1. Friendships and Relationships
Evangelism 2016
Friendships and Relationships

2. In Pervious Lessons on Reaching the Lost
Reasons to reach the lost
Perspectives
Qualities of personal workers
Examples in scripture
Overcoming excuse and obstacles
We all can do SOMETHING!
Prayer & courage
Today
Reaching our friends and loved ones

3. Reaching our friends Perhaps our best pool of prospects to begin with
We have something in common
Include family, friends, neighbors, coworkers we are close to, etc.
John 1:40-45, Matt. 9:10-13 Acts 10:24, 33

4. Reaching our friends
As Christians we ought to always be friendly!
Such might lead to more friendships which might present more opportunities!

5. Reaching our friends
The Best way to begin is by your example! 2 Corinthians 3:2-3 Matthew 5:15
Pray for opportunities Colossians 4:3, Ephesians 6:18-19

6. Reaching our friends
Be a good neighbor – be friendly. Be helpful and serve

7. Reaching our friends
Seek ways to let others know that you are a Christian – James 2:18
Like Jesus and the Samaritan woman – John 4:7-11, Philip and the eunuch – Acts 8:30-31
Mention your faith in conversations, be willing to discuss Jesus.
Show your faith - leave your Bible visible, tracts and other sound Bible literature, control your tongue, etc.

8. Reaching our friends
Look for opportunities to share the gospel with them
Invite them to services, gospel meetings, etc. Ask if they are interested in studying the Bible. Neighborhood studies, etc.

9. Will your risk your friendship?
Do we care for their souls enough to risk our friendship?
The gospel will offend – Acts 7:54-60, 16:20-24, etc. It caused Jesus to be crucified
1 Corinthians 1:22-24

10. Will your risk your friendship?
Obeying the gospel might mean giving up your friends Matthew 10: Peter 4:3-4 speaks of your former friends
Luke 18:29-30
To save a soul, at some point they MUST be confronted with the gospel. THIS is the point of risk!

11. Will your risk your friendship?
Thought! If you have more worldly friends than godly friends, where will your greater influence come from? James 4:4

12. “Relationship Evangelism”
A method of reaching the lost that means you first create and cultivate a relationship and then gradually you try and introduce the gospel to them
Some advocate this is the only or most effective way to win souls

13. “Relationship Evangelism”
A process:
Choose who you want to try and win – pray for them
Begin making contact
Seek to get better acquainted by finding out what you can about them, let them get to know you
Serve and befriend them (being an example)

14. “Relationship Evangelism”
A process:
Gradually, you begin to mention your faith, but not too confrontational
Introduce them to other Christians
Seek to study the Bible with them
Invite them to learn the gospel and obey
Every step in this process can be useful. BUT, is this the only way to reach others?

15. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
It can overemphasize friendship as the means of reaching the lost The gospel is what saves! Romans 1:16, 10:14-17, 1 Corinthians 1:18, 2:1-5

16. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
Don’t be deceptive!
IF the only reason for befriending someone is to eventually try to reach them – are we being up front with them?
What happens if they don’t respond?

17. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
Don’t be deceptive!
We are to be honorable (straightforward) in our methods - 2 Corinthians 1:12 1 Thessalonians 2:4-5, 2 Corinthians 2:17

18. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
Will your friendship take precedence over teaching them
Some will value friendship over truth and never reach the point of risk or confrontation with the gospel.

19. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
Will we seek cultivating friendships as fulfilling our efforts to reach the lost?
We keep putting off the “confrontation” but we tell ourselves we are doing all that we can

20. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
What about the length of time involved in the process?
While we need to be patient, we must also realize that souls in sin are at risk!
2 Corinthians 5:11 Hebrews 9:27 James 4:14, Psalm 90:10-12

21. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
Will friendship be the only reason one does obey the gospel?
Will it take precedence over serving God? Is their faith superficial? Cf. 1 Corinthians 1:12-13, 3:4, etc.

22. “Relationship Evangelism”
Some concerns and dangers:
Are we ignoring the power of reason, persuasion in teaching others?
Souls MUST be persuaded to follow Jesus with scripture! There are many examples of reasoning in scripture
Persuasion does NOT require friendship! (next month)

23. Concluding thoughts
Our friends are where we will begin our efforts to teach others - Those we love, we seek to win to Him
Let our relationships develop naturally, based upon their understanding that you ARE A CHRISTIAN!

24. Let us resolve to try and reach whoever we have opportunity to teach!