Prepare for Launch
get ready with these Helpful Resources
Luke 9:51-56; Col. 4:2-6; 1 Cor. 3:6-9
“Come and See?!”
Why does evangelism seem so hard? Pointing people to Jesus should be simple, right? Didn't the earliest disciples say, "Come and see(?!)" (John 1:46; 4:29), and people listened? It hardly ever feels that easy — it can seem downright frustrating in our modern age of skepticism.
If your spiritual conversations have ever "gone off the rails," "spiraled out of control," or maybe you've "stuck your foot in your mouth," it's time to get back to basics. In this short guided study — Getting to Square One — we'll focus on the disciple who wants to have a more productive version of these important conversations. The goal? To understand evangelism Biblically, so we can effectively start and guide these interactions.
Making disciples is challenging, but it's easier if we get out of our own way.
THE BIG IDEA
We start with grand goals to turn the world upside down (Acts 17:6), but sooner or later, our evangelistic efforts face their biggest obstacle: us! Our long-term goal of getting people connected with Jesus can quickly lose out to short-term objectives like "winning" arguments or tribalistic fighting. Even Jesus' disciples lost sight of their true purpose when they almost called down fire from heaven after people wouldn't listen (Luke 9:51-56). With the best intentions, we can become our own worst enemy.
The job is hard enough — many in the world are already weary of the attempts to convert them. Most people can see a sales pitch from miles away. It's why door-knocking and pamphlet-peddling may not be as compelling as they were decades ago. Let’s ask God for clarity, discernment, and open doors to influence the world (cf. Col. 4:2-6).
While our job is to plant and water (1 Cor. 3:6), sometimes we build self-imposed barriers that keep us from getting started. But praise God that the most difficult work — changing people's hearts and causing an increase (cf. 1 Cor. 3:6) — isn't ours to do!
What obstacle keeps you from sharing your faith effectively?
THE BIG QUESTION
Disciple-Making Problems
Confront the Roadblocks to Sharing Our Faith
INTRODUCTION
Launch the study with a CONVERSATION STARTER on the Big Idea.
Read or watch “Come and See?!” (above). What do you take from that Big Idea and Big Question? ICE BREAKER — Get everyone engaged and talking.
If the definition of insanity is trying the same thing over and over expecting a different result, what's an area of your life you might admit is a little insane?ACT I
LIKE THE TEACHER — Luke 9:51-56
What do you see Jesus doing here?Why do you think it’s recorded in the book? What’s the point of the passage?What does this teach you about disciple-making?What insights and applications do you take from Christ’s example?
ACT II
Super Slo-Mo — Failed Evangelism
Describe a time where you felt like sharing your faith went "off the rails" and discuss as a group how it might have gone better. ACT III
REACH OUT — Connect with each other with this question.
What obstacles were overcome in your conversion and what can you take from it?WRAP UP
THE CHALLENGE — Ready to put it into practice?
Have a conversation with someone about what does and doesn't work well in evangelism.REQUEST — Go to God in a closing prayer.
"Father, give us open doors and wisdom in engaging with outsiders" (cf. Col. 4:2-6).NEXT SESSION — Disciple-Making Paradigms
Prepare by reading Matt. 9:36-38, 28:18-20, and 1 Peter 2:9-3:16.