Why Reach Out?

****This Devotional Blog ties in with my Podcast, "Why Reach Out?" at http://tompounder.podomatic.com or go to iTunes and type in Tom Pounder under the Podcast menu.****

Opening Questions:

1. What was the best gift you ever got for Christmas or your birthday?
2. What was the most meaningful gift you gave to someone else?
3. What meant the most to you? Getting the gift or Seeing the joy in someone else’s face because of the gift they received?

If you are honest with yourself, most of us would say that we get more out of giving to others than getting. Why do you think we get more joy out of giving than receiving?

Last question, I promise - Is there a limit on how much you will give? Will you give freely to someone up to a point? Or will you give to certain people more than others? Why?

Today, we are going to look at moving beyond ourselves and reaching out to our friends, family and community for Christ. Why should we reach out? Let's look and see:

Scripture:

Read Matthew 18:19-20; Acts 1:8
1. What does Christ command us to do?
2. How should we go and make disciples?

Christ commands us to – “Go and Make Disciples”; “You will be my Witnesses”. Why should we reach out? Because Christ commands us too. The great thing about Christ, though, is that not only does He tell us what to do, but he tells us how to do it.

He tells us to go and teach them everything you have learned from Him. Then He gives us a strategy - Start with your inner circle of influence (Jerusalem) and then branch out to your school (Judea and Samaria) and eventually to the world (ends of the earth). We have to start with those closest to us, then move out, slowly but surely to the ends of the earth.

Read Matthew 4:19; Philippians 2:3-4
1. What sticks out to you about these verses? How do they relate to reaching out?

When we choose to follow Christ, we have an obligation to move it beyond ourselves and be fishers of men and women. Christ didn’t say, Come follow me and I will make you the best Bible readers ever! No, he said, to Come, follow me and I will make you fishers of men!

Also, when we reach out to our friends, family and community we are serving them. Sharing your faith is a way of serving because you are helping them come to a better life by following Christ. We get blessed more than the people we serve. We should do this selfishly because we will be blessed.

Application:

1. Write down a list of names you can eventually share your faith with. Pray that God would open doors for you to share your faith with them.
2. Remember what Christ said, "teach them everything I have commanded you". Take 1 thing you learned in your relationship with Christ and prepare to share with with them.

Be prepared and ask God for guidance and He will present the opportunity. Let's make the most of it.

Whether they know it or not, these people on your list are counting on you to share with them about the life transforming power of Jesus Christ. Let's not let them down.