Personal Evangelism Training. By Tim Leahy THE GOSPEL. Means Good News & The Good News is God Offers Salvation Providing Eternal Life

Transcription

1 Personal Evangelism Training By Tim Leahy THE GOSPEL Means Good News & The Good News is God Offers Salvation Providing Eternal Life 1

2 Personal Evangelism This is the most important and most effective frontline way of reaching people for Jesus. This is where every believer shares Jesus as they go about their day. This requires that believers be equipped and prepared. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect, 1 Peter 3:15-16 This also includes Relational Evangelism This is where you seek to share Jesus with people you interact with on a regular basis. This also requires that believers be equipped and prepared to do this. By equipped I mean trained, and by prepared I mean that they have practiced and they have gospel tracts with them. It s Time to Train 1 Cor 9: Do you not know that in a race all the runners run, but only one gets the prize? Run in such a way as to get the prize. 25 Everyone who competes in the games goes into strict training. They do it to get a crown that will not last; but we do it to get a crown that will last forever. 26 Therefore I do not run like a man running aimlessly; I do not fight like a man beating the air. 27 No, I beat my body and make it my slave so that after I have preached to others, I myself will not be disqualified for the prize. NIV Personal evangelism usually takes place in two contexts seed (quick) evangelism and conversational evangelism. Seed evangelism is the most frequent type of day to day evangelism. Quick evangelism is where you run into someone, usually people you don t know at the gas station, grocery store, etc Most people are in a hurry and don t have time for a 5 minute discussion about Jesus, therefore we must be ready to plant the seed. Example: You re pumping gas and someone s pumping gas next to you. Greet them, and then ask them if you can give them something to read when they get a chance. As you re asking them, already have the gospel tract in your hand and extend it toward them. Most likely they will accept the tract (99%). Rarely have I had someone not take one. If they say no simply say no problem and tell them to have a nice day. If you re feeling led by the Holy Spirit to talk to them about Jesus or you re a bold person then ask the 3 questions. If there isn t time for a full gospel presentation then hand them a tract and tell them the information about God s gift of salvation is in the tract. Also tell them that there s more information at the website on the back of the tract and let them know your information is also on the back of the tract. Conversational Evangelism This type evangelism takes place anytime there is time to have a 2-5 minute conversation. 2

3 Approaching someone to talk to them about Jesus has the following 3 elements: 1. Greeting 2. 3 Questions 3. The Gospel Here s what it looks like: When approaching someone to talk to them about Jesus we simply do what anyone does, we greet the person by saying something like: Good morning, How are you doing, Nice day, etc Once you ve greeted the person ask them question #1 Can I ask you a personal question? 99.9% of the time they will say yes. As a matter of fact I ve never had someone say no. Once they say yes you ask them question #2 Do you know for sure that you re going to heaven? Most people are surprised by this question and take a moment to think or say What? Simply ask the question again. Most people will say I hope so. Other answers will be yes or no or some form of those two answers. Now it s time for question # 3 What do you understand it takes to get to heaven? This is the clarifying question that lets you know what they think it takes to get to heaven. Most people will give you a works answer. I usually follow up with confirmation statement like I used to think that. or A lot of people believe that. From here you can tell them what the Bible says or you can jump in with The Bible says that good works has nothing to do with getting to heaven. I usually ask them If we could get to heaven by our good works, then why did Jesus have to come and die on the cross? After giving them time to think, I will ask If we could get to heaven by our good deeds, then where s the line between good enough and not good enough? After a very brief pause I say that the Bible says in Ephesians 2:8-9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. At this time you can ask: Do you understand what this verse is saying? or you can go straight into explaining what grace and faith are. Here s how I explain grace and faith : Simply put, grace is an unmerited gift from God; it is receiving something (salvation/eternal life) that we don t deserve and can t earn. The acrostic for grace is a good description of that gift: God s Riches At Christ s Expense. God s riches are: a restored relationship with God, eternal life with God, the ability to understand His Word [Bible] (1 Corinthians 2:14), understanding the truth and reality about life, the fruit of the Spirit (Galatians 5:22-23) just to name a few. Simply put, faith is believing God got it right. The definition of faith is found in Hebrews 11:1 3

