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Venue: Sheraton Chicago O'Hare Airport Hotel (6501 Mannheim Road, Rosemont, IL 60018)
Theme: "The Vision of God's Kingdom" 
Registration Website: ubf.org/staff_conference (Deadline: December 20th, 2017)
*Note that for the ID and password for registration, please refer to the email, "2018 UBF North American staff conference invitation" sent by P. Mark Vucekovich on October 18th

2018 North America Staff Conference Program

THE VISION OF GOD’S KINGDOM
(“You Will Receive Power and Be My Witnesses”--Acts 1:8)

God has led us with the vision of his kingdom thus far. When we see the world, terrible things are frequently happening, and anti-Christian activities have been increasing rapidly. As the world grows more turbulent and hostile toward the gospel, it is easy for us to withdraw, protect ourselves and lose vision. Therefore, it is necessary for us to rekindle the fire of God’s vision. We would like to hear messages on revival, and Jesus’ vision for the church and its fulfillment. We would like to dedicate ourselves to united prayer with this vision.

Jan 11 (Thu)    5:00-7:00 pm              Dinner
                        7:30-9:30 pm              Plenary Session 1
                                                                        Orientation
                                                                        Special Lecture by Dr. M. David Sills*
                                                                        United Prayer for Revival and Vision

Jan 12 (Fri)      7:30-8:45 am              Breakfast
                        9:00-10:45 am            Group Bible Study Acts 1:1-14
                        11:00-12:00 pm          Plenary Session
                                                                        New Year’s Message by P. Abraham Kim
                        12:00-1:45 pm            Lunch
                        2:30-4:00 pm              Small group discussion and vision sharing**
                        4:00-5:00 pm              United prayer in small groups
                        5:15-6:15 pm              Dinner
                        6:30-8:00 pm              Group Bible Study Revelation 5:1-14***
                        8:00-10:00 pm            Plenary Session 3
                                                                        Message by P. Ron Ward
                                                                        ISBC Preparation Reports
                                                                        United Prayer for Revival and Vision

Jan 13 (Sat)     7:30-9:00 am              Breakfast
                         9:00-10.30 am             Regional Meetings: How to Prepare for the ISBC, How to Build Community Within our Regions
                        10:30-12:00 am           Plenary Session 4
​                                                                         Regions’ Reports
                                                                         Announcements
                                                                         United Prayer for Revival and Vision
                        12:00-1:00 pm            Lunch

_____________________________________________________________________
*   Dr. M. David Sills is a former missionary to Ecuador, Professor of Missions and Cultural Anthropology at the Southern Baptist Theological Seminary, and founder of Reaching and Teaching International Ministries.
**  Discussion group questions: 1) What is God’s vision? 2) Why do we need God’s vision? 3) How can we have God’s vision? 4) What does this vision mean to the church?
*** Prepare in advance: 1) memorize Revelation 5:1-14; 2) answer the study questions

Links to Bible Study Question Sheets:
1. YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER TO BE MY WITNESSES
2. WORTHY IS THE LAMB

Bible Study Questions (1)

YOU WILL RECEIVE POWER TO BE MY WITNESSES

Acts 1:1-14
Key Verse 1:8

1.    What did the author Luke write about in his former book (1-2)? What did the Risen Jesus do before his ascension (3)? Why is a conviction of Jesus’ resurrection and a hope for the kingdom of God important to us?

2.    What did Jesus command his apostles, and why (4a; Lk 24:47)? What promise did Jesus remind them of (4b-5)? To fulfill God’s will, why did the apostles need to be baptized by the Holy Spirit (Jn 15:26-27, Eph 6:12-13)?

3.    How did the apostles reveal their own hope and expectations (6)? What did Jesus’ answer mean for them (7)? For us? Read verse 8. What was God’s plan and vision, and how would it be carried out (Lk 24:46-48)? What is the power we receive from the Holy Spirit?  Why, what and how should we testify about Jesus?  

4.    What is the meaning of Jesus’ ascension (9; Ac 2:33)? How would Jesus return (10-11)? Why is the hope of his return important?

5.    What did the apostles do after Jesus’ ascension (12-14)? Who were involved in united prayer with them? What can we learn from them in preparing to receive the power of the Holy Spirit? 

Bible Study Questions (2)

WORTHY IS THE LAMB

Revelation 5:1-14
Key Verse: 5:12

* The book of Revelation tells about the second coming of Jesus who brings final victory. In chapters 1-3, the glorious Risen Jesus commends and rebukes the seven churches on earth, who struggled to live by faith. In chapters 4-5, the scene shifts to God’s throne in heaven to reveal the vision of God’s final victory. We want to focus on the Lamb, who alone is worthy to receive worship, and how God’s vision is fulfilled in the Lamb.

1.    Describe the scene at the throne of God (1-5). What is the significance of the scroll and its seals[1]? Why was John brokenhearted? Who is worthy to open the scroll?

2.    Who is at the center of the throne and how is he portrayed (6)? What does he do (7)? How did the four living creatures and the twenty-four elders respond (8; 4:4,7)?

3.    Read verses 9-10. How do the four living creatures and twenty-four elders lead worship of the Lamb, and why? What blessings and promises are given through the death of the Lamb? What does it mean to be “a kingdom and priests”?

4.    Read verses 11-12. Who joined the heavenly worship and what were they saying in a loud voice? Imagine the majesty of this scene! What attributes are ascribed to the Lamb[2] and why (5:5a)?

5.    Read verses 13-14. How does this glorious scene reflect the restoration of all creation? How does this heavenly worship inspire us to see God’s vision in the midst of our difficulties?

[1] The scroll contains God’s plan for creation which unfolds progressively throughout the book of Revelation. The seven seals prevent the full disclosure and enactment of its contents.

[2] Revelation uses a special word for “Lamb” (arnion) 29 times. The connotation is not only a sacrifice for sin, but also a mighty conqueror.