Giving out the Gospel is
not relegated to one methodology. There are many ways to communicate
the good news that Jesus saves. Most methods are tried and true while
others are a response to the current culture. A few are controversial.
All have been tried by the Baptists.
Experience over the centuries
has taught us that 80% of those who come to Christ do so as the result
of being witnessed to by someone they both know and respect. This
would be contrasted to 20% who ask Jesus into their hearts due to either
being in a service where the Gospel is preached or hearing the plan of
salvation from a stranger. The lesson here is obvious; the salvation
message is most effective when it is personally presented by someone who
has experienced being saved and conveys the plan of salvation to those
he/she loves and cares about.
Before enumerating several
effective evangelism methodologies, a word of caution should be mentioned.
After all, the Word of God clearly states that, "...he that winneth souls
is wise (Proverbs 11:30)." Therefore, wisdom teaches that not all
approaches are to be used by everyone; neither is any one method to be
favored over another. God uses different believers to broadcast the
good news in different ways. His Spirit may direct me in a very different
way than you.
For example, Baptists have
been strong in their assertion that preferring door-to-door or "cold turkey"
evangelism is the true mark of a real soul winner. No one would dare
argue that many souls have come to Christ due to a few committed believers
showing up at the door of a stranger to share the plan of salvation.
Souls have been saved on streets, in malls, and on front doorsteps.
However, not all believers are effective when attempting to use this approach
nor should those who prefer it consider others as being weak or less concerned
about lost souls for not being involved in it. Conversely, those
who are so much more effective using other methods condemn the believer
who carries a "Jesus loves you" sign while they are out running or walks
back and forth on a downtown street preaching out of a well worn Bible.
The lost are reached, souls are saved, and God uses all of it to get His
work accomplished.
Godly wisdom would have us
all to appreciate any and every effort to get the Gospel to those who need
to hear it.
Door-to-Door Evangelism: A terrific
way for those who are comfortable witnessing to strangers. The only
equipment needed are a Bible, the Plan of Salvation, and the ability to
ability to converse freely.
Personal Evangelism: A one-to-one
approach and usually with someone who knows and respects the believer who
is sharing the Gospel with him/her.
Church Outreach Evangelism: Those
ministries in the church which are either totally dedicated to evangelism
(e.g. Visitation night) or include evangelistic appeals in every ministry,
program, or function.
Preaching Evangelism: When the
church rallies around the pastor who includes a clear presentation of the
Gospel at Sunday morning services followed by an invitation with personal
workers ready and available to lead those to Christ who respond.
Mass Evangelism: Using various
venues to broadcast the Gospel such as radio, television, the Internet,
etc.
Literature Evangelism: Souls are
reached using Gospel tracts and other printed materials which explain the
plan of salvation
Small Group Evangelism: This can
take the form of home Bible studies, special interest small groups, or
even active Sunday school classes which emphasize inviting unsaved people
to attend the group functions.
Lifestyle Evangelism: The idea
here is that the unsaved also equate integrity with the verbal testimony
of those who share the Gospel with them. In fact, every form of evangelism
needs to take this into consideration as it is essential that the lost
be able to identify that the walk matches the talk of those who claim to
be believers. However, in itself, this form of evangelism is very
weak. Rarely does a lost person ever walk up to a believer and say,
"I have noticed that you live a very godly life so would you lead me to
Christ?"
THE ROMAN ROAD
An Effective Set of Scriptures to Use
When Leading a Soul to Christ
No one is perfect - Romans 3:10
In fact, all are sinners - Romans 3:23
Jesus Christ died for sinners - Romans
5:8
Sin brings death but trusting Christ as
Saviour brings eternal life - Romans 6:23
Believing and confessing results in salvation
- Romans 10:9&10
Calling on the Lord to be saved - Romans
10:13 |
