Go and Tell
John 1:29, 35-46, 49-51
People who know Jesus tell others about him. Like Andrew and Philip, we are expected to go and tell. The following story, written by International Mission Board personnel, illustrates how. You will note the words in the story that are either in bold or italic print guide you through the following picture.
Jeff is a Jesus follower. He is happy because he abides in Christ (John 15) through daily prayer and Bible study. When he talks to God, his relationship grows. Jeff’s ability to abide in Christ is strengthened by reading at least one chapter of the Bible every day.
Each day, Jeff intentionally seeks two people (Matthew 28:19-20). He looks for people who have no personal relationship with Jesus. As he meets them, he listens carefully to know and understand them. He prays for them and meets needs as he is able. He tells them how he became a follower of Jesus and how God sent Jesus so we might have a meaningful relationship with God. This is called evangelism.
If one of these people chooses to follow Jesus, then Jeff applies what the Bible teaches by discipling them. He feeds them the milk of the gospel – the foundational things people need to know to abide in and follow Jesus (Hebrews 5:12).
Jeff also seeks people who have a relationship with Jesus, but do not follow Him as they should. He enlists them to follow Jesus more closely. Jeff applies what the Bible teaches by discipling them, feeding them the solid food of the gospel – how to abide in Christ more faithfully and to seek, disciple, and reproduce others (Hebrews 5:14).
Jeff also recognizes the call of the Holy Spirit in each disciple’s life and assists them in leader training (Ephesians 4:11-13). Although all Jesus followers are called to seek and disciple others, some are called to special areas. Some are called to be apostles, prophets, and evangelists. They serve by going into their local community, state, and wider world to share the blessings (physical and relational) and hope they have received from God. Others are called to be preachers and teachers. They lead believers to abide, seek, apply and plant.
All of this leads Jeff to join others in planting healthy communities where people grow in their relationship with Christ. They reproduce healthy groups and healthy churches, communities that are active in abiding in Christ, seeking people to disciple, and applying God’s teaching.
How closely are you following Jesus? Go and tell.
Scudder– Lessons in the BSL series for the fall quarter are being written by Steve Scudder, director of missions for Savannah River Association since 2006.