"You are working together and struggling side-by-side to get others to believe the Good News." (Philippians 1:27b CEV)

This holiday season, make evangelism a team effort. Work together with other Christians (1 Corinthians 3:9) to accomplish more than you could alone. (Ecclesiastes 4:9)

For example, instead of trying to plan and prepare a holiday party meant for your neighbors, get together with some of your Christian fiends and collectively host a party for your collective neighbors. Like the four friends who brought their paralyzed friend to Jesus (Mark 2:1-12), you can draw strength and encouragement from one another as you bring our own friends into the presence of Jesus.

The first step for your small group is to pray together. Here are four ways your group can pray for your non-believing friends and family members:

First, pray for an opportunity to talk about Jesus (Colossians 4:3) – Ask God to give you an opportunity to tell others about Christ, and to invite them to your Christmas party. And don't doubt it, God will answer the prayer!

Second, pray that God will prepare the hearts of those you try to reach. – Do you know how God softens heartsí He sends the rain. Anytime you see someone going through a storm in life, you can know God is softening that person's heart. Who do you know who is in a storm this holiday season? How can you pray for that person? How can you support him or her?

Third, pray for God to soften your heart. – Say, "I'll be honest, God. I don't care that much about other people. I care about myself. I care about my own plans and priorities and my family." Soon God will fill your heart with a "burden," which is just an old-fashioned word that means your heart is now tender toward other people.

Fourth, pray that the words of Jesus "will simply take off and race through the country to a groundswell of response" (2 Thessalonians 3:1 MSG), just as they did among the early Christians.

What now?

· Be inventive as you collectively tell others about Jesus – Have a holiday party, movie night, game night, dessert night – the possibilities are unlimited. The Bible says, "Make the most of your chances to tell others the Good News. Be wise in all your contacts with them." (Colossians4:5 LB)

· Make a list; check it twice – Who is God telling you to pray for, encourage, and support this holiday season? Write the names down so you can give more than just fleeting thought to them. Tell your small group of friends about who they are and why you believe God placed them on your list.

· Pray together with your friends – "Father, we want you to use us to reach our neighbors for Jesus. Develop in us a deep concern for people who don't know Jesus, and prompt us to pray consistently for their salvation. We know you paid a high price to bring us into your family, and we agree with you that no one is hopeless or beyond the reach of your love. Guide us as we reach out in your name, and give us an inventive creativity as we plan ways to share the Good News. In faith, we ask that during this season, we be able to reach ________ people for you. We lift this prayer in the name of Jesus. Amen." (Ask God for a goal, a number to fill in the blank above. May God anoint your Noel message and allow you to have great fun with your friends in the process).

© 2007 Jon Walker. All rights reserved.