Session #1- Join the Mission

Introduction:

Sharing our faith- otherwise known as evangelism- can be one of the most intimidating practices in the Christian faith. We rightly know that “faith comes by hearing” and that people cannot hear without someone proclaiming the good news of Jesus to them (Rom 10:14-17). And yet, many of us have deep fears and doubts associated with the task of sharing that message with another person.

First, there is the fear of rejection. As our culture secularizes, more and more people are unfamiliar with the basic message of the Christian faith and are skeptical of (or even hostile towards) organized religion. Sharing our faith with others places us in a position of vulnerability that is undeniably uncomfortable.

There is also the fear that we don’t know enough or aren’t well-equipped to handle people’s questions about Christianity in general and the Bible in particular. Let’s face it, the Bible includes such oddities as talking snakes, bloody animal sacrifices, and people rising from the dead! Many Christians feel that if they had to explain such seemingly bizarre stories and ideas, they wouldn’t even know where to begin. Our uncertainties around the Bible or the Christian faith can prevent us from feeling qualified to share the message of Jesus with those who have yet to hear.

There is the pervasive worry that if I share my faith with this person, it might change our relationship or make things awkward for them. We think things like, “I have a good relationship with my coworkers; if I bring up Jesus, will they think I’m just a religious freak and treat me differently?” The fear of ridicule or altered relationships prevents us from being bold in our faith.

Finally, we feel persistent guilt about opportunities to share our faith that we neglected to take advantage of. Years of sermons and bible studies have made it clear that sharing the gospel is something that all of us are supposed to do. But if we’re honest, most of us view personal evangelism as an obligation that we feel guilty about neglecting rather than a joyful privilege we get to participate in.

While there is some legitimacy to these worries or fears, we miss something incredible if we begin by focusing on them. We miss the fact that the God of the universe, the one who is redeeming all things through Jesus Christ, has invited you and me to be an essential piece of his redemptive mission. Scripture says that God is reconciling the world to himself and that he has entrusted to us that message of reconciliation (2 Cor 5:20). Paul goes on to write that the ministry of the gospel is a kind of “working together with God” to accomplish his purposes in the world (2 Cor 6:1). From the beginning of the biblical story, God has desired to work through his image-bearers to bring blessing and goodness to the world (Gen 1:26-28), and despite our sin and rebellion, God remains committed to working with and through us. Evangelism is not just an arbitrary command to obey or a way for us to do God’s work for him, but the way that a gracious God is inviting us to participate in his saving work in the world. Before we talk about any methods or strategies, this week we want to discuss the significance of God’s mission in the world and how profound it is he invites us to be a part of it.

What feelings or thoughts come up for you around the idea of sharing your faith? Do you identify with any of the fears or concerns described in the introduction?

Does changing your understanding of evangelism from a “command to obey” to an “invitation to receive” effect how you view sharing your faith? Why or why not?  

Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21 Together and Discuss

 What does this passage teach us about evangelism and God’s mission in the world?

Do you think of yourself as an “ambassador for Christ” in your everyday life? What thoughts or feelings come up when you think about being Christ’s ambassador?

Read Luke 15:3-7 Together and Discuss

What does this parable teach us about the heart of Christ for the lost? 

How can we cultivate this heart posture towards the lost?

This Week’s Practice

This week we want to begin our evangelism practices by simply praying for God to give us his heart for seeing where we can join with his mission in our everyday life. It is far too easy to move through our weekly routines without maintaining an awareness of the places and people where God is preparing a harvest. Evangelism begins by realizing that God is already working out his redemptive mission in the world, and we want to have eyes to see where he is inviting us to take part in it.

Practice #1: Receiving the Invitation

Every day this week during your devotional time, spend time praying or paraphrasing this prayer:

“God give me the eyes to see the people in my life you are calling to yourself. Help me to recognize those around me who are longing for Christ and are need of the transforming power of the gospel.”

Pray this prayer quietly at different points throughout your day. Take mental or physical notes of people and situations during the day, asking if God may be inviting you to join what he is doing in this person’s life. For now, you don’t have to plan to share the gospel with this person or even speak to them directly. The goal is to simply have your eyes opened to the people all around you and where the Spirit may be leading you to share.

Practice #2: Praying for the Lost  

Most of us have people in our lives who do not yet know Jesus who we long to see in a relationship with him. Take a moment to write down the names of a few people who do not yet know Christ and spend some time praying for them tonight in your prayer groups, and individually throughout the week.

Name 1   ______________________

Name 2 ______________________

Name 3 ______________________