Gospel Conversations: Joining God in His Workplace
Author: Stan Guthrie
November 06, 2025
This past Missions Sunday at New Covenant Church, we explored the story of Jonah and The Heart of Missions. It was a powerful reminder that God’s call to share His love often leads us outside our comfort zones and into the lives of those we might least expect. Jonah’s reluctance and God’s relentless grace challenge us to see evangelism not as a performance or as a duty, but as participation in the Lord’s ongoing work—and a call to love.
That’s why I’m excited to invite you to Gospel Conversations, a three-week Sunday school class in the Fellowship Hall at 9:00 AM over the next three weeks, on November 9, 16, and 23, taught by Pastor Chris and me. Whether you’re new to sharing your faith or simply need a fresh spark, this class offers practical tools and encouragement to begin speaking about Jesus in your everyday circles.
We’ll learn to:
- Understand and share the gospel clearly;
- Tell our own stories of grace with confidence; and
- Grow bolder and more comfortable in spiritual conversations.
The heart of missions isn’t about perfect words—it’s about trusting that God is already at work in the lives of our friends and neighbors. Our role is simply to come alongside Him and love them.
We’re offering Gospel Conversations now because we want to be ready to engage our friends and neighbors who have spiritual questions over the rapidly approaching holidays. As part of our NCC outreach efforts, we’re also planning to provide:
- The online course Christianity Explored to encourage folks to learn about the gospel in a compelling, easy to understand way;
- More opportunities to bless and engage our neighbors via our NCC Forums this fall;
- November 13: Scam Alert: Learn the Latest Cons and How to Avoid Them;
- December 13: Handel’s Messiah, performed by Camerata Chicago; and
- December 21: Lessons and Carols for Advent.
- And we will gladly provide support and resources if you wish to host a Christmas Coffee and Cocoa in your home.
While inviting people to church events is a great way to bring people into contact with the Lord, the biggest is simply engaging them with the joy and confidence that are ours in Christ, “always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet … with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15).
That’s why Gospel Conversations is such a big deal. It will help equip us to begin taking small steps of faith and pointing those we love to Jesus.
Gospel Conversations will be offered in Fellowship Hall on November 9, 16, and 23. The regular Adult Sunday School class, “In Search of the True King,” led by Daniel Owen and Dan Master, will resume later.
We believe Gospel Conversations will be a great opportunity as we seek to be a people who are more active in telling others the good news. For more information, please email me at communications@newcovenantnaperville.org.
Let’s step into the story together.
Stan Guthrie is Director of Outreach and Mobilization for New Covenant Church. He is the co-author (with Jerry Root) of The Sacrament of Evangelism. Stan will make copies of this $15 book available for $5, but it isn’t necessary for the class.
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