GO 2004 - Evangelism - You can do it

A summary of the keynote sessions at GO 2004 with Simon Hattrell

Introduction

Evangelism Styles Questionnaire handed out.

Styles of Evangelism

  • Confrontational - confident, assertive, direct, e.g. Peter (Acts 2). But remember 1 Peter 3:15 ('be prepared to give an answer to everyone ... but do this with gentleness and respect')
  • Intellectual - inquisitive, analytical, logical, into apologetics, e.g. Paul (Acts 17), Josh McDowell, John Dickson. But remember - don't get too argumentative.
  • Testimonial - clear communicator, story-teller, listener, e.g. blind man (John 9)
  • Interpersonal - warm personality, conversational, friendship-orientated, e.g. Matthew (Luke 5.29). But remember - avoid valuing friendships over truth-telling, challenging the 'cosy' friendship
  • Invitational - hospitable, relational, persuasive, e.g. Woman at the well (John 4) People are often just waiting to be asked! But remember - be careful not to just let others always share the gospel
  • Serving - others-centred, humble, patient, e.g. Dorcas (Acts 9)

Building Relationships

HP + CP + CC = MI
High Potency ('salty') + Close Proximity ('light') + Clear Communication = Maximum Impact

We need to be where people are.

How?

  • Include people in activities I'm doing already.
  • 'BBQ First' - organise party with pre-Christians and Christians, designed to build bridges.
  • Renew relationships with people you've lost contact with, e.g. School / College friends.
  • Start relationships with people you'd like to know, e.g. Strategic Consumerism (shopping at same time, same day at supermarket).
  • Pray for contact - who God wants us to develop relationships with.
  • Listen to others, their story (many people have very few friends who'll really listen to them).
  • Build on areas of common ground.
  • Mention spiritual matters (especially that you are a Christian) early.

Methods of opening up discussion on spiritual matters

  • Direct Method - 'Do you ever think about spiritual matters?' 'Where do you think you are on your spiritual journey?' 'If you ever want to know the difference between religion and Christianity … '
  • Indirect Method - Builds on direction conversation is going, use topic being discussed to bridge into a related spiritual topic
  • Invitational Method - Transition conversation by inviting person to a Christian event

Use any opportunity you can - current affair topics, stuff on TV, movies, famous Christians ...

Telling My Story

Why is it so important?

  • People are interested.
  • They can relate to it.
  • It is hard to argue with, deny evidence of how your life has changed.

How to organise your story

Handles - e.g. Paul (Acts 26)
BC (before Christ) - v.4-11
Conversion - v.12-18
AD (after Christ) - v.19-23
Concluding Question (v.27) : 'King, do you believe the prophets?'
Unifying Theme : Paul's zeal for serving God

Story tips

  • Theme
  • Middle handle - specific account of process, of how we came to know God and changed
  • Conclusion - end with a question
  • Scripture
  • our story within context of Bible. One key Bible verse that opened our eyes
  • Language we use - don't use Christian jargon!
  • Length - brief and concise
  • Sequence - up to you, depending on your story
  • Putting others first - earn the right to tell your story, ask your friend what their spiritual background is, too. How would our story relate to them?

What's God's Story?

God

  • God is loving (1 John 4.16b)
  • God is holy (1 Peter 1:15-16
  • God is just (2 Thess 1:6)

Us

  • We were created good but became sinful (we missed the point and stuffed up)./
  • We deserve death (Heb 9:22).
  • We are spiritually helpless (Isaiah 64:6)

Christ

  • Is God, who also became man. (John 1:1,14)
  • Died as our substitute. (1Peter 2:24)
  • Offers his forgiveness as a gift. (Eph 2:8-9)

You and I

  • Must respond. (John 1:12)
  • Ask Christ to be our forgiver and leader (i.e. forgive our past of the sin that has offended God and now take control of our lives).
  • The result is a spiritual transformation. (2 Cor 5:17)

Examples of simple 'pre-made' methods to share gospel:

  • Religion is spelt 'Do' - Do good works to earn God's love Christianity is spelt 'Done'
  • Christ has done it all for us
  • Bridge to Life (Navigators)
  • Two Ways to Live (St Matthias Media)
  • 'Introducing God' - a course for non-Christians form Sydney based on the Two Ways to Live booklet

A useful reference

Much of this material has been sourced from Bill Hybels & Mark Mittelberg, Becoming a Contagious Christian, Zondervan, Willow Creek, 1996
Find out more about the book at amazon.com