Kingdom Evangelism: Discipleship Through Prayer and Community
Summary
Summary:
In exploring the theme of evangelism from a Kingdom perspective, the focus is on the intentional and deliberate approach to soul-winning and discipleship. Proverbs 11:30 and James 5:20 remind us of the wisdom and responsibility in converting sinners and saving souls. Evangelism is not merely about making converts but about making disciples, which requires a commitment to prayer and a supernatural approach. Jesus serves as the ultimate template, demonstrating that supernatural works and the love of God are more effective than arguments in drawing people to Him. Personal evangelism should be relational, with prayer as the foundation, seeking divine wisdom and discernment to understand and break the strongholds in people's lives.
Corporate evangelism involves understanding the unique identity and calling of a church within its community. Churches should identify unmet needs and become beacons of light, engaging in community action and building trust over time. This involves developing a prayer team and being involved in various community initiatives, from feeding programs to after-school projects. The goal is to create a church identity that is recognized and trusted by the community, allowing for effective evangelism and discipleship.
Cultural evangelism requires churches to be proactive in their communities, finding creative ways to meet needs and build relationships. This involves collaboration with other organizations and being present in times of crisis. The emphasis is on long-term commitment and building a reputation of trust and service. Ultimately, the call is for every believer to be a soul winner and disciple-maker, integrating personal, corporate, and cultural evangelism into a cohesive strategy for Kingdom impact.
Key Takeaways:
1. Prayer as the Foundation of Evangelism: Evangelism must be birthed and bathed in prayer, seeking supernatural guidance and discernment. Before attempting to win someone to Christ, it is crucial to pray systematically and fervently for them, asking God to reveal insights and break strongholds in their lives. This approach aligns with the understanding that it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance. [02:34]
2. Relational Evangelism: Building relationships is key to effective personal evangelism. By becoming all things to all people, as Paul did, we can reach others for the sake of the gospel. This involves understanding who we are trying to reach and how best to connect with them, staying true to our unique calling and approach. [05:36]
3. Corporate Evangelism and Community Engagement: Churches must identify their unique role within their community, finding unmet needs and becoming a trusted presence. This involves building a prayer team and engaging in community initiatives, ensuring that the church is recognized as a beacon of light and service. [09:56]
4. Cultural Evangelism and Long-term Commitment: Impacting a community for the Kingdom requires a long-term commitment and creative engagement. Churches should collaborate with other organizations, be present in times of crisis, and develop a reputation of trust and service. This approach opens doors for effective evangelism and discipleship. [15:08]
5. The Call to Make Disciples: Every believer is called to be a soul winner and disciple-maker. This involves not only leading others to Christ but also committing to their discipleship journey. By integrating personal, corporate, and cultural evangelism, we can effectively impact our communities for the Kingdom. [23:30]
Youtube Chapters:
- [00:00] - Welcome
- [00:30] - Introduction to Kingdom Evangelism
- [01:15] - The Importance of Discipleship
- [02:34] - Prayer as the Foundation
- [03:45] - Supernatural Evangelism
- [05:36] - Relational Evangelism
- [07:20] - Building Relationships
- [09:56] - Corporate Evangelism
- [11:30] - Community Engagement
- [13:08] - Effective Communication
- [15:08] - Cultural Evangelism
- [16:23] - Developing Church Identity
- [18:00] - Long-term Community Impact
- [20:00] - Opportunities for Involvement
- [23:30] - The Call to Make Disciples
Study Guide
Bible Study Discussion Guide
Bible Reading:
1. Proverbs 11:30 - "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and he that wins souls is wise."
2. James 5:20 - "Let him know that he which converts a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins."
3. Luke 14:28 - "For which of you, intending to build a tower, does not sit down first and count the cost, whether he has enough to finish it."
