Evangelism 4 , Common Threads
As we mentioned in the post early this month, Christ taught us that we would encounter people with differing levels of receptiveness to the Truth. We also recognize that there are many ways to reach out to people in order to share the Gospel message. Many time we engage in areas of service in communities, helping with the physical human needs. This can be a beautiful way to enter into relationships with people in order to also help with their spiritual needs – the need for Jesus in their lives.
Regardless of the setting or the local receptivity to the Word, there are some common threads that seem quite valuable in the work to share the precious Gospel message. Each of these can be woven into the fabric of our evangelism work. Done well, they create a tapestry that the Lord can use in order to open people's hearts to His Son.
Prayer – this is so powerful and so important. Pray and rally prayer support for your evangelism work. Pray as you approach each opportunity to share the Word, that the Holy Spirit will be empowered through your efforts, and that He will guide and direct your words. Pray intentionally for those with whom you have been blessed to share the Gospel message. You may never know the "rest of the story" in this life, but you can pray for increase in the Kingdom because of those you have met and shared with.
Love – nothing shines quite like the love of Christ. It should be apparent in every act and step of evangelism. (We will expand on this most important element with an example in a future post.) Nothing is more important in reaching people with the News of Christ than how we love them in the process – love them with the grace and love of Christ in all that we do.
Listen – get inside the person's story. We can gently ask about family, about challenges, about church in their community, or an infinite number of other aspects of daily life that can start to allow us to peek into their lives. It is amazing how some people never have a chance to talk and share about that which is their life. It can be like opening a floodgate. In a small pueblo in the Andes of Peru last year, a young girl expressed this to my wife after pouring out her story. In tears she then shared that no one, not family, friends, schoolmates, neighbors – no one prior to this precious moment had ever been interested to simply listen to her.
Share and guide – the Scriptures can do the talking. It can sometimes be helpful to share from our own experiences. The plan of salvation can sometimes come to life by the artful sharing of our own stories. We can include the brokenness of our life experience, the moment of rescue when we allowed Christ in, to the journey that followed. Always strive to do this in a way that does not take the focus off of the person you are witnessing to. Our story is not the focus, but only a way that lets us connect and amplify the power of the Gospel.
Invite – informing a person about the eternal gift through Christ can and should be accompanied with the invitation to accept him. The Bible can do the talking, combined with our heart in a way that lets them feel the choice, the invitation that the Lord offers to them.
Pray with them and more – armed with snapshots of a person's story and their pain, we can always offer to pray for them and with them. Even if they are not ready or willing to accept Christ at the moment, they may really be in need of intentional prayer for the challenges they face day-to-day. This can sometimes open still more windows into their life. It can be amazing what this simple question can provoke – "Is there something I can pray about for you?" Have you ears and your heart on full alert when you ask.
Regardless of the step of the "harvest model" where we find them, the above keys help us to reach out with love and connect.
Planting seeds in new soil – sharing the Gospel with someone for their first time is very special. Clear presentation and explanations of the precious Scriptures is important. If you are using a tract, still have your Bible present on your lap or at your side. Let the beauty of the Scriptures invite.
Watering prior seeds and encouraging understanding – often we are blessed to talk and share with people who have heard the Word before. In addition to presenting the Gospel, we can tenderly ask questions that reveal to us what they understand, where more explanation might be needed, what are their potential concerns or confusions, and where they might be in their heart's openness to receive Christ at this time.
Harvesting and celebrating – when the heart is open and the person is receptive to receive Christ, this is the evangelist's joy. Pray with them and for them as they receive the Lord. Don't rush as you share with them how to connect dots with the Bible, with a local church, with individuals who can continue discipling with them in the first steps of the new walk they are beginning with Christ.
God make the offer of the precious gift of His Son. How blessed we are to be a small part in the most important sharing that can happen in any person's life. Only God can save. We are to love as we share his timeless message of love.
Blessings and thanks,
Larry
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