Don’t come alone.  Seriously.  We may be overlooking a simple, effective way to expose people to God’s love for them in Jesus.  We can help people come to an understanding of the gospel by giving them an opportunity to experience the corporate worship of the church.  

This concept is alluded to by the Apostle Paul.  In 1 Corinthians 14, Paul instructs us to conduct orderly, understandable worship services.  One of his reasons for this instruction is the potential impact to a visitor who is not a follower of Jesus… yet.  Paul says that when this person experiences the corporate worship of the church, “he is convicted by all, he is called to account by all, the secrets of his heart are disclosed, and so, falling on his face, he will worship God and declare that God is really among you” (1Cor. 14:25).  

To be sure, inviting people to a church gathering is not a replacement for speaking the gospel to them, but it is one way to introduce them to the gospel and support your loving witness to them.  God often uses our relationship with another person to bring them to repentance and faith.  

The best way to convince someone a restaurant is good is to take them to eat there (and help them order!).  In the gospels we see Jesus relationally investing in his disciples.  Apart from prayer, Jesus didn’t do anything alone.  Perhaps God has given you co-workers, neighbors, or family members that just need to be invited to gather with the church.  Give them a ride, invite them for lunch after, and you’ll be surprised how God will use you. 

So here’s the challenge: don’t come alone… to Sunday worship, to Care Groups, to Bible study, to the Christmas Cantata, to the Christmas Eve service… whatever.  Don’t come alone, and let’s see what God will do in our midst.