16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
If in a large group setting, choose a new facilitator in each small group who will guide the small group discussion.
If someone’s needs demand more attention during this time, set a time after the meeting to help meet those needs.
Ask the group to self-identify their barriers to personal evangelism. Name two of the following barriers that you identify with: lack of desire, fear, lack of know-how/training, few friendships or contact with non-believers, business/lifestyle habits that keep me from spending time with non-believers.
Cast vision for who they can become in Christ or what God can do through them. For example:
17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!18 All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation:19 that God was reconciling the world to himself in Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of reconciliation.20 We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ’s behalf: Be reconciled to God.
9 The Lord is not slow in keeping his promise, as some understand slowness. Instead he is patient with you, not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to repentance.
We have been learning how to develop into a healthy and authentic CoJourner and live the Prayer-Care-Share lifestyle. We have already learned about finding Persons of Peace and God-Prepared People and telling our story. Now we are going to learn about the second skill of a Guide—sharing the whole gospel well.
In our Becoming a CoJourner workshop we introduce the three modes of evangelism:
Remember, the term mode is defined as “a preferred or customary way of doing something.” These “modes” describe the ways in which we recognize God working through our witness to help people come to know Him.
18 And pray in the Spirit on all occasions with all kinds of prayers and requests. With this in mind, be alert and always keep on praying for all the Lord’s people.19 Pray also for me, that whenever I speak, words may be given me so that I will fearlessly make known the mystery of the gospel,
2 Devote yourselves to prayer, being watchful and thankful.3 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains.4 Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity.6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.
Later, in Session 9, we will talk about how we can use both the community and ministry modes.
Have group members answer: “What does a person need to know before they become a Christian?”
1 Now, brothers and sisters, I want to remind you of the gospel I preached to you, which you received and on which you have taken your stand.2 By this gospel you are saved, if you hold firmly to the word I preached to you. Otherwise, you have believed in vain.
3 For what I received I passed on to you as of first importance: that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures,4 that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures,5 and that he appeared to Cephas, and then to the Twelve.6 After that, he appeared to more than five hundred of the brothers and sisters at the same time, most of whom are still living, though some have fallen asleep.7 Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles,8 and last of all he appeared to me also, as to one abnormally born.
25 He was delivered over to death for our sins and was raised to life for our justification.
8 For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith—and this is not from yourselves, it is the gift of God—9 not by works, so that no one can boast.
12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God—
11 And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son.12 Whoever has the Son has life; whoever does not have the Son of God does not have life.
13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
What if someone says “yes” to the gospel? What should we do? There are 3 things that you need to do:
1. Let them know that you want to help them grow in their new relationship with Jesus. Do these things:
2. Ask them, “Who are some others that need to hear this?” Encourage them to pray for those people regularly. Help them download GodTools or encourage using Gospel on a Napkin.
*This is a VERY important step that allows us to see the multiplication of the gospel. We have learned that a God-Prepared Person is a person of relationship. They are excited and open to reach their network of family and friends with the Good News. You are simply casting a vision for this from the very beginning of their new life in Christ.
3. Pray for them before you leave.
Transition
How do we know if we have been successful in witnessing? Pause for answers
Being successful in witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.
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