Link Discipling and Outreach
From The Adventure of Discipling Others. Order from NavPress
It is important for a person you are discipling to have a good start in witnessing within his or her sphere of influence to others. Here's how you can evaluate where you are in reaching out and helping someone else learn to witness:- Evaluate your feelings about sharing one's faith:
a) What thoughts and feelings do you have when you hear the words sharing your faith?
b) How was Christianity shared with you? What was positive for you? Negative?
c) What can you share about your non-Christian friends?
d) Which non-Christians are you actively praying for?
e) Which of them seem open to the Gospel?
f) How do you feel about sharing your faith with that person?
g) What might be some first steps you could take? - Visit a Christian bookstore and determine which book on evangelism might be most suitable to read and discuss together, such as Opening the Door by NavPress, Jesus Cares for Women by NavPress, or Out of the Saltshaker by InterVarsity Press.
- Study the Scriptures to gain a biblical basis of evangelism. Look at how Jesus related to people who needed to be drawn to Himself. Evaluate how these principles relate to your unique situation.
- Pray regularly for your non-Christian friends.
- If you or the person you are discipling has no non-Christian friends, consider how to build relationships outside of the "holy huddle." Begin to pray that God will bring non-Christians into your life. Participate in some activities that will allow you to meet new "non-churched" friends.
- Seek out a mentor in evangelism. Invite yourself along when you are they are spending time with non-Christians.
- Learn some easy-to-learn Gospel presentations. Those available from NavPress are "The Bridge to Life," or Campus Crusade for Christ's "Four Spiritual Laws." Role play the presentation out with a friend or your new disciple, letting your friend present the Gospel to you and respond to your questions and objections.
