When Jesus gave the great commission to His disciples He said,
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations
MATTHEW 28:19A
The word for nations in Greek is ethnē which means all people groups, including nations, cultures, tribes, languages and even family groups. Those who speak the same language, those who eat together, share life together and inter-marry; not just national territories or countries. We can call these Relational Streams.
Jesus' great commission was to make disciples in all relational streams.
Relational Streams are people we interact with on a daily basis. As school, work, university or sport or social gatherings. Basically they are people we know.
Within these informal networks are people who are open and are receptive to the gospel's story and a life of faith.
These people are known in the bible as the Persons of Peace. As Jesus outlined in the book of Luke,
 But whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace to this house.'And if a son of peace is there, your peace will rest on it…. And remain in the same house, eating and drinking such things as they give.
 
LUKE 10:5-7
These persons of peace, are key of sharing your faith as they are already familiar with you and your network and are much more open to your influence than strangers. They know you already.
So start to list the names of friends or the people who know you well who don't know Jesus as their Lord and Saviour.
Is there a person of peace among them?
Priorities these names into the top 5: Those for who you will pray daily for; focus on first to follow Jesus; describe and activity that you will cultivate friends and the people you have listed.
Eating together with friends is one of the methods of witnessing what Jesus outlined. This is an extremely important church planting activity as homes are great places to start new churches groups.
Jesus mentioned eating with people, healing them and telling them that the kingdom is near is when eating together people share their life stories and the issues that they are facing in their daily lives.
This is where you will hear about the stressful and painful chapters in people's lives.
These stories give you a chance to offer help and healing by way of practical support and encouragement. You will also have an opportunity to share your story of how God has healed you. |
