Hands-free narration of this study — good for the car.
Synopsis
The Great Commission cannot be fulfilled unless all church members work together with ministers and church officers; the work of God 'can never be finished' until the membership rallies to it. Yet many members do not participate, for six recurring reasons: lack of self-confidence, unrecognized potential, never being asked, no training, limited understanding of their role, and no motivation. The Personal Ministries leader's task is not to guilt members into service but to help them recognize the honor of their calling, their indispensable importance in God's plan for someone else's salvation, and the certainty of success because it is God's own work. Total involvement, not a program for a select few, is the biblical aim—every branch, not just a few, is to bear fruit. Common barriers such as fear of failure, abrasiveness, and the excuse that 'my life is a witness' are answered not by technique but by a deeper connection with Christ, the Vine, whose love casts out fear and whose Spirit compels genuine, verbal witness. As leader, you must help members begin where they are spiritually rather than waiting years for readiness, trusting that God, not human effort, guarantees the harvest.
Key points
- The Great Commission requires the involvement of every member, not ministers alone; the work cannot finish otherwise.
- Six reasons members fail to witness: lack of confidence, unrecognized potential, never asked, no training, limited understanding of role, no motivation.
- Total involvement—every branch bearing fruit—is God's aim, not witnessing limited to a select few.
- Barriers like fear and passivity are overcome through a vital, abiding connection with Christ, not mere technique.
Key texts
- John 15:5
- 1 John 4:18
- Matthew 28:18-19
From the book
Session 5 · Handbook pp. 11–14; Leader booklet pp. 5–10 · Read the handbook
- “The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers.” (book p. 12)
- “There is no fear in love; but perfect love casteth out fear.” (book p. 8)
- “Every member is called to be a witness... Wherever a church is established, all the members should engage actively in missionary work.” (book p. 7)
Put it into practice
- Identify which of the six barriers to involvement are most present in your own congregation.
- Plan a personal, direct invitation to at least three members who have 'never been asked' to witness.
- Preach or teach on the privilege (not just the duty) of witnessing before addressing responsibility.
- Comprehension
1. According to the Handbook, when can the work of God in the earth be finished?
- Scripture
2. List the six basic reasons people do not participate in soul winning.
- Doctrinal Clarity
3. Why does the Leader booklet caution against giving members 'a guilt trip'?
- Doctrinal Clarity
4. How does 1 John 4:18 relate to the barrier of 'fear of failure'?
- Contrast
5. What is wrong with the excuse, 'I don't have to say anything; my life is a witness'?
- Scripture
6. What does the illustration of the vine and branches in John 15 teach about total involvement?
- Comprehension
7. Why should a leader help members 'begin where they are' rather than waiting years for full readiness?
- Application
8. Which of the six barriers do you most need to address in yourself before you can help others overcome it?