Chapter 6: Small Group and Event Evangelism

IN THIS CHAPTER, you will discover:

· Ways to improve door-to-door witnessing skills.

· Tips for producing special witnessing events.

· The role of the local church in evangelism.

· Characteristics of a dynamic small group.


AS A RESULT, you will be able to:

· Witness confidently to people in their homes.

· Plan special events suited to your community’s needs.

· Reach out as a church in evangelism.

· Evangelize through the support of your small group.

Reading: Living on the Devil’s Doorstep, pp. 142-55; Bringin’ ‘Em Back Alive, pp. 104-7.

Key Scripture: “A cheerful look brings joy to the heart, and good news gives health to the bones” (Prov. 15:30).

The mention of door-to-door witnessing arouses fear and apprehension in many Christians. Visions of vicious dogs, slamming doors, glaring faces, and hostile situations crowd out any thoughts of courage. Moreover, the fear of being confronted by unanswerable theological questions lurks in the back of their minds and causes general uneasiness. While it is true that Christian witnesses have encountered such hindrances, they are the exception, not the rule. Once potential witnesses overcome the barrier of fear, they can begin to plan a strategy for effective door-to-door witnessing.

There are several steps you can take to prepare for successful witnessing. First, pray individually and then with team members for guidance, boldness, and protection for those who will go out. Those who stay behind can intercede during the outreach. Second, develop a positive attitude by dwelling on our inheritance as Christians (Eph. 1:11-14). Witnesses convinced of their authority in Christ can approach people with confident expectancy and real joy. In the following story adapted from We Cannot But Tell, p. 43, Ross Tooley wrote of such a witnessing team:

Once, on a door-to-door witnessing crusade in Canada, two young people received a rude reception from a lady whose door they had approached. Still rejoicing however (after all, God is still the same), they made their way back down the path while the woman who rejected them watched from the window. She was struck by the reality which their joyful attitude revealed and she took it all in. Waiting until they had worked their way from house to house down the street and back up the other side, she called them over when they were opposite her house. This time she invited them into her home and after hearing their message, she then proceeded to ask Jesus into her life!

What had attracted her to the Lord? Their doctrine? To some degree perhaps. But mainly I would imagine it was the reality of God in their lives manifested by their joyful attitude. The gospel must be living in us, not just words that are printed somewhere in a book. This is not to say that doctrine is unimportant. In fact with some, like Nicodemus (John 3), it will be the giving of truth that will “turn them on.” But with others, as the story above illustrates, it will be the joy of the Lord in the face of rejection that will speak louder than words. Who knows how much the joy that was on Stephen’s face as he was being stoned to death ministered to the hard heart of Saul, the persecutor of the church (Acts 7:54-8:1).

As a door-to-door witness, you are in the business of soil cultivation — preparing hard hearts to receive the gospel. Using the valuable tool of joy, you can confidently ring any doorbell. When the person answers the door, step back so as not to appear aggressive. Begin a friendly conversation such as:

“Good morning. My name is John and this is my friend, Jim. We are two young men who want to tell you something very important — how our lives have been completely changed . . .”

At that point you may be invited inside to talk, which is a very positive sign. People are more likely to respond to you in the privacy of their own homes. Once inside you might comment naturally about the weather, their surroundings, or their children to put you all at ease. And if you are in a culture friendly to Christianity, you may mention the church or group you represent. But if your hosts are not familiar with Christ, it’s best to tell them how God has changed your life. Although everyone has some concept of God, you now have the opportunity to present Him as both creative and caring.

Be especially sensitive to the Holy Spirit’s leading if the person responds negatively at some point in the conversation. At times you should respect their privacy and just leave a tract. But at other times you may feel the Lord leading you to ask boldly, “Oh, is there some particular reason why you’re not interested? Aren’t you curious about a loving God who cares about you?” Silently pray for the Lord to give you discernment in these matters since the line separating boldness and brashness is very thin (adapted from We Cannot But Tell, pp. 66-68).

