Evangelize Through Social Networks

Take Jesus to Your Friends

Anchor command. “Go home to your friends and tell them how much the Lord has done for you, and how he has had mercy on you.” Mark 5:19

Anchor story. Cornelius gathers his Italian family and friends to hear about Jesus. Acts 10

Anchor verse. “Cornelius was expecting them and had called together his relatives and close friends.” Acts 10:24

Learning goal. Know instances in Scripture when believers share their faith with friends and kin.

Growth goal. Rely on the Holy Spirit’s power to spread the gospel through friendship and kinship ties.

Skill goal. Mobilize believers to spread the gospel effectively in their social network.

Outcome goal. Believers help all who come to Christ to tell their friends and family about him, in a way they can imitate and pass on, so that the gospel keeps flowing through each social network.

Basic Study

Beloved Holy Spirit, please, give to us your power to take our risen Savior, Jesus Christ, to our friends.

Learn from the story of Cornelius gathering his Italian friends to hear the gospel, Acts 10.

· What were both Peter and Cornelius doing when God began to prepare people for this event?
(Answer: Praying)

· While Cornelius was praying, what did an angel tell him to do? Verses 10:3-6

An angel appeared to a Roman soldier who believed in the God of Israel.

· Before the soldiers that Cornelius sent arrived in Joppa, God prepared Peter to enter gentile homes and to eat their forbidden food. What shocking thing had Peter seen in his vision? 9-16

· After God told Peter in a vision to eat unclean animals, he understood that he was to respect people of all races. Who went with Peter to Cornelius’ home in Cesarea? 19-23

A voice from heaven commanded Peter to eat unclean animals.

· When Peter and his companions arrived in Cesarea whom did they find waiting in Cornelius’ home? Acts 10:24

· What lesson had Peter learned from his vision and related to Cornelius? 34-35

· What was the most important thing that Peter related to Cornelius’ close friends and family about Jesus? 39 - 40

· How did Peter and his Jewish companions know for sure that these non-Jews had received the same Holy Spirit as they had received at Pentecost? 44-46

· The Holy Spirit came upon those listening to Peter as he proclaimed Jesus’ life-giving resurrection. How did Peter and his co-workers confirm without delay their faith and repentance? 47-48

When Peter told the Good News about Jesus,
all who were listening to him received the Holy Spirit.

During the week…

· Plan for the believers to visit their friends and relatives to share about Christ.

· Ask God to help you think of ways to make this witnessing easy for everyone to do.

· Plan for workers to go where people have not yet heard of Jesus. They should seek people like Cornelius whom God has prepared to hear the Good News and share it with friends.

During worship

· Tell the story Cornelius gathering his friends to hear the gospel, and ask the same questions as above; encourage the believers to discuss the answers.

· Ask the children to present what they have prepared.

· Memorize Acts 16:31. I don’t have that “Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved, you and your household.”

Advanced Study

1. Prepare your heart and mind with God's Word, so that you can help your flock to witness for Christ to their friends and relatives.

· What is wrong in the picture below?

[Answer: The evangelist in the picture failed to tell about Christ in a way that new believers could imitate. He did not let the message flow from person to person. When evangelists, like Peter, use methods that all believers can use, then the Good News spreads to many more people.
       It is alright to have good music at occasional special events, to attract people to hear about Jesus. However, music must not become the main method of evangelism.]

2. Plan with co-workers additional activities for the upcoming worship.

· Explain…

Evangelism begins with prayer.

God prepares both those who receive the Good News and those who take it to them, so that both can communicate by the power of the Holy Spirit.

Two or more Christians should work together. Jesus and His apostles never travelled alone.

The Good News flows easily through networks of family members and close friends.

For the Good News to flow freely this way, use methods that the new believers can imitate at once. Peter, for example, simply told about Jesus, his sacrificial death and life-giving resurrection, in a way anybody could do.

Confirm the faith and repentance of the new believers with baptism.

Stay with the new believers for a time and teach them to obey Jesus, establish them in their new faith. If there is no congregation in the community, yet, then organize one.

· Pray by name for friends and relatives who have not yet discovered the new life in Christ.

· Praise God for people who have recently believed in Christ and for those whom he has healed. Have some share their testimonies.

· Announce the evangelism that you planned to do during the week. Help the believers to decide to whom they will witness for Christ, and when.

· Ask the believers to meet for a few minutes in groups of two or three to pray and to confirm their plans.

· To introduce the Lord's Supper, explain how God told Peter to eat with non-Jews, and that in Heaven the glorious Marriage Feast of Christ will include people of all races. The Lord’s Supper is a foretaste of that feast. The person of honour is Christ Himself, whom we shall see face to face!

· Those who teach children should read study #55 for children.