Open your eyes and look at the fields! They are ripe for harvest.
(John 4:35)
I’ve been reading a book by Philip Yancey called “Vanishing Grace,” which fits so well with this message. Yancey says evangelicals are not seen in a positive light today. Instead of being full of grace as Jesus was, they are seen as full of hate, particularly those on the other side of them politically. We know this isn’t true of most, but is very true of some, and the media takes those stories and runs with them.
We must demonstrate genuine love. We must invite them into our homes and love them. We must listen to them with caring hearts. I love Rosaria Butterfield’s story for demonstrating how she was won over by love despite being a lesbian who thought so little of evangelicals.
Indeed, that’s what Jesus did. He didn’t have a home, but He went out of His way to meet with the Samaritan woman, waiting for her, caring about her “lostness.” Eventually, He showed her who He was.
Yancey says: “How differently will I relate to the uncommitted if I view them not as evil or unsaved but rather as lost.”
Have you ever been literally lost? I was so lost and scared in the Copenhagen airport as a seventeen-year-old. I was traveling to Sweden to spend a month as an exchange student. I couldn’t find anyone who spoke English to help me read the monitor and find my gate to Stockholm. One man ran up to me and put his hands on my breasts. I fled into a hall, slid down against the wall, and sobbed. I was so lost in every way.
Then a kindly man who spoke English came over and bent down. He looked at my ticket and walked me all the way to my gate.
So many people are so lost, scared, and do not know the way. May we be filled with compassion as Jesus was, and not filled with hate.
Click here for the sermon
https://gospelinlife.com/downloads/harvest-5141/
Click here to download transcript:
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
2. What stands out to you from the above?
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 4:27-42
-
Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27)
Darrell Bock said Jews believed Samaritan women were perpetually menstrual and therefore perpetually unclean, as would be her vessel. This made me think of how the blacks were made a caricature of a century ago, and the Jews during Hitler’s time.
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar?
C. What is her witness to the people? Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely?
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone?
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it?
F. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours?
G. What does Jesus say in verse 37?
H. Share a recent time when you sowed. Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed.
I. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith?
The Samaritans were the first to declare Jesus as the Savior of the World. And it started with a woman!
Tuesday: Intro to Message
Listen up to when he says harvesting happens because of truth, love, and friendship.
This is a message Keller did in his late 30’s upon first coming to Redeemer. They probably didn’t realize how influential these messages would be, for again, the tape recording starts late.
4. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?” Why might they now?
5. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism?
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive?
Wednesday: Truth
Listen to about 13:40 when he says, “Secondly…”
Jesus obviously knows what the disciples are thinking and knows they don’t get it. His whole work was to come to seek and to save. To harvest! And He does it by telling the truth.
7. How did Jesus talk to the woman in truth about her need? Her sin?
8. In what ways did He talk to her about Himself?
9. How do her words to the Samaritans show she received both the truth about herself and about Him?
10. What does evangel mean?
11. Give an example of how ignorance is weakness and truth is power.
12. What two illustrations does he give to illustrate holding to the truth is not the same as being narrow-minded?
Thursday: Love
Listen to about 27:42 when he says “the last thing is the method.”
How often have I heard a testimony of someone having the love of Christ drop to their heart and they had to pull off the road with their car or their bike as they were weeping uncontrollably. That was Charles Colson’s testimony, and I heard it again recently from a young woman whom I thought was a believer, but though she seemed to believe, she equated a particular style of living and a political alignment with being born-again. She hadn’t gotten it at all! Like the Samaritan woman, Jesus showed her both her sin and His love, and she had to pull off the road, weeping at His amazing grace.
13. What stands out to you from this portion?
14. What does Keller say moved the woman — and what would not have?
15. What did he mean when he said “When the gospel sinks in it is like you are getting a huge compliment?”
16. What was Keller’s point in telling the story of Robert J. Thomas?
17. (Optional) Read this and share what stands out to you:
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/missionary-robert-jermain-thomas
18. How did Keller handle the touch question of “What about the people who’ve never heard?” How would you handle it?
Friday: Method
I can’t remember who said it, but concerning evangelism he said, “Be yourself and don’t hide.” So simple. You don’t have to give the whole gospel, but you can drop seeds that come up organically, as Jesus did in talking about water with the woman.
I’ve said things that came up naturally such as:”Jesus really helped me get through my grief of losing my husband.” “I love my church because it feels like family.” The person may ask more about it or they may not, but I’ve dropped a seed.
19. What seeds have you dropped in natural conversation with someone who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus?
Listen to the end.
20. What stands out to you from this part?
21. How did he define friendship and how does that relate to good-newsing?
22. Do you have this sense of mission? Explain.
Saturday:
23. What is your take-a-way and why?
72 comments
1. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week? His kindness and patience with me as I have struggled with worry and anxiety. Last week’s lesson about the Samaritan woman reminded me of last year when Paige Brown taught on Naaman (least I think it was Naaman) and how far God went to save a man in Syria. I think of how far Jesus went to meet the Samaritan woman and tell her, a woman with an unsavory and unhappy past, a non Jew, and an outcast that He was the Messiah. That is who He is meeting us where we need Him most. So this week He reminds me in His word and in songs and in church this morning, He loves me and doesn’t forsake me. I need to lift my eyes off me and trust Him.
2. What stands out to you from the above? How brave you were at 17 to travel alone internationally and how horrifying to be groped and not be able to communicate. Thank God He sent you help.
Judy, so true!- ” That is who He is meeting us where we need Him most…He loves me and doesn’t forsake me.”
So good to see that parallel between Naaman and The Samaritan Woman!
So true, Judy: He loves me and doesn’t forsake me. I need to lift my eyes off me and trust Him.
1. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
On our trip home from the beach we had brake issues. We just had new brakes put on the car and we thought it was a computer error, however, we were concerned with continuing on our travels. We had our trip in the GPS and it kept telling us to go a different way that we don’t usually take. It is a longer way, but the map showed it was all clear, whereas our normal ways to go were red and yellow the whole way home. We decided to take the route, and it was clear the entire way home! 5 hours! We were thankful because we didn’t want to use our brakes that much if we didn’t have to. It was perfect, and I know He was in charge. Grace told me she said a prayer to Jesus because she was scared. It was sweet. Later in the trip it began to rain a bit, but we were doubly blessed with an ENTIRE rainbow that went across the road in front of us! We could see it for about 10 minutes. We were delighted to say the least!
