Methods of Evangelism
18 June 2017 PM – John 4:3-42 – Evang17 – Scott Childs
Introduction: You may have all the ingredients to bake a loaf of bread, but if you never follow a recipe and bake it, it will never become bread. The same is true of the Gospel. We have learned about the call for evangelism, the example of evangelism, the command of evangelism, overcoming fears of evangelism, and the message of evangelism. You may know all there is to know about evangelism, but if you never open your mouth and share what you know, it will help no one. (John 4:3-42)
Transition: This evening I want to teach you some methods of evangelism and motivate you to share the Gospel with others.
1. Conversational Method
This is the basic method of evangelism and all other methods will use parts of this method.
a. Be praying and looking for witnessing opportunities (v.4-6)
1) Jesus planned to go through Samaria even though it was not the common route.
2) We must never underestimate the importance of praying for witnessing opportunities.
3) Pray for boldness and courage. (2 Thessalonians 3:1) “Finally, brethren, pray for us, that the word of the Lord may have free course, and be glorified, even as it is with you:” (Ephesians 6:19) “And [pray] for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,”
4) Look for people that you can talk to. It may be a salesperson, a delivery person, a neighbour, a friend, a person who is waiting in a queue with you, a bank teller, or a person at a social event.
b. Begin a genuine conversation (v.7-9)
1) Jesus simply asked the woman for a drink of water. This opened up a fruitful conversation.
2) Ask a question. Questions often open conversations.
3) Be sure your questions are sincere questions. (e.g., How long have you been waiting? Do you think we will get any more rain? How did you get your garden to produce so well?)
4) Talk about things you have in common.
5) Show a genuine interest in what the person says to you.
c. Turn the talk to a spiritual topic (v.10-15)
1) Jesus offered the woman living water. That caught her attention.
2) This transition is often the most difficult and fearful part about witnessing. Pray for wisdom and just open your mouth and make the move. Here are some suggestions.
a) If she is worried, share a comforting Bible verse.
b) If he needs a job, tell him that you will pray for him, and then build on that opening.
c) “I have been thinking about heaven recently. Are you going to heaven when you die?”
d) “Do you go to church at all?”
e) “Where do you think we came from?”
f) “Do you believe in God?”
g) “Have you thought much about spiritual things?”
d. Explain the Gospel (v.16-26)
1) Jesus told her to go call her husband. Why? Because He knew this would bring up her sinful life and need of salvation.
2) I find it helpful to say, “Though I don’t know you, I know that we have one thing in common. We have both sinned. We have done things that are wrong.”
3) Share you testimony as to how you trusted Christ.
4) This is where you attempt to explain the message of evangelism.
a) Sin – Romans 3:23
b) Hell – Romans 6:23
c) Jesus – Romans 5:8
d) Repent – Acts 3:19
e) Believe – Romans 10:9, 13
5) The amount of the Gospel that they will allow you to share with them will vary. If the Holy Spirit seems to be working in their hearts, make the Gospel as clear as you possibly can.
e. Give them opportunity to trust Christ
1) If the Holy Spirit has convicted the hearer, review the Gospel to make sure they understand. Explain how a person receives Christ.
2) Ask the person “Would you like to ask Christ to save you and give you eternal life right now?”
3) If they say “Yes”, then you pray first and let them pray after you are finished. Though I have at times done it, looking back I do not think it is wise to have the person repeat your prayer. If the Spirit of God is truly convicting the person, the Spirit will help them pray. There is a fine line between being cautious and careless when it comes to them praying. A person who is truly broken over their sin and truly repentant ought not to be too ashamed to pray aloud in front of you.
4) If they seem unconvicted but interested, ask if you can set up a time to talk to them again.
2. Tract Method
a. Be polite and friendly
1) Smile
2) If often helps to say something friendly before offering the tract.
b. Offer a tract with a brief statement
1) Here is a little paper from the Baptist church that tells you how you can go to heaven.
2) Do you ever go to church? I attend the Northside Baptist Church in Quinns. Here is a paper that tells you how you can know for sure that you will go to heaven. Would you have a read of it?
c. Follow the conversation method if possible
3. Door-knocking Method
a. Knock firmly
1) Door bells often do not work.
2) Knock firmly several times on the hinge side of the door.
b. Be pleasant and identify your purpose
1) “Hi, I am from the Northside Baptist Church in Quinns and I am passing out this paper about heaven. Could I leave one with you?”
2) Naming our church lets them know we are not a Mormon or JW.
3) I find that it is best to identify my mission before I attempt any conversation. The cults often first mention the pretty flowers or the nice yard and many people see that as an insincere way of opening a conversation.
4) If the person is friendly, looks at the tract with interest or asks a question, then seek to explain the Gospel to them. It may help to ask a basic question.
a) Do you go to church?
b) Have you given any thought to where you will go when you die?
c) Are you positive you will go to heaven?
d) Do you believe in God?
c. Be sensitive
1) If the person is flatly not interested, cheerfully thank them for their time and leave.
2) If they listen briefly some but then say they must go, don’t be rude. Honour their wishes. To offend them by rudeness will close future opportunities to share the Gospel with them.
3) If they listen intently, then seek to follow the conversation method.
4. Other Methods of Indirect Evangelism
a. Invite people to church
b. Include a Gospel tract in payment envelopes
c. Place our church web site on other social media
d. Share Christian videos that contain the Gospel
Conclusion: If you are a Christian, you have a message to share and a duty to share it. Evangelism ought to be on your heart and mind every single day. You ought to be daily praying for and looking for opportunities to share the Gospel. Jesus’ last words were “Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.” (Mark 16:15)
Song: Rescue the Perishing, 432