Evangelism: The Unexpected Adventure

Jesus made a unique claim that he was God in human form. He also claimed he was the Messiah, son of God who would save the world. The possibilities of who Jesus was include: 1) self-deceived or mentally ill, 2) a liar and conspirator, 3) a legend, or 4) the promised savior of humanity. The evidence is the critical variable in determining who he was.

The evidence to the question, ?Did Jesus return from the dead?? is summarized and points to: 1) an execution ? Jesus was dead, 2) early accounts recorded immediately after the event, 3) an empty tomb, and 4) eyewitness reports in 9 ancient sources. Those who do not yet believe Jesus returned from the dead owe it to themselves to examine the evidence.

In Mathew 5, Jesus calls on his followers to be salt and light to the world. This involves living in a way that makes others thirst for God and sharing the message of love and grace into areas of despair. When believers are salt and light to the world they live their lives engaged with God in a way that brings unexpected adventures. Jesus' example shows that living this way includes: 1) Praying consistently and fervently, 2) having open dialog, and 3) being authentic.

There are six different approaches or "styles" in evangelism outlined. These are: 1) direct, 2) intellectual, 3) testimonial, 4) interpersonal, 5) invitational, and 6) serving.

Jesus commissioned his followers to reach out to the world, but how should the church today carry this out? Dennis McCallum outlines the costs of evangelism, it's benefits, and how we should seek to accomplish this today. Looking at Colossians 4 we see this involves prayer, our lifestyle, and communicating the Gospel clearly.

Chris Hearty, teaching pastor at Xenos, speaks on his own experience in coming to faith as well as why its so important to share the Gospel with others. Our deeds are important - but what we say is too and we cannot share God's truth without uttering His words. God's message is incredible, what a privilege to share it with others!

Craig McElvain speaks on the topic of "Philoxenia", or "love towards outsiders". The church should have an outward focus, showing and sharing love to those the world rejects and devalues.

Starting up a four week series on marriage is a great way to reach out to couples. Through these laid back meetings couples develop a healthier understanding of self, experience sacrificial love, increase their interest in understanding God's perspective, and it opens doors to share the Gospel. It is important to become equipped with relevant material that will help facilitate discussion and to pray that God would bring people closer to Him.

There are clear biblical principles leaders can use to help spur their home group on to evangelize. Leader's must give a clear biblical case for what God commands in regards to evangelism. They must also lay out how the group is doing in comparison to God's call. Leaders must also communicate how God's grace overcomes underlying sin and encourage people towards what motivates and empowers them to live out the call of evangelism. It is by God's power and grace that moves people to love the lost and so casting this vision is the key motivator.

The New Testament lays out a picture of missions to reach all people groups, this includes Jewish people. To reach Jewish people you must understand their history, modern beliefs and practices. One thing that identifies all Jewish people is their non-belief in Jesus. Like all people who come into faith it is because they're open to seek and respond to God.

Weekly expository Bible teaching in a larger-group setting both feeds and equips Christians and helps non-Christians come to faith in Christ. This kind of meeting differs from the more intimate small group, home-based style in focus and strategy. Learn about format, effectiveness, elements, and other helpful measures to have a successful expository meeting.

One of the apologetics supplied by the Bible, predictive prophecy, can add credibility to an evangelistic conversation. Study several of the major prophecies and learn about how to use predictive prophecy effectively, including: 1) make conservative claims; 2) do not say "Jesus fulfilled 300 prophecies!"; 3) remember to show what else the Bible says; and 4) read, study, and practice.

Prayer is the means of communicating with a God who loves unconditionally, but Christians often avoid or neglect it. Praying is a heavy and taxing work. Still, there are ways to commit to prayer and to persevere in it. This is necessary for successful evangelism, and it involves God in reaching people.

