FISHERS of MEN

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LESSON 1                 FISHERS OF MEN

A STUDY IN PERSONAL SOULWINNING     by B. H. Struthers, Ph.D.

  "And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to
righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." Daniel 12:3
  The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth soul is wise. Proverbs 11:30

                        INSTRUCTIONS

  This lesson is the first in this series on SOULWINNING. You will notice that some words in the
Scripture quotation have been omitted.  This has been done purposely so that you will have to look up
the reference in the Bible and fill in the blanks.  You will find that this helps you to remember the main
truth taught in the verse. Be sure to read the verse several times after you have filled in the blanks to get
the meaning thoroughly fixed in your mind. When three or four periods come together in a quotation, it
means that part of the Scripture was omitted.  This is done to particular line of thought that is pertinent
to the study.

  FILL IN ALL THE BLANKS IN THE SCRIPTURE QUOTATIONS; THEN STUDY THE
LESSON CAREFULLY BEFORE TRYING TO ANSWER THE QUESTIONS.
  You should answer the test questions without turning back in the course for the answers. You only
cheat yourself by looking back, because the primary purpose of the test is to show you how much you
have learned and what points you need to study further. After you have completed the test, return the
Test Section to: inchrist@ca.inter.net
  We want everyone to do as well as possible; so do not rush through the course. If some part of it is
not clear to you, please contact us. Read all of the instructions very carefully.

                            OUTLINE
INTRODUCTION

1. THE DEFINITION OF SOULWINNING

11. THE NECESSITY OF SOULWINNING
   A. Men's Souls are Condemned to Eternal Destruction
   B. Man is God's Primary Channel of Reaching Men
   C  Christ's Last Command

111. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A SOULWINNER
   A. Personal Experiential Knowledge of Salvation
   B. Absolute Love for Christ
   C. Deep Realization of Man's Lost Condition
   D. Sincere Love for the Lost
   E. Divine Sense of Commission
   F. Prevailing Prayer
     1. Guidance to the Right Personal
     2. Preparation of the Heart of that Individual
     3. God's Message
     4. Boldness of Speech and Power
     5. Rooting of the Seed that has been Planted
  G. Unwavering Faith
     I. In God's Power
     2. In an Immediate Harvest
     3. In the Sown Seed

IV. THE PLACE OF GOD'S WORD IN SOULWINNING
   A. The Power of God's Word
   B. The Importance of Studying Scripture
   C. Thee Importance of Memorizing Scripture

                    FISHERS OF MEN  INTRODUCTION
Study Questions
1. Salvation Memory Verse: Romans 3:23 (Write in full on small card to be carried with you. Memorize
in your spare moments during day. Entitle it: THE FACT OF SIN. Memorize
reference with verse.) .
2. What was the primary objective of the early church?
3. What are the two purposes of this course? .
4. What is the author's motto?
5. How is soulwinning accomplished?

Almost overnight the early church grew from 120 to 3,000 believers (Acts l:l5; 2:41).  It was not long
before there were  5,000 men plus women and children (Acts 4:4).
  As we continue to read of the astonishing growth of the church in the book of Acts, we notice that
in 4:32 it had become a multitude; and in 5:14 we read that "believers were more added to the Lord,
multitudes both of men and men." What was the secret of this tremendous growth?  As you read the
history of these early believers, you soon find answer. They were a group of soulwinning Christians.
The winning of souls was their primary objective, their program and
everything else was secondary. So it is with us,soulwinning must be the dominating objective of our
lives, the focal point of all our endeavour.

Therefore, the purpose of this course is (1) to challenge you as to your personal opportunity and
responsibility in leading lost souls to Christ, and then (2) to teach you how to do the job effectively.
Although this course is a means to these ends, we must constantly remember that Jesus said, "Follow
Me and__ ____ _____you fishers of men." (Matthew 4:19)  All the soulwinning courses in the world
will be absolutely useless if we fail to follow our Lord in daily
devotion, for it is the Potter who molds us into useful vessels, into effective fishers of men (Isaiah 64:8).
However, part of the following will be to thoroughly learn the truths presented
in this course, for "faith without works is dead."      
  Our motto in soulwinning through the years has been Psalms 126:5,6, "They that sow in tears
shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his
sheaves with him."  When the truths of this verse become a vital part of our daily lives, we will be well
on our way to fulfilling God's plan for us.  And, oh, the joy of doing His will, of winning a soul for
Christ. Any Christian will readily testify that next to his personal salvation, the greatest joy in life is to
see a soul for whom he has wept and with whom he has dealt, pass from death unto life.  May God
help you start right now to follow Him and to claim His promise to make you a FISHER OF MEN.

