Pastors and youth leaders: If you’re looking for an ideal sermon series or curriculum to inspire your congregation and teenagers to share the gospel, I have great news: There’s one sermon series that’s free, easily accessible, and works every time.
That sermon series is you.
When you have compassion for the lost and a passion for gospel advancement that inspires you to consistently share the Good News of Jesus with those around you, it’s contagious. Your tears for the unreached will spill over onto your weekly sermon notes and your midweek program. And those tears will soften the hearts of those you’re leading.
Set the Pace.
That’s not to say you shouldn’t teach about evangelism or instruct your congregants or students on how to share their faith. On the contrary, outreach training curriculum or events can give people the skills and confidence they need to clearly and effectively tell others about the gospel.
But counting on a one-time series or event to ignite your flock is a setup for disappointment. It’s only when your people see you actively sharing the Gospel in your personal life and weaving your faith-sharing stories into your sermons, lessons, and programs that it will finally get through to them.
You become the ultimate sermon series.
Walk as Jesus Walked.
Jesus modeled this in his life. When he called two fishermen—Simon Peter and Andrew—to be his disciples, he said: “Come, follow me, and I will send you out to fish for people” (Matt. 4:19).
As they followed, they saw Jesus pray for, care for, and share the Good News of the Kingdom with countless people, which trained and inspired them to do the same (See Acts 3 for just one example.).
Jesus also said:
“The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.” (Luke 6:40).
Case in point: The students Jesus trained went on to turn the world upside down in a spiritual revolution that continues to this day.
The apostle Paul also followed this principle with those under his care, including the believers in Corinth, whom he told: “Follow my example, as I follow the example of Christ” (1 Cor. 11:1).
Are you able to say the same to your followers? Are you ready to be the sermon series they need to see? Are you ready to personally share the gospel and mobilize your church and youth group to do the same?
You are the sermon series, so begin setting the example today.
This article originally appeared on gregstier.org and is reposted here by permission.