There’s a parable in the book of John which indirectly talks about the value of teamwork in evangelism.
Bringing people to Christ is rarely something that’s done in one sitting. It’s impossible to tell ahead of time who will respond positively to the Gospel, so you have to cast a wide net, be persistent, and not get discouraged when you don’t see progress at the rate you’d like to.
I’ve heard evangelism compared to a frozen bough sagging under the weight of a winter snowstorm. Any snowflake by itself is not enough to make the branch break, but many snowflakes collectively add up to more weight than the branch can hold. Each snowflake represents an interaction with a Christian, a conversation about God, or maybe the “pebble in the shoe” that comes from philosophical questions raised in an unbeliever’s life. While some people simply never choose to believe despite large amounts of “snow” accumulating in their lives, the choice remains theirs, while the duty to keep adding flakes to it remains our responsibility.
John 4:35-38 talks about this evangelistic teamwork:
Do you not say, ‘There are still four months and then comes the harvest’? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look at the fields, for they are already white for harvest! And he who reaps receives wages, and gathers fruit for eternal life, that both he who sows and he who reaps may rejoice together. For in this the saying is true: ‘One sows and another reaps.’ I sent you to reap that for which you have not labored; others have labored, and you have entered into their labors.”
Teamwork is quite obviously part of the picture here. Maybe you’re sowing, reaping, or doing something in between. Are you actively participating in the sowing/growing/harvesting process? Are you adding individual flakes to various branches? God’s equipped you with talents and gifts for the purpose of bringing Him glory and pointing others to Him. Don’t let those gifts be wasted.
Lord, it’s hard, and it’s scary to be part of this process. It feels like there are so few workers dedicated to “the harvest.” Help me lean in when I feel You pushing me toward specific interactions. Whether I’m laying out the Gospel, having discussions that make unbelievers ponder the concept of intelligent design, or just listening to someone who needs an ear, help me to represent You well and point others to You in a way that honors You. Amen.