Romans 13 11 12 And that knowing the

Romans 13: 11 -12 And that, knowing the time, that now it is high time to awake out of sleep: for now is our salvation nearer than when we believed.

Romans 13: 11 -12 The night is far spent, the day is at hand: let us therefore cast off the works of darkness, and let us put on the armour of light.

The work that should long ago have been in active operation to win souls to Christ has not been done…The time is near when large cities will be swept away, and all should be warned of these coming judgments. Evangelism p. 29

Oh that God’s people had a sense of the impending destruction of thousands of cities, now almost given to idolatry. Evangelism p. 29

I saw one standing on a high platform with arms extended. He turned and pointed in every direction, saying, Evangelism p. 32

“A world perishing in ignorance of God’s holy law, and Seventh-day Adventists are asleep. ” Evangelism p. 32

In many churches, tragically, the pastor has become the primary shepherd, soul winner, fund raiser, organizer, administrator, and errand boy. According to the New Testament, however, it is actually the members in the pews who are to be the primary shepherds of the flock and the primary soul winners. Spiritual Body Building Lessons p. 23 – Kim A. Johnson

Therefore said He unto them, the harvest is truly great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that He would send forth labourers into His harvest. Luke 10: 2

Christ Centered Approach!

John 12: 32 And I, if I be lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to me.

"The very first and most important thing is to melt and subdue the soul by presenting our Lord Jesus Christ as the sinpardoning Saviour. Never should. . . Bible instruction in any line be given, without pointing the hearers to the “Lamb of God, which taketh away the sin of the world. ” T. 6 p. 54

I Corinthians 2: 2 For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified.

Romans 1: 16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ: For it is the power of God unto salvation to every one that believeth.

"The love of Jesus will melt and win hearts when mere reiteration of doctrines will accomplish nothing. " DA p. 826

"For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith, it is the gift of God. Not by works, so that no one can boast. ” Ephesians 2: 8 -9

"The moment a sinner accepts Christ by faith, that moment he is pardoned. The righteousness of Christ is imputed to him, and he is no more to doubt God's forgiving grace. " ST 19 May 1898

What’s the most important doctrine people need to know?

T. 4 p. 394 “The people are more ignorant in regard to the plan of salvation and need more instruction upon this all-important subject than upon any other. "

Can you say, “Blessed Assurance Jesus is Mine? ”

The Gospel Presentation

STEP ONE – Romans 3: 23 “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God. ”

Step Two – Romans 6: 23 “For the wages of sin is death; but the gift of God is eternal life through Jesus Christ our Lord. ”

Step Three – Romans 5: 8 “But God commendeth His love toward us, in that, while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. ”

Step Four “Therefore being justified by faith, we have peace with God through our Lord Jesus Christ. ” Romans 5: 1

"They overcame him by the blood of the Lamb and by the word of their testimony; they did not love their lives so much as to shrink from death. " (NIV) Revelation 12: 11

Next to the word of God, a soul winner's testimony is the most powerful tool he has.

The woman of Samaria led a city to Christ and the Scripture relates that many believed on Him "because of her testimony. ” John 4: 39

“Return to your own house, and tell what great things God has done for you. ” And he went his way and proclaimed throughout the whole city what great things Jesus had done for him. ” - Luke 8: 39

I Peter 2: 9 "That you may declare the praises of him who called you out of darkness into his wonderful light. "

“That which will be most effectual is the testimony of our own experience… These precious acknowledgments to the praise of the glory of His grace, when supported by a Christ-like life, have an irresistible power, that works for the salvation of souls. ” DA p. 347

How to Present a Winning Testimony!

How to Present a Winning Testimony! 1. My life before I knew Christ 1. How I became a Christian 1. My life after I became a Christian

And Now Write it Out, Practice it, and Use it.

Making Friends for Christ!

Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with men as one who desired their good. He showed his sympathy for them, ministered to their needs and won their confidence. Then he bade them, “Follow me. ” MH p. 143

Kindness is the Key to the Heart

1. Mow the lawn for your neighbor 1. Share produce out of your garden 3. Offer to babysit 4. Go on errands for those who can’t 5. Take time to listen to their problems 6. Help them with their computer

F. O. R. T. Family Occupation Religion Testimony

Gospel Workers p. 193 “Your success will not depend so much upon your knowledge and accomplishments, as upon your ability to find your way to the heart. By being social and coming close to the people, you may turn the current of their thoughts more readily than by the most able discourse. ”

“If we would humble ourselves before God, and be kind and courteous and tenderhearted and pitiful, there would be one hundred conversions to the truth where now there is only one. ” T 9 p. 189

How to Find Bible Studies

T. 6 p. 433 “The very simplest modes of work should be devised and set in operation among the churches. If the members will unitedly accept such plans, and perseveringly carry them out, they will reap a rich reward; for their experience will grow brighter, their ability will increase, and through their efforts souls will be saved. ”

Church Visitors And Regular Guests

Former Members

“Personal, individual effort and interest for your friends and neighbors, will accomplish much more than can be estimated. It is for the want of this kind of labor that souls for whom Christ died are perishing. ” C. S. p. 121

Community Religious Surveys Community Religious Survey (Y=Yes, N=No, NO=No Opinion) Concerning God and the Bible ____In your opinion is there a God? ____Is there life after death? ____Is Christ coming again?

Making the first introduction

INTRODUCTION Now when the people come to the door, hold up the Bible study reply card that they sent in. Then tell them your name and say, “My name is ______ and we are here on the information that you requested about the free Bible studies. Do you remember sending in this card? ____ May we step in for just a moment to share with you what these studies look like? ”

Making a connection Look for a common thread As you enter the home, glance around the room to get an idea of the type of people you are visiting. Do you see anything that impresses you enough to give a sincere _______? Do you see any pictures of the ____? Most people love talking about their children and family members.

Where’s the best place to study? After congratulating them for their interest in learning about the Bible, I recommend asking them, “Do you mind if we sit at the ______? ” In the dining room you are away from __________.

Give each person, their own Bible, notebook and study guides.

Make an appointment!

1. Next week review and go over the lesson they did on their own 2. Do one lesson with them 3. Keep the appointment

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS DURING BIBLE STUDY 1. 2. 3. 4. 5. Be a “learner” along with the student Stay focused on the lesson you are studying Never argue Keep the study to one hour If the student has a wrong answer (You’re wrong!)

HELPFUL SUGGESTIONS DURING BIBLE STUDY 6. If the student asks a question you cannot answer 7. Study the lessons in the order given 8. Don’t let the student get you sidetracked 9. Give your student an honest compliment 10. Don’t be judgmental

The Four Basic Levels of Decision Making

The Four Basic Levels of Decision Making 1. 2. 3. 4. Information Conviction Desire Action Making A Decision For Christ

The Four Basic Levels of Decision Making 1. Information Making A Decision For Christ Does the individual have adequate information to make the decision?

The Four Basic Levels of Decision Making 1. Information 2. Conviction Making A Decision For Christ Begins to sense that this seems to be the right thing to do. They believe it is God’s will.

The Four Basic Levels of Decision Making 1. Information 2. Conviction 3. Desire Making A Decision For Christ What he wants to do. Sees the blessings we have in Jesus Christ.

The Four Basic Levels of Decision Making 1. 2. 3. 4. Information Conviction Desire Action Making A Decision For Christ Makes a decision based on information, conviction and desire.

How to move from information to conviction Is it clear to you that the Bible is God’s inspired word and that it is the basis and foundation of where we find what spiritual truth is? Is it your conviction to follow the Bible and the Bible alone for the premise of our studies?

How to move from information to conviction Is it clear to you that when Christ comes He’s coming in the clouds of heaven with all the angels so that every eye can see him?

How to move from information to conviction Do you sense the conviction that God is calling you to give up anything that might separate you from Him? – I John 3: 2 -3

How to move from information to conviction Is it clear to you that the seventh day is Saturday, the last day of the week, and that God rested on the Sabbath?

How to move from information to conviction Do you see that God requires us today to keep the Bible Sabbath? Do you sense that the Sabbath is part of God’s Ten Commandment law?

How to move from information to conviction Do you hear God’s voice calling you to keep His commandments? Do you sense this is what you ought to do?

Invite your Pastor to the study on Baptism

Guidelines for visiting former members

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members 1. Pray for the infilling of the Spirit for wisdom and Christ like love former members. 2. Things to remember when visiting with a former member. a. Do not argue b. Do not defend yourself, the church, or anyone else. c. Do not preach that they should look to Jesus instead of at people.

