Sources from which to Pursue & Persuade Personal Evangelism Sources from which to Pursue & Persuade

Evangelist(s) On the next day we who were Paul's companions departed and came to Caesarea, and entered the house of Philip the evangelist, who was one of the seven, and stayed with him. Acts 21:8 (NKJV) But you be watchful in all things, endure afflictions, do the work of an evangelist, fulfill your ministry. 2 Tim 4:5 (NKJV) And He Himself gave some to be apostles, some prophets, some evangelists, and some pastors and teachers, 12 for the equipping of the saints for the work of ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ Eph 4:11-12 (NKJV)

Evangelist(s) Strong’s Hebrew and Greek Dictionaries: A preacher of the gospel. Thayer’s Greek Definitions: (1) A bringer of good tidings (2) the name given to the NT heralds of salvation through Christ who are not apostles. There are specific works tasked to those appointed (1 Tim, 2 Tim, Tit ).

All May Herald the Good News! Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. Matt 28:19-20 (NKJV) Therefore those who were scattered went everywhere preaching the word. Acts 8:4 (NKJV)

Sources of Prospects Delinquent members - Jas 5:20 Spouse of faithful member - 1 Pet 3:1-2 Children of faithful members - Eph 6:1-4 Friends & relatives of members - Acts 10:24 Visitors to worship services - Jas 2:1-13 Non-members attending ladies’ Bible class - Acts 16:13-14

Sources of Prospects Friends of new converts - Acts 4:4, 5:14 Your Neighbors - Acts 8:4; Acts 10:24 Peers at work/school - Prov 18:24 Peers attending functions with youth - Prov 18:24 Visitors to your home - 1Tim 5:10; Heb 13:12 Rest homes - Lev 19:32, Jas 1:27

Sources of Prospects Family/Friends/Acquaintances undergoing trauma - Job 7:20; Rom 15:4 Family/Friends/Acquaintances at funerals - Ecc 7:2; 1 Cor 14:3 Those in the hospital – Matt 25:36; Jas 4:14 Door Knocking - Acts 5:41-42 Jails/Prisons - Matt 25:36, Acts 16:25-34

Matthew 9:37-38 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (NKJV)

Matthew 9:37-38 Then He said to His disciples, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. 38 Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." (NKJV)

Sources from which to Pursue & Persuade (Part 2) Personal Evangelism Sources from which to Pursue & Persuade (Part 2)

Actively Pursuing Bible Study Pray to God - Col 4:2; Eph 3:3-4, 6:19 Ask for a Bible study - Isa 1:18 Be genuine, sincere, & care - Rom 12:9 Be genuinely interested in another’s’ interests - Matt 4:18-22; 1 Cor 9:22

Actively Pursuing Bible Study Don’t be intimidated - Josh 1:7-10 Stand firm in the truth, but don’t be “argumentative” - Eph 6:14; 1 Tim 3:3; Rom 12:18 Remember that different people may need a different approach - Jude 22-23 Convince/Persuade - 2 Cor 5:11; 2 Tim 4:2

Persuade by Reasoning the Scriptures Luke 14:23 "Then the master said to the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled." Acts 2:40 "And with many other words he testified and exhorted them, saying, Be saved from this perverse generation."  Acts 13:43 "Many of the Jews and devout proselytes followed Paul and Barnabas, who, speaking to them, persuaded them to continue in the grace of God." 

Persuade by Reasoning the Scriptures Acts 18:4 "And he reasoned in the synagogue every Sabbath, and persuaded both Jews and Greeks."   Acts 18:13 "Saying, This fellow persuades men to worship God contrary to the law."  Acts 21:14 "So when he would not be persuaded, we ceased, saying, ‘The will of the Lord be done’." 

Persuade by Reasoning the Scriptures  Acts 24:25 "Now as he reasoned about righteousness, self-control, and the judgment to come, Felix was afraid, and answered, “Go away for now; when I have a convenient time I will call for you."   Acts 26:28 "Then Agrippa said to Paul, "You almost persuade me to become a Christian.” 2 Corinthians 5:11 “Knowing, therefore, the terror of the Lord, we persuade men; but we are well known to God, and I also trust are well known in your consciences.”

Conclusion To properly persuade, an individual must be properly taught. They must understand the need to obey the gospel, and why! We do not want to coerce anyone, but the matter of persuasion is indeed taught by the Lord.

Conclusion In the NT, we read of specific people taking on the role of an evangelist… That said, all Christians can be bringers of good tidings, heralding the good news of Christ to everyone that we can reach. In this lesson, we’ve considered some sources of prospects, along with some principles to incorporate before and during our efforts.

Matthew 28:18-20 And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. 19 Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, 20 teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Amen. (NKJV)