What Does the Bible Say About Outreach?
As I was reading that day in the book of Romans, God opened verses to me that spoke clearly on
His passion to reach people far from God. I accepted those verses as God’s leading for my
future ministry. The words of Paul: “I have fully proclaimed the gospel of Christ.It has always
been my ambition to preach the gospel where Christ was not known, so that I would not be
building on someone else’s foundation.” Romans 15:20
God’s call: “I have been found by those who did not seek me; I have shown myself to those who
did not ask for me.” Romans 10:20Jesus mission: “I have not come to call the righteous, but
sinners to repentance.”Luke 5:32 God is “not wanting anyone to perish, but everyone to come to
repentance.” 2 Peter 3:9 And it’s not just New Testament stuff. God’s heart for the lost
permeates the Old Testament as well. “All day long I have held out my hands to an obstinate
people, who walk in ways not good.” Is 65:2
What does outreach look like to every generation?
We’ve been through several cycles. In the first century it was travel, preaching and teaching
throughout the Roman Empire. After the invention of the printing press, it was writing,
publishing, distributing, reading. It was the revivals of the 18th and 19th Century where hundreds
of thousands heard the Gospel, repented of sins and received Christ as Savior.
It was the modern missionary movement that sent thousands of missionaries from North America
and Europe to unreached places around the globe. Then it was mass evangelism under Finney,
Moody, and Graham, public events with tens of thousands attending and giving their lives to
Christ. Along with mass evangelism, in the early 20th century, ministries began using mass
media: radio, film, TV--simultaneously reaching millions otherwise unreachable.
It was the charismatic movement and the Jesus People movement of the 20th century that caused
thousands to follow Jesus. Today it is increasingly Internet, satellite, mobile technology, and
social media which is transforming the way we can reach out globally to mass audiences. This
“next generation” is using compassion evangelism, bringing rescue and reconciliation to the
poor, the persecuted, the abused and the diseased of the world. All of this has brought about the
most rapid growth of Christianity in the history of the Church. Seventy percent of those who
have come to Christ in the last 2000 years, have come to Christ in the last 100 years.
Why does outreach matter? Why should we do it?
Outreach matters because it matters to God. Jesus clearly stated His mission statement when He
said: “I have come to seek and to save the lost.” His mission should be our mission. He looked
at the crowds and had compassion on them because they were like sheep without a shepherd.
Our hearts should break for the things that break God’s heart.
Again, my call: “I am compelled to preach. Woe to me if I do not preach the gospel!” 1
Corinthians 9:16
Why wouldn't we? What stops us from reaching out?
There are many obstacles to having a passion for global outreach. It’s a matter of focus, of
seeing the whole world, understanding God’s plan for his kingdom. Our materialism can get us
so wrapped up in things, we don’t think about the lost people around us. Secularism has
diminished to emphasis on the uniqueness of the Gospel and the need to share the Good News.
A subtle universalism has crept into the church where many believe it doesn’t matter what you
believe; “everyone will get to heaven somehow.” Our own complacency; the tendency to let
someone else do it. Also our anxiety over personally sharing the Gospel to friends, family,
neighbors, co-workers for fear of rejection, or people will think we’re weird, or a feeling of
inadequacy in sharing or defending the Bible—all these things can get in the way of sharing the
Good News.
Paul said it best. “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can
they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone
preaching to them? And how can anyone preach unless they are sent?” Romans 10:14-15
Mark 16:15 ESV / 243 helpful votes
And he said to them, “Go into all the world and proclaim the gospel to the whole creation.
Jeremiah 1:7 ESV / 199 helpful votes
But the Lord said to me, “Do not say, ‘I am only a youth’; for to all to whom I send you, you
shall go, and whatever I command you, you shall speak.
Romans 10:14 ESV / 154 helpful votes
How then will they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how are they to believe in
him of whom they have never heard? And how are they to hear without someone preaching?
Matthew 28:19 ESV / 145 helpful votes
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit,
Matthew 25:35-40 ESV / 110 helpful votes
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed me, I was naked and you clothed me, I was sick and you visited me, I was in
prison and you came to me.’ Then the righteous will answer him, saying, ‘Lord, when did we see
you hungry and feed you, or thirsty and give you drink? And when did we see you a stranger and
welcome you, or naked and clothe you? And when did we see you sick or in prison and visit
you?’ ...
