- Ask your friends why they do what they do in religious practice. Why take the Lord’s Supper once a quarter? Why does the man giving the lesson call himself Reverend? Many have not ever considered why things are done as they are. If their practices are not based on Bible teaching, it may draw their interest toward studying God’s word.
- Host a small group Bible study in your home. Small group studies are a particularly excellent way to get to know people and to help them focus on the word of God. Invite a few members of the congregation to join you and to bring a friend or two with them. You can study any variety of things. Take good notes on the sermon then go over the points and associated scriptures, encouraging discussion and questions. One thing I would not personally recommend is that you jump right into salvation issues (in my opinion, salvation studies are best handled with one teacher, one silent partner and one student). Instead, when someone shows interest in the Bible with good questions and evidence of a tender heart, ask him/her if a personal study is of interest.
- Live faithfully. If your life is an example of what Christian life is about and the fruit of the Spirit is displayed (Galatians 5:22), it will be evident. Christ Himself said that love for the brethren (part of living faithfully) is an identifying mark that the world will recognize (John 13:35). When those of the world see that you do not worry (Matthew 6:34), that you have a peace they cannot understand (Philippians 4:7) and that your faith is genuine during the week as well as on Sunday, you will stand out and others will want those things for themselves.
- Be ready to give an answer (1 Peter 3:15). When others have questions about religious matters, be prepared. Know the Book. That said, do not give partial answers. Do not be afraid to say, “Josie, that is a great question and I believe that Bible questions deserve Bible answers. I would love to sit down and study that with you. I’m available Thursday night. Would you like to get together then?” Also do not be afraid to say “I don’t know.” Yes, this sounds like I’m contradicting myself… but if you don’t know, don’t pretend you do. Be honest. Follow up your “I don’t know” with “but I’ll find out. Would you like to get together Thursday night? I think I can give you a good answer then.” Don’t feel comfortable studying with someone yourself? Then try this out. “Josie, I think that’s a great question and I believe Bible questions deserve Bible answers. You know what, I get all tongue-tied when I try to explain these things. I hate to put you off, but if we could meet on Thursday night, I have a friend who could help me explain this better.” (You do have a go-to-guy or gal, don’t you? You should. If you’re not comfortable studying with someone yourself, then find out who is. Discuss what study times are good for them and when you come across someone who wants to study, you’ll be prepared.)
- Ask your friends if they know someone who’d like to study. If you are prepared to study with someone but don’t have a prospective student, this is a great way to find one. Maybe your friends within the church aren’t comfortable leading a study but know someone who is searching. Be their go-to-gal.
- Go door knocking. I know… not a really popular idea. But it can work. There are many organizations out there still knocking doors because it does work. Statistically, the best time to reach people at their home is Monday night. So grab a buddy and get to knocking. Don’t go after dark. Don’t bring too many people to the door. Have something prepared to leave with whoever answers the door. A tract, a pamphlet, a business card, a bulletin (this is a great way to use up leftover bulletins)… something that has the name and number of someone to talk to. Generally speaking, you’ll have the most success in poorer neighborhoods. Those who are well-off tend to forget God while those who lack the wealth of this world are often searching for Him. Be prepared with what you want to say. Introduce yourselves, say what congregation you’re from and why you’re there. Are you inviting people to services? VBS? Looking for people who want to study the word? Be upfront and honest. Unfortunately, honesty is a rarity these days, especially at the door. Get your tough skin ready. People are not always nice to you when you’re door knocking. Sometimes they’re surprisingly rude (sometimes they’re surprisingly nice), but remember that those who live righteously will suffer persecution (2 Timothy 3:12).
- Pray and watch. If you’re serious about finding people who are searching for God, then pray about it. Pray for God to bring people into your path who want help getting to Him, then watch. Watch for people who are hurting and looking, needing and searching. You have what they need because everyone has a God-shaped hole that nothing else can truly fill.
- Get to know those you come in contact with regularly. What places do you frequent? The grocery store? The bank? The post office? Oftentimes you will find that the same workers are there time after time. What if you chose the same cashier each time? You could get to know him/her and even start discussions centered on religious topics, eventually leading to a personal study.
- Just do it. One of the most successful evangelists I’ve ever known makes it his habit to ask the waitress, the gas station attendant, the mailman—anyone and everyone—one question: “What do you think of Jesus? Really… what do you think of Jesus?” He says the key is the “really”. The person gives their answer and he listens… truly listens. Then he asks his second question: “Would you like to study the Bible?” He looks for opportunities and he uses them. Once when he saw a man cleaning windows, he called out, “How’d you like your soul wiped clean?” More often than I would have guessed, these strangers take him up on his offer and study with him. Either way, he gives them a business card with his name, number and something about where or how they met written on it. They tuck it away or throw it away—who knows—but sometimes they call back, even months later.
- Give tracts. Many church buildings have tract racks that seem to be there just for decoration. But they’re not. Use them! Grab a stack, write your name and number on them and leave them in various places. Tuck the server’s tip in one (sticking out so they see it!). Put one on the back of the toilet in the ladies’ room. Leave a few in the waiting room at the doctor’s office. Stick one inside your deposit envelope when you go to the bank. Include one when you send cards to family who aren’t Christians. There are a myriad of places these can be used.
- Be open about your faith. Post scriptures on Facebook. Talk about the sermon you just heard. Share what you’re studying in Bible class. Discuss the passage you read in your personal study. Let it be known that you are a person of the word and that you’re ready and willing to help anyone else who wants to be too.
- Stand up for God. When someone else maligns the way, uses foul language, tells an off-color joke, etc., call them out on it in an appropriate way. Pull Jenny aside and say, “I really didn’t appreciate you taking the Lord’s name in vain earlier today. I’m a Christian and I would prefer not to hear that. I don’t want to be a stick in the mud, but I do want to be friends and I have a hard time with that kind of behavior.” Listen to her response with a sincere heart. Your light shining on ways of darkness may prick her heart. Note that this may not be appropriate or beneficial in every circumstance; be wise.
- Greet visitors to services. When someone comes to worship services or Bible study times, they come for a reason. Especially when it’s a break from their normal routine, there is a motivation behind their action. Be thankful that they have responded to that internal urging and let them know you’re glad to see them. Listen to their answers as you politely learn about who they are and what brought them your way. Invite them out to lunch or over for dinner later in the week. Make them feel welcome and ask if they’d like to study.
Erynn is the author of Perfected (A Study of Hebrews). She and her husband, Jeremy serve with the Patrick Street church of Christ in Dublin, TX . Her husband is the pulpit minister and evangelist. Erynn is a stay at home, homeschooling mom to their six children: five young knights-in-training and one sweet princess. They are 2003 graduates of the Bear Valley Bible Institute of Denver. Erynn is the creator and a regular contributor form Come Fill Your Cup.
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Welcome! We are so glad you stopped by. Come Fill Your Cup is a group of Christian ladies dedicated to equipping women for study and service. We know you are busy and that life’s hectic pace pulls you in so many directions, but you can’t truly be the woman God desires unless you take time to fill your own cup…not with spa days (though we love a good spa!) or the latest novel…but with God’s Holy Word. We want to help you with that! Our goal is to reach you in the midst of your busy day and give you encouragement, education, and fellowship as you strive to live the life God has laid before you. Our prayer is that we can help fill your cup so that you, in turn, can overflow to all those around you. So, as we like to say…come fill your cup, and let it overflow!