2. What stands out to you from the above?
Being lost! Wow, did I have a scare when we first moved to New Hampshire and had to follow my husband into Boston for a business dinner. Our kids stayed behind (6, 12, and 13) and I left my cell phone with them in case of an emergency. This was before smartphones and GPS were used much at all (early 2000’s). I lost my husband in the traffic and had absolutely no idea where to go. I only knew the restaurant was called Anthony’s and it was at a pier (that meant nothing to me!). I ended up in the “North End” and found a restaurant called Anthony’s, but it wasn’t on a pier at all. I flagged someone down and asked and he was kind enough to point me to the right area of the city. I happened to be on the main road where the other Anthony’s (eventually) was! My husband and his colleagues made a bit of fun of me when I got there, but at least I had finally made it. You know what is worse? Getting OUT of Boston! It took me 2 hours to figure it out. Dang cow paths! I’m still not very good at getting out to this day…
Laura, you had kisses from the King! safety, sweet company, and a rainbow to boot for 10 minutes!
Great stories from Laura!
Oh, Laura! Oh, these stories are both filled with God’s loving care! I love that you all saw an entire rainbow! Love Grace’s sweet prayer.
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
—Having been at the annual Church Conference this past week for our Fellowship of Churches I was greatly blessed experiencing the presence of the Lord through the worship music and really good teaching from God’s Word.
Since being back home God has given me a couple of opportunities to share some things I learned at the conference with a couple of friends going through particularly hard spiritual struggles this week. It fascinated me how timely it was of God to give me the just right encouragement from his Word that I could pass on to others. It was like he just gave it to me just for them.
2. What stands out to you from the above?
—The story of being lost in the airport is so compelling in thinking how awful that would have been.
I once got separated from my parents when I was a very small child and remember how scared I felt. A sweet older man from a men’s store we had been in saw me and lovingly took me to find my parents who had gone on down the street into another store. We lived in a small town and he recognized me.
The feeling of being lost is overwhelming especially when you are young. I could never have traveled alone to another state by myself at 17 let alone to another country. I don’t understand the hate thing. It goes against everything Jesus teaches us about himself and God our Father. It makes no sense to me that anyone can claim to be an evangelical Christian and have hate for others.
Love your story of small town caring.
Sweet stories, Bev. Small towns are wonderful. I was even afraid of getting lost in Sunday School, as a small child.
I agree….it is so unlike Jesus for a Christian to be hateful….reminds of Keller’s sermon last week: Religious proselytizing: arrogance not humility; treating others with disdain….this is not of Jesus or His teaching.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 4:27-42
Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27)
—Jewish men didn’t engage in conversation with women let alone an unacceptable considered unclean Samaritan woman.
Darrell Bock said Jews believed Samaritan women were perpetually menstrual and therefore perpetually unclean, as would be her vessel. This made me think of how the blacks were made a caricature of a century ago, and the Jews during Hitler’s time.
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar?
—Water was life and vitally necessary to live and function especially in an arid climate. But nothing mattered to her once she experienced the Spirit of Jesus. The physical water no longer was a priority.
C. What is her witness to the people? Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely?
—She said “He told me all that I ever did”. I guess I’m not surprised because in the context of his witness to her she understood that He truly knew her and loved and understood her anyway. It was her personal testimony of what had happened in her encounter with Jesus.
He had filled her cup so to speak to overflowing and she needed to share. He had brought life and love and acceptance to her very soul. She no longer needed to be ashamed.
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone?
—“Can this be the Christ?” No I don’t think I ever have. Don’t remember ever being in a conversation that would lend itself to that context.
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it?
—Nicodemus thought Jesus was speaking about actual physical birth and the Samaritan woman thought Jesus meant actual physical water.
F. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours?
—From verse 34 “….to do the will of him who sent me and to accomplish his work.”
G. What does Jesus say in verse 37?
—“For here the saying holds true, ‘One sows and another reaps.’”
H. Share a recent time when you sowed. Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed.
—I recognize that my life doesn’t take me out in the mix of the world very much where I have meaningful encounters of lingering conversations with unsaved people. Just lots of quick polite exchanges. My circle in life is predominantly believers. And where I live it is a pretty much a conservative established kind of small town community where you don’t get into people’s business especially their personal life. And I like some others on the blog expressed have never felt evangelism was my gift. I have been involved in some attempts to practice evangelism with canned approaches and it wasn’t comfortable or successful. I honestly wasn’t afraid to do it. It just didn’t seem to flow naturally for me. So not a lot of sowing has happened on my part. But I am encouraged but what we are discussing and learning from Keller and looking to God for the opportunities.
As far as reaping is concerned I have developed a fairly close friendship with a neighbor who is a widow and have drawn her into a women’s Bible study and she has attended church with us several times. She has very little teaching and understanding of the Bible but has had exposure to the Gospel and is interested to grow and know more. I feel like I’m reaping what others have planted in her.
I. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith?
The Samaritans were the first to declare Jesus as the Savior of the World. And it started with a woman!
—It is apparent the poor Samaritans were in a very “dry” place spiritually. Over the years their theology had gotten very convoluted and the self righteous Jews were so condemning of them. But they still had hope that the true Messiah was coming and would be their salvation too. They were hearing words of truth from the woman in what Jesus had shared with her and then heard and understood and accepted the words of Jesus for themselves. They longed to hear more and in their hunger for his words asked and welcomed Him to stay in their community.
Thankful for your relationship with the widow.
1. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week? I so felt the presence of the Lord this past week in His protection and His comfort. We lost our beloved oldest sheltie, Annie. She was almost 15, but her little body just gave out. Thankfully, our daughter from Montana was here visiting. We have a wonderful and kind vet and the the transition was sweet and peaceful, but I have been so sad. She has been such an emotional support to me for years. She would stay next to my mom on her bed in the Adult Care Home, when I would bring her to visit, during my mom’s final days and it was such a comfort to all of us. She has been the same way with my husband, as his health declines and he does not totally understand, but knows she is gone. Yet, the Lord is always good and His timing is always perfect, even in the really hard times.
2. What stands out to you from the above? I have had times when I felt totally lost in life. When I was hired to manage an Art business, which eventually became my own business. I always wanted this job, but the owner called me out of the blue, when her manager quit a week before her second child was due. I was so frightened for weeks, but I did one baby step at a time, sitting in my car praying every time I went to visit a new or existing client. As I returned home one day, I picked up the mail and the back cover was a lovely photo and this verse: “In Quietness and confidence shall be your strength” Isaiah 30:15 I took this back cover and put it in the front of the files in my desk drawer and read it every morning. I kept it there for all the time I had my business. It reminded me of how lost I had been and to always help others who are lost, and never to forget how hard life can be for all of us at times. We all need Jesus, no matter where we are coming from, we need someone to point us to Him.
