A. METHODS OF WITNESS AND EVANGELISM
Complete Section #1 on the Study Five Worksheet now.
A.1 Biblical methods
Michael Green [p116 – 134] lists and discusses the following methods of evangelism which he identifies in various texts in the Bible:
They went for every-member witness
They worked outwards from the centre
They concentrated on the ‘god-fearing fringe’
They ran a lot of home meetings
They loved to discuss on neutral ground
They wrote and used literature
They engaged in missionary journeys
They relied on personal talks
Discuss the above in terms of
[1] Are they a valid representation of what is recorded in Scripture?
[2] Which are valid today?
[3] Which are ‘methods and which are expectations?
[4] Can you identify any other methods or strategies recorded in the New Testament?
A.2 Contemporary methods
John Chapman [Know and Tell the Gospel, p183-201] mentions and describes the following contemporary methods that he has used or seen used:
1. Lifestyle evangelism
2. Using an evangelism ‘package’
3. Door to door visiting
4. Specific house visiting
5. Using your home for evangelism
6. Evangelism on site and off-site
We could also add:
6. Letter box drops
7. ‘Cold-face’ evangelism [fronting up to a stranger and witnessing to him/her]
8. Social media, blogs and other internet options.
Answer these questions:
Which of these really ‘freaks you out’? Why?
Just because a method is used successfully by some, does it mean everyone has to use it? Why?
Is it okay not to use any of these ‘methods’ of witness and evangelism? Why?
C. WHAT DID JESUS DO?
Complete Section #2 in the Study Five Worksheet now.
After you have studied the Scriptures in Section #2 of the Worksheet, think about these questions:
Did Jesus initiate every one of these encounters?
Did Jesus use the same method every time [if he used any ‘method’ at all]?
Did Jesus give the exact same content every time?
Did Jesus push the person to a point of ‘decision’ every time?
Did every encounter result in a conversion at that point of time?
Complete Section #3 of the Study Five Worksheet now.