Hoping to bring a guest with you to Resurrection services on Sunday? Praying for your pastor as he prepares to preach the gospel? Hoping the Spirit of God will open the eyes of someone you invited?
There are a lot of people within your reach that the Holy Spirit is already working on. They are already being drawn toward the Lord in their hearts. And God could use you—your words, your courage, your willingness to speak—to bring someone within the sound of the gospel this Sunday.
To get you started, I thought I’d share a few “conversation starters”—ways to ask someone to join you in church on Sunday:
1. When someone asks, ”How are you today?” Reply, “If I were any better, I would have to be sedated!” (Then smile!) Today, when I said this, a lady said, “Wow! Can you give me some of that?” I said, I sure can… and handed her an invitation to church on Sunday. She listened, smiled, paused a moment and said, “I think I just might be there…”
2. Just jump right in and say, “I don’t know if you have a place to attend church on Easter, but I sure would love to invite you to my church!” Of course—this only works if you really love your church, and if it’s truly a lovable church. Dead or dying churches are hard to be excited about.
3. Appeal to the curious conscience with a question about the resurrection like: “Have you ever heard real, historical, factual evidence for the resurrection? This Sunday our pastor is going to be talking about this, and you really might find it interesting!”
4. Appeal to the spiritual hunger that exists in every heart: “Has anyone ever explained to you why Jesus and His death and resurrection matter for your life? It’s really worth understanding!” It’s very safe to assume that every heart is spiritually thirsty. Tapping on that thirst and offering a drink of water often touches a nerve that you don’t see with your eyes.
5. Appeal to a religiously disillusioned heart: “Have you ever experienced a church service that was actually enjoyable? Have you ever been to a really warm and friendly church? You would love my church—and it’s nothing like what you think of when you think of ‘church.’” There are lots of people disappointed, hurt, and wounded by past church experiences. Those longing hearts still wish to know God.
6. Appeal to an intellectual, investigative mind: “Did you know there is reliable, historical evidence that Jesus rose from the dead? If you haven’t ever studied it out, you would really enjoy our church service this Sunday.” The historical evidence for resurrection really is abundant and very intriguing—and at least at EBC, we will be looking closely at this Sunday.
7. Appeal to someone’s sense of humor: For instance, folks from EBC could say something like, “How would you like to see a totally insane, California pastor trip all over himself trying to communicate to New Englander’s?” There’s always a creative and kind way to break the ice and get someone to smile when you invite them to church.
Here are a few final ideas that could take it a little further…
Use Facebook and Twitter.
Use email.
Use text messaging.
Write a personal note.
Invite them to coffee or breakfast before service.
Invite them to lunch after service.
Collect on a favor—”Hey remember how you owe me $20? Why not come to church with me Sunday and we’ll call it even!”
And if all else fails—try a head-lock.
God bless you as you invite friends, neighbors, relatives, and co-workers to hear the gospel preached on Sunday!
