Arrows of Truth # 5 - Why is the Hunters strategy different?
The Hunters strategy is different than the fishers’ strategy that Jesus referred to in Matt 4:19 when He called the disciples (and us) to preach the gospel to the lost. The lost who receive the gospel have been prepared by the Holy Spirit to respond by faith to the truth.
Once (s)he is a believer, the heart responds over time in a variety of ways (Matt 13:18ff). Only one of those four ways results in obedience. The other three ways result in dropout believers with strongholds that must be spiritually brought down in order for the them to become obedient again to the truth.
That is the reason the Hunters strategy is necessary for restoration of the dropout believer. It incorporates both practical and spiritual aspects of developing a one on one relationship with the dropout that will eventually topple the stronghold, and then the Holy Spirit can convict & convince concerning their need for the church.
This is different than preaching the gospel to the lost. It is engaging (pursuing) the one wandering lost sheep to build a loving relationship in practical ways while consistently praying for them as God gives you discernment to demolish spiritual barriers in their mind.
It is a long-term process that you will not be able to carry on with unless you are faithful.
Tip #5
Read Matt 13:3-23. Consider 2 or 3 people in your sphere of influence who are dropout believers. At what stage does each of them fall away – roadside; rocky place; thorny place? For more depth on this read Hunters of the Harvest book chapter 1. To order the ministry book go to website www.huntersoftheharvest.org and click Order.
