Evangelism as gardening

Assignment # 1:

These are the things I learned from our Day 1 lesson:

1. Status of SDA church in evangelism- talks about the number of baptism and the percentage of backslidden brethren.

2. Main reasons why church members leave the church.

3. Possible ways to retain the old and new converts.

4. Evangelism was compared to gardening process.

5. Gardening is not easy and so with evangelism. You need commitment, focus, good foundation, and faithfulness to the call of the Great Sower.

6. Baptism is not our goal. Our mission is to make disciples to all nations. (Matt 24:14 & Rev.14:6-7)

7. Nurturing is very much important to ensure the growth of the plants.

8. You reap what you sow.

Assignment #2:

EVANGELISM IN GARDENING PROCESS

A. SITE SELECTION- this includes initial visit to the place to conduct survey and/or research of the possible target market.

·         Plot Making- measure and select your target people group.

B. SOIL PREPARATION- removing of unnecessary objects in the plot like stones, thorns, broken glasses etcetera.

Things to be done:

            1.  Soil testing- test what kind of soil you are ministering

 Illustration: Parable of Sower: Matt 13, Mark 4, Luke 8

 Discuss the Four Kinds of Soil

-       Along the path

-       Rocky

-       Thorny

-       Good soil

2. Cultivation or tilling- removing of unnecessary objects like stones. This may include burning.  In evangelism this refers to felt-needs ministries, culture study, language learning and any possible ways to develop friendship among the people.

            Matthew 5:16

3. Watering- Prayer- ask for the working of the Holy Spirit for you as gardener and for the people group.

           

C. SOWING OF SEEDS

1. Definition of Seed:

Seed (sporos) - something to be scattered or sown

2. Different kinds of Seeds

a. The seed is the Word of God-  Luke 8:11 

b. The seed is Christ-  Gal 3:16 ; Gen 3:15;  Jesus is what produces the harvest.

c. The seeds are the children of God- Matthew 13:38 

            3. Things to be done

a. Watering- to loosen the soil. conducting bible studies

b. Tilling/plowing

c. Weeding- removing of growing weeds.

d. Fertilizing- strengthening the plant through encouragement, worships/devotional,

e. Pest Control- removing of pests or destroyer of the plant. In evangelism, the pests represents false doctrines, offshoots, etcetera

f. Pray for the rain- ask for the working of the Holy Spirit

D. HARVESTING- baptism
a. evaluation of the fruit
b. preparation
c.. harvesting time

E. COOKING- the plants/fruits are already edible, useful to human life. This is the time they will be given church responsibilities and do outreach program or involve in mission.

F. PROPER STORAGE- the storage should be clean and dry to avoid spoiling.  The church should have a good programming, good church leaders, inspiring worship etcetera