4 Now faith is being sure of what we hope for and certain of what we do not see. The acrostic for faith is a good way to remember what faith is: Forsaking All I Trust Him. Forsaking all is not relying on anything other than God for salvation. Ephesians 2:8-9 Paraphrases: Salvation is an unmerited gift from God, and it is by faith (believing God s gospel) by which we receive eternal life with God in heaven, not by works or good deeds that we do. Once we ve discussed Ephesians 2:8-9 I ask them if it make sense and make sure they understand that their good works won t get them to heaven. I then transition to John 3:16. John 3:16 "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. This is one of the best known verses in the Bible, even to non-believers. However, it is also one of the most misunderstood verses as well. The key to John 3:16 is the word believe. Therefore it is vital that we communicate what this word means. The word believe means to trust and commit. In order to be saved to not perish, but have eternal life with God every person must trust that Jesus is the promised Messiah Savior whom God promised (Old Testament) to send to reconcile man back to Himself, and commit their life to Jesus as Savior and Lord. The Strong s Concordance definition of believe comes from the Greek word pisteuo (pist-yoo'-o); NT:4100 from NT:4102; to have faith (in, upon, or with respect to, a person or thing), i.e. credit; by implication, to entrust (especially one's spiritual well-being to Christ): KJV - believe (-r), commit (to trust), put in trust with. 1 The commitment aspect of salvation is sadly and destructively missed by many who have prayed to receive Jesus and therefore are living with a false notion that they are going to heaven because they prayed a prayer. This form of easy believe-ism is common in our culture and is false fire insurance sold by the Devil. The fire insurance gospel goes like this: Would you like to avoid going to hell? When a person says yes they are told to pray the sinners prayer without understanding that they must turn from their sins, die to self and commit their life to Jesus as Lord and Master of their lives. Therefore, when we communicate John 3:16, we must communicate that not only must they trust that Jesus is the only one who can save them through His death, burial and resurrection, but they must turn from (repent) their sins and turn to Jesus as their Savior and Lord. Jesus said, unless you repent, you too will all perish. - Luke 13:3-5 The word Lord means master; which means that a follower of Jesus lives Jesus way and not their way. 1 (Biblesoft's New Exhaustive Strong's Numbers and Concordance with Expanded Greek-Hebrew Dictionary. Copyright 1994, 2003 Biblesoft, Inc. and International Bible Translators, Inc.) 4

5 Once I explain what the word believe means I ask them if they understand that they can t earn/work their way to heaven and that they must trust and commit their life to Jesus as Savior and Lord. I ask them if they would like to trust and commit their life to Jesus as their Savior and Lord. If they communicate that they don t understand, I them ask them what they don t understand and deal with the questions they have. If they communicate that they would like to trust and commit their life to Jesus as their Savior and Lord, I explain how they do that and lead them right there if they are willing, or I will encourage them to communicate their desire to God as soon as I leave. Here s what s involved in explaining the prayer of salvation ABC s of salvation: 1. Acknowledge you re a sinner separated from God. 2. Believe that Jesus died on the cross to pay the penalty for your sins to redeem and reconcile you to God. 3. Commit your life to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Sample prayer: Dear Jesus, I acknowledge that my sins have separated me from you, that you love me and died for me so that I could be reconciled to you for eternity, and I accept your gift of salvation and commit my life to you as my Savior and Lord. Please help me know you and grow in my relationship with you. Amen. The word reconcile simply means that what was once separated is now back together. Illustration: When a husband and wife get back together after a separation they are reconciled. After praying to receive Jesus: If a person receives Jesus as Savior and Lord let them know that there are some important things they need to learn as they begin their new journey with God and offer to help them grow in their new relationship. If they accept your offer, set a time and place to meet with them. If the person does not live in the area ask them if they have access to the internet and encourage them to go to knowjesus.net and sign up for the free Know Jesus course provided by the Billy Graham Evangelistic Association. If the person does not accept Jesus gift of salvation offer to help them with any questions they may have about God and leave them with your contact information. Offer to meet with them to answer their questions or invite them to church or any classes or group you may have available. You may also leave them the website for additional inquiry about God, the Bible and life issues. Evangelism by Accident This takes place when you re talking to someone and it leads into God or the Bible. For instance, you re talking to someone and they bring up abortion, or homosexuality or any number of controversial topics and you ask them why they believe what they believe, you will have an opportunity to ask them questions 2 and 3. You will also have an opportunity to tell them why you believe in the existence of God and why you believe the Bible is the Word of God. 5

