Send Forth Laborers

A sower went out to sow” (Luke 8:5). “The fields . . . are already white for harvest” (John 4:35). “The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few” (Matthew 9:37).

These are just a few of the many times Jesus used practical examples from the cycle of planting and harvesting to illustrate the process of making disciples. Just as the agricultural cycle includes soil preparation, seed planting, cultivation, harvesting, and preservation, the “cycle of evangelism” requires equivalent phases that are essential for true success.

It is not uncommon for Christ­ians to express disappointment at meager results from their efforts to win souls. The problem often lies in failing to realize that evangelism is a process involving multiple steps, each of which demands careful planning and hard work. If even one step is overlooked, results will suffer.