2. Seven Principles of Personal Evangelism
John 4:1-26

3. Introduction
Most Christians want to share the gospel of Christ with others
But often feel awkward trying to talk with others
Or simply don't know how to establish contacts for a Bible study
Causing many to experience frustration and discouragement which keeps them from trying again
Jesus, of course, often spoke with people about God
Let’s learn some principles from His method that might help us in our efforts

4. 1. Social Contact Sychar Jn 4:1-6
Pharisees avoided traveling through Samaria
Even adding an extra day to their journey
Jesus “needed” to go through Samaria
The need seems to be that there were people there who needed to hear
Didn’t do a big preaching campaign
Just went to make contact
Sychar

5. 1. Social Contact Application
If people aren't coming to Christ, we need to be going to the people
We can't be fishers of men by fishing in a barrel
If the fish won't come to the barrel, then we must go where the fish are
The problem with sowing the seed is not that there is not good ground to be found, but that the seed is still in the barn (Hag 2:19)
Where are the people?
At school, work, neighbors, the store, on the street, the post office, the restaurant
Even if we have to go a bit out of the way (like Jesus did), we need to go

6. 2. Establish a Common Interest
Jn 4:7-8
Common interests act like a bridge
The woman had come to draw water
She came at an uncommon time (noon)
Jesus was tired and thirsty
Sometimes we say we are too tired to look for opportunities to teach
Jesus kicked off the conversation with a complete stranger by linking their interest in water
What common interests?
Work, school, friends, family, weather, travel, etc
The point is to find something to talk about

7. 3. Arouse Spiritual Interest
Through actions
Jn 4:9
As a man He speaks to her, a woman
As a rabbi He speaks to her, an immoral woman
As a Jew He speaks to her, a Samaritan
He aroused interest by simply speaking to her
Through our actions
We can arouse spiritual interest by our example
By showing kindness and compassion to all, even the evil and wicked
By not harboring racial or social prejudices to those who are different

8. 3. Arouse Spiritual Interest
Through words
Jn 4:10-14
Jesus' statement shifted their conversation to spiritual matters
He led them into a discussion on a common spiritual interest (living water)
Through our words
Questions or statements to shift conversations to spiritual matters
"Why do you think our world is in such a mess?“
“I read in the Bible that..."
Discussion should begin without disagreement
Argument rarely leads to conversion

9. 4. Slow and Steady
Jn 4:15-16
She wanted the "living water", but she didn’t understand
Jesus saw the need to slow her down and provide the proper groundwork
She needed faith in Him as the Messiah
He needed to provide evidence that He was the Messiah
So instead of giving her the "living water"...
He tells her to get her husband
Which will result in her conviction that He is a prophet

10. 4. Slow and Steady Most people don't realize what they need first
They'll want to talk about a particular subject
But they really need something else first
Some want to study Revelation
But they need to be grounded on the rest of the Bible first
Some want to discuss issues related to church organization, work, worship, etc.
But they ought to focus on the "first principles" of the gospel
It is important that a person not choke on the "meat" of the Word (1 Cor 3:1-2)

11. 5. Don’t Condemn Unnecessarily
Jn 4:17-18
He could have dwelt on her being an adulteress
It was clearly sinful
If she didn’t stop, she would be condemned
But Jesus came to bring salvation to those willing to leave the darkness (Jn 12:46-48)
In our efforts at evangelizing
Though we preach against sin, our primary purpose is to save, not judge (1 Cor 5:12-13)
Our focus should be to inform others of the forgiveness God offers (2 Cor 5:18-20)
God seeks reconciliation with sinners
Ours is a ministry of reconciliation

12. 6. Stick to the Main Point Jn 4:19-20 Jn 4:21-24
She’s trying to deflect the conversation away from herself and to a point of controversy
Jn 4:21-24
Jesus answers her question
Jews worshipped in accordance to God’s word
Worship requires spirit and truth
But returns the conversation to the main point
What is Jesus offering (Jn 4:10, 13-15)?
After all, a moment earlier, she said she wanted it
Is she willing to worship God in spirit and truth?

13. 6. Stick to the Main Point Application
If seeking to establish a common ground of agreement, avoid jumping ahead
As you move from common to uncommon ground . . .
Take one step at a time
Do not go on until agreement at each step has occurred
If your objective is simply to obtain consent for a home Bible study, avoid getting into a detailed discussion at that time
“That’s a great question. Let me jot it down and let’s discuss it in detail. How about Friday?”

14. 7. Confront Directly Jn 4:25-26
After the groundwork had been laid
Jesus confronts her with who He is
Application: In trying to set up a home Bible study
Take advantage of social contacts
Develop common interests
Be open to comments that show a spiritual interest, while demonstrating your own faith through actions and words
Avoid fruitless arguments, emphasize common beliefs
Praise good points, encourage them in the right direction
Have one primary objective: to encourage them to study the Bible even more
Ask if they’d like to learn more about Jesus, the Bible, His church
Confront them directly with the opportunity to study the Bible
A specific date, time, and location

15. 7. Confront Directly
Application: During the course of a home Bible study
Continue to develop the social contact
Continue to establish common interests
Take time to accentuate common ground you share in your spiritual interests
Go from common ground to uncommon ground carefully
Stress the gospel message; don't obsess on their individual shortcomings
Have one primary objective: to help them understand their need and gospel plan of salvation
After the groundwork is laid
Confront them directly with the invitation to obey the gospel of Christ; for example, by asking...
"Does this make sense?"
"Is there anything I have said that you do not understand?"
"Have I been teaching you anything other than what the Bible teaches?"
4) "Would you like to obey Christ now and be baptized for the remission of your sins?"

16. Conclusion
Perhaps the principles learned from Jesus will help all of us to spread the gospel
Social contact
Establish a common interest
Arouse spiritual interest (actions and words)
Slow and steady
Don’t condemn unnecessarily
Stick to the main point
Confront directly
Now, there is work to do!