Yesterday I was on campus meeting with a student who has been seeking Jesus this Fall. She has been part of our ministry structures with Greek InterVarsity and really loving them. As I met with her I asked her what I ask most students who are curious about Jesus but not yet following Him, “What is keeping you from following him today?”

Her answer didn’t surprise me.

“I don’t know what it means to be all in? Like, how do I do it?”

I laughed out loud, and while it awkwardly confusing to her why I was laughing, it gave me an opportunity to explain to her what I often explain to people I am training in evangelism.

People do not know how to invite themselves into the Kingdom of God! 

So many times, in our well meaning ways to build relationships, study scripture, pray for and discuss Jesus with our seeking friends, we forget the most crucial thing:

Asking them if they want to invite Jesus into their life AND if you can show them how to do so.

Our conversation continued and I did just that. She was excited to have me explain to her the gospel and how to invite Jesus into her life. I explained to her that you literally need to invite him in by asking him. You need to confess your sin before God and receive Jesus’ forgiveness that was extended to us on the cross.

She wanted to do it privately, and while that was not a bad idea, I pressed her on why it wasn’t the best idea.

“Our relationship with Jesus is personal, but it’s not private. It is best to receive Christ with others and to have people pray for and with you. Not only to pray, but to celebrate the decision to follow Christ with you!”

I explained to her through the metaphor of a sorority chapter and initiation, “When you got your bid for your sorority and decided to pledge, did you do it in private or was there a communal celebration with the other women in the chapter? It is the same with the Christian faith and following Jesus. The community wants to welcome you and celebrate with you.”

That night, at our student core team meeting on campus at USC, we prayed for this woman to receive Christ and listened to God on her behalf for words of encouragement, scriptures and images. God spoke powerfully and as a community we welcomed her into the family of God.

So, I am curious, who is hanging around your community of faith that needs the simple question, “Do you know how to invite Jesus into your life and do you want help doing so?”

If you would like for me to come train your church or group, my workshop details are here.