Be the Donkey: Out of the Epicenter Bible Study

By Kimberley RB Johnson and Samuel Dwight Johnson

Searching for your life's purpose?

It's not about what one obtains, but more about what one leaves behind. There is Kingdom work to be done and it is all laid out for us in the Bible and delivered to us through the Holy Spirit. Are you listening? Let's get started!

Be The Donkey Bible Study is sure to bri

• Language: English
• Publisher: Trilogy Christian Publishing
• Release date: Aug 22, 2022
• ISBN: 9781685565091

Kimberley RB Johnson

Kimberley RB Johnson sponsored her Haitian "son," Jean Bildad Michel, to university in the United States. Their vision became reality with his graduation in 2016. Together or separately, their combined ministry efforts jump-started a K-12 school, a leadership academy, a restaurant, a Western Union station, and a large church in Haiti. Along with her son and her co-author husband Samuel Johnson, they constructed a small hotel, Ti Otel La, for short-term missionaries. Their Haitian school celebrated its first graduation in July 2019. Kimberley's husband Samuel is a former missionary in Turkey, a former worship pastor, and is now a critical care nurse. Together, they make their home in White House, Tennessee. Active members of White House First Baptist Church, Sam is a Deacon and Kimberley heads the Haiti ministry. Between the two, they have eleven children and four grandchildren. Kimberley is co-owner of the Goodlettsville law firm Freeman & Bracey, PLC. She focuses her practice on trial work including family law, divorce, child support, adoptions, custody, automobile wrecks and is also a licensed Rule 31 Mediator. Sam is a volunteer with the Boy Scouts of America. Four of his sons obtained their Eagle Scout status. You can follow their mission efforts on Facebook at WHFBC Haiti Ministries or TIME4Haiti or on the website www.time4haiti.org.

Book preview

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Be the Donkey

Out of the epicenter

Bible Study

Kimberley Reed-Bracey Johnson

&

Samuel Johnson

Trilogy Christian Publishers

Tustin, CA

Trilogy Christian Publishers

A Wholly Owned Subsidiary of Trinity Broadcasting Network

2442 Michelle Drive

Tustin, CA 92780

Be the Donkey: Out of the Epicenter, Bible Study

Copyright © 2022 by Kimberley Reed-Bracey Johnson and Samuel Johnson

Scripture quotations marked ESV are taken from the ESV® Bible (The Holy Bible, English Standard Version®), copyright © 2001 by Crossway Bibles, a publishing ministry of Good News Publishers. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked MSG are taken from THE MESSAGE, copyright © 1993, 2002, 2018 by Eugene H. Peterson. Used by permission of NavPress. All rights reserved. Represented by Tyndale House Publishers, Inc. Scripture quotations marked NASB are taken from the New American Standard Bible® (NASB), Copyright © 1960, 1962, 1963, 1968, 1971, 1972, 1973, 1975, 1977, 1995 by The Lockman Foundation. Used by permission. www.Lockman.org. Scripture quotations marked NCV are taken from the New Century Version®. Copyright © 2005 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NIV are taken from the Holy Bible, New International Version®, NIV®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984, 2011 by Biblica, Inc.TM Used by permission of Zondervan. All rights reserved worldwide. www.zondervan.com. The NIV and New International Version are trademarks registered in the United States Patent and Trademark Office by Biblica, Inc.TM. Scripture quotations marked NKJV are taken from the New King James Version®. Copyright © 1982 by Thomas Nelson. Used by permission. All rights reserved. Scripture quotations marked NLT are taken from the Holy Bible, New Living Translation, copyright © 1996, 2004, 2015 by Tyndale House Foundation. Used by permission of Tyndale House Publishers, Inc., Carol Stream, Illinois 60188. All rights reserved.

No part of this book may be reproduced, stored in a retrieval system, or transmitted by any means without written permission from the author. All rights reserved. Printed in the USA. Scripture quotations marked KJV are taken from the King James Version of the Bible. Public domain.

Rights Department, 2442 Michelle Drive, Tustin, CA 92780.

Trilogy Christian Publishing/TBN and colophon are trademarks of Trinity Broadcasting Network.

For information about special discounts for bulk purchases, please contact Trilogy Christian Publishing.

Trilogy Disclaimer: The views and content expressed in this book are those of the author and may not necessarily reflect the views and doctrine of Trilogy Christian Publishing or the Trinity Broadcasting Network.