Perfecting the Plan

Having a plan may help you develop boldness while avoiding brashness in your witnessing. Although every door-to-door experience is different, there are certain similarities. The following general suggestions will help anyone interested in making the most of a door-to-door encounter: Believe that you have the right to witness; Speak naturally without using religious jargon; Be gentle and friendly in your approach; Give the most inoffensive reason for doing what you are doing; Ask if they are interested in talking about spiritual things; Pray for sensitivity in knowing when to pursue the conversation and when to retreat; Leave a tract only if the person wants it; Be gracious, leaving the path open for the next Christian to witness.

The truth you present will offset any false doctrine presented by other groups, such as the Jehovah’s Witnesses or Mormons, who are best known for this form of evangelism. God has given you the key to winning souls, the love of Jesus Christ. Possessing a real love for unbelievers will unlock hearts, whether you are witnessing door-to-door or simply answering your own door.

Responding to Evangelizing Cults

On occasion you may have opened your door to two young men wearing white shirts and ties. It’s hard to imagine that these Mormon missionaries have prepared all their lives for this moment. Sent out by their church for two years of service, they may witness sixty or seventy hours a week. On the other hand, Jehovah’s Witnesses evangelize in their spare time. They are likewise diligent in working long hours — as many as ninety hours a month. Since the salvation of both the Mormons and the Jehovah’s Witnesses depends on works, gaining converts is their main objective.

Whatever success they achieve must be credited to their admirable dedication and tenacity. They may in fact intimidate some Christians who assume that Mormons are well-grounded in their faith and that Jehovah’s Witnesses have all the answers to biblical questions. Yet most Mormons are unaware of their founder’s background and beliefs. And Jehovah’s Witnesses do not always know the Bible as well as they project. Discouraged from reading on their own, they often read selected parts, which have been interpreted for them by the Watch Tower Society.

In contrast, you have access to the Bible — the written expression of God Himself. An excellent resource that will prepare you to witness to cult members is the Living By The Book course, “Counterfeits By The Book.” It features Ruth Tucker as the instructor and utilizes her book, Another Gospel, as the textbook.

Although the Mormons and Jehovah’s Witnesses consider themselves Christian, both groups deny the deity of Christ, a basic tenet of our faith. They instead worship the Father alone, denying any need for a personal relationship with the Son. These misguided, spiritually hungry people desperately need to hear the good news and to be set free from the bondage of works alone as a way to salvation. Therefore, when witnessing to them, focus on Jesus and what He means to you. Tell how your life has been changed because of His sacrificial death on the cross. Neither the Mormons’ restored gospel of rituals and rules nor the Jehovah’s Witnesses’ authoritative system of works can compare with the forgiving love and freeing grace of a personal Savior.

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. Cult leaders can be very persuasive and seductive in recruiting new members. [BBA, 104]

2. Two cults engaged in door-to-door evangelism are Jehovah’s Witnesses and . [BBA, 104]

3. One mark of a cult is that they try to earn their salvation through good . [BBA, 105]

4. The ideal way to witness door-to-door is to go (in pairs, alone). [BBA, 105]

5. When witnessing door-to-door, ring the doorbell and take a step (forward, backward). [BBA, 105]

6. Ask questions and develop a (speech, dialogue) that will get the person thinking about their relationship with God. [BBA, 106]

7. True or False. Always leave a piece of gospel literature, even if it is not wanted. [BBA, 106]

8. True or False. Record keeping is unnecessary, since you won’t see the same people twice. [BBA, 106]


Further Study: Read “Stephen,” NIDB, pp. 963-64.

Mission in Action: Assured that God wanted them to purchase Heidebeek, Floyd and the team found themselves without any money to buy it. When asked to meet with the owners to discuss the contract, Floyd declined several times in order to confer with the team’s financial advisors — the Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Because the team trusted divine guidance through the whole process, they were blessed with a generous loan (LDD, pp. 143-46). Is the Lord asking you to believe Him for some ministry goal that requires money? Although you may have no money, you do have faith. And like Floyd, you can ask your heavenly financial advisors for the money necessary to extend the kingdom of God.

Reading: Bringin’ ‘Em Back Alive, pp. 107-9.

