John wrote his gospel so that his readers might “believe that Jesus is the Messiah, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name” (John 20: 31). Throughout the gospel of John we see that Jesus is the Son of God and the Son of Man. He came to pay the penalty for our sins. Through Him, we find eternal and abundant life.
Last week we launched a 4-week blog series on evangelism. We discussed how to craft a brief but effective testimony that can be communicated in casual conversation – no lengthy prep needed. Now, let’s talk about invitations. How can we allow God to use our relationships for His purposes? We invite others to know more about Him. God has always used His people to bring others to a greater understanding of the gospel. And, he can use you.
As you think about a friend, relative, or acquaintance who may be far from God, consider inviting him or her to something you are doing this month. Pray for God’s Word to be clearly communicated and the gospel message to be heard. Look for opportunities to answer questions or talk more about Jesus. Whatever you do, don’t pass up these opportunities to invite this individual to a deeper understanding of Jesus.
- Worship. Take a minute to invite someone to worship with you. Head to lunch afterward, if possible, to answer questions or follow up on something that was part of worship or your church in general.
- Special event. Whether it’s your small group’s fellowship or a church-wide community event, invite someone to come with you. These events offer a more casual opportunity to build friendships.
- Your Bible study group. Don’t forget to invite this person to study God’s Word with you! If you enjoy your Bible study group, chances are that your friend will too. Bible study groups are key to our spiritual growth—everyone benefits from learning God’s Word and studying it with others.
Invitations are valuable tools to building a friendship and helping others know Jesus. This month, look for a chance to invite someone to worship, a special event, or your Bible study group. Extend an invitation and allow God to use you!