Do you remember playing the game “Go Fish” when you were a child? When Jesus called Peter, Andrew, James and John to be his disciples, he promised to make them fishers of men (Mt. 4:18-19). In giving the Great Commission, he was essentially telling them to “Go Fish.” Here are some lessons to learn from that game.
You have to ask for what you want. If you want someone to come to church with you, or have a Bible study with you, you have to ask them, directly and specifically.
You can only ask for what you have. In evangelism, we must hold in our hand what we are asking other people for. We can’t ask others to embrace a hope we don’t hold.
You must ask different people. If you ask someone for a card and they don’t have it, you don’t give up the search, you just ask someone else. When Paul and Barnabas were in Antioch the Jewish audience was not receptive. (Acts 13:46) “Then Paul and Barnabas grew bold and said, “It was necessary that the word of God should be spoken to you first; but since you reject it, and judge yourselves unworthy of everlasting life, behold, we turn to the Gentiles.”
You may have to ask more than once. The fact that they don’t have a card at one point in the game doesn’t necessarily mean that they will not have it at another point. Over time, circumstances can change and those who once were not receptive can later become receptive to the seed of the gospel. Ask again.
You must ask before others do. There are groups who are trying to convert people to error. Those you ask may be approached by others if you don’t ask. If they are not taught the truth, they may be taken into error or remain untaught.