The Gospel is not quarantined!

Today Ed explores how to think about sharing the Gospel in these unusual days.


God’s word is not chained!
“Remember Jesus Christ, raised from the dead, descended from David. This is my gospel, for which I am suffering even to the point of being chained like a criminal. But God’s word is not chained.”  2 Timothy 2:8-9

In the last physical Sunday gathering we had (it was only on the 15th March, even if it feels much longer ago) I preached on Acts 5 at the Westbury congregation and shared the story of Pastors Michael Yat & Peter Yen who were put in prison. They were released after eight months and during that time they were able to lead others in the prison to faith in Jesus.
As with the apostles in Acts, we saw prison did not chain the word of God.
Currently we face restrictions on ‘normal’ life, even if it isn’t quite prison, and we may feel this restricts how we can reach out to others. However we should be encouraged that even during this time God’s word is not bound and God maybe even using this time to turn people to himself.
So here are a few thoughts of how we might be able to play our part in that:

      1.     Pray



Whether we are busier or less busy, one thing it has highlighted is how easily our plans can come to nothing because so much of life is outside our control. That perspective should help us in coming more quickly to our God in prayer.
During this time perhaps people will be more open to the things of Jesus because the change makes them stop and think, and be less sure of the things they have put their hope and security in.
So let’s pray that during this time God would be at work in people. Let’s pray specifically for people by name, so why not a make a list of people to pray for if you haven’t already.


      2.     Scatter the seed of the word of God



       
       A.     Conversation starters

There are opportunities for us both now in our online interactions and at the point where those restrictions are lifted to speak about the Word of God. Maybe there are openings to reach out to family and friends we had lost contact with.   
In the midst of conversations we may be able to ask people

“Where do you find hope at a time like this?”

Which in turn may open up the conversation to where we are finding our hope.



      B.      Direct people to the church service links and website



People can now come to church without leaving their own home! Share the YouTube link to the service or point them to the website. Week by week they will be pointed to Jesus.

I already know a number who are doing this and so let’s seek to make the most of the opportunity. 



C.      Offer to read the Bible with people

This is possible online but may be one for when the restrictions are lifted. I suspect more people are likely to say yes now than they were a month ago. This maybe because of a heightened interest in eternal things or because the change has given them a little more time (I know one person I am praying for has had to take reduced working hours), ultimately it will be because God is at work.
Hopefully going through the Uncover material in House groups will have given us material to use and confidence in how it can be done.                         If you would like some more help then please do get in touch. 




Let us be assured that through this time the word of God is not chained and as a result pray:
·         That God would do his part in opening up the opportunities and preparing people’s hearts.
·         That God would enable us to do our part in speaking out courageously for him with the hope of Jesus that people so desperately need.

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