PERSONAL EVANGELISM

Smart Road, Greenwood, MO

Topics for the next four weeks Reflecting on my experiences and what I have

learned Developing an overall approach to personal

evangelismFinding a way to talk with people about the truthTools that are available Create your own tools

Grounding new converts in the doctrine of Christ Developing a congregational approach to

evangelism

2008 Flyer: Invitation to services

Sowing the Word

Neighborhoods Canvassed Summer 2008

2008 Canvassing Objectives

Raised awareness of congregation in the neighborhood

Invitation to servicesSow a little seed

ResultsDid we have any visitors?Were there any Bible studies?

Raytown Neighborhoods Canvassed 2009-2010

2009-2010 Raytown Canvassing

Focus Results

Raised awareness of the neighborhood

Offered prayers Attempted to schedule

Bible studies Left Bible studies with

some

3/17/09-5/29/09 Houses: 536 No Soliciting: 5 Fliers: 498 Flier Refused: 33 Prayer Requests: 24 Visitors: 0

Qualitative Goodwill extended No Bible studies No visitors

Other Attempts to Invite Blue Springs Independence Carrollton Jay Street & Jefferson Ave. (Denver, CO) Cedar and Cimmaron (Colorado Springs) Ethel, MO (White Oak)

Why does inviting people to church fail? “Are you trying to recruit people to your

church?” “Are you interested in my money?” “I already go to church. I’m okay.” The focus was on bringing people to

church, not sowing the word.

Matthew 28:19-20

Go “poreuthente

s”

Make disciples

Baptize

Teach commandme

nts

Go and do what? How do you make a disciple?

Disciple = studentWho is the teacher? What is the curriculum?

How do we know we need to be baptized?

How do we know what commandments to follow?

The Word is the Key

Sowing the Word Realign the Focus

Matthew 13:3-9 Parable of the sower What is the seed?

Romans 1:16-17: what is the gospel?

1 Peter 1:22-25 James 1:18 Colossians 1:5-6 Ephesians 5:26

Seek to convert people to Christ, not the church

Sow the gospel Allow the power of God’s

word to convict and convert

You’ve Got 30 Seconds...GO!● Is offering a prayer or inviting someone to

service or performing a benevolent act a “waste of time?”○ Matthew 5:16

● If there is no conversion, is it a “waste of time?”○ 1 Corinthians 3:6

● What is the most valuable thing I can give them in 30 seconds?○ Isaiah 55:11

A simple approach Objective: to schedule a Bible study “I’d like to show you how interesting a

Bible study can be.”Or if it’s someone you know: “Can I ask you a

question about religion (or your beliefs, or Christianity, or the Bible, etc.)?”

“Do you think most people are going to heaven?”It does not have to be this questionAsk a spiritual question

What if they say…● “I’m a Baptist.”

○ “I’m glad to meet a fellow believer in God.”○ “You probably know the answer to the

question I’m about to ask.”

● “I already have a church home.”○ “I’m interested in helping people draw closer

to God by studying His word.”○ “I’m trying to find people who are interested

in studying the word in their spare time.”

More “what if’s”...● “I’m an atheist.”

○ “Really. What led you to atheism?”○ Ask a lot of questions○ Morality

● “I’m not interested.”○ “Can I stop by at a more convenient time?”○ “Can I leave a card with you in case you

change your mind?”

“Do you think most people are going to heaven?” “Would you like to read what Jesus had to say

on that topic?”Take them to the BibleOpen Matthew 7:13-14Have them read it out loud

Reading comprehension“Where are most people headed according to

Jesus?”“Do you want to go to heaven?”“Should you follow the majority if you want to go to

heaven?

Passage 2● “How do you find the narrow way?”

○ Matthew 7:21-23○ Have them read it aloud and explain what it

means in their own words.● Reading Comprehension

○ “Do many people think they are going to heaven?”

○ “If they think they are going to heaven, why does Jesus say, ‘I never knew you?’”

○ “How do you find your way to heaven?”

Passage 3● “How do you find the will of God?”

○ 2 Timothy 3:16-17○ Have them read it aloud and explain what it

means in their own words.● Reading Comprehension

○ “Where does Scripture come from?”○ “Does Scripture equip me for every good

work?”○ “Where do I need to go if I want to learn

about the good works that please God?”

