F04 Second Field – Sowing
List of the Online Lessons: A B C D E F G H
F04 Second Field – Sowing
The diagram of the four fields in the heart of God is an important overview of the main principles of spiritual movement. (These are not the four soils into which the Word of God falls according to Mark 4.) In addition to observing the ministry of Jesus and the apostles in the Word, we observe those principles also in areas where the movements are growing today. This overview serves mainly the initiators and leaders. It helps us to see the next steps along the way, or things that hinder us from healthy progress. Later, we will review tools or key activities for each field.
The importance of the heart of God around our diagram is perhaps clear. Jesus says, „Without me you can do nothing.“ (John 15:5) We can serve effectively only by His own empowerment.
The first field is empty. We enter it and connect with people in a given group or place.
In the second field, the farmer diligently and abundantly sows God’s seed. In our ministry, this may begin with moving from casual conversation over coffee to living Jesus, to the Gospel, and to the challenge of what questions to ask, and how to help George ask the important questions himself. But our greatest goal is that George would encounter living Jesus and respond to Him!
We have observed that for our sharing of the Good News, to be effective, it must have three main components:
C) Connection – this is our connection with George
G) The Gospel and
T) The touch of Jesus.
Please remember the acronym „C.G.T.“: the Connection, the Gospel and the Touch of Jesus.
C) CONNECTION means our initiative towards George – that we start talking to him, asking him, listening to him. Here is our overall approach to George and our relationship and contact with him.
G) The GOSPEL component in effective sharing addresses what we say to our George when it is time for „telling“ something within our connection. Is our Good News clear to him, does he get the foundation? Is he able to explain back to us how he can gain forgiveness for his own wrongdoing? Will our George be able to convey this to his Andrew soon? Under the „gospel“ we also need to make sure he knows what to do! That is, if our narrative contains a clear instruction and challenge to accept Jesus. This is an element that is completely missing in many so-called spiritual conversations!
T) If there is no JESUS TOUCH in our sharing of the Gospel, then it is all just information for George. While our story may be interesting, it will do nothing in him! In addition to a clear explanation of the Gospel, George needs to experience „a touch of living Jesus.“ Not necessarily something supernatural; but it can – and does – happen, now and then! The touch of Jesus tends to be associated with our dependence on Him! It is the fruit of our urgent and persistent prayers that the living Jesus may enter into the lives of our Georges…
Do you remember C.G.T: Connection, Gospel and Touch of Jesus?
What happens when any of these three ingredients is missing in our sharing? I know from experience that God’s grace is great and often covers our shortcomings. However, when we obediently do what is important, God’s action and blessing is then much more available.
We’ve already talked about Christians who spend years building relationships and procrastinate on the Gospel. What tends to be the result when some Christians, on the other hand, „just sprinkle the gospel“ on their surroundings without establishing real relationships? Yes, God’s touch sometimes sovereignly fills that gap – even a complete stranger can invite Jesus into their life! The unbeliever sometimes experiences a form of God’s touch without our involvement. When I hear about this, I eagerly ask Jesus about how to connect with him, and how to add the Good News to that touch of Jesus! For without it, he is still on the road to spiritual destruction…
Connection, the Gospel and the touch of Jesus. How do these three components look like in your contact with unbelievers? What specific things can you do to strengthen the quality of each and balance of them?
Lord Jesus, thank You that in Your Word and in Your nearness we find everything we need to effectively share Your Good News and lead people to You.