Key Scripture: “Each one should use whatever gift he has received to serve others, faithfully administering God’s grace in its various forms” (1 Peter 4:10).

The words “event evangelism” may conjure up thoughts of elaborate dramatic productions, outdoor concerts for thousands, or mass evangelistic campaigns by Billy Graham or Reinhard Bonnke. Somehow, event evangelism always seems connected to “big” and “expensive.” In reality, a simple event can be quite effective in demonstrating the love of Christ to a group of people. The following story, adapted from Becky Pippert’s Out of the Saltshaker, pp. 107-8, is a prime example:

Maggie, a university student, decided to reach out to the women on her dorm floor by having an ice-cream party. After buying the ice cream and borrowing a scoop, she prayed, “Lord, I have trouble believing that you can work through this party to tell others of your love. But since you live in me, this will not be an ordinary ice-cream party. You’ll be here — so love these people tonight.”

That night the room was packed with hungry students, and the atmosphere was lively and fun. But because there were no spiritual discussions, Maggie assumed that her party had failed. The next day, however, eight students complimented her on the event. One girl said, “I couldn’t believe you spent your money so we could eat! It was so much fun. You made our floor feel like a family for the first time. Why did you do it?” Another said, “My roommate and I had a great time. We decided we’re going to have a party next week!” And still another, “It was so nice of you to do that. You know, I felt love bouncing off those walls. What are you into?”

Maggie later confided, “I thought Jesus was not at work — showing people who he was. Why, I’m the Christian and I never even noticed him there, but my non-Christian friends did. They don’t know who he is yet, but they surely sensed his presence. . . . I wonder how much I’ve been limiting Jesus all along?”

Throughout this incident, Maggie demonstrated three misconceptions about witnessing: (1) Having fun is a waste of time. Every waking minute should be used in serious spiritual pursuit. (2) All ministry should be planned ahead. God does not approve of lively spontaneity. (3) Ministry occurs only when a person is speaking about God. Spirituality depends on the topic of discussion.

Many of us struggle with these false perceptions of ministry. The result is that we limit God. Christ wants to speak through everything that we are, do, and say. Those who touch our lives, touch Jesus. We are not mere purveyors of the gospel — we are the gospel!

Testing Your Talents

As the living hands and feet of Jesus, we have an obligation to use our God-given gifts and talents to present the truth. Every gift has been given to glorify God. But when Satan is allowed to pervert them, they become useless for witnessing. We must fully develop our gifts and prayerfully submit them to the Lord for protection against misuse. Floyd McClung told the following story in Wholehearted, pp. 52-53, which illustrates how God used one young man’s talent for event ministry.

Steve was a young man who had been heavily involved in Satanic rock music. He was an excellent guitarist, but after becoming a Christian gave away his guitar and vowed never to play it again. After several years of discipling he began to feel a yearning to buy another guitar and start playing again. He was cautious about this since he associated the guitar with his former lifestyle.

As he prayed, God showed him several things. First, every good gift comes from God, and he wanted Steve to use the gifts he had given him. Second, his musical talents had been given to him for a purpose, and by failing to acknowledge and use them, he was not being all God had created him to be. Steve saw that he had been blessed with musical talent, and simply because he had used it for the devil did not mean God no longer had a use for it.

Steve did go back to his musical career, and with strong Christian support has been an effective witness for Christ. His natural gift, coupled with God’s anointing, are a powerful combination.

Our special assignment from God in some ways comes in the form of the gifts, strengths, and abilities He gives, which suit each of us for kingdom service. Before these can be maximized, they need to be defined. Various assessment instruments are available for determining gifts and talents. But personal prayer and the wise counsel of close friends are indispensable in identifying them. Once defined, our gifts are often to be utilized and shared with others, but their ultimate purpose is to glorify God. Remember, it is God who gives and defines the gifts and talents He gives, and how they are to be used. It is God alone who can tell you if you are pleasing Him by their use. Also, be careful how you interpret a talent or ability. The Lord may have given them to you for His pleasure alone.

