4. The Methods

 Evangelism

The Methods

For Starters

Play the game of Whispers. The first person whispers a message to the second and so on so that the message carries around the circle. No repetition. No questions. See how it ends up.

Evangelistic Methods

Here are some ways in which evangelism has been carried out. Which of these do you think are most appropriate in our current situation, and which do you think inappropriate?

  1. Calling door to door
  2. Baptising as many people as possible.
  3. 3. Instilling a fear of hell or death.
  4. 4. Handing out tracts.
  5. 5. Leaving Bibles in motel rooms.
  6. 6. Stressing the Second Coming and end of the world.
  7. 7. Chatting to neighbours and friends
  8. 8. Writing letters.
  9. 9. Street preaching
  10. 10. TV evangelism
  11. 11. Holding mass rallies
  12. 12. Linked to healings and miracles.
  13. 13. Classes for enquirers.
  14. 14. Letterbox drop
  15. 15. Witness at people’s point of need.

It is possible to get so hung-up on doing something the right way that we don’t get around to doing it at all?

Does the method used in evangelism really matter?

Words versus Actions

Read James 1:22 and Matthew 7:21

Words of faith only carry weight when they are backed up by lives lived in faith. Evangelism without Christ-like compassion is like the noisy gong or clanging cymbal of 1 Corinthians 13:1.

We are all aware of the danger of falling into hypocrisy—the hypocrisy that uses all the right religious language but fails to match it with deeds. However there is another danger—that of thinking that words do not matter, that our actions are a sufficient witness in themselves. Deeds need words to explain them.

Read Romans 10:13-17.

For discussion

  •  Evangelism requires involvement in the lives of other people. Is every involvement by Christians in community activities a sort of evangelism?
  • Why does the gospel need to be communicated in words? Why is a life of faith not sufficient?
  • In the light of what we have been saying about the meaning, the model, and the motive for evangelism, how do you think we, in our church, should engage in evangelism?

Felt-need Evangelism

Felt-need evangelism tries to bring the gospel to bear at a person’s felt point of need; eg: in bereavement, in parenting, in facing work-related strains, facing death, in personal relationships, in a search for meaning or for values, etc.

Where have you found the gospel to most effectively meet your needs?

Prayer

Pray that God will open your eyes to the needs of people that you live with, or meet often, and that those people’s eyes will be opened to God.