EVANGELISM AMBASSADORSHIP SERIES

LESSON 3: RETURNING TO THE ORIGINAL PATTERN OF FIRST-CENTURY EVANGELISM

"The Assignment We Inherited but Have Forgotten"

Welcome everyone to WOW.

Over the past two lessons we've explored "Ambassadors Must Stay Humble." & EVERY MEMBER MUST HELP GROW THE CHURCH as Kingdom Ambassadors. Tonight, we move On and focus on The assignment.

Our question tonight is:

"Have we inherited the Gospel but abandoned the method?"

Many churches have become excellent at gathering people.

The first-century church excelled at reaching people.

Tonight we'll examine Jesus' ministry model, the Apostolic pattern, and identify the core components of first-century evangelism that are often missing in modern Christianity.

🟩 ICE BREAKER CHAT ENGAGEMENT (5 MINUTES)

Chat Prompt #1

In one word, what comes to your mind when you hear the term:

"Soul Winner"

Share responses in the chat.

Witness

Evangelist

Outreach

Disciple

Salvation

Love

Boldness

Chat Prompt #2

Who is primarily responsible for evangelism?

A. Pastor

B. Evangelist

C. Outreach Team

D. Every Believer

Type A, B, C, or D.

Chat Prompt #3

How comfortable are you sharing your faith?

1 = Not Comfortable

10 = Very Comfortable

🟨 FOUNDATION SCRIPTURE

Acts 5:42 (KJV)

Acts 5:42 KJV

42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

Acts 8:4 (NIV)

"Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went."

BIG IDEA

The First-Century Church did not view evangelism as a church program.

They viewed evangelism as the lifestyle of every believer.

SECTION ONE

JESUS' EVANGELISTIC MODUS OPERANDI

What Was Jesus' Method?

Before there was:

Pentecost

Apostles

Church Buildings

Evangelism Departments

There was Jesus.

If we're going to understand evangelism correctly, we must start with Christ Himself.

Luke 19:10 (AMP)

"For the Son of Man has come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Teaching Point

Notice Jesus didn't simply wait for sinners.

He sought them.

The ministry of Jesus was proactive.

He pursued people.

Examples of Jesus Pursuing the Lost

The Samaritan Woman

John 4:7-10 NIV

John 4:7–10 “7 There cometh a woman of Samaria to draw water: Jesus saith unto her, Give me to drink. 8 (For his disciples were gone away unto the city to buy meat.) 9 Then saith the woman of Samaria unto him, How is it that thou, being a Jew, askest drink of me, which am a woman of Samaria? for the Jews have no dealings with the Samaritans. 10 Jesus answered and said unto her, If thou knewest the gift of God, and who it is that saith to thee, Give me to drink; thou wouldest have asked of him, and he would have given thee living water.”

John 4:7–10 NIV

7 When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, “Will you give me a drink?” 8 (His disciples had gone into the town to buy food.) 9 The Samaritan woman said to him, “You are a Jew and I am a Samaritan woman. How can you ask me for a drink?” (For Jews do not associate with Samaritans.) 10 Jesus answered her, “If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.”

"When a Samaritan woman came to draw water, Jesus said to her, 'Will you give me a drink?'...

Jesus answered her, 'If you knew the gift of God and who it is that asks you for a drink, you would have asked him and he would have given you living water.'"

Observation

Jesus initiated the conversation.

Zacchaeus

Luke 19:5 (AMP)

"When Jesus reached the place, He looked up and said to him, 'Zacchaeus, hurry and come down, for today I must stay at your house.'"

Observation

Zacchaeus postured himself to be pursued by Jesus.

Levi (Matthew)

Matthew 9:9 (KJV)

"And as Jesus passed forth from thence, he saw a man, named Matthew, sitting at the receipt of custom: and he saith unto him, Follow me. And he arose, and followed him."

Observation

Jesus took the initiative.

LEADER INSIGHT

Most modern evangelism is invitation-centered.

Jesus' evangelism was pursuit-centered.

DISCUSSION QUESTION

What would change in our church if we shifted from waiting for people to come to us to intentionally pursuing people?

POINT ONE

AGGRESSIVE & PROACTIVE PROCLAMATION

When Jesus instructs the servant to “compel them to come in,”

(Luke 14:15–24

Luke 14:15–24 TPT

15 When they heard this, one of the dinner guests said to Jesus, “Someday God will have a kingdom feast, and how happy and privileged will be the ones who get to share in that joy!” 16 Jesus replied with this parable: “There was a man who invited many to join him in a great feast. 17 When the day for the feast arrived, the host instructed his servant to notify all the invited guests and tell them, ‘Come, for everything is now ready for you!’ 18 But one by one they all made excuses. One said, ‘I can’t come. I just bought some property and I’m obligated to go and look it over.’ 19 Another said, ‘Please accept my regrets, for I just purchased five teams of oxen and I need to make sure they can pull the plow.’ 20 Another one said, ‘I can’t come because I just got married.’ 21 “The servant reported back to the host and told him of all their excuses. So the master became angry and said to his servant, ‘Go at once throughout the city and invite anyone you find—the poor, the blind, the disabled, the hurting, and the lonely—and invite them to my banquet.’ 22 “When the servant returned to his master, he said, ‘Sir, I have done what you’ve asked, but there’s still room for more.’ 23 “So the master told him, ‘All right. Go out again, and this time bring them all back with you. Persuade the beggars on the streets, the outcasts, even the homeless. Urgently insist that they come in and enjoy the feast so that my house will be full.’ 24 “I say to you all, the one who receives an invitation to feast with me and makes excuses will never enjoy my banquet.”

Jesus is not commanding coercion or force. Rather, the word reflects the cultural dynamics of ancient Near Eastern hospitality.

In that cultural context, it was customary to appear reluctant when invited to a meal, and a sincere host would continue urging the reluctant guest—a practice that enhanced both the host’s reputation for generosity and the guest’s sense of being valued.1

When outsiders with no social standing received an unexpected invitation to a nobleman’s banquet, they struggled to believe they were genuinely wanted, feeling instead that the invitation couldn’t be serious.2

The master’s instruction to “grab them by the hand and drag them in if you have to” aims to convince these marginalized people that the invitation is authentic and that they are truly welcome.2

This reflects ancient Near Eastern practices in which a resolute host personally ushers a hesitant guest into the house—an expression of compulsory benevolence rather than wrath.3

Jesus used the word “compel” to indicate God’s great desire to fill his house and because these wanderers and outcasts needed to be convinced they were welcome, compelled by love.

Romans 1:16 (AMP)

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel [of Christ], for it is God's power working unto salvation [for the deliverance from eternal death] to everyone who believes..."

Matthew 28:19-20 (AMP)

"Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations [help the people to learn of Me, believe in Me, and obey My words], baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,

teaching them to observe everything that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always [remaining with you perpetually—regardless of circumstance, and on every occasion], even to the end of the age."

Teaching Point

The Great Commission begins with one powerful word:

GO

Not wait.

Not hope.

Not invite only.

GO.

The Early Church believed the Gospel was urgent news.

Chat Question

What fears keep Christians from sharing Jesus today?

POINT TWO

RELIANCE ON THE HOLY SPIRIT

Acts 1:8 (AMP)

"But you will receive power and ability when the Holy Spirit comes upon you; and you will be My witnesses [to tell people about Me]..."

Acts 13:2 (AMP)

"While they were serving the Lord and fasting, the Holy Spirit said, 'Set apart for Me Barnabas and Saul for the work to which I have called them.'"

John 16:13 (AMP)

"But when He, the Spirit of Truth, comes, He will guide you into all the truth..."

Teaching Point

The first-century church expected supernatural involvement.

They expected:

✅ Divine appointments

✅ Miracles

✅ Healing

✅ Deliverance

✅ Spirit-led conversations

Leader Insight

Programs can gather crowds.

Only the Holy Spirit transforms hearts.

Discussion Question

When was the last time you asked the Holy Spirit to show you who needed ministry?

POINT THREE

UNIVERSAL PARTICIPATION

Acts 8:4 (AMP)

"Now those who had been scattered went around preaching the word of God."

1 Peter 2:9 (AMP)

"But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a consecrated nation, a [special] people for God's own possession..."

