By Brian Mitchell
Would you like to study the Bible? Often in personal evangelism, we are reluctant to do the one thing that most needs to be done, that is come right out and ask people to study the Bible with us. One of the more fascinating things about the Apostle Paul, was how easy he found it to talk to people about the gospel, even in unfamiliar and uncomfortable surroundings. In whatever circumstances he found himself, Paul found it natural to preach the gospel with boldness and confidence--Acts 17:16-17, Acts 28:30-31.
Unfortunately for the Lord and His church today, we as His people, are often far more reluctant to discuss matters of a spiritual nature with those whom we come in contact with. “We may engage in broad discussions of religious topics now and then, and we may even invite others to the services of church. However, we do not very often simply ask people if they will study the Bible with us.” Why is that?
The waiting game is popular with many. While relationships are important, we don’t have to be blood brothers, before we can ask someone to study the Bible. Some people call this serendipity evangelism—which simply means that we are hoping people will discover the gospel truth by accident. So we don’t say anything, and even at time justify questionable activities, on the basis that we are trying to establish contacts. “Whether or not we are consciously following the approach of serendipity evangelism, we seem to have great trouble popping the question. We delay asking people point-blank for a home study.”
Waiting is not always better. Granted there are times when it is not possible or even expedient to ask a new acquaintance if they would like to study. Wisdom teaches us to look for the best moment, when all things considered, we have the best chance of getting a yes. The problem is this, “Very often the optimum moment to ask about a Bible study comes earlier, rather than later, in our association with people.”
If we are planning to ask for a Bible study at some point, it is often better to do it sooner rather than later. Even if the answer is no, we may still develop a relationship and be in an even better position to teach them later on. And if we don’t ask, the answer is always going to be no and we will always know that we did not do the most important thing needed to lead someone to Christ. Ask them if they want to study the Bible.
Not every situation is the same. Wisdom may indicate, a different timetable in different situations, but eventually we must still ask people to study. And no this is not always comfortable and thus not always easy and it is easier for some than others but that does not exclude any of us from seeking to study the Bible with others. A man may dread asking a woman to marry him and he may stumble through doing so, but eventually he gets around to it because he loves her. If we love the lost like Jesus loves the lost, no matter how uncomfortable it may be, we will ask people to study the Bible.
- Brian Mitchell serves as a minister with the Jackson Church of Christ in Jackson, MO. He may be contacted through the congregation's website at https://www.jacksonchurchofchrist.net
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