Once the gifts of each member are prayerfully assessed, a church body can plan event evangelism best suited to its abilities and needs. Not surprisingly, the gifts are as varied as the members. The following are some events that many churches have found successful: Christmas pageants, Easter passion plays, Christian music concerts, retreat centers, dramatic presentations, family-oriented movies, gospel choirs, mass crusades, bus ministry, crisis centers, literacy classes, medical evangelism, vacation Bible school, and summer camps.

Each of the events above requires team effort and the full support of the church. But the following evangelistic events can be carried out by an individual or by families outside the church: backyard barbecue, potluck dinner, block party, story time at the library, house party, neighborhood cleanup, swimming party, backyard vacation Bible school, and neighborhood Bible study.

These suggestions may give rise to others, which are better suited to the talents of the church or individuals involved. Some of the larger events can be pared down for use by a family or one person. For example, a family can rent a wholesome video and invite the neighbors for popcorn and soft drinks, or an individual may teach an illiterate acquaintance to read. Event evangelism, then, can be as creative as the person or group involved.

Appointment Evangelism

One creative idea is appointment evangelism. This type of witnessing is a one-on-one encounter with a very visible person inside your network of acquaintances, such as a family doctor or the city’s mayor. Obviously, appointment evangelism can be used to witness to a friend or work colleague as well. Whether the person is well-known or your work partner, seek the Holy Spirit’s guidance in selecting him or her.

After seeking the Holy Spirit’s guidance in choosing the right individual, pick a restaurant where you can talk quietly. Next, pray for favor with the person before you call for an appointment. Finally, over lunch ask them to share their philosophy of life. A few well-placed questions will encourage them to converse with you. After you have listened carefully, ask politely, “May I share my philosophy with you?” Even as you share your feelings, give the other person a chance to respond. Avoid being overzealous, for the objective is to cultivate the soil of their hearts and perhaps plant a seed of truth. Since follow up is so important, we will look more closely at this crucial element of evangelism in Chapter 8.

Key Concepts:

1. True or False. William Booth, founder of the Salvation Army, put Christian lyrics to the pub tunes of the day. [BBA, 107]

2. True or False. Contemporary music should never be used to express God’s heart of compassion. [BBA, 107]

3. True or False. The definition of “good” music changes from generation to generation. [BBA, 107]

4. True or False. The important determinants in judging gospel music are its beat and volume. [BBA, 107]

5. God often uses aids to illustrate His message and to help us see the gospel more clearly. [BBA, 108]

6. Jesus’ parables were (conclusions, pictures) He drew in the minds of His hearers. [BBA, 108]

7. Comedy (should, should not) be used to present the truth of the gospel message. [BBA, 108]

8. True or False. Only professional evangelists should use event evangelism. [BBA, 109]

Further Study: Read “Music and Musical Instruments,” NIDB, pp. 678-84.

Mission in Action: To allay the fears of their neighbors, the young people at Heidebeek determined to help the farmers at every opportunity. They helped to reroof a barn and to offer lodgings for a family whose house had burned (LDD, p. 149). Could you perhaps demonstrate your faith by cutting the grass for a widow, providing transportation while an associate’s car is being repaired, or keeping a neighbor’s children after school? What effect would your actions have on them and their perception of you and your God?

Reading: Living on the Devil’s Doorstep, pp. 156-71.

Key Scripture: “Consequently, you are no longer foreigners and aliens, but fellow citizens with God’s people and members of God’s household” (Eph. 2:19).

The second chapter of Acts vividly describes the emergence of the early church. New converts met together constantly — in homes for communion and in the temple for daily worship. Their praise, joy, and thankfulness set them apart from their neighbors. But the city was favorable to them at the time, and salvations were a daily occurrence. Most of these salvations were due to believers sharing their newfound faith with their relatives and friends — people within their own oikos or household.

The Community Church

Andrew Jackson, in his book A Heart for Others, stated that the oikos in New Testament times included more than the nuclear family of parents and children. An oikos incorporated blood relatives, friends, neighbors, and other associates — in other words, a relational network. The encounter between Peter and the Roman centurion Cornelius refers directly to this network. “The following day he arrived in Caesarea. Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends” (Acts 10:24). This whole oikos was baptized with water — and the Holy Spirit (vv. 47-48).

Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from Thyatira, was baptized with her household by Paul. This grateful businesswoman offered Paul and his friends a home as long as they needed it (Acts 16:14-15). Using Lydia’s house as a base, Paul and Silas witnessed in Philippi. As a result, another household was saved — that of the jailer. To his question, “What must I do to be saved?” Paul and Silas replied, “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved — you and your household” (vv. 30-31), (pp. 77-79).

In 1 Corinthians Paul referred to Chloe’s household and his brothers in Christ (1:11) and to Stephanas’ household, which he had baptized (1:16). Furthermore, Crispus, the synagogue ruler in Corinth, was saved with his household through Paul’s preaching (Acts 18:8). After noting these accounts, it becomes clear that the oikos (household) impacted the spreading of the gospel from Jerusalem to Asia and finally into Europe.

Present-Day Pentecost

In his book Bruchko, Bruce Olson revealed the importance of the oikos in spreading the gospel among the Stone-Age Motilone tribe in Colombia. At first there were no close ties between families. One family might live next to another in the same communal home and never know each other’s names. But all that changed for Bobarishora when he accepted Jesus. Everyone could see the evidence of change in his life. But according to Motilone custom, he waited until the time was exactly right. When all the members of his relational network congregated for the Festival of the Arrows, Bobarishora shared the gospel message in song with the members of his “household.” The fearsome Motilones all accepted Jesus and the miracles began! Later, some Motilone tribesmen took the gospel to their enemies, the Yuko, who spoke an entirely different language. Miraculously, both tribes understood each other perfectly. It was like a second Pentecost! God had spoken in their language and through their culture — from one oikos to another.

Household Salvation

Many modern Christians think of themselves and their faith as strictly an individual matter, far removed from their oikos. These believers enjoy what they have in Christ but may have never shared it. The individual, rather than the oikos, has often become the focus of witnessing. This is not to say that salvation is not an individual choice, for it certainly is. But salvation and its resulting lifestyle must by definition impact the lives of others, especially those in our relational networks (oikos). Otherwise, it is not true, relational Christianity. The following suggestions, adapted from Andrew Jackson’s A Heart for Others, pp. 87-89, will help you witness to your own oikos:

· Identify and list your oikos members. List those with whom you spend at least one hour a week in a consistent time of face-to-face interaction.

· Write a personal profile of your oikos members. Describe each person, highlighting their interests, hobbies, and beliefs — and any specific needs that you are aware of.

· Pray over your oikos members. Pray specifically for special needs or circumstances in their lives. This will evoke compassion in the one praying.

· Target your witnessing efforts. Reach out to them in their particular need. Deepen and strengthen your relationship by sharing a mutual interest.

Every person we reach with the gospel touches other lives through their individual relationships; and the process goes on — much like ever-widening ripples on a lake.

Churchgoers and the Churchless

Members of your oikos will include both those who do not go to church and those who do. If you feel shy about street witnessing or going from door-to-door, you can gain confidence by witnessing to those already inside the church. Some people go to church simply because it is the “thing to do” on a Sunday morning. These, along with their friends, are more likely to be drawn into a fellowship that features well-known guest speakers, singers, and performers who are Christians. Therefore, some churches use Sunday morning as an evangelistic outreach to unbelievers. Short sermons, testimonies, skits, special singing, and drama all draw people into the church. They allow unbelievers to learn about a relationship with Christ. (In-depth Bible teaching for more mature believers is generally available on Wednesday and Sunday nights.)

Another group of people may come to church only on special occasions such as Mother’s Day, Easter, and Christmas. These are perfect times to reach out to at least one other person. When you do this will be determined by the customs in your church. Some churches have a specific time of greeting and welcome. If your church singles out visitors in some way, approach one after the service — perhaps inviting him or her to lunch on Sunday or to your small group meeting. A note or telephone call during the week is often appreciated.

