Community Exegesis: Where are you planted?

God has appointed us to live in certain places at certain times (Acts 17:26).

It’s reasonable to extend this to the church that you are connected with being planted in the neighborhood.

Here are a few study questions for your community exegesis:

• Who are the unchurched in your community that your church could easily reach?
• Who are the unchurched, that your church could read with some effort?
• What would it take for your church to reach the “easily” and “some effort” group?
• What changes in philosophy, program, and structure would you need to make in your church to reach the “easily unchurched?”
• What might block your church from reaching the unchurched?
• Who has God brought to your attention that is unchurched?
• Would you feel comfortable inviting them to your church?

Source: Brian Clark, PC USA church planter in Northern Virginia.

Question from Markus Watson

I found this post by Markus Watson that has already written out several questions that one could consider as they self-evaluate their evangelism style and methods.

Four Questions to Focus my Evangelism Efforts

1. Who are the key population groups living in my area?
2. What population group is not being reached effectively?
3. What population group do I best relate to? (keep in mind that just because you have a heart for someone doesn’t mean you can relate to them)
4. What is my unique “Sweet Spot”? (the intersection of those first three questions)

1. Three Evangelism Truths
   1. People are more open to the gospel when they are in trouble.
   2. People are more open to the gospel when they are in transition.
   3. People are more open to the gospel when they are under tension.

   Regarding “transition”:

   • Moving, marriage, having kids, loss of a loved one, loss of a relationship, loss of a dream
   • What transitions are people experiencing in your area?

Photo credit: Kyle May via cc (link to flickr is gone)