Patti, I know Annie was family and 15 years just doesn’t seem long enough 😢…hugs and prayers.
Love your story of how you felt totally lost and how God used a client to give you encouragement through Isaiah 30:15❤️😊
Thank you, Sharon. Annie was a very special dog. (I was not very clear…the verse was on a Christian magazine that was in my mail…. I did have a few clients and several designer friends who were believers! ) I also loved the last paragraph you wrote on last week’s blog….about evangelism.
Thank you, I did see your response😌
Annie was so precious. Praying for you my dear friend. So much rain in your life right now.
Thank you, Dee. xoxo
Patti, very sorry to hear of your dogs passing. It is hard to lose part of our family. Praying for peace. ♥️♥️
Thank you, Laura. xoxo
3. Read John 4:27-42
Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27)? The disciples were surprised that Jesus was speaking with a woman in public, especially a Samaritan woman, who was considered unclean.
Darrell Bock said Jews believed Samaritan women were perpetually menstrual and therefore perpetually unclean, as would be her vessel. This made me think of how the blacks were made a caricature of a century ago, and the Jews during Hitler’s time.
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar? She had found the living water offered by Jesus, which was so much more important than the water from the well.
C. What is her witness to the people? Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely? She tells the men to come and see a man, who told her all the things she had done….Things a stranger could not know. It is surprising for her to be so outgoing, when she intentionally had come to the well when no one was around.
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone? This is not the Christ is it?
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it? The disciples are urging Jesus to eat, but Jesus is talking about His food is to do the will of God.
F. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours? The fields are white for harvest; He must sow God’s Word and reap believers for eternal life. We are to sow God’s Word to unbelievers.
G. What does Jesus say in verse 37? One sows and another reaps.
H. Share a recent time when you sowed. Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed. It is often difficult to know when or if the words you sow are reaped. I have gently sown words with my grandchildren and later I have heard and seen that others have reaped from the seeds I planted. Sometimes, it takes years and sometimes we never know, but the Word of God is truth and it should be part of our normal conversation. I loved Sharon’s last paragraph last week. It has to be from the heart, part of your life, not a packaged formula.
I. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith? Many of the Samaritans believed in Jesus because of what the woman told them; For many it was a seed planted and it drew them to hear the words from Jesus, Himself. They believed from hearing Him directly. Their hunger caused them to listen to the words of the woman and their faith caused them to seek out Jesus and believe after hearing Him.
The Samaritans were the first to declare Jesus as the Savior of the World. And it started with a woman! Love this! The most unlikely sower of the Word!
Sunday:
1. How have you experienced the presence of the Lord this week?
The Scripture is radioactive. I have been in the book of Isaiah for the yearly read-through-the-Bible plan. And I have read this section of Isaiah before.
I have not seen this passage from Isaiah 12:2-4 as perhaps, another akin to evangelism.
“Surely God is my salvation; I will trust and not be afraid.The Lord, the Lord himself, is my strength and my defense[a]; He [Jesus] has become my salvation.” With joy, you will draw water from the wells of salvation. [Jesus is the Living Water and joy wells up inside of his spring] In that day you will say: “Give praise to the Lord, proclaim his name [evangelism-share with others]; make known [witness] among the nations what he has done, [The Samaritan woman pointing others to Jesus] and proclaim that his name is exalted.Sing to the Lord, for he has done glorious things; let this be known to all the world.”
2. What stands out to you from the above?
We must demonstrate genuine love. We must invite them into our homes and love them. We must listen to them with caring hearts.
The Lord has been showing me where my heart had been when I share Jesus with others. There were many times when the urgency of saving them was foremost in my mind. Which I think is “reasonable and necessary”. But my love has been conditional. Not like the kind of love that Jesus has. To Him, a relationship was important, and the timeliness and grace of His interactions are both a beauty and a great lesson to behold. Treating the Nicodemuses and the Samaritan women of the world according to their deepest needs. Lord, help me be like you.
He certainly shows a high bar for love. But so good.
Oh, how we need to love like Jesus, demonstrating His love is so important. Love how you brought in the Isaiah passage, Bing.
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 4:27-42
Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27)
Darrell Bock said Jews believed Samaritan women were perpetually menstrual and therefore perpetually unclean, as would be her vessel. This made me think of how the blacks were made a caricature of a century ago, and the Jews during Hitler’s time.
They were surprised that Jesus was talking to a woman and a Samaritan at that! What also caught me was one of the questions they might have been thinking was, “What do you want?” John 4:27 NIV Like what Jesus could be wanting from somebody like her.
And I have thought of that before of people who I thought were “impossible” cases. What could Jesus do with somebody like “them”?
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar?
Her water jar was representative of her physical and spiritual thirst. Now that she has found the true source of water, that is living water, she did not care that she left it. Her water jar no longer represented her.
C. What is her witness to the people? Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely?
Come and see a man who knows everything about me. No, it does not surprise me. Only a changed life can be a witness to others. I believe she is not ashamed anymore because she has found true love in Jesus Christ. She knew the Messiah will come and now she has seen Him in flesh and bones. Jesus knew her past but offered her what she needed without strings attached.
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone?
Could this be the Messiah? No, I have not asked that of anyone.
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it?
They were confused about what Jesus meant by his food as doing the will of the Father and finishing His work. They thought somebody brought him food when they urged Him to eat what they brought.
3. Read John 4:27-42
Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27)
Jesus was speaking to a woman.
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar?
She wouldn’t need it anymore.
C. What is her witness to the people? Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely?
She said she met a man who told her everything about herself. No, but I also don’t think she confessed her sins freely. She kept trying to change the subject. Finally she gave in because he “proved it” to her.
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone?
She asks, “Could He possibly be the Messiah?”
Are you asking if I have ever asked about Jesus being the Messiah, or about anything that is difficult to believe? I have thought, “ could the stories be true?” to myself, but never questioned His existence out loud. When I have that thought, He usually reaches down and corrects me!
Monday: The Text
3. Read John 4:27-42
A. Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27)
They were surprised to see Jesus talking to a Samaritan woman as the Jews didn’t associate with Samaritan’s.
