LIVING WITH THE FOUR I’S
SEEING WITH CLARITY + FOCUS
The New Testament tells story after story about how Jesus offered new life to others throughout His life and ministry. Each one of the stories shows us the depth of God’s love for people that are outside His family, and they show us the extent that Jesus went to so He could do the work of evangelism and help people come to believe the Good News.
Now you might say, “Well I’m not Jesus. And besides, I don’t have the gift of evangelist. So I’m exempt from doing that work, right?” Not at all. Why would you even want a pass on doing the work of evangelism? This is possibly the greatest thing you can do with your life… helping others come to believe in Jesus Christ as their Savior and to begin a relationship with God now, that will continue forever. Can you think of anything more important than that?
Over the coming four weeks we will see how Jesus helped others come to believe, and we’ll discover how we too can do the same.
Intercede
Talking to God about others before talking to others about God is where effective witnessing begins. Taking the time to let God’s heart for the salvation of people shape and inform your heart is what intercession is all about. It means coming to God on behalf of others, believing that as you pray He will open doors for the message of the gospel to be heard, seen, and felt through you. When you pray, expect something to happen. You are talking to God who makes things happen.
Read
Romans 10:1
Colossians 4:2-4
1 Corinthians 3:6
Reflect
Who do you regularly pray for that doesn’t know Jesus?
Who could you be praying for?
What one thing can you do to step up your missional prayer life?
Respond
Identify a person in your life who doesn’t yet know Jesus. Commit to talking to God about him/her. Ask God to allow His love to shape your heart towards this person and future interactions with him/her.
If you can’t think of anyone, pray that God would point you to someone you can begin to pray for and build a friendship with.
What (if anything) prevents you from interceding for unbelievers? Talk to God about this. Ask him to change your heart if and where it needs to be changed.
Pray
Dear God, show me who you want me to pray for and how I can begin to pray, earnestly and with expectation. Create in me a heart like yours that longs to seek and save the lost. Amen.
Initiate
Everyone is on a spiritual journey. People all around us are at different places in their relationship with God. Being aware of this fact, and your God-given ability to engage others where they are spiritually, is a significant part of living on mission. If you want to find out what spiritual beliefs a person has, ask specific questions or make open-ended statements such as:
Do you have any spiritual beliefs?
Would you consider yourself a person of faith? Why or why not?
What are your views on life and death?
What comes to mind when you think of God?
It might require a good amount of courage from you to initiate the beginnings of a spiritual conversation, but if you want to go in that direction you need to be willing to lead the way.
Read
Acts 8:30
John 4:10
Reflect
How important is knowing where people are coming from spiritually?
Do you think asking someone their spiritual beliefs is inappropriate to do? Why or why not?
In the past, how have you usually found out about other people’s beliefs?
Respond
As you pray for the person you’ve identified and committed to talk to God about, ask God for the courage to initiate a statement or question that would help you learn about their spiritual beliefs.
Read and reflect on Colossians 4:5-6. What does it communicate about being a witness to outsiders?
If you have some idea of the person’s spiritual beliefs including their attitudes towards Christianity, begin praying about ways God wants to use you to enhance their experience of Christian love or awareness of the Gospel.
Pray
Dear God, help me to become more aware of the spiritual journey that others are on. Give me the courage to not only ask sincere questions but also to be a faithful witness of Jesus with my words, my actions, and the manner I take with both. Amen.
Invest
If our desire and hope is to see unbelievers come to Jesus we must be willing to bring Jesus to them. Jesus hung out with people who didn’t share his beliefs or understanding of God precisely because he was bringing the good news of God’s kingdom to them. His willingness to be present with others reflects the significance of relationships in sharing the gospel. Like Jesus we must be willing to do the same. Relational investments of time, words, and gifts reap spiritual dividends in the lives of unbelievers we hope to impact.
Read: How Jesus Made Relational Investments
John 4:3-10
Luke 5:29-32
Luke 19:1-10
Reflect
What will it require from you to invest time, words, or gifts to help develop your relationship with an unbeliever?
What are some specific ways you can give an unbeliever the gift of your time?
Respond
Send a text or email to the person you’ve been praying for to let them know you’re thinking of them. Ask if they would like help with anything or offer to do something unexpected (ie. walk their dog, pick up groceries, invite a socially distanced coffee and chat or walk).
Take a few minutes to brainstorm and write down ways you can make greater relational investments of time, words, and gifts to show others God’s love. Choose one (to start) and go do it.
Pray
Dear God, thank you for sending your Son to demonstrate how much you desired to be in relationship with the people you created. Holy Spirit, show me how I can be available to unbelievers with my time, words, and gifts and lead me in love towards them. Amen.
Invite
Taking spiritual steps forward requires an invitation that often begins with inviting insight. It’s not uncommon for someone to question our spiritual viewpoints or experience. We should expect this pushback, not fear it. When it happens, we must learn to see and take it as an opportunity to invite that person to “check out” Jesus for him or herself -- to simply take a step, however small, toward the truth. This is why relational investment is so important; we are able to better know what to say or do that can help someone take a spiritual step toward Christ.
Read: How did these people help others take spiritual steps towards Christ?
Luke 5:29
John 1:43-46
John 4:28-29
Reflect
Consider your spiritual journey. What activities or experiences positively impacted your progress? Was it a long process?
How do you determine the best way to help others take a spiritual step forward?
Who can you invite to take a spiritual step forward, toward Christ?
Respond
There are many ways we can invite others to take a spiritual step. Use the following example to get you thinking:
Now, come up with other ways you could help someone take a step toward faith in Christ. As you list them, give some thought to people in your life who might be ready to take one of these steps. Make a plan to invite them.
Pray
Dear God, I ask for wisdom to know how to invite my unbelieving friend to take a spiritual step in your direction and for courage to do so. I pray that _______ would respond to the invitation with openness and faith, however big or small. Amen.