WINNING SOULS, DISCIPLING BELIEVERS & PLANTING CHURCHES

Winning souls, Discipling believers & Planting churches

by JOHN HUNT

The Apostle Paul’s ministry in first century Ephesus is a great example to us about winning souls, planting churches, and discipling believers.

Over a period of three years, Paul transformed the culture of the city of Ephesus. He was then able to leave the church in hands of strong leaders to continue his mission to plant new churches and spread the Gospel.

In Acts 20, when Paul spoke to the elders of the church in Ephesus, he revealed five characteristics about soul winning, discipleship and church planting that can help us today.

1. ATTITUDE 'You know how I lived the whole time I was with you, from the first day I came into the province of Asia. I served the Lord with great humility and with tears…’ (Acts 20:19)

Paul arrived in Ephesus with a different spirit to the culture of the day. Humility wasn’t a revered characteristic among the self-importance and superiority of those living in the successful, thriving trading centre of the Mediterranean.

Paul’s humility can be seen in his tears – not tears for himself and his own personal pain, but his tears for the plight of the people of Ephesus. His humility came from a deep love for people. Psalm 126:5 says that ‘Those that sow in tears will reap in joy’. Three years after he left, Paul reaped the joy of building a strong local church in Ephesus that was making disciples and influencing the community.

2. ACQUAINTANCES

Paul’s acquaintance in Ephesus was opposition. As he put it, '…in the midst of severe testing by the plots of my Jewish opponents.' (Acts 20:19).

He had the challenges from the Jewish leaders, and also faced opposition from locals, such as the silversmiths who made idols of Artemis, who had long been the local goddess.

Despite the resistance and hostility towards him, Paul didn’t allow himself to become discouraged and persevered. Over time, his humility and empathy caused the people to experience the Gospel, and the local church in Ephesus was established.

3. ASSIGNMENT 'You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you.' (Acts 20:20) The Apostle Paul’s unwavering conviction was to his assignment. He was committed to present the uncompromising truth of God’s Word, in a foreign culture. >

Without hesitation, he brought truth into the lives of the local people, marrying grace and truth together that was helpful.

4. ACTIVITY '...but have taught you publicly and from house to house.' (Acts 20:20)

Paul’s activity connected him with people, from public speaking and going from house to house. Through conversations and touching lives in the community, he broke down walls.

We can connect with people on different levels –be it academically or professionally – but it is when we connect relationally, there is authenticity. It means getting into the trenches together and sharing their struggles. There is no substitute for face-to-face connection.

It doesn’t matter where people come from, but the love of Christ draws people together.

5. AMBITION

'I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must turn to God in repentance and have faith in our Lord Jesus.' (Acts 20:21).

Paul’s ambition was a singular message – to turn people to God and have faith in Jesus. His ambition is our ambition.

Just as Paul entered in Ephesus in humility, we can build relationships with the same attitude so that people experience the love of God.

We have no other message but the message of Jesus. We take that message so that people can experience the love of God. Cultures can be transformed just as Ephesus was transformed and was never the same again.

JOHN HUNT is the Director of ACCI and ACC Vice President.

Missions

John Hunt, Director of ACCI, is hosting the Missions stream for everyone with a heart for the Great Commission. This stream will provide a taste of the PanAsia Missions Conference on the Gold Coast and a focus on “Give. Go. Learn.” If you’re a field worker, a local church Missions leader or someone with a desire to go to the global mission field, this is the stream for you.

INCLUDED IN YOUR ACC23 NATIONAL CONFERENCE REGISTRATION

conference.acc.org.au/streams