6 Evangelism is like baseball anyone can play it, but to be good you have to work at it. By this simple analogy I mean everyone can do evangelism anyone can hand someone a tract, but we are commanded to be able to give an answer for what we believe (1 Peter 3:15). In order to do this we need to work at it. The way we work at it is to know God s Word and what he says about salvation, Himself and life. The more we know the more confident we get in being able to give an answer. Batter up! Here is a list of Scriptures pertaining to Salvation Start reading and learning what God says about salvation, put it to memory. Whether you memorize it word perfect or are able to paraphrase is not a major issue. Do the best you can and trust God to use it to use you. The Scriptures provided are from the 1980 s edition of the New International Version. If you prefer another translation use the list of Scriptures and learn it in the translation you re comfortable with. Sin separates us from God: But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. - Isa 59:2 For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. - Rom 6:23 All men are sinners: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, - Rom 3:23 There is not a righteous man on earth who does what is right and never sins. - Eccl 7:20 All of us have become like one who is unclean, and all our righteous acts are like filthy rags; - Isa 64:6 As it is written:"there is no one righteous, not even one; there is no one who understands, no one who seeks God. All have turned away, they have together become worthless; there is no one who does good, not even one." - Rom 3:10-12 For whoever keeps the whole law and yet stumbles at just one point is guilty of breaking all of it.- James 2:10 If we claim to be without sin, we deceive ourselves and the truth is not in us. - 1 John 1:8 Salvation not by works, but by God s grace: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God not by works, so that no one can boast. - Eph 2:8-9 6

7 The disciples were even more amazed, and said to each other, "Who then can be saved?" Jesus looked at them and said, "With man this is impossible, but not with God; all things are possible with God." - Mark 10:26-27 Therefore no one will be declared righteous in his sight by observing the law; rather, through the law we become conscious of sin. - Rom 3:20 So too, at the present time there is a remnant chosen by grace. 6 And if by grace, then it is no longer by works; if it were, grace would no longer be grace. - Rom 11:5-6 We who are Jews by birth and not 'Gentile sinners' 16 know that a man is not justified by observing the law, but by faith in Jesus Christ. So we, too, have put our faith in Christ Jesus that we may be justified by faith in Christ and not by observing the law, because by observing the law no one will be justified. - Gal 2:15-16 who has saved us and called us to a holy life not because of anything we have done but because of his own purpose and grace. - 2 Tim 1:9 he saved us, not because of righteous things we had done, but because of his mercy. Titus 3:5 Salvation through Jesus alone: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. If you really knew me, you would know my Father as well. From now on, you do know him and have seen him." - John 14:6-7 Salvation is found in no one else, for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved." Acts 4:12 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, who gave himself as a ransom for all men - 1 Tim 2:5-6 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. 17 For God did not send his Son into the world to condemn the world, but to save the world through him. 18 Whoever believes in him is not condemned, but whoever does not believe stands condemned already because he has not believed in the name of God's one and only Son. - John 3:16-18 Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him." - John 3:36 7

8 I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. - John 10:9 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. - 1 John 5:12 Salvation is by faith/belief in Jesus as God s solution to our separation from Him: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith - Eph 2:8 For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life. - John 3:16 Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; and whoever lives and believes in me will never die. John 11:25-26 Believe in the Lord Jesus, and you will be saved Acts 16:31 That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved. - Rom 10:9-11 Everyone who believes that Jesus is the Christ is born of God - 1 John 5:1 Sample Gospel Presentation: Once you have the basics of what God says about salvation then you can put it together in a presentation. By doing this you are able to present the Gospel in a chronological way when you have the opportunity to sit and talk to someone about God s gift of salvation. As I mentioned earlier, because of the fast pace nature of the world we live in we usually are simply planting seeds, but that doesn t excuse us from being prepared. Please remember that being prepared is a process and the process is a part of the journey. Like baseball, everyone starts in the pee-wees (T-ball) and progresses as they work at it. 1 Cor 3:5-7 as the Lord has assigned to each his task. 6 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow. 7 So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow. 8

