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Come and See: Connecting to the World by Sharing Christ
Jesus never intended our faith to be something we keep to ourselves. Throughout Scripture, we see Jesus welcoming people, serving them, calling disciples, and then sending those disciples into the world. His example challenges us to ask a simple but important question:
Who has God placed in my life that I can love, serve, invite, and introduce to Jesus?
Sharing our faith doesn’t require having all the right words or knowing the answer to every question. More often, it begins with something much simpler—a relationship, an act of kindness, a meal shared together, a helping hand, or an invitation to “come and see.”
It Begins with Relationships
Matthew gives us a wonderful example. As a tax collector, Matthew was considered an outsider by many people in his community. Others saw someone to avoid, but Jesus saw someone to love. Jesus invited Matthew to follow Him, and that encounter changed Matthew’s life.
What did Matthew do next? He threw a party!
Matthew invited his friends to share a meal with Jesus and His disciples. He didn't abandon the people he already knew. Instead, he created an opportunity for his friends to meet the One who had changed his life.
That gives us a simple model for reaching others. We can open our homes, share a meal, invite someone to worship, bring a friend to a church event, or simply create opportunities for relationships to grow.
Sometimes sharing Jesus begins with making room at the table.
Let Your Life Tell the Story
Romans reminds us of the importance of sharing the Good News, but our words become even more meaningful when they are supported by lives of genuine compassion and care.
Think about the people you know who aren't actively following Jesus or connected to a church. What would it look like to intentionally pray for them? How could you encourage them, listen to them, serve them, or simply be present when they need someone?
And when the opportunity comes, you already have something meaningful to share: your story.
How did you come to know Jesus? How has your faith shaped your life? Where have you experienced God's presence, grace, forgiveness, or strength?
You don't need a perfect speech. You have a story about what God has done in your life, and God can use it.
Serve Before You Speak
The Apostle Paul had a deep desire for people to know Christ, but he didn't approach others from a position of superiority. He chose to become a servant.
That's an important reminder for us.
People aren't projects to fix. They are people to love.
Before asking, “What can I say to convince someone?” perhaps we should ask, “How can I love and serve this person?”
Jesus Himself modeled this kind of ministry. When He looked at the crowds, He responded with compassion because He saw people who were struggling and in need of God's care.
Those people are still around us. They are our neighbors, coworkers, classmates, friends, and family members. They are the person going through a difficult season, the new family in the neighborhood, the person sitting alone, or someone who simply needs to know that another person cares.
Jesus tells us that the harvest is plentiful. When we ask God to send people into the harvest, we may discover that His answer is, “I'm sending you.”
We Are Sent—Together
Jesus didn't tell His disciples to sit around and wait for people to find them. He sent them out.
That's still an important picture of the Church today. We gather for worship, fellowship, encouragement, and spiritual growth, but then we are sent back into our community to live what we believe.
And we don't have to do it alone.
Jesus often sent His disciples out together. Ministry becomes easier when someone is beside us to encourage us, pray with us, and serve alongside us.
Maybe there's someone you could invite to join you in serving. Together, you might check on a neighbor, participate in a mission project, welcome someone new, invite another family to church, or find another way to show Christ's love in our community.
Offer Them Christ
In Acts 3, Peter and John encountered a man who needed help. They didn't have silver or gold to give him, but they had something far greater to offer: Jesus Christ.
That same calling continues today.
Our church can feed people, care for families, welcome children, support our schools, help our neighbors, and meet practical needs. All of these ministries matter. They are tangible expressions of Christ's love.
But at the heart of everything we do is Jesus.
We offer people His grace, His forgiveness, His hope, His love, and the invitation to a new life with Him.
John Wesley expressed this calling simply when he commissioned early Methodist leaders for ministry in America: “Offer them Christ.”
That remains our mission.
A Simple Invitation: Come and See
Perhaps one of the most encouraging examples of evangelism comes from the beginning of John's Gospel.
Andrew met Jesus and then went to find his brother, Simon. Philip encountered Jesus and told Nathanael about Him. When Nathanael expressed doubts, Philip didn't argue or pressure him.
He simply said, “Come and see.”
We can do the same.
There are people around us who may be curious about faith but aren't ready to walk through the church doors alone. A personal invitation can make all the difference.
Invite someone to worship and offer to sit with them. Bring a friend to a small group. Invite a family to a church event. Meet them at the door so they don't have to enter alone.
You don't have to answer every question. You don't have to force a spiritual conversation. Sometimes your role is simply to make the introduction.
Come and see.
Who Is Your One?
Think of one person God has placed in your life who could use the hope, grace, love, and community you've experienced through Jesus.
Begin by praying for them.
Then love them. Listen to them. Serve them. Build a genuine relationship with them. When the opportunity comes, share your story. And when the time is right, invite them to come and experience Christian community for themselves.
