Bobby Bates 

One of the major reasons given for one's failure to do personal work is the lack of contacts. With a world full of lost souls, it is difficult for some to understand this problem. Nevertheless, to those who have been reared in the church and who have few close friends outside of the church, it is a legitimate problem. Many simply do not know where to go to find responsive people with whom to study. Here is a list of responsive people­

1.               Anyone who has recently undergone a high degree of change in his life.

2.               One who has experienced a death in his family or a close friend.

3.               One who has gone through a divorce.

4.               Those involved in marital reconciliation.

5.               Those having marital problems.

6.               Those experiencing marital separation.

7.               One who has experienced a major illness.

8.               One who has suffered a personal tragedy of any kind.

9.               Parents of a new baby (especially the first-born).

10.            One who has just retired.

11.            One who has just moved into the community.

12.            One who has gone through a change in his job.

13.            One who has a change in financial status.

14.            Newlyweds.

15.            Those whose children have left home.

16.            A family where the wife is just beginning or just quitting work outside the home.

17.            High school and college graduates.

18.            "Undesirables" are potential converts to a mass movement because they see their lives as ruined and are ready for something better.

19.            Those who have recently become poor.

20.            One who stands alone and has no collective body with which he can blend.

21.            Members of a church which was once all-embracing but has now relaxed its hold.

22.            Members of a movement which is beginning to show liberal tendencies.

23.            One who has recently been discharged from the military.

24.            Those who are bored.

25.            Non-Christian mates.

26.            The non-Christian children of Christians.

27.            Non-Christian relatives.

28.            Non-Christian friends.

29.            Visitors to Bible class and/or worship services.

30.            The parents of bus children.

31.            Those who are confined to a rest home.

32.            One who is in the hospital.

33.            One who has, completed a Bible correspondence course.

Other ways of finding responsive people include:

1.               Taking a religious survey of the community with the explicit purpose of setting up home Bible studies.

2.               Having a campaign for Christ in your community.

3.               Establishing an on-going work with a college campus (such as a Bible Chair).

4.               Establishing a congregation near a military base.­

            Southwest School of Bible Studies, Austin, TX

Gospel Advocate            June 6,1985