The Soul-Winning Team
Soul-Winning Lesson 1
The “Group Leader”: person who assigns locations and directions to soul winning teams.
The “Talker”: person who speaks with others and preaches the gospel.
The “Silent Partner”: person who silently assists/learns/observes the preaching of the gospel.
Team Soul-Winning in Scripture
- The better value of two
Ecclesiastes 4:9-12: Two are better than one; because they have a good reward for their labour.10 For if they fall, the one will lift up his fellow: but woe to him that is alone when he falleth; for he hath not another to help him up.11 Again, if two lie together, then they have heat: but how can one be warm alone?12 And if one prevail against him, two shall withstand him; and a threefold cord is not quickly broken.
All throughout the Bible, men of God often are helped by others. Adam was helped by his wife Eve (Genesis 2:18-25). Moses was served by Joshua (Exodus 24:13; 33:11). Jethro advised Moses to ordain rulers to help him run the country of Israel (Exodus 18:13-26). Elijah was ministered to by Elisha (II Kings 3:11). Elisha was helped by Gehazi (II Kings 4:12, 29). Jesus had the twelve apostles (Mark 3:14). The apostles ordained deacons to help them conduct the daily ministrations in the church at Jerusalem (Acts 6:1-7). Cornelius had soldiers that continually served him (Acts 10:7). Paul had many “fellowhelpers” and “fellowlabourers” (Timothy, I Thessalonians 3:2; Titus, II Corinthians 8:23; Epaphroditus, Philippians 2:25; Epaphras, Colossians 1:7; see also Philippians 4:3; Colossians 4:7-11; Philemon 1-2, 24), including his amanuenses/scribes (e.g., Romans 16:22; see also II Thessalonians 3:17, compare with Galatians 6:11).
- Jesus’ evangelistic commission by twos
The twelve disciples/apostles:
Mark 6:7: And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two…
The other seventy apostles:
Luke 10:1: 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.
Jesus sent two disciples to retrieve the borrowed donkey for his triumphal entry (Matthew 21:1-3).
Jesus sent two disciples (Peter and John) to prepare the last supper Passover meal (Luke 22:8-13).
- Paul’s missionary partnerships (see Acts 17:13-15)
Paul and Barnabas (and John Mark):
- Acts 13:2: As they ministered to the Lord, and fasted, the Holy Ghost said, Separate me Barnabas and Saul for the work whereunto I have called them.
- Acts 13:5: And when they were at Salamis, they preached the word of God in the synagogue of the Jews: and they had also John to their minister.
- Acts 14:12: And they called Barnabas, Jupiter; and Paul, Mercurius, because he was the chief speaker.
Barnabas and John Mark:
- Acts 15:39: And the contention was so sharp between them, that they departed asunder one from the other: and so Barnabas took Mark, and sailed unto Cyprus.
Paul and Silas:
- Acts 15:40: And Paul chose Silas, and departed, being recommended by the brethren unto the grace of God.
Biblical Pictures of the Talker and Silent Partner
In the life of Moses, there are two powerful scenes that illustrate the teamwork of a soul-winning squad. When Moses went before Pharaoh to command him to let the children of Israel go free, Aaron was his spokesman (see Exodus 4:14-15, 29; 5:1). Second, when the children of Israel were fighting with Amalek, and Moses held up the rod of God to give them divine deliverance during the battle, Aaron and Hur brought him a rock to sit on and held up his hands (Exodus 17:8-16). There are many Biblical symbols of the Talker and Silent Partner:
- The soldier and his armor-bearer in a battle (see I Samuel 14:1-15).
- The warriors and the guards of the possessions (see I Samuel 30:1-25).
- The two yoke of oxen in the plow in agriculture (see Philippians 4:3; see also Matthew 11:29).
- The father and his son at work in the same craft (see Philippians 2:19-22).
- The woman and her midwife in birth (see Galatians 4:19).
Soul-Winning Models
When engaging in confrontational evangelism (interactively preaching the gospel to individuals), there are multiple models to operate under, based upon considerations of (a) the skill and wisdom of the soul-winner(s) and (b) the zeal and amount of the soul-winners. Although teams of three can be formed, two is usually ideal.
- The Armor-bearer Model: Two people, one talker and one silent—one listens the whole time.
- The Yoke Model: Two people, dependent talkers—both take turns listening.
- The Dual-Commander Model (II Samuel 10:9-11): Two people, independent talkers—neither listens.
- The Champion Model (I Samuel 17:4-11): One person, intermediate/expert talker.
Duties of the Silent Partner
- Stay silent: remain silent while the Talker is communicating the gospel—do not interrupt their presentation of the gospel. It is unproductive, it can be intimidating to the person hearing the gospel, and it may cause confusion (see I Corinthians 14:33).
- Stay together: move with your partner at all times, and do not wander away (see Proverbs 27:8; I Kings 20:38-40).
- Stay attentive: keep your focus on all aspects of the outing (the Talker, the hearer, others, etc.), and do not be minded about other things while soul-winning.
- Prevent distractions: Stop anything that will hinder the gospel preaching of the Talker, and assist in any way to further the gospel preaching of the Talker.
- Pray in your heart: Pray to God (silently, with eyes staying open) for any/every aspect of the gospel presentation as you silently spectate the preaching of the Talker (e.g., see Nehemiah 2:4-5).
The Purpose of the Silent Partner
Teaching purpose: to train a future Talker, or to improve a current Talker (see Proverbs 27:17).
Support purpose: to circumvent distractions (through intervention of the Silent Partner); to strengthen the work of evangelism by silent prayer or additional preaching of the trainer acting as a Silent Partner.
Morale purpose: to provide fellowship and encouragement during the soul-winning outing (see Proverbs 27:9).
Safety purpose: to ward off potential physical dangers (e.g., preventing accidents); to supply at least two witnesses for any possible occurrence/accusation (see Matthew 10:16).