Stop Inviting People to Church: Part 3

This is part three of the blog series I am doing! Checkout part 1 and part 2! 

​In part 1 we talked about one of the greatest problems in the church today. We have a lot of spectating rather than getting in the game of sharing Jesus. We looked at the first section of Acts. As an institutionalized church we have communicated a very unbiblical model of evangelism..."just bring them to church and we will take care of it from there!". Whether or not that was said, that's been communicated. 

We need to get back to being the Church rather than simply going to church.

In part 2 we talked about how some of us have put ourselves in a "Christian bubble". We aren't even around people that don't know Jesus, so we are missing a whole part of this Christian thing altogether. 

One day I will have to stand in front of God and answer for every missed opportunity I had to share His Great Name... and so will you.

In part 3 we are going to look at how we can do this! 

We talked about the problem, then we evaluated ourselves and now it's time to get to work! In part 2 we made a list of people that we know that don't know Jesus and that we come in contact with every day. If you were like me, you're going to have to get creative and put yourself in an environment intentionally to share Jesus.

For me I quit my job at the church office and went to work at Starbucks. You don't have to necessarily quit your job for this! Maybe you can reach out to your neighbors, go hang out at a coffee shop, join a local club or sports team. Whatever it is just go do it! 

​In 1 Peter 3:15 it says, 

Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.

This hope is Jesus! 

So now that you are intentionally heading into an area to share the light of Jesus be ready to give a reason for it. 

Here are some things you can do to start intentionally being the Church:

1. Find Your Place

First, you need to find your place!

Where are you going to intentionally build relationships? Your school? Your job? Your neighborhood? Your sports team? Your chess team? Shuffle board? It doesn't really matter! just go where they don't know Jesus!

2. Pray for the People

Begin praying for the people you will come in contact with. If it is an area that you already have relationships start praying for a specific name. If it is a new place where you are planning to go for the first time and you have no relationships, start praying for God to reveal someone to you.

I mean really pray! Pray like you believe it's going to happen!

I heard a story about a pastor in India who has started over 1,000 house churches... crazy right?! He starts these churches by leading someone to the Lord and discipling them and it grows and then he hands it off to one of them in the group and he goes and does it all again. 

Every time he gets down on his hands and knees and prays that God will show who to share His Great Name with. After he gets done he gets up and walks out and he truly believes that the next person he sees is that person.

3.  Be Intentional

Now that you have your place and you have prayed for the people, be intentional with every moment you have with them.

I'm not saying to shove the Bible down their throat. I mean truly love on these people. Care for them and about them. Get to know them. Get into their heart and mind. 

These people aren't projects! They are human beings in need of a Savior just like me and you. We don't have all the answers, but we can walk with them to find the answers. 

4. Go

Ok... it's time now. We've spent enough time talking about it. It's time to get back to being the Church. 

The word Christian literally means, little Christ. If we are going to give ourselves that title, we better steward it well. 

Let's do this! It's a new generation for the Church in America and it starts today!