What is evangelism? As we are using it today, it means the act of proclaiming the good news. The word gospel in the New Testament is a form of the root word.
We often hear lessons encouraging us to reach the lost and how to do it. Jesus taught it (Mark 16:16), Paul did too (2 Timothy 2:2), and Acts gives us examples of it (Acts 8:4). Such lessons are good and needed. Tonight, we want to talk about evangelism in one specific area, the home.
A. Use it as a meeting place– Romans 16:3-5; Colossians 4:15; Philemon 2
B.
Use it for Bible studies - Acts 10:24; 20:20
Such provides a comfortable, more relaxed environment. One might be more
willing to open up in a home than in a Bible class at the building.
C.
By inviting friends and neighbours into your home, you can look for
opportunities to turn a conversation to religious matters. And who knows where
that will lead.
NOTE: Sometimes it is best to go slow. If you become their friend first and
gain their confidence, you have a better chance of being successful in the long
run. They have to know that you care about them as people before they will open
up to you. And this takes time.
D. You can also invite them to services.
E. You can use your telephone to encourage the weak, discouraged and prospects.
F. You can send basic tracts from your home in your bills and other correspondence.
G. In all of these things you are planting seed. Who knows what the outcome will be? But you are doing what you can to reach the lost. – 1 Corinthians 3:6.
A. Our primary focus today. Why?
1. The family is the basic unit of society. The outcome of society depends upon the family.
2. Consider the shape of our society: In 1986, a report to the president was released about the family. The following were some of the results reported.
a. 33% of children are latchkey kids. (They come home to an empty house)
b. In 30 years, births out of wedlock were up 450%
c. Divorce tripled in 25 years.
d.
The Average child watches 15,000 hours of T.V. by the age of 18
(How does this compare to the number of hours spent in Bible study?)
e. 80% of males & 50% of females commit fornication by the age of 18.
Note: While this was released 16 years ago, our society has not gotten better. If anything, it has gotten worse. Some say the divorce rate is down? Why? Because many choose to just live together instead of getting married. Much more could be said. Truly we live in a crooked and perverse generation. (Philippians 2:15). This is all the more reason we as Christians need to shine as lights, especially with our families.
3. Much of what one learns, and life-long habits will be formed before one leaves home.
4. Considering the shape of society, home is where a child needs to learn about God and His origin, the Bible, morality, sex education, respect for others, what a godly home is and what his purpose in life is. The home that teaches these things will have a far better chance of seeing its offspring lead productive, Christian lives.
5. Sadly, many rely on church and school to do all the teaching.
a. The church can NEVER provide enough spiritual guidance for a child. That is why we stress that Christianity is a way of life, every day and not a hobby. The church was not designed as a substitute for home teaching but as a supplement.
b. Schools, though they may be well intentioned, do not have the spiritual well being of your child in mind. In fact, too many schools in this country have an agenda that is anti-God.
6. Our lives have become so busy, that too often parents let the TV and Nintendo baby-sit their children while they go on doing whatever it is they need or want to do.
7. More pressure is placed upon children to succeed physically, financially and materially, than spiritually. And sadly, some church members can be guilty of this too.
8. It has been estimated that 50% of all children “raised in the church” never obey the gospel or fall away immediately after leaving home.
9. Let us learn this: The ONLY thing we give our family that will go with them though eternity is a saving knowledge of Jesus Christ. We must realise that little child has a soul that WILL spend eternity somewhere. Where? That is up to us!!
B. What does the Bible say?
1. Proverbs 22:6 – “Train up a child in the way he should go, and when he is old he will not depart form it.” This is a rule. Yes there are exceptions, both ways.
2. Ephesians 6:4 – “Fathers, do not provoke your children to wrath, but bring them up in the training and admonition of the Lord.” A responsibility that fathers have.
3. 2 Timothy 1:5; 3:14-15 – Timothy’s strength. From childhood he had known the scriptures.
4.
An Old Testament example (Romans 15:4, 1 Corinthians 10:11). Judges
2:7-10 speaks of another generation that did not know God. Almost immediately,
they did evil in the sight of the Lord and provoked Him to anger. Had they
followed the commands of Moses in:
Deuteronomy 6:4-9 – to teach them diligently to their children. He mentions a
number of different ways to teach them.
A. You must first be converted yourself.
1. Acts 3:19 – records Peter preaching at Solomon’s Portico in the temple. He said repent and be converted.
2. Teaching your family starts with self - Until one is TRULY converted he will not see the importance of shaping his family’s eternal condition. Too often the concern is for physical success.
3. Consider 2 Corinthians 5:17 – Any man in Christ is a new creation.
4. Romans 12:1-2 – be transformed
B. Being a proper example
1. Will naturally occur when one is converted.
2. In the home, we let down our guard. Your family sees the real you.
3. Are you the same in your home as you are in public? If you are to teach your family, you must be a Christian everywhere.
4. Solomon wrote, “My son, give me your heart, and let your eyes observe my ways.” Prov. 23:26.
5. Philippians 1:27 –let your conduct be worthy of the gospel.
6. Discipline which is a part of teaching is ineffective if it is not meted out with consistency. It is true that a child cannot hear what you are saying because of what he sees.
7. ALSO, Children need to see proper family roles being carried out in the home.
a. The husband is the head of the house, loves his wife, and provides, helps to raise the kids.
b. The wife is subject to her husband, a homemaker, and a godly mother.
c. Children need to be proper examples to their brothers and sisters (especially Christians). They also need to obey their parents.
C. Formal instruction
1. Not only do children need to be brought to the public worship services, but there also needs to be regular worship within the home. Family Bible studies are a thing of the past in many places. But if you want to teach your family, this is absolutely essential. You need to have Bible studies (devotions) several times a week.
2. Such is putting God first and giving Him the time He deserves.
3. 2 Timothy 3:15 – Where did Timothy learn of the scriptures? If his parents obeyed the law, they took the time to teach him.
4. A suggested study:
a. Turn off the TV. We need to do that more often anyway.
b. Obtain a copy of the Bible for each family member. Hold each family member responsible for having it.
c. Read a short passage of scripture and briefly discuss it.
d. Sing a song or two. Kid’s love this.
e. Say a prayer – include what you studied and all needs the family has.
f. Make it short – 10-15 minutes is sufficient. It is better to leave wanting more than to make it drudgery.
5. NOTE: There is material available to help organise such studies. If you are interested see me following the services for some suggestions.
6. Also, go to gospel meetings.
D. Informal instruction
1. This is where real impact can be made. This demonstrates that God is always in your thoughts. But again, this will only be effective if it is accompanied with a proper example.
2. Some examples of this include:
a. Various individual talks with children. I.e. how to treat a date, responsibilities of their role, etc.
b. Ask them questions when you are in the car with them alone. Listen to a good sermon, or hymns.
c. When watching TV together, take time to discuss the good and bad in the programs you watched together.
d. Leave notes on the refrigerator, mirrors, etc.
e. Say prayers at meal times.
f. Subscribe to good periodicals written by brethren and display them on the coffee table. Actually read them and discuss what is appropriate.
In this lesson we have seen the importance of evangelism in the home and I hope I have given you some suggestions to make your home as spiritual as it ought to be. I leave you with this thought: If you live to convert dozens of souls, but you loose your family because you neglected to teach them, think of the bitterness. But it does not have to be. May God bless you as you strive to do His will in this and all areas of your life.