invite and pray

Mark 16:15And He said to them, "Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature.

Matthew 28:19,2019 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen.

Because everybody needs a Savior and God has provided for every person's

salvation in Jesus Christ.

Why share the Gospel?

John 1:35-5135 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his disciples. 36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold the Lamb of God!" 37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they followed Jesus.

John 1:35-5138 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him, "Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher), "where are You staying?" 39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and saw where He was staying, and remained with Him that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

John 1:35-5140 One of the two who heard John speak, and followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother. 41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is translated, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is translated, A Stone).

John 1:35-5143 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee, and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me." 44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew and Peter. 45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of Joseph."

John 1:35-5146 And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and see." 47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no deceit!" 48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?" Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

John 1:35-5149 Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!" 50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You will see greater things than these." 51 And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you, hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels of God ascending and descending upon the Son of Man."

Invite people, give them the opportunity to encounter and explore Jesus for themselves.

Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to them powerfully.

Strategy #1 : Invite and Pray

Realize the power of a single invitation!

Strategy #1 : Invite and Pray

• They are facing a challenge in life • They are asking questions about life and purpose• They are interested in learning/exploring• They are thankful/grateful for good things• They are open to receiving prayer for some need

Various Situations

• To church service• Your life group• To your own home• A wedding, birthday or even a Christian funeral• A church event • An outreach event

Various Events and Places

• Share your own personal experience• Offer to pray for them or with them• Share an encouraging verse of Scripture• Give them a Christian book• Give them a Christian music CD

Various Conversation Starters

Inviting people to church is ONE of the MANY WAYS you extend an invitation for people to

meet Jesus.

the strongest motivating factor for people to come to a worship service or other church

event would be the personal invitation from a family member or friend

Inviting People To Church

Sometimes we are too self-conscious and so don't invite people

What holds us back from extending an invitation?

Sometimes we are afraid to face rejection, 'they may say NO!', so we don't invite people


Sometimes we are afraid that others may perceive us differently, we may lose their

friendship, etc. - if we invite them to church


We are afraid we don't have all the answers and won't be able to answer their questions


Sometimes we are too worried about the church service - it's not relevant, they may feel

out of place, they won't fit in - and so don't invite people


IMPORTANT:We want you to invite unsaved friends, or those

who are not going to a church. Do not invite people who are already going to a church!

Be simple. Be truthful.

Be inviting without coercing.

How do you make the invitation for someone to come to church?

John 16:8 And when He has come, He will convict the world of sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:

Make the invitation to explore Jesus and then pray

1, help them process what they saw, heard and experienced

After their first visit …

2, help them connect with the church community

Surveys have found that people come to church because of a personal invitation.

People stay in church because of friendship.


3, continue to invite them back, if they are open


4, If they have made a decision for Jesus, then work with them on growing in their faith


Literally, one invitation can change someone's life forever!

Invite and Pray

Invite people, give them the opportunity to encounter and explore Jesus for themselves. Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to them

powerfully.

invite and pray

Spiritual