The Biscuit TrailSample

Inviting Them to Experience Christian Community

When Christians gather to worship God, it is a special time. Wonderful things can happen. Hearts can be strangely warmed as the scriptures are read and explained, as God's praises are sung, and as the good news is proclaimed with clarity and power. The message of Jesus is powerfully endorsed when the community that proclaims it also embodies it in our love for one another. If the endorsement of one person is persuasive and powerful, how much more persuasive and powerful is the endorsement of the whole community?

It's unusual that people make a decision to follow Jesus while knowing only one Christian. Each of us has different experiences and strengths that can be compelling to different people. The Spirit empowers each of us differently. Some of us can explain the good news in a way that will really resonate with a particular person, while another person's story might move someone else. Some speak with incredible insight from God. As a person hears the gospel in multiple voices, and the difference Jesus makes to multiple lives, and the wisdom of God from different mouths, their understanding of who Jesus is and what he has done for them will grow deeper than if they only had the opportunity to speak with one Christian.

Introducing people to other Christians or inviting them to your church is a great way to help them discover Jesus. As we draw near to God in worship, He will draw near to us. As the Spirit moves among us with power, we can expect visitors to say 'Your God is really among you!'

If you're not currently part of a church, remember that being baptised into Christ means being baptised into his body. There is a body that you belong to, and when bodies are missing body parts it is painful and less efficient for the body as well as its missing member.

Action

If you are not part of a church, it's important to join one that will teach you the scriptures and demonstrate the love of God. If you are part of a church, look for opportunities to invite a visitor this week. Remember that no church is perfect, and if you are aware of something lacking in yours, you might be God's provision for that problem.

Prayer

Pray for your church to grow in its devotion to the apostolic teaching, to the breaking of bread, to prayer, and to loving one another.

Pray for the Spirit to move powerfully among you and bring people to faith in Jesus.

Pray for courage to invite others to church, that the Lord would add to our number daily those being saved, and that you would have the joy of seeing that in your local church.