Ministry127 | Outreach & Discipleship

An Integrated Discipleship Ministry

Dr. R. B. Ouellette — Thu, 15 Mar 2012 16:04:19 +0000

Largely through the planning and organization of one of my staff members, we recently developed a more comprehensive, five-part discipleship approach. We put the picture of each new family with whom we are working on a piece of paper and are able to track from that one sheet of paper in these five areas:

The Phases

1. The First-Steps class—We try to get every new person attending our church—whether recently saved or long-time believer, to attend this Sunday school class which I teach in my office. The four lessons may be taken in any order and while I do desire to disseminate the information included in the lessons, I care equally about making a connection with the individuals in the class.

2. Lifeline discipleship—This 12-week discipleship program which is taught one hour before our Sunday evening service, takes people deeper into Scripture and into a closer personal relationship with the Lord Jesus. At the end of each 12-week class we have a graduation during the Sunday night service at which time one or more of the graduates gives a testimony and each of them receives a certificate. We use the occasion of the graduation to promote the upcoming Lifeline class.

3. Sunday school—After a person has finished the First-Steps class and regardless of where they are in the Lifeline Class, we try to get them connected to a Sunday school class where they will find personal fellowship, accountability, and growth in their Christian life.

4. Connection with the church family—We try to have at least one faithful church family make friends with the new family and take them under their wing. This family will in turn introduce them to others so this person feels included as a part of our fellowship.

5. Involvement in a soulwinning ministry. Since the Great Commission is not complete until we have taught those we have won “all things whatsoever we have been commanded,” we want each new member to become part of a soulwinning ministry.

The Philosophy

Here are the reasons we have taken this five-phase approach:

People take small steps more readily than large ones. It is much easier to get someone into a four-week class than a 12- or 20-week class. Having completed the four-week class, they are much more open to the next step.

Progressive involvement comes more easily to most people than immediate immersion. While we all love to see the new convert “jump in with both feet,” the reality is that most of them take just a little longer.

The more contacts and connections we can make with new families in our church, the more they will learn, the longer they will stay, and the better they will be. The Bible says that a “three-fold cord is not easily broken.”

Our goal is not simply instruction but assimilation.

Tell Your Story

Kurt Skelly — Tue, 06 Mar 2012 01:06:02 +0000

What a remarkable life story the Apostle Paul had! Just imagine the experience of the Damascus road. In one day his life was completely upended, rerouted, and utterly transformed by the wonder-working power of the Lord Jesus Christ. And Paul never got over it—never.

It seems he captured every opportunity to tell and retell it. Such was the case in Acts 26:1–23 as Paul awaited transport to Rome for an appellate decision on his previous arrest in Jerusalem. A visit from Agrippa afforded Paul yet another opportunity to share his wonderful story with a ready listener.

Could it be that the local church has so “systematized” and “methodized” her evangelism efforts that the Gospel presentation has become dry and dusty to its recipient? It seems that the average church member has been exposed to the “Romans Road” approach and the “Four Spiritual Laws” method, but he has forgotten the power of sharing such vital truth within the context of his own compelling life story.

As we wrap the Gospel message in the unique package of our own testimony, it tends to become more attractive—and relevant—to those with whom we share it. Everybody loves to hear a good story, and the best story we can tell is the story of when we met the Lord. Consider Paul’s story:

It Was a Compelling Story

His story told of a past that was sinful. Paul did not paint a picture to make himself look good. He bluntly detailed his former life of opposition to Jesus Christ and His followers. Sometimes folks believe that they have sinned far too egregiously for Christ to save them, but nothing could be further from the truth! Paul made it his business to persecute—even kill— Christians; yet God graciously saved him.

His story included the point of his surrender. Salvation is a surrendering point. As the gracious General Robert E. Lee surrendered the Army of Northern Virginia on April 9, 1865, when he realized the inability of his army, even so must men and women surrender to the Lord Jesus Christ. Their ways, including their religious observances and good works, are entirely ineffective and unable to save. God alone possesses the sovereign power to save, and He effects that salvation for all who come to Him by faith.

