Prepare for Sunday

September 27, 2026

Ponder

God calls us to a life of invitation. But what exactly are we inviting others into? The final answer to this must be to experience and embrace the good news of God, the gospel of Jesus. So this week we are going to take a closer look at evangelism, the art of sharing the evangel (the good news, gospel) of Jesus with others. Too often, what we share with our words, we take away with our actions. But Paul and his friends show another way. We will look at 1 Thessalonians 2:1-12 this week:

You know, brothers and sisters, that our visit to you was not without results. 2 We had previously suffered and been treated outrageously in Philippi, as you know, but with the help of our God we dared to tell you his gospel in the face of strong opposition. 3 For the appeal we make does not spring from error or impure motives, nor are we trying to trick you. 4 On the contrary, we speak as those approved by God to be entrusted with the gospel. We are not trying to please people but God, who tests our hearts. 5 You know we never used flattery, nor did we put on a mask to cover up greed—God is our witness. 6 We were not looking for praise from people, not from you or anyone else, even though as apostles of Christ we could have asserted our authority. 7 Instead, we were like young children among you.

Just as a nursing mother cares for her children, 8 so we cared for you. Because we loved you so much, we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well. 9 Surely you remember, brothers and sisters, our toil and hardship; we worked night and day in order not to be a burden to anyone while we preached the gospel of God to you. 10 You are witnesses, and so is God, of how holy, righteous and blameless we were among you who believed. 11 For you know that we dealt with each of you as a father deals with his own children, 12 encouraging, comforting and urging you to live lives worthy of God, who calls you into his kingdom and glory. The New International Version (opens in new window) (1 Th 2:1–12). (2011). Zondervan.

They shared not only the gospel, but their very lives with others. If invitation is a posture, not a gesture (Crouch), Paul compares their posture to a little child, a nursing mom, and a gentle father. This is not megaphone evangelism. This is family-room evangelism. This week we are going to explore what this means.