ‘chain’ of
experiences.
“I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has
been making it grow (1 Corinthians 3:6)
– Contextual Church creates those links
What were the
links in your life?

14. Contextual Church Planting:
1. Its intentional focus on friendship places a high value on people
“Every person has a right to hear the Gospel in a way that they can
understand” – Jim Rayburn
2. Earns you the right to be heard
1. Relationship produces:
1. Respect
2. A sense of safety
3. Conviction that you care
3. It Is an intentional transforming journey
-Demands patience

15. Contextual Preaching
Be simple
• Never underestimate other people’s intelligence & Never overestimate their knowledge
• Indigenous homiletics/ Swadeshi

16. Cultural sensitivity

17. Difference between respect and worship

18. Worship

19. Marriage

20. BUT what does
The Bible
have to say
about all of this?

21. Peter’s encounter with the Roman CORNELIUS.
(Acts 10-11, 15)
Jesus’ encounter with the Gentile DEMONIAC (Mark 5)
Paul’s experience with the Greek TITUS. (Galatians 2)

22. What did Jewish law require of Gentiles
in order to be saved and included among God’s chosen people?
1 Circumcision
2 Baptism
3 Temple sacrifice
4 Obey Mosaic Law
5 Social separation
from Gentiles
“It is my judgment, therefore, that we
should not make it difficult for the
Gentiles who are turning to God.”
Acts 15:19

23. Sharing Christ with Friends
We Must First Listen
Appreciate what is good in Them
House Church
Stay Christ Centered
Fit the context of the situation
Sermon on the Mount appeals to Friends
When you share Christ with a Friend, commit the occasion to God in prayer;
share in the power of the Holy Spirit in Love. God’s desire is for the Hindu to be
restored to him through Christ. “He is patient with you, not wanting anyone to
perish, but everyone to come to repentance.” II Peter 3:9 Now it’s time for you to
share Christ with Friends.

24. Athidhi Evangelism:
Hospitality
Offering food is an important
and endearing aspect of
hospitality in Hindu culture.
Offering hospitality is
fundamental to Hindu culture
and providing food and shelter
to a needy stranger was a
traditional duty of the
householder. The unexpected
guest is called the atithi,
literally meaning "without a set
time.".
Practical ways of Effective Evangelistic activities

25. Personal Evangelism : Listening, Learning & Loving
What is the most Effective Evangelistic activity
“In spite of all discussions and deliberations
Personal Evangelism is drastically falling
down.”
I observe in our mission praxis a trend of
replacing personal evangelism with program
evangelism.

26. Festivals & Social engagements: Respect Vs. Distinct

27. Social engagements: Respect Vs. Distinct

28. Hethne Witnessing to Hethne: Connect back to your family
As Jesus was getting into the boat, the man who had been demon-possessed begged to go with him. Jesus did not
let him, but said, "Go home to your own people and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has
had mercy on you.“ (Mark 5:18 &19)

29. Take time to visit, listen to the broken heart & Love the left over

30. Take time to visit, listen to the broken heart & Love the needy