Evangelism doesn't have to begin with a crowd. It can begin with one person, one friendship, one meal, one act of kindness, or one invitation.
This week, ask God to open your eyes to the person He has placed in front of you and give you the courage to say:
“Come and see.”
Scripture for Further Reading
Luke 5:27–32 • Romans 10:13–17 • 1 Corinthians 9:19–23 • Matthew 9:36–38 • Matthew 10:1–4 • Acts 3:1–10 • John 1:35–51
Weekly Prayer & Study Guide
Monday – Read Daniel 1-3; Romans 10:13-17. Those Who Bring Good News. Make a list of persons you care about who are not actively involved in following Jesus. Place this list where you will see it regularly, and pray for these persons. How could you bless and love them so as to allow them to see Christ in you? People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care. How could you share your faith story with the people on your list? To help you consider how you might share your own faith, write down your answers to the following questions: 1. How did you become a disciple of Jesus Christ? 2. How has your faith enriched your life? 3. How have you experienced God in your life? 4. Why should anyone else consider becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ? 5. What would be the most natural and effective way for you to invite someone to consider becoming a disciple of Jesus Christ? Pray that God would give you wisdom and boldness that you might share his love with each person you have put on your list and invite each person to come to church with you.
Tuesday – Read Daniel 4-6; I Corinthians 9:19-23. Winning People to Christ. Evangelism begins with serving people. As D.T. Niles defined it, “Evangelism is one blind beggar telling another blind beggar where to find bread.” The Apostle Paul shares with us his philosophy and methodology for sharing the Good News of the Gospel with people. Paul is shameless about one driving factor in his life: he wants to win as many people to Jesus Christ as he possibly can. Paul believed that to do this you have to live your life in such a way that you are a servant to all. We approach others with the Good News from a posture of servanthood or service rather than a posture of superiority. As you think about the people in your life who do not yet know the love of Jesus Christ, spend some time in prayer asking God to help you find ways to serve them and win them to Christ.
Wednesday – Read Daniel 7-9; Matthew 9:36-38. The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Laborers Are Few. Jesus’ ministry was motivated by his compassion for the people. He saw that the people were harassed and helpless. They needed a shepherd like Jesus to lead them to walk in God’s paths of righteousness. Jesus also viewed the people as a crop ready to be harvested. There is no time to waste. Reapers are needed immediately without delay. So, Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” When we pray for the Lord to send laborers into his harvest we find that Jesus answers our prayer by sending us to minister to the people in our church and our community. When we look around our community we see many people who need the grace and love of our Lord, Jesus. Jesus calls us to reach out to people to bring in the harvest. So, we call and check on people. We invite people to worship with us in person or online. We open our eyes to see the way people are struggling and find ways to help. As you pray, think about the people in our community and the special gifts for ministry that God has given to you. Ask God to work through you to minister to someone you know.
Thursday – Read Daniel 10-12; Matthew 10:1-4. Two by Two. Jesus commissioned his twelve disciples to minister to people by teaching and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and by offering healing in Jesus’ name. Jesus knew that his ministry would grow when his disciples joined him in these works of ministry. Matthew calls the disciples apostles. An apostle is the one who is sent. Jesus doesn’t wait for people to come to him. Jesus goes to the people to teach, preach, and heal. Jesus doesn’t want his Church to sit around waiting for people to show up. Rather, Jesus sends his disciples to go to the people. Jesus brings together people from both sides of the political aisle from Matthew, who served Rome as a tax collector, to Simon the Cananean, who was part of a zealous group of Jewish nationalists ready to throw off the shackles of Roman occupation. You may notice that the disciples are listed in pairs. Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs, two by two, to minister to people. A wise pastor once said, “Never do ministry alone.” It is always easier to do the hard work of ministry when a friend goes with us. Jesus commissioned you to do ministry when you were baptized. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to win people to Christ.
Friday – Read Hosea 1-7; Acts 3:1-10. Offer Them Christ. What did this man really need? He needed healing; he needed a Savior. They didn’t give him money because they had given everything they had to the Church’s ministry. Instead, they gave the man a much more significant gift. They offered him Christ. They gave him Jesus, the resurrected Lord. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. In 1784, John Wesley ordained Thomas Coke, Richard Whatcoat, and Thomas Vasey, and sent them to lead the Methodists in America. As they set sail from near Bristol, Wesley’s last words were, “Offer them Christ.” We continue to offer people Christ today. Plain and simple. We offer people Christ. We offer people a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. We offer people healing in the name of Jesus. This is what makes us different than the Department of Human Services or a civic organization. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities to offer people Christ.
Saturday – Read Joel 1-3; John 1:35-51. Connect to the World by Inviting People to Come to Church. Jesus invited Andrew and the other disciple to come and see where he was saying. After spending the day with Jesus, Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Many times in the Gospels we see Andrew bringing people to Jesus one person at a time. When Jesus called Philip to follow him, Philip went and told Nathanael about Jesus. Even though Nathanael had his doubts about Jesus, Philip invited him to come and see what Jesus was about for himself. We can connect to the world by inviting people to church with us so that they can come and see Jesus. Pray for the people you know who do not have a church home, and ask the Holy Spirit to use you to bring them to Jesus.
