There is no doubt about it. One area in which most, if not all, congregations can stand to make a big improvement is to get more members actively involved in personal evangelism. If a congregation has an excellent reputation in the community as being made up of good, kind people, that is a big plus. However, God’s people also need to be known as being evangelistic-minded and soul-conscious. Do we have such a reputation?

The Lord Jesus once told His disciples, "The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few" (Matthew 9:37). Do you believe that His statement about "few" laboring to reach the lost still holds true? My observation is that, yes, sadly, in many cases it is still an accurate description of the state of affairs in the church today.

In this article I want to set forth some ideas for your serious consideration about what might hinder some saints from teaching the lost. Yes, what is there that might hold us back from this great work?

#1 – Some children of God may not teach the lost simply because they do not understand that they ought to be doing so. There is a need for more emphasis on personal evangelism from the pulpit, in the classroom, in bulletin articles, and from the mouths of bishops. For those who do not know that as disciples of Jesus they ought to be teaching others about Him, they need to read Hebrews 5:12 ("ye ought to be teachers") and Matthew 28:19 ("Go ye therefore and teach all nations").

#2 – Some might not teach the lost because they do not really believe that others are lost and are going to spend eternity in hell if they do not obey the gospel. Jesus is the only Savior (1 Timothy 1:15). Salvation is in the Christ (2 Timothy 2:10). Salvation is in the body of the Christ (Eph. 5:23). Those who are outside of Him are lost and headed to eternal perdition unless they become true followers of Jesus (2 Thessalonians 1:7-9).

#3 – Some think, "Hey, isn’t that the preachers’ job, isn’t that what we hired him for, to go out and teach the lost?" Gospel preachers are to "preach the word" (2 Timothy 4:2), and at the same time they are to train other faithful men to teach the gospel as well (2 Timothy 2:2). So, when things are going like they ought to be, it is preachers plus others teaching the lost!

I heard of one congregation whose members worked very hard until it hired a full-time evangelist. At that point the other members’ work came to a screeching halt, as they decided to "let him do it." What we need in every congregation is every-member evangelism (Acts 8:4).

#4 – Some might not try to teach others due to fear. They might fear that their knowledge of the Bible is too limited. The solution to a lack of knowledge is to search the Scriptures (John 5:39; Acts 17:11). While we are studying diligently to increase our familiarity with the Bible, let’s go ahead and teach what we do know in the meantime. Some may fear that they will say something wrong. We are all going to make mistakes. When we do, let us correct them as soon as we realize that we have made them. For many, fear can at least be partially overcome only through experience. We can take training classes, and those can be extremely helpful, but when all is said and done, at some point we have to begin teaching. The more we do it the better we will be at doing it, and the less fear we will have. One way that many have learned invaluable lessons on how to teach others is by going along with an experienced teacher and observing how he/she teaches.

#5 – Some preachers and elders seem to seldom try to teach the lost or make visits – this can sometimes hinder members who look to these men to lead the way in the work of saving souls. A common response, though not always verbalized, is: "Hey, if they don’t teach, why should I?" An example, good or otherwise, can go a long way in influencing others. Preachers need to be good examples (1 Timothy 4:12) and apt to teach (2 Timothy 2:24). Ditto for bishops (1 Timothy 3:2). Congregations have a right to expect their preachers and shepherds to lead the way in personal evangelism. Preachers and elders, we need to step it up!

#6 – Some saints may not be involved in teaching others simply because it is just not a part of their thinking. They are not against teaching the lost, it just never crosses their mind for THEM to do it. The solution? Think about lost souls. That is what the apostle Paul did. He said, "Brethren, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for Israel, is that they might be saved" (Romans 10:1). Their lost condition weighed on the mind of Paul – he thought about them! We need to lift up our eyes and see the harvest of souls that can be won for our Lord (John 4:35).

#7 – Some brethren might be hindered by worldliness. Thinking only of self, and thinking only of what can bring material or fleshly satisfaction, they give no thought to taking time to try to tell others about Jesus’ salvation. They are unfruitful in this aspect of their service to Christ because of "the cares of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, and the lusts of other things entering in" (Mark 4:19). Some churches of Christ are "turning inward," giving more emphasis to elaborate buildings, food, fun, and games for themselves than they do to reaching the lost with the saving gospel (Romans 1:16). Those who are of that mindset do such to their shame.

#8 – Only God knows the hearts of men, but do you not agree that it is possible that some do not try to teach lost souls because in their hearts they do not truly love them? Think about this: How convinced would we be that Jesus really loved the lost if He failed to teach them? Would that not apply to us as well? When we speak and sing of our love for the lost, let us remember what is written: "… let us not love in word, neither in tongue; but in deed and in truth" (1 John 3:18).

#9 – Some children of God are not involved in personal evangelism because they are too busy with other affairs of life. Many of them are some of the most wonderful people that you would ever want to meet or have dealings with. If you needed it, they would give you the proverbial shirt off their back. But, they just think that they don’t have time for teaching the gospel.

They know that they have to provide for their family’s needs – education, food, clothes, shelter, recreation, etc. This they gladly work to do, but all their activities with the family and work leave them with no time for personal evangelism. I am convinced that most Christians do not intend to be too busy, it just happens to some of us. Brothers and sisters, all of us need to find time to teach the lost. We need to make it part of our weekly schedule and plan. We must be imitators of Jesus and look for opportunities to teach. Being on the lookout for chances to sow the seed does not make us what the misinformed might call "radicals" or "fanatics." It simply means we are wanting to be like our Lord.

#10 – Some might not give much thought to teaching others because they have the false idea that personal evangelism means only one thing – door knocking, "And I am no good at that." As we have pointed out many times, door knocking is only one way of spreading the gospel message. If that approach is not for you, then find some other means of teaching with which you feel comfortable, then go forth with the sword of the Spirit in hand and teach the lost!

-- Roger D. Campbell