Evangelism

Discipleship Evangelism

Trainees – What Gospel Do They Share?

By on Sunday, May 29, 2022
gospel sharing includes the cross

Gospel Sharing- Some Big Concerns

I’ve been concerned as we have been training in various locations. How do we approach gospel sharing and evangelism? We have been training people in how to share the Jesus story, Creation to Christ stories, and the basic gospel message.  I’m quite shocked at the number of pastors, church planters, elders and local believers who seem to have little understanding of what the gospel is.  Many cannot easily and clearly share a simple gospel story.  Some of those unable to do this went through credible Christian training and discipleship programs.  This is worrying.

Many things contribute to this problem.  The main root of this problem is the model these dear ones have seen.  The gospel they have heard, the style of evangelism they have seen modeled, is one where people are told that if they become Christians, God will bless them.  God will heal them.  God will help them.

It Is An Incomplete Gospel

Forgive me if I am stating the obvious, but this is a very incomplete gospel.  If this is the foundation of the gospel on which we try to make disciples, we can only expect weak and conditional faith.  This kind of gospel sharing fails to call people to discipleship. read more

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Advent Evangelism

3 Holiday Tips to Make the Most of the Advent Season

By on Sunday, December 5, 2021
holiday tips

I’m drinking coffee at a restaurant in Bangkok, listening to “Walking in a Winter Wonderland” play softly over the music system. A smile spreads across my face. Here in Thailand, where it is quite warm, I’ll certainly not be seeing snow! It is December, though, and time to consider my Christmas plans. What will I do with Christmas this year? The question scrolls across my mind, begging attention.

For years, I’ve resisted the commercialism of the holiday and the grand busyness it creates. Instead, I’ve endeavored to embrace the season as a wonderful time to proclaim Jesus’ story. Wherever I’ve lived, I’ve found this a time when people are more open to hearing His message than at other times of the year.

In the past, we’ve called people to take a Christmas challenge. Asking all to share the story of Jesus with at least one person on each day leading up to December 25th. I’m a bit late for that this year.

A recent trip to Africa set me back a bit on getting that arranged. It’s not too late to think carefully about how to best steward the opportunity this special month provides. How about you? How will you make good use of this chance to make our Lord’s story known to others? read more

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Evangelism

Share Jesus In a New Way This Christmas!

By on Sunday, December 20, 2020
explain christmas

Feeling frustrated that it isn’t quite as easy to share about Jesus, the reason for the season this year?  Let’s try something new.  Join the #explainchristmaschallenge with me. Let’s saturate social media with short videos that share the true meaning of this holiday!

I wrote about this last week, but it’s not too late to join in and do this.

Christmas is in a few days, but this doesn’t take long to do.  

Here’s how

  • Make a 15 to 30-second video explaining what Christmas means to you.
  • Send it out on WhatsApp, Signal, or post it on Instagram or Facebook, Twitter, etc. Be sure to use the hashtag #explainchristmaschallenge on social media if you live in a place where it is safe for you to do so.
  • In the post, invite people to private message you to learn more.
  • Begin a spiritual conversation with them over messenger or WhatsApp
  • Invite them to read the story of Jesus’ birth with you over Zoom or WhatsApp or in person.
  • Ask them if they have any friends or family who might also like to join us.
    • read more

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    Evangelism

    Join Me in the Explain Christmas Challenge

    By on Sunday, December 13, 2020
    explain christmas

    Christmas is one of my favorite times of year! It’s not because of the lights, music, gifts or family meals together though I enjoy those. It is because it’s one of the easiest times in the entire calendar year to share the message of Christ with others. This year things are different with the pandemic’s effects still felt in many nations. We can still share His message with others, but we need to get creative. Initiatives like the #explainchristmaschallenge can help us with this

    What is the Explain Christmas Challenge about?

    A few weeks ago as I was scrolling my Instagram account I came across an awesome idea!

    IFES Global, a student ministry, was promoting something called the #explainchristmaschallenge. I clicked on the link and thought to myself “This is something I want to partner with!” I’d been looking for a good way to share with people this year.

    Last week, I talked to them and we decided to work together. Help us spread the word! I want to encourage everyone to use creative means of sharing Jesus during this season. read more

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    Discipleship Evangelism

    Making Disciples During the COVID-19 Global Crisis

    By on Sunday, March 29, 2020
    covid19

    Never in history has a world-wide shut down of this magnitude occurred. With so many self-isolating and practicing social distancing, it could make our job of disciple making much harder. Many would say, “Take a break. Start disciple making efforts again when this is all over.” The problem is, we have no idea when that will be. During this time, we must stay active in disciple making. Let us even look for ways to increase our efforts.

    There are many ways to look at a situation like this. How is God looking at it? What is He wanting to do through it?

    Get God’s Perspective

    It is vital that we get His perspective and cooperate with Him. Quiet your heart and listen. What does God want you to do?

    Whatever you do, don’t slow down your evangelism and disciple making efforts. Accelerate them! A world in crisis needs to hear about a Jesus who loves them. They need to know His perfect love that drives out fear.

    It is a perfect time to share a testimony of the peace He has given you. There has never been a better time to reach out. When people are afraid, they are unusually open to talking about spiritual matters. It’s a great time to invite people to join you in studying the Word of God, even if that happens virtually. read more

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    Evangelism

    5 Tips When Starting Spiritual Conversations Around Christmas

    By on Sunday, December 15, 2019
    spiritual conversations

    Christmas is a busy time of year. It’s also a perfect time to strike up spiritual conversations with people you come in contact with. How do you start? What can you say to open the door to meaningful engagement?

