How to use RAINBOW

Good grazing can be found for sheep and cattle in classic North Island hill country like this.
(Pahiatua - New Zealand)

Rainbow Discovery is a 3 in 1 gospel tool. It can be used as a group course or as a give away or as a presentation visual.

A Group Discovery Course is a small group gathered for the purpose of finding out what Christianity is about, whether it is true, and if it is relevant in the world today. Each person is given a manual at the beginning of the course and they meet together for a period of five weeks. The 'group discovery' system suits a church that has regular enquires for salvation or baptism, or for a church who wishes to run Rainbow as an introduction to the next course, River Discipleship.

As a Good News Giveaway this book is unique. Though designed as a study, it can also be read casually like a book. It includes interesting side-stories such as the 'Nazareth Slab' and each chapter flows logically from one key concept to the next. Scripture readings, carefully selected from a range of Bible versions, are laid out in a way such as can be read seamlessly like a newspaper - not just a list of references appendixed in the rear. Thus Rainbow is ideal as a gift, or for inclusion in a 'Welcome Pack' or for placing in public waiting rooms. Keep copies available for seekers, salvation inquires, baptismal candidates, hospital visitation, prison ministry, Bible in schools.

Direct Witnessing Presentation Visual. Simply ask people if they would like to do a course about the Christian faith. Go to strangers; go to friends, and ask if you can meet with them in their house to go through an easy-to-understand book that is provided free. (A helpful leaflet may be printed here as an introduction if doing door to door) Rainbow is particularly suited for direct evangelism because it contains everything under one cover. In times past the evangelist provided the study plus a gospel of John or Luke only to find that he needed a reference from Romans as well. So he invested in an entire New Testament. Then he needed a quotation from Isaiah! The solution is to provide the gospel scriptures within the manual itself. Rainbow is a 'one-book-does-all.' The visual layout with pictures, graphics, concept boxes and scripture, is designed for three or four people to sit around a table and discover the Good News about Jesus Christ.

"Jesus - The Key to Understanding"

Leaders Notes on Study 1

Study one is rather brief. It is designed that way so the visiting team can get to know their prospective candidates. Before you visit, pray and ask the Holy Spirit to prepare the way then go in His blessing.

Make a relaxed introduction and get to know the people. Talk about their interests, their children, their concerns. Tell them about your self and why you are doing this work; maybe a little about your church, and why Christ means so much to you. Ask, "have you ever spoken with Christians about their faith before?" "How long ago and for what reasons did they lose touch with the Christian Church?" Any needs? Sick? Lonely? Family problems?

After the 'get to know chat,' open Rainbow at, 'Jesus - the Key to Understanding' so that both can see. (around a table is best) Explain that you will be sharing five studies from this manual and it will be theirs to keep for free.

Begin by reading the 'key concept' box, then improvise to explain the concept for that particular page. Do not just read the page from the top. It is better to use your own words. However do read the concept box at every page turn and always look up scriptures reading them aloud. Wherever there is a question to fill the student writes the answers.

(page 5) The Son represents God exactly.
(page 6) The life and teaching of Jesus Christ is found in the Bible.
(page 7) The key to understanding the Christian faith is Jesus Christ!

When you have finished your friend will understand that to know God is to know Christ and that the way to find Him is in the Bible.

Homework is to read the background story of Ben Hur on page 5 and 'They said he would come' (pages 26-27) including the scriptures already done. Leave Rainbow with your friend, make a time for the next meeting and go. That's it; the seed is sown.

"Who Actually is Jesus Christ?"

Leaders Notes on Study 2

Have an extra manual for this session so that one remains open at the study and the other used for scripture references. There are quite a few look-ups and the subject is too important to be distracted by flipping pages back and forth.

When a person realises that Jesus Christ is the Son of God they have received divine revelation. This is the single most powerful dawning experience in a person's life. Recap study one by reading the 'key concept' box on page 7 then lead into study two with the observation that there are a lot of opinions about Jesus Christ today. There were a lot of opinions about him back then as well. In fact ...

(page 9) People were stunned at the thought of who he might be.
Explain that page 9 can be read later then go straight to the next key point.
(page 10) Angry disagreements broke out concerning Him.
Look up what people said about him. Luke 11:14-15 shows this division after he healed a mute person. Some were amazed; others put the miracle down to the work of Satan. The division became even more stark after the healing of a blind man. Why were the leaders so upset? Read all the references on page 10 and ask the student to fill in the answer.
(page 11) The important question is, who do you say Jesus Christ is?
See what Jesus said about himself and what his disciples said. John 5 1:1-18 relates to yet another healing miracle so if that passage seems too long, just read vs. 17-18. Then do the other passages.

What we have seen is what his enemies, his friends and he himself said concerning who he really was. Homework is to read page 9 and the scripture references, then answer the questions there. Make a time for the next meeting and ask the student to consider the question on page 11 sometime before then. God does not force people to believe so ask them to tick the box according to how they feel. But after leaving, pray that Christ may reveal himself to them.