Wrap it up “Would you be interested in studying the

Bible with me?”Show them the Open Bible Study“You just completed questions….”“When can we set up a Bible Study?”

At this point you should introduce yourself (if it’s a cold call).

Leave a card with contact info and Bible study

Advantages to this approach Places the Bible directly in front of the

contact Emphasizes their relationship with the

Lord In 5-10 minutes you have had a Bible

study on the most important question of all

Flexible – come up with your own questions, passages, Bible study, etc.

2013 Smart Road Outreach

Have a Plan

First century evangelism themes● The Age of Fulfillment has dawned● The ministry, death, and resurrection of Jesus● Jesus exalted to the right hand of God and

declared Messiah by virtue of the resurrection● The Holy Spirit is proof of Christ’s present power

and glory● The Messianic age will end with the appearance of

Jesus● Appeal for repentance, the offer of forgiveness

and the Holy Spirit, and the promise of salvation

Published Conversion Studies Open Bible Study

Concise; focuses on reading comprehension and application

Flawed Search for Truth

Similar format to OBSMore comprehensive (OBS = 3 studies, SFT = 16)

Apologetics PressRead an article then answer questionsValuable for skeptics but not for most people

Why Not Come Up With Your Own? The conversion study project

December 2012Art’s approach:  coming into a right

relationship with GodWade’s approach:  Christ-centric approach

taken almost exclusively from Matthew - John How you can develop your own study

Elements you need to includeFormat (e.g. questions)Content

A Few Things to Think About What is the reading level of your audience? What types of questions do you want to ask? How long will it take to complete 1 study?

How long will it take to complete the series? How quickly will you present obedience to

the gospel? Are your questions designed with personal

accountability in mind?

2013 Smart Road Outreach

How Do You Lead a Bible Study?

John 1:1 (page 138) Has “the Word” always

existed? Yes No

Was “the Word” with God the Father in the beginning? Yes No

Is “the Word” divine? Yes No

John 1:14, 17 (page 138) Did “the Word” become a man?

Yes No

Is “the Word” full of grace and truth? Yes No

Is Jesus a man? Yes No

Did Jesus bring grace and truth? Yes No

Are the Word and Jesus Christ the same being? Yes No I’m not sure

How do you address questions?

Depends on the questionIs the question related to the passage you are

studying?If the question is “on topic,” can you answer it without

doing your own investigation?Is it a question that will be answered later in the study?

Don’t be afraid to say “I don’t know, but I will find the answer and get back with you.”

Write misleading or irrelevant questions on a piece of paper and agree to study those questions once the full study is complete.

Acts 4:8-12 (page 184) Did the rulers of Israel crucify Jesus?

Yes No

Did the body of Jesus remain in the grave following the crucifixion? Yes No

Is Jesus the only person who can save us? Yes No

Section 1, WDYB? Do you believe Jesus is an eternal being, distinct from the Father and

yet divine? Yes. No. I’m not sure. (see Philippians 2:5-8, p. 306)

Do you find the origin of Jesus (check all that apply): Easy to believe? Difficult to believe? Worthy of further investigation? (see Colossians 1:15-20, p. 311; Hebrews

1:1-3, p. 339) Do you believe Jesus was crucified and rose from the dead?

Yes. No. I’m not sure, I would like to know more. (see 1 Corinthians 15:3-7, page

270)

“Discipling” New Converts Matthew 28:19-20: Preach – Convert – Teach Acts 11:19-26

Verses 19-21: Gospel spread beyond Jerusalem to Greek-speaking Jews

Verses 22-24: Barnabas dispatched by Jerusalem church○ Jerusalem had elders (see 11:30)○ Found disciples in Antioch○ Encouraged them to continue with the Lord

Verses 25-26: Barnabas brings Saul to Antioch○ Assembled with the church, taught a great many people

First evangelistic journey Acts 14:21-22: returned to encourage congregations Acts 15:36: a second return 16:4-5: churches strengthened in the faith

Five major areas of discipleship Relationship with the

Lord: Prayer life Bible reading

Relationship with Christians Regular attendance Friendship and fellowship Mentoring

Fundamentals of the Faith Corporate worship Christian doctrine

General Christian living Morality Growth and maturity

Familiarity with Bible Structure Major characters,

events, and covenants