2 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 109 helpful votes
Preach the word; be ready in season and out of season; reprove, rebuke, and exhort, with
complete patience and teaching.
Acts 1:8 ESV / 109 helpful votes
But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you, and you will be my
witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
Matthew 10:7-14 ESV / 71 helpful votes
And proclaim as you go, saying, ‘The kingdom of heaven is at hand.’ Heal the sick, raise the
dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give without pay. Acquire
no gold or silver or copper for your belts, no bag for your journey, or two tunics or sandals or a
staff, for the laborer deserves his food. And whatever town or village you enter, find out who is
worthy in it and stay there until you depart. ...
Isaiah 52:7 ESV / 67 helpful votes
How beautiful upon the mountains are the feet of him who brings good news, who publishes
peace, who brings good news of happiness, who publishes salvation, who says to Zion, “Your
God reigns.”
Acts 20:28 ESV / 62 helpful votes
Pay careful attention to yourselves and to all the flock, in which the Holy Spirit has made you
overseers, to care for the church of God, which he obtained with his own blood.
Mark 1:1-45 ESV / 54 helpful votes
The beginning of the gospel of Jesus Christ, the Son of God. As it is written in Isaiah the
prophet, “Behold, I send my messenger before your face, who will prepare your way, the voice
of one crying in the wilderness: ‘Prepare the way of the Lord, make his paths straight,’” John
appeared, baptizing in the wilderness and proclaiming a baptism of repentance for the
forgiveness of sins. And all the country of Judea and all Jerusalem were going out to him and
were being baptized by him in the river Jordan, confessing their sins. ...
Jeremiah 29:11 ESV / 48 helpful votes
For I know the plans I have for you, declares the Lord, plans for welfare and not for evil, to give
you a future and a hope.
1 Peter 2:9 ESV / 47 helpful votes
But you are a chosen race, a royal priesthood, a holy nation, a people for his own possession, that
you may proclaim the excellencies of him who called you out of darkness into his marvelous
light.
1 Peter 3:15-16 ESV / 39 helpful votes
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to
anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect, having a good conscience, so that, when you are slandered, those who revile your good
behavior in Christ may be put to shame.
Jeremiah 1:17-19 ESV / 27 helpful votes
But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not
be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them. And I, behold, I make you this day a
fortified city, an iron pillar, and bronze walls, against the whole land, against the kings of Judah,
its officials, its priests, and the people of the land. They will fight against you, but they shall not
prevail against you, for I am with you, declares the Lord, to deliver you.”
John 3:16-17 ESV / 25 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life. For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world,
but in order that the world might be saved through him.
Luke 4:18-19 ESV / 25 helpful votes
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor.”
Jeremiah 40:4 ESV / 25 helpful votes
Now, behold, I release you today from the chains on your hands. If it seems good to you to come
with me to Babylon, come, and I will look after you well, but if it seems wrong to you to come
with me to Babylon, do not come. See, the whole land is before you; go wherever you think it
good and right to go.
1 Peter 3:15 ESV / 23 helpful votes
But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to
anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and
respect,
Hebrews 12:2 ESV / 23 helpful votes
Looking to Jesus, the founder and perfecter of our faith, who for the joy that was set before him
endured the cross, despising the shame, and is seated at the right hand of the throne of God.
Mark 16:10-16 ESV / 23 helpful votes
She went and told those who had been with him, as they mourned and wept. But when they heard
that he was alive and had been seen by her, they would not believe it. After these things he
appeared in another form to two of them, as they were walking into the country. And they went
back and told the rest, but they did not believe them. Afterward he appeared to the eleven
themselves as they were reclining at table, and he rebuked them for their unbelief and hardness
of heart, because they had not believed those who saw him after he had risen. ...
Matthew 5:13 ESV / 22 helpful votes
“You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is
no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people's feet.