Darrell Bock said Jews believed Samaritan women were perpetually menstrual and therefore perpetually unclean, as would be her vessel. This made me think of how the blacks were made a caricature of a century ago, and the Jews during Hitler’s time.
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar?
She was taken from needing physical water, leaving the old behind to seeing her need for Jesus, the living water and moving forward to tell others. 2 Corinthians 5:17, “…if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation. The old has passed away; behold, the new has come.”
C. What is her witness to the people?
”Come and see a man who told me everything I ever did!”Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely?
Yes, as it seems a strange way to testify and no, as it shows how Jesus talked to her didn’t shame her…she felt no condemnation.
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone?
”Could He possibly be the Messiah?” I have never asked this question.
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it?
Nicodemus thought he had to go back into his mother’s womb and the woman wanted the living water so she wouldn’t get thirsty and have to get water from the well.
F. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours?
Doing the will of God and finishing His work.
To be planters and harvesters.
G. What does Jesus say in verse 37?
”One plants and another harvests.”
H. Share a recent time when you sowed.
I had the opportunity to sow along with other teachers in VBS.
Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed.
I cannot think of a time.
I. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith?
They believed in Jesus because of what the woman had said, ‘He told me everything I ever did.’
They begged Jesus to come stay in the village and He did for two days which was long enough for many more to hear His message and believe.
Then they said to the woman, ‘now we believe, not just because of what you told us, but because we heard Him ourselves. Now we know indeed He is the Savior of the world.’
(I must say, wouldn’t it be wonderful to have Jesus physically confirm what we have testified about Him as He did for the woman? I wonder how people would respond today? Doing some soul searching as to what my witness looks like…do others see Jesus in me, do I depend enough on the power of the Holy Spirit to plant and harvest accordingly? So many more questions!)
I forgot to put the third misunderstanding in “E.”
Jesus says to the disciples He has a kind of food they know nothing about and their response was, ‘did someone bring Him food while we were gone?’ Jesus explained where His nourishment comes from.
I smile at the “did someone bring him food while we were gone?”
Why were the disciples surprised (vs 27) Jesus was talking to a woman. A Samaritan woman.
Darrell Bock said Jews believed Samaritan women were perpetually menstrual and therefore perpetually unclean, as would be her vessel. This made me think of how the blacks were made a caricature of a century ago, and the Jews during Hitler’s time.
B. What is the significance of her leaving her water jar? She no longer cared about the reason she came. She, the woman who was an outcast, was excited to have something to offer other people . Come and see the man who knows everything about me. Can this be the Christ?
C. What is her witness to the people? Does this surprise you? Why do you think she doesn’t seem to be ashamed but confesses freely? Come and see. Yes it does. The woman had been shamed and I suspect cast aside. Her encounter with Jesus brought excitement, joy and the courage to not hide what she knew.
D. What question does she ask? Have you ever asked a question like that of anyone? Can this be the Christ? no, I have not.
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it? Jesus had food to eat they knew nothing about. The hearers think He is speaking physical Nicodemus birth, Samaritan woman water and disciples literal food. Jesus was speaking from spiritual reference about.
F. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours? To do the will of the Father and accomplish His work.
G. What does Jesus say in verse 37? One sows and another reaps.
H. Share a recent time when you sowed. Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed. Not that recent but A grocery store employee who was having a hard day. I continue to pray for him and once in a while send a text. I do feed my granddaughters and am seeing changes in their family as they have started going to church. Today they told me the teacher talked to them about praying yesterday and so they said a prayer for my husband who had fallen. A long long time ago I and another woman led a woman to confess in Jesus.
I. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith? Many believed because of the woman s testimony. They asked Him to stay with them. They told woman We believe for we have heard for ourselves and know this is the Savior of the world.
The Samaritans were the first to declare Jesus as the Savior of the World. And it started with a woman!
Tuesday: Intro to Message
4. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?”
They associated it with television evangelist who were men with well-publicized hypocrisy, very judgmental and very self-aggrandizing. It meant trying to get people to leave their own personal belief system and convert to the Christian system which came across as narrow minded, bigoted and unfair.
Why might they now?
They associate it with being a conservative, pro-life, anti-homosexual and therefore still think Christian’s are narrow minded, bigoted and unfair.
5. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism?
We must have the same heart for harvesting that Jesus had, to have a joy for harvesting. If we don’t, we don’t know what it means to live a satisfying life. We can’t understand and enter Christianity without it. ”A Christianity that doesn’t have conversion and evangelism as part of it is something, but it’s not Christianity, ice cream without freezing is something, but it’s not ice cream.”
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive?
My father…oh how He loved the Lord and how he loved me. He wasn’t perfect but I saw in his life how much it meant to him to tell others (and me) of Jesus and it came from a genuine heart of evangelism.
So good from Sharon:
We must have the same heart for harvesting that Jesus had, to have a joy for harvesting. If we don’t, we don’t know what it means to live a satisfying life. We can’t understand and enter Christianity without it. ”
That is a good point Sharon on how the world sees evangelical Christianity today. “They associate it with being a conservative, pro-life, anti-homosexual and therefore still think Christian’s are narrow minded, bigoted and unfair.”I think you are absolutely right about that. It is clearly the narrative the media promotes.
I agree with Bev and Dee! The media promotes the negatives. Yet we must have the same heart for harvesting that Jesus had. Your dad sounds wonderful.
E. In the interlude with the disciples, we see a third misunderstanding (Nicodemus and being born again and the Samaritan woman and living water) What is it?
The disciples and offering (repeatedly) Jesus, some food. They wonder if He is hungry and if anyone has fed Him.
F. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours?
He says His food comes from doing God’s work; planting and harvesting.
G. What does Jesus say in verse 37?
“You know the saying, ‘One plants and another harvests.’ And it’s true.”
John 4:37 NLT
YouVersion Bible
H. Share a recent time when you sowed. Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed.
I talk about Christianity at the gym where I go. I’m not sure I have benefitted from anyone’s planting though 🤷🏻♀️. Wait! I just recalled something….there was this woman in our community who was quite crazy. She wandered the town smoking cigarettes, swearing, etc. she would come into our church and scream out strange and inappropriate things, often with children nearby. She hibernated in the church one time after everyone was gone and the church was locked up! She was deeply disturbed. We found out later that she was basically disowned by her family, but her brother paid her rent and such. She was supposed to take medicine but would go off of it and that’s when these incidences would occur. This has gone on for years. I have seen our pastor speaking to her face to face, quietly.
