This is a Paper I wrote
PART ONE - Evangelistic Method #1 – Way of the Master
Jesus Methods were Befriending and relationships How did Jesus communicate, and what do His ancient methods have to say to our future spiritual life? How did He pass on His values and equip twelve men to start a church that would shape civilizations and attract billions of followers?
It’s tempting to think it was because He was a great orator. He clearly was. He sat in a boat and, using the acoustic properties of the nearby coastline, spoke to thousands. He taught more than four thousand people for three days on another occasion. But as you read the biblical record, you’ll find few long speeches or lengthy sermons. The Sermon on the Mount narratives don’t take much more than seven minutes to read out loud. So He must have been doing something else. If we are to follow Jesus and create counter-cultural communities, we are clearly going to have to do more than ensure that our Sunday services are finished by an eloquent forty-minute sermon, useful as that may be. When Jesus spoke to or ate with people deemed unworthy by others he sent out powerful signals. Mundane behavior such as eating together spoke of acceptance, acceptance sparked trust, trust released hope, and hope sought salvation. Author and speaker Ed Silvoso reminds us in Prayer Evangelism (Regal Books), that we often start our contact with the non-Christian with verbal declarations of our faith. Offers of healing prayer may come next. Eventually they may share the everyday normality of a meal with us before we ask God to bring peace to their home and family.
He was commissioned and anointed to the preaching ministry by the Holy Spirit. The supernatural anointing befitting the Messiah came down upon Him at the Jordan River. God the Father worked through God the Son in a special way, and I don't simply mean that Jesus could heal. Jesus was a preacher. Jesus explicitly says this when he quotes Isaiah 61:1-2 at the start of his preaching ministry (Luke 4:16-19) normality of a meal with us before we ask God to bring peace to their home and family. Jesus’ words to His disciples as He sends them out to prepare the way for Him are instructive. Consider the order in Luke 10:5-9. “When you enter a house first say, “Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ’the kingdom of God is near you.’” Part of the challenge of this passage lies in the order in which Jesus suggests things be done
Summary of the method is:
1. Declare peace
2. Eat with people
3. Take as well as give
4. Pray for their healing
5. Declare the Kingdom
Advantage of using this method is:
1. You can befriend the lost
2. Help them through their struggles
Disadvantages of using this method
I actually do not see any disadvantages here because you’re actually going into the world and talking to them.
PART TWO – Evangelistic Method #2 - Four Spiritual Laws
The Four Spiritual Laws are a way of sharing the good news of the salvation that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a simple way of organizing the important information in the Gospel into four parts.
Christians believe that the Bible gives them God's blueprint for life. Consisting of about 66 books written over a period of 1,600 years--these scriptures tell the story of the Jewish people in the Old Testament and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles in the New Testament. The Old points to the New Testament and the New builds on the Old, presenting key principles, beliefs, and ethical standards for those who call themselves Christians.
The first of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The second of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "Humanity is tainted by sin and is therefore separated from God. As a result, we cannot know God's wonderful plan for our lives." Romans 3:23 affirms this information, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The third of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through Jesus Christ, we can have our sins forgiven and restore a right relationship with God." Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The Fourth of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "We must place our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior in order to receive the gift of salvation and know God's wonderful plan for our lives." John 1:12 describes this for us, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Summary of the Method is:
1. This law means that almighty God loves the world, proved it by giving his son for the salvation of humankind, and will bring you happiness if you follow a righteous path.
2. This law means that although people were created to have a fellowship with God, they have broken that fellowship and gone their own way, living in sin. People try to reach God through, say, philosophy or living a good life, but find they cannot because of their sins. As a result, a gulf emerges between people and God, which people cannot bridge on their own.
3. God sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in people's place to pay the penalty for their sins. Thus he bridged the gulf of sin that separated people from God.
4. People need to invite Jesus Christ into their lives, not only intellectually and emotionally, but also by faith, recognizing him as their lord and savior. If people put Christ at the center of their lives and yield to his will unconditionally, they link their interests with his and regain their lost fellowship with God.
Advantages of using this Method:
1. The laws show the lost that God does love them so much he gave his son as a sacrifice.
2. That we can have a personal relationship with God
Disadvantages of using this Method:
1. I see first of all that it makes out that God loves the world itself no matter what people do. It’s not so much God loves the world, but that he loves the people and he wishes that no one be condemn to death for all eternity. Thus the reason for sending his Son to take our place. I know that John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosesoever believeth in him shall not l perish but have eternal life”. Now this verse I feel is figuratively saying world and not literal. He is speaking of the people he loves, though he hates the sin and he wishes that no man dies and is separated from God for all eternity.