His story showed the purpose of his salvation. Like Paul, believers are saved for a specific purpose (Ephesians 2:10). A familiar pattern in the Bible includes telling others about the compelling way by which Christ affected one’s life. Consider the woman at the well, or the maniac of Gadara, or the first priority of Andrew. It seems that those who came to know the Lord were avid in their communication of the Lord.

It Was a Continuing Story

Unlike so many new year’s resolutions, Paul’s story was not short-lived. His commitment to reaching others with the Gospel by telling his story never faded as the years stacked on.

Just how did Paul continue reaching people for a lifetime?

Paul continued with help and support. “Having therefore obtained help of God, I continue unto this day” (Acts 26:22a). Paul understood that, minus the grace of God, he never would have persevered to that point. Each of us must learn the truth of the insufficiency of his own strength and the sufficiency of God’s (Ephesians 6:10).

Paul continued with a heart for sinners. Paul witnessed to both the “small and great.” Obviously he understood the essence of Christ’s command to preach the gospel to every creature. No prejudicial lines should be drawn when it comes to preaching the truth. One size fits all: male or female, black or white, old or young, rich or poor, Jew or Gentile, etc.

Paul continued in harmony with Scripture. Paul’s story was consistent with what the Old Testament Scriptures already revealed. The compelling story of my life can be an effective testimony to another only as it bears witness to the truth of God’s revealed Word.

With boldness may each of us renew our commitment to tell others of what Jesus Christ has effectively accomplished in our lives life. Tell your story!

Praying to the Lord of the Harvest

Troy Calvert — Thu, 16 Feb 2012 00:54:05 +0000

Prayer is the one key element in the work of the Lord that must not be overlooked or underestimated. When we talk about “praying to the Lord of the harvest,” I wonder how serious we are? In Matthew 9:35–38 we are given three reasons to pray for world evangelism:

1. Pray Out of Compassion

We should see the world as Jesus does (Matthew 14:14). If we are not careful we can harden ourselves to the needs of the world around us. Sometimes we let a hardened attitude creep into our hearts when we think about the Lord’s work of reaching the lost. It is entirely possible for us to lack compassion when we go to the Lord in prayer. We don’t have a burning desire for God to do a work not only in our lives but also through our lives, to be felt locally and around the world for the cause of Christ.

The Greek word that is translated compassion means to have the bowels yearn, to feel sympathy, or to pity. Many years ago, as I was walking in the streets of Caracas Venezuela, I saw a boy whose body was mangled from fire. He was begging for money with his younger sibling. At first I walked right past them. But then, not many steps further, I was hit with the realization of how badly they needed the Gospel.

We can get so caught up in our own agendas and schedules that we have no compassion at all when we ask the Lord to send out more missionaries from our midst. It is very easy for us to take all emotion out of our prayers. However, when we do that we are going contrary to the Scriptures.

Jesus often demonstrated compassion in His prayers. In the specific context of our text, He told us to pray for laborers because He was emotionally stirred due to what He had seen. We need to ask God for a greater burden for the lost of this world. God may never call you specifically to the mission field but your heart needs to be stirred just as Jesus’ was. Ask the Lord to soften your heart and then slow down when you talk to Him so that you can really consider the needs of those around you.

2. Pray Out of Obedience

Disciples are commanded to pray. The word pray literally means to beg. The same word is used in 2 Corinthians 5:20. This begging attitude is the same as that which Christ wants us to have when we go to Him in prayer. Every Christian has the responsibility to beg God for laborers so that more will be accomplished in His harvest fields. Are we praying out of compassion? Are we praying out of obedience?

This proper attitude in prayer is the means to have the power of God on our lives. If we are to accomplish anything for God it cannot be apart from His power. We should all be begging God to pour out this power upon us so that we can make a greater impact for Christ on our world. Our example, Jesus, when He was getting ready to choose His disciples, went into a mountain and continued in prayer all night (Luke 6:12). I wonder how many moms and dads are already praying that He would call their sons and daughters?

3. The Hour Is Critical

The Greek word for send in our text means to drive or push out. It is not a casual exercise. The need is great! Are we at all concerned? We need to keep in mind that sometimes God answers our prayers by using us. It doesn’t matter how old we are or what our current circumstances may be. In John 4:35 the Lord tells us that the fields are, “White already to harvest.” Farmers will tell you that when the stalks are white it is absolutely critical that they be harvested or they may be lost with the first strong gust of wind. The Lord is letting us know that we cannot waste time waiting for the ideal circumstances. And, we must not be discouraged by the tares that will not receive the Gospel. We just need to get the message out!

