Matthew Parties

We’ve talked about the importance of going and telling people about the love of God. About whose job it is to tell the lost that Jesus died for them and wants to save them as they are and transform them to new people in Him. I read a book by Bill Hybels called, “Just Walk Across the Room.” There is a section in this book that talks about Matthew Parties. It’s a party where you invite your family, co-workers, and/or neighbors to just have a good time. The purpose of the party is to introduce people to Jesus.

This idea comes from Matthew 9 and Mark 2 where after Jesus had called Matthew to follow Him, Matthew had a party where he invited his former co-workers and people he knew. He threw the party to introduce people to the Savior. We can do the same with our loved ones, co-workers, and neighbors. This is a great opportunity to reach people who will not come to church. Invite church friends who know how to talk with people in regular conversation. Make sure to tell them to just be themselves and not carrier a Bible around to hit people over the head with it. Have people who know that love talks louder than anything else. The only difference between a Christ-follower and a lost person is that Christ has called them to Himself and has cleaned them of their sin.

A Matthew Party can be very useful to reach people around us. People you reach at parties such as these could be developed into a community Bible group that meet weekly in your house. We are called to go and make disciples (Matthew 28:19 – 20). To make a disciple, you have to help them grow in the knowledge of Christ. You can be used by God to reach your housing development, work place, and/or family for Christ by just throwing a party. Pray about how God can use you.