36-Month Cycles
Example
36-Month Cycle
This example of a 36-month evangelism cycle combines examples A + B (each 18 months) to create a full 3-year plan.
Prayer
January, Year 1
Prayer should cover the full evangelism cycle, and we start this cycle by spending one full month kickstarting the focus on prayer church-wide.
- January:
- Hold a weekend or 10-day prayer focus
- Start a prayer chain or group on social media to pray for requests as needed
- Bring in a guest speaker to preach about prayer
- Conduct prayer walks in the community
Cultivate
February-March, Year 1
During these two months, get the church ready to find and follow up on interest for Bible study. You also begin setting the foundation in the community by doing activities that bring positive exposure to your church.
- February:
- Establish or focus on your Bible School
- Make sure leader is in place
- Review existing contact list
- Establish an online Bible school
- Focus on praying for community who will be reached out to
- Do a God's love themed outreach around Valentine's day
- In the colder climates especially, provide for physical needs of homeless or families in need
- March:
- Host outreach training weekend
- Use training videos or bring in VOP trainer
- Invite community to a concert at the church
Sow
April-September, Year 1
With the weather warming up, now is the time to host events that build on the positive foundation you've been creating. Using these events as well as specific offers, give people an opportunity to discover what your church believes and sign up for Bible study.
- April:
- Send out or distribute Bible study offer cards or tracts
- Host Final Empire or other bridge event
- May:
- Follow up with those requesting Bible studies
- Go door to door praying for people and offering free Bible studies
- June:
- Focus on distributing literature that offers Bible studies, such as Discover Mini tracts and Authentic GLOW tracts
- July:
- Participate in community July 4 activities
- Hold a Vacation Bible School
- August:
- Run a social media campaign to find contacts for your online Bible school.
- Hold a prayer weekend focused on upcoming bridge event.
- Early September:
- Host A Pale Horse Rides or other bridge event
Irrigate
September-October, Year 1
Fall is a great time to hold a full-message evangelistic campaign. Now that your evangelism cycle has been underway for nine months, invite everyone you've been in contact with to attend. Don't forget to properly market your meetings to increase the impact of the work you've planned to put in.
- September:
- Hold week of focus on prayer before meetings begin
- Begin Discovering Revelation evangelistic series
- October:
- Continue Discovering Revelation
Harvest
November, Year 1 - March, Year 2
Now it's time to focus on working specifically with those who have been learning with you, especially attendees from your series. You're sure to have interest in people who haven't yet made decisions.
- November:
- Begin small group or Sabbath school group doing a Bible marking plan
- Thanksgiving outreach
- Decemnber:
- Continue Bible marking class
- Christmas programs
- January:
- Continue Bible marking class
- Begin new lessons, such as Peace is an Inside Job, with those who have finished other lessons.
- February:
- Conduct a group Bible highlighting class
- March:
- Continue studies with contacts
- Ask for baptismal decisions again with those still previously undecided
Perpetuate
April-June, Year 2
Now that you've walked with people through making a decision, the intentional discipleship process does not end. Now the focus is helping members become an active part of your church family.
- April:
- Begin Sabbath School class focused on discipleship of new members
- Host a small group bridge event, such as Shadow Empire, to encourage new members in sharing their faith.
- May:
- Plan an all-church outing/social or camping trip
- June:
- Start a 13-week summer journey through the Steps to Christ journaling edition.
Prayer
July, Year 2
Prayer should cover the full evangelism cycle, and we start this cycle by spending one full month kickstarting the focus on prayer church-wide.
- July:
- Hold a weekend or 10-day prayer focus
- Start a prayer chain or group on social media to pray for requests as needed
- Bring in a guest speaker to preach about prayer
- Conduct prayer walks in the community
Cultivate
August-September, Year 2
During these two months, get the church ready to find and follow up on interest for Bible study. You also begin setting the foundation in the community by doing activities that bring positive exposure to your church.
- August:
- Establish or focus on your Bible School
- Make sure leader is in place
- Review existing contact list
- Establish an online Bible school
- Focus on praying for community who will be reached out to
- Participate in a community summer or fall event to gain exposure for your church
- September:
- Host outreach training weekend
- Use training videos or bring in VOP trainer
- Invite community to a concert at the church
Sow
October, Year 2 - March, Year 3
With the weather warming up, now is the time to host events that build on the positive foundation you've been creating. Using these events as well as specific offers, give people an opportunity to discover what your church believes and sign up for Bible study.
- October:
- Send out or distribute Bible study offer cards or tracts
- Host The Serpentine Prophecy near the end of the month
- November:
- Follow up with those requesting Bible studies
- Go door to door praying for people and offering free Bible studies
- December:
- Focus on distributing literature that offers Bible studies, such as Discover Mini tracts and Authentic GLOW tracts
- Send Christmas cards to contacts you've met. Include a tract on Christmas theme.
- January:
- This is a great time (start of a new year) to run a social media campaign to find contacts for your online Bible school.
- Think about doing a targeted mailing for Bible study offers, especially if you didn't do one last October.
- February:
- Hold a prayer weekend focused on upcoming bridge event.
- March:
- Host A Pale Horse Rides or other bridge event
Irrigate
April, Year 3
Fall is a great time to hold a full-message evangelistic campaign. Now that your evangelism cycle has been underway for nine months, invite everyone you've been in contact with to attend. Don't forget to properly market your meetings to increase the impact of the work you've planned to put in.
- April:
- Hold Discovering Revelation evangelistic series
Harvest
May-September, Year 3
Now it's time to focus on working specifically with those who have been learning with you, especially attendees from your series. You're sure to have interest in people who haven't yet made decisions.
- May:
- Begin small group or Sabbath school group doing a Bible marking plan
- Thanksgiving outreach
- June:
- Continue Bible marking class
- Conduct a vacation Bible school
- July:
- Continue Bible marking class
- Begin new lessons, such as Peace is an Inside Job, with those who have finished other lessons.
- August:
- Conduct a group Bible highlighting class
- Early September:
- Continue studies with contacts
- Ask for baptismal decisions again with those still previously undecided
Perpetuate
September-December, Year 3
Now that you've walked with people through making a decision, the intentional discipleship process does not end. Now the focus is helping members become an active part of your church family.
- Late September:
- Begin Sabbath School class focused on discipleship of new members
- Host a small group bridge event, such as Shadow Empire, to encourage new members in sharing their faith.
- October:
- If you don't host an event in September, hosting The Serpentine Prophecy around Halloween is a great opportunity.
- Plan an all-church outing/social or camping trip
- November:
- Start a 13-week end-of-year journey through the Steps to Christ journaling edition.
- December:
- Get ready for your holiday programs and encourage new members to invite friends and family to them.
