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Gospel Communication Project: Cultural Intelligence Research Template
Instructions
Choose a country other than your own from one of the 10 cultural clusters and do research about
their culture. Complete this worksheet by writing your answers in the white boxes. Note that the
white boxes will expand as you type in them. You should write in complete sentences and use
proper English grammar, spelling, and language mechanics. Be sure to fulfill all listed word
count and citation requirements. Citations should be integrated into your writing as supporting
evidence and to show where you got your information. Long quotes from outside sources will
not be counted towards the minimum word count. When asked to cite outside sources, you
should do research through materials other than the course textbooks. This research will assist
you in preparing your Grand Narrative presentation to effectively share the gospel with someone
from that culture.
Student Name
Marlee Satterwhite
Course Section
Number
GLST220
Country
Norway
Cultural Cluster
Nordic Europe
Cultural Description: Describe the country and its culture by discussing its geographical
location, primary religion, current events, significant historical events, economic status,
resources, etc. Then, describe at least 3 cultural artifacts that would be considered “top of the
iceberg” facts (art, music, dress, money, customs, food, etc.). (Write 100-300 words and cite at
least one outside source).
Example showing how to use a citation in a sentence:
India has at least 22 officially recognized languages, though English and Hindi are the
primary trade languages (World Fact Book, 2022).
Norway is located in Northern Europe and the northwestern boarders of the Scandinavian
Peninsula. Norwegian people are primarily Christian with 68.7% of them belonging to the
Evangelical Lutheran Church of Norway. Norwegian history dates back thousands of years,
some of the most significant historical events in this country consist of The Viking age from
800 AD to 1030AD, 1814 The Norwegian constitution was signed on may 17th 1814, and in
1905 the dissolution of the union with Sweden (A Journey Through Norwegian History).
Norways economic status changes constantly due to its main resources being natural resources
such as petroleum, iron ore, natural gas, copper lead, zinc and titanium as well as fish, timber
and hydropower. Norway has a very open economic trade system, their trades representing
65.4% of GDP per the world banks latest data. They typically export fossil fuels and metals
and are the second largest exporter of natural gas and seafood (Economic Overview).
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What is your drive or motivation for wanting to share the gospel with someone from this
culture? How do you think cultural intelligence will help you to be more effective in sharing
the gospel? (Write 100-200 words)
The reasons I would have to want to share the Gospel with people in Norway would be to help
people be willing to listen and understand the word of God. In Norway, religion is a very
private topic so my purpose would be to help them understand that its okay to be open with
our religious beliefs. The privacy that is held there with religion directly contradicts how we as
Christians are supposed to be. To be welcoming of people as well as outspoken with our
beliefs. With the knowledge of their culture, it would help with convincing them that it is in fact
okay to discuss religion and gospel outside of church.
CQ Knowledge: Discuss the categories of CQ knowledge by completing the chart below for
cultural systems, cultural value orientations, and socio-linguistic norms.
Cultural Systems: In the chart below, choose 3 of the cultural systems (Economic,
Family, etc.) and identify which description represents the culture you have chosen.
(Simply write the word that describes the cultural system in the adjacent white box. You will
fill-in answers in 3 boxes. For example, for the economic system, I would write “socialist” if
the culture I was studying has a socialist economic system).
Economic System:
Socialist or
Capitalist?
neither, it is a socio-
economic model
known as the Nordic
Model
Family System:
Kinship or Nuclear?
Nuclear
Education System:
Formal or Informal?
Formal
Legal System:
Formal or Informal?
Formal
Religious System:
Mystical or Rational?
Rational
Artistic System:
Clear or Fluid?
