Course Listing

Japan 101 - Introduction to the Japanese - Spring/Summer 2025

Closed
Course
72 Lessons

A general introduction to Japanese people, culture, history and religion, and to basic principles for sharing the gospel to the Japanese. This course is being re-done and is expected to start on June 2nd of 2025. We invite you to join us as we re-work the content for what will be most beneficial to you.

Free

Resources for Sharing the Gospel with Japanese

Course
18 Lessons

Rather than being a course, this is a listing of resources and recommendations for those seeking to share the Gospel with Japanese. We hope you find useful information and resources to equip you to effectively share the message of Jesus' love!

The Japanese Mind Series

The Japanese Mind - Relationships 1 (Summer 2025)

Closed
Course
32 Lessons
365-day access

This self-directed, self-paced course is open for registration until August 31, 2024 This course covers the following topics: - Uchi to Soto - Close and Distant Relationships - On - Indebtedness - Giri & Zoto- Japanese Social Obligations & Gift Giving A webinar will be offered which will further address the topics that you have studied here later this summer. Date TBD. Register for the webinar separately.

The Japanese Mind - Relationships 2 (Fall 2025)

Course
16 Lessons
365-day access

This self-directed, self-paced course is open for registration through October 31 2025. This course covers the following topics: - Shudan Ishiki - Japanese Group Consciousness - Sempai-Koha - Seniority Rules in Japanese Relations - Amakudari - Descent from Heaven A webinar will be offered which will further address the topics that you have studied here

The Japanese Mind - Communication 1 (Summer 2025)

Closed
Course
28 Lessons
365-day access

This self-directed, self-paced course is available for registration through August 31, 2025. This course covers the following topics related to Japanese communication: - Chinmoku: Silence in Japanese Communication - Aimai: Ambiguity - Haragei: Implicit communication An associated webinar will be offered which will further address the topics that you have studied here and is available for registration separately.

The Japanese Mind - Communication 2 (Fall 2025)

Course
28 Lessons
365-day access

This self-directed, self-paced course is available for registration through October 31, 2025. This course covers the following topics: - Honne & tatemae: private vs. public stances -Nemawashi: quietly laying the foundation -Amae: closeness/dependence -Hedataru & Najimu: “Japanese Personal Space” A corresponding webinar will be offered this fall (date TBD) on these same topics and requires a separate registration.

Japanese Religion Series

Understanding Buddhism in Japan - Spring 2024

Closed
Course
55 Lessons

This course gives an introduction to the main sects of Buddhism in Japan, the Buddhist worldview and how it impacted Japanese culture throughout history and today. Students will contrast and compare elements of Buddhism and the Christian faith This course is a prerequisite to the upcoming Buddhist Redemptive Analogies course series. Course next offered: April 8 - May 17, 2024

Culture Specific Evangelism Courses

Why should you consider learning Culture Specific Evangelism?

Culture Specific Evangelism 101 Fall 2025

Course
80 Lessons

A general introduction to culture-specific evangelism. Through this study, you will be able to more effectively explain the gospel to people of different worldviews and cultures. This course is planned to next be offered in the fall of 2025 - dependent on student interest and enrollment.

Z Archived - Story-Based Gospel Messaging - 2023

Closed
Course
8 Lessons

An eight week course offering valuable insights into how to engage Japanese in deep gospel conversations and even see them come to know the Lord. Find out why the story-based method is so effective among Japanese. We do not yet have dates for when this course will be offered in 2023. Check back for updates!

Discipleship

メンタリング準備コース (Mentoring Prep Course) Fall 2023

Closed
Course
57 Lessons

このコースでは、8週間にわたり「メンタリング」の基礎について学びます。日本人の価値観とコミュニケーションスタイルに合った弟子造りの効果的なアプローチとして、みなさんがそれぞれのミニストリーにおいてメンタリングを活用することができる準備をしていきます。隔週行われるビデオコールでは、簡単なロールプレイを通して実際に練習しながら、他参加者からのフィードバックを得つつ、スキルアップをはかります。このコースは2023年10月3日に開講します。ズームコールは全部で３回を予定しています。お住まいの地域での時間をご確認ください。 week 1 10月6日 -キャンセルされた week 5 11月3日 (金) 3pm (ハワイ), 10am (日本11月4日土曜) week 8 11月24日 (金) 2pm (ハワイ), 10am (日本 11月25日土曜)

Church Planting and Multiplication

Starting and Developing Churches in Japan

This course will help you answer some important questions:

Where is God working in Japan?
Where can we learn how to do ministry better?
How can we revisit and rediscover the real strengths of the Japanese church?
What is needed to revive the church in Japan?
What are the most effective means of evangelizing and discipling Japanese in communities of faith?

Utilizing John Mehn's book Multiplying Churches in Japanese Soil

This course will next be offered in spring 2023. Starting March 1st.

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Courses in Development

Please check back for scheduled course dates or sign up to be contacted when these courses are offered.

Sowing The Gospel in Japanese Soil:

In this course you will learn about the complexity of the Japanese religious landscape and principles to help share the gospel more effectively.
Topics include:

Religion in Japan
Understanding Japanese Worldview
Understanding Japanese Beliefs
The Five Japanese Belief Systems
Religious Practices and Motivations
Sowing the Gospel
Towards Christian Advance in Japan
Sowing and Harvesting Practices

Utilizing John Mehn's book Sowing The Gospel Seed in Japanese Soil.

Japanese Ancestor Worship:

An investigation into:

What is Japanese ancestor worship?
What does it look like in modern-day Japan?
Why should believers understand it?

Redemptive Analogies Series:

This series of courses will explore how redemptive analogies and familiar or historical cultural elements can be used to share a Gospel message to the Japanese that is less foreign and more acceptable to the Japanese heart and mind.

Utilizing Mariana Nesbitt's book Jesus for Japan

Culture Specific Evangelism: Principles and Pitfalls

How do we do culture specific evangelism well? How do we respect the people and culture as God's unique creations while not compromising the truth of the Bible? This course will dig into keys of effective contextualization and red flags of syncretism.

Preparing for Them to Come

This course is for those may never set foot in Japan, but are engaging in outreach and ministry to Japanese in their own hometown.
Topics to include:

Why be a host family?
Keys to an effective homestay
What you otherwise might not know
Fostering relationship
Challenges for the returnee

Understanding Shinto

This course will introduce non-Japanese to Shinto; its role in the formation of the Japanese nation and people as well as its current influence on the Japanese people and their culture.

Shinto - Spirited Away

Using the Studio Ghibli movie Spirited Away as a window into the role of Shinto in the Japanese culture.