Creating an Evangelistic Culture of Reaching the Lost Through Lifegroups
Evangelism isn't an just event your lifegroup does occasionally - it's part of the Lord’s heartbeat for your group. Without outreach, groups become inward-focused care groups that eventually stagnate and die. This tool helps you create a natural culture where reaching lost people becomes is part of the culture of your group.
Biblical Foundation
Matthew 9:36-38 - "When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. Then he said to his disciples, 'The harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.'"
Jesus saw lost people with compassion, not annoyance. Your lifegroup exists to be those workers in the harvest field.
Acts 1:8 - "But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth."
The Holy Spirit gives power for natural, authentic evangelism.
2 Corinthians 5:20 - "We are therefore Christ's ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us. We implore you on Christ's behalf: Be reconciled to God."
You carry the ministry of reconciliation. God wants to make His appeal through your lifegroup to reach people in your community.
The Evangelism Problem: Why Groups Stop Reaching Out
1. Satan's strategy - The enemy wants to hinder your groups evangelistic efforts (Luke 8.12)
2. Comfort zones - Evangelism requires stepping out of our comfort zones. You have to go "out of your way" just as Jesus did when He went to Samaria
3. We don’t know how - Groups don’t reach out because they don’t know how to share their faith with others
The result: Groups naturally drift toward an inward focus instead of staying consistent in reach out.
Three Components for an Evangelistic Culture
1. Shared Vision
Evangelism is one of the reason you exist as a lifegroup. You're not a Bible study that occasionally invites people. You're a mission team that studies the Bible together. Continue to cast this vision consistently. Work for this to be a shared vision for your Lifegroup members.
2. Stir Your Passion
Evangelism is an attitude, not an event. Lost people matter to God, and they should matter to you. Spend time in prayer as a group for God to rekindle this passion for souls.
3. Review Strategy
God wants to work through your group to impact your sphere of influence.
Who has God called you to reach?
How are doing that as a group?