1. Provide a mid-week meeting where there is one hour of expository Bible teaching. Stream it live to those who can’t attend. (1 hour)

2. Provide small groups that meet for teaching scripture and have discussion of a biblical topic. (1 hour)

3. Encourage the reading of the Bible such as the One Year Bible plan. Do it as a congregation and encourage them often to participate. (1.5 hours per week)

4. Encourage everyone in the church to discuss their questions about scripture and Christian living with a more mature and wiser Christian friend. (1 hour)

5. Look for opportunities to make discipleship a lifestyle rather than just another service in the week. (? hours)

Adding numbers 1-4 to the discipleship regimen of your church would add 234 hours per year of increased discipleship opportunities. The total would rise from 15.6 hours per year to a total of 249.6 hours per year. Then if you employ point number 5 a few times per year you would pass 250 hours per year…Just a thought.

Call me crazy…

Billy Hornsby

“And yet the early church grew and grew and grew, even without intentional evangelistic strategy or ministry. How? By being the most attractive community in the Roman Empire. The early Christians rescued abandoned babies and raised them as their own. They gave dignified burials to all, regardless of economic status. They cared for the sick; instead of abandoning the cities in times of plague, they stayed and cared for the sick and dying, even if it meant their own deaths. It was said of the early Christians that “they alone know the right way to live.”

What do you think is the best way to make the Church attractive today to our nation?

The Weak Mind…we all have one.

The Weak Mind Defined

*Showing a lack of judgment.” You know better but you misjudge the consequences, the effects or the seriousness of what you are about to do…so you do it. Like a person who may be very intelligent may also be a drug addict. His intellect tells him drugs are bad for him but his weak mind, due to a lack of judgment, tells him it’s okay. His weak mind helps him justify doing things that are bad for him. A weak mind is a result of wrong thinking or wrong conclusions about what results your actions will bring. Here are some examples that I have seen over the years.

Entitlement – You think you deserve what ever you want and you will not stop until you get it. Good or bad, you pursue fulfillment of your flesh’s desires until you get it, even unto personal destruction.

Focus on wrong things – Focusing on harmful things creates a library in you mind that becomes the default of your will. In other words, when you focus on illicit, harmful things all day long and it becomes time to make a judgment call, you default to what is stored up in your mind. If you store hate, lust, deception, abuse, addiction, fear, self-centeredness, or contention, guess what comes out in crunch time? That’s right…JUNK. On the other hand, if you think on good things like, peace, love, forgiveness, purity, honesty and others, good actions will prevail in difficult and trying moments. Remember Romans 8:6, “ to be carnally minded is death, but to be spiritually minded is life and peace.”

Life Influences – Ever see a Christian boy and girl start dating and you think, “What a perfect couple.” Then after a few months their lives begin to erupt in anger and hate? They fight and become filled with anger and confusion. It’s like mixing water and gasoline…it doesn’t work, they only bring out the bad in each other. Each is a bad influence on the other. Then they separate and find someone new. Then you see the girl with a new guy and there you go….perfect match. This time there is peace and harmony, respect and honor. It’s just how one person influences another. When you hang with people who can push you over the line morally or emotionally in the wrong direction you need to break off that relationship. Just lovingly but purposely end it. It’s not healthy for your mind to stay in wrong relationships. I see it all the time.

Inordinate desire to be accepted – When you are willing to do just about anything to get people to like you, you run the risk of compromising your values and faith. The end result is you will be exploited and rejected. People see through your instant affection for them and for the most part detest it. Here is a Lord Chesterfield quote that I think is appropriate here.

“Distrust all those who love you extremely upon a very slight acquaintance and without any visible reason.”

How Do We Gain “Permission”?

For Permission Evangelism to work, we need to learn to recognize a heart that is open to hear the Gospel. There are times when people are openly asking us to share our beliefs and talk about our relationship with Christ—and we don’t even know it. Quite often, unbelievers and seekers open the door for us to share Christ with them without expressing that desire in words. For some seekers, an invitation for us to witness to them can be found in their actions or conversations.

Always look for an occasion to share the Gospel with someone, whether that someone is a friend, relative, or a recent acquaintance. God gives us divine appointments, and we need to be alert and able to recognize the opportunities He gives us to share our faith.

Learn to Recognize Permission to Share our Faith:

1. When people walk into your church

In 1 Corinthians 14:24-25, we see an example of unbelievers coming to Christ during a church service.

