Good Company Corrupts Bad Morals

Previously we have talked about being a part of a group of people who will build you up and not tear you down. If you are not already a part of one, there is a very easy way to do it; all you got to do is join a Connect Group at Park Valley Church. We have several different kinds: online, in-person, hybrid, recreational. Just get involved with one, or lead one!

When I was in high school, I had a great community of people around me. I had people pouring into my life who were older, like Kent Wiloughby and Jeff Stables. I had great people who did life alongside me as well, like Scott Minter and Anthony Cuccherini.

Now, of course, there were more people in my life than those four I listed. There were people who were not amazing influences, and there were people who were great influences. Who we surround ourselves with matters.

What I and my group of buddies started doing in early college was inviting people into what we were doing. We never went out drinking on the weekends. We didn’t do drugs. We pursued Jesus and had fun while we did it. We had created this great community around ourselves. We were brutally honest with each other to help each other grow in Christ. We held each other accountable.

What we started doing was inviting people to hang out with us. We didn’t do anything crazy, we were just having a game night, and we would invite someone who didn’t know Jesus or someone we thought might be struggling a little bit.

By doing this, they would see the love we had for each other, the goofiness and fun we had. When they started asking questions about it, it would open an opportunity to tell them about Jesus.

You have probably heard it said that bad company corrupts good morals, well I think the opposite of that is true as well. Good company will corrupt bad morals. When we invite people into what we are doing, into our groups, and into our homes, they will see the love, and they will feel the love that everyone has for each other and realize that is something they want as well. Eventually, a door will be opened up to tell them about Jesus.

But here is my warning: Don’t go at it alone.
Don’t go to that party by yourself, thinking you are going to change the world. Don’t missionary date someone, basically saying don’t date someone in an attempt to win them to Jesus.

Don’t make yourself a lone wolf going into a tempting situation. There is a better way to lead people to Jesus.

And that is to bring people into your circle.

When you have a game night, invite that person over. When you have a Superbowl party, invite that person over. Going to the movies with a bunch of people from your Connect Group? Invite them to come with you.

Invite that person into your circle, where they will experience fun with no strings attached; they will experience love when they have problems. Ultimately, they will experience the love of Jesus from you and your group.

The Bible says in Matthew 28:16-20: Then Jesus came to them and said, “All authority in heaven and on earth has been given to me. Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely I am with you always, to the very end of the age.”

All we have to do to start making disciples is to invite them into what we are doing. Invite them into our circle.

You don’t have to have some crazy long-drawn-out gospel presentation waiting for people every time they come to your house. Just love them. Let the love of Jesus that is inside of you and your friends persuade them to a relationship with Jesus.

Trust me, at some point in time, with you loving and caring about that person with no strings attached, and they will begin to ask questions about why you do what you do. Why are you so nice, why do you apologize when you are wrong, why do you seek forgiveness? Then you can tell them about what Jesus has done in your life.

Invite people into your circle to show them the love of Jesus.