Kevin Moore Personal Evangelism

euaggélion

"good news" or "glad tidings," often translated "gospel."

euaggelízō

to "proclaim good news" or "announce glad tidings."

Evangelizing

not something we do to people but something we do with the gospel.

The arena of euaggelízō

Includes various contexts such as before a multitude (Luke 3:18), within a small group (Luke 2:10), for a couple of people (1 Thessalonians 3:6), with an individual (Luke 1:19), and among both men and women (Acts 8:1-4).

Practical description of Evangelism

"Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread."

2 Corinthians 5:17-21

Applicable to "anyone" who is a new creation "in Christ."

Ambassadors for Christ

"Now then, we are ambassadors for Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:20a)

Ministry of reconciliation

God "has given us the ministry of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:18b)

Word of reconciliation

God "has committed to us the word of reconciliation." (2 Corinthians 5:19b)

Reconciliation

God "has reconciled us to himself through Jesus Christ." (2 Corinthians 5:18a)

Christ's representatives

"We are therefore Christ's representatives - as though God were urging action through us." (2 Corinthians 5:20b)

Righteousness of God

Christ was made "sin for us, that we might become the righteousness of God in him." (2 Corinthians 5:21)

Ultimate Goal of Evangelism

Make disciples (one soul at a time), Matthew 28:18-20.

Aorist participle

The word translated "Go" in Matthew 28:19 (poreuthéntes) is better rendered, "Having gone ..."

Command to go

Jesus assumes his disciples will already be going.

Matthew 28:18-20

The Great Commission, instructing disciples to make followers of all nations.

Acts 8:1-4

Describes the scattering of believers who preached the word.

Acts 11:19-21

Describes the evangelistic efforts of the early church.

Acts 18:26

Describes the teaching of Apollos by Aquila and Priscilla.

2 Timothy 2:2

Paul instructs Timothy to entrust teachings to reliable people.

1 Peter 2:1-10

Describes the identity and responsibilities of believers.

H. Eddie Fox and George E. Morris

Authors of 'Faith-Sharing' who describe evangelism.

D. T. Niles

Paraphrased as saying, 'Evangelism is just one beggar telling another beggar where to find bread.'

Mathēteúō

Greek term meaning 'make disciples' or 'train in discipleship'.

Baptizing

A necessary step for becoming a disciple of Jesus.

Teaching

Essential for being a disciple of Jesus, involving sufficient instruction.

Immediate Goal

To get prospective disciples into the word of God.

James 1:21

Scripture that emphasizes receiving the implanted word, which can save souls.

1 Timothy 2:3-4

Scripture stating that God desires all men to be saved and to know the truth.

Evangelism

A normal activity for all church people at all times, not just for special individuals.

Excuses for Not Evangelizing

Common reasons Christians give for avoiding evangelism.

Realistic Understanding

Awareness of one's purpose and identity in evangelism.

God's Role in Salvation

God ultimately saves souls through His word.

Human Limitations

No person has the inherent power to save anyone.

God's Power in Weakness

God can save people through humble efforts, regardless of personal inadequacies.

1 Cor. 3:7

Scripture stating that neither the planter nor the waterer is anything, but God gives the increase.

Effective Evangelistic Techniques

Methods and tools that are means to an end, but do not save anyone by themselves.

George E. Sweazey

Quoted on the normalcy of evangelism for all church members.

Delos Miles

Observes the command to make disciples has never been rescinded.

Acts 2:47

Scripture indicating that God adds to the church those who are being saved.

Mark 4:26-29

Scripture illustrating that human effort alone does not lead to salvation.

Attitude in Evangelism

The mindset required to effectively engage in evangelism.

Pressure in Evangelism

The unnecessary stress individuals place on themselves regarding evangelism.

Results of Evangelizing

The outcomes of evangelism are ultimately in God's hands.

Burden on those we're trying to reach

The greater burden actually rests on those we're trying to reach and the condition of their hearts.

Desire to know the Lord

If a person does not genuinely desire to know and obey the Lord, there is very little you can say or do to get through to that person.

Sincere desire for truth

If a person sincerely wants to know the truth, he/she will learn the truth regardless of mistakes made in communication.

Seek and you will find

Jesus said, 'seek and you will find' (Matt. 7:7), regardless of how unimpressive your teacher might be.

Doing His will

Jesus said, 'If anyone wants to do His will, he shall know concerning the doctrine...' (John 7:17), no matter how awkwardly that doctrine might be presented.

You shall know the truth

Jesus stated, 'you shall know the truth' (John 8:32), irrespective of those who make less-than-perfect attempts to communicate it.

