Angling for Souls
Matt 28:18-20
18 Then Jesus came to them and said, "All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. 19 Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age."
In this Great Commission, Jesus gives the church – His church – work to do. We are to “go and make disciples”. But where do we go? And once we know where, how do we “make disciples”? Once again, the lessons learned while fishing apply here.
On every fishing trip, I see anglers fishing in the wrong places. Every species of fish has preferences and ideal places they like to hang out. Trout in moving water, for example, prefer locations that are protected from their natural enemies (usually birds), that give them easy access to food (usually insects carried by strong current), that provide cool and highly oxygenated water (usually below a riffle or waterfall) and that allow them to rest in slower current (usually behind a rock or under a bank). The really big fish are usually in deeper holes in the stream, where the birds can’t reach them, the current is slower, and food is delivered to them. Bottom line is . . . fish are lazy! So why are so many fishermen fishing in locations that are not ideal for the fish?
Sometimes, these well-intentioned but under-informed anglers walk right through ideal holding areas in order to cast their fly to the wrong spot! They spook fish from all the protected lies as they tromp to what they think is the ideal casting spot. Fish scatter to get out of the bumbling fisherman’s way and then settle back into their feeding locations with a good view of this hapless human out in front of them! This fisherman will usually have an explanation for getting skunked, telling you how their bad luck was probably the result of the low-pressure front that went through yesterday or that the phase of the moon has all the fish feeding at night or some other excuse. The real trouble, though, is that they’re casting to water that is without fish!
Much the same thing happens to us when we try to “go and make disciples”. We’re looking in all the wrong places, knowing little about the preferences of our target audience, and walking right through “target-rich” environments without casting! In order to “go and make disciples”, we must be angling for souls in their natural habitat.
It’s really not as hard as it may sound. We simply need to put ourselves in position to deliver the “hook” (the Gospel) to those souls without it, in language they understand, and in a place where they feel safe in hearing it. We must “go” to their natural habitat, without scattering them in the process! Just as in fishing, we need to know the preferences of our target audience, and use these to maximize our opportunities for success.
Here is a simple and practical way to do this, to be a “fisher of men” . . . an “angler for souls in their natural habitat”. This easy process will put you in the best position to share the Gospel with another in an environment that is natural and effective.
1. Define something you are passionate about doing in your spare time.
This could be fly fishing or any other hobby or activity that you enjoy.
2. Find a way to share this passion with non-believers.
Join a fishing club, go to a golf course as a single, do anything to find a way to “go” into a” target-rich environment”!
3. Help them make their life work better . . . from their point of view!
This could be as simple as giving them your favorite fly pattern or as important as listening to their troubles, but it must be helpful from their point of view.
4. Be yourself!
Don’t hide the fact that you’re a believer, but don’t make it the only topic of conversation either. Simply confront them with the real you as you are helping them make their life work better.
5. Share the Gospel with them.
You’ll know when the time is right. God will prepare them to listen. Just be ready when the time comes!
6. Stay with them until they commit their life to Christ and are baptized.
This may take minutes or it may take a lifetime. But remember, every moment you spend with them, you are connecting them to Jesus Christ by the Holy Spirit who dwells within you!
7. Connect them with a worship community.
This may or may not be your home church. Find a worship community and environment that will nurture this new child of God in a way that encourages them to follow your model to “go and make disciples” as soon as possible!
Angling for souls in their natural habitat is simply putting yourself in a position to enjoy your passion with non-believers who become your friends. Then, by growing your relationship with them, they are confronted with the Gospel of Jesus Christ in and through you. Finally, you get to watch as God does the work of salvation through you!
What could be better than that? Fishing for men . . . and watching God do the catching!
Tight lines!