'Vibrant Communities' Resources

With eyes of faith, what do we see?
Vibrant communities...

  1. Following Jesus in their own distinctive ways
  2. Sharing God’s love
  3. Humbly contextualising the Good News
  4. Partnering together

 

Pastor's and Leader's Guide

This guide has been written as a launching pad for pastors and leaders to use in exploring the key themes of 'Vibrant Communities' with churches and small groups. 

Each theme has an exploration of the theme and scripture/s, takeaways, mission stories to use as illustrations and questions for small groups.  

This guide can be used as a four week series or as standalone sessions.

Vibrant communities leader's guide
 

Overview


Theme 1: Vibrant Communities... Following Jesus in their own distinctive ways
Leader's Guide >>
Scripture: 
Mark 2:1-12
Mission Stories:
  • Sally, team member in Mozambique
  • Shame / honour culture in the Silk Road Area
  • Engaging with Asylum Seekers in Melbourne

Theme 2: Vibrant Communities... Sharing God's love
Leader's Guide >>

Scripture: John 3:16 and John 1:14
Mission Stories:

  • Alice, local believer in South East Asia
  • Eliza and David, team members in the Silk Road Area
Theme 3: Vibrant Communities... Humbly contextualising the Good News
Leader's Guide >>
Scripture: 
Acts 15
Mission Stories:  
  • Ethnic Thai faith community worshipping God in their own distinctive ways
  • Ben and Petra, team members in the Silk Road Area
  • Pete in Melbourne
Theme 4: Vibrant Communities... Partnering together
Leader's Guide >>
Scripture:
Romans 16 and Romans 1:9-10
Mission Stories:
  • Tim and Melanie, team members in Malawi
  • Long-term prayer partner in Australia
  • The first Australian Baptist intercultural workers

Filmed Sermons

The Pastor's and Leader's Guide is based off Executive Director Scott Pilgrim's series:

Filmed Sermons

Theme 1 

Vibrant communities... Following Jesus in their own distinctive ways

 

Theme 2

Vibrant communities... Sharing God's love
 

 

Theme 3

Vibrant communities... Humbly contextualising the Good News

 

Theme 4

Vibrant communities... Partnering together
 

Thematic Videos

These thematic videos, related to the four 'Vibrant Communities' themes, can be used as illustrations throughout sermons, standalone pieces or discussion starters.

Their purpose is to inspire and encourage as together we participate in God's mission. They highlight God at work around the world... Vibrant communities following Jesus, sharing God's love and humbly contextualising the good news of Jesus. 
 

Theme 1 

Vibrant communities... Following Jesus in their own distinctive ways

Distinctive Ways - Outback Australia
 

Vibrant Faith Communities - Thailand

 

Empowering Leaders - Malawi

 

Local Believer Story - South East Asia

Theme 2

Vibrant communities... Sharing God's love
 

Being God's Love - Now and Not Yet Cafe

 

Sharing God's Love - South East Asia (Contact for password)

Theme 3

Vibrant communities... Humbly contextualising the Good News
 

Peace in the Storm - Mozambique

 

Jesus' Model of Mission - Melinda Cousins

 

Authentic Relationships - Thailand

 

Theme 4

Vibrant communities... Partnering together
 

Partnering Together - Silk Road Area (Contact for password)
 

What difference does partnership make? Liz, Kath and Yvette explore.
 

We can only do it together! Romans 16

Children's Resources (primary school ages)

Vibrant Communities children's resource 

Resource Outline
Session 1. You matter to God, no matter what [Mark 12:41-44]
How we choose to love and follow Jesus makes us special!

Session 2. God loves me and you and the whole world too! [John 13:34-35]
We can all share God’s love.

Session 3. The Kingdom of heaven is like… a football? [Matthew 13:31-35]
Let’s make Jesus make sense!

Session 4. We can make a difference! [Luke 9:1-6]
We can do more when we do things together.

The aim of these sessions is for children to explore their place in mission and God’s big story. Please use this material as a launching pad for you to shape for your context.

A massive thanks to Maigen Nemes for writing this excellent material. Maigen is the Children, Youth and Families Pastor at TLC Church in Bayswater North, Victoria.

Videos For Kids From Kids!

 

Mozambique
Sydney (10) has been living in Mozambique for most of her life! In this video she shares what it's like to live with her parents, intercultural workers Cam and Kath, and older siblings, Matilda and Jack, in Mozambique.

What’s it like being a kid in Mozambique? Sydney tells all!


Mozambique
Levi (10) and Josiah (9) live wild, fun lives in Mozambique with their three younger siblings, local friends and parents Scott and Bek. Have you ever caught, cooked and eaten an insect?! Levi and Josiah have, and they share all about it in this video.

What do kids do in Mozambique? Levi & Josiah report back!


Thailand
Libi (10) loves living in Thailand, but you might be surprised at how similar her daily life is to yours! In this interview, she answers questions from her older sister about life, school, family and fun in Thailand. Libi's parents are Muana and Villy.

What’s it like being a kid in Thailand? Libi answers all!

Youth Resources (secondary school ages)

vibrant communities Youth resource

Resource Outline
Session 1: Culture and Context [1 Corinthians 9:19-23]
Sharing God's love in context


Session 2: Being Part of God’s Mission [Matthew 28:18 – 20]
The Great Commission is for all of us!

The aim of these sessions is for youth to explore some of the complexities of intercultural mission and how they can be part of God’s mission. Please use this material as a launching pad for you to shape for your context.

A big thank you to Simone Bunney and the team who developed this material. Simone is a young adult from Heathmont Baptist Church, Victoria who serves as a youth leader.

Videos for teens from teens


Mozambique
Matilda (12) and Jack (15) live in Mozambique with their younger sister Sydney and their parents Kath and Cam who are intercultural workers with Global Interaction. In this video, they give a run down of what it's like to live in a remote part of Mozambique.

What’s it like being teens in Mozambique? Jack & Matilda report back!


Thailand
Thailand is home for Yindii (19) and Zoe (17). They go to school, have fun with friends and spend time with their younger sister Libi and parents Muana and Villy, who are intercultural workers with Global Interaction. How is their life different to yours? Find out in their video.     

What’s it like being teens in Thailand? Yindii & Zoe explain!

Missioning Podcast

vibrant communities Podcast Series

 
Missioning Episode 15 >>
Theme: Vibrant Faith Communities
Guest: Melanie, Intercultural Worker in Malawi
 
 
Missioning Episode 16 >>
Theme: Sharing God's Love
Guest: Cathie, Intercultural Worker in Cambodia
 
 

Missioning Episode 17  >>
Theme: Humbly Contexualising the Good News
Guest: Dave, Intercultural Worker in South East Asia
 

 
Missioning Episode 18 >>
Theme: Partnering Together
Guest: Shannon, Intercultural Worker in Outback Australia 

Subscribe to missioninG >>

 

Alongside: 'Who We Are' Animation


'Alongside' animation
 
The word 'alongside' means a lot to us at Global Interaction. Everyday, our teams journey alongside their local friends. Eating, laughing, talking, learning, praying, listening and sharing stories... alongside. Inviting people to meet Jesus in a way that makes to them in their culture and language. 
 
This animation is the story of Australian Baptists on mission. For nearly 140 years, Global Interaction - as part of the Australian Baptist movement - has been sending people. But our passionate workers can only go with the partnership of people like you!

Thank you for praying, giving and advocating. You are making an eternal difference. Vibrant faith communities are being established because God is using your gifts and prayers.
 
To download this video, click the video's title, then click the download button on the page that opens up.