Tuesday – Read Daniel 4-6; I Corinthians 9:19-23. Winning People to Christ. Evangelism begins with serving people. As D.T. Niles defined it, “Evangelism is one blind beggar telling another blind beggar where to find bread.” The Apostle Paul shares with us his philosophy and methodology for sharing the Good News of the Gospel with people. Paul is shameless about one driving factor in his life: he wants to win as many people to Jesus Christ as he possibly can. Paul believed that to do this you have to live your life in such a way that you are a servant to all. We approach others with the Good News from a posture of servanthood or service rather than a posture of superiority. As you think about the people in your life who do not yet know the love of Jesus Christ, spend some time in prayer asking God to help you find ways to serve them and win them to Christ.
Wednesday – Read Daniel 7-9; Matthew 9:36-38. The Harvest is Plentiful, but the Laborers Are Few. Jesus’ ministry was motivated by his compassion for the people. He saw that the people were harassed and helpless. They needed a shepherd like Jesus to lead them to walk in God’s paths of righteousness. Jesus also viewed the people as a crop ready to be harvested. There is no time to waste. Reapers are needed immediately without delay. So, Jesus turned to his disciples and said, “The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few;
38 therefore ask the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.” When we pray for the Lord to send laborers into his harvest we find that Jesus answers our prayer by sending us to minister to the people in our church and our community. When we look around our community we see many people who need the grace and love of our Lord, Jesus. Jesus calls us to reach out to people to bring in the harvest. So, we call and check on people. We invite people to worship with us in person or online. We open our eyes to see the way people are struggling and find ways to help. As you pray, think about the people in our community and the special gifts for ministry that God has given to you. Ask God to work through you to minister to someone you know.
Thursday – Read Daniel 10-12; Matthew 10:1-4. Two by Two. Jesus commissioned his twelve disciples to minister to people by teaching and proclaiming the Good News of the kingdom and by offering healing in Jesus’ name. Jesus knew that his ministry would grow when his disciples joined him in these works of ministry. Matthew calls the disciples apostles. An apostle is the one who is sent. Jesus doesn’t wait for people to come to him. Jesus goes to the people to teach, preach, and heal. Jesus doesn’t want his Church to sit around waiting for people to show up. Rather, Jesus sends his disciples to go to the people. Jesus brings together people from both sides of the political aisle from Matthew, who served Rome as a tax collector, to Simon the Cananean, who was part of a zealous group of Jewish nationalists ready to throw off the shackles of Roman occupation. You may notice that the disciples are listed in pairs. Jesus sent his disciples out in pairs, two by two, to minister to people. A wise pastor once said, “Never do ministry alone.” It is always easier to do the hard work of ministry when a friend goes with us. Jesus commissioned you to do ministry when you were baptized. Ask the Holy Spirit to empower you to win people to Christ.
Friday – Read Hosea 1-7; Acts 3:1-10. Offer Them Christ. What did this man really need? He needed healing; he needed a Savior. They didn’t give him money because they had given everything they had to the Church’s ministry. Instead, they gave the man a much more significant gift. They offered him Christ. They gave him Jesus, the resurrected Lord. Peter said, “I have no silver or gold, but what I have I give you; in the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, stand up and walk.” 7 And he took him by the right hand and raised him up; and immediately his feet and ankles were made strong. 8 Jumping up, he stood and began to walk, and he entered the temple with them, walking and leaping and praising God. In 1784, John Wesley ordained Thomas Coke, Richard Whatcoat, and Thomas Vasey, and sent them to lead the Methodists in America. As they set sail from near Bristol, Wesley’s last words were, “Offer them Christ.” We continue to offer people Christ today. Plain and simple. We offer people Christ. We offer people a saving relationship with Jesus Christ. We offer people healing in the name of Jesus. This is what makes us different than the Department of Human Services or a civic organization. Ask the Holy Spirit to give you opportunities to offer people Christ.
Saturday – Read Joel 1-3; John 1:35-51. Connect to the World by Inviting People to Come to Church. Jesus invited Andrew and the other disciple to come and see where he was saying. After spending the day with Jesus, Andrew brought his brother Simon to Jesus. Many times in the Gospels we see Andrew bringing people to Jesus one person at a time. When Jesus called Philip to follow him, Philip went and told Nathanael about Jesus. Even though Nathanael had his doubts about Jesus, Philip invited him to come and see what Jesus was about for himself. We can connect to the world by inviting people to church with us so that they can come and see Jesus. Pray for the people you know who do not have a church home, and ask the Holy Spirit to use you to bring them to Jesus.