Observation Questions:
1. According to Proverbs 11:30, what is the relationship between righteousness and soul-winning?
2. How does James 5:20 describe the impact of converting a sinner?
3. In the sermon, what role does prayer play in the process of evangelism? [02:34]
4. What examples of community engagement were mentioned in the sermon as part of corporate evangelism? [09:56]
Interpretation Questions:
1. How might the wisdom mentioned in Proverbs 11:30 be applied to modern evangelism efforts?
2. What does the sermon suggest about the importance of prayer in breaking strongholds in people's lives? [02:34]
3. How can a church identify its unique role within a community, according to the sermon? [09:56]
4. What does the sermon imply about the long-term commitment required for cultural evangelism? [15:08]
Application Questions:
1. Reflect on a time when you felt called to pray for someone’s salvation. How did you approach it, and what was the outcome? [02:34]
2. Identify a person in your life who you feel led to reach out to. What steps can you take to build a relationship with them for the sake of the gospel? [05:36]
3. Consider your church’s current community engagement. What unmet needs could your church address to become a trusted presence in the community? [09:56]
4. How can you personally contribute to your church’s efforts in cultural evangelism? Are there specific skills or resources you can offer? [15:08]
5. Think about a time when you witnessed or participated in a community initiative. What impact did it have on your perception of the church’s role in society? [16:23]
6. How can you integrate prayer more systematically into your personal evangelism efforts? What changes might you need to make in your daily routine? [02:34]
7. What is one practical step you can take this week to engage with a community action group or initiative? How will you ensure this becomes a regular part of your life? [20:00]
Devotional
Day 1: Prayer as the Catalyst for Evangelism
Evangelism is most effective when it is rooted in prayer. Before reaching out to others, it is essential to seek God's guidance and wisdom through prayer. This approach acknowledges that it is not through human effort alone that hearts are changed, but through the work of the Holy Spirit. By praying systematically and fervently for those we wish to reach, we invite God to reveal insights and break down barriers in their lives. This aligns with the understanding that it is the goodness of God that leads to repentance. [02:34]
"Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison." (Colossians 4:2-3, ESV)
Reflection: Who is one person you can commit to praying for daily, asking God to open their heart to His love and truth?
Day 2: Building Bridges through Relational Evangelism
Relational evangelism emphasizes the importance of building genuine connections with others. By understanding the unique needs and perspectives of those we wish to reach, we can tailor our approach to be more effective. This involves becoming all things to all people, as Paul did, to connect with them for the sake of the gospel. It requires us to be authentic and intentional in our interactions, staying true to our unique calling and approach. [05:36]
"So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us." (1 Thessalonians 2:8, ESV)
Reflection: Think of a relationship in your life where you can be more intentional in sharing your faith. What steps can you take to deepen this connection?
Day 3: The Church's Role in Community Engagement
Corporate evangelism involves churches identifying their unique role within their community. By finding unmet needs and becoming a trusted presence, churches can effectively engage in community initiatives. This requires building a prayer team and being involved in various projects, ensuring that the church is recognized as a beacon of light and service. The goal is to create a church identity that is trusted by the community, allowing for effective evangelism and discipleship. [09:56]
"And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the Day drawing near." (Hebrews 10:24-25, ESV)
Reflection: What is one unmet need in your community that your church can address? How can you personally contribute to this effort?
Day 4: Cultural Evangelism and Long-term Impact
Cultural evangelism requires a long-term commitment to impacting a community for the Kingdom. Churches should be proactive in finding creative ways to meet needs and build relationships, collaborating with other organizations and being present in times of crisis. This approach helps develop a reputation of trust and service, opening doors for effective evangelism and discipleship. [15:08]
"Thus says the Lord of hosts, Render true judgments, show kindness and mercy to one another, do not oppress the widow, the fatherless, the sojourner, or the poor, and let none of you devise evil against another in your heart." (Zechariah 7:9-10, ESV)
Reflection: How can you personally contribute to building a reputation of trust and service in your community? What specific actions can you take this week?
Day 5: The Call to Make Disciples
Every believer is called to be a soul winner and disciple-maker. This involves not only leading others to Christ but also committing to their discipleship journey. By integrating personal, corporate, and cultural evangelism, we can effectively impact our communities for the Kingdom. This holistic approach ensures that we are not just making converts but nurturing lifelong followers of Christ. [23:30]
"Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age." (Matthew 28:19-20, ESV)
Reflection: Who is someone in your life that you can mentor in their faith journey? What steps can you take to support their growth as a disciple of Christ?