2. I don’t see this working quite as well as the 1st or 3rd method.
PART THREE-Evangelistic Method #3 - Servant Evangelism
Simply put, servant evangelism is doable evangelism; Servant Evangelism wins the heart before it confronts the mind. A small act of kindness nudges a person closer to God, often in a profound way as it bypasses ones mental defenses. The average Christ-follower is willing to hand a stranger a can of cold Coke on a hot day (low risk). The high grace is seen in the typical reaction. "Oh, thank you!" "This is so nice!" "I can't believe this is for free!" And, "Why are you doing this? Kindness builds the bridge for the person to receive a touch of love from God. It's simple, practical, effective, inexpensive and fun!
Summary of the method:
1. God’s Love
2. By offering to do
3. Simple acts of kindness
4. With no strings attached
5. It’s kindness in action
Advantages of using this method:
1. It affects the heart.
2. It blesses the heart of God.
3. It is obtainable.
4. It’s a bridge.
5. It is simple and quick!
Disadvantages of using this method
1. I really do not see any in this one as well
PART FOUR – Application of These Methods to Your Own Life
From these three methods, choose the one that best suits you.
I think the best method for me is “Servant Evangelism” since we are to be servants this is I feel is the perfect method for me. I enjoy talking to people and getting to know them. They seem to gravitate to me anyway and tell me their problems and troubles. I listen to them and then I try to give them Godly advice as much as I can. The main part of the method is, you must LISTEN, not just hear them. Be compassionate and understanding. When they’re finished than speak and teach them about the Lord. Tell them what he’s done for your life and what he can do for theirs.
Why is this, the best method for you?
Because this is the most doable method for me, you can always give someone an act of kindness or a kind word. Kindness can indeed build the bridge between a believer and an unbeliever; it has been proven time and time again. Jesus did many acts of kindness, that’s why people flocked to him, He listened to them, helped them, gave them God’s word, and above all he healed them.
Is this also the best method for approaching those in your life who are non-Christians?
Yes I feel that it is because acts of kindness can move mountains. Little acts of kindness can be a small thing to you, but it can may something huge to the person that kindness is going towards. People just want to be loved, and what better way to show them than a small act of kindness.
Why or why not?
Because I’m a true believer of loving people to Christ, which also means being kind to all men. And this is what God asked us to do, you can’t win someone over to Christ if you’re rude and an uncaring person.
PART ONE - Evangelistic Method #1 – Way of the Master
Jesus Methods were Befriending and relationships How did Jesus communicate, and what do His ancient methods have to say to our future spiritual life? How did He pass on His values and equip twelve men to start a church that would shape civilizations and attract billions of followers?
It’s tempting to think it was because He was a great orator. He clearly was. He sat in a boat and, using the acoustic properties of the nearby coastline, spoke to thousands. He taught more than four thousand people for three days on another occasion. But as you read the biblical record, you’ll find few long speeches or lengthy sermons. The Sermon on the Mount narratives don’t take much more than seven minutes to read out loud. So He must have been doing something else. If we are to follow Jesus and create counter-cultural communities, we are clearly going to have to do more than ensure that our Sunday services are finished by an eloquent forty-minute sermon, useful as that may be. When Jesus spoke to or ate with people deemed unworthy by others he sent out powerful signals. Mundane behavior such as eating together spoke of acceptance, acceptance sparked trust, trust released hope, and hope sought salvation. Author and speaker Ed Silvoso reminds us in Prayer Evangelism (Regal Books), that we often start our contact with the non-Christian with verbal declarations of our faith. Offers of healing prayer may come next. Eventually they may share the everyday normality of a meal with us before we ask God to bring peace to their home and family.
He was commissioned and anointed to the preaching ministry by the Holy Spirit. The supernatural anointing befitting the Messiah came down upon Him at the Jordan River. God the Father worked through God the Son in a special way, and I don't simply mean that Jesus could heal. Jesus was a preacher. Jesus explicitly says this when he quotes Isaiah 61:1-2 at the start of his preaching ministry (Luke 4:16-19) normality of a meal with us before we ask God to bring peace to their home and family. Jesus’ words to His disciples as He sends them out to prepare the way for Him are instructive. Consider the order in Luke 10:5-9. “When you enter a house first say, “Peace to this house.’ If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; if not, it will return to you. Stay in that house, eating and drinking whatever they give you, for the worker deserves his wages. Do not move around from house to house. When you enter a town and are welcomed, eat what is set before you. Heal the sick who are there and tell them, ’the kingdom of God is near you.’” Part of the challenge of this passage lies in the order in which Jesus suggests things be done
Summary of the method is:
1. Declare peace
2. Eat with people
3. Take as well as give
4. Pray for their healing
5. Declare the Kingdom
Advantage of using this method is:
1. You can befriend the lost
2. Help them through their struggles
Disadvantages of using this method
I actually do not see any disadvantages here because you’re actually going into the world and talking to them.
PART TWO – Evangelistic Method #2 - Four Spiritual Laws
The Four Spiritual Laws are a way of sharing the good news of the salvation that is available through faith in Jesus Christ. It is a simple way of organizing the important information in the Gospel into four parts.
