Post by pitbull on Feb 1, 2006 7:58:48 GMT -5
I am going to post a series of 13 lessons that I have taught before about soul winning. It is my prayer that they are a blessing to you. Feel free to use them in your local congregation to help share the Gospel with the lost.
LESSON 1: WHAT IS BIBLICAL SOUL WINNING?
Soul Winning Scripture Verses:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” [Proverbs 11:30]
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [Matthew 4:19]
First, let us look at what it is not:
1. Biblical soul winning is not solicitation.
For over sixty years, the United States Supreme Court has examined cases involving sharing the Gospel on public streets, on public sidewalks, in public parks, in parking lots, airport terminals, bus stations, train stations, walkways and sidewalks surrounding government-owned coliseums and stadiums, at most tourist attractions, and at other places that are open to the general public.
In the Kokinda case, the U.S. Supreme Court distinguished between soliciting and leafleting:
As residents of metropolitan areas know from daily experience, confrontation by a person asking for money disrupts passage and is more intrusive and intimidating than an encounter with a person giving out information. One need not ponder the contents of a leaflet or pamphlet in order mechanically to take it out of someone’s hand, but one must listen, comprehend, decide and act in order to respond to a solicitation.
As long as a Christian is giving out information freely [written or verbally], and he or she is not panhandling for donations, that Christian is participating in the most protected form of speech. Solicitation involves the asking for a donation and sharing the Gospel is a free gift to the receiver. Hence, sharing the Gospel [in written or verbal form] is not legally considered to be solicitation and cannot be legally banned in areas opened to the general public.
Explain why soul winning is not solicitation:
2. Biblical soul winning is not proselytizing.
This ends up being the “spiritual” version of bar hopping. People end up going from one church to another and all that happens is the moving of “sheep” from one fold to another. There is no one actually trusting Christ as his or her Savior. This may cause a quicker growth than Biblical soul winning, but it will also cause a quick death to the congregation.
Explain why soul winning is not proselytizing:
3. Biblical soul winning is not forcing your religion on others.
It is impossible to force someone else to accept or believe what you hold to. This is a “red herring” that people will throw out at you. All you can do is share your faith with others. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict their heart and convince them of the truth found in the Bible. Anyone who accuses you of this is actually under conviction and does not want to hear the truth of the Bible.
Explain why it is impossible to force others to accept your views:
4. Biblical soul winning is not just for pastors, missionaries, evangelists, etc.
God’s commandment is not limited to those that serve Him in a full-time position. It is not a gift or a calling. It is for every single person who has trusted Christ as his or her Savior and Lord.
Explain who is supposed to be a soul winner and why:
Now, lets look at what it actually is:
1. Biblical soul winning is obedience to the Word of God.
Read Proverbs 11:30, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Acts 5:45, and other similar verses found throughout the Bible. God commands us to win others to Christ. This is not an option or a suggestion.
2. Biblical soul winning is demonstrating love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus has told us that if you truly love Him, you will obey His commandments. [John 14:15, 23-24] That clearly includes soul winning. When we do not obey this commandment, we are demonstrating our lack of love for Him, our lack of desire to be like Christ, our unwillingness to following Christ [Matthew 4:19], and the fact that we are not abiding in Christ [John 15:1-8]. This is a sad testimony for the believer.
3. Biblical soul winning is demonstrating compassion on others.
Jude 22 best describes this. If we do not want to see souls in Hell, we will warn them about it. It is amazing how we will have enough love to warn people not to eat something bad, but we will not warn them about something that will affect them for all eternity. If you truly love the other person, you will tell them how to get saved.
Assignment [Check when complete]:
1. Read Matthew 4:19
2. Read Matthew 28:19-20
3. Read Mark 16:15
4. Read Acts 1:8
5. Read Acts 5:45
6. Read Acts 20:20
LESSON 1: WHAT IS BIBLICAL SOUL WINNING?
Soul Winning Scripture Verses:
“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.” [Proverbs 11:30]
“And he saith unto them, Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” [Matthew 4:19]
First, let us look at what it is not:
1. Biblical soul winning is not solicitation.
For over sixty years, the United States Supreme Court has examined cases involving sharing the Gospel on public streets, on public sidewalks, in public parks, in parking lots, airport terminals, bus stations, train stations, walkways and sidewalks surrounding government-owned coliseums and stadiums, at most tourist attractions, and at other places that are open to the general public.
In the Kokinda case, the U.S. Supreme Court distinguished between soliciting and leafleting:
As residents of metropolitan areas know from daily experience, confrontation by a person asking for money disrupts passage and is more intrusive and intimidating than an encounter with a person giving out information. One need not ponder the contents of a leaflet or pamphlet in order mechanically to take it out of someone’s hand, but one must listen, comprehend, decide and act in order to respond to a solicitation.
As long as a Christian is giving out information freely [written or verbally], and he or she is not panhandling for donations, that Christian is participating in the most protected form of speech. Solicitation involves the asking for a donation and sharing the Gospel is a free gift to the receiver. Hence, sharing the Gospel [in written or verbal form] is not legally considered to be solicitation and cannot be legally banned in areas opened to the general public.
Explain why soul winning is not solicitation:
2. Biblical soul winning is not proselytizing.
This ends up being the “spiritual” version of bar hopping. People end up going from one church to another and all that happens is the moving of “sheep” from one fold to another. There is no one actually trusting Christ as his or her Savior. This may cause a quicker growth than Biblical soul winning, but it will also cause a quick death to the congregation.
Explain why soul winning is not proselytizing:
3. Biblical soul winning is not forcing your religion on others.
It is impossible to force someone else to accept or believe what you hold to. This is a “red herring” that people will throw out at you. All you can do is share your faith with others. It is up to the Holy Spirit to convict their heart and convince them of the truth found in the Bible. Anyone who accuses you of this is actually under conviction and does not want to hear the truth of the Bible.
Explain why it is impossible to force others to accept your views:
4. Biblical soul winning is not just for pastors, missionaries, evangelists, etc.
God’s commandment is not limited to those that serve Him in a full-time position. It is not a gift or a calling. It is for every single person who has trusted Christ as his or her Savior and Lord.
Explain who is supposed to be a soul winner and why:
Now, lets look at what it actually is:
1. Biblical soul winning is obedience to the Word of God.
Read Proverbs 11:30, Matthew 4:19, Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Acts 1:8, Acts 5:45, and other similar verses found throughout the Bible. God commands us to win others to Christ. This is not an option or a suggestion.
2. Biblical soul winning is demonstrating love for the Lord Jesus Christ.
Jesus has told us that if you truly love Him, you will obey His commandments. [John 14:15, 23-24] That clearly includes soul winning. When we do not obey this commandment, we are demonstrating our lack of love for Him, our lack of desire to be like Christ, our unwillingness to following Christ [Matthew 4:19], and the fact that we are not abiding in Christ [John 15:1-8]. This is a sad testimony for the believer.
3. Biblical soul winning is demonstrating compassion on others.
Jude 22 best describes this. If we do not want to see souls in Hell, we will warn them about it. It is amazing how we will have enough love to warn people not to eat something bad, but we will not warn them about something that will affect them for all eternity. If you truly love the other person, you will tell them how to get saved.
Assignment [Check when complete]:
1. Read Matthew 4:19
2. Read Matthew 28:19-20
3. Read Mark 16:15
4. Read Acts 1:8
5. Read Acts 5:45
6. Read Acts 20:20