Isaiah 54:1-17 ESV / 22 helpful votes
“Sing, O barren one, who did not bear; break forth into singing and cry aloud, you who have not
been in labor! For the children of the desolate one will be more than the children of her who is
married,” says the Lord. “Enlarge the place of your tent, and let the curtains of your habitations
be stretched out; do not hold back; lengthen your cords and strengthen your stakes. For you will
spread abroad to the right and to the left, and your offspring will possess the nations and will
people the desolate cities. “Fear not, for you will not be ashamed; be not confounded, for you
will not be disgraced; for you will forget the shame of your youth, and the reproach of your
widowhood you will remember no more. For your Maker is your husband, the Lord of hosts is
his name; and the Holy One of Israel is your Redeemer, the God of the whole earth he is
called. ...
Matthew 28:19-20 ESV / 21 helpful votes
Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of
the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And
behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age.”
Revelation 1:1 ESV / 20 helpful votes
The revelation of Jesus Christ, which God gave him to show to his servants the things that must
soon take place. He made it known by sending his angel to his servant John,
John 3:16 ESV / 17 helpful votes
“For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not
perish but have eternal life.
Acts 2:38 ESV / 16 helpful votes
And Peter said to them, “Repent and be baptized every one of you in the name of Jesus Christ for
the forgiveness of your sins, and you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit.
John 14:6 ESV / 15 helpful votes
Jesus said to him, “I am the way, and the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except
through me.
Matthew 25:35 ESV / 15 helpful votes
For I was hungry and you gave me food, I was thirsty and you gave me drink, I was a stranger
and you welcomed me,
Matthew 11:28 ESV / 15 helpful votes
Come to me, all who labor and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest.
Matthew 5:16 ESV / 15 helpful votes
In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works and
give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Romans 1:16 ESV / 14 helpful votes
For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who
believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.
John 3:3 ESV / 14 helpful votes
Jesus answered him, “Truly, truly, I say to you, unless one is born again he cannot see the
kingdom of God.”
Luke 4:18 ESV / 14 helpful votes
“The Spirit of the Lord is upon me, because he has anointed me to proclaim good news to the
poor. He has sent me to proclaim liberty to the captives and recovering of sight to the blind, to
set at liberty those who are oppressed,
James 1:27 ESV / 13 helpful votes
Religion that is pure and undefiled before God the Father is this: to visit orphans and widows in
their affliction, and to keep oneself unstained from the world.
Isaiah 41:10 ESV / 13 helpful votes
Fear not, for I am with you; be not dismayed, for I am your God; I will strengthen you, I will
help you, I will uphold you with my righteous right hand.
1 Chronicles 16:24 ESV / 13 helpful votes
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Revelation 14:6 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Then I saw another angel flying directly overhead, with an eternal gospel to proclaim to those
who dwell on earth, to every nation and tribe and language and people.
Hebrews 10:24-25 ESV / 12 helpful votes
And let us consider how to stir up one another to love and good works, not neglecting to meet
together, as is the habit of some, but encouraging one another, and all the more as you see the
Day drawing near.
Hebrews 6:10 ESV / 12 helpful votes
For God is not unjust so as to overlook your work and the love that you have shown for his name
in serving the saints, as you still do.
Romans 12:4-5 ESV / 12 helpful votes
For as in one body we have many members, and the members do not all have the same function,
so we, though many, are one body in Christ, and individually members one of another.
Acts 20:24 ESV / 12 helpful votes
But I do not account my life of any value nor as precious to myself, if only I may finish my
course and the ministry that I received from the Lord Jesus, to testify to the gospel of the grace of
God.
John 13:35 ESV / 12 helpful votes
By this all people will know that you are my disciples, if you have love for one another.”
Isaiah 40:31 ESV / 12 helpful votes
But they who wait for the Lord shall renew their strength; they shall mount up with wings like
eagles; they shall run and not be weary; they shall walk and not faint.
Isaiah 9:6 ESV / 12 helpful votes
For to us a child is born, to us a son is given; and the government shall be upon his shoulder, and
his name shall be called Wonderful Counselor, Mighty God, Everlasting Father, Prince of Peace.
Psalm 96:3 ESV / 12 helpful votes
Declare his glory among the nations, his marvelous works among all the peoples!
