Foundations of Evangelism Week 2 – “What do we do about Lackluster Evangelism?”

Course Overview Goals for Course Lay groundwork for NCD work Start theological reflection with the Bible

Week 1 Review Defined evangelism: “teaching the gospel with an aim to persuade” Talked about how to measure effectiveness: faithfulness, not results NCD on whether we all are evangelists

Week 2 Preview What are some common problems that inhibit evangelism? What are some solutions to those problems? Note: specifics of our problems and our solutions will be identified by NCD Team.

What inhibits Evangelism? Note: NOT what inhibits effectiveness of evangelism. What inhibits faithful sharing of the gospel?

Keller: What Inhibits Evangelism? Pride We don’t get close because we are smug/condescending Fear We are nervous about losing approval/being disliked Pessimism We don’t believe THAT person will become a Christian Indifference We aren’t yearning to talk to anyone about it

Packer: What Inhibits Evangelism? We don’t love God enough to love people enough. We wouldn’t hesitate to share any other news that would critically affect those we love.

Piper: What Inhibits Evangelism? For some of us, fear rises in proportion to how sophisticated the other person is.

Q & A #1: what Inhibits Evangelism

Solutions for Lackluster Evangelism What are some solutions you’ve heard?

Evaluating Solutions: Programs https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=zPDkTDM1zDs Can paste a program onto an existing church without changing the culture.

Evaluating Solutions: Guilting Guilt as a tool = not good. Guilt as a byproduct = not necessarily bad.

Evaluating Solutions: How-to Training Is lack of knowledge really why people aren’t sharing their faith? Is everyone really capable of memorizing a canned presentation? Is there a one-size-fits-all way to share the gospel?

Q & A #2: Evaluating Solutions

Biblical Exhortations Make sure you’re saved (Mt. 7:21-23; 2 Cor. 13:5; 1 John). A Christian evangelizing is natural, normal (default setting) If not evangelizing, something has gone wrong Isolated: in Christian bubble Private: hide who you are with unbelievers

Biblical Exhortations Let the gospel soak over your whole life. The gospel we want to proclaim is the same gospel that provides us the resources to motivate us to proclaim it. Overcomes pride (saved by grace) Overcomes fear (identity in Christ) Overcomes pessimism (anyone can be saved) Overcomes indifference (forgiven much: love much)

Biblical Exhortations Trust that God brings results. God is the one who saves.

Biblical Exhortations Remember that heaven and hell are real. An eternal perspective helps put fear, indifference in their proper place

Charles Peace “Sir, I do not share your faith. But if I did — if I believed what you say you believe — then although England were covered with broken glass from coast to coast, I would crawl the length and breadth of it on hand and knee and think the pain worthwhile, just to save a single soul from this eternal hell of which you speak.”

Penn Jillette “I’ve always said, I don’t respect people who don’t proselytize. I don’t respect that at all. If you believe there is a heaven and hell, and people could be going to hell or not getting eternal life or whatever, and you think it’s not really worth telling them this because it would make it socially awkward. How much do you have to hate somebody to not proselytize? How much do you have to hate someone to believe everlasting life is possible and not tell them that?”

Q & A #3: Biblical Exhortations