CONFERENCE EVENTS

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PRAYER FOR YOUR CHURCH

Lord, I lift up my deacons to You. May they walk worthy of respect with sincere hearts. Keep them from indulgence and greed. Help them keep hold of truth. May they keep short accounts with You so that their conscience is clear. Bless their households with peace and respect. Fill them with Your Spirit and let them operate in wisdom as they carry out their responsibilities. (1 Tim. 3:8-9, 12; Acts 6:3)
 
Home arrow May 2007 arrow Small Groups that Reach Out by “Reaching Up”
Small Groups that Reach Out by “Reaching Up” PDF Print E-mail

“Reaching up” is prayer.  “Reaching out” is evangelism.  Small groups that “reach out by reaching up” provide an ideal context for reaching those who are not yet Christ-followers.  

Here’s why this approach works.  Earnest persevering prayer is necessary for God’s grace to be released into the lives of those we want to bring to Christ. In small groups believers will be held accountable for persevering prayer, will be prayerfully supported as they build personal relationships with those being prayed for, and will experience the strengthening power of corporate prayer for themselves and their “friends”. As they pray they will grow more powerful in prayer and more compassionate toward those they are praying for.

 

Here are some steps to create small groups that reach out by reaching up. 

 

1.  Be Convinced Prayer-Evangelism Is Biblical

Jesus prayed for yet-to-be-followers.  He said to the Father: “My prayer is not for them (my disciples) alone.  I pray also for those who will believe in me…” (John 17:20).  Paul’s yearning for unsaved Jews led him to pray, “My hearts desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved” (Romans 10:1). Later, in a letter to Timothy, Paul linked prayer and evangelism when he wrote, “I urge, then, first of all, that requests, prayers, intercession and thanksgiving be made for everyone … This is good and pleases God our Savior, who wants all people to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth”. (1 Timothy 2:1-4, TNIV). 

 

2.  Choose Evangelism-Minded Leaders

Small group leaders are the key to making small group prayer-evangelism work. Most believers are not used to praying regularly for unsaved “friends” and will need a lot of help and encouragement. The leaders of these small groups must be thoroughly convinced of the importance and validity of prayer-evangelism or it won’t happen.

 

3.  Create a Most Wanted Persons List

Small group members put forward the names of unsaved family members, friends, coworkers or neighbors for whom they would like prayer.  The group creates a Most Wanted Persons intercession list from these suggestions.  Each small group member keeps a list of the Most Wanted Persons. The group tries to identify as many persons for their list as there are persons in the group. 

 

4.  Pray a BLESSing on the Most Wanted Persons

Group members pray daily for the Most Wanted Persons and the whole group prays for them each time they meet.  The BLESS prayer is especially helpful when praying for unsaved friends. Each letter of the word “bless” reminds us of an important way to pray for others.

  B  Body - health, protection, strength       

  L  Labor – work, income, financial security

  E  Emotional - joy, peace, patience, self-control

  S  Social - marriage, family, friends

  S  Spiritual – salvation, faith, hope, spiritual growth

If possible create a Most Wanted Persons card with the BLESS prayer prompts on the back.

 

5.  Cultivate Relationships

Small group members build relational bridges by connecting with “friends” on the Most Wanted list and spending time with them.  Prayer will forge a heart connection that will draw you to them and them to you. Learn as much about them as you can. Be alert to their wants and needs. Ask them how you can pray for them. Invite them to do something with you or for you.  You might even invite some of them to join your small group.

 

6.  Provide Low-Threat, Connecting Opportunities

Most people are drawn to Christ through a relationship with a bona fide Christian. Create as a group as many low-threat, connecting opportunities for would-be followers of Christ as possible. Consider outdoor neighborhood get-togethers like backyard barbecues, swim parties or new-neighbor welcomes; social activities like potlucks, Super Bowl parties or house warmings; and recreational activities like boating, golfing or a ballgame.  Take them to existing church ministries like Mothers of Pre-Schoolers (MOPS) or an Alpha Course. Arrange for high-appeal auditorium events like Christmas programs, concerts or family-oriented movies at your church. 

 

7.  Keep on Keeping On

Continue to pray for those on the Wanted Persons List individually, in small groups and in weekend worship services. Continue also to build relationships with these “friends”. “Reaching out by reaching up” is not a time-framed, terminal program.  It’s an ongoing lifestyle.

 

As you “keep on keeping on” think about:

  • Studying the faith-sharing book Just a Walk Across the Room by Bill Hybels in your small group.

  • Making plans at your church for seeker-sensitive Friendship Sundays. Make sure the gospel is clearly presented and people are given a chance to respond. Provide worshipers the opportunity to receive personal prayer.
 
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