Winter 2009 Exploring Christianity - Wk 3

Thank You for Praying

Thank you for your partnership in the gospel on Wednesday evenings as we speak, preach, teach, and demonstrate the gospel to our guests. We certainly feel supported and sustained by your prayers and for that we thank God for you. I do want to keep Colossians 4:2-4 before us to remind us of the importance of prayer for evangelism.

Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time, pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ, on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.

A Story for Your Encouragement

I recently had one CrossWay member encourage the church for their loyalty in hosting Exploring Christianity in the fall and winter of every year. She had been asking her husband to attend for several years now and it wasn’t until this year that he agreed to attend the Preview Dinner. She was surprised at how much he enjoyed himself and even more surprised that he registered for the series. She is very grateful to all of CrossWay in our faithfulness to this gospel outreach ministry.

Last Wednesday

This last Wednesday we had more people attend than attended our Preview Dinner. It happens during week 2 of every series and I call it the Philip Phenomenon – “Come and see” (John 1:46). We had 90 people seated for dinner which represents six discussion groups. Around half of those people would either be nominal or non-Christians. Last Wednesday was the first time the discussion groups met and apparently there was a great deal of activity.

I didn’t speak with all the discussion group leaders, but I did speak with two of them. One reported that two significant questions where asked; (1) how can a good God allow evil and suffering, and (2) how do you reconcile the idea of a sovereign God and the need for individual repentance. The other leader reported that there was significant transparency, several tears, and some significant personal life situations.

This Wednesday

This Wednesday we will be addressing the topic, “What’s the big deal with sin?” This won’t be the first night we’ve addressed sin, but we will address it head on. We’ll talk about the power of sin, the penalty of sin, the partition of sin, and the pollution of sin. This is a sobering night for folks, but as Jesus said, “Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick” (Luke 5:31).

Prayer Requests

• Pray that all barriers that would keep our guests from coming on Wednesday would be removed by God and they would find themselves at Exploring Christianity.
• Pray that we would continue to warmly welcome and befriend our guests so that their fears can be laid aside and then could thoughtfully consider the gospel.
• Pray that God would give the discussion group leaders wisdom to answer questions with biblical truth, clarity, and sensitivity to the person’s feelings.
• Pray that God would give the discussion group leaders and helpers shepherd-like sensitivity so that they can demonstrate the love, care, and compassion of Jesus.
• Pray that the teaching on sin would be clear, weighty, and personally convicting. Pray that everyone would recognize their sinful state.
• Pray that the presentation of the gospel at the end of the message would be clear, compelling, and full of grace and a sense of urgency.
• Pray for the joy, effectiveness, and energy for our Explorer Kids workers and for the obedience, care, and joy of the children.
• Pray for those setting up, taking down, cooking food, serving food, managing sound and everyone who serves, that they would see how they’re service fits into God’s redemption of a people for His very own.
• Pray that many would come to saving faith through the ministry of EC. Pray that some would place their faith in Jesus Christ on Wednesday night.
• Pray that in everything, God may be glorified and His kingdom built.