To the Lost (evangelism) – Cory Waddell
Teachers
Lesson Summary
The class began with a heartfelt gratitude prayer before introducing guest speaker Cory Waddell, whose background includes ministry in Colorado, Tennessee, and Texas. Cory emphasized that the central purpose of the church is evangelism—“to seek and save the lost”—and cited the Great Commission in Matthew 28:19‑20 as the biblical mandate. He used the book of Acts as a model, highlighting numbers of converts in chapters 2, 4, 9, and 11 to show the early church’s effectiveness when empowered by the Holy Spirit. Cory then contrasted those early successes with today’s often muted response to the gospel, noting that many believers feel discouraged or tend to focus on preserving existing congregations rather than reaching outward. He identified common obstacles—lack of faith, overly complex methods, and sinful attitudes—that hinder evangelistic efforts. Drawing on Jesus’ teaching about preparedness in Matthew 25, he called the congregation to be ready to share the good news anytime, anywhere, and to emulate the simple, Spirit‑led boldness of the first Christians. The message concluded with a practical challenge to remove personal and corporate barriers so that God’s Spirit can work through each believer to reach the lost.
Key Scriptures
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, the Son, and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you.