Keep in mind that our missionaries have the same flesh that you and I have. They can be discouraged just as we can. The devil attacks them as well. But God can use us to pray for their protection and for them to have strength in the Lord. Jesus Christ can come back at any moment. We should make sure that we have done all that we can for world evangelism.

12 Reasons Every Christian Should Win Souls

Dr. R. B. Ouellette — Thu, 09 Feb 2012 00:33:40 +0000

Sometimes people wonder why I emphasize soulwinning so much. An evangelist once preached at our church and asked how many of our folks went soulwinning on a regular basis. When approximately half of the evening crowd raised their hands, he said, “Look at that amazing sight!” Another evangelist said to me that it would be ridiculous to preach on soulwinning at our church because so many people already went. But suppose about half of the army showed up when it was time to fight? Suppose about half of the football team was there for the opening kickoff? Suppose that half of the work force came at their appointed time on a given day? We would not think that was a success. It is possible for us to be better than average in the area of soulwinning but to still be far below normal.

1. Because God Commands It

Soulwinning is not an option. It is not a spiritual gift. It is not a church growth program. It is a clear, unequivocal, unavoidable command of God.

2. Because There Is a Hell

Psalm 9:17 still says, “The wicked shall be turned into Hell and all the nations that forget God.” Revelation 21:8 still says those without Christ will have their part in the lake that burns with fire and brimstone.

Many years ago when I was an assistant pastor, two sisters, Rita and Penny Shire, attended a youth activity. The older sister, Rita, trusted Christ. I went to visit Penny, a seventh grader, in her home the next week. Her mother allowed me to visit with her and did not interfere as I presented the Gospel to her. When it came time, however, for Penny to make a decision for Christ, her mother interrupted and said, “She’s not old enough.” I explained that I wasn’t asking Penny to be baptized or join the church. I told Mrs. Shire that I had been saved as a young boy at the age of four. Nonetheless, Mrs. Shire adamantly insisted, “She’s not old enough.” I asked the mother if it would be permissible for Penny to get saved when she came to church sometime. Strangely, she agreed. Penny came many times after that. I always gave an invitation and always looked her way. She never raised her hand.

I had been at First Baptist of Bridgeport just a few weeks when one of the former youth workers from the church where I had been an assistant pastor, called and said, “Penny Shire has been in a terrible accident.” A young man driving a Chevrolet Vega had deliberately pulled in front of the truck that Penny and her father were riding in (he left a suicide note). The gas tank on the truck exploded. Mr. Shire was killed instantly and Penny was in a coma at Hurley Hospital in Flint, horribly burned. I drove up to see her when I heard the news. I would not have recognized her had I not been told who was in the bed.

Knowing that sometimes, people can hear when they are in a coma, I gave her the Gospel one more time. I explained that she did not need to be in church to be saved and did not need to be able to speak aloud; that she could tell Christ from her heart that she was trusting Him as her Saviour. I asked if she could wiggle a finger or raise an eyebrow. She made no sign. To this day I do not know whether or not she is in Heaven or in Hell. I hope that sometime she trusted Christ. I would hate to be her mother at the judgment seat. But then all of us deal with people every day who will spend eternity in Heaven or in Hell. We know the answer. We must tell them.

3. Because We Know How To Escape Hell

Imagine a man having a cure for cancer and keeping the news to himself. Imagine seeing someone about to be run over by a car and not trying to warn him. How much worse it is for those of us who know the only escape from eternal damnation to keep it from those desperately in need of this truth.

4. Because Soulwinning Is the Decent Thing To Do

1 Corinthians 15:34 says: “Awake to righteousness and sin not; for some have not the knowledge of God: I speak this to your shame.” I once heard of a preacher who, along with his family, befriended an elderly lady. She became a kind of a grandmother to his children and was included in family gatherings. After a while, their friendship had advanced so far that he felt awkward about giving her the Gospel; wished he had done it sooner, but did not know exactly how to broach the subject. Years went by. One day the preacher was under such deep conviction that he went over to the lady’s house and clearly explained the Gospel. She was very quiet when he ended. She said, “Are you telling me that you believe that if I died right now, I’d go to Hell because I’ve never trusted Christ?”

