My wife and I have just attended an evangelism conference. Very interesting. But a lot of it strikes me as too Christianese.
I would also like to have heard a biblical disclaimer about how God has made us all uniquely different (perfectly) and one evangelical shoe can't be expected to fit everyone the same; that just as there are many different fish in many different places, many different approaches to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ also need to be different. Which reminds me of Paul saying he was all things to all people that he might save some.
I know I could, and anyone responding could, name names...but as for me, I prefer not to. In fact, I don't mean to suggest that the approach that I have just come to know and learn is bad. Actually, I am sure it is quite effective. I just feel it would be better without the Christianese terms. Oh, and they also knock on doors. I'm not for that. I know Jesus knocks, and in Christ we might do some knocking ourselves. I just don't feel indiscriminate knocking is the way to do it. I should think that it is better to be prompted by God to take such an approach.
Jesus also sent the twelve apostles out, and also seventy. But He even said not to go from house to house. And with their going out, there is more going on there than evangelism. Yes, they were to spread the gospel and tell people that the kingdom of God had come come near to them. But, again there is more to all that and it's perhaps for another time.
Anyway, I would advise people hoping to share the good news with those who do not know God (or with those who don't have enough knowledge to know if they have even made a connection with God or not), that you should assume they don't even know the meaning of the most simple words like, "grace", or "faith", etc. Don't assume anything. Look for opportunities to share in normal everyday life, and go easy, starting with some casual reference to God, and look for a response. If they look interested, elaborate, maybe ask a question, like, "Have you ever thought about that?" If they seem uninterested (or roll their eyes) change the subject and let God bring them around rather than forcing the issue. You may not know if you are turning the other cheek or dusting off your sandals...but God does. The point is not to be overbearing, and let God do the heavy lifting. Pray and ask Him to.
I am sure there are many here who have experience with evangelizing...got anything good to share?
I would also like to have heard a biblical disclaimer about how God has made us all uniquely different (perfectly) and one evangelical shoe can't be expected to fit everyone the same; that just as there are many different fish in many different places, many different approaches to spreading the gospel of Jesus Christ also need to be different. Which reminds me of Paul saying he was all things to all people that he might save some.
I know I could, and anyone responding could, name names...but as for me, I prefer not to. In fact, I don't mean to suggest that the approach that I have just come to know and learn is bad. Actually, I am sure it is quite effective. I just feel it would be better without the Christianese terms. Oh, and they also knock on doors. I'm not for that. I know Jesus knocks, and in Christ we might do some knocking ourselves. I just don't feel indiscriminate knocking is the way to do it. I should think that it is better to be prompted by God to take such an approach.
Jesus also sent the twelve apostles out, and also seventy. But He even said not to go from house to house. And with their going out, there is more going on there than evangelism. Yes, they were to spread the gospel and tell people that the kingdom of God had come come near to them. But, again there is more to all that and it's perhaps for another time.
Anyway, I would advise people hoping to share the good news with those who do not know God (or with those who don't have enough knowledge to know if they have even made a connection with God or not), that you should assume they don't even know the meaning of the most simple words like, "grace", or "faith", etc. Don't assume anything. Look for opportunities to share in normal everyday life, and go easy, starting with some casual reference to God, and look for a response. If they look interested, elaborate, maybe ask a question, like, "Have you ever thought about that?" If they seem uninterested (or roll their eyes) change the subject and let God bring them around rather than forcing the issue. You may not know if you are turning the other cheek or dusting off your sandals...but God does. The point is not to be overbearing, and let God do the heavy lifting. Pray and ask Him to.
I am sure there are many here who have experience with evangelizing...got anything good to share?
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