Taking Advantage Of Personal Contacts (Jefferson David Tant)

The day was hot, and they walked a long distance. They were passing through unfamiliar territory among people of a different culture, and some were possibly nervous. By now it was noon, and the sun was beating down. At last, a resting place ahead - a well. The group left their leader there and went into a nearby village seeking food. The leader rested, but had nothing with which to draw water.

Soon a local woman approached, and He asked her to draw water for Him. She was startled, for Jews had no dealings with Samaritans, especially women, and she voiced her surprise. With that, Jesus turned the conversation to spiritual things - living water. You know the story (John 4). What an example of how natural it is to use personal contacts to interest people in spiritual matters.

This did not happen just because Jesus was God, but because He recognized and took advantage of opportunities whenever and wherever they presented themselves. And this we can all do, regardless of age, sex, occupation or learning. Please permit a few examples from my own experiences. I do not feel I am an expert, yet I have made a conscious effort through the years to approach others and lead them into discussing things eternal.

As I was getting clothes from the cleaners on a September morn, I engaged the young clerk in conversation. After asking if she lived in the area, and where she went to school, I asked where she went to church. She looked sheepish, and I said, "You don't go, do you?" "No." "Why not?" "Well, you can't really believe the Bible. It's full of legends and fairy tales." "Really? Who told you?" She said that her Bible professor in her Methodist college so informed her.

Then I proceeded to tell her of the Bible's interesting evidences showing that man could not have written it unaided. "Would you like to study about this?" She would, and she did. Nancy was baptized in a few weeks. While in a store one day, I talked with the three teens who worked there, and then met their parents, the owners, In the conversation, I asked about their church affiliation, and learned they had none. They had become disillusioned, and had little interest in religion. I gave them a tract (written by Dale Smelser) and invited them to visit with us. They said they would (you've heard that before!) We talked on occasion over the months, but no visit with us. But Roger didn't seem to shy away from our conversations.

Finally, I asked for an hour or so one evening to present a concept of simple, New Testament Christianity. (Later, he admitted he consented just to get the matter over with.) We had a good study, and Roger and Donna wanted to know more. After studying five or six weeks, Roger and Donna were baptized. They now teach Bible classes, and Roger preaches and leads singing.

Thinking back through the years, I recall so many people I have met in the common, everyday situations we all have. Some complain, "But I don't have any contacts." Are you a hermit? Consider some of those that have been baptized. My postman (then an elder in a denomination); a next-door neighbor; the bookkeeper (and owner's wife) of a local service station; two bank tellers I often talked with; the receptionist of a business I called on (who later married a gospel preacher); a drug-store clerk; a teacher in my son's grade school; two neighborhood teens who were my children's friends; a woman for whom my wife worked part-time; a hitch-hiker I picked up (carefully) one day; a young woman I met in the bus station during a bus delay; a young couple we took into our home who were out on the street with nowhere to go; and on ... Now, mind you, these did not come asking to be taught; they did not first visit our services; they were not related to Christians; nor were they referred to us. They were simply people whom we met in the normal, everyday affairs of life.

Brethren, we all know such people, and if they are receptive to the gospel in my town, it is likely there are such in your town. The only "skills" necessary are friendliness, an interest in people, talking to them, asking questions. I usually carry cards or tracts to hand out. As Sewell Hall has said, "It is our job to look for people who are looking" (See Matthew 9:37,38 and Ephesians 5:15,16).

Arranging Home Bible Studies (Greg Nelson)

"And as He passed by, He saw Levi the son of Alphaeus sitting at the receipt of custom, and said, 'Follow Me'" (Mark 2:14). "And he left all, rose up, and followed him. And Levi made him a great feast in his own house: and there was a great company of publicans and of others that sat down with them" (Luke 5:28-29). "And it came to pass, that, as Jesus sat at meat in his house, many publicans and sinners sat also together with Jesus and his disciples: for there were many, and they followed him." (Mark 2:15).

