Gospel appointments and Discovery Bible Studies

Part 1: Gospel Appointments

When you have something that is of high importance that you want to tell someone, what do you do?

You do it face to face.

You don’t just do it in passing.

You make the matter the center of why you are meeting.

Story: Flying home to propose.

When we share the gospel with someone, we have found that using the same mindset is very helpful.

At Challenge, we want everyone who ever comes to Challenge to have the opportunity to hear the gospel face to face, in a comfortable setting.

What is a Gospel Appointment? An appointment to share the gospel.

If you ask anyone at Challenge, “who first had a Gospel Appointment with you?” They will each be able to share the story with you. And often times, that was a pivot point for them in their spiritual journey.

Benefits of Gospel appointments

They are both relational and intentional.

They eliminate a degree of the awkwardness.

They are permission based and upfront. No “bait and switch.”

They emphasize the importance of the gospel.

You can choose the environment for the appointment.

How to do a Gospel Appointment

If you are at a spiritually neutral setting such as a park, social event or at a party...

Start a conversation and guide the conversation by asking questions and listening to their answers to diagnose where they are at spiritually.

Use FIRE:

Find Common Ground

Interests

Relationships

Experience with Spiritual Things

Take advantage of any opportunity to identify with Christ.

“Yeah, I am involved in this community group where we talk about how the Bible relates to our lives.”

“On Sundays, I’ve been going to church at Mission Trails.”

“ We just got back from a fun trip that helped my relationship with God.”

Just find a way to indicate that you are active spiritually.

Easy and non-threatening Spiritual Questions:

“Growing up, did you ever go to Church or anything like that?”

“If it turned out there was a God after all, and you could ask one question, what would it be?”

The idea is to listen for their spiritual background.

Try and set up a Gospel Appointment:

No matter what they answer you can follow it up with something like, “That’s interesting. Hey, I have been learning some pretty helpful things about having a relationship with God. Maybe we could get together sometime for lunch or coffee and talk more about this?”

Wait for their response. If they say yes, then do your best to schedule a time and place.

Go back to a casual conversation and just hang out with them.

If you are at “Christian” environment such as a Sunday service, small group or a social event.

Start a conversation about any topic.

No need to transition to spiritual things. Simply try and set up a meeting before your conversation ends

Say, “It would be great to get lunch or coffee sometime and we could get to know each other and I can tell you more about what Mission Trails is all about?”

How To Do A Gospel Appointment

Pray before you go to the appointment.

Prepare for the Meeting

Make sure to confirm the meeting time and location.

Be prepared to share the gospel and bring whatever supplies you might need.

Start by getting to know the person a bit more.

Catch up a little and get to know them better. The adage is true: "People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care."

After you’ve built some rapport, jump into talking about deeper things such as family and upbringing.

Remember, they agreed to meet expecting to talk about spiritual things so don’t skip that part!

Use the Three Story method.

THEIR STORY:

Ask them to share their story about their experience with spiritual things and really listen.

You could ask, “So what’s your background when it comes to spiritual things?”

YOUR STORY:

Share your story briefly (ie. your testimony).

Try and do a 1-3 minute version.

It could be about how you became a Christian or how your faith came alive in your adult life.

GOD’S STORY:

Introduce the gospel presentation.

Say something like…

“I have this short booklet that explains how to start a relationship with God. Do you want to read it together?”

“I know a short illustration that gives an awesome summary of what the Bible teaches about having a personal relationship with God. Can I share it with you?”

Begin to discuss the gospel presentation.

Make sure to sit close enough that both of you can comfortably see it or have one for each of you.

You don’t need to add a lot to it. Simply take them through it.

Try not to get too sidetracked with too many side comments and questions. Many questions will be answered during the presentation or forgotten about once they understand the entire message.

Make the invitation clear.

Ask them if they want to place their trust in Jesus. Then ask “Would you like to commit your life to Christ right now, or is that something you are still needing to think through?”

Be prepared for a few moments of silence as they ponder such a heavy decision. It probably means they are really considering it. Don’t answer for them.

You might be the only person in their life who has cared enough to sit with them one on one and give them a personal invitation to place their faith in Christ.

If they don’t receive Christ, don’t pressure them, but invite them to explore more about Jesus.

It’s not a failure if they don't instantaneously receive Christ. It’s actually a personal win because you have obeyed Jesus.

Now they know where you stand and know who they can come to about faith in Jesus.

It often takes people several times of hearing the gospel before they will be ready to really give their lives to Christ.

Say something like, “This is a really big decision, and I totally understand that it is helpful to learn more about who Jesus is first. One of the best ways to get to know who Jesus is, is by reading the stories about his life in the Bible. Have you ever had a chance to personally read a book from the Bible about the life of Jesus?”

Set up a Discovery Bible Study.

If they make a commitment to Christ, show your excitement and lead them to pray to God.

Lead them in a prayer using the acrostic “A.B.C.”

Admit I am a sinner.

Believe that Jesus is the Son of God who died for me and was raised again.

Commit my life to follow Jesus.

Celebrate and set up a Discovery Bible Study

Tell them it is the most important decision of their lives!

Then say something like, “This was fun! I’d love to meet up again to help you get started in your faith in God. Is there a time in the next couple days we could meet again?”

Make sure you have a time to meet again before you leave!

Recap the gospel in the next meeting. And start doing a Discovery Bible Study or Trailhead with them.

Also invite them to come to your Church or small group with you this week

Encourage them to start reading the Gospel of John on their own. Thank and Praise God for what he is doing!

Part 2: Discovery Bible Studies

What is a DBS?

People get to Discover for themselves.

The Word is the teacher.

1-12 people

Simple format.

Read.

Discuss

Apply

What are the benefits?

They are easy to facilitate.

Most people can do it.

Very little preparation.

They can multiply rapidly.

Ex. Pastor in india (24k groups)

Started this summer (100 plus people)

They reach people who would not normally want to come to an event.

How can we use these?

Start them in different affinity groups.

Start them with those who are connecting to Challenge.

Use them as follow up meetings to those we have GA’s with.

Start them with friends and family.

Start them with other church members who are not fully committed followers of Jesus.

What is your measure of success?

John 1:41 NIV

The first thing Andrew did was to find his brother Simon and tell him, “We have found the Messiah” (that is, the Christ).

Invite

How to Facilitate a Group

Invite, invite, invite.

Pick a time and a place.

Pick a passage to start with.

7 stories of Jesus

Jesus Cares Jesus John 2:1-12.

Jesus has power John 4:43-54.

Jesus gives second chances John 8:1-11.

Jesus has power over death John 11:1-44.

Jesus is the way to God John 14:1-11.

Jesus died for us John 19:17-37.

Jesus rose from the dead John 20.

Remind everyone about the meeting.

Bring Bibles or passages.

Lay down the ground rules:

Respect each others opinions.

Stick to the passage at hand.

Take turns sharing.

Follow the discussion guide.