God calls His followers to adorn the gospel with word and deed. To effectively participate in this, Christians need to be convinced and motivated by grace. It is also essential to serve those outside the church community because God's purpose and goal are to share His love with those who don't yet know Him. Being prepared with a short answer about why you serve as well as a short personal testimony will give you the ability to answer when people ask why you serve. Jesus is our ultimate example to follow and we need to be sure it is every member that participates in serving the community. Get involved where you are burdened and gifted and consider how to mobilize others to do the same.\r\n

Keeping your spiritual edge in the spiritual war includes understanding three things: 1) the reality of the war; 2) the description of who the war is with; 3) having a personal Combat Field Manual to fight with. God's word is our weapon and it is essential to read it daily. There are many approaches in developing a personal Combat Field Manual but the important thing is to do it. To stand firm and fight this battle we need to have a mind to engage in the war.\r\n

Finding unique ways to solve problems, meet needs or improve the spiritual health of our disciples, church and non-believing friends is what creative thinking in ministry is all about. The Bible makes it clear that creative thinking is both possible for and expected of all Christians, and that it is essential to develop strategies that will help us learn to think creatively about other people. We need to pay attention to biblical examples and avoid extremes in being creative. Lastly, there are eight tips given to direct us as we seek to grow in our creative thinking.\r\n

Student ministry is essential for a growing church. Barriers to reaching college students include cynicism, relativism, individualism, our unbelief. It's important to have a response to each of these barriers that persuade students. Remembering God's role and our role in evangelism is helpful as well as developing personal convictions. We need to evaluate our wineskins and make sure they are effective in reaching our culture.

To grow in listening we need to understand why and how to listen effectively. There are many barriers to being a good listener but with practice and the help of the Holy Spirit, it is possible. To be effective listeners we first need to listen to God, to the culture, and to the people we are talking with. Four reasons why we listen: 1) to represent God; 2) to learn; 3) to love; 4) so they can listen. Often people don't need to be lectured or advised, but need to be listened to so they can come to conclusions and understanding themselves. Six tips of how to effectively listen: 1) be spiritually minded; 2) pay attention to non-verbal communication; 3) be non-judgmental and empathetic; 4) check for understanding; 5) validate what you have heard; 6) ask good questions.\r\n

Through exploring Paul's comments about his own ministry team, we can discover valuable principles for how to make our own teams effective for the Lord. What made Paul's team was effective was that they were faithful, they grew while serving, gave second chances, served and fought together, prayed for one another, and challenged each other. Perhaps above all, they loved each other, a deeply valuable team trait.

Sometimes watching people who are gifted evangelists leaves us feeling defeated and even jealous, wishing we had the opportunities or skill to do similar things. God calls all of His believers, however, to share His message no matter their gifting. So for the ungifted evangelist, we must be earnest to pray for opportunities to share our faith and to be persistent in prayer. We often may need to put ourselves out there and fail, and we may need to search for new contacts, seeking ways to direct conversations toward spiritual topics. We too can make a impact for God.

It is part of the great commission to practice biblical hospitality. All believers are called to practice hospitality by welcoming foreign born people into their hearts and lives, sharing what they have, and offering a safe place for rest and encouragement. The practice of biblical hospitality gives a picture of the Gospel, is rooted in God's character, and opens the possibility of a special work of God.

Like Paul in 1 Corinthians 9:22 we can use many possible means to share the Love of Christ and don't have to be limited to one way. We must first realize that sharing the Gospel is not purely a human effort, but a partnership with God who is already sending the Spirit out to pursue people. Examples of ways to partner with God in order to proclaim Jesus include: 1) personal evangelism, 2) proclamation evangelism, 3) prophetic evangelism, 4) power evangelism, 5) presence evangelism, and 6) prayer evangelism.

Church leaders have a role in helping church kids ? those raised in the church ? to become radical for Christ. In 1 and 2 Timothy we can see three principles to leading church kids from Paul's leadership in Timothy's (the first church kid) life. These include: 1) bathing instructions in grace, 2) encouraging them to conquer their fears, and 3) influencing them to center their passions on God.

Personal evangelism is a process which seeks to cultivate understanding of and establish commitment to a person. This process is much like cooking meat in a crockpot in that it is slow and steady. This slow and steady success will come when we: 1) root our identity in grace (both individually and collectively), 2) give ourselves to cultivating grace-based, outreaching, and welcoming fellowship, 3) vulnerably seek to suffer well for Christ, 4) invite outsiders in all along the way, and 5) dialogue about the Gospel respectfully in the midst of all the above.

