The Importance and Power of the Gospel Invitation

I enjoy getting invitations for dinner or parties.  It feels good to be invited to something.  How much more should people feel special and loved as we offer a gospel invitation? Asking them to join us in following the Master!

Business 101 says, “You have to ask if you want to make the sale.” It’s basic common sense. After presenting the product, the salesperson asks for a decision. Someone afraid to ask the customer to buy will never close the deal. There are some commonalities when we think about how we present Christ to new people.  Some of us are afraid to ask the all-important question- Are you ready to become a follower of Jesus today?

While disciple making is certainly not business, the principle applies. If we never invite people to commit to following Christ, we will make very few new disciples.

Fear and timidity keep us from asking. We worry about pressuring people or damaging relationships. But after sharing the gospel, giving a testimony, or praying for someone, we must extend an invitation. Jesus always did.  He is our model.

Our Lord was direct and unashamed. Jesus didn’t spend years building relationships before calling people to follow Him. Often after a single encounter—after demonstrating the Kingdom in word and deed—He simply said, “Follow me.” The choice was theirs.

If we want to make disciples, we must be bold enough to invite people to take a step toward Christ.

Gospel Invitation on a Sickbed

I once visited a man in the hospital. He lay weak in his bed as we spoke briefly. I asked if I could pray for Jesus to heal him. As I prayed, tears streamed down his face.

“Do you feel God touching you?” I asked.

He nodded. I gently explained that the same God who heals bodies also heals hearts—that Jesus brings forgiveness, freedom, and wholeness. I then shared a simple gospel message.

It was time to invite him to respond.

“Would you like to be free—not only from sickness, but from the guilt and shame you carry? Would you like to receive God’s forgiveness today?”

We prayed together. I don’t know how fully he understood everything, but he had encountered God’s love and taken a step forward.

Before leaving, I asked if I could return the next day to study the Bible with him. He agreed. Later, he shared what he was learning with his family. A fellowship began in his home, and within a month he was baptized.

Jesus said, “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Mark 1:17).

Pull the Line In

Regardless of your method of evangelism, the invitation is essential. Many people fail to make disciples because they are afraid to ask for that commitment.

Fishing offers a helpful picture. If you pull the line in too quickly, you may lose the fish. But if you never pull the line in, the fish will take the bait and swim away.

At the right time, skilled fishermen act. In disciple making, that means offering a clear invitation to take the next step. Without it, many spiritually open people will remain lost.

It’s Natural to Invite

Invitations can be simple and natural:

After praying for a family need, invite them to study what the Bible says about relationships.
After sharing your testimony, ask if they would like a story like that too—and offer to pray together.  When someone shares a spiritual dream or hunger, invite them to read Scripture with you and discover more about what God is saying.  If you prayed with someone for a miracle, invite them to meet regularly to pray more.  Offer to help them learn from Jesus’ miracles.

Each invitation should be followed immediately by action—meeting again, starting a study, making your next appointment, or gathering others.

Call Them to Commit

We often even miss Persons of Peace because we hesitate. Be bold and invite early. If someone is not interested after several interactions, keep moving. God will lead you to those He has prepared.  Those who are ready to respond.

In highly resistant or persecuted contexts, the invitation may take longer—but don’t wait forever. If you do, you risk spending your time and energy on the wrong people.

• Who can you invite to take a step toward Jesus today?
• What hinders you from wanting to take that step to invite people to respond?

I’d love to hear your thoughts in the comments below or in the Dare to Multiply community. Join today and connect with others seeking to multiply disciples.