Spreading Faith Topics: 1. Why Evangelism Matters? 2. Fear Of The “E Word” 3. Living In A Mission Field 4. Evangelism In A Style That Fits You 5. Telling Your Personal Faith Story 6. Telling The Good News 7. Principles For Spreading Faith 8. Evangelism As A Team Effort

Why Evangelism Matters? Because Lost People Really Matter to God.

Luke 15 – Three Stories About Lost Things the lost sheep the lost coin the lost son Why Evangelism Matters?

Something of value is lost. That which is lost warrants an all-out search. When the lost thing is found it results in exuberant celebration. Luke 15 – Three recurring themes:

Why Evangelism Matters? Because Lost People Matter To God God is looking for people who share His heart for lost people.

Why Evangelism Matters? Because Christ Commands It. Jesus tells us to “go” “Go to the lost sheep…” “Go and tell John…” “Go and invite all you meet…” “Go and make disciples…”

Why Evangelism Matters? “Go out and train everyone you meet, far and near, in this way of life, marking them by baptism in the threefold name: Father, Son, and Holy Spirit. Then instruct them in the practice of all that I have commanded you. I’ll be with you as you do this, day after day, right up to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20, The Message).

Why Evangelism Matters? Because Of Christ’s Command To “Go”

Why Evangelism Matters? Every believer is called to evangelize. The word evangelism comes from the Greek noun euangelion – meaning “good news” – and the verb euangelizomai, “to announce or proclaim or bear good news.” Every believer is called to evangelize – to bear the good news of God’s saving love for people.

Why Evangelism Matters? Because Lost People Matter To God. Because Christ Commands Us To Go. Summary

“’Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved.’ How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? And how can they preach unless they are sent? As it is written, ‘How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!’” Romans 10:13-15

“Christians and non-christians have something in common: we’re both uptight about evangelism.” (Rebecca Manley Pippert, Out of the Salt Shaker, p. 15) Why?

Perceptions of Evangelists NEGATIVE - VE NEGATIVE - VE POSITIVE + VE POSITIVE + VE

Many believers are uptight about evangelism because they fear rejection. We are not accountable for the response of another person to God’s offer, but we ARE accountable for our willingness to be faithful witnesses for Jesus Christ.

“No” may not mean “no forever” – but just “not right now.”

One of the great hindrances to Christian evangelism: "If I just live as a consistent Christian, people will see it, figure it out, and come to Christ."

To paraphrase Romans 10: “How will people know - how will they come to faith - if no one tells them?” Think of the people you know –If you don’t share your faith with the people around you, who will? How will they know, if you don’t tell them?

“After this the Lord appointed seventy- two others and sent them two by two ahead of him to every town and place where he was about to go. He told them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the workers are few. Ask the Lord of the harvest, therefore, to send out workers into his harvest field.” Luke 10:1-2

What are the most effective evangelism strategies today? Evangelism that is Relational

Relational Evangelism 1.Authentic 2.Natural 3.Personal 4.Verbal 5.Process-Oriented 6.Team-Oriented 1.Authentic 2.Natural 3.Personal 4.Verbal 5.Process-Oriented 6.Team-Oriented

Relational Evangelism 1.Authentic 2.Natural 3.Personal 4.Verbal 5.Process-Oriented 6.Team-Oriented 1.Authentic 2.Natural 3.Personal 4.Verbal 5.Process-Oriented 6.Team-Oriented 7.“Putting Others First”

Relational Evangelism A recent poll by researcher George Barna showed, for example, that about 25 percent of the adults in the United States would go to church if a friend would invite them.

Six Styles of Evangelism

=Confrontational =Intellectual =Testimonial =Interpersonal =Invitational =Serving =Confrontational =Intellectual =Testimonial =Interpersonal =Invitational =Serving

Six Styles of Evangelism =Confrontational =Intellectual =Testimonial =Interpersonal =Invitational =Serving =Confrontational =Intellectual =Testimonial =Interpersonal =Invitational =Serving

=Confident =Assertive =DIRECT =Confident =Assertive =DIRECT Characteristics: Biblical Example - Peter, Acts 2 Confrontational Style

=Inquisitive =Analytical =LOGICAL =Inquisitive =Analytical =LOGICAL Characteristics: Biblical Example - Paul, Acts 17 Intellectual Style

=Clear Communicator =Story Teller =GOOD LISTENER =Clear Communicator =Story Teller =GOOD LISTENER Testimonial Style Characteristics: Biblical Example - Blind Man, John 9

=Warm Personality =Conversational =FRIENDSHIP-ORIENTED =Warm Personality =Conversational =FRIENDSHIP-ORIENTED Interpersonal Style Characteristics: Biblical Example - Matthew, Luke 5:29

=Hospitable =Relational =PERSUASIVE =Hospitable =Relational =PERSUASIVE Invitational Style Characteristics: Biblical Example - Woman at the Well, John 4 Biblical Example - Woman at the Well, John 4

=Others-centred =Humble =PATIENT =Others-centred =Humble =PATIENT Serving Style Characteristics: Biblical Example - Dorcas, Acts 9

Evangelism Styles

“ Through thick and thin, keep your hearts at attention, in adoration before Christ, your Master. Be ready to speak up and tell anyone who asks why you're living the way you are, and always with the utmost courtesy.” 1 Peter 3:15

