Precious Promises

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New Purpose! Christ’s Ambassadors (document format)

New Purpose! Christ’s Ambassadors (booklet format)

This booklet is a practical guide to answer the question of how all Christians can participate in fulfilling Jesus Christ’s Great Commission. I’ve endured many years of hearing sermons from preachers who are not able to speak from their own experience or example. They admonish their congregations to go out and talk to people about Jesus but don’t offer any practical equipping for how to go about it in ways that are effective and as comfortable as possible for both the one sharing and the one hearing.

I used to think that many Christians were either lazy or stubborn about sharing their faith with others. Now I understand that most really do want to be a part of the mission that Jesus delegated to his apostles and to those they taught, which now rests on the shoulders in our generation. The willingness is there even though fear may be there, too. But the greatest need is not courage or obedience as ends in themselves. Along with those qualities, Christians need what Ephesians 4 teaches that they ought to be able to expect from leaders: “Equipping the saints for the work of ministry.”

I have experienced some periods of being part of a group of Christians where God did use us both individually and as the group to draw people, show them God’s will in the Bible, and see them born again into their own relationship with God. There’s nothing more awesome and inspiring than watching someone else learn God’s will and then decide to submit to it in repentance and baptism.

I have also experienced periods of not being part of any group of Christians that is working together to reach out and share their faith. Those times have convinced me that the best way to have an impact on people is to provide the opportunity for them to visit a Bible study group where they can see truth from the Bible for themselves in an inspiring, encouraging, and challenging but non-confrontational setting.

This booklet will explain the logic of the need for and effective approaches to using small Bible study groups in homes. They are the ideal setting for biblical principles of fellowship and outreach to work together in synergism to draw and impact those we know who are either seeking God or are at least open to learning more about God.

The booklet includes very practical equipping for the whole process of inviting visitors and hosting the study and then teaching individually those who respond positively to the group lessons from the Word of God. This is not a method or a program, but rather it is putting into place the biblical example of homes being used as natural gathering places for Christians, with interested inquirers joining them who often were drawn to God also through the love and learning they received from the group.