Luke 15:3–7
The +1 Challenge
Bring
One.
One man. One invitation. One seat beside you.
Awareness gets us started. Personal invitations bring men to the fire.
Why Bring One?
A Crowd Sees a Post.
A Man Hears an Invitation.
We can post graphics, announce dates, share videos, and tell people The Forge is coming. All of that helps. But most men do not walk into something new because they saw another announcement.
They come because somebody they know looked them in the eye and said, “Come with me.”
Bring One is not recruitment. It is relationship.
One Matters
God Does Not
Lose Sight of One.
In Luke 15, Jesus tells three stories in a row about something that was lost. A shepherd goes after one sheep. A woman searches for one coin. A father watches for one son to come home.
The point is not that the others do not matter. The point is that the one who is missing still matters.
Jesus says there is joy in heaven over one sinner who repents. And when it comes to salvation, Jesus does not point us toward a hundred different answers. He points us to Himself.
Luke 15:8–10
One Lost Coin.
The woman searches carefully until the one is found.Luke 15:11–32
One Lost Son.
The father celebrates when his lost son comes home.John 14:6
One Way.
Jesus is the way, the truth, and the life.The Heart Behind Bring One
We Are Not Trying to Fill Seats.
We Are Trying to Reach Men.
You do not have to reach everybody. Start with the man God has already put in your path—the friend, coworker, neighbor, brother, son, or stranger who keeps coming to mind.
Who is your one?
Keep It Simple
Not Recruit One.
Not Pressure One.
Bring One.
You do not need a sales pitch. You do not need to convince him that he needs fixing. Think of a man, make the invitation personal, and be willing to walk through the door with him.
The Challenge
One Name.
Then Take a Step.
Do not start with a list of ten men. Start with one. The goal is not a number on an attendance sheet. The goal is to notice somebody and make room beside you.
Think of One.
Who has been on your mind lately? A friend. Coworker. Neighbor. Brother. Son. Someone you have not seen in a while.
Pray for Him.
Before you send the text, pray. Ask God to give you the right words and to work in both of you.
Ask Him.
Make it personal. “I'm going. Come with me.” A direct invitation is stronger than forwarding a flyer and hoping he gets the hint.
Walk With Him.
Meet him there. Sit with him. Introduce him to somebody. Do not invite a man into a room and then leave him alone in it.
You Don't Need a Pitch
Just Ask Him.
Use your own words. These are only starting points if you are staring at the phone wondering what to say.
“I'm going to The Forge. Come with me. I'll save you a seat.”
“It's food, a fire, some men, and a real conversation about faith. No pressure. Come with me once.”
“I've been thinking about you. I think you should come with me. I'll be there with you.”
Put It Into Motion
Choose the Man
Before the Date.
The next public gathering is still being forged. That does not mean you have to wait. Decide who your +1 is now. Pray for him. Stay connected. When the date is announced, make the invitation personal.
Who Is Your One?
One Name.
One Invitation.
One Seat Beside You.
Write his name down somewhere only you will see it. Pray for him. Then reach out.
Find The Next Fire