Manufactured in the United States of America

10 9 8 7 6 5 4 3 2 1

Library of Congress Cataloging-in-Publication Data is available.

ISBN: 978-1-68556-508-4

E-ISBN: 978-1-68556-509-1

In Loving Memory of

Carlens Michel

(one of Bildad’s brothers)

1997-2022

Contents

Introduction ix

Bible Study 1:

Chapter 1. The Journey Begins 1

Bible Study 2:

Chapter 2. Fellowship of His Suffering 8

Bible Study 3:

Chapter 3. Blast Off! 14

Bible Study 4:

Chapter 4. Let Your Smile Be Your Passport 20

Bible Study 5:

Chapter 5. Let’s Go! 26

Bible Study 6:

Chapter 6. Mountaintop Experience 31

Bible Study 7:

Chapter 7. Dancing in the Storm 36

Bible Study 8:

Chapter 8. God Will Make a Way 42

Bible Study 9:

Chapter 9. Stubborn Child of God 48

Bible Study 10:

Chapter 10. American Mom 54

Bible Study 11:

Chapter 11. Bye-Bye Day 60

Bible Study 12:

Chapter 12. Reluctant Missionary 66

Bible Study 13:

Chapters 13 & 14. Double-Minded & Divorced 73

Bible Study 14:

Chapters 15, 16, & 17. Psalm 46, Shaken but Not

Deterred, & Out of the Epicenter 82

Bible Study 15:

Chapters 18, 19, & 20. The White House, Modern Conveniences, & Feeding Frenzy 89

Bible Study 16:

Chapters 21 & 22. The Envelope Please & It Takes a Village 96

Bible Study 17:

Chapters 23, 24, & 25. Blue Bonus, Triumphal

Return, & Touched by TBN 100

Bible Study 18:

Chapters 26, 27, & 28. Dying with Dignity, Joy in the Journey, & Anchor of My Soul 106

Bible Study 19:

Chapters 29-33. Answer the Call, Separation Anxiety.

Graduation, Be the Donkey, & Letting Go 111

Bible Study 20:

Chapters 34-37. Cherie, Tell Your Heart to Beat Again, A Kiss from the Father, & Firstfruits 116

Appendix 1. Activity Number One 122

Appendix 2. Top Ten Tips for Using a Translator 123

Appendix 3. A Hodgepodge of Tips 125

Appendix 4. Be the Donkey, WHFBC Haiti Ministries and TIME4Haiti QR Codes 129

Appendix 5. How to Help the Ministries 131

References 133

About the Authors 135

Endnotes 137

Introduction

Be the Donkey: Out of the Epicenter Bible Study comprises twenty mini-lessons. The classes can be broken up into fewer study nights by merely deciding the number of chapters the group desires to read and completing the corresponding lessons. The only materials needed for the study are the book Be the Donkey, the Be the Donkey: Out of the Epicenter Bible Study guide and a favorite Bible, a creative mind, and a tender, faithful, and obedient heart.

Regardless of one’s background or calling, this Bible study is sure to bring one closer to Jesus. It targets small groups and short-term missionary teams who are preparing for commission. The study explores a vast array of topics worthy of ministry preparation, whether at home or abroad.

During international travel bans, civil unrest, kidnappings, natural disasters, and government lockdowns, mission work can be daunting. We desire to assist the ministry leader in fostering a climate of mission-mindedness while preparing to visit a target nation or people group. The biblical principles found within these pages will help train even the most novice heart for foreign short-term ministry service.

The answers to each unit’s questions are found within the Bible or the chapters of Be the Donkey. The discussion questions are not directly answered at all. Isn’t it true that we often learn more through our own personal research and discovery than from someone else’s responses?

Rather than dictate a particular mission style for Haiti (or any other nation), our goal is to assist the student reader in growing more intimate in relationship with Jesus. If this one goal is achieved, undoubtedly, the ministry work which follows will benefit, advance, and prosper. This study need not coincide with a pre-planned mission team experience. The study’s primary goal is to assist the student in exploring his faith and finding her further calling. Enjoy the journey.

—Samuel & Kimberley Reed-Bracey Johnson

Bible Study 1

Chapter 1:

The Journey Begins

There is a time for everything, and a season for every activity under the heavens; a time to be born and a time to die, a time to plant and a time to uproot, a time to kill and a time to heal, a time to tear down and a time to build, a time to weep