Lesson 13 for June 30, 2012

In some countries people are suppose to stop working at the age of 65. When do you think a Christian should stop working in evangelism and witnessing? In order to do a work of high quality we must: ∞Work for the souls. ∞Nurture the believers. ∞Train the people. ∞Get back the former members. ∞Avoid desertion. Evangelism and witnessing are necessary as long as there are people who need salvation. All who have accepted Jesus as our personal Savior must be involved in that mission as long as there is breathe in us. We will only stop working when Christ will come again.

We can see the five steps of witnessing in the way Jesus treated the Samaritan woman (John 4:7-30) 1.He arrested her attention: “Give Me a drink” (v. 7) 2.He secured her interest: “How is it that You, being a Jew, ask a drink from me, a Samaritan woman? (v. 9) 3.He created a desire: “Sir, give me this water” (v. 15) 4.He brought a conviction: “Sir, I perceive that You are a Prophet” (v. 19) 5.Actions followed: “Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?” (v. 29) The greatest motivation to testify is to be convinced the greatest need of people is their salvation in Jesus.

“They devoted themselves to the apostles’ teaching and to fellowship, to the breaking of bread and to prayer” (Acts 2:42 NIV) Once a person has decided to accept Jesus and to join His Church, he/she must be nurtured. That is, he/she must be fed, cared and loved. Actually, learning and fellowship are tasks that every member must carry out. “That is, that you and I may be mutually encouraged by each other’s faith” (Romans 1:12 NIV)

“And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also” (2 Timothy 2:2) Those who are trained to evangelize and to witness must be taught to teach others in those tasks too. “This feature of Paul’s work teaches an important lesson to ministers today. Experienced laborers do a noble work when, instead of trying to carry all the burdens themselves, they train younger men, and place burdens on their shoulders. It is God’s desire that those who have gained an experience in His cause, shall train young men for His service” E.G.W. (Gospel Workers, section 3, “Young Ministers to Labor with Older Ministers” p. 102)

We should have a ministry to former and nonattending members as an intentional part of our witnessing and evangelism program. A quick look at the various churches’ lists of members will likely reveal that there are many more names listed there than those who attend worship each Sabbath. These names could form the beginnings of a special ministry to people whom God has never ceased to love supremely. “These twelve Jesus sent out and commanded them, saying: “Do not go into the way of the Gentiles, and do not enter a city of the Samaritans. But go rather to the lost sheep of the house of Israel” (Matthew 10:5-6) Jesus sent His disciples to win back members of the Jewish nation who had fallen away from a saving relationship with their Lord. Thus, it is entirely appropriate that we today also enter into a work for those people who have a special history with God and His church.

Although it is good to have a ministry for those who left the Church, wouldn’t it be great that that ministry wasn’t necessary because no one would ever leave the Church? It is the Church’s responsibility to create the right atmosphere for the members to remain in the Church. “Be kindly affectionate to one another with brotherly love, in honor giving preference to one another” (Romans 12:10) ENTRY EXIT

Avoiding desertion requires extra effort: “And be kind to one another, tenderhearted, forgiving one another, even as God in Christ forgave you” (Ephesians 4:32) A personal effort must be made the believer involving staying in fellowship with his brothers and sisters. “Not forsaking the assembling of ourselves together, as is the manner of some, but exhorting one another, and so much the more as you see the Day approaching” (Hebrews 10:25) An effort must be made by the Church so It avoids putting obstacles for the members. “Therefore let us not judge one another anymore, but rather resolve this, not to put a stumbling block or a cause to fall in our brother’s way” (Romans 14:13)