The purpose of this lesson is the empower disciples of the LORD Jesus Christ for Kingdom Business and Kingdom Ministry. When Jesus ended his in-person physical ministry on earth, he directed his disciples to return to Jerusalem to receive power preparation to BE witnesses. This was the way that we are enabled to complete the assignment of Matthew 28:19-20.

Matthew 28:18-20 (KJV) 18 And Jesus came and spake unto them, saying, All power is given unto me in heaven and in earth. 19 Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: 20 Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, [even] unto the end of the world. Amen.

We have an opportunity to renew our commitment to this assignment by preparing for Back-to-Church Sunday 2026. This is not a one and done type of assignment. This is a renewed beginning To Make Disciples of All Men.

The details of the teaching and the assignment are provided below.

If you have already heard the teaching, skip ahead to complete the assignment.

1) Your Back to Church ASSIGNMENT Includes 6 Parts

PRAY

Ask God to put people on your heart. Don’t start with, “Who can I get to come?”

Start with, “Lord, who do You want me to reach?”

When we pray, we ask the LORD for his help and leading to do what He wants done.

Prayer is the only way that disciples of Christ can truly receive God's directions. Prayer includes humbling ourselves to our Heavenly Father be His instrument to fulfill his purpose and will in the earth. He has already gone before us to stir hearts for salvation, restoration, and obedience fulfilled. We are only getting in sync with what the Holy Spirit has already done.

THINK

Think about people you haven’t seen in church. Think about people who don't go to church.

Think about family members, friends, neighbors, coworkers, former members and people who may have simply drifted away.

Identify the people that you will invite Back-To-Church.

There are many examples in the Scriptures of the LORD directing the thinking of the one who has prayed. He will direct us towards the people that the LORD is ministering to. The Spirit of Conviction always goes before us to prepare the heart of the ones he is touching. If we acknowledge the LORD, he will direct our path.

REACH

Don’t only post the flyer on Facebook.

Don’t only forward a graphic.

Personally reach out to somebody.

Call them. Text them. Go see them.

Have a conversation.

Make Contact. This is simple faith with works. Whatever we do will prosper. So, let's act knowing that we are on assignment.

People Matter.

Invitations Matter.

Eternity Matters.

2) Your Back to Church ASSIGNMENT Continues

INVITE

When you reach the one you have been praying for, connect with them rather than just inviting them to an event. Remember, our ultimate objective is getting people back to God.

When you get to the moment to actually invite, make the invitation personal.

If they are unavailable to come on Back-To-Church Sunday, encourage them on the Sunday that they can come.

Tell them, “I would really like for you to worship with me.”

And if they tell you, “I can’t come this Sunday,” don’t stop there!

Tell them, “That’s okay. Come next Sunday.”

This isn’t about a date. We want you back in fellowship.

HELP

If they want to come, ask, “Is there anything keeping you from coming?”

Maybe they need transportation.

Maybe they don’t want to walk in by themselves. Tell them, “I’ll meet you at the door.”

Maybe you need to save them a seat.

Help them if they need help to get to church. Help them with directions. Help them by being the one to greet them when they arrive. Help them by sitting with them. Help them by intruducing them especially during the meet and greet time. Help them if they need someone to join them at the altar for prayer.

FOLLOW UP

If you invite somebody and they come, don’t consider your assignment finished when they walk through the door.

Sit with them when you can. Introduce them to somebody. Help them feel at home.

And make sure we have a way—with their permission—to reconnect with them afterward.

Make sure that you capture their name and contact information. This will Pastor Scott an opportunity to connect after the service.

YOU are the first one to do a Follow-Up. Do it as soon after the service as you can.

Remember that the QR Code on the Cards in the pew chair pocket is the best way to capture contact information and get it to Pastor Scott. If they would rather not use the e-form, you can do it on their behalf. The main things is DON'T DROP THE BALL.

Pray.

Reach Out.

Invite.

Make a Difference.

3) Who Are Your Three?

Write the names of those who the LORD is leading you to invite.

Pray for them.

Reach out to them.

Invite them.

4) Who Are Your THREE?

