INSPIRATION FOR YOU
Are you a SOWER, a REAPER, or BOTH?
Part 1 -By Heather-Dawn Small
Recently I read an article in the Adventist Review, September 10, 2009, issue. The article was titled "Evangelize, Who Me?" I smiled when I saw the title, and even before I read the article I knew what the author would be saying.
This is a challenge many women face. This word "evangelism" has become a word that engenders fear in many of our sisters. Some believe that God has not called them to evangelize their world through preaching and teaching. Some feel inadequate and even shy when it comes to explaining Adventist beliefs from the Bible. Many women will never go door to door to give out evangelistic meeting flyers. Yet God has called each of us to tell the world about Jesus and His power to save us from our sins, and that He offers each person eternal life (Matt 28:19,20).
So what can we do? It's true the Bible calls each Christian to tell the world about Jesus. But should our methodology all be the same? In John 4, in the story of the Samaritan woman, Jesus in speaking to His disciples states, "For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.' I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors."
I have read this verse so many times and I must tell you I was amazed when I read it the other day. Jesus tells us that some of us are called to sow and some to reap. Some are called to tell others about Jesus, to plant the seed of God's love in the lives of those we meet. Then, some are called to reap. Some to preach the gospel, calling people to be baptized. These verses state that not everyone is called to sow and reap. Some sow and some reap. How can we sow the Gospel in peoples' lives?
One woman preaches, another woman teaches in small groups, then another woman has a card ministry to sick persons, another woman bakes bread for sick people, and on and on. God has given each of His children talents. These talents are to be used to strengthen the church, but also these talents are the channel we use to evangelize. What do I mean by this?
Read Part 2 of this article in our December issue of MOSAIC.
"Christ's method alone will give true success in reaching the people. The Savior mingled with
[people] as one who desired their good. He showed His sympathy for them, ministered to their
needs, and won their confidence. Then He bade them, ‘Follow Me.'"
Ellen White, Ministry of Healing, p. 143
"Plant SEED Evangelism" Ideas:
- T-shirts that say "He changed my life" to use as evangelism conversation starters.
- Use the missionary book of the year to distribute to your neighbors and friends.
- Coffee mugs with "Jesus loves you" imprint to give away as Christmas gifts in your neighborhood.
- Buy bottled water with custom labels marked "Living Water?" with the church logo and a printed explanation that although water quenches our thirst, Christ is the Living Water that quenches our soul along with the scripture verse John 7:38.
- Purchase "John 3:16" imprinted chocolates to hand out to Christian and non-Christian friends.