“Yes ma’am,” he replied. “That’s what the Bible says.”

“And you’ve believed this all the time you’ve known me?” He again replied in the affirmative. “Get out of my house,” she said. “You’re not my friend. I don’t ever want to see you again.”

I hate to say it, but the lady is right. It is not friendship or any other kind of decent behavior to withhold the Gospel from those who need it.

5. Because There Is a Heaven

What a wonderful blessing it will be to be reunited with loved ones for eternity. What a privilege it will be for us to see those living forever in Heaven, to whom we have given the Gospel of Christ.

6. Because It Glorifies God

John 15:8 says:“Herein is my Father glorified, that ye bear much fruit; so shall ye be my disciples.” There are those who say that our prime motivation is not to win people to Christ but to glorify God. I do not disagree with them, but I must remind them that the Bible clearly says God is glorified when we bring forth much fruit.

7. Because It Encourages Believers

When I win people to Christ, bring them to church, or share their testimonies with others, believers are encouraged and uplifted. Iron sharpens iron and my testimony encourages others to do the same.

8. Because It Perpetuates Truth for the Next Generation

The Lord Jesus tells us that believers are like wheat and unbelievers are like tares. Wheat must be planted every season. It never regenerates itself. Weeds grow automatically. It takes nothing for wrong to prevail and evil to predominate. It takes great effort for righteousness to be perpetuated.

9. Because It Demonstrates the Power of God

I spent my last year of high school at Bob Jones Academy in order to get out of school a year early. One December evening, I went with the Academy soulwinning bus to Spartanburg, South Carolina. It was a cold night. No one seemed to want to listen to us present the Gospel to them. My partner, Oddver Cuevas, ran out of tracts and said, “I’m going into this drugstore to warm up.” I had a few more tracts, which I passed out and then joined him in the drugstore. I discovered that he had engaged the proprietor of the drugstore, a man named George Vassey, in conversation. George Vassey was twisting Oddver into a theological pretzel.

Since I was raised in a preacher’s home and considered my knowledge of the Bible at age 16 to be almost limitless, I violated a rule of two-by-two soulwinning and interrupted the conversation. Sure enough, in no time at all, there were two theological pretzels twisting on the drugstore floor. George Vassey knew verses I had never heard of. He quoted things from the book of Mormon, the Koran and other sources with which I was totally unfamiliar. I left discouraged. I thought as a young man, “I’m not going to do this again until I know more about it. I’m going to study every religion; have an answer to every question; and then I’ll go back out.”

I went home for Christmas vacation, came back and did not go soulwinning the next Friday evening. When the bus returned, I heard Oddver Cuevas running down the hall, hollering my name. He burst into my room and said, “George Vassey got saved! I went by the drugstore and he said as a result of our visit, he trusted Christ. He has stopped selling dirty magazines in his drugstore, and he says he wants to take part of the building that’s not being used and turn it into a rescue mission!” Why did George Vassey get saved? Because of our theological expertise? Because of our unanswerable arguments? Because of our persuasive speech? No. George Vassey got saved because the Spirit of God worked in his heart.

10. Because It Is a Timeless Principle

Even a casual reading of the Word of God will convince you that it has always been right for people who know God to tell people who don’t know God about God. Remember, it is an Old Testament verse that says, “He that winneth souls is wise.”

11. Because We Must Face Jesus at the Judgment Seat of Christ

“For we must all appear before the judgment seat of Christ; that every one may receive the things done in his body, whether it be good or bad. Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are made manifest unto God; and I trust also are made manifest in your consciences.” 2 Corinthians 5:10–11 (emphasis mine)

12. Because Our Hands Will Be Stained with the Blood of the Lost We Don’t Tell

“When I say unto the wicked, Thou shalt surely die; and thou givest him no warning, nor speakest to warn the wicked from his wicked way, to save his life; the same wicked man shall die in his iniquity; but his blood will I require at thine hand.” Ezekiel 3:18

Lunch? Today?

