Weekly Ministry Tip #7, Fall 2014
Grow Deep, Reach High
What Do You Do When You’re In A Tough Spot?
As Jesus was proclaiming the Kingdom everywhere, performing many miracles and working with His disciples, they came upon a time when they got stuck. Well, not Jesus but His disciples. In Mark 9:14-29 there was a big commotion around Jesus disciples. He saw them arguing with the religious leaders and there was a large crowd surrounding them.
Jesus asked the crowd what were they arguing about with the disciples, a father came up to him and said, 17 And someone from the crowd answered him, “Teacher, I brought my son to you, for he has a spirit that makes him mute. 18 And whenever it seizes him, it throws him down, and he foams and grinds his teeth and becomes rigid. So I asked your disciples to cast it out, and they were not able.”
The disciples were definitely in a tough spot. Jesus went on to instruct the disciples about their lack of faith and ask the father how long the boy was possessed with an unclean spirit. He said, “From childhood. 22 And it has often cast him into fire and into water, to destroy him. But if you can do anything, have compassion on us and help us.”
Then the disciples said to Jesus, “28 …“Why could we not cast it out?” 29 And he said to them, “This kind cannot be driven out by anything but prayer.”
Some translations here add fasting as well. What is key here is that there are times when we need to renew our commitment to prayer. Things may not happen without a season of serious prayer. Are we trusting God enough to take a time out and stop trying to force things to happen and instead go to Him in prayer? When you hit a tough spot, go to Him in prayer.
We’re Into October. Are You Ready To Keep Casting The Net?
Ministry can be seen in 4 steps. First, you need to see the crowds in your ministry situation and location. Second, you want to pray and ask God for the next steps in reaching as many as you can with the message of Christ. Third, you want to narrow down all those you talk with and establish them in Bible studies. Finally, challenge these interested people to become disciples and train them to play a part in helping you reach your ministry location with the Gospel message. That’s called a multiplying ministry.
One major strategy, which will help you with the first and second steps, is to have a Once A Monthly Evangelistic Event. This event could include doing another survey on campus, doing an event aimed at Halloween/Occult (check out idea 189), a debate on a significant topic, the “I Agree With” campaign, or a blitz to share the “Knowing God Personally” booklet to a certain dorm or location. The point is that you have an activity which exposes people to their real needs and present Christ to them. This can be done creatively and will allow you to meet many new people who you can follow-up on and invite them to your weekly meetings/Bible study.
Cast the net of the gospel message wide on your campus at least once a month and ask God to raise up new potential disciples as you do. Our goal is to always give everyone who will listen a chance to hear the Gospel message.
Talk to you next week,
Ben with Cru