This week, we had the privilege of hearing from City Central’s Youth Director, Elijah Hippe, as he shared about three key elements of evangelism. God invites us to partner with Him in reaching others through intercession, invitation, and initiation. As we pray for people, invite them to encounter Jesus, and step out in faith wherever we go, we become living witnesses of His love and power in the world.

Intercession

Matthew 9:36-38

“36 When he saw the crowds, he had compassion for them, because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd. 37 Then he said to his disciples, ‘The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; 38 therefore pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into his harvest.’”

  • We are not called to just observe where we live, we are called to pray for the harvest!
  • Deomai: beg, binding oneself to something.
  • Intercession is just asking God to change something, but it is binding yourself to that prayer until you see God move.

Isaiah 6:8

“8 And I heard the voice of the Lord saying, “Whom shall I send, and who will go for us?” Then I said, “Here I am! Send me.””

We often think of “send me” as a change of location, but sometimes it’s really a change of heart. It’s not about where you live, but how you live.

Acts 1:8

“8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”

Invitation

John 4:29

“29 “Come, see a man who told me all that I ever did. Can this be the Christ?”

James 1:22-27

“22 But be doers of the word, and not hearers only, deceiving yourselves. 23 For if anyone is a hearer of the word and not a doer, he is like a man who looks intently at his natural face in a mirror. 24 For he looks at himself and goes away and at once forgets what he was like. 25 But the one who looks into the perfect law, the law of liberty, and perseveres, being no hearer who forgets but a doer who acts, he will be blessed in his doing.”

Initiate

Initiation is not passive waiting for something to happen; it’s taking faithful action while trusting God with the outcome.

Matthew 28:19

“Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit,”

When Jesus said, “Go therefore,” it can also be read as “as you go.” In other words, evangelism isn’t limited to special moments or missions—it’s woven into the ordinary rhythms of life: at work, at home, and wherever we go, we can share the love of Jesus.

Discussion Questions:

  1. What does it mean to “bind yourself” to a prayer until God moves (intercession)? Have you ever done that before?
  2. In John 4, the Samaritan woman simply invited others to “come and see.” What can we learn from her approach to sharing Jesus?
  3. Can you think of a time when you sensed God prompting you to take action, even if it felt small? What was the result?

Application Questions:

  1. Which of the three I’s—Intercession, Invitation, or Initiation—do you feel God is calling you to grow in right now?