Evangelism is not an optional practice for a certain kind of Christian; it is part of ordinary discipleship because Jesus has all authority, every disciple is called to witness, and the Holy Spirit empowers the next faithful step.
READ: Matthew 28:18... Jesus came and told his disciples, “I have been given all authority in heaven and on earth.
DISCUSS:
What things have you learned about evangelism that have negatively or positively affected your view of it and how did it affect how you evangelize?
READ: Matthew 28:19-20... Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”
DISCUSS:
How can you or how have you taken personal responsibility of introducing Jesus to someone else? (How did you feel before, during, and after you did or didn’t do it?)
READ: 1 Corinthians 15:3... I passed on to you what was most important and what had also been passed on to me. Christ died for our sins, just as the Scriptures said.
DISCUSS:
How can we introduce people to Jesus by following the examples given to us in the scriptures?
READ: Acts 1:8... But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”
DISCUSS:
Have you ever felt the pull to tell someone about Jesus, what was your response to that pull?
What else from this week’s message was particularly memorable?
Jesus, we invite you to our comfort zone and we allow you to disrupt it. Help us to recognize and heed the call to tell others about you. We surrender to the mission you’ve given us to win the lost. Give us a passion and a sensitivity to win the loss. Your name we pray, Amen.
This week take a step to introduce someone to Jesus. You can do this by looking at those you know and or introducing yourself to someone you don’t know. Establish relationships, let them see Jesus in and through you… Then point them to Jesus.
The Authority: Take the first moments of your day to acknowledge Jesus as the authority in your life. Give Him your surrender His will.
The Command: Establish evangelism as your non-negotiable. Take a step to begin to pray for the boldness to tell others about Jesus.
The Way: Look around you, begin to take the time to have conversations with the people you come into contact with on a daily basis.
The Pattern: Get involved with serve opportunities and ministries that have already been established to give you common ground to evangelize.
The Spirit: Be led by and surrender to the Holy Spirit. Obey through inconvenience and discomfort.
The authority belongs to Jesus; the command belongs to every disciple; the way is the pattern of Jesus; and the power comes from the Spirit.