Quotes
James 5 .20 says, Let him know that he which converts a sinner from the error of his way shall save a soul from death and shall hide a multitude of sins. As we talk about evangelism, we want to talk about personal evangelism as well as corporate evangelism in our churches, as well as cultural evangelism in our regions, keeping in mind that the Lord did not command us to go make converts, but to make disciples. That said, trying to pray a prayer with someone to lead them to Jesus and not following through with their discipleship many times can do more harm than good. The following will be some tactics and situations that I've been in and used through the past 40 years. [00:00:19] (50 seconds)
Soul winning and discipleship should be intentional and deliberate. Remember Luke 14. 28 for which of you intending to build a tower does it sit down first and count the cost whether he has sufficient enough to finish it number one it must be birth evangelism soul winning must be birthed and bathed in prayer it must be supernatural systematic systematic strategic and fervent and using the lord jesus as a template jesus didn't show up in a mass followers by arguing with religious folk he showed up did supernatural works cast out devils healed the sick raised the dead and then told them about the kingdom winning someone to crush jesus absolutely must be a supernatural experience [00:01:09] (57 seconds)
Systematically pray for that person ask the lord to reveal to you some wisdom some discernment where you can know how to pray see maybe what supernaturally the lord will show you what's holding that person back what the issue is how to pray through and break the strongholds in that person's life listen nobody ever came to jesus to my knowledge because they lost an argument they came to jesus because they realized how much the lord loved them and how good he was the scripture even says it's the goodness of god that leads us to repentance so begin to pray if there's a person that you want to win to jesus begin to pray for them and not just for a day or two but pray for them maybe fast and pray for them remember at one point jesus said this kind only comes out through prayer and fasting so begin to systematically pray for that person and intentionally fast and pray for that person's soul man and as you do that you're going to see results and allow the lord to use you in a supernatural [00:02:34] (73 seconds)
Then as you begin to pray, ask the Lord to show you who to target or who you're supposed to be targeting. Who are you trying to reach and why and then finally how? Again, ask these questions and answer them. Who are you trying to reach and why and then finally how? you going to reach them? For personal evangelism, I believe relational evangelism is the most effective. [00:04:18] (30 seconds)
You build a relationship with someone, ask the Lord how to reach that person. The Apostle Paul wrote in 1 Corinthians 9 .22 that he became all things to all men that some might be saved. Then he added the phrase for the sake of the gospel, that being that it wasn't about his thoughts or his emotions, but he was doing it to promote and spread the gospel of the kingdom. Listen, stay in your lane. [00:04:48] (28 seconds)
Don't be pushy, but be available. That's the biggest thing. Don't be pushy, but be available in these meetings. And then sooner or later, as you do this, your community will see, hey, these people mean business. These people are serious. If there's some kind of disaster in your community, if something's going on, if there's a fire or there's a flood or something happens, man, be Johnny on the spot as a church to jump in there and do what you can. You may not be able to do much. You may only be able to take somebody a sack of groceries or you may only be able to give somebody a tank of gas or help somebody fix a tire or whatever it might be. [00:15:08] (40 seconds)
Get involved with some after -school projects as a church. You'll be surprised at how open a lot of schools are to churches. In fact, in my town, we have, I don't know how many schools we have all together, probably 10 or 12 different schools in our community. And I have actually done assemblies in every one of the schools in our community. At one time or another, I've done assemblies in those schools. And in every one of them, I've done multiple assemblies as a pastor in our schools. And I don't go in there screaming the name of Jesus or just giving them a Bible lesson. But I'll go in. And we'll do something and make a difference to where now even every Christmas when we do our kettle campaign, the schools, kids get out and help raise money and do different things. But it's because they know that, hey, here's a church that cares. So be a church that cares. Find a need in that community. [00:16:23] (60 seconds)
And it takes time to develop your personality as a church in a community. It takes years to do it. I would say it takes five to seven years for a pastor even to make it in a community to break through the ice. And I will tell you, after 21 years of pastoring in Brownwood, my wife and I, we now feed over 100 free meals five days a week. We do all kinds of things like that. I work with the Brown County Housing Authority to where if I submit a name to the housing authority of a family or a single mom or single dad or family with kids that need housing, when there's about a one -year waiting list, but if I make a recommendation, they'll put that person at the top of the list because Pastor Kelly recommended it. But that didn't happen overnight. That took years to build that kind of trust in our community. So we work heavily with the homeless community. [00:17:28] (67 seconds)
Ask the Lord for creativity in your community to know where you fit, what you're supposed to do, when and how, and who you're to do it with. So right now, what I'd like to do is just lead everyone in a prayer. We've covered personal evangelism. And you're called to be a soul winner. It doesn't matter who you are. You're called to win souls and disciple and make disciples. Win souls and make disciples. [00:22:42] (26 seconds)
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