by Dr. Steve Parr

Have you ever noticed that the New Testament frequently utilizes two images as analogies for evangelism. The images that I am referring to are farming and fishing. You can imagine how these images would be common to a group of people in a more primitive culture that relied on both of these tasks for their survival. Today we enjoy gardening and fishing as a leisure activity but they could not survive without knowledge of both.

What do they have in common? You will note that a farmer recognizes a greater amount of seed sown results in a greater harvest. The fisherman recognizes that the more nets that are cast the greater the catch. You may reap from a small amount of sowing or casting but the best way to ensure results is to sow more and cast more. 2 Corinthians 9:6 reminds the reader that “he who sows sparingly will also reap sparingly and he who sows bountifully will also reap bountifully.”

Suppose a fisherman takes a day to go fishing. He is hopeful that he will catch fish. There are no guarantees but to the task he goes. What if, on the other hand, he took six or eight other people with him? The chances of success are greater as more nets or hooks are put into the water on different parts of the lake, stream, or the ocean. The same is true in evangelism. Pastors are often blessed to see people come to faith in Jesus as they cast their nets. Imagine what might result if six, eight, or ten members are also casting their nets during the week in places that the pastor never goes. Are you fishing? Jesus said that if we follow Him that He will make us fishers of men. How can we get more of our members fishing?

One of the ways we get our members sowing the seed or casting the net is to equip them in personal evangelism.  I hope you have a strategy in hand already. I am delighted that I can add some tools for you to train your members thanks to the staff of my home church, Hebron Baptist in Dacula, GA.  The best news of all is that it is being given to you at no cost.

Attached below you will find four ready-made training sessions designed to equip your members to share their faith. Hebron used these as a four week series in the Sunday morning Bible Study groups.  You could use them for a witnessing workshop, a Sunday evening series, during Wednesday services, at a retreat, or wherever you can expose the maximum number of members to the training.  Take advantage of this. Training your members does not guarantee that they will share their faith but failure to train almost ensures that they will not.  Pray, give them the tools, and ask God to work through their witness as more seed is sown and more nets are cast!

How often do you get quality materials for free? Thanks to the staff of Hebron Baptist Church in Dacula, Georgia, I want to provide for you a four week curriculum to train your leaders in personal evangelism.

Special thanks to Derek Spain, Steve Browning, John McGee, Chris Holland, and Glen Rowden for sharing these materials.

Evangelism Worksheet

Lesson 1

Lesson 2

Lesson 3

Lesson 4