TELUGU CHRISTIAN CONGREGATION KUWAIT Contemporary methods of Evangelism

Evangelism literally means ‘proclamation of the Gospel’ The ‘Good News’ and practically implies responding to the ‘Great commission given by the Lord Jesus Christ according to Mathew While every Christian may not be called to be an ‘Evangelist’ every Christian is called to be a ‘Witness’ of the salvation through Lord Jesus Christ. Every one who has been reconciled to God through the Lord Jesus Christ has been given message of gospel (23) Contemporary methods of Evangelism – Introduction

(22) Contemporary methods of Evangelism – Process of Inner Change The Father draws people to the saving knowledge of the Lord Jesus Christ. (John 6.37) All that the Father gives me, will come to me, and who ever comes to me, I will never drive away (John 5.44) No one can come to me unless the Father, who sent me draw

(21) Contemporary methods of Evangelism – What is Evangelism? Evangelism involves ‘Spiritual warfare’ The Scripture declares that the whole world is a prisoner of sin (Gal 3.22) Before a a person turn to Christ he/she is under the control of the evil one. 1 John 5.19 we know that we are children of God and that the whole world is under the control of evil one.

(20) Contemporary methods of Evangelism – Process of Change The Lord opens the hearts of the people (Acts 16.14) One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, the dealer of purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshipper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to the Paul’s message.

(19) Contemporary methods of Evangelism – Inner Change The Lord opens the people’s minds The Lord opens the people’s minds (Luke 24.45) Then He opened their minds, so that they could understand the scriptures The Holy Spirit testifies even as the believer testifies The Holy Spirit testifies even as the believer testifies (John 15.26, 27) …Spirit of truth who goes out from the Father, He will testify about me and you also must testify for you have been with me from the beginning

(18) Contemporary Evangelism – Aspects of Christian Identity Children of God Children of God (John 1.12) Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His Name, he gave the right to become the children of God. (Eph 1. 13, 14) You also were included in Christ, when you heard the word of truth, the gospel of your salvation. Having believed, you were marked in him with a seal, the promised Holy Spirit, who is deposit guaranteeing our inheritance.

(17) Contemporary Evangelism Heirs of God Heirs of God (Romans 8.17) Now if we are children, then we are heirs with Christ… Friends of God Friends of God (John 15.15) I no longer Call you servants, because a servant does know his master’s business. Instead, I have called you friends, for everything that I learned from my father, I have made know to you.

(16) Contemporary Evangelism – Aspects of Christian identity Ambassadors of Christ Ambassadors of Christ (2 Cor 5.20) We are therefore Christ’s ambassadors Aroma of Christ Aroma of Christ (2 Cor 2. 15, 16) For we are to God the aroma of Christ, among those who are being saved and those who are perishing. To the one we are smell of death to the other the fragrance of life.

(15) Contemporary Evangelism - Basics We are called to follow Jesus We are called to follow Jesus (Mat 4.19) Come, follow me, Jesus said, and I will make you fishers of men. At once they left their nets and followed him 1 John 2.6 Whoever claims to live in him must walk as Jesus did. Eph 5.1 Be imitators of God…

(14) Contemporary Evangelism - Basics We are called to have fellowship with Lord Jesus Christ We are called to have fellowship with Lord Jesus Christ (1 Cor 1.9) God who has called you into fellowship with his son Jesus Christ our Lord is faithful We are called to preach and teach the WORD We are called to preach and teach the WORD (2 Tim 4.2) Preach the Word. Be prepared in season and out of season. Correct, rebuke and encourage with great patience and careful instruction.

(13) Contemporary Evangelism Personal Evangelism Jesus and the Samaritan woman Jesus initiates the conversation Jesus begins from what is known to her which is water Jesus instills in her a curiosity with regard to the gift of God, and what she does know, living water Jesus speaks about her sin Jesus acknowledges in simple terms that He is the Messiah

(12) Contemporary Evangelism – Personal Evangelism Phillip and the Eunuch Phillip is led by the angel and the Spirit Phillip immediately responds to the leading of the Spirit Phillip has no specific, prepared message Phillip initiates the conversation Phillip explains the Word of God

(11) Contemporary Evangelism – Personal Evangelism Paul and Lydia Paul and his companions did not go to evangelize but to pray Paul spoke simultaneously Lord opened Lydia’s heart

(10) Contemporary Evangelism Power Evangelism The Lord confirms His word with signs, disciples went out and preached everywhere, and the Lord worked with them and confirmed his word by signs that accompanied it. It was a specific calling accompanied by specific gifts ( 2 Cor 12.12) The things that mark an apostle –signs, wonders and miracles were done among you with great perseverance

(9) Contemporary Evangelism Power Evangelism Not only Apostles but even others were used by God for power evangelism as in the case of Philip in Samaria (Acts ) Evangelism through small groups Evangelism through small groups Ephesus (Acts )

(8) Contemporary Evangelism Methods Personal Evangelism (One to one or one to few) Power Evangelism (Large crusades or small public meetings) Home group meetings (Prayer cells) Media Evangelism (Television or cable, written Media, Internet) Radio Evangelism

(7) Contemporary Evangelism - Methods Literature Evangelism (Tracts, Inspirational autobiographies) Social Action (Medical missions, disaster relief) Neutral ground meetings (Hotels, Restaurant get together Significant occasions (Weddings, funerals, birth days) We must make the most of every opportunity to share the gospel.

(6) Contemporary Evangelism Hindrances Fear of man Fear of man (Prov 29.25) Fear of man will prove to be a snare, but whoever trust in the Lord is kept safe (Psa 34.4) I sought the Lord and he answered me. He delivered me from all my fears. 1 Pet 3.14 But even if you should suffer for what is right, you are blessed. Do not fear what they fear. Do not be frightened

(5) Contemporary Evangelism Hindrances Fear of rejection Fear of rejection (1 Peter 2.4) As you come to him, the living stone, rejected by men but chosen by God and precious to him (John 15.18) If the world hates you, keep in mind that it hated me first. Let us get used to it.

(4) Contemporary Evangelism Hindrances Lack of confidence Lack of confidence (1 Samuel 17.37) The Lord who delivered me from the paw of the lion and the paw of the bear will deliver me from the hand of this Philistine For Paul, the competence came from the Lord (2 Cor 3. 5,6) Not that we are competent in ourselves to claim anything for ourselves, but our competence comes from God. He has made us competent as ministers of a new covenant…

(3) Contemporary Evangelism - Hindrances Laziness Laziness ( 1 Cor 15.10) By the grace of God I am what I am and his grace to me was not without effect. No I worked harder than all of them. Yet not I, but the grace of God that was with me… (John 12.26) Whosoever serves me must follow me; and where I am, my servant also will be. My father will honor the one who serves me. (Gen 15.1) Do not be afraid Abram, I am your shield, your very great reward

(2) Contemporary Evangelism Hindrances Lack of staying power Lack of staying power (2 Cor 4.1) So then, me ought to regard us as servants of Christ and as those entrusted with the secret things of God. Now it is required that those who have been given a trust must prove faithful. Many start well in the ministry but loose zeal along the way

(1) Contemporary Evangelism Hindrances Lack of boldness Lack of boldness (Acts 4.31) After they prayed, the place where they were meeting was shaken. And they were all filled with the Holy Spirit and spoke the Word of God boldly. Every one who received Christ can share Christ.

(0) Contemporary Evangelism Work shop Which are the three most effective methods of evangelism in my area? Why are these the most effective? What difficulties, if any, have I personally encountered in being more effective with methods in my area? How do I intend to overcome them? What personal decisions you have taken in the past few days to be efficient in Evangelism?