The church should also reach outside its walls to people who would never consider attending. Individual church members, as well as the corporate body, should be willing to listen to the Holy Spirit for guidance in witnessing. Parachurch ministries may be consulted, for they have learned to target and minister to various groups. Evangelization does not always require the church as a home base, for the laity can witness as well as professionals. Moreover, people should work only in the ministries they are called to — not recruited for.

Choosing a Church

Once we recognize the church’s role in evangelism, we may question: Is one church as effective as another? Which church is best? What qualities am I looking for in a church? What kind of church can I suggest to a new believer? To help answer these questions, Larry Tomczak suggested the following characteristics as the essential earmarks of a solid, biblically-based church.

Is the church you are attending or visiting actively involved in:

· Exalting Jesus as the risen Son of God and Lord of the universe (Acts 2:22-24).

· Teaching the Bible with authority as God’s revealed will (2 Tim. 3:16).

· Enjoying freedom and vitality in praise and worship (Ps. 150:1-6; Col. 3:17).

· Expressing love through practical service, honor, and hospitality (John 13:34-35).

· Developing deep friendships and fostering a sense of family (Acts 2:42-47; 5:42).

· Emphasizing commitment, not convenience, in the lives of people (Acts 2:42-47).

· Placing priority on pastoral care by leadership; exercising biblical authority (Heb. 13:17; 1 Peter 5:2).

· Exemplifying the Christian virtues of integrity, loyalty, and humility in leadership (1 Tim. 3:1-13).

· Establishing gift ministries to help the maturing church; allowing apostles, prophets, pastors, evangelists, and teachers to operate freely (Eph. 4:11-15).

· Creating an atmosphere of reality and relevance, not ritual (2 Tim. 3:5).

· Changing people’s lives visibly for the better because of their involvement (Rom. 12:2).

· Reaching out in evangelism with the good news of Jesus Christ (Matt. 28:19-20) (adapted from Divine Appointments, pp. 143-44).

One of the most significant characteristics of the growing church is its emphasis on evangelism. Obeying Jesus’ commandment to make disciples by reaching out to others with the gospel should be a priority of every church. Experience has proven that the most effective evangelistic efforts of local churches have developed from their small group ministries. The development and advantages of small-group ministry will be discussed more fully in the next section.

Key Concepts: [All answers above]

1. The Greek word oikos is defined as (household, salvation).

2. The household of (Stephen, Stephanas) was baptized by Paul.

3. True or False. To most modern Christians, witnessing to individuals has become more important than reaching the oikos.

4. A relationship with an oikos member can be strengthened by sharing a/an (mutual, individual) interest.

5. True or False. Unbelievers can always be reached through good Bible teaching in the church.

6. For help in ministering outside its walls, the church can consult a ministry.

7. A biblically-based church expresses love through service and hospitality.

8. True or False. The priority of every church should be to reach out to others with the gospel.

Further Study: Read “Love,” NIDB, pp. 602-3, and “iv. Love as an Expression of the Christian Status,” IBC, p. 1554.

Mission in Action: When John Goodfellow accepted Christ, his heart burned to share his newfound faith with his old friends. He scoured his old haunts of pubs and clubs to meet them and tell how his life had been turned around (LDD, p. 159). Who can you tell about the turnaround in your life? Perhaps this is the right moment for appointment evangelism. Call an old school buddy or a former neighbor for an appointment. Having known you before your conversion and seeing the change will greatly impact their lives.

Reading: Living on the Devil’s Doorstep, pp. 172-79.

Key Scripture: “We proclaim him, admonishing and teaching everyone with all wisdom, so that we may present everyone perfect in Christ” (Col. 1:28).

Jesus formed the first small group, which would become the nucleus of His church. These twelve disciples received their foundational teaching from Jesus Himself. After His resurrection and ascension into heaven, the little band, energized by the Holy Spirit at Pentecost, began to reach out to great numbers of unbelievers. Peter preached one time during Pentecost, and three thousand people became believers. After Pentecost the converts devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching, to prayer, praise, and fellowship — and their numbers grew daily (Acts 2:1-47).

