Jesus instructed His disciples to be His witnesses even to the ends of the earth (Acts 1:8). He commissioned them to “go and make disciples of all nations” (Matt. 28:18-20). He calls us “Christ’s ambassadors, as though God were making his appeal through us” (2 Cor. 5:20). We’re to be the “salt of the earth” and “light of the world” so others “may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven” (Matt. 5:13-16). Bible teachers can help students understand and engage in this awesome responsibility and privilege. Here’s what to do and not do when teaching outreach.
Do provide resources and support, not just instruction when teaching outreach.
When teaching outreach, stress that Jesus commands us to reach out with the Good News of the Gospel but get beyond verbal instruction. Students will be more likely to share the Gospel if given tools to help them do so. They will tend to learn better when they can come back and share about it, if not with the group, at least with the teacher. So, train and equip but also debrief.
Check out: Tools for Teachers to Share the Gospel (These same tools can be passed on to students for their outreach.)
Don’t skim over the need for heart preparation in reaching out.
Students themselves need to reach out for the right reasons (i.e., love for God and people – Matt. 22:37-40) and with the right attitudes (with gentleness and respect not with insensitivity and arrogance – 1 Pet. 3:15-16). That takes heart preparation. 1 Peter 3:15 begins, “But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer …” People will be more likely to hear our words about Christ when they sense the difference He’s made in our own lives.
And, the hearts of the people with whom students are sharing need to be prepared (see the parable of the soils – Matt. 13:1-23). Stress the need for them to pray for those whom they are reaching as well as for themselves. Perhaps you can incorporate times of prayer in class time for those they’d like to reach.