Two Hours, Seventeen Pages, and One Question That Changes Everything

Pakistan Update: Teaching the Basics with Eternal Manna Bible School

Saturday, September 26, 2026

On Saturday morning, September 26, 2026, while it was evening in Pakistan, we connected over Zoom with Pastor Vicky Sarwar and the students of Eternal Manna Bible School. Over the next two hours, a room full of young men and women opened their Bibles, read the Word aloud in Urdu, and worked through one of the most important questions a person can ask:

How do you know you have eternal life?

Going by the Book

We opened in prayer, asking the Lord to illuminate our minds through His Word. Suleman translated each line into Urdu, and then we went straight to Scripture.

In 1 John 5:11–13, the students found three answers for themselves:

• Who gives eternal life? God the Father.
• Where is it found? In His Son, Jesus Christ.
• Who has it? Everyone who believes. “He who has the Son has life.”

We talked about the difference between hoping, wishing, or feeling that you have eternal life, and knowing it. John wrote so that we “may know.” When you have received Jesus as Lord, you can say it with full confidence.

Before we moved on, Pastor Vicky took a moment to explain to his students in their own language that going to church and doing charitable works cannot earn salvation. It is a gift, received through Jesus. It was a joy to see the truth being carried forward by the pastor who shepherds these students every day.

Who Is Jesus?

From there, we let Scripture answer the question of who Jesus is.

What Jesus said about Himself: “I, who speak to you, am He” (John 4:26). “I and the Father are one” (John 10:30). “Anyone who has seen Me has seen the Father” (John 14:9).

What others said about Him: John wrote that the Word was God and became flesh (John 1:1, 14). Thomas saw His hands and declared, “My Lord and my God!” (John 20:28). Even those who opposed Him understood that He was making Himself equal with God (John 5:18; 10:33). Paul called Him the image of the invisible God, in whom all things hold together (Colossians 1:15–18).

Then the question came to each of us: Who do you say Jesus is?

Life to the Full

Jesus told us why He came: “The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full” (John 10:10).

The students took time to write down in their own words what abundant life looks like: peace, joy, freedom, health, provision enough to share with their whole community, and nothing holding them back from what God has called them to do. Jesus came with a purpose, and that purpose was each of them.

We closed the session in 1 Corinthians 15:3–6, the good news that Christ died for our sins, was buried, and was raised on the third day. By the end of the morning, we had worked through seventeen pages together. Next Saturday, we continue with “Who Are We?”

A Curriculum That Keeps Going to the Nations

We are teaching through Beth Jones’ Getting a Grip on the Basics, the same curriculum we used years ago at Rhema Mexico. It has stood the test of time and continues to go into all the nations. Beth has generously made it available free on her website in multiple languages, and that gift is now taking root in Urdu. We are grateful to Beth for material this simple, this full of the Word, and this freely given.

In Suleman’s Words

Suleman has been translating each session into Urdu. After class, he shared this:

“I’m really enjoying the class. It is so basic and so powerful that even non-Christians understand it very well. I’m looking forward to completing it, and I’m hoping for the next level so we can continue to teach our community. It’s a great opportunity for me to learn more, because I always keep room to learn something new.

When I am physically there with the students, there will be no barrier. They will have a clear connection and understand it even more. As I enjoy it, I want them to enjoy it too. Please pray that God provides what we need so we can be there in person.”

We are believing God with Suleman for that provision, and for a strong, steady connection each week so every student receives the Word fully.

Never Despise Small Beginnings

Two hours on a Saturday morning — September 26, 2026 — might look like a small thing. But God is building something in Pakistan, one Saturday and one student at a time. “Do not despise these small beginnings, for the Lord rejoices to see the work begin” (Zechariah 4:10).

Three Ways You Can Be Part of It