When sharing the gospel of Jesus Christ to a Muslim, it is important to 1) have an understanding of the basic Islamic beliefs and the pillars of Islam, and 2) know the basic similarities and differences between Islamic beliefs and Christianity. One should also always show respect to a Muslims and think of ways to meet them on common ground so that the conversation can always be pointed back to Jesus Christ.

When reaching Muslims, we need to understand that we are God's ambassador and we represent Jesus. It is our job to share the gospel, but it is God who pursues people and makes them Christians. When sharing the gospel, we should 1) be loving, 2) be friendly 3) bridge the Gospel, and 4) be biblical. In John 4, Jesus gives a practical example of how we can share his good news to a Muslim by following his example of sharing himself to the Samaritan women. Personal Testimony given by Noushi. For further study see, ?Connecting with Muslims: A Guide to Communicating Effectively.?

There are many ways Muslims are coming to faith in Christ. Christians can take the initiative to share the Good News of Christ by using methods such as: 1) Questions, 2) Bible Verses, 3) Testimonies, 4) Stories, 5) Bible stories, 6) Parables, 7) Proverbs, Idioms, 8) Psalms, 9) Miracles, 10) Gift-giving, and 11) Prayer. Christians need to go the distance in reaching their Muslim friends.

Bret McCallum, who is deeply involved as both a college and high school ministry leader at Xenos, shares how to effectively reach unchurched high school students. God is able to work through people of all ages, and often works through those who are young! Bret gives practical and creative advice on how to embark on this mission.

You can learn about who God is in the beauty of nature and creation. Arguments won't always be successful to convince people that they need God in their life. You must bring in your imagination and emotional input. There are all kinds of forms of art that are putting forward what life should be about. We should be engaging with these arts to engage with people and introduce them to Jesus Christ.

Brian Runk and Brad DuFault deliver a workshop focused on the importance of reaching junior high students for Christ. Many of the people we see being used by God in the Bible are young, and Jesus taught that children and youth should not be disregarded. Brian and Brad explain the format and strategies of their church's youth programs - including group and individual Bible studies. \r\n

To share Jesus with Jewish people it is crucial to understand their stumbling blocks. Many of these stumbling blocks come about because of a faulty interpretation of scripture. To reach Jewish people you must be dedicated to building relationships with trust. It is not just adorning the gospel but sharing the redemption that Jesus wants to gift all people.

God's plan for the nations is salvation. Salvation is the ultimate story line of the Bible. Working through creation and other motifs, the Bible displays salvation's path of redemption, regeneration, and God's reign.This results in a new people of God.

To understand how to use the Discovery Bible Study method with cultures and people of faith who don't know the God of the Bible, it is important to understand the principles behind Church Planting Movements. Church Planting Movements consist of these principles: 1) pray abundantly; 2) gain access to a community; 3) search for the person of peace; 4) Discovery Bible Studies; 5) obedience based discipleship; 5) develop leaders. Once you have prayed and found the person of peace you can begin the Discovery Bible Method.

There are many different strategies to evangelism, one that is proven successful is corporate evangelism. Corporate evangelism is warranted biblically and exposes people to the love of Christ through His church. Helpful elements to corporate evangelism include prayer meetings, large meetings, small meetings, and group investment outside of meetings. The more equipped the church can become to work together the more successful it will be to share the love of Christ.

We often feel unprepared, intimidated, or inadequate when it comes to sharing our faith with others. Mark Mittelberg shares three real life stories - and points out that although it is true that we are not sufficient on our own - God will supply the power and wisdom to do His work! God chooses to work through us, and it is only up to us to respond.

In order to be effective in evangelism in our world we need to take the approach of discussing spirituality through asking questions, modeled off of how Jesus spoke with people in his ministry. As we engage with people in a purposeful but caring way we can help them draw close to God and consider what they believe about Him.

The Holy Spirit guides us to people and conversations, gives us wisdom and courage as we speak about Jesus, draws people to God, and empowers us to live in such a way that reflects God's love and adorns the Gospel. We can take hold of this by choosing to focus on truth, prayer, and choosing to obey God's command to reach out to others.

Bev DeLashmutt teaches on the topic of God's design for sex from 1 Thessalonians 4. Contrasting the world's view with God's view, Bev points out that ultimately God's design is more fulfilling and better than we could have imagined!