evangelism approaches. evangelism is… not a method, but… a message... not a program, but… a...

Evangelism ApproachesEvangelism Approaches

Evangelism is…Evangelism is…

• Not a method, but…

A message...

• Not a program, but…

A Person!• JESUS CHRIST• The Evangel• The Living Lord

The key to raising a person’s The key to raising a person’s evangelistic temperatureevangelistic temperature

• Finding an approach that fits

• 6 biblical models for different styles of evangelism

Typical Styles of EvangelismTypical Styles of Evangelism

• Confrontational • Intellectual

• Testimonial • Interpersonal • Invitational

• Serving (Incarnational )

Multiple Styles and Approaches-Multiple Styles and Approaches-May Overlap and Provide SynergyMay Overlap and Provide Synergy

Q: “Which style is the best?”

• A: “The one that works best!”

• “Fitting” – you

– the other person

– the situation

– leading to an outcome

CONFRONTATIONAL CONFRONTATIONAL STYLESTYLE

Characteristics and TraitsCharacteristics and Traits

ConfidentAssertive

Direct

Has strong and deep opinions


Benefit: Urgency

Drawback: scorch ( Burn)

Style: “turn or burn”

Theme VerseTheme Verse

– Preach the word of God. Be prepared, whether the time is favourable or not. Patiently correct, rebuke, and encourage your people with good teaching. (2 Timothy 4:2)

وقت في ذلك على اعكف بالكلمة اكرز . عظ انتهر وب�خ مناسب وغير مناسب

. وتعليم اناة (2: 4تي 2(بكل

St. St. Peter’s Confrontational Peter’s Confrontational Approach Acts 2:22-41Approach Acts 2:22-41

• Biblical Example: Peter, Acts 2 (you Biblical Example: Peter, Acts 2 (you murdered the Messiah!)murdered the Messiah!)

Cautions & Suggestions for using Cautions & Suggestions for using and developing this styleand developing this style

Seek God’s Wisdom - Be appropriately sensitive and tactful

Avoid judging trips on others who approach evangelism with a different style

Keep in mind Paul’s phrase in Eph. 4, “speaking the truth in

love.”

It is critical that you listen and value what others say

INTELLECTUAL STYLEINTELLECTUAL STYLE


– Inquisitive

– Analytical – Logical

– Likes to debate

–More concerned with what people think than what they feel


Benefit: thorough

Drawback: paralysis of analysis

Style: reasons with people

Theme VerseTheme Verse• We destroy every proud obstacle

that keeps people from knowing God. We capture their rebellious thoughts and teach them to obey Christ.(2 Cor. 10:5)

ضد • يرتفع علو وكل ظنونا هادمينالى فكر كل ومستأسرين الله معرفة

( المسيح (5: 10كو 2طاعة

St. St. Paul’s Intellectual Approach Paul’s Intellectual Approach Acts 17:15-34Acts 17:15-34

• Paul was a thinker. He wrote the book of Romans.

“people of Athens, I see you are very religious”

• He thought through how to present the gospel to Greeks, Jews, Romans, and others in a contextually appropriate way.

• Acts 17:31 - "For he has set a day when he will judge the world with justice by the man he has appointed. He has given proof of this to all men by raising him from the dead."

• A good example is in Acts 17:16-31 where he offers logical reasons to believe in the "invisible" God.

St. St. Paul’s Intellectual Approach Paul’s Intellectual Approach Acts 17:15-34Acts 17:15-34

Avoid getting stuck on academic points, arguments, and evidence.


(1 Peter 3.15) says to have “gentleness and respect”.

Set time aside to study and prepare.

This style, more than the others, relies on preparation.

Avoid doing all the preparation in an academic vacuum. Get out and talk to others.


Try out your arguments and answers on real people, and make refinements as needed.

– Talk to people about everyday events, and what is happening in their life and yours.

TESTIMONIAL STYLETESTIMONIAL STYLE


– Clear communicator – Story teller

– Good listener

– Sees links between his own experience and that of other people’s


Benefit: passionate

Drawback: idiosyncratic (Unusual)

Style: story-telling “all I know is that I now see”


• We proclaim to you what we ourselves have actually seen and heard so that you may have fellowship with us. (1 John 1.3)

يكون • لكي به نخبركم وسمعناه رأيناه الذي . فهي نحن شركتنا واما معنا شركة ايضا لكم

. المسيح يسوع ابنه ومع اآلب ( 3: 1يو 1) مع

Blind Man’s Testimonial Blind Man’s Testimonial Approach - John 9:1-15,25Approach - John 9:1-15,25

• I was blind but now I see!”

• "The man answered, "Now that is remarkable! You don't know where he comes from, yet he opened my eyes. We know that God does not listen to sinners. He listens to the godly man who does his will. Nobody has ever heard of opening the eyes of a man born blind. If this man were not from God, he could do nothing." John 9:30-33

– Be sure to relate your experience to the life of your listener.