"Why Jesus Came"

Leaders Notes on Study 3

Check the previous session homework, answer any questions then open Rainbow at, 'Why Jesus came.' See the picture of the man? That's me; that's you. We are spiritual beings and that is why there is a desire deep within to make sense out of life beyond just eating and drinking and working and dying. Expand this thought with your own words (or read the page) and sum up with the 'key concept.'

(page 13) In our life a gap appears, so we try to replace God with other things. But write out the verse. Without God nothing much makes sense.
(page 14) We make money, we search for romance, we even think about religion.
The four stories here are what Christians call 'testimonies' - true accounts about people who found God. Familiarize thoroughly with each one and as you go through page 14 share the background of each characters quest, then turn to the reference. Either ad lib the stories, reading a few selected parts, or read them fully. A good idea is to share the readings if people are willing. The whole point of these testimonies is that nothing fills the 'gap.' Emphasise this as you go through the readings. A choice scripture to finish this section would be Jesus' word to the woman in John 4:10-14.
(page 15) But Jesus came that we may have eternal life.
Frankly, life is meaningless without God! That is why Jesus came - to give us eternal life. Do the questions together and, as an option, it may be appropriate to share your own personal journey here. A sincere, unexaggerated testimony can be very helpful.

For homework, finish reading 'Encounters' (pages 34-35) , 'What it means to me' (pages 46-47) and 'The Bridge to Nowhere.' (page 16) Make a time for the next session. It would do no harm to ask your friend if they had a prayer request.

"The Purpose of the Cross"

Leaders Notes on Study 4

Study four flows logically from the previous one; our need - His answer. Indeed, the empty feeling arises from a far greater need than the unsaved person realises. It is symptomatic of a separation that is inexorably progressing to permanent separation from God. Call it hell if you must. One thing is for sure, we need to be saved and the cross of Christ is God's salvation to all who believe.

(page 17) The Cross is not just a piece of jewelry.
There is a concept in the Bible we call 'substitutionary sacrifice.' The guilty party is condemned to death but someone steps in to take his place. Explain how this used to be done with animals but it never took peoples sins away; it only relieved their consciences until the next time. However God's sacrifice takes sins away forever!
(page 18) The Cross was not just a sad accident.
The question at the bottom does not have to be answered exhaustively but is there to make the point. Jesus knew all along how he was to die. He even predicted his betrayal, rejection, that he would be mocked, whipped, killed and rise again. No, the cross was not an accident.
(page 19) The Cross was a Sacrifice!
Just do the questions and recommend 'John Griffiths Price' for later.

Homework is the story of the cross, 'How he saved us' (pages 38-41) and 'John Griffiths Price.' Make a time for the next session. It is possible that someone may wish to become a Christian at this point. Be sensitive to Gods leading and be ready to continue straight into 'How to become a Christian' if asked.

"Did Christ Rise from the Dead?"

Leaders Notes on Study 5

Put frankly, if a person does not believe Jesus Christ rose from the dead, he is not saved. Romans 10:10 states plainly, "If you believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you shall be saved." Many Christians do, of course, accept it 'by faith' without satisfying themselves intellectually with proof. However, when such a Christian is faced with doubt or challenged by hostile arguments, their faith collapses or they flee with fingers in their ears. It is better, and is the evangelist's responsibility, to provide his convert with a strong basis for faith.

(page 21) No one found the body of Christ.
This is one of the most intriguing questions concerning the life of Jesus Christ and has probably caused more controversy than any other question because ... go through the points on this page elaborating a little. The person teaching should be conversant with these. (Recommended reading for evangelists is 'the Resurrection Factor' by Josh McDowell)
(page 22) There are four explanations to the empty tomb. Only one is right.
In this case, read the full biblical account from Matt 27:57 - 28:15, then deal with each alternative view one by one. It may be a good idea to ask, "Can you see a problem with this?" Let the student tell you. Do the written exercise and compare the verses. The implications are sobering. Christ's resurrection is a forerunner of our resurrection. Every man and woman will rise one day and meet God.
(page 23) Would you like to receive God's gift of eternal life?
The concept box on this last page is really a request for commitment. Before asking, do the fill in exercise. Then ask the closing question, "Would you like to receive God's gift of eternal life? Cease speaking at this point. Let God do the speaking.

If our friend says, "No, they do not believe, thank them for doing the study." The lessons are completed. If, however, they indicate they wish to become a Christian, explain that you are going to pray together. Pray for the person then ask them to pray to God. If they feel unable you may offer to lead them in a prayer similar to the one on page 51. Ask the Holy Spirit to do his work in their lives.

At this point it is important to arrange follow-up. Make sure they have your telephone number. Ask them to read pages 48-51 to understand what has happened and contact you if there are any questions. Would they like to be picked up to attend a church? Or would they like to continue with the next course? If they wish to do a follow-up course, make a time to visit with River Discipleship. This powerful new Christian manual is designed to flow on from Rainbow Discovery.

God bless you in commitment to winning your friends to Christ.

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