My husband was on the trustee committee that tends to the church needs. He was fearful she might end up hurting someone. He wanted our pastor to get a restraining order on her. He wouldn’t do it. The pastor remained faithful to her and believe it or not, I have noticed her at church the last few weeks! She doesn’t appear crazy anymore and stays through the entire service! She is cleaned up. Our pastor didn’t give up on her. I sure hope she continues to take her medicine and learns how much God loves her! Please pray for Marie.
I. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith?
They invited Him into the village to speak. They said they believed Him because of His words. They said they believed He was the Savior of the world.
What a beautiful story about your pastor not giving up on Marie. What a godly and tender heart like Jesus, he must have. Thank you for sharing this story Laura. On another note, how did VBS go? I have been praying for many seeds to be planted with the kids.
Patti, thank you for prayers for our church children. The VBS went very well! Girls were excited to be there and even my little Grace began to dance the moves we taught when we heard one of the songs later, at home. God is our compass, as each song conveyed. I usually learn so much at VBS 😉.
Laura, Interesting story about Marie. I have seen through the years most every church I have been associated with has had some strange, difficult person to handle and deal with. I have felt for a long time that they are a test of the heart of the church in how they treat them. Sometimes boundaries are necessary to be implemented but a heart of love is necessary. And loving the unlovely can be so difficult. I could tell you some hard stories and actually some very funny stories about a man who was part of our church for a number of years until he passed away. But he kept us tested and humbled on more than one occasion. God bless your pastor for his kindness and patience. Prayer for Marie is important.
Amen, Bev.
Interesting thought that difficult people are to test the love of a church, Bev.
Tuesday: Intro to Message
4. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?” Why might they now?
—because of the television evangelists during that time had developed large followings and made a lots of money but then failed morally and ethically. As Keller said it was well publicized hypocrisy and then there was an examination of all evangelicals and the fact that the goal was to see conversions to Christianity the public saw it as narrow minded and an invasion into their way of thinking.
—I think in today’s world there is a lot of antipathy against evangelism for the same reasons only in much stronger terms. The church has had many highly publicized failures. Hypocrisy still is one of the main words used against Christians.
Also we live in a society that is highly individualized and anyone who comes with a message that requires giving up who you are and all that you are to Jesus flys in the face of our cultural norms and attitudes of “be yourself”.
5. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism?
—Keller says that “Jesus Christ clearly does and demands in this passage again and again and again that we do this one little thing. It’s called harvesting.”
He also said that “You can’t understand Christianity without it. You can’t enter Christianity without it.”
A brief point he made stood out to me was this statement. “There are several places in the Bible, here’s one of them where the joy of Christianity is intrinsically linked to mission.”
I think that is packed with lots to ponder about the heart and nature of sharing Christ. Perhaps he will enlarge on that.
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive?
—My older first cousin who gave her life to Christ after a young life of much sinning and she never looked back but instead made it her life’s mission to always share Jesus. When I was a young teen she shared the scriptures that gave me assurance of my salvation and because of that I never again questioned whether I was saved from hell and was going to Heaven all because of Jesus. She was persuasive on several counts. She had a naturally very outgoing personality but it was Jesus that lit her up. Her countenance truly shined with the presence of Jesus in her life. She clearly understood what Jesus had done for her personally and she conveyed that. She had a genuine concern for the lost sinner and looked for ways to love on them. You just couldn’t argue with the reality of the change he brought to her life and being. She exuded the joy of Christianity.
Great points, Bev. This is so true: Also we live in a society that is highly individualized and anyone who comes with a message that requires giving up who you are and all that you are to Jesus flys in the face of our cultural norms and attitudes of “be yourself”.
Listen up to when he says harvesting happens because of truth, love, and friendship.
This is a message Keller did in his late 30’s upon first coming to Redeemer. They probably didn’t realize how influential these messages would be, for again, the tape recording starts late.
4. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?” Why might they now? The public felt that evangelism was about being narrow minded, bigoted and unfair. It is still looked upon negatively and often associated with hypocritical leaders and prosperity preachers. It is also associated with looking down on people who are living in a specific kind of sin, focusing on the sins and forgetting we are all sinners or a particular political stance. ….it is often “packaged” with the term “born again” in a negative sense.
5. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism? It is truly about bringing other to faith and it is a commandment given by Jesus.
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive? I think in many ways, it was my dad. He was not perfect, but it was always a strong undercurrent in how he lived his life. It was something important to him his entire life. One of the sweetest things was after he died, a lovely friend from Japan (that he had worked with and mentored) heard that my dad passed away and this man traveled all the way to Minneapolis to visit his gravesite, “to honor this friend” (those were the words he used when he told my mom). What made it persuasive to me was that it was in his heart.
Love hearing about your dad, dear Patti.
4. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?” Why might they now? That people thought the Christian would try to convert them to convert them and have them leave behind their current religion or belief system. That it’s narrow minded and bigots. That some Christians may be angry, narrow minded, bigots and hypocrites
5. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism? Jesus demands it and it is satisfying and will bring joy.
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive? My aunt. The way she lived her life. You knew she believed and she was thoughtful and kind not critical of others.
Interesting that your aunt’s not being critical of others stood out to you.
Wednesday: Truth
7. How did Jesus talk to the woman in truth about her need?
He made her see that her need wasn’t about being with a man but her need was Him, which would be totally satisfying.
Her sin?Being with a man she wasn’t married to.
8. In what ways did He talk to her about Himself?
That He is the truth, the way and the life, not the temple in Jerusalem or Samaria.
9. How do her words to the Samaritans show she received both the truth about herself and about Him?
She tells them to come see the Man who told me everything I ever did.
10. What does evangel mean?
The gospel/good news.
11. Give an example of how ignorance is weakness and truth is power.
I learned from good news the truth about gardening in NC …much different than Oregon because of the weather. The only problem is the good news was only partial. I had a great crop in the spring but once the humidity and hot weather hit …bummer crop! I have gained more truth in what to do different and having that knowledge has empowered me to try again next year.
12. What two illustrations does he give to illustrate holding to the truth is not the same as being narrow-minded?
Scientist sharing they discovered truth that certain treatments for MS are bad and to stop them.
The truth that racism is wrong.
7. How did Jesus talk to the woman in truth about her need? Her sin? Jesus talked to her about living water, the provision, the need for the life He offered. He told her to go and get her husband opening up she s had 5 husbands and 1 she has now isn’t her husband.