²⁴But if an unbeliever or someone who does not understand comes in while everybody is prophesying, he will be convinced by all that he is a sinner and will be judged by all, ²⁵and the secrets of his heart will be laid bare. So he will fall down and worship God, exclaiming, “God is really among you!”

If a friend or stranger comes to a regular church service, they are in essence giving you permission to share the Gospel with them. Therefore, you can feel free to reinforce the message:Ask specific to guage their understanding, and invite them to respond to the offer of salvation.

2. When people use “religion” to justify their actions or lifestyle

Have you ever heard someone claim membership to a religious organization or affiliation when confronted with sin or inconsistencies in their lifestyle? People often try to hide behind a religious façade to justify themselves and their behavior. They know that their lives are not right, and they’re embarrassed to admit it.

When they say, “I have personal beliefs, or “I was raised by religious parents” or “I do go to church!” you have their permission to ask them about their spiritual life. Sometimes they will openly admit that they have been away from God but desire to come back and rekindle their spirituality.The goal is not to show them their hypocrisy, but rather to lead them to a spiritual life that supersedes religion.

3. When people have questions about life’s trials

The world’s system cannot offer real solutions to life’s trials; only God can. In scripture, we have the assurance that through Christ, we can overcome all hardships and difficulties.

I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me. – Philippians 4:13

The message that Jesus Christ came to give us life and life more abundantly will forever be a relevant message to people who have questions about the trials they are enduring. We should feel free to share Christ with anyone who is struggling with life’s problems.

4. When people try to justify their sinful lifestyle

Have you ever heard someone brag about “joining their friends in hell” when they die? If so, you should use that opportunity to express your joy in joining your friends and Jesus in Heaven. People may jokingly talk about going to hell without realizing the gravity of their comments. When they bring up the subject of an afterlife, you have permission to tell them about eternal life in Jesus.

5. When people desire a relationship with you

In various parts of your social and professional life, you have opportunities to develop relationships. Regardless of how it begins, if a person is willing to get to know you and open up to you, you’ve got an open door to communicating the Gospel truth to them.

6. When people ask for help or advice

It is one thing when we as Christians approach a person “cold turkey” and attempt to share Christ. It is quite another thing when someone comes to us for help or advice. We should look at this as an open invitation to share the source of all real help, Jesus Christ.

7. When people ask about your faith

Chances are, you’ve been asked, “How can you be so happy?” or “Where do you get your strength to get through difficult times?” When someone approaches you this way, you have gained their permission to tell them about the source of all real joy, Jesus Christ.

8. When people respond to a sermon.

Most altar calls are a direct call to individuals to receive Christ or to come forward for specific prayer needs. When people respond to the call and approach the altar, they have given permission to share Christ with them. In churches where there are no altar calls, you may respond to any other expression of accepting Christ or the desire for specific prayer needs. Be sure to let them know that regardless of their past sins, those sins can be forgiven because Christ died for them.

9. When people respond to mail-outs.

Churches sometimes send out a general mailing to the community to provoke response from individuals who may have interest in the church. When a person responds, you have permission to contact that person. Once you respond to their inquiry, if you see evidence of further interest, you may gain permission to move to the next step, which may be to share Christ with them.

10. When people give interviews for surveys

Many churches use door-to-door surveys about spiritually related matters to locate people who are open to hearing the Gospel. If you find someone who will take the time to answer questions, you also have an opportunity to ask about their relationship with Christ. You might ask, “What do you think the Bible teaches about how to get to heaven?” Once they respond, ask if you may share Christ with them—that’s your permission to share the truth of Jesus.

11. When people come for counseling

One of the greatest services offered by churches church is Godly counsel. When a person approaches a Christian or Christian counselor for advice and guidance, and if he confides in you about a problem, he is giving expressed permission to speak about the power of the Holy Spirit. You also have permission to deal with any sin he may be experiencing or anything that is keeping him away from Christ.

12. When people fill out a visitor’s card

Most churches make visitor’s cards available for newcomers to complete. These cards are useful in obtaining a newcomer’s information and prayer requests. If a person also gives permission to be contacted, by all means do so.

13. When people’s children come to Christ

Whether in Sunday School, through a parent, at a camp or in a small group setting, most of us came to Christ early in life. As people get older, the chances of them getting saved grows less and less probable. So, when a child gives his life to Christ, you have a great opportunity to share Christ with his parents too.

Two Types of Evangelism

There are basically two ways to share the Gospel of Christ with a person, and both are found in the Bible. In the first kind, Confrontational Evangelism, two people tend to argue or have a “war with words.” Throughout the Bible, there are situations in which people were confronted with the Gospel. Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul confronted the religious, the unbeliever, and the antagonistic people of their day. This type of evangelism feels more like a dispute or altercation.

