Archive for evangelism – Page 2

PRAYING Together for lost Friends

I do Breath Prayer weekends with those concerned about unsaved family and friends. We exchange prayers by texting during the day. Here’s the format. 

SATURDAY: DESPERATE PRAYER

Talking Points to influence our prayer are based on the story from SyroPhoenician mother who won’t go away. (Mark 7:24-30; Matthew 15:21-28) Her prayer was based on these points:

  • Her compelling need: a daughter’s torment
  • Her helplessness: can’t fix this herself
  • Her disqualification from getting an audience (pagan, woman, foreigner, Jesus’ “Do not Disturb” sign)
  • Her shamelessness: I’ll do anything for my child
  • Her acknowledgement: the Messiah, “Son of David”
  • Her humility: kneeling, worshipping. “Lord… Lord… Lord”
  • Her persistence: The disciples beg Jesus to send her away, she ignores them
  • Her passion: “shouting out,” “pleading”
  • A bewildering silence and seeming insult, “dogs” [doggies]
  • Her fixation on, “First…” (v 27); “Then I’ll be next!”
  • Her respectful, creative, desperate prayer: “Give me what I don’t deserve because of your goodness – and I need it now.” (Tim Keller)
  • Her anticipation, “Granted!”
  • Her honor: one of only two Jesus commended, “Your faith is great!”

Breath prayer: Lord Jesus, Son of God, hear our cry for mercy and choose, call and reveal Jesus to [our friend] (Galatians 1.15-16)

SUNDAY: TEAM PRAYER

Talking Points to influence our prayer are based on the story of Four men partnering to save their friend (Mark 2.1-12).

  • Their compulsion to see a friend get healthy
  • Their decision: get him to Jesus, then we’re done
  • Their teamwork; can’t do it alone
  • Their “impossible… difficult… done” spirit (Hudson Taylor)
  • Their creativity
  • Their work maneuvering him upstairs, opening the roof
  • The crowd’s irritation with dust and distraction; but not Jesus
  • Their teamwork: Jesus sees their faith and responds
  • Our Lord’s affectionate, “Son…”
  • The bewildering surprise: spiritual healing first
  • Then physical healing, eliciting the man’s faith to respond
  • Our desire: creative, persistent, team faith

Breath prayer: See our faith, Lord Jesus, and forgive and heal [our friend] spiritually.

(Bonus: FRIDAY: PERSONAL PERSISTENCE)

Talking points to influence our prayer are based on The widow seeking justice (Luke 18.1-8), the man needing bread at midnight (Lk 11.5-8).

Breath prayer:  Jesus, I persist in prayer, expecting a response. You asked, “Will I find faith when I return?” Yes, in me! Save [my friend]!

Written by Paul Johnson, Canadian National Baptist Convention Team Leader, Church Strengthening

Reaching Begins with Prayer

My dad owns a farm in northwest Louisiana. During the season when calves are being born, he will walk onto his porch at night with a rifle and a spotlight to keep coyotes away. He knows that many times the cow will seclude herself and birth the calf. Even though they choose seclusion, they need the group!

Like the farmer, you as a Sunday School leader have the privilege of praying and caring for group members and reaching new ones. Consistent prayer is a powerful tool! Yet, prayer remains the most undervalued treasure in the Christian life.

Wait, what!?

Prayer is NOT reserved for a special few but is to be practiced by all believers. The truth is that a believer learns this best in connection with a group of believers, like a Sunday School class. This vital relationship will provide at least three essentials for the believer:

  • Protection from predators
  • A foundation from which to flourish
  • Relationships that foster revival

A sheep is the most commonly used metaphor to describe a Christian in the New Testament. In Luke 15 we learn three valuable principles when guiding sheep to spiritual maturity.

First, sheep need one another to survive. I learned decades ago on my dad’s farm that predators rarely go after the herd, they prey on the isolated farm animal. Sunday school leaders must guide their members to regularly seek how to minister to participants within their group, welcome the wanderers looking for a new flock, AND provide an open door for the isolated individuals who may have never been born into a flock.

Second, sheep need the flock in order to thrive. In John 10:10 Jesus tells us that He offers abundant life to all who follow Him. You see, the Christian life is not just about surviving. Jesus tells us that His goal is that we flourish from the foundation that He has provided in the local church. So what’s the deal with believers who lack peace and power? Either they are not accessing the power available to them or they have never genuinely been born into “the flock.”

Third, sheep need deep relationships that lead to revival. The natural tendency of most sheep is to wander and push boundaries. Many wake up one day separated from the flock and lacking the energy to find their way back. Leaders, we must consistently provide a place for wandering sheep to return. To be like Christ, we must be willing to leave the 99.

Friends, if we fail at anything, may it not be in our efforts to reach wandering sheep or those who have never been born into the flock! And a key ingredient for ministering within the flock and reaching those outside the flock can be found in a group of believers who fervently pray.

