G – Groups

 This is part 7 or a 9 part series on the ABC’s evangelism and discipleship. In a few weeks I will tell you how to get a free copy of the whole series.

A friend of mine introduced me to a new type of math where:

1=0 and 2=1.

It is the math that Special Forces use. They say

• If you have one flashlight and that one breaks, you  have none.
• If you have two flashlights and one breaks, you still have one.

You can’t afford to be without a flashlight, so take two.

The same math applies in evangelism and discipleship. You can’t afford to have a new Christian depend on you alone for their spiritual growth. What if something happens to you?

New Christians need at least two people to build into their lives, and hopefully more than that.

Hebrews 10:24-25 says. “And let us consider how we may spur one another on toward love and good deeds, not giving up meeting together, as some are in the habit of doing, but encouraging one another—and all the more as you see the Day approaching.”

‘G’ stands for Group.  It could be a group as small as three, or a home Bible study, or a large church gathering.  Think about what is best for the new Christian and help them take baby steps.

I like to start the group process all the way back at “A” where I  Associate with non-Christians.  As I Befriend a person, I ask to be introduced to their friends.  Then after I “Create an Interest in the Gospel”,   I might say something like:

Would you like to discover for yourself what God says about Spiritual Community? Most people like to make these discoveries in a group with their friends. Who could you invite to your house?

That creates a group where most of the people already know each other.  We can do a Discovery Bible study where you  Declare the Gospel, Encourage a Response and Followup New Believers.  The Group can continue meet and become a House Church, or part of an existing church.

When you decide to take new believers to an existing church, take time to explain the church culture and how long the service is.  My Hindu friends are used to stopping by the temple on the days of their choice and staying for as long or short as they want.  The idea of waiting to the end of an hour Sunday service is foreign to them.

(image created by fotor.com)

Before I go, an important note:  The link in last week’s email about Followup was wrong.  To use First Steps with God you will need to start at www.firststepswithgod.com

OK, now you know I make mistakes and need both proofreaders and prayer partners.  Let’s pray:

“Lord Jesus, thank you for the many people who have built into our lives.  Thank you for your Holy Spirit who brings these teachings back to our memory when we need them.  I pray for the people that you bring into our lives.  Show us the next step that You want us to take with each of them.  How can we show them both our love for them and Your love for them?  Guide us into helping them become active participants in the body of Christ — your church — which you love and died for.  Amen”.

See you next week for penultimate (“next-to-last”) email in this series.