The other type, Permission Evangelism, involves developing a relationship with a person to gain his or her permission before sharing the gospel. Through one-on-one ministry, group meetings, and other events, Jesus and his disciples shared the Gospel in a way that captured the hearts and minds of the people. As miracles and healings took place, people opened up to the message of the Gospel and often begged to hear more. The results are likely to be more positive than Confrontational Evangelism because you first gain the other person’s permission/ approval/ consent to share. And that permission is gained through dynamic spiritual relationships.

Evangelism is Relational

It is vital to develop a friendship – in fact, a dynamic spiritual relationship with someone before sharing the Gospel. You first need to gain a person’s trust. You may not always have the time or opportunity to develop a close relationship, but you can build rapport in a short time.

Acts 16:14-15 gives one of many scriptural examples of relational evangelism:

¹⁴One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

WHAT KIND OF EVANGELISM DO YOU EMPLOY?

No Place for Fear

Don’t be intimidated or timid when it comes to speaking about God or sharing Biblical scriptures publicly.

Even though we have received the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we may sometimes feel unworthy or incapable of evangelizing others. Remember, it is our responsibility as Christians to share how others can receive a new life in Christ.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” — Romans 1:16

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our timidity and any ambivalence in sharing our testimony and faith. God gives us the power, knowledge, confidence, and words we need to be an effective witness for Jesus.

What is Evangelism, Anyway?

You are doing the work of an evangelist when you are inviting a friend to worship, church, small group, or other social function. You’re an evangelist when you take the time to pray with a friend, or when you share Christ as you serving others through community outreach. In short, evangelism is the practice of sharing the Good News in ways that help connect people to Christ and to church.

Through conversation with friends, family, or acquaintances, you can share the goodness of Christ. Present the Gospel by sharing your personal testimony, reading scripture with someone, or discussing how Christ can help them in their lives.

In addition to sharing the gospel verbally, you can evangelize through simple acts. The way you live your life is the best way to convey the work of the Holy Spirit in you. Let your everyday actions be your strongest evangelistic tool. The smallest act of love and kindness is a witness for Christ…if you do it in His name.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:16

Permission Evangelism

The worst thing that could happen to a person would be to die without knowing Christ. We all need to be prepared to do the work of a evangelist—to teach non-Christians who Jesus is and why they need to have a relationship with him. In this chapter you’ll learn practical steps to share the most important message of all, the Good News of Jesus Christ.

In 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul encourages Timothy and members of the church to “…do the work of an evangelist.” As you read this, you may be questioning whether Paul was talking to you. You may argue that your gifting lies leadership or administration or pastoring but not in evangelism.

Although we do not all have the gift of eloquent speaking, God did give us the ability to share Christ. The truth is, as believers, we all are expected is to tell others about our life in Christ and how our life has changed since becoming a Christian.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? – Romans 10:14

PART TWO Next week

Product |ˈprädəkt|noun1 an article or substance that is manufactured or refined for sale :marketing products and services.

Jesus – The Creator of the Church

It’s critical to understand that Jesus is not the product. He is the creator of the product, which is His Church and His Movement. He does not need the church but He has chosen to use the Church to spread His message of hope and salvation. Therefore, He works in and through the Church to empower and anoint His people to evangelize and disciple all who come to Him.

It’s also important to clarify that when I refer to the Church, I don’t necessarily mean the physical structure or a particular group; I’m talking about the whole of the Body of Christ, the collective believers from every nation, tribe and tongue who profess the lordship of Jesus Christ. They may or may not assemble in local congregations, but they are still His Body. He created the Church.

The Product – Christianity

We do not sell Jesus, He is not for sell; we represent Him in our worship and lifestyle. Our worship and lifestyle either lead people to Him or away from Him. We should reveal Christianity in a way that is appealing to the under-churched people of our community. Then, we can lead them to Christ when they open their hearts to God. Christianity is our product; it’s what we “sell.”

The Model – the local church

When you go to any church, before you see Jesus, you see the people and how they express their faith in Christ in a local setting. There are distinct brands and variations within the different models—including Baptist or Pentecostal, mainline denomination or Charismatic. Some models are program based, some are liturgical, and other models are small group- driven or even prophetic. The fact is that there are enormous variations in how Christianity is presented to the world. Still, your local church is a “showroom” for Christianity. The question is, will the “customers” buy? Will they at least “test drive”? Or will they leave and never return?

What are your thoughts on this?

Billy