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The key to knowing when and how to inform and invite is to keep asking questions and listening for natural openings. Be ready to inform and invite whey the occur.
If no natural opening occurs, consider asking any of the following questions: "Are you a person of faith?" or "What is your spiritual background?" or "May I ask you a spiritual question?" If you use the third option, say, "I've found great peace and joy by reading the Bible, is that something you would like to know more about?"
In summary, think Inform and Invite and let the Holy Spirit guide your conversation. You will be amazed at the results.
If no natural opening occurs, consider asking any of the following questions: "Are you a person of faith?" or "What is your spiritual background?" or "May I ask you a spiritual question?" If you use the third option, say, "I've found great peace and joy by reading the Bible, is that something you would like to know more about?"
In summary, think Inform and Invite and let the Holy Spirit guide your conversation. You will be amazed at the results.
The Spiritual Conversation is joining a dialogue God is already having with the person with whom you are speaking. God has placed the idea of himself in every human heart. (Ecclesiastes 3:11) He created everything, so people would look for Him. (Acts 17:27). Our job is to help them find God. (Acts 15:19) We do this by informing them what the Bible does for us, and inviting people to know more.
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This is not to advocate the house church movement as the model for the church. There are several reasons why the house church model has not been ideal for North America. Larry Osborn gives some insightful reasons in chapter 18 of his book Sticky Church. Among his observations are:
- Asian churches have no historical connection to evangelical Christianity.
- Asian churches have a different view of authority.
- Asian churches have a different social/cultural context.
Locallysteps
1. Read the Bible.
2. Study the Bible.
3. Teach the Bible.
4. Train others to teach the Bible.
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Globallysteps
1. Become informed.
4. Other resources
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As a ChurchSteps
1. Join a Cohort.
2. Other resources.
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Locally
join a great commission bible study
Great Commission Bible studies are five-week, one hour, online Bible studies that are free, fun, and powerful. You'll meet new friends, grow in your faith, and learn more about the Bible. You'll love it! Sign up here.
lead a great Commission Bible study
Learn the tools and tips for teaching a Great Commission Bible study by taking the online training. It's free, useful, and effective. Sign up here.
Learn more about local disciple making.
Take a deep dive by reading local starting points, learning the action steps and discovering the tools.
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Locally
how to make disciples locally
Circles are the main resource for Local Disciple making.
areas of focus
How to talk about the Bible.
other resources
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Locallysteps
1. Read the Bible.
2. Study the Bible.
3. Teach the Bible.
4. Train others to teach the Bible.
5. Talk to about the Bible.
6. Other Resources
resources
How to talk about the Bible.
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Locally
resources
How to talk about the Bible.
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GloballyRESOURCES
How to make disciples globally.
Other resources
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As a ChurchRESOURCES
How to make disciples as a Church.
Other resources.
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Local CirclesJOIN A Local circle
Local circles are for anyone who wants to know more about the Bible.
lead A LOCAL CIRCLE
To lead a Local circle you must have attended all five meetings of at least one Local Circle and take yourself through Lead a Local Circle material. train a local circle leader
To train a Local Circle Leader you must have led at least 2 five-week Local Circles and take yourself through the Train a Local Circle leader material. |
Global CirclesJOIN A Global circle
Global circles are for anyone who wants to know more about bringing the gospel to unreached peoples. They have no access to the gospel, no chance to learn about Jesus Christ, and no opportunity to read the Bible. There are over 2 billion of them! The following is helpful information about Global Circles.
LEAD A GLOBAL CIRCLE
To lead a Global circle you must have attended all five meetings of at least one Global Circle and take yourself through the Lead a Global Circle material. train a global circle leader
To train a Global Circle Leader you must have led at least two Global Circles and take yourself through the Train a Global Circle Leader material. |
Globallyhow to make disciples globally
PODs are the primary tool for discovering your role (as a supporter or goer) in global missions.
areas of focus (pods)
other resources
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