Monday, May 2, 2011

What does it take to bring people to Jesus?

 35 The next day John was there again with two of his disciples. 36 When he saw Jesus passing by, he said, “Look, the Lamb of God!”

 37 When the two disciples heard him say this, they followed Jesus. 38 Turning around, Jesus saw them following and asked, “What do you want?”

   They said, “Rabbi” (which means “Teacher”), “where are you staying?”

   39 “Come,” he replied, “and you will see.”

   So they went and saw where he was staying, and they spent that day with him. It was about four in the afternoon.

 40 Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, was one of the two who heard what John had said and who had followed Jesus. 41 The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ). 42 And he brought him to Jesus.

   Jesus looked at him and said, “You are Simon son of John. You will be called Cephas” (which, when translated, is Peter). (John 1:35-42, New International Version, ©2011)

Read John 1:37-41; Matthew 4:17-18; John 6:4-8; and John 12:20-22.

What character qualities do you observe in Andrew?

Look Around—where you live, work, or go to school—this is your mission field. List names of individuals you know who need Jesus Christ, whom you will pray for regularly.

Look Up—because God changes people through prayer. Pray each day for those on your list, that God will give you opportunities to share His love with them.

Look Out—for ways to cultivate friendships with each person on your list. Spend time with them. An invitation to dinner or a sporting event will build friendships, which can open the way to talk about Christ.

Look Forward—by beginning to talk with each person on your list about attending the Jersey Shore Celebration with you. Choose a specific date, pray, invite them, and bring them to the Celebration.

Look After—those who respond to Christ or even begin to show interest in the Gospel, for they need your encouragement. Continue to love and pray for those who do not respond.

Adapted from Bring a Friend: Operation Andrew BGEA.

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