Dr. Paul Chappell — Tue, 07 Feb 2012 17:31:18 +0000

Christian hospitality is one of the most fruitful of ministry disciplines. Over the years, my wife and I have made a habit of having people over on a regular basis, and we’ve found that opening our home for fellowship often opens hearts for discipleship and mentoring.

No wonder the New Testament emphasizes hospitality as a Christian grace:

Use hospitality one to another without grudging.—1 Peter 4:9

Distributing to the necessity of saints; given to hospitality.—Romans 12:13

A bishop then must be blameless, the husband of one wife, vigilant, sober, of good behaviour, given to hospitality, apt to teach;— 1 Timothy 3:2

But Terrie and I still laugh at one of our early attempts at opening our home. I was teaching a Sunday school class for young married couples, and one Sunday, a visiting couple, the Matthews, attended the class. I met them at the door and learned they had just moved to the area. Eager to encourage them in the Lord and demonstrate hospitality, I invited them to our home for lunch.

As the morning church service concluded, I remembered to tell Terrie that the Matthews were coming.

“Today?” she gulped.

“Yes, what’s wrong with that?”

“Mainly that we don’t have any food in the house.” By now, she was crying.

We didn’t have much money either, but we scraped together a few dollars and picked up a few items at the convenience store down the street.

We hurried to beat the Matthews to our apartment, and Terrie graciously served a lunch of buttered pasta with ice cream for dessert.

I learned two lessons about hospitality that day:

1) Ask your wife first. My wife has always been a servant, but we did have a discussion after the Matthews left about the proper procedure in inviting people over!

2) Hospitality makes a difference in people’s lives. You might think that a lunch of spaghetti noodles would turn people away. (Terrie was sure it would.) But, it didn’t. The Matthews were back for the evening service at church and became faithful members. In our experience through the years, the very action of opening your home to others is far more important than what you feed them.

Hospitality is vital to ministry. But it’s pretty easy to put it off thinking you can’t afford it or don’t have time to prepare.

Christian hospitality need not be a full buffet of the best cooking or a showcase of the cleanest house. While at least a minimum standard of palatability and cleanliness are obviously important, don’t put off extending hospitality until the time is perfect.

Who needs your hospitality? A new Christian? Someone who would visit church if you invited them for lunch afterward? A lonely widow? A family going through a trial?

Just invite them over for lunch today.

But ask your wife first.

The Power of Positive Rumor

Troy Dorrell — Wed, 28 Dec 2011 15:30:28 +0000

Today we are bombarded with information. Our world is filled with advertisements, billboards, TV ads, radio spots, informational flyers, and newspapers all trying to sell us something or persuade us that a product is worthy of our dollar. However, even in this age of mass media and seemingly limitless information people still tend to trust one source of information more than any other; that source is simply “word of mouth.”

Rumors or “word of mouth” can carry positive information or negative. Unfortunately, people seem preconditioned to share negative aspects of their experiences. The White House Office of Consumer affairs finds that a dissatisfied customer shares their unpleasant experience with nine other people. A California market research firm shows that dissatisfied automobile customers tell their stories to twenty-two other people on average. A bad experience at a bank can be rehearsed in the ears of fifty-five other individuals according to one study.

I can only assume that someone who has a bad church experience will most likely have the same tendency to share his or her bad news in a similar way. However, a church that is thinking can use the power of rumor or “word of mouth” to their advantage. If you think about it, this was the primary way the early church grew; house to house and by word of mouth. If we were serious about telling others about Christ and our church the potential audience we could reach is staggering.

Researchers think the average person has a sphere of influence that includes about 250 people. This means that a city population of 62,500 could be reached by word of mouth in just two steps. If you tell the 250 people you know about your church and they tell the 250 people they know then in that simple process 62,500 will have heard. If we follow this formula to its conclusion the world does indeed become very small.

When we receive and treat guests in an exceptional fashion and genuinely display the love of Christ toward them, not only do we increase the possibility of them returning but we also increase the likelihood of others hearing positive things about our church. Loving people and doing things right have their own rewards; and part of that reward is a good testimony that is rehearsed in the ears of others.

The Attractive Power of a Happy Church

Troy Dorrell — Wed, 23 Nov 2011 01:09:55 +0000

Most churches want to reach people; anyone who is actually trying to fulfill the Great Commission gives serious thought to strategies for doing so. Along with an aggressive outreach effort to reach people, many churches employ programs, campaigns, and various other tactics to keep guests once they have come.

