WHEN WE HUNGER AND THIRST

At a wedding feast on the mission field, you can be asked to eat things that you’d never expect. It’s on these special occasions that the locals serve all kinds of delicacies.

When I attended my first wedding feast in the middle of Chad, I was trying to gulp down sheep’s lungs and braided intestines. I went to the ends of the earth and this was part of the cost. It was undoubtedly difficult and disgusting, but now more than a decade later it has become something that I enjoy.

Most people will eat two or three times a day. This is important to have a healthy and balanced diet. Our spiritual health isn’t much different. Feasting on God’s Word, fasting, and praying are crucial parts of our diet and quench our spiritual hunger and thirst.

Before going to the field, I was in a Bible-saturated environment that was like an all-you-can-eat buffet for my soul. However, when I went the field, not only was I responsible to feed others, but options to feed myself were sparse or not the same. This actually led to a soul-craving hunger and thirst.

BIBLICAL REFLECTION ON FEASTING

Global mission workers, especially pioneers among the unreached, face unique challenges that demand deep spiritual resilience and profound nourishment. This brief biblical theology explores the vital concept of feasting on God’s Word—a consistent, joyful, and transformative engagement with Scripture—and its direct correlation with feeding oneself and others. Feasting on God’s Word is a lifeline for sustained effectiveness and spiritual health especially in demanding mission contexts.

Feast on God’s Word because it is The Bread of Life. The Bible consistently portrays God’s Word as essential nourishment for the soul, vital for spiritual life, growth, and discernment. It’s more than just reading; it’s savoring, digesting, internalizing, and sharing. Scripture is a feast, not fast food (Psalm 1:2; Jeremiah 15:16)

Scripture is not just ancient text, rather it is the living, active, and authoritative voice of God speaking to us. Feasting on it means seeking to hear and respond to His direct communication. (Hebrews 4:12)

Just as physical food sustains the body, God’s Word sustains the spirit. It is described as bread, honey, and milk—all nourishing elements that provide strength, wisdom, and delight. For the pioneer who is isolated and facing spiritual warfare, this daily spiritual meal is a non-negotiable sustenance. (Deuteronomy 8:3, Psalm 19:7-11; 119:103)

Consistent engagement with the Word renews the mind, transforms character, and equips believers for every good work. (Romans 12:2, 2 Timothy 3:16-17)

In complex, unfamiliar cultures, and amid spiritual opposition, God’s Word provides light for our path, guiding us in truth and protecting us from deception (Psalm 119:105).

Feed Yourself and Others. The analogy of food extends beyond personal consumption. Those who truly feast on God’s Word are then equipped and compelled to share that spiritual nourishment with others. (Matthew 4:4)

A well-fed soul naturally overflows with the life of Christ. This personal abundance is what enables effective ministry. You cannot feed others what you haven’t chewed on yourself.

God’s Word makes us “competent, equipped for every good work” (2 Timothy 3:17). This includes evangelism, discipleship, teaching, and leading new disciples. Pioneer workers must be self-feeders to then become effective feeders of others.

In pioneer contexts, new disciples often have little to no understanding of the Bible. Those in the field are primarily responsible for feeding those who are hungry and thirsty “milk” initially and then solid food, nurturing their spiritual growth. (1 Corinthians 3:2; 1 Peter 2:2-3, Hebrews 5:12-14)

Healthy disciples and churches are built on the foundation of God’s Word. Feeding others the Word is essential for sound doctrine, spiritual maturity, and the multiplication of disciples and churches. (Acts 20:32; Colossians 1:28)

What other Scriptures or biblical aspects come to mind when you consider “feasting”? Take a few moments to look up 1-2 of these verses and journal what the Lord highlights for you.

“Come, everyone who thirsts, come to the waters; and he who has no money, come, buy and eat! Come, buy wine and milk without money and without price. Why do you spend your money for that which is not bread, and your labor for that which does not satisfy? Listen diligently to me, and eat what is good, and delight yourselves in rich food.” — Isaiah 55:1-2

THE IMPORTANCE OF FEASTING

When we truly “eat” His words, especially with others, we find not only necessary sustenance but also profound joy, transformative power, and an ever-deepening relationship with the One who speaks.

Feasting on God’s Word is not meant to be a mere tasting or spiritual exercise, but a meal and strategic imperative. Your spiritual appetite reveals whether you’re on a trajectory of maturation, stagnation, or devolving back into infancy.

