Intra-Cultural Discipleship (ICD)

Village Bible Study Thailand

The motivation for Intra-Cultural Discipleship is found in 1 Corinthians 9:19-23, which emphasizes, “I have become all things to all people, that I might by all means save some.” One might wonder whether missionaries have accomplished this task or whether they have acted out of their own spirit and worldview. We see throughout the world that certain unreached people groups are considered “hard ground” and very difficult to reach with the gospel. Research among these people groups led us to Christian communities that grew using a methodology developed by mature Christians within that people group. We hear from various sources that significant percentages of new disciples drop off. We believe that making a deep impact in people’s lives requires that their faith also take shape and substance in their daily lives, which in turn deepens their connection to Jesus Christ. In our experience, a trusting relationship with those we work with is a prerequisite before we can define and work out the delicate elements of the Intra-Cultural Discipleship process. The leaders we seek to work with ideally live within the people group to be reached and ideally come from a previously non-Christian context themselves, or at least not from a multi-generational Christian background, to avoid that the people we work are unaware of the culture, its practices, and its meaning. This may sometimes mean identifying others to gain a deep understanding of Intra-Cultural Discipleship. While we believe that this should be applied to all people groups everywhere, we have a greater sense of urgency for the unreached and unengaged, typically from the 10/40 window. As 3xM, our guiding principle has always been to go where others are not going, not to build on someone else’s foundation (Romans 15:20). Because there are still many unreached groups within this parameter, we strive to listen to the voice of the Lord as an indication of where to go.  

From our research visits, we have distilled three core questions that are helpful in identifying intra-cultural elements. 

• What is useful in the culture for evangelism and discipleship and how do you use it? 

• What is counter-gospel in the culture and how do you deal with it in a healthy way? 

• What do mature local Christian leaders identify as distinctly Christian and/or specific to their location? 

We seek to document the important elements and issues of Intra-Cultural Discipleship in order to create a (written) methodology that is proven to bear fruit in the Lord’s Kingdom; to create practical courses that provide good tools for (pre)evangelism and discipleship; and to multiply the methodology and courses to churches and ministries that serve that people group through modern media or otherwise.