Championing Evangelism in Your Sphere of Influence

Gary DeLashmutt

Philippians 2:19-31

Being an evangelistic champion can be learned. There are six observations we learn from Paul as he champions evangelism with the Philippians: 1) he expresses excitement about them being partners in sharing the gospel; 2) shares recent experiences in outreach; 3) reports and rejoices in the spread of the gospel; 4) issues the challenge to be witnesses; 5) extols those who work hard at it; 6) prays with and for one another. Anyone can be an advocate for evangelism. Commit yourself by God's grace to be an evangelistic champion and ask God for one or two steps you can take this week to do this.\r\n

Who is my Enemy?

Rich Nathan

Luke 14:12-14

The welcome of the Kingdom is needed to show people Jesus. When people expect rejection but instead receive acceptance they experience Jesus. Like Jesus broke the barrier with many in the Bible, we too can move toward people and break barriers. Like Jesus, we can show compassion and hospitality to all people. We need to ask what God is up to in people's lives and seek ways to communicate the gospel to them in a way they can understand it.\r\n

Getting the Most from your Vacation Bible School

Kathy Steinman

Luke 14:12-14

What is our responsibility to our kids and to the kids in our church when it comes to Vacation Bible School? Kathy Steinman says that letting them have a fun time can be done at the same time we are equipping and training them to reach out to their friends with the Gospel. Learn about the stumbling blocks to having a successful, engaging, and fun VBS.

A.M. Session

Tom Stipe

Acts 18:1-11

God has called His people to spread His message, but reaching people for God can be difficult. What is the problem? Tom Stipe theorizes that one of the reasons is we have taken the person out of personal evangelism. He thinks the way we evangelize is actually turning people away from God, sometimes right from the start. Find out what he says about how we can turn back to building personal, close relationships with others, and why that attracts them to God's message.\r\n

The Church and Evangelism: Maintaining an Evangelism Ethos in the Church

Tom Stipe

Luke 22:24-27

God calls His people to reach the world with His message. How did the disciples win the world? Tom Stipe points out that the disciples went out and loved people in the way Jesus taught and it worked. How then do we maintain an evangelism ethos in our churches? Tom argues that it is through building relationships. He primarily focuses on the example of David and Jonathan.\r\n

There's Still Room at the Dinner Party

Jim Leffel

Luke 14:16-24

The mission God has given His people is to go out and spread His message. Studies have shown that the American church is not growing, but possibly just moving members around from one church to another. However, God says there is plenty of room for more people, just like in the parable of the wedding banquet! So what is the problem? Find out what Jim Leffel has to say could be holding people back from God and what we can do about it.\r\n

Grace-Awakened Evangelism

George Verwer

Ephesians 6:10-20

God calls His people to help build His kingdom in every nation and in every country. How do we practically do that? How can we reach people for Christ all over the world? George Verwer has many years of real life experience in doing just that. He says the way God's people respond to God's grace has a powerful effect on other people for God. Responding to the needs we see around us and serving our neighbors and communities will help spread God's message to people who need to hear it.\r\n

A Global Perspective

George Verwer

Luke 10:25-37

George Verwer argues that believers do not have to travel to another country in order for God to give them a heart for that country. A commitment to world evangelism will change your life! Verwer says that if we are going to reach people with God's message, we have to get into their lives and meet people where they are at. This is exactly the example we see in the Bible with the story of the Good Samaritan. Find out what else Verwer has to say about having a global perspective of the Gospel.\r\n

Christians and Their Neighbors (Part 2)

Dennis McCallum

Colossians 4:2-6

Three ways to reach out with God's message include: 1) prayer; 2) lifestyle; and 3) words. With the focus on prayer Paul instructs Christians to pray in six ways: 1) with watchfulness; 2) with thanksgiving; 3) expressing belief; 4) incorporating intercessory prayer; 5) for open doors; and 6) with power of God. This is a powerful tool when reaching out and should be included in Christians' efforts. Prayer is the power that moves people.