William Carey is coined the ‘Father of Modern Missions.’ He was born in a small town in England in 1761. William enjoyed math, drawing, painting, and learning about bugs as kid. When he was 14, he became a shoemaker’s apprentice. Several years later Carey began following Jesus. He became a pastor with a heart for reaching the lost with the gospel. He said, “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” Carey and his family moved to India to serve as missionaries. It was seven years before William Carey baptized the first Hindu convert. Carey was not swayed by the depth of the people’s plight in India, but held onto God’s promises about the nations. He claimed, “To know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.”
Family Activity:
Teaching Time: 15 minutes
Materials: Bible, map, marker, paper
Carey claimed that “to know the will of God, we need an open Bible and an open map.” Open your Bible to 2 Peter 3:9 and read it together as a family. Talk about what this verse says about God’s will for the nations. Spread out your world map on the floor. Write on the map “Expect great things from God. Attempt great things for God.” (Or write it on a piece of paper and place it on the map.) As a family, think of what great things you are expecting from God and what things you are attempting for God.
Discuss:
- Read John 3:16. In light of this verse and 2 Peter 3:9, what is God’s will for people all over the world? (second part question)
- William Carey faced many obstacles, but still trusted God was at work. Read Galatians 6:9. How should we respond when we face obstacles when attempting great things for God?
Pray:
Commit the great things you will attempt for God in a prayer.
