Invite Your Friends

Why don’t we ask new believers with a wide sphere of influence to immediately host a party to introduce their lost friends to Christ? 

Then, a pastor, a small group facilitator, and the new believer could give a 5 to 10 minute presentation about a new life in Christ.

Then, we could even use these parties to launch new Small Groups from those who come to Christ through them.

This sphere of influence strategy really worked for Matthew, Cornelius, and a Samaritan lady. Why don’t we use it?

After Matthew came to Christ, he immediately invited everyone within his sphere of influence to come and meet Jesus.

Apparently, it was a big hit because this small group gathering made the Pharisees furious. 

Matthew 9:9-13 (MSG) "Passing along, Jesus saw a man at his work collecting taxes. His name was Matthew.

Jesus said, "Come along with me." Matthew stood up and followed him. 10-11Later when Jesus was eating supper at Matthew's house with his close followers, a lot of disreputable characters came and joined them.

When the Pharisees saw him keeping this kind of company, they had a fit, and lit into Jesus' followers. "What kind of example is this from your Teacher, acting cozy with crooks and riffraff?"

12-13Jesus, overhearing, shot back, "Who needs a doctor: the healthy or the sick? Go figure out what this Scripture means: 'I'm after mercy, not religion.' I'm here to invite outsiders, not coddle insiders." 

Reaching people through a new believer’s Sphere of Influence, really worked for Matthew.

Next, a Samaritan woman who had a history of adultery went and told her sphere of influence, which were the men in her city about Jesus.

John 4:28-30 (NASB) “So the woman left her water pot, and went into the city and said to the men, "Come, see a man who told me all the things that I have done;)this is not the Christ, is it?" They went out of the city, and were coming to Him.” 

Using her Sphere of Influence, the Samaritan woman reached an entire city.

Lastly, God brought the Good News to the non-Jews in a Small Group’s sphere of influence.

In Acts 10, there was Roman centurion named Cornelius who was instructed to find Peter, and retrieve him, so he could receive the Good News. 

As Cornelius waited for Peter, he had everyone within his sphere of influence waiting to hear him. As a result, the Holy Spirit fell upon then all.

This strategy really works. It makes me wonder. Why don’t we use it?