Fluid
Discuss the Cultural Systems: For each of the 3 cultural systems that you chose above,
discuss the following questions: What evidence shows this cultural system? How might
this cultural system affect their worldview or understanding of the gospel? What biblical
themes might be relevant to someone with this cultural system? (For each system, write
100-200 words and cite at least 1 outside source)
System 1: Child Centered- This system is very prominent in the Norwegian society. Their
government has created s system so supportive of children and creating a home with adequate
care, protection and services, that they even require employers to give eleven months
maternity leave to mothers as well as a four week leave for fathers as well. This time is to be
spend bonding with your child from birthday to allow for a strong family bond. With their
culture being so private, part of that time is spent baptizing their children and introducing them
to the church.
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System 2: Rural Culture stems from their ancient roots and traditions. The Norse way of life
was primarily based around agriculture and their religion. This country has not swayed too far
from that still to this day. Norwegians are private and noncompetitive in behavior. They strive
on their independences and self-sufficiency. The Norse culture was all about creating a family
compound where they would all participate in the planting, processing, hunting, fishing and
building. There was no discrimination based on race for who was responsible for a specific
part of that. Their religion was always all inclusive, and children have always been deemed the
most crucial part of a family and maintaining the family line. With that being such a large part
of their culture, you can see how the family bond stems from how our God meant for family
units to work together.
System 3: Artistic Culture is very dominant in their culture as well. Stemming again from their
viking ancestry, all the way to today. The arts most widely known from this region consist of
their folklore, architectural arts, all the way to Christian Iconography. Story telling has been a
large part of the Norwegian culture from the beginning, which has since formed into plays and
literature as well as their unique and renowned cuisine. Most of the famously known art work
from Norway surround the churches and art within them, showing just how important their
religion is to their cultures.
Cultural Value Orientations: (Choose at least 5 cultural value orientations and complete
the chart below for the culture you have chosen).
Individualism or
Collectivism?
Individualism
Low-Power Distance
or High-Power
Distance?
High-Power Distance
Low Uncertainty
Avoidance or High
Uncertainty
Avoidance?
Low Uncertainty
Avoidance
Cooperative or
Competitive?
cooperative
Short-term or Long-
term?
Short-term
Direct or Indirect
Context?
direct
Being or Doing?
Doing
Universalism or
Particularism?
Particularism
Neutral or Affective?
Neutral
Monochronic or
Polychronic?
Monochronic
Discuss the Cultural Value Orientations: For each of the 5 cultural value orientations
that you chose above, discuss the following questions. What might this value orientation
look like in everyday life in that culture? How might it affect a person’s worldview or
understanding of the gospel? What biblical themes might be applicable to that value
orientation? (For each value orientation, write 100-200 words and cite at least one outside
source).
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Value Orientation 1: Short term: This value would most directly show its self in the
Norwegian culture in their need for self independence, as well as their value in community.
They are private but supportive of each other as well. They live their lives like its their last day
and in that they keep Gods expectations very close to them. Tradition is very culturally
important to norse people. They indulge in life, posses positive attitudes and are optimistic
people. They do not worry about the future, but they weigh heavily on the present and the past.
The Norse traditions are heavy in their culture which is why still today we see a lot of those
traditions carry over to their Christian beliefs as well.
Value Orientation 2: Neutral value orientation is what the Netherland cultures are known for.
They are people who keep their emotions and reactions under control. They are seen as cool
and rational people, though they might be thinking something completely different, it is a rare
thing to see them react to situations. This could effect ones understand of the gospel in the fact
that those conversations tend to bring out emotions in people that would not be culturally
acceptable there. That is the reason for them being so private about their religious beliefs is to
not create a hostile situation or arguments surrounding religion.
Value Orientation 3: Direct: The culture in Norway is widely known as blunt. Honesty is a
highly valued trait and the expectation of direct communication. They do not butter things up,
it is very matter of fact. This culture is what interested most people, the ability to just be flat
out honest was almost unheard of. There are very clear expectations of their people. It is not
acceptable to believe anyone is better than anyone else. Their culture is based on principles of
respect, independence as well as interdependence. To be honest and sincere and value direct
communication. All of these valued derive from the Bible, and the expectations that are within
it.
Value Orientation 4: Monochronic value orientation is very clear in the Norse culture.