However, one simple strategy that is often overlooked for reaching people is simply being happy. Several recent studies indicate that church growth and the ability to reach people for Christ are directly tied to happy church members. This actually works in two ways. The first being that people who love their church and are happy with it tend to invite people to attend with them in much greater numbers. Their enthusiasm for their church is, in a way, very contagious. We all tend to tell others about the things that we enjoy, whether it is a good book, a favorite restaurant, or our church.

The second way that happiness grows a church is by its attractive quality. Most people are attracted to a smile, enthusiasm, joy, and happiness. Most people’s hearts are void of these things but they desperately want to experience them. So when they see it, they are inquisitive. What we obviously want to do is tell people that it is Jesus who has made our hearts glad and that He can make their hearts glad too.

Happiness and joy then are a way of letting our light so shine! Happiness grows the church because happy people naturally tell others about the place they love, and because when guests come they are attracted to and want to be a part of a place where Jesus is real enough to bring them joy. A glad heart and a genuine smile are therefore two of the greatest gifts we can bring to church and give to a watching world.

Trusted with the Gospel

Dr. Paul Chappell — Thu, 03 Nov 2011 15:30:26 +0000

If you were a football player, you would think the most precious possession during a game was the football. Should you have the opportunity to receive or intercept a pass, you would run with everything you had toward the goal line, while protecting the ball from the other team.

God has entrusted to our care a truth far more valuable than a football. It is the Gospel.

Paul understood this trust like few of us do today. Notice his personal ownership of the Gospel.

But as we were allowed of God to be put in trust with the gospel, even so we speak; not as pleasing men, but God, which trieth our hearts. (1 Thessalonians 2:4)

To wit, that God was in Christ, reconciling the world unto himself, not imputing their trespasses unto them; and hath committed unto us the word of reconciliation. (2 Corinthians 5:19)

God has specifically committed the Gospel to our trust, and He has commanded us to take it to the world. Yet, like the football player in the clip below, many Christians today are fumbling in this commission.

It’s easy to watch a clip like the one above and holler at the player who fumbled the ball. But what about the Gospel? How seriously are you taking your responsibility to carry the Gospel to the world?

This article was originally posted on The Pastor’s Perspective.

Habits of Fruitful Soulwinners

Dr. Paul Chappell — Mon, 10 Oct 2011 17:57:34 +0000

Christ’s last command before He ascended to Heaven is found in Mark 16:15: “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” Every person has an eternal soul, and it is our privilege and responsibility to share with them the good news of salvation. Proverbs 11:30 says, “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” Although we do not save souls, we are to witness to them and lead them to the Lord who does save them.

How can we take these biblical principles and practically apply them in personally leading others to Christ?

We must first realize that no one becomes a good soulwinner by accident. Fruitful soulwinning happens through Spirit-filled people who develop habits of being ready and available for God to use them.

Below are seven habits that I have noticed are consistently present in men and women who regularly lead others to Christ:

1. Fruitful Soulwinners Pray for a Burden

It’s so easy for our burden for others to get swallowed in the rush of a busy schedule. Don’t allow your burden for souls to get buried in projects, meetings, and memos. The only way that I know to sustain a heart-felt burden for souls is to daily pray for God to help me see lost people with His compassion. If this is not already on your daily prayer list, add it!

2. Fruitful Soulwinners Carry Gospel Tracts

One of the best soulwinners I know is my friend, R.B. Ouellette. The readiness with which he gives out tracts is a challenge to me. When we travel together, he has tracts at his fingertips and will almost always have given one out while I’m still reaching into my pocket for one.

Carrying tracts helps me be soul conscious wherever I go. Additionally, a Gospel tract equips you to easily begin a conversation about the Lord and salvation. Even if you only have a moment, at least you can leave the other person with a printed Gospel presentation.

3. Fruitful Soulwinners Schedule Time for Soulwinning

We should witness for the Lord everywhere we go, but I’ve noticed that our schedules reflect our priorities. Those who regularly lead others to Christ have made soulwinning enough of a priority that they place it in their schedule.