9 The GOSPEL The word Gospel means good news and the good news is God Offers Salvation Providing Eternal Life 1. God loves you, He created you, and He has a wonderful plan for your life. God s Love The Bible says, For God so loved the world that He gave His one and only Son, that whoever believes in Him shall not perish but have eternal life. (John 3:16) The word believes means to trust and commit, as in to trust in and commit one s life to Jesus. God s Plan The Bible says, Jesus said: I came that they may have life, and might have it abundantly [that it may be full and meaningful] (John 10:10) Why is it that most people are not living the abundant life? Because 2. Man is sinful and separated from God. Therefore, we cannot know and experience God s love and plan for our lives. The Bible says All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23) The Bible says The wages of sin is death. [separation from God] (Romans 6:23). God is Holy, which means that He is perfect, and therefore does not allow sin in heaven. Based on Romans 3:23 and 6:23, we have a problem. 9

10 3. God solved that problem through His Son, Jesus. Through Him we can know and experience God s love and plan for our lives. The Bible says, God demonstrated His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8) The Bible says, we have redemption through His (Jesus) blood, the forgiveness of sins. (Ephesians 1:7a) The Bible Says: Christ died for our sins He was buried He was raised on the third day, according to the Scriptures He appeared to Peter, then to the twelve. After that He appeared to more than five hundred (1 Corinthians 15:3-6) Jesus is the Only Way to God The Bible says, Jesus said to him, I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through me. (John 14:6) The Bible says: Salvation is found in no one else (Jesus), for there is no other name under heaven given to men by which we must be saved. Salvation/Heaven is a Gift The Bible says, By grace you have been saved through faith; and that not of yourselves, it is a gift of God; not as a result of works that no one should boast. (Ephesians 2:8-9) Grace (God s Riches At Christ s Expense) - Receiving what we don t deserve (Heaven). We Receive Christ Through Faith = (Forsaking All I Trust Him) 4. We must individually receive Jesus Christ as our Savior and Lord; then we can know and experience God s love and plan for our lives. The Bible says, As many as receive Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God (John 1:12) 10

11 We receive Christ by turning from sin and self, turning to God (a.k.a. repentance), and personally inviting Christ to come into our lives as Savior and Lord. Lord (Allowing Jesus to have full control over one s life) The Bible says, If you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus, and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. (Romans 10:9) The Bible says, But unless you repent, you shall all likewise perish. (Luke 13:3b) The Bible says, [Christ speaking] Behold, I stand at the door and knock; if anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come into him. (Revelation 3:20) End of Gospel Presentation Salvation in a nutshell: Salvation is all about surrender surrendering our life for Jesus life. He gave His life for us; therefore we are to give our lives to Him. We are surrendering our choice to live our way and we are choosing to live His way. It s all about commitment committing our lives to Jesus as Savior and Lord. Here s what the Bible says: Gal 2:20 20 I have been crucified with Christ and I no longer live, but Christ lives in me. The life I live in the body, I live by faith in the Son of God, who loved me and gave himself for me. Rom 12:1-2 12:1 Therefore, I urge you, brothers, in view of God's mercy, to offer your bodies as living sacrifices, holy and pleasing to God this is your spiritual act of worship. 2 Do not conform any longer to the pattern of this world, but be transformed by the renewing of your mind. Then you will be able to test and approve what God's will is his good, pleasing and perfect will. Rom 6:13 13 Do not offer the parts of your body to sin, as instruments of wickedness, but rather offer yourselves to God, as those who have been brought from death to life; and offer the parts of your body to him as instruments of righteousness. 11

12 Rom 6:16 16 Don't you know that when you offer yourselves to someone to obey him as slaves, you are slaves to the one whom you obey whether you are slaves to sin, which leads to death, or to obedience, which leads to righteousness? Rom 6:19 19 I put this in human terms because you are weak in your natural selves. Just as you used to offer the parts of your body in slavery to impurity and to everincreasing wickedness, so now offer them in slavery to righteousness leading to holiness. 1 Cor 6: Do you not know that your body is a temple of the Holy Spirit, who is in you, whom you have received from God? You are not your own; 20 you were bought at a price. Therefore honor God with your body. 2 Cor 5:15 15 And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 1 Peter 4:1-2 1Therefore, since Christ suffered in his body, arm yourselves also with the same attitude, because he who has suffered in his body is done with sin. 2 As a result, he does not live the rest of his earthly life for evil human desires, but rather for the will of God. Salvation Words: believe, trust, commit, surrender, offer, submit, give up, yield, accept as true, faith, reliance, dependence, entrust, present, relinquish, renounce. Congratulations! You are now equipped to talk to people about the most important topic given to mankind, now go in the grace and knowledge of our Lord and Savior, and impact your community and the world for Christ! For additional information on presenting the Gospel visit 12