1. THE DEFINITION OF SOULWINNING
                 Study Questions
1. Salvation Memory Verse: Romans 6:23 (Write in full on a small card, to be carried with you.
Memorize in spare moments during day. Entitle it: THE PENALTY OF SIN. Review- previous verse.)
2. What 3 things must we make the sinner realize?
3. How can the sinner be made to realize these? (2 factors)
  There are many terms used by Christian workers to define the task of getting lost souls to Christ,
such as witnessing,  testifying, personal work, fishing for men, savings souls and soulwinning, but
basically they all refer to the same thing. Some have defined these as follows:
  1. Witnessing is "telling others about Christ," telling what you have seen and heard about Christ.
"That which we have seen  and heard_________we unto you." (I John 1:3).
  2. Testifying is to speak of what you have experienced in your own life regarding salvation.
  3. Personal work, says R.A.Torrey, is hand-to-hand dealing with men ,women and children," that
is, personally coming in contact with other persons, especially the unsaved.
  4. Fishing for men is "going out into the ocean of sin and pulling drowning souls into the ark of
safety," which is the Lord Jesus Christ.
  5. Personal; evangelism is " telling of the gospel to a sinner with the intent of bringing him to
a saving knowledge of Christ."
  In brief, soulwinning is the act of effectively convincing a lost person of the following facts, through
the use of God's Word and in the power of the Holy Spirit:
     1. That he is under the sentence of eternal death (John  3:36)
      2. That Christ is the answer to his need (Acts 13:38,39).
     3. That the sinner must definitely accept Christ as Saviour and Lord (John 12:48; 11 Thessalonians
1:8b).(Unless the sinner actually takes this last step soulwinning has not taken place.)

11.  THE NECESSITY OF SOULWINNING
                  Study Questions
     
     1. Why must we "fish" for men? (3 reasons)
     2. List Bible verses that tell us why we should be soulwinner.     
     3.Review salvation verses you have memorized.

A. MEN'S SOULS ARE CONDEMNED TO ETERNAL DESTRUCTION.

  The basic reason why we must "fish" for men is that all men have been sentenced to death as a
penalty for their sin. "Wherefore, as by one man sin entered into the world and death by sin; and so
______ ____ ______ _____ ___ ____,for that all have sinned." (Romans 5:12)  Paul stated in
Romans 6:23, "The wages of sin is _______." Man has earned eternal death in Hell; that is, eternal
separation from God. 
  Therefore, we must plead with him to accept God's pardon, "the gift of God which is eternal life
through Jesus Christ our Lord." Otherwise, "The same shall drink of the wine of the wrath of God . . .
and he shall be_________ ____ and_________in the presence of the holy angels, and in the presence
of the Lamb . . . and they shall have___ _______day nor night. . ." (Revelation 14 11).  Do you really
believe it?  If so, you will be about your Father's business, seeking those who are lost.

B. WE ARE GOD'S PRIMARY CHANNEL OF REACHING MEN.
  When a lost soul realizes his fate, he is saved by' calling on the name of the Lord. But "How then
shall they call on him . . . how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard (belief is dependent
on hearing, Romans :17) and how shall they hear without a preacher? (Romans 10: 14)
  God could have preached the message of salvation Himself, but instead He has chosen each one of
us to be a preacher, a messenger of the "Good News."  Paul and Barnabas realized their God-given
purpose for living when they stated in Acts 13:47, "For so hath the Lord commanded us, saying, I have
set  _______to be a light of the Gentiles, that______shouldest be for salvation unto the ends the earth."
  Realizing this, let us not be careless Christians who go about in this life blindly unaware of the
reason for our existence.  God is constantly searching for channels, saying, " . . Whom shall I send, and
who will go for us?"  May we say with Isaiah, "Here am I; _____  ____."(Isaiah 6:8); I am afraid,
however, that God is too often forced to say, And I ought for a man among them, that should make up
the hedge, and stand in the gap before me for the land, that I should not destroy it: ____ __ _____
____." (Ezekiel 22:30). 
  My Christian brother, let us be about our Father's business (II Timothy 2:2; II Corinthians 5:20).