At first, all their worldly goods were held in common, available to anyone who had a need. But as the number of believers grew, distribution to the needy became a problem. A specific group was prayerfully chosen to distribute the food and clothing, freeing the Twelve to minister and teach the Word (Acts 6:1-7). This small group of seven ministered through service within the church. Later, as church members were scattered by persecution, a small group of apostles remained in Jerusalem to provide support and encouragement.

Ron Nicholas, in Good Things Come in Small Groups, reports that a modern example of the impact of small groups is the Full Gospel Central Church in Seoul, Korea. Pastored by David (Paul) Yonggi Cho, this church is presently the largest in the world. Early in his ministry, Dr. Cho realized the importance of discipling in evangelism. He determined this could best be accomplished through cell groups. Today almost every member of his church participates in a group. As each cell group multiplies, it then divides, making new groups of evangelistic teams. Furthermore, Cho’s church has discovered that the secret of helping its members develop fully integrated Christian lives lies in their reliance not on rules but on the direction of the Holy Spirit. The cell groups are structured around these four elements:

· Nurture. The group must be devoted to reading and studying the Bible for spiritual growth.

· Worship. A growing knowledge of God enables praise and worship to flow.

· Community. This commitment of love and obligation toward our own family results in practical ministry.

· Mission. The group exists to reach out and show the good news of Christ’s love to people in need.

Cell groups operating from a local church are well-equipped to reach people on a personal level. One of the frequent shortcomings of large evangelistic campaigns is the failure to disciple those who respond. Evangelism without discipleship is not lasting. Moreover, separating evangelism from church growth is unrealistic. The objective is to produce and multiply disciples, and the process begins with some form of evangelism.

In choosing the type of evangelism to be used, the group should act as a team. Brainstorming, pressing for consensus, and group ownership are valuable facets of the small group’s decision-making process. Once the group has decided on a mission thrust, it is important to plan properly. The amount of time needed depends on the type of evangelistic outreach proposed. An informal mission event can be planned in a week or so. But reaching out to the community with a large evangelistic campaign can take months — perhaps a year or more. The special interest groups take only a moderate amount of planning (adapted from pp. 23-26; 114-16).

Special interest groups are usually organized by the church after surveying the vocations of its members. Individuals in an interest group face similar problems, speak the same language, work in similar environments, and are on the same economic level. Sensitive to this, the church invites Christian speakers from outside the church for each group. Members invite both believers and unbelievers to various meetings throughout the city. It is not unusual for more people to be reached through an interest group than in a regular Sunday morning service.

Groups have many faces, for each is suited to a particular work in the community. But it is refreshing to note that a small group does not always have to be immersed in outreach. A group may choose to do only a weekly or a semi-annual event. Nevertheless, whatever the outreach — and whichever direction the group goes — one thing is certain. It must totally rely on the strength of Christ, which is a most liberating thought!

Key Concepts: [All answers above]

1. Peter’s evangelistic efforts during resulted in three thousand people becoming believers.

2. True or False. As persecuted believers were scattered, a group of apostles remained in Jerusalem.

3. The principle for the growth of evangelism is multiplication and (addition, division).

4. True or False. A growing knowledge of God makes praise and worship flow.

5. Large evangelistic campaigns often suffer from lack of follow-up and a failure to the converts.

6. The purpose of the cell group and the church is to produce (decisions, disciples).

7. True or False. Once a group decides on a mission thrust, planning is no longer important.

8. True or False. By using outside speakers, special interest groups can become a vital way to evangelize within a church.

Further Study: “i. The Second Stage of Christian Witness,” IBC, pp. 1282-83.

Mission in Action: The YWAM team realized that God was moving them into the red-light district to minister. But He did not want them to see the hurting people there as “problems” to work with. The Lord desired that these needy people be seen as lovingly created in His image (LDD, p. 176). Have you been called to minister to someone that you consider a “problem” — a foster child, an obnoxious neighbor, an abusive parent, an unwed mother? What risks must you take, or what rights must you forego to minister to them? Look at them as beings created in God’s image, so that you can be an effective witness by demonstrating the love of Jesus Christ.