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members 3. Study any information you have on why they stopped coming, his/her age, and present interests. The first visit: a. May be short b. Use warmth, tact, and gentleness – no pressure c. Relax, introduce yourself from the S. D. A. Church

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members “Good morning! Is this where the Smith’s live? Are you Mr. Smith? We are from the Adventist Church. ” “We don’t plan to stay long, but we do want to visit with you for just a little while. May we step in for a few minutes? ”

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members 4. If you are not acquainted, you may wish to use F O R T. (Family, Occupation, Religion, Testimony) a. You might ask the following questions in conversation: 1. Were you reared in the Seventh-day Adventist Church? 2. How old were you when you were baptized? 3. Did you make your decision to join the church through a series of evangelistic meetings? 4. Were both of your parents Seventh-day Adventists? 5. Did you go to Adventist Schools?

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members a. You might ask the following questions in conversation: 6. How long has it been since you have attended church? 7. When you discontinued coming, did anyone from the church come to visit you? 8. What do you consider the chief reason you are no longer attending church?

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members Express appreciation for honesty/don’t refute or argue. “This information will help me in helping others. ” LISTEN. If he/she was treated badly, don’t take sides. After he/she is through unburdening his/her heart, you might say, brother (or sister), that’s too bad. I am sorry to hear that. I suppose that if I had been treated as you have told me you were, I would probably feel as badly as you do. ” “On behalf of the S. D. A. church, we would like to apologize and ask your forgiveness. ”

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members “May I ask you a personal question? Do you still believe the message the church teaches is still the message God has for the world? ” 9. Have you thought about coming back to church?

Guidelines For Visiting Former Members 10. If they have interest in returning: a. Arrange to take them to S. S. Class or church. b. Leave Signs Digest or a sharing book.

Luke 6: 12, 13 Jesus went out to a mountainside to pray, and spent the night praying to God. When morning came, he called his disciples to him and chose twelve…

John 15: 5 I am the vine, ye are the branches: He that abideth in me, and I in him, the same bringeth forth much fruit: for without me ye can do nothing.

SDA Bible Dictionary 776 Gospel 417 S. M. Workers B. 1 p. 121 “Their names had a literal meaning “Pray with “A revival of true godliness sometimes symbolic of the character Moses, ‘Show me among us is the greatest and personality of the one it Thy glory. ’ What most urgent of all our needs. designated. ” is this glory? – To seek this should be our first The character of work. A revival need be God. ” expected only in answer to prayer. ”

“At the sound of fervent prayer, Satan’s whole host trembles. ” T 1. pp. 345, 346

“Prayer is the breath of the soul. ” G. W. p. 254

SDA Bible Dictionary 776 Gospel D. A. Workers p. 362 417 “Their names had a literal meaning “Pray with “As activity increases and men sometimes symbolic of the character Moses, ‘Show me become successful in doing any and personality of the one it Thy glory. ’ What work for God, there is the designated. ” is this glory? – danger of trusting to human The character of plans and methods. There is a God. ” tendency to pray less, and to have less faith. ”

SDA Bible Dictionary 776 Gospel Workers D. A. p. 362 417 “Their names had a literal meaning “Pray with sometimes symbolic of the character Moses, ‘Show me “Only the work accomplished and personality of the one it Thy glory. ’ with much prayer, What and designated. ” is this – of sanctified byglory? the merit Christ, The willcharacter in the endofprove to God. ” have been efficient for good. ”

What the Church needs today is not more machinery or better new organizations or more and novel methods, but men whom the Holy Ghost can use -men of prayer, men mighty in prayer.

The Holy Ghost does not flow through methods, but through men. He does not come on machinery, but on men. He does not anoint plans, but men -- men of prayer. E. M. Bounds

Jer. 33: 3 Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty things, which thou knowest not.

NOW WHAT?

GO FISHING!

Matt. 28: 18 -20 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, “All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost…

Matt. 28: 18 -20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you always, even unto the end of the world. Amen.

“The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work and unite with those ministers and church officers. ” (Testimonies vol. 9 p. 117).

“The very life of the church depends upon her faithfulness in fulfilling the Lord’s commission. To neglect this work is to invite spiritual feebleness and decay. Where there is not active labor for others love wanes and faith grows dim. ” (Desire of Ages p. 825).