1. LESSON 688: JESUS’ PATTERN OF SOUL-WINNING
MEMORY VERSE:
“It is enough for the disciple that he be as his master and the servant as his lord.” (Matthew 10:25)
TEXT: Matthew 4:17-25; 9:9-13

2. SUMMARY (1) From our last study, we learnt the following lessons:
Conversion should lead to Christian service. We should render our service to God, minister to His Body, serve the brethren and render divine service to the world.
Evangelism is the most compelling of every believer’s daily service.
A Christian servant must be saved, holy, sober, loving, zealous, prayerful and Spirit-filled.
There is promise of eternal reward for those who serve the Lord faithfully.
The study of today touches on four points:
The place of preaching and healing in soul-winning.
Diverse audience, diverse approach.
Jesus: The sinner’s Friend.
Conversion and commitment to evangelism.

3. SUMMARY (2)
The place of preaching and healing in soul-winning (Matthew 4:17,23-25):
The Lord was successful because He had mastery of God’s word, taught it with power and authority and He demonstrated it through healing, miracles, signs and wonders.
To be effective, we must be holy, prayerful and studious (Mark 1:35; 2 Tim. 2:15,19-21).
Diverse audience, diverse approach (Mark 9:9-13; Proverbs 11:30):
Jesus approached people based on their circumstances: He welcomed publicans and ate with them, removed barriers of animosity and prejudice, used parables, questions and stories to bring conviction, denounce hypocrites and commend and save penitents.
Jesus: The sinner’s Friend (Mark 9:9-13; John 8:1-11):
Jesus did not criticise common sinners: He related to them, took the gospel to their homes, silenced His critics and presented the sinner the hope of eternal life.
Jesus was not limited: Every place, time or situation was right to preach repentance.
Conversion and commitment to evangelism(Mark 9:9,10):
Young converts can adopt Matthew’s method: Invite others! We must care for visitors.

4. DISCUSSION

5. QUESTION 1
Why do we need the demonstration of healing, miracles, signs and wonders in the business of soul-winning today?
Matthew 7:28,29
Luke 4:18,19
John 4:47-49
Acts 8:5-7

6. QUESTION 2
How can a soul-winner acquire the power to minister to the sick, the diseased and the oppressed?
Acts 1:4-8,14
Acts 2:1-4; 4:31
Acts 6:2,4; 13:1-3

7. QUESTION 3 Why do we need wisdom in soul-winning? Matthew 22:15-22
Luke 21:15
John 8:2-11
I Corinthians 1:22-24

8. QUESTION 4
Why were the publicans so despised in the eyes of the Pharisees?

9. QUESTION 5
What do you learn from Jesus’ association with the publicans and sinners of His days?
Matthew 9:9-13
Luke 19:5,10

10. QUESTION 6 In fishing for souls, how may we employ Matthew’s method?

11. CONCLUSION
The Lord was successful in soul-winning because He knew God’s word, taught it and demonstrated it through healing, miracles, signs and wonders.
To demonstrate God’s power, we must be holy, prayerful and studious.
Jesus welcomed sinners, related to them and removed barriers to their salvation. He used parables, questions and stories illustrate His message.
Jesus was not restricted by place, time or situation in preaching repentance.
Like Matthew did, young converts can invite others to hear the gospel.
We must all care for visitors and seek ways to integrate them into the Church.