Building a Strategic Plan Through Understanding... The Biblical Template of Spiritual Farming

Key Truths About the Harvest The harvest is a process, not an event! The harvest is a process, not an event! More than one element is involved in the harvest. In order to ensure a harvest, someone must plant seed. The seed must be watered. God has to make it come to life, grow, and bear fruit. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9) More than one element is involved in the harvest. In order to ensure a harvest, someone must plant seed. The seed must be watered. God has to make it come to life, grow, and bear fruit. (1 Corinthians 3:6-9) Different people can play different roles in the harvest, but everyone must be a multiplier! Different people can play different roles in the harvest, but everyone must be a multiplier! Every aspect is equally important! Every aspect is equally important!

1. Plow the Fields o Plow the fields through PRAYER! o Make a list of unsaved people, and pray for them. o Prayer Walking o Plow the fields through HUMBLE, LOVING, NEED-MEETING SERVICE! Servant Evangelism!

2. Planting the Seed Planting the Seed = Sharing the Gospel  In order to have a large harvest, many seeds have to be planted. (Matt 13:3-9)  The more we tell, the more will be saved!

If someone wanted to tell me what she or he believed about Christianity, I would be willing to listen

. Christians I know talk to me about their beliefs too often

I have at least one close friend who considers himself or herself a Christian

I would enjoy an honest conversation with a friend about religious and spiritual beliefs even if we disagree

3.Growing We must understand Pre-Evangelism. We must understand Pre-Evangelism. Create Help Projects (Community Groups) Create Help Projects (Community Groups) Foster Gospel Conversations Foster Gospel Conversations Must be Intentional Must be Intentional We must understand Pre-Discipleship We must understand Pre-Discipleship Involve the unsaved in the Harvest Involve the unsaved in the Harvest Learn to Listen Carefully and answer Questions Learn to Listen Carefully and answer Questions Model Multiplication Model Multiplication

4. Harvesting: “God Gives the Increase” Matt 13:18-23 “But he who received seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces: some a hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty.” (v.23) If we plow, plant, (grow), and water, God will give an increase! (1 Cor. 3:6)

The Fields are Ripe John 4:35-37 o As long as we are willing to go to all types of people, we will always find souls ready for the Gospel. o Some sow and some reap, but both can rejoice together!

Alicia’s Story Her Grandmother had already been planting seeds Her Grandmother had already been planting seeds After just a few minutes in the restaurant, she prayed to receive Christ! After just a few minutes in the restaurant, she prayed to receive Christ! The Harvest came only after numerous seeds of the gospel had already been planted by others.

5. Multiplying the Gospel A “Real” Disciple is a Multiplying Disciple A “Real” Disciple is a Multiplying Disciple God expects ALL believers to become multipliers God expects ALL believers to become multipliers The “Power of One” The “Power of One” The “Power of One Multiplied” The “Power of One Multiplied” It all starts when a person becomes a Christian... It all starts when a person becomes a Christian...

Keys to Effective Spiritual Farming  Be Prayerful  Be Positive  Be Accepting  Accepting ≠ Condoning  Be Consistent  Live every day with the intention of doing something eternal.

Keys to Effective Spiritual Farming  Be Intentional  “That which we intentionally ignore, will unintentionally not get done!”  Be Creative  Be Active

Spiritual Farming is… An investment in a process An investment in a process Time Consuming Time Consuming Hard Work Hard Work WORTH THE WAIT! WORTH THE WAIT!

Summary Evangelism is… Spiritual Farming Spiritual Farming Plowing in prayer, planting through sharing the Gospel, Growing, and being patient as the Holy Spirit draws people to Himself; then multiply!!! Plowing in prayer, planting through sharing the Gospel, Growing, and being patient as the Holy Spirit draws people to Himself; then multiply!!! Being willing when the Harvest is ready. Being willing when the Harvest is ready.