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Xenos Adult Education
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Servanthood
1
Understanding
Ministry
Understanding the Church
The Evangelistic Community
In John 13:34,35 and John 17:21,23,
Jesus stated that the unity and love Christians express to each other
is compelling evidence of the truthfulness of Christianity. Since this
evidence is more subjective than objective, it has to be felt and
seen, rather than explained. The atmosphere produced by a group
of Christians who love each other will often do a great deal to convince
the non- Christian to respond to Christ especially initially.
A scriptural example
of this is Andrew (John 1:40- 51; John 12:20-26). Andrew brought many
to Christ by asking them to investigate Christ for themselves. See also
1 Corinthians 14:23-25 which contemplates the non-Christian entering the
Christian meeting, and there realizing that "God is certainly among
you."
Access to a dynamic
group that is truly practicing Christian love is an important aid in the
evangelistic task. There are several reasons this is true.
Discussion
Have individual group members read each of the following 8
points aloud. When finished, open the floor to their reactions about what
they just read.
- We may only get
5 or 10 minutes at work or school to try to explain the gospel, which
is difficult--though the results can be surprisingly effective. But
such a small amount of time is often not as effective as a full-length,
well-reasoned teaching given by a gifted communicator.
- There are varieties
of gifts in the church, and one who is trying to share the gospel should
look for opportunities to derive help from other gifted people. If we
can bring our friends into contact with gifted communicators, they may
find answers to their questions more easily.
- A person who has
attended a series of Bible teachings while deciding whether to become
a Christian is in an excellent position to become involved in fellowship
without major changes in schedule.
- A person who is
cynical, or very cognitively oriented, or who is afraid of being cornered
by a small group of people, should be invited to a Seekers' meeting.
There, there won't be a lot of Christian activities which might be offensive.
There is also more anonymity at the large meeting, so there is less
tendency to feel "on the spot."
- Church growth
experts state that the attitude of the members is the single most important
factor in determining a church's ability to grow. When members in a
local church are enthusiastic about what God is doing through the church,
guests sense this and are attracted.
- Attending a Seeker's
meeting or an outreach-oriented home fellowship ministry allows a new
person the time needed to make big decisions like whether to follow
Christ. It is usually a mistake to try to move people from dim awareness
of the gospel to a decision to receive Christ in one step. Rather, we
are trying to help others to come to an informed, free- will decision
to receive Christ. Such a sincere decision may take time and, from our
side, patience. When the need for time is disregarded, people are usually
either needlessly scared off, or they make insincere decisions based
on the desire to please others. These decisions usually do not last.
See Paul's application of this principle in Acts 17:1-4.
- The central message
of Christianity (that salvation is a free gift and that one can have
a personal relationship with Christ), has the ability to profoundly
affect people on a spiritual level. The Holy Spirit works in cooperation
with this message to convict the hearer of its truthfulness and of their
need for Christ. This is why Paul said that he was careful to stay focused
on declaring this message ("I determined to know nothing among
you but Jesus Christ, and Him crucified." 1 Corinthians 2:1-5).
The effective evangelist trusts the power of this message and knows
that it will impact the hearer, regardless of the hearer's initial,
visible response.
- In the evangelistic
community the Word of God is taught clearly and non-Christian guests
can be expected to be influenced more as they listen to the truth.
- When we are communicating
with a non-Christian friend, we need to not only speak, but also listen.
Attending fellowship meetings is a good place to spend time trying to
truly understand the view of the other person. The more leisurely setting
after teachings is a good opportunity for this kind of conversation.
Recommended Reading Relevant
to Evangelism
Christianity: The Faith That Makes
Sense, Dennis McCallum
The Universe Next Door, James Sire
Say It With Love, Howard Hendricks
Out of the Salt Shaker and Into the World, Rebecca Pippert
Evidence That Demands a Verdict, Josh McDowell
To Tell the Truth, Will Metzger
Winning Ways, Leroy Eims
Lifestyle Evangelism, Joseph Aldrich
The Death of Truth, Dennis McCallum, et. al.
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