ADULT DISCIPLESHIP MINISTRY
“Salvation marks the beginning of a lifetime of devoted seeking that inevitably results in questions. The Adult Discipleship Ministry provides answers to those questions by filling knowledge gaps through the rigorous application of God’s Word. Programs and studies are various and designed for the edification and personal growth of the body of Christ.” Ministry Director, Pastor Jim Butler. jbutler@ebcperu.org / 765-513-5399.
The Great Commission – “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, 20teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” – Matthew 28:19-20 NASB1995
SEVEN (7) Ways to Strengthen your testimony and Share Christ with others;
- 1. Be CARING.
- When Jesus saw people, He didn’t feel annoyed with or inconvenienced by them. He was “moved with compassion” toward them (Matthew 9:36).
- 2. Be INTENTIONAL.
- Purposeful witness requires purposeful planning. Gospel-focused churches provide an organized program for evangelism with a goal of saturating their communities with the gospel. And gospel-focused Christians can engage in this great endeavor by putting it on their calendars AND supporting the events.
- 3. Be RELATIONAL.
- No doubt God has already placed people in your life—family, friends, neighbors, coworkers / divine connections—who do not know Christ. Steward those relationships. Be careful and intentional to maintain a godly testimony and to show the love of Christ. And, then pray and look for opportunities to share the gospel, perhaps at times by inviting them to church or special outreach events.
- 4. Be CLEAR.
- Sharing the gospel requires more than a casual mention of church or a quick invitation to a service. We must lovingly but clearly explain the problem of sin, the payment Christ made on the cross, and the response of faith that God requires. Take time to guide people through Scripture and point them to Christ’s finished work for salvation. Many Christians have found a start into witnessing through the use of “the Romans Road” (Romans 3:10, 3:23, 5:12, 6:23, 5:8, 10:13) a helpful way to share a concise gospel message.
- 5. Be PREPARED.
- Carry gospel tracts or outreach cards, and purpose to pass at least one out daily. When gospel tracts are in pocket or car, you’ll be more prepared to seize moments to bring up a gospel conversation with someone you meet only in passing. Even brief conversations can lead to an opportunity to share the gospel. Either way, the person is left with the gospel printed message of salvation through Christ.
- 6. Be PRAYERFUL.
- In John 15:7, Christ promised, “If ye abide in me, and my words abide in you, ye shall ask what ye will, and it shall be done unto you.” Ask the Lord to give you both opportunity and boldness to share the gospel. And ask Him to use your witness as you share His Word for the Holy Spirit to convict listeners of their need for a Savior.
- Pray, too, for the people you know who don’t yet know Christ that they would be open to the message of the gospel.
- 7. Be FAITHFUL.
- Sometimes we share the gospel but never see that person trust & accept Christ as Savior. Sometimes we share the gospel and get to see an immediate response because someone else has been praying and sharing before us. Paul told the church at Corinth, “I have planted, Apollos watered; but God gave the increase” (1 Corinthians 3:6). Whether we are planting or watering, we can trust God to bring the increase. So be faithful, and keep sharing the gospel, letting the Holy Spirit convict & convince.