13 Appendix 8 Types of Evangelism 8 Ways To Reach Our Community/People For Jesus: 1. Personal/Individual Evangelism This is the most important and most effective and frontline way of reaching people for Jesus. This is where every believer shares Jesus as they go about their day. This would require that believers be equipped to do that. This also includes Relational Evangelism This is where you seek to share Jesus with people you interact with on a regular basis. This would also require that believers be equipped to do this. 2. Planned Event Evangelism This is a planned event such as a youth rally or other type of event that is planned and structured to present the Gospel to those attending the event. 3. Street Evangelism This is where a group of believers go out and talk to people about Jesus. This would normally be in groups of two. This could be in the form of survey evangelism or straight conversational evangelism. This could also include street preaching. 4. Public Event Evangelism This is taking advantage of public events such as the First Saturday Trade Lot, Uncle Billy s Day, sports events or the UBD race. This would be handing out tracts and being prepared to talk to people about Jesus. 5. Door-to-Door Evangelism This is where believers go out in groups of two and go door-to-door to share Jesus. 6. Visitation Evangelism This is where teams of two or three go visit people they know or have been referred to. This is typically a church method. 7. Marketing Evangelism This involves utilizing billboards, signs, news media and a web site to reach people with the Gospel. 8. Cyber Evangelism This is the newest type of evangelism and involves computers and the internet. Cyber Evangelism can be as simple as talking to people about Jesus through , texts, tweets etc Facebook is a great way to plant seeds, share resources and encourage others to trust God. 13

14 Another great opportunity is Billy Graham s evangelism internet ministry Peace with God and Know Jesus discipleship ministry To learn more about being an E- Counselor or Discipleship Coach visit Another great internet resource is This website is video driven to provide answers to a variety of question about the God of the Bible. You are also welcome to use my website as an evangelism resource. Listening Living Sharing [from Billy Graham s Christian Life and Witness Course] For many believers, sharing the Gospel (the Good News) of Jesus Christ can be a rather intimidating experience. According to studies, only 1 percent of believers claim to have the gift of evangelism. Where does that leave the 99 percent who do not have the gift? Some think that because they don t have the gift, they are relieved of the responsibility of sharing Christ with others. Every believer s mission in life should be to actively share Christ with those people God places in his or her life. Jesus gave us His personal mission statement: For the Son of Man came to seek and to save what was lost. (Luke 19:10) He is asking each of us to join Him in rescuing the lost and spiritually dying people we know. The 3 Open Prayer Pray for open doors to share the message of Christ. We need to become intentional in sharing the Good News. Praying daily for an opening to share Jesus is a good place to start. As we pray, we should focus on doors that are open. Doors are often revealed as we are sensitive to the needs of others around us. Each day we should pray the 3 open prayer : 1. Lord, open a door of opportunity. A door is a natural opportunity to bring up your relationship with Jesus in conversation with people who need Him. Often the opportunity will be something going on in your life, their life, or the world. 2. Lord, open their heart. Ask God to get a lost person ready to hear what He s getting you ready to share. 3. Lord, open my mouth. Trust God to give you the courage, the words, and the approach. If you consistently pray this kind of prayer for someone close to you, God will answer it! 14

15 3-Stories Ultimately, you will want to draw from three stories that will help you communicate Christ to your friends: 1. Their Story As you share, draw from their story, the felt needs, and the open doors that we ve been discussing. 2. Your Story Your personal faith story is a powerful tool. Nobody can discount how Jesus has transformed your life. 3. His Story This is what Jesus did for you and me on the cross, by paying the death penalty that we deserve. Explain how His story changed your story and can change their story. Other BGEA Resources: