God is plain about the church’s responsibility. We are to be witnesses, and we are to be disciple-makers.
The best delineation of this is found in what is often called ” The Great Commission” of Matthew 28:18-20. The last words of Matthew’s Gospel are the words of Jesus: “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”
Luke began the Acts of the Apostles with the words of Jesus that His followers should be His witnesses: “you shall be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth” Acts 1:8.
We have plenty of opportunities to make Christ known and to teach His ways. One of the easiest has to do with our celebrations. Easter weekend comes at the top of that list. It is a perfect time to invite family and friends to join with us.
The Bible is also clear about our responsibility to use our conversation to honor God and to help others know Him. Paul said it this way: “Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone” Colossians 4:5-6.
To close friends, you might simply invite them to dinner or dessert as well as worshipping with you. To those who have not been to church (we see people like that all the time), you might say, “You know that I am a Christian. Would you like to join me at our Easter celebration? You can see who we are and what we do.”
I often pray and ask God to show me how to answer or respond, or how to initiate a conversation. I pray that you will ask God for His guidance as you help others know Christ.
