1 Corinthians 9:19-231 Corinthians 9:19-23SEVEN TIPS: SEVEN TIPS: To Bring the To Bring the

Young Young To God’s SonTo God’s Son

First Tip:First Tip:Teach people to set aside personal desires and preferences, “Even though I am a free man with no master, I have become a slave to all people to bring men to Christ” (9:19).

Scripture ExamplesScripture ExamplesMark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man Mark 10:45 – “For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve others came not to be served but to serve others and to give his life as a ransom for many” and to give his life as a ransom for many” (Mark 10:45).(Mark 10:45).““Don’t look out only for your own Don’t look out only for your own interests, but take an interest in others, interests, but take an interest in others, too. too. 55 You must have the same attitude You must have the same attitude that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:4-5).that Christ Jesus had” (Philippians 2:4-5).

Is your church bound by Is your church bound by traditions or open to changetraditions or open to change??

Ask your people to sit in a Ask your people to sit in a different areas of the auditorium. different areas of the auditorium.

The amount of discomfort they The amount of discomfort they feel will reveal their openness or feel will reveal their openness or resistance to change and a fresh resistance to change and a fresh

move of the Spirit. move of the Spirit.

Second Tip:Second Tip:Explain that they must go to them; they are not coming to you, “When I was with the Jew, I lived like a Jew” (9:20).

American ReligionAmerican Religion by Mark Chavezby Mark Chavez

• In 2008, 22 percent of the general population In 2008, 22 percent of the general population had never attended Church.had never attended Church.

• In 1965, approximately 40 percent of the In 1965, approximately 40 percent of the population attended church regularly. population attended church regularly.

• In 1993, only 27 percent regularly attended In 1993, only 27 percent regularly attended church. church.

• In 2008, that number declined to 22 percent.In 2008, that number declined to 22 percent.

• In 1990, 13 percent of the general In 1990, 13 percent of the general population never attended Church.population never attended Church.

Third Tip:Third Tip:Your church must be willing to adapt to other people around them, “When I was with those who follow the Jewish Law, I too lived under that law . . . . When I am with the Gentiles who do not follow the Jewish Law, I too lived apart from that law so I can bring them to Christ” (9:20).

Some Practical Ideas Include:Some Practical Ideas Include:• Provide WiFi access in the auditorium and Provide WiFi access in the auditorium and

educational building. educational building. • Preach from a more modern translation of Preach from a more modern translation of

the Bible.the Bible.• Sing hymns, choruses, and praise music that Sing hymns, choruses, and praise music that

appeals to young peopleappeals to young people• Be more expressive in our worship with Be more expressive in our worship with

smiles, clapping, smiling, and raising hands. smiles, clapping, smiling, and raising hands. • Have a minister do the children’s message Have a minister do the children’s message

and kid’s children’s church.and kid’s children’s church.

Fourth Tip:Fourth Tip:Talk to God before you talk to people, “But I do not ignore the law of God; I obey the law of Christ” (9:21).

Fifth Tip:Fifth Tip:Shoot for their hearts, not just their heads, “When I am with those who are weak, I share their weakness, for I want to bring the weak to Christ” (9:22).

How to reach hearts:How to reach hearts:• Find common groundFind common ground• Avoided a preachy or condescending Avoided a preachy or condescending

attitudesattitudes• Expressed sincere concern and Expressed sincere concern and

acceptanceacceptance• Take time to earn trustTake time to earn trust• Be sensitive to their immediate felt-Be sensitive to their immediate felt-

needsneeds

Sixth Tip:Sixth Tip:Answer the questions Answer the questions people are asking, people are asking, “Yes, I “Yes, I try to find common ground with try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can everyone, doing everything I can to save some”to save some” (9:22). (9:22).

Practical SuggestionsPractical Suggestions::• Reading buddies or school tutorsReading buddies or school tutors• Back-to-school, backpack, and Back-to-school, backpack, and

material drives for schoolsmaterial drives for schools• Teachers’ breakfastsTeachers’ breakfasts• Good News ClubsGood News Clubs• AWANAAWANA• Fall Festivals and Community Fall Festivals and Community

DinnersDinners

Seventh Tip:Seventh Tip:Offer them a relation-Offer them a relation-ship, not a religion, ship, not a religion, “I do “I do everything to spread the everything to spread the Goods News Goods News and and shareshare in its in its blessingsblessings”” (9:23). (9:23).

Practical Suggestions for Practical Suggestions for MembersMembers::

• Ask them to greet and ask visitors to sit Ask them to greet and ask visitors to sit with you in church. with you in church. • Offer to take new families out to lunchOffer to take new families out to lunch• Invite visitors to your Bible study Invite visitors to your Bible study

classesclasses• Get them to serve in the nursery; or Get them to serve in the nursery; or

serve as an outreach leader in your serve as an outreach leader in your Bible study class.Bible study class.• Volunteer with family ministriesVolunteer with family ministries

ChallengeChallenge::Challenge your church Challenge your church

members to lead one person to members to lead one person to Christ who half their age and Christ who half their age and help that person to become help that person to become

active serving the Lord at active serving the Lord at Lockhart Church (discipleship).Lockhart Church (discipleship).

InvitationInvitationAs of last Sunday night, we have As of last Sunday night, we have

received six commitment cards. Show received six commitment cards. Show the Lord that the leadership of this the Lord that the leadership of this church that you are serious about church that you are serious about

serving Christ and growing this church. serving Christ and growing this church. Fill out a commitment card for 2013 and Fill out a commitment card for 2013 and

pray that God unleashes a spiritual pray that God unleashes a spiritual revival in Lockhart Church this New Year.revival in Lockhart Church this New Year.