A. Jesus met two fishermen one day casting a net into the sea of Galilee & promised that if they followed Him they would catch not fish, but men. He coined a term we still use for soul-winning: “fishers of men.” B. The bait they would use would be the Gospel (Bible), the lure they would use would be a better life here & a promise of heaven hereafter. C. As with fishing for fish, fishing for men may involve varied techniques & methods. That’s our subject for this lesson on “FISHING FOR MEN”…
I. MANY HOOK FISHING:
A. Door-to-Door:
1. Neighborhood door knocking & tract distribution. 2. Street-by-street canvassing. 3. Bus canvassing.
ILLUS.: All these methods are random, i.e., you have not targeted a certain class of people, e.g., the deaf, children, the handicapped, etc., but is a “whosoever will” approach. It is opportunistic.
B. Two-by-Two:
Lk.10:1-2 After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come. Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
1. For safety. 2. For impact. 3. For productivity (one can help w/distractions and/or pray while the other witnesses.
II. SINGLE HOOK FISHING:
A. One-on-One:
1. Co-workers. 2. Long-term witnessing.
B. Family & Friends:
1. This is “targeting the species” fishing. 2. You have specific prospects you want to win. 3. You have specific places you want to go to. 4. You may want to make specific times to witness by appointment.
III. NET FISHING:
ILLUS.: Usually when I go fishing I target one species & arm myself with the specific bait or lure, tackle, & go to a specific spot. But there are times when I just go fishing & I just want to catch as many fish as I can.
A. Classes & Clubs:
1. Here is where you throw out the Gospel net to a group & hope to snag a few & get as many as you can. 2. The Bus Ministry, Sunday School, Christian Character Club, backyard Bible clubs, neighborhood parties for children, DVBS, camp, etc.
B. At-the-Altar: 1. One of the most productive means of catching men is at the altar. 2. The net has already been cast & you simply need to pull it in. 3. Not all can be teachers, but nearly anyone can reap where others have sown; anyone can “draw the net” in this situation.
CONCL.: In these 4 classes we have tried to give you specific instructions about soul-winning, the tools to work with and ideas as to where to catch the most “fish.” None of this will do you any good unless you work at it. The old adage of planning your work then working your plan, goes for “FISHING FOR MEN.” We have given you the plan, you must now work the plan to be a successful soul-winner.