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
Grandparents' Day (U.S.A.)
See You at the Pole (U.S.A.)
Back to School

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 Fright
How a small group encouraged one reluctant member to share Christ with others.
Anonymous

I have been a Christian for as long as I can remember—though I've gone through definite periods of being a "good" Christian and times of being fairly lazy about my faith.

I thought I was in a time of "goodness" until my small group was working through the "40 Days of Purpose" campaign and took a quiz to see how we were doing in the five purposes. My worst was in evangelism. With the exception of my husband, I was fairly certain that no one else on earth would be in heaven because of my witness.

Up until this point, it never really bothered me. I just figured evangelism wasn't one of my "gifts." As long as I gave to the church and missionaries, I felt I was doing my part to reach out for Jesus.

Everyone scored low in this category. But many group members scored themselves low because they couldn't always get others to their knees; I scored low because I didn't even try.

It was the new Christians in my group who impressed me the most—their zeal to share the gospel was unending. When I shared my amazement at the ease at which they evangelized, they chuckled and said they weren't exactly banging on doors or shouting on street corners. They were just trying to make God's part in their life obvious to others.

One woman only reads Christian books in the coffee shop she visits so that when asked what she is reading, she has an opportunity to share her faith.

Another woman drops "God talk" into regular conversation. She'd looks and prays for ways to mention church, an answered prayer, or a Christian book or Scripture passage she is reading into conversation. This simple technique has led toward many conversations about faith with her friends, family, and colleagues.

After years of going to church, receiving a Christian education, and even working for a ministry, this was the first time anyone had made witnessing seem so easy to me. I asked my group to pray that I would look and find ways to share my faith.

Already, God has led me to present him to others, ways that aren't scary, awkward, or confrontational. I have a long way to go until I'd call myself any kind of evangelist, but with the prayers of my group, I know I can get there.


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
Christian History Back Issues
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
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