Jesus preached His message to the world in various settings. He frequented the synagogue, where He taught, healed, and engaged in debate with the Pharisees. Some of His most memorable discourses occurred out-doors, where great multitudes gathered to hear His words. Jesus also entered the house of Levi, a newly converted publican. This event established a precedent for a "home study."

This teaching session by Jesus was a resounding success. Not only did He have an audience with many of the sick, who needed a physician (Luke 5:31,32), He was able to convert them into disciples. Might Jesus have converted these people at the synagogue? Probably not! Why? These people would not have been found there. The Pharisees did not eat with publicans and sinners, and certainly would not welcome them to the synagogues. the house of Levi, not a synagogue, was the place where the gospel went out that day to those who needed its message.

Today, the homes of believers are proving to be an important place for the spread of the gospel. Just as Levi believed and then assembled his unbelieving friends to hear Jesus, so many modern Christians carry out the commission to preach Christ to the world. We all know people whom we can invite to hear God's word. Many of these people will not come with us to worship services or gospel meetings. But a surprising number of them may come to our house (or with us to someone else's house) to participate in a home Bible study.

What makes a home Bible study such a different place to introduce non-believers to the gospel? Think about Levi's house the day that Jesus came. Levi's friends were in surroundings fairly familiar to them. They were not in an environment which they perceived as hostile to their way of life. They were on equal terms with Jesus, "sitting together" with Him and His disciples as He talked with them in an informal setting. They were listening to someone who their friend said had an important message.

But the most important ingredient in Levi's successful home bible study was Levi. He called his friends together. He provided a setting conducive for teaching unbelievers. He believed and followed Jesus. The Christian cannot conduct or attend a home Bible study and expect it to bear fruit unless a personal commitment is made. A commitment to saving lost souls. A commitment to exert influence over unbelieving friends and acquaintances. A commitment to repeatedly accept an answer of "no" in hopes of a "yes". A commitment to live a life which makes others wonder why this person is so different. Many people are looking for some formula to make converts. The formula is a committed Christian.

There are many good formats for conducting a home Bible study. In small group settings, reading of the book of Luke or Acts is a very good way to teach people about Christ. In larger groups, upbeat, topical studies can show unbelievers that the Bible is not some dry code book, but rather a rich source of information which helps us lead a happy, everyday life. Topics such as joy, peace, friendship, and Christian confidence are all well received by those who are not Christians. Business associates may be surprised to find that the Bible tells them about stress management, dealing with job problems, and how to happily make it home in the worst traffic jam.

The home Bible class is not a debating forum. There is no quicker way to chase off a visitor than to have ten people gang up on him or her. Remember, the ultimate goal of the home Bible class is to make Christians, not to prove points. There will necessarily come a time when the life and practices of the unbeliever will be challenged by God's word. There will also come a time when a visitor expresses something contrary to the teachings of the Bible. These discussions are best handled on a personal level where the non-Christian has a chance to talk and listen, not in a room full of people where the visitor feels in the minority. In such cases, a reply of "That's an interesting viewpoint, why don't we get together and study that idea" can avoid unnecessary conflict and open the door to an in-depth personal study with an unbeliever.

How can you start a Bible study, or bring visitors to a study? Time and effort. Find a group of Christians who are willing and able to set aside time each week to attend and actively participate in a study. Be committed to regularly attending, regardless of the difficulties this may present. But, most importantly, invite those who need the gospel to the study. Make a list of ten people you know. Invite them often. Make a list of ten more people. Invite them.

Invite people you never dreamed would come. Invite people who are visiting you at home or work. Invite your neighbors. Invite hair dressers, barbers, grocery store clerks, anyone you know or see regularly. You will be pleasantly surprised at who accepts your invitation. Offer a ride to the class. Bring the person home or go out to supper before the class. Remember, Levi invited his friends to a feast! Take whatever measures are necessary to ensure that coming to a Bible class in the middle of a busy week is convenient for the visitor, even if it is not for you.

There are no new techniques emerging in the field of making Christians. No new subject materials are being produced. The personal efforts of the Christian dedicated to spreading the gospel, coupled with the perfect message of God will bear fruit in all ages and all societies of men. Invite and teach your friends.