In my own life, I’ve found that if I don’t block off time for soulwinning on my calendar, I’ll never have time. Year round, I plan weekly time for soulwinning. But there are some seasons of the year (such as our church’s Open House outreach or our Christmas or Easter musicals) in which I schedule extra hours to go door to door with the Gospel.

4. Fruitful Soulwinners Keep an Updated Prospect List

I’ve written before about how a prospect list helps you strategically and wisely follow up on soulwinning visits. Our tech team even designed a smart phone app to make it easy.

But there is another benefit to keeping a prospect list—it’s an accountability tool that helps you monitor your own soulwinning. If you keep it updated carefully, you’ll easily see how tenacious you are in following up on prospects. You might even consider sharing your list with a friend for added accountability.

5. Fruitful Soulwinners Are Attentive in Church Services—Especially During the invitation

It is amazing to me that a lost person can attend a Baptist church and leave with no one having talked to him about salvation. Those who are soul conscious seek out visitors at church, befriend them, and specifically ask them about salvation. They don’t just assume that everyone they see is saved, but they make it their mission to find out!

6. Fruitful Soulwinners Are Hospitable

Some people are saved during a brief encounter with a soulwinner at their doorstep. But many require hearing the Gospel multiple times before they understand their need for salvation. Hospitality allows you to build a relationship that will facilitate multiple presentations of the Gospel. When you invite someone to your home or spend time with them across a restaurant table, it assures them that you are genuinely interested in their lives, and it opens them to hear your message.

Of course, hospitality is also an essential ingredient in discipling someone after they are saved.

7. Fruitful Soulwinners Involve New Converts in Soulwinning

Every unsaved person has unsaved friends. Fruitful soulwinners encourage new converts to reach their unsaved friends. They ask them who their friends are and help new converts share their testimony with their friends.

I’m sure we could add more habits of fruitful soulwinners, but these are some that have stood out to me recently.

Soulwinning itself is a habit! Only the Holy Spirit can convict hearts of their need for Christ (John 16:8–9), but He uses Christians who make time to talk to people face to face and share the wonderful news of salvation.

This article was originally published on The Pastor’s Perspective.

Giving Away the King James Bible

Jerry Ferrso — Fri, 05 Aug 2011 17:31:27 +0000

In celebration of the 400th anniversary of the King James Bible, members of Lancaster Baptist Church and students of West Coast Baptist College passed out over 10,000 copies of the New Testament. The blessings from this effort were great. Many more people were saved during this effort than during the same time last year. Others promised to read the Bible when it was given and were open to the Gospel.

Giving copies of the Bible isn’t a new outreach approach, but I would like to share some of the benefits of giving the Bible during witnessing and a few tips that helped this effort.

A Gift Allows for a Spiritual Conversation

A few people were indifferent to the free Bible, but many were genuinely touched by the gift. As it says in Proverbs 18:16, “A man’s gift maketh room for him….” This generosity opened many people’s hearts who might have rejected a usual invitation to church. It was a great opportunity to share how God’s Word had made a difference in the lives of the soulwinners, and it created a natural transition to say, “…but let me share with you the single greatest message of the Bible.”

Having the Bible in Hand Gives the Lost Person Opportunity to Search

Many times when a person hears the Gospel for the first time, they do not get saved. This doesn’t mean they will never be saved! The soulwinner should keep going back to someone who is open until the person is saved or rejects their friendly visits. But with a Bible in the lost person’s hands, the soulwinner can underline verses to read again and challenge the person to read a book like John or Romans. What a powerful tool for the Holy Spirit to bring conviction to a lost sinner! Just like the Ethiopian treasurer, the lost person may need some help understanding what they have read, but God can use His Word to create a thirst for more truth.

The Bible Creates a Powerful Reminder of Where Someone Can Go for Help

We firmly believe that we will see fruit from this outreach effort for years to come. Someone who accepted a Bible may not have been willing to accept Christ at the time, but circumstances change. When a trial comes, some may search for the Bible that was given to them, and they will know who they can turn to for help and encouragement.

God’s Word is always effective, no matter what milestone it has passed. It’s promises are still true. When considering your next outreach campaign, think of the value of giving away a copy of the Bible or the New Testament.

“He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him.” Psalm 126:6