There are many indigenous genres available that are often overlooked for discipleship in oral preference cultures. This article explores both the Sicangu Lakota Native American culture as well as the Builsa culture in Ghana, West Africa to demonstrate the value and use of indigenous symbols, rituals, dance, proverbs, songs and stories for contextualized approaches to discipleship. Drawing from various anthropological theories, examples are provided to demonstrate how these oral genres can address excluded middle issues in order to create missiological transformation. Since these indigenous genres are embedded in culture, wise disciple makers can apply this discipleship approach for the formation of cultural and biblical identity. In the process, this can help disciples overcome the common dangers of both syncretism and split-level Christianity.
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Jay Moon, PHD, MBA served 13 years as a SIM missionary, largely in Ghana among the Builsa people doing church planting and water development. He is presently a Professor of Evangelism & Church Planting and directs the Office of Faith, Work, and Economics at Asbury Theological Seminary. He authored six books, including Intercultural Discipleship, and edited five books. He is a frequent speaker on church planting, evangelism, discipleship, and marketplace mission. In addition to his role as a teaching pastor in a local church, Jay is a Professional Engineer. His hobbies include tree houses, axe throwing, and small business incubation.
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