Stages of Evangelism
Notes
Transcript
I want to start out tonight’s sermon in the Go Ye series with a modern day parable.
This parable was written by John Drescher who
was Dr. Dan Glick’s grandfather
A Parable of Fishless Fishermen
By John M. Drescher
Now it came to pass that a group existed who called themselves fishermen. And lo, there were many fish in the waters all around. In fact the whole area was surrounded by streams and lakes filled with fish. And the fish were hungry.
Week after week, month after month, and year after year these who called themselves fishermen met in meetings and talked about their call to fish, the abundance of fish, and how they might go about fishing. Year after year they carefully defined what fishing means, defended fishing as an occupation, and declared that fishing is always to be a primary task of fishermen.
Continually they searched for new and better methods of fishing and for new and better definitions of fishing. Further they said, “The fishing industry exists by fishing as fire exists by burning”. They loved slogans such as “Fishing is the task of every fisherman”, “Every fisherman is a fisher”, and “ A fisherman’s outpost for every fisherman’s club”. They sponsored special meetings called “Fishermen’s Campaigns” and “The Month for Fishermen to Fish”. They sponsored costly nationwide and worldwide congresses to discuss fishing and to promote fishing and hear about all the ways of fishing such as the new fishing equipment, fish calls, and whether any new bait was discovered.
These fishermen built large, beautiful buildings called “Fishing Headquarters”. The plea was that everyone should be a fisherman and every fisherman should fish. One thing they didn’t do, however, they didn’t fish.
In addition to meeting regularly, they organized a board to send out fishermen to other places where there were many fish. All the fishermen seemed to agree that what is needed is a board which would challenge fishermen to be faithful in fishing. The board was formed by those who had the great vision and courage to speak about fishing, to define fishing, and to promote the idea of fishing in faraway streams and lakes where many other fish of different colors lived. Also the board hired staffs and appointed committees and held many meetings to define fishing, to defend fishing, and to decide what new streams should be thought about. But the staff and committee members did not fish. Large, elaborate, and expensive training centers were built whose original and primary purpose was to teach fishermen how to fish. Over the years, courses were offered on the needs of fish, the nature of fish, where to find fish, the psychological reactions of fish, and how to approach and feed fish. Those who taught had doctorates in fishology. But the teachers did not fish. They only taught fishing. Year after year, after tedious training, many graduated and were given fishing licenses. They were sent to do full-time fishing, some to distant waters which were filled with fish.
Some spent much study and travel to learn the history of fishing and to see faraway places where the founding fathers did great fishing in the centuries past. They lauded the faithful fishermen of years before who handed down the idea of fishing.
Further, the fishermen built large printing houses to publish fishing guides. Presses were kept busy day and night to produce materials solely devoted to fishing methods, equipment, and programs to arrange and to encourage meetings to talk about fishing. A speakers’ bureau was also provided on the subject of fishing.
Many who felt the call to be fishermen responded. They were commissioned and sent to fish. But like the fishermen back home they engaged in all kinds of other occupations. They built power plants to pump water for fish and tractors to plow new waterways. They made all kinds of equipment to travel here and there to look at fish hatcheries. Some also said they wanted to be part of the fishing party, but they felt called to furnish fishing equipment. Others felt their job was to relate to the fish in a good way so the fish would know the difference between good and bad fishermen. Others felt that simply letting the fish know they were nice, land-loving neighbors and how loving and kind they were was enough.
After one stirring meeting on “The Necessity for Fishing”, one young fellow left the meeting and went fishing. The next day he reported he had caught two outstanding fish. He was honored of his excellent catch and scheduled to visit all the big meetings possible to tell how he did it. So he quit his fishing in order to have time to tell about the experience to the other fishermen. He was also placed on the Fisherman’s General Board as a person having considerable experience.
Now it’s true that many of the fishermen sacrificed and put up with all kinds of difficulties. Some lived near the water and bore the smell of dead fish every day. They received the ridicule of some who made fun of their fishermen’s clubs and the fact that they claimed to be fishermen yet never fished. They wondered about those who felt it was of little use to attend the weekly meetings to talk about fishing. After all, were they not following the Master who said, “Follow me, and I will make you fishers of men?”
Imagine how hurt some were when one day a person suggested that those who didn’t catch fish were really not fishermen, no matter how much they claimed to be. Yet it did sound correct. Is a person a fishermen if year after year he never catches a fish? Is one following if he isn’t fishing?
I can’t believe Jesus would commission the disciples to go and preach to every creature
Mark 16:15 “15 And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature.”
And just mean for us to sit around and talk about going.
I understand our mission as Christians is to take the gospel message everywhere we go.
I was so encouraged by Bro. Mark’s testimony of being given an opportunity to share in a public school setting, and he looks for those.
That is commendable and something I hope we all do.
Studies have shown that revitalization and church growth takes about
4 major evangelism events a year with tons of follow-up
Personal evangelism takes about
7 - times of being loved on (acts, service, etc)
3 - times sharing the Gospel (with words)
(Great time to use your testimony (3 minutes - 1 min Before Christ, 1 min how you met Christ - 3 - 1 min what your life is like now.
