I still remember the first time. I was a little excited, and a lot afraid. The first time for what? This was the first time I asked someone to study the Bible with me, and they agreed. This was a great moment in my life, although I didn’t know that then. I wish I could say we studied for twenty minutes and everyone within a half-mile radius followed me to the riverbank and was baptized… But you know that isn’t what happened. I wish I could tell you we studied for an hour and one of the three people there followed me to the baptistry. But that isn’t what happened either. 

In a rather anticlimactic way, the truth is underwhelming, we studied for a little more than an hour, no one was baptized, and I was not invited back for another study. 

Wow, what a letdown, huh? 

Not exactly… 

Let me share with you what I learned that changed my life that day… 

1. I learned that I dearly love showing someone the rich majesty of what God’s word says… Looking back on that night, it is hardly a wonder that some ten years later I preach the gospel on a full-time basis. I’m only ashamed it took me so long. What are you waiting on? Ask someone! 
2. I learned that I knew a lot more Bible than I thought I did… I went in, like so many have expressed to me since, terrified of what questions they might ask and all the ways I wouldn’t be able to answer them. Surprise! I knew a lot more than I thought I did, and the questions I couldn’t answer were not nearly as scary as I made them out to be… Don’t be afraid, you know more than you think! Ask! 
3. I learned that some people will not listen to even the clearest statements in the Bible… You can detail the plain and simple truth of the gospel and the simple pattern of the NT church and some people will never hear you…. You don’t know which will listen and which will not until you ask. Ask! 
4. I learned that success in evangelism is not about baptism, but about the Bible being shared… If you do it enough, there will inevitably be baptisms. The goal is not the baptistry, but the beauty of the gospel being told (that will lead to change). Get out of your head; stop anticipating failure. Ask! 
5. I learned that there are still people who  want to hear… That was evident by the fact that I sat on the couch with three good young folks who were willing to examine the Book of God. There are still searchers… Ask! 

Looking back on that night, it didn’t change their lives, but it did mine. That single study played a major role in my life. A Bible study can do that. Never forget you aren’t simply trying to change the person’s life you are studying with, you are still trying to change your life. I learned some great truths that night that are still at work in my life today… 

You never know until you ASK. So, ASK. Jump out, perhaps for the first time…