Acts 13:47 ESV / 11 helpful votes
For so the Lord has commanded us, saying, “‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles, that you
may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”
Acts 5:42 ESV / 11 helpful votes
And every day, in the temple and from house to house, they did not cease teaching and preaching
that the Christ is Jesus.
John 15:8 ESV / 11 helpful votes
By this my Father is glorified, that you bear much fruit and so prove to be my disciples.
Luke 1:37 ESV / 11 helpful votes
For nothing will be impossible with God.”
Matthew 23:11 ESV / 11 helpful votes
The greatest among you shall be your servant.
Matthew 7:12 ESV / 11 helpful votes
“So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them, for this is the Law and the
Prophets.
Matthew 6:33 ESV / 11 helpful votes
But seek first the kingdom of God and his righteousness, and all these things will be added to
you.
Psalm 46:10 ESV / 11 helpful votes
“Be still, and know that I am God. I will be exalted among the nations, I will be exalted in the
earth!”
Joshua 1:9 ESV / 11 helpful votes
Have I not commanded you? Be strong and courageous. Do not be frightened, and do not be
dismayed, for the Lord your God is with you wherever you go.”
Colossians 3:1-25 ESV / 10 helpful votes
If then you have been raised with Christ, seek the things that are above, where Christ is, seated at
the right hand of God. Set your minds on things that are above, not on things that are on earth.
For you have died, and your life is hidden with Christ in God. When Christ who is your life
appears, then you also will appear with him in glory. Put to death therefore what is earthly in
you: sexual immorality, impurity, passion, evil desire, and covetousness, which is idolatry. ...
Colossians 2:1-23 ESV / 10 helpful votes
For I want you to know how great a struggle I have for you and for those at Laodicea and for all
who have not seen me face to face, that their hearts may be encouraged, being knit together in
love, to reach all the riches of full assurance of understanding and the knowledge of God's
mystery, which is Christ, in whom are hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. I say
this in order that no one may delude you with plausible arguments. For though I am absent in
body, yet I am with you in spirit, rejoicing to see your good order and the firmness of your faith
in Christ. ...
Mark 16:16 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Whoever believes and is baptized will be saved, but whoever does not believe will be
condemned.
Mark 16:13 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And they went back and told the rest, but they did not believe them.
Mark 10:45 ESV / 10 helpful votes
For even the Son of Man came not to be served but to serve, and to give his life as a ransom for
many.”
Matthew 25:40 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And the King will answer them, ‘Truly, I say to you, as you did it to one of the least of these my
brothers, you did it to me.’
Matthew 22:39 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And a second is like it: You shall love your neighbor as yourself.
Matthew 19:26 ESV / 10 helpful votes
But Jesus looked at them and said, “With man this is impossible, but with God all things are
possible.”
Matthew 10:8 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Heal the sick, raise the dead, cleanse lepers, cast out demons. You received without paying; give
without pay.
Matthew 5:15-16 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Nor do people light a lamp and put it under a basket, but on a stand, and it gives light to all in the
house. In the same way, let your light shine before others, so that they may see your good works
and give glory to your Father who is in heaven.
Ezekiel 38:23 ESV / 10 helpful votes
So I will show my greatness and my holiness and make myself known in the eyes of many
nations. Then they will know that I am the Lord.
Isaiah 12:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes
And you will say in that day: “Give thanks to the Lord, call upon his name, make known his
deeds among the peoples, proclaim that his name is exalted.
Proverbs 3:5 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Trust in the Lord with all your heart, and do not lean on your own understanding.
Psalm 105:1 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Oh give thanks to the Lord; call upon his name; make known his deeds among the peoples!
Psalm 23:4 ESV / 10 helpful votes
Even though I walk through the valley of the shadow of death, I will fear no evil, for you are
with me; your rod and your staff, they comfort me.
2 Peter 3:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes
The Lord is not slow to fulfill his promise as some count slowness, but is patient toward you, not
wishing that any should perish, but that all should reach repentance.
