Prompts and Notes - STEP EIGHT

Purpose of Step Eight: 1) To encourage Christians to tell others of Jesus Christ. 2) To provide

models for communicating the Gospel through life and word.

Remember: A changed life is the most potent statement of the saving power of God.

Research shows that 75% to 90% of all people who put their trust and faith in Jesus Christ do so after they have had about seven contacts with people who are Christians and also three hearings of the gospel message. People are at different points in their readiness to make a change of allegiance and follow Christ. Sometimes your word of witness may be all that is necessary for a person to want to invite Jesus into his/her life. At other times your word may simply be what God is using to draw a person one step closer to Himself.

Note: It is important that your disciples know from memory the Miniature Plan of Salvation

and the the Four Assurances (Step One) so that they can not only lead people to Christ but also begin discipling them.

1.1 How can you improve your life's impact on those around you? Obedience to Scripture

and continually walking filled with the Holy Spirit.

1.2A What should our focus be when we talk to someone about the Christian life? We focus

not on church or religion but on the person of Jesus Christ--Col 1:28.

1.2B What has and is the Lord doing in your life? Help your disciples learn to talk about the

Lord's activity in their lives--1 Jn 1:3.

1.3 In using prayer as a way to point people to the living God it is best to approach the

subject as a learner (which we all are) using the disclaimer "This may sound funny to you and I'm just learning that we can talk to God and He will help us. Would it be OK if I asked God to help you with...." or "This may sound strange to you. I'm learning that we can talk to God and He hears us and answers us. I've been praying for (here you name the other person's need that you've been praying for). Do you think it has helped?" In both cases conversation may follow naturally from these questions or it may not. Be relaxed. Don't push. Give the other person the option of talking more or simply dropping the subject. Either way you have just made a powerful statement that will make an impact in the other person's life sooner or later.

Remember: In discipleship you are sharing your vision and passion to serve Jesus Christ with

others. It is good to continually do a reality check on your own focus as a discipler. What do you want to happen both in your own life and in the lives of those you are discipling? If you can't easily answer this question it would be best to talk to a Christian leader and together work on your focus and purpose for discipling. Usually we are training new leaders and it is important to have an idea of the kinds of ministries or opportunities that await new leaders. The need for leaders is always great where there are small group ministries that are multiplying and creating growth in the church. Some have found a wonderful combination of discipling a small group leader apprentice the hour before the small group meets and then moving directly into the small group meeting together for "hands on" ministry.

4.2 Notice how the apostle Paul develops the story of his encounter with Jesus Christ. You

may be able to recall the time you did not know Jesus personally and then tell of your encounter with Him using the B.C., M.C. and A.C. model. Those of you who grew up in a Christian home and have been walking with the Lord as long as you can remember will not talk about your B.C. and M.C. experiences except to say that "I've been walking with the Lord from my early childhood" and then from this statement launch into what that relationship means to you today.

 

After telling non-Christians of your encounter with Jesus is the perfect time to ask them if they would like to know God personally by inviting Jesus into their life. If they say yes, encourage them to pray to receive Christ. Offer to lead them in a prayer that they can repeat after you phrase by phrase if they so desire.

 

Sometimes it is best to give them a copy of "The Four Spiritual Laws" (or some similar booklet) as homework saying that "This booklet explains better than I what it is we are talking about. Take it home and read it and then we can talk about it sometime if you'd like". I have had people who do this tell me the following week that they invited Jesus into their life. Then I would begin a discipleship relationship with them.

Homework: Have your disciple(s) read over the Bridge Illustration in the appendix and then

next week practice explaining it to each other as you each draw it.

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