C. CHRIST'S LAST COMMAND
  Jesus stated that His primary purpose in coming to this earth was "to ______ ____ __ _____
_____ ______ ____ ______."  (Luke 19:10). Just before He left to go back to Heaven, He told His
disciples, "As my Father hath sent me, even so send I you" (John 20:21). "Go ye into all the world,
and________ the gospel to every creature." (Mark 16:15). This was a direct order from the Captain of
our salvation, an order which issued from the compassionate heart of One
Who has already given His all for condemned humanity.  Let us in loving obedience carry out this Great
Commission,  thereby glorifying our crucified, resurrected, returning Lord.  Read prayerfully Matthew
28 :18-20, Luke 24 :46-48 and Acts 1:3-9.  Yes, even as Jesus was, so must we be about OUR
Father's business; EVERYTHING else must come second.
  Only a redeemed sinner can tell another of God's power to save!
                                            
III. BASIC QUALIFICATIONS TO BE A SOULWINNER
     Study Questions

1. What is the first basic qualification of a soulwinner?
2. Name four more qualifications, backed by a Bible reference.
3. How is our love for Christ made evident, or manifested? List three ways.
4. How will complete abandonment to Christ be demonstrated  in our life, or in us? List three things that
we will abandon to Him.
5. In what three things do we need steadfast faith?
6. Why is faith in God's power important in soulwinning?
7. Continue to review memorized Bible verses.
  In any work there are a few basic qualifications a person must have to do the job effectively. And
the degree to which a person is qualified will determine to a large extent the quality and quantity of
work which he accomplishes. So it is with soulwinning; the extent to which a person meets the
qualifications to be discussed will determine his effectiveness as a witness for Christ.  Therefore, as you
study these qualifications, take careful inventory in your own life and ask the Lord to make these things
an experiential part of your daily life.

A. A PERSONAL, EXPERIENTIAL KNOWLEDGE OF SALVATION.
  To help another person receive forgiveness of sins, you must know beyond the shadow of a doubt
that your own sins have been forgiven. Paul, a former blasphemer and persecutor of 
Christians, preached the message of forgiveness with confidence and boldness because he assuredly
knew that his sins had been forgiven. He states in I Timothy 1:13-14 "... I__________mercy .... And
the grace of our Lord was exceeding abundant .... This is a faithful saying, and worthy of all
acceptation, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners; of whom I am chief." He also knew
that Christ had made him a son of God, one of the "partaker of the inheritance of the saints in light"
(Colossians 1:1, read verses 13, 14 also). Paul did not just hope this had happened to him, but he
asserts ". . . I_____(have absolute confidence in) whom I have believed, and am_____________that
he is able to keep that (my soul, my life) which I have
committed unto him against that day" (II Timothy I :12).
  Yes, the soulwinner must have a genuine assurance of salvation, for vague assurance leads to vague
soulwinning, or almost without fail, no soulwinning at all. This is the basic qualification.

