| Course Outline |
|
|
We serve God by doing what he tells us to do. One of Jesus’ instructions to his disciples was to tell others the good news and make disciples. That is evangelism. Some are particularly gifted as evangelists, but all have the responsibility and privilege to share their faith. This is so important, that Jesus said that he would not return to earth to bring history to its climax until the task is complete (Matthew 24:14)
1. Read Matthew 28:16-20. Where were the disciples to go and what three things were they to do? (Matthew 28:19,20)
2. Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. What has God done for us and what has he given to us? (2 Corinthians 5:18)
3. What position do we hold? (2 Corinthians 5:20). What does this mean in its usual context? What are we to do on Christ’s behalf?
4. What message are we to communicate in order to do this? (2 Corinthians 5:21)
5. Read 1 Thessalonians 1:1-10. Paul was the first to share the gospel with these believers in Thessalonica, but he claimed no credit for their salvation. What was the source of their salvation? (1 Thessalonians 1:4)
6. How did the gospel come to them? What did Paul do as well as preach? (1 Thessalonians 1:5,6)
7. What kind of reception did the message get? (1 Thessalonians 1:9,10)
8. We would maybe expect these kinds of things to happen through a great apostle like Paul. Read Acts 8:1-13. Where were the apostles throughout this story? (Acts 8:1)
9. What happened to the ordinary Christians? (Acts 8:1)
10. What did they do? (Acts 8:4,5) What was the result? (Acts 8:6-8,12,13)
Ask God to show you some particular friends or relatives who need to hear the good news about Jesus. Ask him to draw them to himself, for fruitful evangelism begins with God, not us. Then look for ways to share the good news, like the believers in Acts 8. You may be able to preach it eloquently in words. You may proclaim it by the way you live, with a few words of explanation. You may be able to pray and see miraculous confirmations of the power of the gospel. Ask God to use you as his servant.
|
|