– Challenge them to consider how what you learned might apply to their life.

– Practice

– Keep Christ and the gospel message as the centrepiece of your story.

– Keep your story fresh from your daily walk with Christ.

INTERPERSONALINTERPERSONAL

STYLESTYLE


–Warm personality

– Conversational

– Sensitive

– Friendship oriented

Benefit: takes advantage of networks

Drawback: social risks if walk is inconsistent

• Style: provides places where Christians and non-Christians can mingle (“Matthew parties”)


• …Yes, I try to find common ground with everyone, doing everything I can to save some. (1 Cor. 9:22)

• . صرت الضعفاء الربح كضعيف للضعفاء صرت ( . قوما حال كل على الخل�ص شيء كل كو 1للكل

9:22)

Matthew’s Relational Matthew’s Relational Approach Luke 5:27-29Approach Luke 5:27-29

• Instead of inviting people to church, Matthew invited fellow tax collectors and sinners to his home.

• He was allowing himself to get close first and spend time outside of “the church.”

– Avoid telling them they are sinners


– Do not get so involved in the process of building friendships.

– Do what you can and leave the rest to God.

– Create and plan opportunities to interact with new people through social events, sports.

– This style tends to work more gradually than others.

INVITATIONAL INVITATIONAL STYLESTYLE


– Hospitable – Relational

– Persuasive – Committed

Benefit: multiple avenues for impact

Drawback: uneven, with more chances for turn-off

• Style: brings people to places where they can hear the Gospel . Runs into town, says, “Come and see!”


• So his master said, ‘Go out into the country lanes and behind the hedges and urge anyone you find to come, so that the house will be full’.(Luke 14:23)

الى • اخرج للعبد السيد فقالوالزمهم والسياجات الطرق

بيتي يمتلئ حتى بالدخول(23: 14لو)

Samaritan Women’s Invitational Samaritan Women’s Invitational Approach — John 4Approach — John 4

• When Jesus encountered this woman, and transformed her life, she ran back to town and started inviting people: Come and See.

• She immediately went to her town and brought her friends to the well to hear Jesus for themselves. This simple invitation resulted in His staying in their town for two days. Many of these men and women became His followers.

Samaritan Women’s Invitational Samaritan Women’s Invitational Approach — John 4Approach — John 4

• Many people are excited about what God is doing in their church, and in their own life. Instead of feeling confident about sharing their own faith story, they are eager to invite people to their church to see what God is doing and to hear others proclaiming the news.

• Come and see, is a great invitation to give.

– Never giveup: Their refusal could be an opportunity for a spiritual conversation. Also, their ‘no’ today maybe a ‘yes’ tomorrow.


– Put yourself in the place of the other person. Ask yourself if you were that person.

– Do not let others do all the talking for you. Your friends and acquaintances need to hear how Christ has influenced your own life

SERVING SERVING STYLESTYLE


– Others-centered

– Humble– Patient

– Sees needs and finds joy in meeting them

– Attaches value to menial (tiring) tasks

Benefit: congruence (Symmetrical with everyone)

Drawback: too often solely nonverbal

• Style: Service to community provides forum for and credibility in pointing people to Christ


In the same way, let your good deeds shine out for all to see, so that everyone will

praise your heavenly Father. (Matthew 5:16)

يروا لكي الناس قدام هكذا نوركم فليضئفي الذي اباكم ويمجدوا الحسنة اعمالكم

مت ) (16: 5السموات

Tabitha’s Serving approach Tabitha’s Serving approach Acts 9 Acts 9

• Acts 9:36 - "In Joppa there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor."

Tabitha’s Serving approach Tabitha’s Serving approach Acts 9 Acts 9

• While some of us take a more direct evangelistic approach, others prefer to be examples of Christ through service.

• Gifts of Hospitality, the welcoming of strangers, acts of service to those in need are all viable forms of evangelism. Its a tangible way of expressing the love of Jesus.

“words are no substitute for actions,”

“actions are no substitute for words.”

In Romans 10.14 Paul says that we must verbally tell people about Christ.


Acts of loving service are hard to resist and difficult to argue with.

Try to communicate the spiritual motivation behind the physical acts of

service you offer to others

SO……SO……

So: What’s my main style?So: What’s my main style?And … what other styles are in my And … what other styles are in my

repertoire?repertoire?

• 1. Confrontational• 2. Intellectual• 3. Testimonial• 4. Interpersonal• 5. Invitational• 6. Serving

Developing Developing a “major” style a “major” style

and and ““minor” styleminor” style

BUILDING RELATIONSHIPSBUILDING RELATIONSHIPS

• We’re called to “widen our caring circle”

• Our best model for evangelism is our Our best model for evangelism is our Lord Jesus ChristLord Jesus Christ

• Christ spent time with unbelievers, non-religious as well as with devout, religious people

• Parable of Good Samaritan invites us to widen the caring circle

Our Approach to Our Approach to Evangelism is...Evangelism is...