Initial approach to evangelism

Where to begin: Initial Approach.

Pray

Jesus (the greatest evangelist) was a man of constant prayer (Mark 1:35; Luke 5:16; 6:12; 9:18, 28; 11:1-4; 22:41-45; etc.).

Acts of the apostles

The acts of the apostles include giving themselves continually to prayer and to the ministry of the word (Acts 6:4).

Invite God into your work

If we are attempting to do God's work, we should invite God to be involved in it.

Be yourself

If you try to mimic someone else's approach or recite a memorized 'sales pitch,' you may come across fake and insincere.

Develop a comfortable approach

Develop an approach you're comfortable with and that works best for you.

Be transparent

People appreciate and are more receptive to sincerity and honesty.

Acknowledge nervousness

If you're nervous, acknowledge it; if you don't know how to answer a question, admit it.

Share your faith openly

If your aim is to share your faith, don't try to hide it.

Avoid being secretive or pushy

Never be secretive, pushy or manipulative.

Immediate goal of evangelism

Always be mindful of your immediate goal: introducing this person to the word of God.

Genuine conversion requires Bible study

If one is not engaged in Bible study, there can be no genuine conversion (John 8:31-32, 51).

Purpose of spiritual conversation

The purpose of your spiritual conversation is not to declare the whole council of God or to win an argument.

Scriptural confirmation

Even if what you say is the truth, it will be no more convincing than what anyone else might say without scriptural confirmation.

Develop interest in Bible study

The aim of your conversation is to develop the person's interest in studying the Bible.

Ask questions to engage

The best approach is to ask questions with the purpose of developing interest in Bible study.

Religious background questions

Examples of questions include: What is your religious background? Where do you go to church? What do you think about Jesus?

Church attendance conversions

Inviting people to church services indicates spiritual interest, but assemblies are designed to teach Christians, not to convert the lost.

Immediate goal = baptism

While baptism is important, the ultimate goal is to make disciples, not just to baptize.

Personal record keeping of conversions

Keeping a personal count of conversions may not serve a purpose; aim to bring souls to Christ without focusing on numbers.

Information Transmission

A one-way act of communicating facts, resembling a lecturer and a pupil.

Manipulative Monologue

A method involving leading questions and emotional appeals, resembling a salesperson and a customer.

Non-Manipulative Dialogue

A two-way process of interaction, resembling a friend to a friend, aiming to share love and faith.

Self-Discovery

Pointing to scriptures and allowing the person to learn for themselves, resembling a guide and a learner.

Gordon's invitation

A straightforward statement expressing a desire to study the Bible together.

Baptism process

The sequence of hear + believe + repent + confess + be baptized is essential but not the totality of the gospel message.

Discipleship

A person cannot be a disciple without baptism, but one can be baptized without having become a disciple.

Great Commission

The fulfillment of the Great Commission requires proper teaching before baptism.

Emotional appeals

Strategies used in manipulative monologues to influence decisions.

Deductive Bible study

An approach where the Bible itself does the teaching, allowing for self-discovery.

Spiritual interest

Indicated by attendance at church services.

Evangelistic pursuits

Continued efforts to bring souls to Christ beyond personal counts.

Teaching goal

The goal of information transmission is to impart correct information and secure mental assent.

Sales approach

Manipulative monologues aim to achieve visible results similar to closing a sale.

Friendship approach

Non-manipulative dialogue aims to influence through love and faith.

Guide and learner relationship

Self-discovery resembles the relationship between a guide and a learner.

Mission reports

Documentation of conversions that may not reflect the true purpose of evangelism.

Baptism importance

Baptism is a significant step in the process of making disciples.

Church assemblies

Designed primarily for the edification of existing Christians rather than the conversion of non-Christians.

Spiritual teaching

The process of educating individuals in spiritual matters through various methodologies.

Covenant

A formal agreement between God and His people.

First Covenant

Referred to as 'the law' in Galatians 3:19.

New Covenant

The promise of a new and better covenant established by Jesus.

Seed

Refers to Christ as mentioned in 2 Timothy 2:15.

Tutor or Custodian

The role of the law in guiding us until Christ came.

Bible's Claim

The Bible claims to be complete enough to guide us in all spiritual matters.

Profitability of Bible Study

Bible study is profitable for understanding spiritual truths.

Purpose of the Law

The law served as a tutor until Christ came.

Obsolescence of the First Covenant

The first covenant has become obsolete as stated in Hebrews 8:13.

Effectiveness of the New Covenant

The new covenant came into effect at Christ's death.