B. ABSOLUTE LOVE FOR CHRIST.
  When we once fully realize that Christ has "brought me up out of an horrible pit, out of the miry
clay, and set my feet upon a rock" (Psalm 40:2, 3), we, too, will have a new song in our mouth. We will
be singing with the songwriter "How can I help but love Him, when He loved me so."  David, who
loved his Lord with humble devotion says, "Oh God, thou art my God; early will I seek thee: my soul
thirsteth for thee, my flesh longeth for thee in a dry and thirsty land
where no water is" (Psalm 63:1). "As the hart panteth after the water brooks, so panteth my soul after
thee, O God (Psalm 42:1). Too much soulwinning today is the "must" a clear conscience (Ezekiel
3:18,19), or to add numbers, and not the must' of a humble devotion to our blessed Lord.         The
person who often walks alone with Him "in the garden will be found often out in the highways and
byways compelling others to come in.
  A consistent devotional life characterizes the consistent soulwinner.  Souls were added daily to the
early church (Acts 2:47) because the people took notice of them that they had been with Jesus (Acts
4:13). ". . . Peter went up upon the housetop __ ______ about the sixth hour (noon)" (Acts 10:9).
Peter and John went up together into the temple __ ____ ____ __ _______, being the ninth hour (3:00
PM)" (Acts 3 :1).  "And at midnight Paul and Silas________, ___ ____
________ unto God" (Acts 16:25).  These men who were in love with Jesus spent much time with Him
and, as a result, were effective soulwinners. Oh, Christian, do you long for that
time alone with Him to pray, to worship, to meditate on His Word and to express your love to Him?
This is the CORNERSTONE OF SOULWINNING. "The love of Christ" constrains
Paul to tell others of his wonderful Saviour (II Corinthians 5: 14).
  This kind of love for Christ will also cause us to abandon ourselves completely to Him: First,
abandonment of our WILL.
Note the disciples' example. Jesus said, "Follow me . . .and they straightway (immediately, without
question) left their nets, and followed him" (Matthew 4:19, 20). Note  Jesus' example. ". . . Not my will,
but thine, be done" (Luke 22:42).  Second abandonment of our BODY. ". . . Yield yourselves unto
God . . . and your members as______________ ___ ___________________unto God" (Romans
6:13; see also Romans 12:1).  Third, abandonment of ALL THINGS. "But what things were gain to
me, those I counted loss for Christ. Yea
doubtless,, and I count all things but loss for the excellency of the knowledge of Christ Jesus my Lord:
for whom I have suffered the loss of___ _______, and do count them but dung, that I may win Christ"
(Philippians 3:7,8)
  An absolute love for Christ also means a separation from the ambitions and desires of this world.
"Love not the________ neither the things that are in the______. If any man love the ______, the love
of the Father is not in him. For all that is in the world,  the lust of the flesh, and the lust of the eyes, and
the pride of life, is not of the Father but is of the world." (I John 2:15,16). See also 11 Timothy 2:21.
  God's love is a holy love.  Such holiness can never flow through an unclean channel (Isaiah 5:11).
These sins may not always be sins of commission. To the Christian, they are more than likely ones of
omission.  Failing to witness can be a sin.  Why is it that we are not willing to give
ourselves to witnessing?  It is because we fear the cost. "We can only crucified Lord when we are
willing to live a crucified life." The divine order demands a price: it is death to all that we are and desire.
An absolute love for Christ is the cornerstone of soulwinning.

C. DEEP REALIZATION OF MAN'S LOST CONDITION.
  To win souls we must be thoroughly convinced that souls need saving.  We must realize that man is
devoted to his ways and, as a result, is totally estranged from God and destiny to an eternal Hell.  God
states that man's "heart is________ ______ ___ ______ , and _________ ______...."(Jeremiah
17:9).  His heart is deceitful (misleading, full of plots, watching for an opportunity to snare, treacherous)
to the extent that his every thought and action is characterized by selfishness, pride, and rebellion
against God.  As man looks on the outward appearance, he sees a sinner's charity, kindness, and
thoughtfulness, but as God looked on man  before the flood, He saw that . . . every imagination of the
thoughts of his heart was____ _____ ____________." (Genesis 6:5). Paul, in quoting David,
emphasizes, "...There is none righteous,__ ____ ____: There is none that seeketh after God . . . there is
none that doeth good,__ ___ _____," (Romans
3:10-12). This truth cannot be overemphasized; we must believe it and not tone down.
  Because of his sinfulness, man is separated from God, estranged from his Creator. Isaiah says, ". . .
your iniquities have separated between you and your God, and your sins has hid his face from you, that
he will not hear" (Isaiah 59:2). Even more ,at death the sinner is eternally
separated God: only judgment and the "lake of fire" await him. Hell is forever. Jesus said, . . . these shall
go away into everlasting punishment..." (Matthew 25:46. God states that the unrepentant sinner shall be
"tormented with fir and brimstone . . . and the smoke of their torment ascendeth up ___ _____ ___
_____; and they have no rest day nor night" (Revelation 14:10 11) (Read further Revelation 20:11-15)
  No wonder, then that Paul exclaims: "Knowing therefore the terror of the Lord, we persuade men"
(2 Corinthians 5:11). He realized just how lost men were; therefore, he "ceased not to warn________
_____ night and day ____ _______"    (Acts 20:31).   To be a soulwinner, our hearts MUST be
gripped night and day with the truth of man's lost condition.

