Literally, one invitation given to someone to explore Jesus, can change their lives forever. This is the simplest and easiest way for all of us to engage in winning souls and making disciples. We share some practical thoughts on how to extend and invitation and pray for people to encounter Jesus. For sermon audio, notes, slides, archives and other free resources like books, please visit our website - apcwo.org #APCBangalore

2. Mark 16:15
And He said to them, "Go into all the world and
preach the gospel to every creature.

3. Matthew 28:19,20
19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the
Son and of the Holy Spirit,
20 teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even
to the end of the age." Amen.

4. Because everybody needs a Savior
and God has provided for every person's
salvation in Jesus Christ.
Why share the Gospel?

5. John 1:35-51
35 Again, the next day, John stood with two of his
disciples.
36 And looking at Jesus as He walked, he said, "Behold
the Lamb of God!"
37 The two disciples heard him speak, and they
followed Jesus.

6. John 1:35-51
38 Then Jesus turned, and seeing them following, said
to them, "What do you seek?" They said to Him,
"Rabbi" (which is to say, when translated, Teacher),
"where are You staying?"
39 He said to them, "Come and see." They came and
saw where He was staying, and remained with Him
that day (now it was about the tenth hour).

7. John 1:35-51
40 One of the two who heard John speak, and
followed Him, was Andrew, Simon Peter's brother.
41 He first found his own brother Simon, and said to
him, "We have found the Messiah" (which is
translated, the Christ).
42 And he brought him to Jesus. Now when Jesus
looked at him, He said, "You are Simon the son of
Jonah. You shall be called Cephas" (which is
translated, A Stone).

8. John 1:35-51
43 The following day Jesus wanted to go to Galilee,
and He found Philip and said to him, "Follow Me."
44 Now Philip was from Bethsaida, the city of Andrew
and Peter.
45 Philip found Nathanael and said to him, "We have
found Him of whom Moses in the law, and also the
prophets, wrote—Jesus of Nazareth, the son of
Joseph."

9. John 1:35-51
46 And Nathanael said to him, "Can anything good
come out of Nazareth?" Philip said to him, "Come and
see."
47 Jesus saw Nathanael coming toward Him, and said
of him, "Behold, an Israelite indeed, in whom is no
deceit!"
48 Nathanael said to Him, "How do You know me?"
Jesus answered and said to him, "Before Philip called
you, when you were under the fig tree, I saw you."

10. John 1:35-51
49 Nathanael answered and said to Him, "Rabbi, You
are the Son of God! You are the King of Israel!"
50 Jesus answered and said to him, "Because I said to
you, 'I saw you under the fig tree,' do you believe? You
will see greater things than these."
51 And He said to him, "Most assuredly, I say to you,
hereafter you shall see heaven open, and the angels
of God ascending and descending upon the Son of
Man."

11. Invite people, give them the opportunity to
encounter and explore Jesus for themselves.
Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to them
powerfully.
Strategy #1 : Invite and Pray

12. Realize the power of a single invitation!
Strategy #1 : Invite and Pray

13. • They are facing a challenge in life
• They are asking questions about life and
purpose
• They are interested in learning/exploring
• They are thankful/grateful for good things
• They are open to receiving prayer for some
need
Various Situations

14. • To church service
• Your life group
• To your own home
• A wedding, birthday or even a Christian
funeral
• A church event
• An outreach event
Various Events and Places

15. • Share your own personal experience
• Offer to pray for them or with them
• Share an encouraging verse of Scripture
• Give them a Christian book
• Give them a Christian music CD
Various Conversation Starters

16. Inviting people to church is ONE of the MANY
WAYS you extend an invitation for people to
meet Jesus.

17. the strongest motivating factor for people to
come to a worship service or other church event
would be the personal invitation from a family
member or friend
Inviting People To Church

18. Sometimes we are too self-conscious and so
don't invite people
What holds us back from extending an
invitation?

19. Sometimes we are afraid to face rejection, 'they
may say NO!', so we don't invite people
What holds us back from extending an
invitation?

20. Sometimes we are afraid that others may
perceive us differently, we may lose their
friendship, etc. - if we invite them to church
What holds us back from extending an
invitation?

21. We are afraid we don't have all the answers and
won't be able to answer their questions
What holds us back from extending an
invitation?

22. Sometimes we are too worried about the
church service - it's not relevant, they may feel
out of place, they won't fit in - and so don't
invite people
What holds us back from extending an
invitation?

23. IMPORTANT:
We want you to invite unsaved friends, or those
who are not going to a church. Do not invite
people who are already going to a church!

24. Be simple.
Be truthful.
Be inviting without coercing.
How do you make the invitation for someone to
come to church?

25. John 16:8
And when He has come, He will convict the world of
sin, and of righteousness, and of judgment:
Make the invitation to explore Jesus and then
pray

26. 1, help them process what they saw, heard and
experienced
After their first visit …

27. 2, help them connect with the church
community
Surveys have found that people come to church
because of a personal invitation.
People stay in church because of friendship.
After their first visit …

28. 3, continue to invite them back, if they are open
After their first visit …

29. 4, If they have made a decision for Jesus, then
work with them on growing in their faith
After their first visit …

30. Literally, one invitation
can change someone's life forever!

31. Invite and Pray
Invite people, give them the opportunity to
encounter and explore Jesus for themselves.
Pray for the Lord to reveal Himself to them
powerfully.