Topical Sermons - Executable Outlines

2. A member has mentioned several people are interested
-- We do not have to use the Internet to offer a BCC
Mark A. Copeland
[Might this be an open door of opportunity the Lord has given us (cf. Ac 14:27), especially through the
Internet? Whether or not, consider some of the benefits of using a BCC to reach out to others...]
II. ADVANTAGES OF A BCC PROGRAM
A. CHALLENGES INVOLVING PERSONAL WORK...
1. Finding prospects for study
2. Setting up the study
3. Teaching the material
4. Answering questions
5. Asking for a decision
-- These challenges have hindered many people from getting involved in personal
evangelism
B. A BCC PROGRAM ELIMINATES THESE CHALLENGES...
1. Through the offer at the web site, an advertisement in the paper, or a simple offer to a friend
or acquaintance...
a. You find people who want to study the Bible
b. The study is automatically set up by those who respond to the offers
2. Through the use of a Bible correspondence course...
a. The student teaches himself or herself!
b. If questions are raised, you can study and answer them at your leisure
c. People are given the opportunity to make a decision
-- Using a BCC makes it very easy for Christians to share the gospel with others,
even if the Christian is a babe in Christ!
[If a church or individuals decide to utilize a BCC program, how should its success or failure be
measured...?]
III. EVALUATING A BCC PROGRAM
A. MEASURING SUCCESS AND FAILURE...
1. In any program of evangelism, it is common to use the following measurements:
a. How many people come to services?
b. How many people are converted?
2. I contend that these are improper standards to measure an evangelistic effort
a. Our responsibility is to preach the gospel - Mk 16:15; Ezek 3:17-18
b. Conversion is the sinner's responsibility - cf. Ezek 3:19
c. Also, it is God who gives the increase - cf. 1 Co 3:5-7
3. A proper measure is “How many are we teaching?”
a. Remember, saving souls involves both sowing and reaping
b. Sometimes we reap where others have sown - cf. Jn 4:35-38
c. Other times, we sow and the reaping is done by others
4. So the final standard by which we evaluate any effort should be this:
a. How much ground is being broken?
b. How much seed is being sown?
Topical Sermons 200