• Personal

Evangelism’s

Golden Threads

•Genuine (it’s a heart Genuine (it’s a heart thing)thing)

• Foundational •Biblical (back to Biblical (back to

basics: John 3:16)basics: John 3:16)

• Relational•Person-centered Person-centered ( seeing with “eyes” ( seeing with “eyes” of Christ)of Christ)• Congregatio

nal•Within the teaching Within the teaching of our churchof our church

•Being the Word

•Doing the Word

•Saying the Word

FinallyFinally– Jesus Christ will open Jesus Christ will open

our eyes to areas we our eyes to areas we would have missed. would have missed.

– Pray for wisdomPray for wisdom– If any of you lacks If any of you lacks

wisdom, he should ask wisdom, he should ask God, who gives God, who gives generously to all without generously to all without finding fault, and it will be finding fault, and it will be given to him (James 1: 5)given to him (James 1: 5)

– Be ready to follow His Be ready to follow His leadings, leadings,

Evangelism Styles Questionnaire

Record your response to each of the 36 statements according to whether you think the statement applies to you: 3 – Very much 2 – Somewhat 1 – Very little 0 – Not at all When you are finished, transfer your responses to the grid at the end of the questionnaire and total each column:

_____1. In conversations, I like to approach topics directly, without much small talk or beating around the bush.

_____2. I have a hard time getting gout of bookstores or libraries without getting a bunch of books that will help me better understand issues being debated in society. _____3. I often tell stories about my personal experiences in order to illustrate a point I am trying to make.

_____4. I am a ‘people person’ who places a high value on friendship. _____5. I enjoy including or adding new people to activities I am involved in.

_____6. I see needs in people lives that others often overlook. _____7. I do not shy away from putting a person on the spot when it seems necessary.

_____8. I tend to be analytical. _____9. I often identify with others by using phrases like “I used to think that too” or “I once felt the way you do.”

_____10. Other people have commented about my ability for developing new friendships.

_____11. To be honest, even if I know the answers, I am more comfortable having someone “better qualified” explain Christianity to my friends.

_____12. I find fulfilment in helping others, often in behind-the-scenes ways. _____13. I do not have a problem confronting my friends with the truth even if it risks hurting the relationship.

_____14. In conversations, I naturally focus on the questions that are holding up a person’s spiritual progress. _____ 15. When I tell people of how I came to Christ, I have found that they have been interested in hearing it.

_____16. I would rather delve into personal life issues than abstract theological ideas.

_____17. If I knew of a high quality outreach event that my friends would enjoy, I would make a big effort to bring them.

_____18. I prefer to show love through my actions more than my words. _____19. I believe that real love often means telling someone the truth, even when it hurts.

_____20. I enjoy discussions and debates on difficult questions.

_____21. I intentionally share my mistakes with others when it will help them relate to the solutions I have found.

_____22. I prefer getting involved in discussions concerning a person’s life before dealing with the details of their beliefs.

_____23. I tend to watch for spiritually strategic events to bring people to (such as Christian concerts, out-reach events, etc)

_____24. When people are spiritually close, I have found that my quiet demonstrations of Christian love sometimes make them more receptive.

_____25. A motto that would fit me is: “Make a difference or a mess, but do something.”

_____26. I often get frustrated with people when they use weak arguments or poor logic. _____27. People seem interested in hearing stories about things that have happened in my life. _____28. I enjoy long talks with friends. _____29. I am always looking for a match between the needs and interests of my friends and the various events, books, etc., that they would enjoy or benefit from.

_____30. I feel more comfortable physically assisting a person in the name of Christ than getting involved in religious discussions.

_____31. I sometimes get in trouble for lacking gentleness and sensitivity in the way I interact with others.

_____32. I like to get at the underlying reasons for opinions that people hold. _____33. I am still amazed at how God brought me to faith in Him and I am motivated to tell people about it.

_____34. People generally consider me to be an interactive, sensitive, and caring kind of person.

_____35. A highlight of my week would be to take a guest with me to an appropriate church event.

_____36. I tend to be more practical and action-oriented than philosophical and idea-oriented.

Style Confrontational Intellectual Testimonial Interpersonal Invitational Serving

# 1___ # 2___ # 3___ # 4___ # 5___ # 6___

# 7___ # 8___ # 9___ # 10___ # 11___ # 12___

# 13___ # 14___ # 15___ # 16___ # 17___ # 18___

# 19___ # 20___ # 21___ # 22___ # 23___ # 24___

# 25___ # 26___ # 27___ # 28___ # 29___ # 30___

# 31___ # 32___ # 33___ # 34___ # 35___ # 36___

TOTALS

evangelism approaches. evangelism is… not a method, but… a message... not a program, but… a...

Documents

intellectual style slide

confrontational style

testimonial style slide

outcome slide

synergy slide

living lord slide

paralysis of analysis

real people