BE a Regular

One aspect of evangelism that is constantly overlooked is the concept of being "a regular". My mom taught me this principle in regards to good business when I was younger... and she was anazing at it. She went to the same banks, same post offices, and same stores for her business and got to know the people that worked there and built relationships with them on a personal level. It seemed like she was on a name-to-name basis with everyone in Vero Beach! It made her small business much easier when everyone knew her personally everywhere she went.

In the same way, as disciples we need to be strategic with where we go, whether that is to shop for groceries, eat after church on Sundays, or even where we pump gas. Go to the same Publix every time you get groceries and start to get to know the cashiers and bag boys. Go to the same Starbucks and take 5 minutes to listen to the baristas stories. I am reaching out to a guy at a gas station that I stop at every Sunday while driving to the East campus. I asked and he works every Sunday morning, so I make it a point to grab something small to drink or eat there every Sunday morning as well! Kingdom doors are opening simply because I have been a regular there the last 5 weeks and am being strategic with 5-10 minutes every Sunday morning.

One key to BEING a disciple is to be strategic. Someone will be much more receptive to the Gospel if it is coming from someone who over the past few days, weeks, or months, have proven themselves to be someone they know and can trust. So next time you go out to eat for example, get to know your waitress (tip her well) and then come back and pick the conversation back up next week at the same restaurant instead of going somewhere completely different. You will be amazed at what just a little more intentionality can do in regards to loving and winning the lost!

P. Matt

Always making one (or more)

At a small group this week, one of the single moms brings her boys since, as a working mother, they have so little time together. Being only 8, the group figures that most of what they talk about goes right over his head. But this week, with the wisdom of a child, he declares "When we are here, its just like we are in church, so you have to be respectful of each other and the Lord. This is a house church." And he is right, small group IS church at its most primal level.

You see, you are making disciples all the time, but what are you discipling them in? Are you showing love and respect for others? Are you having grace and mercy? Self control? Or do you only display these things on Sunday morning?

Intentional disciple- making is living out our daily life in a way that honors God and displays our love for Him and for others. Will we blow it sometimes? Of course we will, but when we do, we stand back up and keep going, honoring God and loving people. Thats how we BE one, and thats how we MAKE one.