5 Reasons to Share the Gospel Before You Invite Someone to Church
It’s so easy to invite someone to church isn’t it? You might ask them where they go to church and if they say they don’t go anywhere then it’s easy to say, “Well you should come to mine!” I’m not saying there’s anything wrong with that. We should invite people who don’t go anywhere to come and be a part of our community. What I am saying is that we need to go farther than that.
More than a church that someone you invite may never darken the doors of, people need Christ. They need to know their position before a holy God and the only remedy to change it. More than people need an invitation to your church, they need an invitation to your Savior. Here are five reasons you should share Christ with someone and then invite them to your church:
You’re There—in Front of Them—Right Now
When it comes to eternity, there is no time like the present. The lost person you are inviting to your church may not live until Sunday (you truly never know). However, you are in the moment with them right now. It’s time to share the only hope found in Jesus. You have much needed good news! Don’t take the easy way out. Tell them about Jesus on the spot.
You May Be More Qualified Than Your Pastor
If we’re honest, we often invite people to church instead of sharing the gospel because we are nervous or afraid. We think, “I can invite them to my church where they will hear the gospel and I won’t have to do it.” When it comes down to it, the invite is easier.
In all reality, if the person you are inviting is a co-worker, neighbor, friend, or some other acquaintance you see regularly, then you are more qualified to share Jesus with them than your pastor is. Why is that? Because you have a relationship with them. They’ve seen your life. Your words carry more weight because they know you and vice versa.
Your pastor can share the gospel with them, but he is a stranger. They don’t know him from anyone else. Your sharing is personal. It comes with a love and care that only happens when a person is known by another person. When you share the gospel with someone you know, it comes from a place of love and concern.
They May Not Show Up
If we’re honest, church can be intimidating for some people. For others, they have no real reason to want to come. People who don’t follow Jesus shouldn’t be expected to want to come to church. Sometimes they do for reasons unrelated to worshipping God, but that shouldn’t be expected in our culture. Instead, you are sent from the church to be the salt and light of Christ in your community. Why count on someone showing up on Sunday when you could tell them about Jesus right now?
God Commands Christians to Share
If no other reason is good enough for you, then hopefully obeying your Lord and Savior is. Sharing the gospel with people is not optional for a Christ follower, it is a command. Jesus said to go and make disciples in the Great Commission. Peter says in 1 Peter 3:15 to always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that is in you. Biblically, sharing about Jesus is not just the work of pastors, it is the work of every believer.
You Will Miss Out on a Blessing
Simply put, there is nothing like leading someone to Christ. Even knowing you’ve obeyed God and the Spirit has worked in you to share about Jesus to someone is a blessing. You are honestly missing out if you’re not sharing Jesus with people. Don’t believe me, go try it!
Conclusion
Now more than ever, people need the good news of the hope that is in you. They need to hear it from you. A practical step you may need to take is learning how to share the gospel with someone or learning exactly what the gospel is. There’s many good books on this subject that I could link you to, but instead, let me encourage you to go talk to your pastor about it. It would certainly be a blessing to him!