8. In what ways did He talk to her about Himself? He told her He was the Messiah.
9. How do her words to the Samaritans show she received both the truth about herself and about Him? Come, see a man who told me all I ever did. Opening up to her sin that others may have seen or known about. Can this be the Christ? Opening door that the Messiah was here and not needing to go to Jerusalem to worship at the temple,
10. What does evangel mean? Gives the Good News
11. Give an example of how ignorance is weakness and truth is power. Ignorance is having a Bible and not reading it. The truth of the Bible is powerful.
12. What two illustrations does he give to illustrate holding to the truth is not the same as being narrow-minded? Scientists finding current MS treatments ineffective and bad for patient who publish article in New England Journal of Medicine to stop these things and do this instead. A group of doctors tell you you are taking poison, so stop it.
Thursday: Love
13. What stands out to you from this portion?
One of the reasons people get upset with the idea of missionaries, evangelism, and converting people…you must feel you’re better than others. I remember as a teenager hearing older people question the motives of missionaries. They thought that what they were doing was wrong because they were taking their ideas to another country and trying to change their culture into what they thought it should be. Hearing what Keller said about others thinking the idea of being a missionary as a superior stance is really what they were saying. The problem with that is they didn’t know the missionaries and had no idea what their motives were. Most of the missionaries I knew were there because of their love for the Lord and they were being obedient to what God had called them to do. And because they were human, they weren’t perfect but I must say, they were some of the most humble people I knew…it wasn’t about them, they wanted to glorify God and that was very evident in their love for the people they were sharing the good news with, their work and the sacrifices they made.
14. What does Keller say moved the woman — and what would not have?
Christ’s love for her even though He knew everything about her. ”You might say the bad news and the good news of the gospel…you are more wicked than you ever dared believe and you are more loved, valued and accepted than you ever dared hope.” What would not have moved her is Jesus thinking He was superior to her.
15. What did he mean when he said “When the gospel sinks in it is like you are getting a huge compliment?”
There’s nothing better than realizing how much Jesus loves us and that we’re His beloved child.
16. What was Keller’s point in telling the story of Robert J. Thomas?
His reason or motive in taking Bibles to the Korean’s was love, not superiority and he was killed doing it.
17. (Optional) Read this and share what stands out to you:
Gods reach goes far beyond what we can humanly think possible.
18. How did Keller handle the touch question of “What about the people who’ve never heard?”
We may not understand God’s ways, but we can’t let that stop us from embracing His goodness and wonderful love and extending the good news to others.
How would you handle it?
I have been asked this questions by “Christians,” more than anyone else and my first response is taking them to Romans 1:18-20, “But God shows his anger from heaven against all sinful, wicked people who suppress the truth by their wickedness. They know the truth about God because he has made it obvious to them. For ever since the world was created, people have seen the earth and sky. Through everything God made, they can clearly see his invisible qualities—his eternal power and divine nature. So they have no excuse for not knowing God.” My second response is, I know God is fair and just and I have faith that His plan is perfect.
Always love your eye witness accounts of missionaries.
It is kind of crazy the way people make judgments about the motives of others, that they do not even know. I always learn from your “real life” stories of growing up in a family of missionaries. Thank you, Sharon. All of the missionaries we have known, have truly had hearts for the Lord and they have given up much to do this.
4. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?” Why might they now?
The TV evangelists were hypocritical, judgmental, and self-absorbed. It about converting people now.
5. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism?
We are here to share Jesus to the world. It’s our job! Jesus calls it “harvesting.” He wants us to have a heart for it as He does, otherwise we are missing living a satisfying life.
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive?
Probably my young friend Alyson, who knew I was desperate. She knew that I was drowning with my teenage kids and their issues. All she did was ask me, “Have you ever listened to Nancy Leigh Demoss?”
Love that that simple question changed your life!
Jesus obviously knows what the disciples are thinking and knows they don’t get it. His whole work was to come to seek and to save. To harvest! And He does it by telling the truth.
7. How did Jesus talk to the woman in truth about her need? Her sin? He talked to the woman in a loving way about her sins and showed her that she needed to change.(v.25 shows that she is seeking: “I know the Messiah is coming when that One comes, He will declare all thing to us.” ) She seemed to know her need in her heart already, but the fact that Jesus knew all about her got her attention. He was different than other men she knew. He offered her a better way of life.
8. In what ways did He talk to her about Himself? He told her that He (not the temple or the mountain) is the way to the Father in heaven.
9. How do her words to the Samaritans show she received both the truth about herself and about Him? “Come see a man who has told me everything I ever did.” (her need). “this is not the Christ is it?” (her expectation)
10. What does evangel mean? Good news
11. Give an example of how ignorance is weakness and truth is power. It is hard to have a satisfying life if you are ignorant about Jesus; you continue to seek other sources to gratify your soul and they are all empty. When I learned the truth of Jesus, I knew I had a source I could trust and depend on. All the stuff in the world never satisfies, but the love of Jesus satisfies beyond all material things we can imagine.
From Patti:
It is hard to have a satisfying life if you are ignorant about Jesus; you continue to seek other sources to gratify your soul and they are all empty. When I learned the truth of Jesus, I knew I had a source I could trust and depend on. All the stuff in the world never satisfies, but the love of Jesus satisfies beyond all material things we can imagine.
From Patti:
It is hard to have a satisfying life if you are ignorant about Jesus; you continue to seek other sources to gratify your soul and they are all empty. When I learned the truth of Jesus, I knew I had a source I could trust and depend on. All the stuff in the world never satisfies, but the love of Jesus satisfies beyond all material things we can imagine.
I love your answer to #11, too, Patti. I see unsatisfied people because they are ignorant about Jesus. They talk about God but do not have a relationship with Him.
13. What stands out to you from this portion? What stands out to me the most is article you attached. Touches my heart. I need to be more regularly be praying for missionaries.
14. What does Keller say moved the woman — and what would not have? The Love and affirmation she received was so great to her that she had to pass it on to others.
15. What did he mean when he said “When the gospel sinks in it is like you are getting a huge compliment?” It buoys us up that we could be so sinful and yet so greatly loved.
