Back to Small Groups A Ministry of Leadership
Subscribe to Leadership journal
Building Church Leaders

The Premier Small Group Website 
Main  |  Store  |  Contact Us
Site Search

Position
Position Overview
Small Group Member
Small Group Leader
Small Group Champion
Pastors/Church Staff
Youth Pastor/Leader
Sunday School Teacher

Pathway
Overview of Group
  Stages

Beginning a Group
Becoming a Healthy
  Group

Building Leaders
Blessing Your
  Community


Planning
Overview
Big Ideas
Best Resources
Burning Questions

Purposes
Overview
Connect—Fellowship
Grow—Discipleship
Develop—Ministry
Share—Mission
Surrender—Worship

Powerful Stories
Stories by Roles
Small Group Stories
Group Leader Stories
Group Coach/Champion
Building Small Groups
If you are a pastor, small groups champion, or a church leader, this newsletter is for you:


HOLIDAYS & EVENTS
Fourth of July (U.S.A.)
Graduation

Related Channels
Spiritual Help
Today's Christian
Bible & Reference
Christian History &
  Biography

Christianity Today
Church Site Creator
Online Courses


Home > Small Groups

Building Small Groups Newsletter
Need fresh ideas for your small-groups ministry? Sign up for our free weekly newsletter and receive regular access to innovative training resources, Bible-based curriculum, and practical articles.



Evangelism by Example
How one college student learned to pass along his faith.
Anonymous

Trevor grew up in a Christian home, attending church every Sunday. He knew the gospel, and he believed it. But when it came to sharing his faith with others, he never really gave it much thought. In his mind, explaining the gospel to someone who wasn't a believer was something only "super spiritual" people did.

When Trevor arrived at college, he met guys who were really serious about their relationship with God. They were committed to studying the Bible, praying, and sharing their beliefs with others. When Trevor joined a small group with some of them, he was challenged by their genuine love for God and the way it showed in their lifestyles.

The more time he spent with them, the more impressed he became with their desire to share the gospel with others--and the more he began to think about why he didn't share their passion. If I believe what I say, he thought, that means there are people I know who are going to Hell. Shouldn't I feel more of an urgency to share the truth with them?

While Trevor still worried about how he would explain the gospel to someone, he decided to at least pray about it. "God," he said, "if you want me to do this, increase my desire and show me how to do it."

The very next afternoon, Trevor was hanging out in his dorm room when his small group leader knocked on his door.

"Hey Trevor," said Brandon, "There are a couple of guys down the hall I've been spending time with, and I think they're ready to have a conversation about the gospel. Do you want to come with me? You don't have to say anything if you don't want to. You can just listen."

Trevor spent the rest of the afternoon with Brandon, who mostly answered the guys' questions. Brandon already had a relationship with these guys, and the conversation about spiritual matters flowed naturally out of the existing relationship. Trevor didn't say much that day, but he began to think differently about the nature of sharing his faith.

Evangelism isn't about tracts or programs. Evangelism begins with a relationship. Trevor knew he could do that.


Copyright © LifeTogether.com. Visit LifeTogether.com to find resourcees that help your church transform communities through community.






XML  RSS Feed



Special Offers










ChristianityToday.com
Home CT Mag Church/Ministry Bible/Life Communities Entertainment Schools/Jobs Shopping Free! Help
Books & Culture
Christianity Today
ChristianityTodayLibrary.com
Church Finance Today
Church Law & Tax Report
Church Secretary Today
Ignite Your Faith
Leadership Journal
Men of Integrity
Today's Christian
Today's Christian Woman
Your Church
BuildingChurchLeaders.com
ChristianBibleStudies.com
Christian College Guide
Christian History Back Issues
Christian Music Today
Christianity Today Movies
Church Products & Services
Church Safety
ChurchSiteCreator.com
PreachingToday.com
PreachingTodaySermons.com
Seminary/Grad School Guide
Christianity Today International
www.ChristianityToday.com
Copyright © 2008 Christianity Today International
Privacy Policy | Contact Us | Advertise with Us | Job Openings