Sustaining Spiritual Life in Isolation: Pioneer workers often lack the regular corporate spiritual input of established churches. Their personal, deep engagement with Scripture is a lifeline preventing spiritual drought.

Maintaining Doctrinal Soundness: In contexts where theological resources are limited and syncretism is a danger, a deep grounding in God’s Word is paramount to bolster truth and combat error, for both the missionary and new disciples.

Empowering Effective Witness: A missionary who is personally transformed by God’s Word speaks with authenticity, conviction, and divine authority. Their life itself becomes a living sermon.

Resilience in Spiritual Warfare: Knowing and applying God’s Word is crucial for standing firm against the schemes of the enemy (Ephesians 6:17). Counter lies with the Sword of Truth.

Wisdom for Complex Situations: Pioneer contexts present unique ethical, cultural, and ministry dilemmas. Feasting on the Word allows God to speak into these situations, providing divine wisdom where mere human experience falls short.

Fueling Prayer and Fasting: These spiritual disciplines complement each other. When one truly feasts on the Word, it ignites specific prayers and provides clear direction for targeted fasting, making these practices more fruitful. The Word reveals God’s heart, which then shapes what we ask.

Reproducing Disciples: You cannot share what you do not know. To train local leaders and reproduce multiplying disciples, the pioneers must be deeply rooted in the Word themselves.

PRAYER ACTION

Consider the Scriptures you cling to above. Consider feasting. Write a prayer for the kind of person you want to be who feasts on God’s Word and shares it with others.

BUILDING A PRACTICAL MINI-THEOLOGY OF FEASTING

Take some time to prayerfully draft your practical mini-theology of “feasting” by responding to these questions:

What does it mean to “eat this Book” or feast on God’s Word? Why is Bible intake insufficient? What makes Bible intake more complete?

example: God is… We are the kind of people who… It is most like us/me to… We/I will… We/I hold to…

How do we grow a hunger and thirst for God and His Word? How do fasting and prayer complement the feast?

What does it look like to feed yourself? (See ideas on the next page) What does it look like to feed others? What does it mean to be a doer of the Word?

Once you finish share your responses with your mentor. Ask for feedback. Adjust your draft as needed.

Additional Resources for Going Deeper:
Eat this Book, by Eugene Peterson
Feast on the Word, Fast from the World
Feasting & Fasting, Bible Project
Feast: 5 Prayers for Daily Bible Reading

WAYS TO FEAST ON THE FIELD

“Feasting” implies more than a quick bite; it suggests a prolonged, deliberate, and satisfying meal. Consider these ideas for feasting for the field:

Daily Dives: Not just a quick read, but unrushed time for reading, meditation, prayer, and journaling. This might involve specific Bible reading plans, deep dives into particular books, or topical studies.

Memorization: Intentional memorization of key verses, passages, and stories to internalize truth, especially valuable in contexts where physical Bibles may be scarce or difficult to carry openly. Memorization also gives the Holy Spirit something to bring up again at opportune times for your benefit and the benefit of others. (Psalm 19:9-11)

Discovery Groups: Studying the Bible with others, especially seekers is a great way for them to get to know the Truth and be convinced by the Word and the best teacher—the Holy Spirit. Create opportunities to discover the Word.

Reading Aloud: Reading the Bible aloud, either to oneself or to a small group of believers, can enhance understanding and engagement, especially in oral cultures.

Listen: When reading is difficult (e.g., during travel, or in low-literacy settings), listening to the Bible can be a helpful way to “feast.” Learning to internalize and re-tell Bible stories in culturally relevant ways to new oral learners, deepening personal understanding as you prepare to share.

Apply: Constantly ask, “How does this truth apply to life, challenges, and work right now?” and then act on it.

Sharing and Discussing: Engage regularly with teammates or local believers in deep discussions about Scripture, sharing insights, and wrestling with difficult passages together. This is a form of mutual feeding.

Get Creative: Using art, music, or storytelling to internalize and express biblical truths. This can be particularly effective in oral cultures.

Feasting on God’s Word is the spiritual oxygen for the pioneer missionary that gives life and nourishment. It fuels their soul, equips them for the arduous task, and provides the spiritual food necessary to feed new believers and establish vibrant, multiplying churches among the unreached.