Why Your Story is Important =They are INTERESTED =They can RELATE to it =It is HARD TO ARGUE WITH =They are INTERESTED =They can RELATE to it =It is HARD TO ARGUE WITH

How to Organize Your Story Paul’s story - Acts 26: The Three Handles Concluding Question Concluding Question Handles Verses Unifying Theme Unifying Theme BC Before Christ BC Before Christ 4-11  Conversion  Conversion AD After Christ AD After Christ “King Agrippa do you believe the prophets?” (Acts 26:27) “King Agrippa do you believe the prophets?” (Acts 26:27) Paul’s zeal for serving God

Story Tips =Theme =Middle Handle =Conclusion =Scripture =Theme =Middle Handle =Conclusion =Scripture =Language =Length =Sequence =Putting Others First =Language =Length =Sequence =Putting Others First

GOD US CHRIST YOU (AND I) GOD US CHRIST YOU (AND I) The Gospel Message

GOD =God is LOVING =God is HOLY =God is JUST =God is LOVING =God is HOLY =God is JUST

US =We were created good, but became SINFUL =We deserve DEATH =We are spiritually HELPLESS =We were created good, but became SINFUL =We deserve DEATH =We are spiritually HELPLESS

CHRIST =Is GOD, who also became man =Died as our SUBSTITUTE =Offers his forgiveness as a GIFT =Is GOD, who also became man =Died as our SUBSTITUTE =Offers his forgiveness as a GIFT

YOU (AND I) =Must RESPOND =Ask Christ to be our FORGIVER and LEADER =The result is a spiritual TRANSFORMATION =Must RESPOND =Ask Christ to be our FORGIVER and LEADER =The result is a spiritual TRANSFORMATION

DEATH Us God

“Let me tell you why you are here. You're here to be salt-seasoning that brings out the God-flavors of this earth. If you lose your saltiness, how will people taste godliness? You've lost your usefulness and will end up in the garbage. Here's another way to put it: You're here to be light, bringing out the God-colors in the world. God is not a secret to be kept. We're going public with this, as public as a city on a hill. If I make you light-bearers, you don't think I'm going to hide you under a bucket, do you? I'm putting you on a light stand. Now that I've put you there on a hilltop, on a light stand--shine! Keep open house; be generous with your lives. By opening up to others, you'll prompt people to open up with God, this generous Father in heaven.” (Matthew 5:13-16, The Message)

People We Already Know =Include them in activities we are ALREADY DOING =Organize a “MATTHEW PARTY” =BARBECUE First! Who Are The People With Whom We Might Share Our Faith?

Other Groups =People we USED to know =People we would LIKE to know =STRATEGIC CONSUMERISM =People we USED to know =People we would LIKE to know =STRATEGIC CONSUMERISM Who Are The People To Whom We Might Share Our Faith?

Points to Remember: Seek an authentic relationship with God in your own life. Be sensitive to those around you and to opportunities to begin faith- sharing conversations. Put others first – Listen.

How To Share your Faith With The People God Has Placed Around You: Persuasion – not pressure. Be patient. Pray.

“Deep in the heart of every true Christian there is an awareness that we are on this planet for purposes greater than having a career, paying the bills, loving our families, and fulfilling our role as upstanding citizens. Even going to church and worshiping God–important as these are–sometimes leave us feeling that something is missing.... What is it that’s absent in the lives of so many believers who are crying out for fulfillment? What on earth is God asking us to do? God wants us to become contagious Christians–His agents, who will first catch His love and then urgently and infectiously offer it to all who are willing to consider it.” (Bill Hybels, Becoming A Contagious Christian, Zondervan)

“All praise to the God and Father of our Master, Jesus the Messiah! Father of all mercy! God of all healing counsel! He comes alongside us when we go through hard times, and before you know it, he brings us alongside someone else who is going through hard times so that we can be there for that person just as God was there for us.” (2 Corinthians 1:3-4, The Message)

As a witness for Jesus Christ, remember you are not alone. God rarely uses just one person to bring someone through the process of coming to faith. More often God orchestrates a number of people, places, and events, to lovingly move a person toward Christ.

“A person’s coming to Christ is like a chain with many links. There is the first link, middle links, and a last link. There are many influences and conversations that precede a person’s decision to convert to Christ. I know the joy of being the first link at times, a middle link usually, and occasionally the last link. God has not called me to only be the last link. He has called me to be faithful and to love all people.” Cliffe Knechtle. Give Me An Answer. (Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity, 1986).

We can intentionally partner with other Christians to “link up” our strengths and abilities in order to lead people to Christ.

Partnering With the Church’s Wider Ministries: Sunday morning worship services, special worship services, concerts and musical events, sporting activities, fellowship activities, mission projects, excuse events.

The Vital Role of the Holy Spirit “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.” Acts 1:8 Evangelism is the Holy Spirit at work through believers. We are merely instruments that God will use. The power comes from Him.

Class Summary: Being a witness for Jesus Christ – Spreading Faith – is an integral part of Christian discipleship, and a ministry to which every believer is called. God custom-designed your unique combination of personality, temperament, talents, and background, and He wants to use you to reach others in a fashion that fits your design. Our efforts to spread faith are a participation in what God is already doing - through other people, events, and especially His Holy Spirit - to draw people to Himself.