Lesson 13: Postwitnessing Activities

[Laurie Mosher]

  I'm not sure what is happening with Br. Clive, but thought I would step in and help out!

 Quite often in our witnessing programs, we believe that Evangelism is the conclusion to presenting the gospel. In actual fact, witnessing and evangelism are only THE BEGINNING.

 This week, we will endeavor to explore :
1) What it means to be a disciple and practice discipleship
2) Recognize THE NEED for leadership training within the church.

Sunday :  FOLLOW-UP

We discover that Paul and barnabas visited several urban centers. Why would they return to a "hotbed of enemy opposition"?

 What do you think is YOUR part in assisting new church members?
 Does everyone have "a part to play" in welcoming new members to the church "family"?
 What methods can be used to keep "new" converts coming to church and being involved in church activities?

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Richard Myers]

What if I were a member of the Galation church and witnessed what was happening? Could a few faithful disciples have made a difference?  Look at your church today. Can we make a difference in where the church goes?  Of course and we have that responsibility, not just by example, but by precept also.  The reform in the church will begin in the individual, then the family, then the local church.

When new members come into the church, will we support them? Why do so many leave the church. Why are most or our children lost? Why has not Jesus come? I will stop, but not without pointing to the third chapter of the Book of Revelation and asking, what meaneth this Scripture?

In His love and grace,    Richard

[Laurie Mosher]

Monday: ESTABLISHING NEW MEMBERS

  Perhaps this should have been the opening topic, because we note that when Paul arrived at a location and preached, he did NOT stop there.
 Followup began:
And in answer to both mine, and Richard's questions, we note that there are several steps in KEEPING new members:

Friendship
Responsibile asignment
Participation with Platform duities (singing, Scripture reading, Prayer, etc)
Giving Bible studies
Inviting new members to be hosts
Witnessing with older members
Encouraging new members to bring others to church

  This all sounds well and good, but how practical is it really?

  Are we all "TOO BUSY" to really get involved?

SC69 "Do you ask, 'How am I to abide in Christ?' In the same way as you received Him at first"

 The question I would like to ask is this:

 Is there a preparation involved BEFORE 'we' assign a new member a church position?

 And is there a time period alloted BEFORE new members are given responsible positions?

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Laurie Mosher]

 Tuesday: DISCIPLESHIP

John 8:31 ..." If you continue in My word, then are you My disciples indeed:"

 This is an interesting Bible statement.
How do we continue in God's Word?

 Is there a specific way in which to TRAIN future disciples?

 Is there CERTAIN material which must be used to train future disciples?

 How is a disciple any different than anyone else who should be trained to fulfil Matt 28:19?

  Is there a certain criteria for distinguishing church leaders from the church members?

 Finally, where do YOU/I fit in this training program?

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Laurie Mosher]

Wednesday   LEADERSHIP TRAINING

 In Today's lesson, we have a follow-up to Tuesday. Remember the question I asked "How does a regular member's training differ from that of a leader?"

  In Acts 20:17- Paul gives us an example of the characteristics of the elders (church LEADERS) v. 19-21 "Serving the Lord with"
* "all humility of mind,
* AND with MANY tears,
* and TEMPTATIONS
*holding back nothing
*taught you PUBLICLY
*from house to house
*to everyone (Jew and Gentile)."

THE MESSAGE?  "Repentance toward God and faith in Jesus Christ.

 What message did John the Baptist preach? Matt.3:1-2

What message did Jesus preach? Matt.4:17

What message are we to preach today?Malachi 4:5-6; Rev.3:19

 Brothers and Sisters, let us turn our faces heavenward, and repent, and recognize that Jesus is coming SOON for us. As leaders are we not responsible for our words and actions?

 

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Laurie Mosher]

Thursday   NURTURING CHURCHES

 Perhaps this topic is one of the MOST important ones in this quarter's study. How DO we keep a church alive and growing?

  Is it necessary to have a system of order within a church?
 I remember one time in one of the churches I was a member in (when I lived in California), another man and I were CO-Lay Activities leaders. We thought it was a wonderful idea. Unfortunately,it didn't work well, because someone has to have the ultimate responsibility of being in charge.

  And I believe this is the reason, that a church has a HEAD elder, Head Deacon, etc.

 And the ultimate goal of organization in a church is to have each of the members having a part so that the minister (who is the ultimate head elder) is not left to perform all the work.

Galatians 6:2 "Bear ye ONE ANOTHER'S BURDES , and so fulfil the law of Christ."

And inspiored counsel from SOp "The greatest help that can be given our people is to TEACH THEM TO WORK FOR GOD, AND TO DEPEND UPON HIM, not on the ministers." Christian Service,p.58

Brothers and Sisters, let us CONTINUE to work together, that we all may be unified in the Spirit and be edified as we continue to fellowship together!

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Laurie Mosher]

Friday  FURTHER STUDY!

 From the book, "Evangelism" we summarize the lesson- In particular,
ESTABLISHING AND HOLDING CONVERTS.
Follow-up Methods should include:
1) A second series of meetings to follow the evangelistic ones that for some have heard present truth for the first time.
2)Fixing the truth distinctly (Bible study)
3)Importance of repeating Points of Truth
4)Thorough follow-up work involving new members
5)Building on the interest created
6)Develop the local talent
7) VISIT THE NEW MEMBERS OFTEN
8)Create a bulwark around new believers...educate, train and teach AND PRAY FOR THEM
9) PRESENT THE WHOLE PLAN OF gOD'S OVER-ALL PURPOSE
10) And teach new believers HOW to meet and defeat the enemy. Let everyone who becomes a new child of God carefully study and memorize Ephesians 6:10-18.
 Remember we wrestle against the devil and his evil force-spiritual wickedness. Without the armor of God, we are going to be devoured by ravenous wolves.

"When men and women accept the truth, we are NOT to go away and leave them and have no further burden for them. THEY ARE TO BE LOOKED AFTER. They are to be carried as a burden upon the soul, AND WE MUST WATCH OVER THEM AS STEWARDS who must give an account. THEN as you speak to teh people, give to every man his portion of meat in due season, BUT YOU WANT TO BE in that position where YOU CAN GIVE THIS FOOD." Ms 13,1888. (my emphasis-LM)

 Brothers and Sisters!
Let us each do our part in nurturing the  body of Christ. Remember "defective and enfeebled though it is, it is STILL the apple of His eye.

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Laurie Mosher]

Happy Sabbath EVERYONE! May the Lord abundantly bless you more than you can ask or think!

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Keep "the" faith,BUT pass it around!

 Bro. Laurie

[Richard Myers]

Happy Sabbath, all.  

Good study, Brother Laurie.  I appreciated the point you made, "the greatest help that can be given our people is to TEACH THEM TO WORK FOR GOD, AND TO  DEPEND UPON HIM, not on the ministers."

Our people for many years have been sleeping and do not know what they believe. They have indeed trusted their souls to the minister and for many it will mean the loss of not only their souls, but also the souls of their  children. Let us awake from our long sleep and turn to Christ for our wisdom. I might suggest the book, The Desire of Ages.  

In His love and grace,    Richard