Reaching the Lost

by Bryan Gibson

Some Passages To Consider

2 Timothy 4:1-2; Acts 8:4; Mark 5:19; 6:34; Acts 26:28-29; Romans 9:1-3; 10:1; 2 Corinthians 5:11

What Can I Do?

1.         You can pass out tracts. You can give them directly to someone, or you can place them in areas where a lot of people go in and out (bulletin boards, information racks, hospitals, public restrooms, etc.). If you have a yard sale, you can put them in the bags you give to your customers. You can even put them in the envelopes you use to pay your bills.

2.         You can turn in names for taking a Bible correspondence course, or you can ask for a course and send it yourself.

3.         You can turn in names (or e-mail addresses) for receiving the bulletin.

4.         You can take a tape of a sermon to someone, or mail it to him or her. You can send an outline or article via email to someone.

5.         You can ask people where they attend services, which may lead to a Bible discussion.

6.         You can teach by example (1 Peter 3:1-2; Matthew 5:16).

7.         You can invite people to come to services and hear the gospel taught (Acts 10:24).

8.         Ladies, you can invite people to ladies’ class.

9.         When someone does come (to services or to a class), you can write him or her a note, thanking them for coming and encouraging them to come back.

10.     If you know someone might be coming to a particular service, let whoever is preaching know. He might be able to design a lesson that would be especially helpful.

11.     You can ask someone directly if they would like to study the Bible with you. If you don’t feel qualified to teach, set up the study for someone else.

12.     For those who have been taught, you can help persuade them to obey (remember Naaman’s servants—2 Kings 5).

13.     You can mention the Bible more often to your friends.

14.     You can take your Bible to work with you and read it during breaks.

15.     You can offer encouragement to those who teach the gospel “full-time.” Think of the many people who encouraged Paul (Phoebe--Rom. 16:1-2; Stephenas, Achaicus, Fortunatus--1 Corinthians 16:17-18; Epaphroditus--Philippians 2:25-30; Onesiphorus--2 Timothy 1:16—just to name a few).

16.     You can teach your children, because when they reach “the age of accountability,” they too will be lost if they don’t obey the gospel.

17.     You can give liberally so that more can be done in reaching the lost (more preachers can be supported, more materials can be bought, etc.).

18.     You can study diligently so that you will be better equipped to teach others.

19.     You can pray…

-     For open doors (Colossians 4:2).

-     That the word may have free course (2 Thessalonians 3:1).

-     That those who teach will teach boldly and clearly (Ephesians 6:18-20; Colossians 4:2-4).