16. What was Keller’s point in telling the story of Robert J. Thomas? Thomas did the planting but didn’t see the marvelous miraculous harvest, but he loved enough to give his life for that harvest. Just as Christ has done
17. (Optional) Read this and share what stands out to you: I wrote the above about a marvelous miraculous harvest without reading the article below. I am amazed at what God did with this man s sacrifice. The soldier, the wallpaper and people drinking water from the river – what wonderful work.
https://www.ligonier.org/learn/articles/missionary-robert-jermain-thomas
18. How did Keller handle the touch question of “What about the people who’ve never heard?” How would you handle it? He talked about his father doing things he didn’t understand, but Keller knew his father was good and he’d have to be satisfied with you are not old enough to understand He doesn’t know about the people who never heard, but he knows about the people who almost never heard and are grateful that they did. I’d fumble it. God s ways are not our ways or his thoughts ournthoughts. My hope is that through the wonder of creation they some how come to know Him and His salvation.
Yes to Robert Jermain Thomas — and he was only 27!
A. What does Jesus say his work is — and their work and ours?
To do the Father’s will and to finish his work. And ours is to sow and reap.
B. What does Jesus say in verse 37?
One sows and another reaps.
C. Share a recent time when you sowed. Then share where you reaped where you know another sowed.
I have a friend who loves The Chosen. We talked about the series, and I had the opportunity to talk to her about Jesus. I think of the children that we have at church. Their parents have sowed the good news in their hearts, and we are reaping the results of seeing them grow in their Christian faith as we build on what their parents have sown.
D. Describe how the Samaritans responded to Jesus in verses 39-42. What evidence do you see of their hunger? Their faith?
They believed in Jesus, and asked Him to stay with them, which He did for 2 days. And many became believers.
The Samaritans were the first to declare Jesus as the Savior of the World. And it started with a woman!
Yes! A woman. Jesus surely honored women during His earthly life.
Tuesday: Intro to Message
Listen up to when he says harvesting happens because of truth, love, and friendship.
This is a message Keller did in his late 30’s upon first coming to Redeemer. They probably didn’t realize how influential these messages would be, for again, the tape recording starts late.
Dee, I have listened to this sermon 4x already! Personally, I think this is the best message on evangelism, especially the way TK elaborates on truth, love, and friendship.
1. Why did Keller think the public has a negative reaction to the word “evangelism back then?” Why might they now?
The word was associated with television evangelists who were often very judgmental and self-aggrandizing. Nowadays, they think Christians who evangelize want to convert them to leave their religion and abandon their personal beliefs and convert to the Christian system.
2. Why is it that a true Christian should not reject evangelism?
“The joy of Christianity is intrinsically linked to mission. A Christianity that doesn’t have conversion and evangelism as part of it is something, but it’s not Christianity.”
6. Describe the person that had the biggest impact on you evangelistically. What made them persuasive?
My mother had the biggest impact on me evangelistically. She emphasized the importance of accepting Jesus Christ in my life to lead my life. This initial impact was followed up by missionaries who loved me unconditionally and who I saw were genuine in their faith through their words and actions. The Navigators had a big impact on me for spiritual disciplines.
You have a rich heritage, Bing.
Thanks for pointing that out, Dee. I continue to see the puzzle pieces of my life come into place.
Wednesday: Truth
Listen to about 13:40 when he says, “Secondly…”
Jesus obviously knows what the disciples are thinking and knows they don’t get it. His whole work was to come to seek and to save. To harvest! And He does it by telling the truth.
7. How did Jesus talk to the woman in truth about her need? Her sin?
Jesus pointed to her need for spiritual water rather than physical water. he spoke of her sexual sins in a more indirect way: “Yes you are right; you have no husband and the man you have now is not your husband.”
8. In what ways did He talk to her about Himself?
He is the Living Water. Whoever comes to Him will never be thirsty again. When the woman said something about the coming Messiah, Jesus said, “I am He.”
9. How do her words to the Samaritans show she received both the truth about herself and about Him?
She said, “Come see a man who told me everything I have done! Could He be the Christ?”
10. What does evangel mean?
Evangel means “good news, good newsing.”
11. Give an example of how ignorance is weakness and truth is power.
I was watching an old movie where the main character had an infected wound, and he was slowly dying (literally weak!). His wife, who did not know what to do, had to agree for another man to clean the wound so the infection can be gotten rid of. After a painful procedure, the man got better (had the power to continue living).
In a spiritual sense, when we do not know what we are able to do through Christ, we can be spiritually weak. When we know the truth that He is the one who enables us to do any good thing, we are powerful to do so.
12. What two illustrations does he give to illustrate holding to the truth is not the same as being narrow-minded?
He used the illustration of scientists discovering a cure for MS. Then they will say, do not do these things, do these things. They are trying to convert you.
Or doctors saying, “You are taking poison, stop it!
Thursday: Love
Listen to about 27:42 when he says “the last thing is the method.”
How often have I heard a testimony of someone having the love of Christ drop to their heart and they had to pull off the road with their car or their bike as they were weeping uncontrollably. That was Charles Colson’s testimony, and I heard it again recently from a young woman whom I thought was a believer, but though she seemed to believe, she equated a particular style of living and a political alignment with being born-again. She hadn’t gotten it at all! Like the Samaritan woman, Jesus showed her both her sin and His love, and she had to pull off the road, weeping at His amazing grace.
13. What stands out to you from this portion?
14. What does Keller say moved the woman — and what would not have?
The love of Christ moved her. Superiority wouldn’t have moved her.
15. What did he mean when he said “When the gospel sinks in it is like you are getting a huge compliment?”
In Keller’s words: “You’re getting an affirmation far more cosmic than any of those examples I just gave you. Because that’s the day in which you meet Jesus and he says, come in, my love. I’ve bore all the blame. So enter into my family. Eat at my table. Come under my wings. Open yourself and receive my strong love. Take upon yourself my strong name… Friends, when you feel loved and affirmed down to the socks, down to your pinkies, you have to do good-newsing. If there’s any bit of the love of Christ in you, you have to do it.
That’s nothing compared to meeting Jesus and having him say, you are my beloved child, and with you, I’m well pleased. And anybody who’s actually met him like that, anybody who’s really converted, in other words, instantly and immediately is pressed to become affirming.
16. What was Keller’s point in telling the story of Robert J. Thomas?
Robert J. Thomas was moved by the love of Christ and the love for the Korean people.
17. (Optional) Read this and share what stands out to you:
How Robert J. Thomas was passionate about his calling. And that amidst the grievous loss of his wife, he kept pouring himself out to the cause of good newsing to the Korean people. He invested his life into getting better to do mission work (like working with a physician so he can have medical skills as a missionary).