McAlister's has their Pick-2. Wendy's has their Pick-4. Others have some version of the same as a marketing effort to raise their sales numbers.

This Back-to-Church challenge has been to Identify people that you would reach out to invite them back to church. During Bible Class, we were challenged to PRAY and THINK about at least 3 people to invite. We PRAYED for them BY NAME. We were challenged to contact them by THURSDAY.

Whether you identified THREE or FOUR or TEN, this challenge is to make Back-to-Church Sunday the beginning of being the LORD's vessel to continue to touch PEOPLE on PURPOSE with divine POSSIBILITIES.

5) Reach Somebody!

When we make every invitation to come back to church more than an invitation to an event, we are making every effort with our prayers and our words to Reconnect People to Church because it is our sincere desire to Reconnect People to God. We believe that people need the church because PEOPLE NEED the LORD.

6) The WHY Behind Getting People to Church

We are using the Back-To-Church Sunday Annual Event to do more than pack pews with a crowd of people. Without a doubt, we want that. However, we want so much more than what one Sunday in a year could ever give us. We want to be used of God to turn the hearts of many to the LORD.

Isaiah 6:8 (KJV) Also I heard the voice of the Lord, saying, Whom shall I send, and who will go for us? Then said I, Here am I; send me.

Anyone who reads this passage with a heart for God will read see an opportunity for personal obedience to the LORD. The pattern parallels our lives.

Isaiah had a life changing encounter with the God of heaven (Isaiah 6:1-4).
Having seen the LORD, Isaiah saw himself (Isaiah 6:5).
Isaiah experience the LORD power to cleanse from sin and change a man (Isaiah 6:6-7).
Without delay, the LORD asked for someone who was willing to be used by God (Isaiah 6:8).
Without delay, Isaiah response was simple and personal, "Here am I; send me."

After the Covid-19 Pandemic, the church wrongly assumed that the pain of those years would automatically turn men back to God. It did not. It was not suppose to. That is the assignment of all who have said YES to the LORD who changed us. We have the assignment to be God's vessels to get people back to God. In verse 9, God told Isaiah to "Go Tell This People."

Embedded in the text is the reason why I believe that NOW is always the time to get back to church.

In verse 1, Isaiah testifies that "his train filled the temple" that Isaiah in on that day.
In verse 3, Isaiah testifies of an experience not in heaven-- "the whole earth is full of his glory."
In verse 4, Isaiah experience the effect of the presence of God-- "posts of the door moved."
In verse 4, Isaiah describes something that was NOT uncommon in the temple in those days-- "the house was filled with smoke."

Exodus 40:34 (KJV) Then a cloud covered the tent of the congregation, and the glory of the LORD filled the tabernacle.

1 Kings 8:10-12 (KJV) 10 And it came to pass, when the priests were come out of the holy place, that the cloud filled the house of the LORD, 11 So that the priests could not stand to minister because of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of the LORD. 12 Then spake Solomon, The LORD said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

2 Chronicles 5:13,14 (KJV) 13 It came even to pass, as the trumpeters and singers were as one, to make one sound to be heard in praising and thanking the LORD; and when they lifted up their voice with the trumpets and cymbals and instruments of musick, and praised the LORD, saying, For he is good; for his mercy endureth for ever: that then the house was filled with a cloud, even the house of the LORD; 14 So that the priests could not stand to minister by reason of the cloud: for the glory of the LORD had filled the house of God.

2 Chronicles 6:1 (KJV) Then said Solomon, The LORD hath said that he would dwell in the thick darkness.

Psalm 18:8 (KJV) There went up a smoke out of his nostrils, and fire out of his mouth devoured: coals were kindled by it.

In those days and in our days, these temple were not places that could fully contain the God of heaven within those walls. BUT, He has always been willing to make His presence known and to cause His presence to be felt. As they gathered at one time in one place to praise God and offer sacrifices to Him, God confirmed that He received those sacrifices by manifestations of His presence.

They did not gather to meet the building. They gathered to meet God.

We invite people back to church because the Lord Jesus Christ is the same today, yesterday, and forever.

Page updated

Report abuse