Teaching Point

Acts 8 was not describing professional ministers.

Ordinary Christians were spreading the Gospel.

Christianity spread because believers saw themselves as missionaries where they lived.

CHAT PROMPT

Complete this sentence:

"I can be a witness at ___________."

Examples:

Work

School

Gym

Grocery Store

Neighborhood

POINT FOUR

CONTEXTUAL ADAPTATION WITHOUT COMPROMISING TRUTH

1 Corinthians 9:22 (AMP)

"I have become all things to all people, so that I may by all means save some."

Jude 3 (AMP)

"Contend earnestly for the faith which was once for all handed down to the saints."

Acts 17:22-23 (NIV)

Paul then stood up in the meeting of the Areopagus and said:

"People of Athens! I see that in every way you are very religious."

Teaching Point

Paul adapted his communication style.

He changed his approach.

He never changed the Gospel.

Kingdom Principle

Methods may change.

The Message never changes.

Discussion

How do we reach social media culture without compromising biblical truth?

POINT FIVE

EVANGELISM AT THE CENTER

Ephesians 4:11-12 (AMP)

"And [His gifts to the church were varied and] He Himself gave some as apostles... and some as evangelists..."

Mark 16:15 (AMP)

"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation."

Luke 19:10 (KJV)

"For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost."

Teaching Point

The Church excels at:

Worship

Fellowship

Teaching

Administration

But everything should support the mission of reaching people.

WHY THE CHURCH DRIFTED FROM THE APOSTOLIC PATTERN

First Century Church:

Daily Evangelism

Every Believer

House to House

Spirit-Led

Urgency

Mission Culture

Modern Church

Scheduled Evangelism

Specialists

Building Focus

Program-Led

Convenience

Maintenance Culture

THE JOB DESCRIPTION OF A SOUL-WINNING CHRISTIAN

According to Scripture

Every Christian is called to:

✅ Represent Christ

✅ Share the Gospel

✅ Pray for the Lost

✅ Reconcile People to God

✅ Make Disciples

✅ Demonstrate Kingdom Character

✅ Live as Missionary

2 Corinthians 5:20 (AMP)

"So we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making His appeal through us..."

BREAKOUT SESSION (15 MINUTES)

GROUP 1

Aggressive Evangelism

Discuss:

Why don't Christians share their faith?

What fears exist?

How do we overcome them?

Assignment:

Create a 7-day witnessing challenge.

GROUP 2

Holy Spirit Empowerment

Discuss:

What does Spirit-led evangelism look like?

Have you experienced a divine appointment?

How can we increase spiritual sensitivity?

Assignment:

Develop a prayer strategy.

GROUP 3

Every Believer a Witness

Discuss:

Why do people think evangelism belongs to pastors?

How can churches activate members?

What gifts support evangelism?

Assignment:

Create a church-wide activation plan.

GROUP 4

Reaching Today's Culture

Discuss:

How do we reach younger generations?

What methods need updating?

What truths can never change?

Assignment:

Develop three modern evangelism strategies.

REPORT BACK (5 Minutes)

Each Group:

✅ One Representative

✅ 90 Seconds

✅ One Major Discovery

✅ One Action Step

WEEKLY AMBASSADOR CHALLENGE

Before next WOW:

Identify three people.

Write down:

Their Name

Their Need

A Prayer

A Gospel Conversation Opportunity

Pray for them every day this week.

CLOSING PASTORAL REFLECTION

Rather than asking:

"How many people came to church?"

Ask:

"How many people did I intentionally pursue this week?"

Jesus came seeking.

The Apostles went preaching.

The Church scattered witnessing.

The question for us is:

Are we maintaining church, or advancing the Kingdom?

Closing Prayer

"Father, make us conscious of our assignment as Kingdom Ambassadors. Fill us with boldness, compassion, wisdom, and the power of the Holy Spirit. Open our eyes to the harvest around us. Help us to seek the lost as Jesus sought us. Let our lives become living testimonies of Your grace. In Jesus' Name, Amen."

WOW LEADER'S TAKEAWAY

People do not get saved because churches exist. People get saved because ambassadors engage them with the Gospel.

Represent • Reconcile • Rule