7. How did Jesus talk to the woman in truth about her need? Her sin?
He acknowledged the sin and told her what she needed to relieve herself from the sin. She saw her need and saw that she was provided for in that need.
8. In what ways did He talk to her about Himself?
He said He was what she needed, not the water, to have eternal life. Through Him she would receive, not through some temple.
9. How do her words to the Samaritans show she received both the truth about herself and about Him?
Not sure I am getting this question. She says she has met a man who told her everything about herself. That is the truth about herself. Then she says for everyone to “come see a man.” He is the provision for all of their needs.
10. What does evangel mean?
It is the good news! The Gospel.
11. Give an example of how ignorance is weakness and truth is power.
What you don’t know makes you weak, because you don’t know. When you have knowledge, you can use that to make decisions.
If I am ignorant of the stock market I don’t know how to buy or sell. If I understand it, I know what to do.
Thursday:
16. What was Keller’s point in telling the story of Robert J. Thomas?
—The story of Robert J Thomas is a powerful illustration of how one man alone (one small seed) in the scope of humanity by giving his very life and what he had in just a few Bibles to bring the truth of God’s Word to a lost people was used by God to open up a nation for the Gospel. And the fruit of that is expansive today.
17. (Optional) Read this and share what stands out to you:
—I would say the incredible passion Thomas had for people to know the gospel. But it interests me that his background was one of privilege in that he was obviously very intelligent and very well educated. Often it is the case with someone who has a great deal of knowledge they become full of that. He did not. In fact some of his choices were unconventional and he was on the move to get God’s Word to a lost people. I was also impressed that in the face of deep personal grief in losing his wife and baby that he acknowledged that painful grief openly but didn’t lose sight of God’s mission for his life. And I’m amazed at how young he was. I can’t speak for the youth of that time but today in our culture we rarely see that kind of depth of passion and maturity.
18. How did Keller handle the touch question of “What about the people who’ve never heard?” How would you handle it?
—It is not ours to know and understand because like a father who does things that a child doesn’t always understand as a child I can still trust what he is doing until I’m old enough to understand. We are called to trust our father and not overthrow the many pieces of evidence that have already proven to me he is decent and loving.
My own thought is like Keller I don’t know about those who have never heard. I don’t have an answer for that. But I do know my God and Father and that He has been proven trustworthy and is a good and loving God who is not without purpose in all he does.
Friday: Method
I can’t remember who said it, but concerning evangelism he said, “Be yourself and don’t hide.” So simple. You don’t have to give the whole gospel, but you can drop seeds that come up organically, as Jesus did in talking about water with the woman.
I’ve said things that came up naturally such as:”Jesus really helped me get through my grief of losing my husband.” “I love my church because it feels like family.” The person may ask more about it or they may not, but I’ve dropped a seed.
19. What seeds have you dropped in natural conversation with someone who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus?
—Getting my nails done this week and talking with the gal next to me she made it known she was a farmer’s wife. Here where I live we would qualify that comment by saying they are “big” farmers meaning they own a lot of land and farm on a big scale. She was very talkative and offered a lot of information about their lifestyle. But she made the statement that farming was like gambling. Having grown up with and still having farmers in our family I interjected that farming was definitely a different lifestyle than most careers and a true walk of faith. She immediately picked up on that and even though she had been raised in the city and was personally rough around the edges she began to tell me a “God story” from their farming experience last year. Have to say not sure if she had a personal relationship with Jesus but my acknowledgment of God and bringing faith into our conversation changed it quickly.
Listen to the end.
20. What stands out to you from this part?
—His comments on the fact that a friend is someone who gives their friend what the need. But he said you do not become someone’s friend in order to change them. He said you change them in order to be their friend. You don’t love somebody in order to get them to do what you want. You urge that they convert in order to love them.
21. How did he define friendship and how does that relate to good-newsing?
—“Jesus Christ shows that ultimately the gospel is radical friendship. He gets by the sex-bias, he gets by the race bias. He reaches out without condemnation and radical friendship to somebody whose life is completely wrong and he’s friendly. Listen, you will be as good at harvesting as you are at friendship, and vice versa. Or I’ll put it this way, a friend is someone who gives their friend what they need.”
—So good needing will come naturally as friendship is established.
22. Do you have this sense of mission? Explain.
—Yes, God has put it into my heart that everyone needs Him. Having a true understanding of what the Cross means to me personally and the power of the Cross to save anyone just makes me see people in their need and I know Jesus is the answer to every need. Salvation being the first and foremost need for everyone.
Great how you changed gambling perspective to faith.
Friday: Method
I can’t remember who said it, but concerning evangelism he said, “Be yourself and don’t hide.” So simple. You don’t have to give the whole gospel, but you can drop seeds that come up organically, as Jesus did in talking about water with the woman.
I’ve said things that came up naturally such as:”Jesus really helped me get through my grief of losing my husband.” “I love my church because it feels like family.” The person may ask more about it or they may not, but I’ve dropped a seed.
19. What seeds have you dropped in natural conversation with someone who doesn’t have a relationship with Jesus?
Jesus guides me through decision-making in school (when talking to a friend who is a teacher as well).
Listen to the end.
20. What stands out to you from this part?
“…a friend is someone who gives their friend what they need.” Powerful! I would like to have more friends like this. I believe that you, ladies, are this kind of friend to me.
Jesus exemplified a true friend to the Samaritan woman-He sought her out, initiated a conversation, and gently drew her out. Then He accepted her and showed her what she needed-Himself!
21. How did he define friendship and how does that relate to good-newsing?
See my answer to #20.
Saturday:
23. What is your take-a-way and why?
One of the best, if not the best sermon on evangelism, mission, and harvesting. I wish I had heard this earlier on! What I love about T. Keller is he always brings his readers or audience back to Jesus. The words good newsing are a wonderful addition to the Christian calling.
12. What two illustrations does he give to illustrate holding to the truth is not the same as being narrow-minded?
He talks about a scenario where these doctors who have figured out that all the medications for MS, do not work, and are actually bad for you, want to publish their information so that everyone knows and stops taking them. It is truth. It is not narrow-minded, but rather trying to convert people to a different way of doing something. They are saying do this, not that because it is better for you.
The other example is racism. Is racism wrong? He doesn’t say is racism wrong, for you. It’s just plain wrong period. He says you’re taking a moral truth and trying to convert people to it.
Evangelism is the good news. We can’t criticize Christians for wanting to spread this truth to others. We need to open our mouths and let people know.