Archive for Connect – Page 3

Connect Through Prayer and Bible Study 1: Read Your Bible

By Mark Yoakum · Comments (0)
Monday, August 19th, 2019

 

No one would think of birthing a baby and just leaving it to fend for itself.   So it is with new Christians We cannot afford to leave them alone. We must help them learn how to feed themselves and grow in the love of God.

As new Christians, they need to know that they never “walk” alone but have a Savior who will help them through life’s circumstances.   They have to learn to talk to God just as they talk to friends. Too often they hear people pray flowery prayers in public and think they need to pray in King James to be acceptable to God.

Secondly, they need to learn about God and who He is.  This they do by reading the Bible.  Too many have been hampered in their spiritual growth by starting at Genesis and when they get to Exodus and Leviticus they get discouraged.  It is important to share with them that Bible is not like any other book and it would be best to start at the gospels and learn about Jesus and what he did before going through Levitical law.  I have found that many new Christians relate well to John as he gives some explanation to some of the things happening.   Our goal should not be to make biblical theologians out of them, but people who fall in love with Jesus and the person who saved them.

Dr. Mark Yoakum is the Director of Church Ministries for the Southern Baptists of Texas Convention. He has served as Minister of Youth, Minister of Music, Minister of Education and Executive Pastor in churches in Missouri, Oklahoma, Arkansas, and Texas.

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Categories : Bible Study, Connect, Prayer

Invitation 1 – Hospitality

By Bob Mayfield · Comments (0)
Thursday, August 15th, 2019

Sometime when you get a chance, compare the pictures of a house from 50 years ago to a house today. You will probably notice one big architectural difference – houses from 50 years ago had a large front porch. Houses today… not so much.

We live in an era today where social media has redefined the term friend. What we usually call a friend today would have been an acquaintance 50 years ago. In fact, many of our friends on social media are people we have never met.

The Bible uses the term hospitality. Christ-followers are expected to show hospitality, even to strangers (Heb 13:2, Romans 12:13, 1 Tim 5:10, 1 Peter 4:9. When Matthew meets Jesus, he invites Jesus to his home where the Scripture says that Jesus dined with “many tax collectors and sinners.” Matthew threw a party and invited his friends to meet Jesus (Matthew 9:9). When Jesus meets Zacceus, where do they go? Jesus goes home with Zaccheus for dinner! (Luke 19:1-8)

Hospitality paves the way for a more robust dialogue about Jesus Christ. As you focus on your 1, one of the best things you can do is invite him or her into your home for a meal. Too many times we try to press our friends to receive Christ before we have established a relationship with them.

For many churches, evangelism training means equipping church members with a gospel presentation. Even after being equipped, many believers still do not share the gospel because they have not developed relationships with the lost. Consider flipping your evangelism training by equipping church members how to make friends and engage them through relationship rather than presentation.

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Categories : Connect, Conversation, Outreach/Evangelism, Sunday School

Investments 2: Listen to Your One

By David Ludwig · Comments (0)
Saturday, August 10th, 2019

Why is it so important to be a good listener? Because lost people are searching for answers and they are waiting for their chance to ask questions.

Many unbelievers are curious about the Bible and what it means to have a relationship with Jesus, so they need to have an environment where they can ask questions.

If you are in a class/group always allow time for questions and practice being a good listener. Listening is a skill that some people are better than others at but everyone can develop if they are willing to practice. Listening shows that you care about what they have to say.

When your sharing your faith with an unbeliever, think about these three things as you listen.

Listen to hear their questions. Listen to hear what they are asking, if they are not sure how to ask about something you may need to listen for key words and then ask them a question to get clarity. Something like; “I think I hear you saying this… is that what you are asking about?”

Listen to hear where the Spirit is moving. When a person is being led by the Spirit to ask a certain question these promptings are important times, so you will want to be listening for what it is they are trying to say. If you are not sure, ask a clarifying question.

Listen for opportunities to share the gospel. The longer you know a person the more opportunities you might have, but you will always want to be listening for the right time and opportunity to share the gospel with them.

In a world that is filled with noise, make sure you take time to listen to Your One!

David Ludwig is the associate director of healthy churches with the Baptist Resource Network of Pennsylvania/ South Jersey and serves Pastors and churches to assist them in becoming healthy, multiplying churches.

 

 

 

 

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Categories : Connect, Conversation, Who is your One?

Who’s Your One: Invest

By Mark Miller · Comments (0)
Friday, August 9th, 2019

Once you’ve identified your one, it is crucial that you find time to build the relationship with them. Your one is worth your investment of time, money, and emotions.

Occasionally, I decide to look at my retirement account.  My hope is that the account has grown, but I must take the long look.  Some weeks, the account is down and some weeks the account is up.  I keep investing…why because over time I trust that the account will grow, and I will be able to retire with dignity.

Investing in your one will be similar. Don’t give up, keep investing in your one.  Lance Crowell, Discipleship Leader for the Southern Baptists of Texas recommends three key things that you can do to develop your relationship:

  • Find common interests and spend regular time with them – What do they like to do? What can you enjoy together?
  • Listen more than you talk – Ask good questions and focus on developing a deeper relationship.
  • Be willing to be the 2:00 am call – Develop the friendship so that you stand ready and available in a time of need or crisis.

Many of my Sunday School class members are avid hunters (not me).  One Sunday, a new family was sitting behind us in worship.  The man and one of my members begin talking and both were avid hunters. That afternoon, over 20 years ago, he took him hunting and they are some of our best friends today and leaders in my church.  Ask questions, listen for those common interests, connect with your one.  Over time, your investment will grow and you will have the opportunity to share with him about Jesus.

As you invest, remember your one is not a project, but a person who needs Jesus.

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Categories : Connect, Conversation
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