Christians believe that the Bible gives them God's blueprint for life. Consisting of about 66 books written over a period of 1,600 years--these scriptures tell the story of the Jewish people in the Old Testament and the life and teachings of Jesus Christ and the Apostles in the New Testament. The Old points to the New Testament and the New builds on the Old, presenting key principles, beliefs, and ethical standards for those who call themselves Christians.
The first of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "God loves you and has a wonderful plan for your life." John 3:16 tells us, "For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life.
The second of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "Humanity is tainted by sin and is therefore separated from God. As a result, we cannot know God's wonderful plan for our lives." Romans 3:23 affirms this information, "For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
The third of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "Jesus Christ is God's only provision for our sin. Through Jesus Christ, we can have our sins forgiven and restore a right relationship with God." Romans 5:8 tells us, "But God demonstrates His own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.”
The Fourth of the Four Spiritual Laws is, "We must place our faith in Jesus Christ as Savior in order to receive the gift of salvation and know God's wonderful plan for our lives." John 1:12 describes this for us, "Yet to all who received Him, to those who believed in His name, He gave the right to become children of God.”
Summary of the Method is:
1. This law means that almighty God loves the world, proved it by giving his son for the salvation of humankind, and will bring you happiness if you follow a righteous path.
2. This law means that although people were created to have a fellowship with God, they have broken that fellowship and gone their own way, living in sin. People try to reach God through, say, philosophy or living a good life, but find they cannot because of their sins. As a result, a gulf emerges between people and God, which people cannot bridge on their own.
3. God sent his son Jesus Christ to die on the cross in people's place to pay the penalty for their sins. Thus he bridged the gulf of sin that separated people from God.
4. People need to invite Jesus Christ into their lives, not only intellectually and emotionally, but also by faith, recognizing him as their lord and savior. If people put Christ at the center of their lives and yield to his will unconditionally, they link their interests with his and regain their lost fellowship with God.
Advantages of using this Method:
1. The laws show the lost that God does love them so much he gave his son as a sacrifice.
2. That we can have a personal relationship with God
Disadvantages of using this Method:
1. I see first of all that it makes out that God loves the world itself no matter what people do. It’s not so much God loves the world, but that he loves the people and he wishes that no one be condemn to death for all eternity. Thus the reason for sending his Son to take our place. I know that John 3:16 says, “God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten son that whosesoever believeth in him shall not l perish but have eternal life”. Now this verse I feel is figuratively saying world and not literal. He is speaking of the people he loves, though he hates the sin and he wishes that no man dies and is separated from God for all eternity.
2. I don’t see this working quite as well as the 1st or 3rd method.
PART THREE-Evangelistic Method #3 - Servant Evangelism
Simply put, servant evangelism is doable evangelism; Servant Evangelism wins the heart before it confronts the mind. A small act of kindness nudges a person closer to God, often in a profound way as it bypasses ones mental defenses. The average Christ-follower is willing to hand a stranger a can of cold Coke on a hot day (low risk). The high grace is seen in the typical reaction. "Oh, thank you!" "This is so nice!" "I can't believe this is for free!" And, "Why are you doing this? Kindness builds the bridge for the person to receive a touch of love from God. It's simple, practical, effective, inexpensive and fun!
Summary of the method:
1. God’s Love
2. By offering to do
3. Simple acts of kindness
4. With no strings attached
5. It’s kindness in action
Advantages of using this method:
1. It affects the heart.
2. It blesses the heart of God.
3. It is obtainable.
4. It’s a bridge.
5. It is simple and quick!
Disadvantages of using this method
1. I really do not see any in this one as well
PART FOUR – Application of These Methods to Your Own Life
From these three methods, choose the one that best suits you.
I think the best method for me is “Servant Evangelism” since we are to be servants this is I feel is the perfect method for me. I enjoy talking to people and getting to know them. They seem to gravitate to me anyway and tell me their problems and troubles. I listen to them and then I try to give them Godly advice as much as I can. The main part of the method is, you must LISTEN, not just hear them. Be compassionate and understanding. When they’re finished than speak and teach them about the Lord. Tell them what he’s done for your life and what he can do for theirs.
Why is this, the best method for you?
Because this is the most doable method for me, you can always give someone an act of kindness or a kind word. Kindness can indeed build the bridge between a believer and an unbeliever; it has been proven time and time again. Jesus did many acts of kindness, that’s why people flocked to him, He listened to them, helped them, gave them God’s word, and above all he healed them.
Is this also the best method for approaching those in your life who are non-Christians?
Yes I feel that it is because acts of kindness can move mountains. Little acts of kindness can be a small thing to you, but it can may something huge to the person that kindness is going towards. People just want to be loved, and what better way to show them than a small act of kindness.
Why or why not?
Because I’m a true believer of loving people to Christ, which also means being kind to all men. And this is what God asked us to do, you can’t win someone over to Christ if you’re rude and an uncaring person.