1 Timothy 4:2 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Through the insincerity of liars whose consciences are seared,
Colossians 4:1-18 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Masters, treat your bondservants justly and fairly, knowing that you also have a Master in
heaven. Continue steadfastly in prayer, being watchful in it with thanksgiving. At the same time,
pray also for us, that God may open to us a door for the word, to declare the mystery of Christ,
on account of which I am in prison— that I may make it clear, which is how I ought to speak.
Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. ...
Colossians 1:1-29 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Paul, an apostle of Christ Jesus by the will of God, and Timothy our brother, To the saints and
faithful brothers in Christ at Colossae: Grace to you and peace from God our Father. We always
thank God, the Father of our Lord Jesus Christ, when we pray for you, since we heard of your
faith in Christ Jesus and of the love that you have for all the saints, because of the hope laid up
for you in heaven. Of this you have heard before in the word of the truth, the gospel, ...
Philippians 2:4 ESV / 9 helpful votes
Let each of you look not only to his own interests, but also to the interests of others.
Galatians 6:9 ESV / 9 helpful votes
And let us not grow weary of doing good, for in due season we will reap, if we do not give up.
Romans 6:23 ESV / 9 helpful votes
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Acts 20:35 ESV / 9 helpful votes
In all things I have shown you that by working hard in this way we must help the weak and
remember the words of the Lord Jesus, how he himself said, ‘It is more blessed to give than to
receive.’”
John 1:1 ESV / 9 helpful votes
In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.
Luke 6:27 ESV / 9 helpful votes
“But I say to you who hear, Love your enemies, do good to those who hate you,
Matthew 22:37 ESV / 9 helpful votes
And he said to him, “You shall love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul
and with all your mind.
Matthew 5:14 ESV / 9 helpful votes
“You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.
Jeremiah 1:17 ESV / 9 helpful votes
But you, dress yourself for work; arise, and say to them everything that I command you. Do not
be dismayed by them, lest I dismay you before them.
1 Peter 4:8 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.
Romans 12:9 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Let love be genuine. Abhor what is evil; hold fast to what is good.
Luke 6:38 ESV / 8 helpful votes
Give, and it will be given to you. Good measure, pressed down, shaken together, running over,
will be put into your lap. For with the measure you use it will be measured back to you.”
Mark 1:29 ESV / 8 helpful votes
And immediately he left the synagogue and entered the house of Simon and Andrew, with James
and John.
Titus 2:1 ESV / 7 helpful votes
But as for you, teach what accords with sound doctrine.
1 Timothy 3:16 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Great indeed, we confess, is the mystery of godliness: He was manifested in the flesh, vindicated
by the Spirit, seen by angels, proclaimed among the nations, believed on in the world, taken up
in glory.
Colossians 1:27 ESV / 7 helpful votes
To them God chose to make known how great among the Gentiles are the riches of the glory of
this mystery, which is Christ in you, the hope of glory.
Philippians 2:3 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Do nothing from selfish ambition or conceit, but in humility count others more significant than
yourselves.
Ephesians 2:10 ESV / 7 helpful votes
For we are his workmanship, created in Christ Jesus for good works, which God prepared
beforehand, that we should walk in them.
Galatians 6:2 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Bear one another's burdens, and so fulfill the law of Christ.
1 Corinthians 15:1-2 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Now I would remind you, brothers, of the gospel I preached to you, which you received, in
which you stand, and by which you are being saved, if you hold fast to the word I preached to
you—unless you believed in vain.
Romans 10:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes
So faith comes from hearing, and hearing through the word of Christ.
John 16:33 ESV / 7 helpful votes
I have said these things to you, that in me you may have peace. In the world you will have
tribulation. But take heart; I have overcome the world.”
Proverbs 27:17 ESV / 7 helpful votes
Iron sharpens iron, and one man sharpens another.
1 Peter 4:10 ESV / 6 helpful votes
As each has received a gift, use it to serve one another, as good stewards of God's varied grace:
2 Thessalonians 2:14 ESV / 5 helpful votes
To this he called you through our gospel, so that you may obtain the glory of our Lord Jesus
Christ.
Galatians 6:10 ESV / 5 helpful votes
So then, as we have opportunity, let us do good to everyone, and especially to those who are of
the household of faith.