D. SINCERE LOVE FOR THE LOST.
  This leads us to our next qualification which is an earnest desire to see men saved, a passion for
souls.  Men throughout the Bible not only realized man's tragic position apart from God but also were
impelled by a driving compassion to do something about it.  Jeremiah is called the "weeping prophet" of
the Old Testament because of his love for his people. Hear him cry, "Oh that my head were water and
mine eyes  fountain of tears, that I might______ _____ ___  ______for the slain of the daughter of my
people!"(Jeremiah 9:1)  We have already seen Paul's concern as he too, wept "day and night with
tears."  He further states in Romans 9:3, "For I could wish that myself _____ _________ ____
_______ for my brethren...."  It was this kind of compassion that continually drove Paul out after souls
even  when it meant for him stoning, prison, shipwreck and all sorts of persecution.
  Study through the Gospels and notice the compassionate heart of our Saviour. "But when he
saw the multitudes, he was _____ ____ ___________..." (Matthew 9:36)  "And when the Lord saw
her, he had compassion on her..." (Luke 7:13), "And when he was come near, he beheld the city, and
wept over it." (Luke 19:141)  The basic meaning of the word compassion is "to suffer with." Jesus and
His followers shared in the burden of the multitudes' sin-heavy hearts to the extent that their salvation
was the only thing that would ease the agony. So we must "suffer with" the unsaved around us.
  Yes, tears are an evidence of genuine love necessary in soulwinning. They that sow in tears shall
reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed shall doubtless come again with
rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him." (Psalm 126:5,6).  How many sin-hardened hearts have been
melted with tears of compassion when all other methods have failed.
  How do we get this type of concern for others  Certainly not a whipped-up enthusiasm, but a deep
yearning that springs spontaneously from the innermost self when our lives are brought into the warmth
of relationship with Christ. It is not a forced love but the fruit of a yielded life. The
fruit of the Spirit is love . . ." (Galatians 5;22)  It is not the result of praying for tears but the natural fruit
of sharing our Saviour's burdens with Him--His compassion for multitudes.

E. DIVINE SENSE OF COMMISSION.
  Just before Jesus ascended into Heaven, He said to His disciples, "But ye shall receive power, after
that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and __ _____ ___ ____________ unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and  in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth." (Acts 1:8) The night before
His crucifixion He had said to them, "Ye have not chosen me, but I have chosen you, and ordained you,
that ye should_______and bring forth fruit and that your fruit should remain" (John 15:16). Even in the
Old Testament God very clearly commanded the prophet to ward sinners of God's impending
judgment.  "Son of man,____ ______ ______ ______ ____ _________ unto the house of Israel:
therefore hear the Word at my mouth, and_____ _____ _________from me." (Ezekiel 3:17)  Read
verses 18 and 19 also, and notice the serious  warning given Ezekiel if he failed to warn sinners of their
lost condition.                 
  Yes, we must realize that we have been commissioned by God Almighty, by Jesus Christ, by the
Lord of the harvest to warn and win souls. Paul was extremely conscious for he stated, "...God...hath
committed unto us the Word of reconciliation.  Now then we are ambassadors, for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead be ye reconciled to God."  (2 Corinthians
5:19,20) No wonder Paul said, ". . . woe is unto me, if I preach not the Gospel" (I Corinthians 9:16).

TEST LESSON 1            FISHERS

Each question is followed by three answers--(a), (b) and  ) only one of the answers is correct. Read
each question carefully: then select the correct answer. Place a X by your selection.

1. The early church in Acts grew rapidly  because of:
     (a) Human ability
     (b) Soulwinning efforts
     (c)Both of the above

2. A lost person can be saved if:
      (a) He is convinced that he has sinned against God
      (b) He realizes that Christ can cleanse him from his sin
      (c) Neither of the above

3. God has called the following to be His instruments in reaching lost people:
     (a)  Some of us
     (b)  Most of us
     (c)  All of us

4. How separated is man from God because of his sin?
     (a)  Just a little
     (b)  Greatly
     (c) Completely

5. Who is called the "weeping prophet" of the Old Testament.
     (a) Isaiah
     (b) Jeremiah
     (c) Ezekiel


     TRUE OR FALSE

Write the letter "T or F" in the blank provided.

_____1.  Sinners are not saved by what men tell them but by  what God tells them through men.

_____2. Love for  Christ is the cornerstone of soulwinning.
  
_____3. Every word in the Bible does not come from God but the Bible very definitely contains the
Word of God.

_____4. One will not have faith in the power of God's Word  who in any way doubts its source, its
inspiration.

_____5.  Mature  Christians are more prone to commit  sins of commission rather than sins of omission.

_____6.  The basis meaning of the word "compassion" is to  " recognize a person's need."
 
Name:

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Updated Feb.25th 2006 by Harold Smith