As our family was leaving to go overseas, a close family member tried to persuade me to stay in the U.S to do local ministry by asking, “Why go overseas when there are so many lost here at home?” This is one of the most common pushbacks we hear when those in the church have loved ones who want to go to unreached peoples in far away places. How can we respond?

To help understand why their loved ones would go to far away places for the gospel, we need to understand four biblical missions distinctions. 

1. “People” and “Peoples”
2. “Lostness” and “Access”
3. “Evangelism” and “Missions”
4. “Reached” and “Unreached”

We will consider each of these four distinctions in the next four toolbox articles by sharing Rick’s online videos which explain each of these four distinctions along with discussion questions. Invite a group of friends to watch and discuss the video together, using the discussion questions below.
Watch Part 1: People vs. Peoples

Discussion Questions

1. Have you ever had anyone make an objection similar to the question, “Why should we send missionaries around the world when we have lost people across the street?” If so, how did you respond to this objection?

2. Read Romans 15:20-29. Have you ever received a missionary support letter? If so, how were those letters similar to Paul’s appeal in Romans 15:20-29? How were they different?
   
3. Read Revelation 7:9-10. How does understanding who will be worshipping around the throne give clarity to the goal of God’s universal plan of redemption?

4. Do you think most people in the church today see “missions” as reaching “people” or “peoples?”  Why?

5. How should this biblical distinction of “people” and “peoples” change the way we think, pray and prioritize our mission efforts?  
6. What missionaries do you know on the field? What people group are they trying to reach? If you don’t know, ask them and begin praying for that people group.

7. What next steps can you take to help you learn more about God’s heart for all nations?

Understanding key biblical distinctions in missions terms helps us answer those asking, ”Why do we need to go overseas when there are so many lost here?” We must give priority to reaching unreached peoples because God’s Word gives priority to reaching “all nations,” especially those beyond access to the gospel. 

Below are links to resources for a deeper study on “peoples/nations” in the Scripture.

“Let the Nations Be Glad” by John Piper

 “God’s Heart for the Nations” by Jeff Lewis 

“Introduction to Global Missions” by Zane Pratt, David Sills, and Jeff Walters

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