The BIG Football Sunday happens in a few more days in North America, this is like a national holiday! Take advantage of it and encourage your people to do for Football Sunday parties as what we call “bridge events” for non-Christians.
It’s a great way for you and your church members to interact with those who don’t know Jesus yet… throw aFootball Sunday party! It’s fun, it’s relaxed, it’s non-churchy, and it’s ideal as what we call a “bridge event.” It acts as a “bridge” – it’s an activity where you and your members can interact with non-Christians.
We have to get out, and help our people get out, and build relationships with non-Christians if we care about reaching them for the Lord.
Here’s how:
Announce at your church service this Sunday that you want anyone who likes parties, likes football, cares about reaching people, or is just plain willing, to meet with you right after church this Sunday for 5 min and talk to them about organizing some Football Sunday parties with their small groups. Make sure to get your evangelistic people involved and activated.
Ideally each small group would do at least one party. But it can be done by anyone.
- — You need to have a host with a house or apartment with a fairly large TV screen.
- — Have them invite at least 4 to 8 Christian friends.
- — Have them each invite at least one or two non-Christian friends. Generally for every 4 people invited, you’ll get 1 or 2.
- — Make sure you’ve got pizza and snacks, beverages, etc.
- — ALCOHOL? Alcohol is an issue you need to decide about. Some people are ok with it, some aren’t. You as the leader are scrutinized so you have to consider this. Jesus did make a lot of (apparently) really good wine at the wedding in Cana… If you don’t want alcohol, you can simply say it’s a non-alcoholic event. Or if it’s true, tell the people you are inviting that you will have some friends at the party who are non drinkers and staying sober and you need to keep the party non-alcoholic. This is real life with real people. Take a risk. Experiment. Pray and then launch out. Jesus got criticized for eating and drinking with sinners.
- — Have the host instruct the Christians to keep it non-churchy; it’s not time to immediately invite people to church… it’s a time to build friendships that can lead eventually to opportunities to share the Lord as part of life.
- — There should be enough Christians for them to feel comfortable being themselves
- — The non-Christians should feel comfortable because the football game is on, there’s food, and the Christians should be very friendly.
- — Activate your prayer people to be praying.
WHAT COULD HAPPEN FOR EXAMPLE… IF during the party, non-Christian John is in the kitchen and he mentions to Bill, one of the church members, that his mom (or wife, or son or friend) has cancer and is not doing well, and if there aren’t 10 people right there, Bill can say, “I’m sure that’s rough John… Would it be ok if I said a short prayer for you?” If John says yes, then Bill can pray a very SHORT simple prayer right there for John. Something like “Lord I pray for John’s mom that you would touch her, bring healing, and give John peace in his heart.” That’s it… short and sweet. Anyone can do that! You will be amazed at how this simple type of prayer can open hearts and cause the person being prayed for to start asking questions. It opens up the discussion of spiritual things in a very easy, non threatening way. Then, because they start asking questions (Are you a minister? Do you go to a church? That was really special – I felt something… what was that? etc) it gives the Christian the opportunity to share more, as appropriate.
Jesus talked about fishing… Don’t scare the fish off… catch them with love.
I’ve done this many times, in stores, at a doctor’s office, in a corporate office (for a Director no less), on a dance floor (the music was so loud I had to yell the prayer in the person’s ear LOL), at a restaurant, etc. It’s easy and it’s powerful! People almost never turn prayer down.
Keep it natural. Make it part of your lifestyle.
Let’s get out of the “Christian ghetto” and start interacting with people!