Norwegian people value their directness and within that comes precision, and punctuality.
Expectations are set and are clear. Their traditions have set times and ways of celebration that
are not up for debate or change. The people in Norway tend to stick to specific schedules to
allow people to effectively complete multiple tasks in a day. It allows people to only take on
what they are capable of finishing. Valuing orderliness and work in a focused manner. They
tend to be well organized and punctual and they do not appreciate interruptions.
Value Orientation 5:Individualistic society in Norway stresses on personal achievements and
the rights of individuals. People are expected to stand up for themselves and their families. The
culture creates a clear line between professional relationships and their private life. Personal
opinions are expressed and hold value with others all while valuing the importance of privacy
and respect. The Norse culture is heavy in nepotism due to their family values and the
importance of supporting their families. Families in Norway tend to be large and are seen as
protections and loyalty. Their values and customs lie deep within family roots and creating a
strong lineage and future of their kin.
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Discuss at least 3 socio-linguistic characteristics of this culture (language as well as verbal
and non-verbal communication norms). How might these characteristics affect the way
you share the gospel? (Write 100-300 words and cite at least one source).
An important part of the socio-luingistic characteristic of the nordic culture is the element of
humility, known as Jante Law. This teaches Norwegian people to remain modest and not to
push too far. This is mainly seen in the way nordic people will not criticize others. Everyone is
seen as equal no matter their economic or social standings. There is no flaunting of financial
gains or praise for people who are rich as well as no judging of people who are down on their
luck (Norway- Culture, Etiquette and Business Practices). Some of the non-verbal
communication known throughout the region consist of the general distance kept between
business partners, influence on seating and the presence or lack of physical contact. There is a
visible lack of intimacy within this culture outside of direct family and very close friends.
Discuss your strategy: Based on what you have learned about the cultural systems and
cultural value orientations, how will you craft your gospel presentation to share it
effectively with someone from this culture? What biblical themes will you focus on?
What parts of the story do you think will resonate with them the most? (Write 100-300
words)
Going off of the general morals, values and traditions of this culture it seems the best way to
reach people within this culture would be to befriend them and be able to be considered a close
enough friend to allow them to open up enough to even discuss religion. Hopefully at that point
instead of turning into a debate, turn it into a learning scenario and try to teach why it is
important to be able to discuss religion with others, not to try to convince them but to teach. This
culture is rich in its value in learning, and if it can be brought in that perspective I feel it would
be very much more accepted. The theme within the Bible I feel would resonate most with this
culture would be that of God rewarding faith and obedience. There is so much structure and
value within the nordic culture that it seems to be the best fit. Specifically siting Genesis 12:1-3
“You shall not bow down to them or serve them, for I, the Lord, your God, am a jealous God,
responding to the transgression of fathers by dealing with children to the third and fourth
generations of those who reject me, and showing covenant faithfulness to a thousand generations
of those who love me and keep my commandments.”
As you present your story, how will you check to ensure that your listener is
understanding? How will you adjust your presentation to adhere to the socio-linguistic
norms of the culture? How will you show respect to your listener? (Write 100-300 words)
While talking about the gospel and Gods word, asking questions to the listener to keep them
engaged as well as letting them feel involved and less pressure. The only way to present any
sort of religious information to someone in Norway would have to be adjusted per person
because of their reserved way of living. By letting the listener engage and ask questions as
well as answering I would hope that would allow them to see that I would not be speaking at
them but with them.
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In the space below, list all the sources you have cited on this worksheet. Be sure to
include the title, author, publisher, date of publication, and website (if applicable). If you
used the same source more than once, you only need to list it once in this section.
Examples Works Cited Entries
Norway Timeline: A Journey Through Norwegian History
August 5, 2021 by David Nikel
https://international.groupecreditagricole.com/en/international-support/norway/economic-
overview
The Family in Norwegian Society, Norwegian Life and Society, Margunn Bjornholt
University of Oslo
https://www.commisceo-global.com/resources/country-guides/norway-guide
