By Mark Miller
Sunday School Specialist, TBC
Mark Miller
How will you lead your groups to become outwardly focused? Would you like to see your groups engage in actions to see lost people saved and unreached people reached? Do you need a plan to encourage group members to invite the lost and unchurched to their group and group activities? What is your strategy to prepare group members to share Jesus with lost friends? Consider participating in the Connect>1 Evangelism Campaign!
What is the Connect>1 Evangelism Campaign? The goal is to equip and engage every church member in personal evangelism through the church’s small groups or Sunday School.
On Soul-Winning Commitment Day (the first Sunday of October), the pastor asks church members to commit to a four-step evangelism strategy called the “3151 Challenge.” Every group member is encouraged to:
- Pray for three lost friends daily
- Learn one gospel presentation
- Invite five people to attend their group
- Share the gospel at least one time
A sampler packet of supporting resources will be sent to every TBC church after Easter. This will include a Connect>1 member pamphlet to assist group members, with helpful suggestions such as: seven ways to pray for a lost friend; the More Life gospel presentation; and six things that happen in the life of someone when they are invited to a biblical group.
A pastor’s guide will also be enclosed with helpful suggestions to lead the campaign. A group leader’s guide will be available for pastors and directors to equip their teachers and group leaders.
To support the Connect>1 Evangelism Campaign, the TBC and other state conventions have partnered with LifeWay to provide a six-week Bible study that is solely focused on the gospel, called the “Unvarnished Truth.” This study will be available in the fall quarter of the Bible Studies for Life material or for purchase at a LifeWay book store. Churches who use this study will equip their members with a deeper understanding of the gospel.
What might happen in a church with five classes with an average of ten people accepting the challenge? One hundred and fifty lost friends would be prayed for daily, 50 people would learn a gospel presentation, 250 people would be invited to a group, and 50 gospel presentations would be shared. Wow!
My prayer is that 1,000 Tennessee churches will participate in the Connect>1 Evangelism Campaign. Will you prayerfully consider leading your church to participate? Make your commitment by calling 615-476-5564 or e-mailing mmiller@tnbaptist.org.