THEO112 Evangelism Blended -
Evangelism is going to the people outside. It is the proclamation of the good news of God in Jesus Christ to "them that are without."
- W.E. Sangster, Methodist
Within the small church, evangelism must be defined specifically. Normally, revitalization and evangelism go hand in hand. Revitalization occurs when a congregation turns outward in its ministry, and that is exactly what is needed to enable true evangelism to take place. The gospel can only be extended when the vision of the people of the church turns outward to the community. -- James E. Cushman
Holy Gossip The word Gossip was first found in English to mean a Godparent or one who shared the stories of Good News the Gospel. I like the idea of having a Holy story so wonderful you can’t wait to share it.
One beggar telling another beggar where to find bread, that special Bread of Life. (D.T. Niles)
The Five Stages of Evangelism (MNED105 Spiritual Formation & Soul Winning)
While every situation has the opportunity to vary a little - but there have been five stages of evangelism identified.
1. Presence Evangelism – The background music of the Gospel When love is felt the message is heard. (Giving candy or something just to say Jesus Loves you) Cultivating the Ground Raising the flag – Identifying yourself as a Christian (use a faith story)
2. Proclamation Evangelism – The Lyrics or words of the Gospel – Planting the seeds of the Gospel – actually hear the Gospel message in some way.
3. Persuasion Evangelism - sprouting the seed. There is life in the seed, you have led this person to Christ.
4. Progression Evangelism - Progression Evangelism - maturing takes place. Follow-up and disciple.
5. Production Evangelism - Production Evangelism - reproduction. Your disciple bears fruit, and becomes a disciple-maker.
Guiding a Conversation to Christ
{For all of the following, first light talk: discuss family, home, education, etc.}
1. Where do you go to church?
2. So, do you basically agree with the beliefs of Christianity?
3. What would you say is the basic message of the Bible?
4. Could I show you a diagram which describes what I see to be the basic message of the Bible?
{Present Gospel}
1. Where do you go to church?
2. What does your church teach is the way to heaven?
3. What would you say is the way to heaven?
4. Could I show you what the Bible says is the way to heaven?
{Present Gospel}
1. Where do you go to church?
2. So, do you basically agree with the beliefs of Christianity?
3. What would you say is the common denominator of all true Christians?
{Tell him or her that you believe it is a personal relationship with Christ}
4. Would you know how to tell someone how to establish a personal relationship with Christ?
(OR)
If someone asked you how they could establish a personal relationship with Christ, what would you say?
5. Could I show you what the Bible says about it?
{Present Gospel}
1. Where do you go to church?
2. So, do you basically agree with the beliefs of Christianity?
3. What would you say is the common denominator of all true Christians?
{Tell him or her that you believe it is a personal relationship with Christ.}
4. How you reached a point on your spiritual journey where you have established a personal relationship with Christ or are you still on the way?
5. Sometime I'd like to share with you some principles that would help someone to know he has a personal relationship with Christ. {Wait for positive response.} Would right now be a good time?
{Present Gospel}
1. Tell me, if you were to die tonight, do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?
2. Would you like to go to heaven?
3. Would it be worth 5 minutes of your time for me to show you from the Bible what someone must do to go to heaven?
{Present Gospel}
{Give a person a book, magazine, tape, or take him to a concert, etc. After the event, or after he read or listened to what you gave him, ask:}
1. What did you think of the tape (or book or concert)?
2. Did it make sense to you?
3. Have you made the wonderful discovery of knowing Christ personally?
4. You'd like to, wouldn't you? {Or} Would you like to?
{Present Gospel}
Motivations for Evangelism
1. The major motivation for soul-winning should be love.
2. The worth of a soul shouldbe another motivation for evangelism.
3. What Christ has done for us should be a motivation for soul-winning.
4. Knowing that we are the ambassadors of Christ should be a powerful motivation in evangelism.
5. Knowing that we must give an account of our time and our talents should be a motivation for reaching the lost.
6. The reward in soul-winning should be a great motivation.
TARGET THREE
Instructions for the “Targeting Three Program”
1. Prayerfully ask the Lord to reveal to you 3 friends for whom He would have you pray and seek to win to Himself.
2. Pray daily for these 3 friends by name.
a. Set aside a definite time each day to pray for your 3 friends.
b. Pray specifically that the Lord will prepare their hearts to see their need of repentance and acceptance of Christ as personal Savior.
c. Pray for wisdom and for the leading of the Spirit--that you will be able to see that each person clearly hears the plan of salvation so they can respond with a “yes” or a “no” to the gospel.
d. Pray in faith, believing. Believe that God will answer your prayers, and save your 3 friends.
3. Look for opportunities to verbalize your faith each week with at least one of these friends.
4. As prayers are answered and/or new names come to mind, add new ones or adjust your target three.
“I now promise to pray for, and seek to win to the Lord, my three friends:
1. _______________________________
2. _______________________________
3. _______________________________”