Written by Dr. Scott Sullivan, Discipleship Catalyst with the Georgia Baptist Mission Board

Removing the Wall Between Disciplemaking and Evangelism

Making Disciples is our calling; our purpose. Sharing the gospel, leading people to Christ, baptizing people, discipling them in their faith–is what we do to make disciples.
Too often we tend to gravitate towards either evangelism or discipleship. It takes courage to share the gospel. It takes time to disciple someone. God has called us to do both. The command to make disciples includes evangelism and discipleship. It’s not an either/or proposition. It is a both/and.
For me, discipleship was always easier. I love people. I love getting to know people and spending time with them. I enjoy teaching and serving. Sharing the gospel with someone was always difficult. And to be honest, it still is. I have to work hard at putting myself in situations where I can share the gospel with lost people.
The story of Paul and Barnabas tell an interesting story. When Saul encountered Jesus on the road to Damascus, it was Barnabas that welcomed him and discipled him in his new faith. Barnabas “the encourager” spent a lot of time with Saul who became known as Paul. They even went on their first missionary journey together. They invited John Mark to join them. At some point, John Mark left the group. When Paul and Barnabas planned their next trip, Barnabas wanted John Mark to come as well. But Paul refused. They argued and the decision was to travel separately. Barnabas would take John Mark and Paul would take Silas.
Paul and Barnabas, two godly men, that God chose to use to make disciples on their journeys. They differed in their approach. Paul put his focus first on the mission of traveling to new places and sharing the gospel. Barnabas focused on people first as they traveled to new places and shared the gospel. They had two very different perspectives and methodologies but they shared a common objective—making disciples.
Both teams shared the gospel and saw people come to Christ in almost every city. But then, they stayed and taught them in their new born faith. Paul and Barnabas knew that evangelism and discipleship are inseparable. To do one without the other would weaken the church and the movement around the globe in sharing the good news.
Using a sports analogy, teams compete to win the game. Each team has their own unique plan to accomplish their objective. Both teams need an offense and a defense. To neglect either of these is to damage their prospects for victory.
Jesus’ plan to make disciples of all the nations demands that we do both evangelism and discipleship. They are not two separate programs. They are the same program and the same objective.
The questions is not “if” we will share the gospel or “if” we will disciple someone. The real question is who will you disciple and how will you accomplish your mission.
Sean Keith is the Sunday School/Discipleship Strategist for the Louisiana Baptist Convention. Sean has free resources available at www.louisianabaptists.org/churchgrowth and www.revseankeith.com. Follow me on twitter @revseankeith.

Sharing the Story: Sharing Personal Testimonies in the Group

One of the best ways to really get to know each other in your group is to share a short testimony each Sunday before your group starts. I have found that people who have studied God’s Word together each week for years really do not know each other. I have heard incredible testimonies of how people have been saved or blessed.

It is important lay some ground rules.

  1. People are experts on their lives and can share for an hour at the blink of an eye. Limit them to 3 minutes. Not 5 minutes as that means 10-15 minutes for some people. You have seen the speed limit sign of 17 MPH.
  2. Start by letting people sign up for the week they are willing to share.
  3. Do not assign people to share as they may not be able or willing. Let them volunteer.
  4. Keep on Theme. Start with how they got saved. Later you can have them share testimonies of how they shared Jesus with someone, how God answered a prayer for them, or how God has worked in a mighty way in their lives.

These 3 minutes each week can become a highlight and will help your class focus on each other. I have also had members come up and share that they do not have a salvation testimony like the ones they have heard and want to get right with God. It is exciting when someone hears these stories and gets saved then shares with the class that reason they got saved was because members had shared their stories.

Dr. Mark Yoakum is the Director of Church Ministries for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention.

The Work (Involve the Guest in Group Ministry)

Nothing makes someone feel more a part of a group than being involved in shared experiences.  Ministering to others should be part of your group’s mission, but a great byproduct is helping a guest feel more connected.  Make sure the guest is aware of opportunities to serve and all the details.  Have a member offer to drive the guest to the ministry location or offer to meet them at a specific spot.

Ask staff members what needs there may be in the church.  Your group could organize, restock, and refurbish a Children’s Resource Room or other Children’s Space.  You could help with Senior Adult Ministry or offer child-care for a Young Adult Event.  Have your members make cards that can be used in multiple ministries.

Look outside the church for ways to minister as well. Is there a local food bank where you could go to help pack boxes or an Assisted Living Home where you could go to sing hymns, play games, or just sit and talk with the residents?  Find homeless shelters and offer to minister or talk with a local high school and offer to work the concession stand so that parents can watch their own children play at athletic events.  Offer to build wheel-chair ramps to those who may suddenly need them.

Simply gathering items to be given to a ministry doesn’t help a guest be a part of a shared experience so be sure you’re truly ministering and not just “gathering” items so that someone else can minister. Use the ministry as an opportunity to have gospel conversations with those you encounter.

Jenni Carter is a State Missionary at the Georgia Baptist Mission Board.