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Different Types of Prospects

Different Types of Prospects . And suggested approaches to reach them. Introduction. Spiritual soldiers of Christ, like physical soldiers need disciplined training to be effective. Being sincere but “unskilled” can do more harm than good! We all need “fencing lessons.”

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Different Types of Prospects

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  1. Different Types of Prospects And suggested approaches to reach them

  2. Introduction • Spiritual soldiers of Christ, like physical soldiers need disciplined training to be effective. • Being sincere but “unskilled” can do more harm than good! • We all need “fencing lessons.” • There is scriptural authority for “How to teach.” • Col 4: 6 – “Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how to respond to each one.” (Outsiders) • Matt 10:16 – “I send you out as sheep in the midst of wolves; be ye therefore wise and serpents and harmless as doves.”

  3. The first key to being wise . . • Understand the person’s needs and background and tailor your approach accordingly. • Why are there four gospel accounts? • Sermons in Acts

  4. Four classes of prospects . . .(Assuming belief in God and the Bible). • The Worldly – often ignorant prospect. • Most neglected, yet serve as greatest potential area for growth. • Gallup poll: ½ of population “unchurched” and ½ of them say they believe in God and one day want to get their life right with Him. • Good news is most often once they open up they are easier to teach because they readily accept the fact they are lost! • Need to be taught about Christ first and be convicted of their sin. • Why the Bible was written/God Man and the Cross good places to begin.

  5. Classes of prospects . . . • Dedicated Sincerely Deceived prospect. • Typical devout denominational person. • Often, understand the gospel, but not how to obey it. • Satisfied, believe they are saved, therefore not seeking! • Requires careful patience! • Worldly/unchurched – easier to commit, but harder to stick, while this type is harder to convict/convince but easier to stick.

  6. Suggested Bible study approaches: • Undenominational Christianity series • Where did the denominations come from? • The Silence of the scriptures • The Restoration Plea • Bible Baptism • Jule Miller Video • Journey to Eternity – Charts and outlines • Open Bible study – Ivan Stewart

  7. We Care Ministry Video – Four Lessons/Two to Four Sessions • Why are we all lost? (33 mins) • What is the gospel? (37 mins) • What are the identifying marks of the church of the Bible? (26 mins) • There is a great day coming: Are you ready? (34 mins)

  8. The Fallen Away Church Member • A serious problem . . . Last census counted more “members” that were “unidentified with a local congregation” than all “identified” put together! • Many congregations are doing a poor job of caring for their members! • 50% of children quit after leaving home • 50% of new converts eventually drop out • Overall, the fastest growing churches are not those with the greatest number of baptisms, but the highest retention rates.

  9. Fallen Away church member . . . • Lord is pleased when we leave the 99 and seek the one gone astray. • Lk 15:7 “Angels in heaven rejoice.” • All that “are spiritual” should be concerned. Gal 6:1 • Important to “catch early.” • Four stage process: • Become “Weak” and begin to “Slip” then • “Fall away” and eventually “Harden”

  10. Fallen Away church member . . • Attendance is not the only gauge of faithfulness. • Prayer life slipping first sign of problem • Do we know each other well enough to inquire about each other’s prayer life? • Watch terminology • Avoid putting the focus on them “quitting the church” and deal instead with why they have “quit the Lord.”

  11. Fallen away church member . . • Ivan Stewart’s – 1st and 2nd admonition. Powerful! • Tract: “Christian, please come back to the Lord!” By Bob Danklefsen

  12. The Institutional Prospect • Key: To break down barriers and open up communication lines. • Watch terminology – • Labels such as “anti” and “liberal” are often taken by others as slurs • Tend to produce defensive/confused reactions. • “The Emergence of the C of C denomination” by Dr. Ed Harrell. • Simple 5 page outline, read scripture then circle the answer – “The Work of the church.” • Lassen Street/North Hills in the 80ies/90ies – 40% of the membership came from institutional backgrounds.

  13. Why the Bible was Written . . • What type of prospect? • Whose house? • Where study? • Kitchen next to a table • Study environment, control for distractions. • Whose Bible use? • As long as “real Bible” use the prospect’s • Nothing more powerful than the prospect reading out loud from his own Bible • Ask prospect what the verse means and have him/her fill in the right answers. • Overcomes “It’s just your interpretation” objection • Who should find the reference? • If prospect can, let him/her find it!

  14. Role play: “Why the Bible was Written.” • H.B.R.C _________________ Baptism • Baptism occurred when? 2 weeks after saved? • After you “asked the Lord to come into your heart” at that point you believe you were: • Saved • Sins were forgiven • Christian • Died you would go to heaven. • In short, you were baptized because you were saved not in order to be saved.

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