Multiplication DNA: Sharing the Gospel Together
Sharing the gospel together increases discernment, fosters accountable, and gives the endurance needed when challenged by resistance and hindrances. What does it look like to share the gospel together?
Study – Small groups of believers can study the Bible together to know what the gospel is. What was the gospel Jesus shared? What was his good news? What about the experiences of the early church? What was the gospel message they shared? How did their message change when they shared with a person of Jewish or Gentile background? Believers who study the simple gospel message together gain insight, passion, and confidence.
Prayer – Extravagant prayer is how missional endeavors begin. Prayer waters the soil of hearts so that the gospel seed will sink deep and grow. A small group of believers can focus on one area of the city and take prayer walks around and within it. Discernment grows in the group. Believers may have friends and family that they are praying for as well. Hearing others agree in prayer for the salvation of friends and family is encourages believers to share the gospel with them. It builds testimonies because prayer opens doors of opportunity that would otherwise never be opened. Praying together builds faith.
Practice. Small groups of believers can practice sharing the gospel by role playing together. When they hear their own voice put words to the gospel message, they gain confidence and boldness. Practicing together also builds camaraderie that translates into unity when they venture out together. Believers encourage one another and trust one another with the gospel when they practice sharing it.
Access. Believers can find the best fishing holes together – places of gospel access. They can wonder, “Where do spiritually hungry people go in our part of the city?” It takes discerning together and paying attention together. But believers who find access points together, will be more motivated to share it.
Persons of Peace. Believers can expect to find “persons of peace” like Lydia, or the Philippian jailor, or Cornelius – people who not only found Jesus but led others immediately to him as well. The benefit of going in small groups, rather than alone, is that one person can be praying and discerning while another person makes the initial connection and carries the conversation. Afterward, they can process the encounter with a person who was there. What went well? What was discerned? Where there times we were afraid to share truth? In what ways did we back down? When will we follow-up with this person next? Sharing together fosters a natural accountability.
Discernment, encouragement, and accountability are just a few of the wonderful blessings of sharing the gospel together. It brings a momentum of obedience, testimony, and joy – all of which contribute multiplication.