    She sat next to me on the flight. Most of the time she had her headphones on or was watching movies. I wanted to start a conversation, but needed to watch for the appropriate time. Just before the flight landed, I got my chance. Beginning, I asked some basic questions. “Where are you going? Are you visiting family?” I also shared the same about myself.

    It was then easy to ask, “Will you be celebrating Christmas while you are there?” Our spiritual conversation began.

    “No,” she replied. Earlier I’d found out she was from a Muslim majority country.

    “Are your family Muslims?” I asked. Listening and asking more questions, I learned more about her family and faith. This opened the door for me to also share with her about my life.

    Christmas provides many, many opportunities. I’ve been challenging myself to have at least one spiritual conversation with someone each day. As I’ve been doing this, I’ve noticed some things. read more

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    Evangelism

    25 Day Advent Challenge

    By on Sunday, December 1, 2019
    christmas hero

    Christmas is my favorite time of the year! I love the lights, music, and joy in the air. The delicious food is great too! What I love the most though, is how easy it is to start conversations about Jesus in the month of December. As advent begins, my heart longs to draw closer to Jesus. I’ll be setting aside some special time for greater intimacy with Him.

    I also really want to bless Him this year. Already, I’ve made my Christmas shopping list and am thinking about what to buy for my hubby and kids. But what about Jesus? What is the best gift I could give to my Lord? It’s His birthday after all!

    In Luke 15, there are three wonderful stories about reaching the lost. At the end of each of these parables, Jesus says that when one sinner repents, Heaven throws a party!

    Wouldn’t it be great to make Heaven have a bunch of extra parties in December?

    A Spiritual Conversation Each Day

    Here’s the deal. This year, I’ve made a decision. Every day in December, I want to have at least one significant spiritual conversation with someone who doesn’t know Jesus. I will pause and listen to God when I’m out and about. I’ll be watchful for who He is leading me to, and initiate conversations with people about the true meaning of Christmas. Sharing my testimony, the Christmas story, or another gospel presentation with at least one person each day…I’ll start spiritual conversations about advent. read more

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    Discipleship Evangelism

    What Does the Great Commission Have to Do With Christmas?

    By on Sunday, December 16, 2018
    Great Commission and Christmas

    It’s Christmas Eve. We gather around the tree. Dad opens his Bible to read the Christmas story. Squirming and anxious to open our gifts, we listen, wanting him to finish so we can open presents. These are my childhood Christmas memories. They always include the reading of the story of Jesus’ birth. It was a vital part of our tradition. Does the Great Commission fit with the Christmas story?

    Maybe we can set it aside for awhile as we focus on the birth of Jesus, the wise men, angels, Mary and Joseph. Or maybe not. Could it be that the Great Commission is actually a vital part of the Christmas story?

    Incarnation Is What Christmas Is All About

    Jesus’ birth was His greatest missionary act. He came to us. God entered our world. He left Heaven to become one of us.

    “The Word became flesh and made his dwelling among us. We have seen his glory, the glory of the one and only Son, who came from the Father, full of grace and truth.” 

    John 1:14 NIV

    The theological word for this is incarnation. That simply means God became a human. That is what happened at Jesus’ birth – on Christmas. read more

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    Evangelism

    What Are Your Greatest Christmas Priorities?

    By on Sunday, December 9, 2018
    Christmas priorities

    This is a busy time of year! What Christmas priorities will you set during this festive season?

    I love December. It’s festive and full of parties, food, traditions, and fun. I enjoy making special cookies, buying gifts for those I love and all that the holidays bring. Over the last few years though, I’ve been examining my priorities during December. What is really most important?

    The season is all about Jesus. It’s His birthday after all! So I decided to ask myself, “What would Jesus most like to get as a birthday gift from me?”

    The answer was immediate. He would love to see lost people come home, for His lost sheep to be found.

    Create A Party In Heaven!

    Without question, I know unreached people meeting Jesus is what would create an incredible Christmas party in Heaven. After all, that is what the parables in Luke 15 tell us right?

    “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.” Luke 15:7 NIV

    So why not make it our goal to create a Christmas party in Heaven, instead of just here on Earth?
    Check out this video that gives a reminder of what I am talking about here.

    Christmas priorities

    WATCH NOW

    December is one of the best months of the year to share the gospel with unreached people. They are interested, open and curious about what Christmas is all about. So many have no idea that it’s not just about Santa Claus and Christmas trees!

    It’s Easy To Share During Christmas

    It’s quite simple to open a conversation like this. “This month everyone around the world is celebrating Christmas. Do you know why Christmas is celebrated?” Then, jump into the story of Jesus miraculous birth, life, death, and resurrection.

    “The meaning of Christmas, why we do all these things is because Jesus came to Earth as our Savior. He came to take away our sin and shame, to bring His peace and hope to Earth. This Christmas, would you like to receive a special present? You can get the best Christmas gift ever! Forgiveness, peace, and salvation. You can be introduced to someone who will love you like no one ever has before. Do you want to receive Jesus’ gift today?”

    I am hoping to have that conversation with lots of people this month. How about you?

    Is it a priority on your list of things to do in December to share the gospel? To lead someone to Christ?

    Join in the singing, parties, plans, and preparations. They are fun! But remember your greatest Christmas priorities too. Be sure to make sharing Jesus with others a priority this month. What a joy it would be to give Jesus some new followers as His birthday gift this year.

    Enjoy the Season!

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