Portable Bible School Evangelism Lesson Fourteen

Evangelism

Lesson Fourteen

When to Evangelize?

“Do you think the work of harvesting will not begin until the summer ends four months from now? Look around you! Vast fields are ripening all around us and are ready now for the harvest” (John 4:35, NLT).

“There is a time for everything, a season for every activity under heaven. A time to be born and a time to die. A time to plant and a time to harvest” (Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, NLT).

FOCUS:  Explain when to evangelize and that there are times when people are more receptive to the gospel.

what i have learned

Jesus used the picture of planting seeds and reaping a harvest to describe the ways we can reach people with the gospel.

Planters test their soils and adjust their methods to the demands of the particular soil. In the parable of the sower, only the good soil brought forth a harvest. Plant in the best spiritual soil to reap abundantly.

Farmers can tell you that the principles of harvest have not changed.

1. Everyone can be involved in the harvest work.
2. Different seeds grow at varying speeds. Some take longer than others.
3. There are seasons for planting and harvesting. If you do not reap in time, the harvest will be lost.
4. Plant when the soil is fertile.
5. The harvest varies according to the climate involved.

In Bible times families moved into the fields until the harvest was over. It was important business. Time wasted meant the crop would be wasted.

Pirkey Aboth said, “The day is short, the work is great, the workmen idle, the reward abundant, and the master of the household is urgent.” (Adam Clarke’s Commentary)

As we continue to sow the seed of the Word and water it with our prayers, people will become aware of what the Bible says and what God can do in their lives. Many are reaping the consequences of their sins and are ready to turn to God.

Not all crops ripen at the same time. The harvest determines how many workers are needed. A great, ripened harvest requires a large labor force. We have already studied that there are resistant and receptive people. While all should have the opportunity to hear the gospel, we should focus primarily on the receptive. Certain indicators show when a person will be receptive to the gospel. At particular times a person tends to be more receptive. The methods used in reaching the receptive may not work when trying to reach the resistant. The Holy Spirit knows whether a person is ready to receive the gospel. We can only judge by the fruit produced.

“For what man knoweth the things of a man, save the spirit of man which is in him? even so the things of God knoweth no man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians 2:11).

“For the Lord searches every heart and understands every motive behind the thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found by you; but if you forsake him, he will reject you forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9, NIV).

Gentle Persuasion gives various tips for understanding when people are receptive.

People show they are ready when:

1. They enjoy being with Christian friends.
2. Their religious background and experience stops being a hindrance to them accepting truth.
3. They have responded positively to seed planting attempts by friends.
4. They become aware that the gospel may contain solutions to their problems.
5. They are curious about spiritual things.
6. They are willing to talk about their spiritual journey.
7. They include you in their activities.
8. They are willing to attend some harvest event.

C. Peter Wagner in Strategies for Church Growth teaches that the first indicator of receptivity is where churches are growing. If an area is experiencing church growth, it probably indicates that the people are receptive. New churches can move in to the area and reap a portion of the bountiful harvest.

The second indicator is where people are changing. This change could be social, political, economic, etc. As people encounter problems and stress, the receptivity level increases. On a larger scale when a people group suffers from political upheaval, war, famine, poverty, disease, the receptivity level increases. It is important for the harvesters to move in at the right time.

“We need to be energetically at work for the One who sent me here, working while the sun shines. When night falls, the workday is over” (John 9:4, The Message).

On a smaller scale a person under stress because of the death of a spouse or family member, the birth of a child, a loss of a job, personal injury or illness, pregnancy, divorce, change in residence, jail term, and a host of other circumstances is likely to become more receptive to the gospel. Why? He cannot find answers to his problems and knows that he does not possess the power to work out or change circumstances on his own. When in trouble, people everywhere tend to look outward and upward for help. We need to be there with an open ear and encouraging word.

“They reeled and staggered like drunkards and were at their wits’ end. “Lord, help!” they cried in their trouble, and he saved them from their distress. He calmed the storm to a whisper and stilled the waves” (Psalm 107:27-29, NLT).

At the resistant stage it is important to:

1.       Build intentional friendships and relationships.

2.       Do not argue with the person over religious differences.

3.       Pray that God will draw them to Himself (John 6:44).

4.       Pray that God will remove their spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians 4:3-4).

5.       Pray that God will make their hearts receptive (John 16:8-13).

6.       Pray for the opportunity to witness (Colossians 4:3-5).

7.       Show them that you care by treating them with respect and as a friend.

8.       Invite them to your home or to a fun church event.

9.       Go out of your way to express your love for them.

10.    Accept people as they are, trusting God to make them what they need to become.

11.    Be ready to share the Word and your testimony. Do not get sidetracked talking about nonessential things.

12.    Be patient.

13.    Use crisis situations in their lives to show them how they need God.

14.    Identify when the person is eager to hear about the gospel and respond accordingly.

15.    Take advantage of divine appointments and opportunities that God brings across your paths. Look for the open door of opportunity.

C. Peter Wagner explains that one of the most unfortunate chapter divisions in the New Testament exists between Matthew chapters nine and ten.

Chapter nine ends with Jesus’ declaration that the harvest is huge and the laborers are few. He requests that prayer be made for more workers. Jesus does not stop there. In chapter ten He explains the strategy that His disciples should follow in reaping this big harvest.

Jesus did not send them to people in general. He had specific target groups in mind. Some were more receptive (at that time) than others.

He identified three groups of people and told them to go only to the lost sheep of the house of Israel.

1. Jews
2. Samaritans (They were harvested in Acts 8.)
3. Gentiles (Their harvest began with Cornelius in Acts 10.)

When the disciples went into a town or village, they were instructed to look for receptive people. They were to leave blessings in their homes. He called these people “worthy.” This term speaks of people that were ready to embrace the message of salvation.

If the people were not receptive, the disciples were to take back their blessings and leave, shaking the dust off their feet. This meant (to the Jews) that they would have no further association with the people of that village. This was a sign that they were protesting the peoples’ resistance to the gospel. We seldom shake the dust off our feet, but we do seek out and work with groups of people that will respond to the gospel. As circumstances change, even resistant people become receptive to truth.

A biblical example of someone who was resistant to the gospel becoming receptive is Saul. He hated the church and persecuted it without mercy. He encountered a stressful situation on the road to Damascus, and with God’s help Saul quickly became receptive. Several things can be learned from Saul’s experience:

1.    God draws people to Himself (John 6:44).

2.    People move from being resistant to receptive at different speeds.

3.    One never knows the true heart of a person. It was difficult for Christians to believe that Paul had been changed.

Paul was called to be an apostle to the Gentiles. He had a harvest strategy. In most places where he tried to start a church he first visited the synagogues. There he met three types of people:

1. Jews,
2. Proselytes (converts), and
3. God-fearers.

The god-fearers loved God but did not break ties with their Gentile roots by becoming a Jew. They were a ripened harvest field for Paul.

We live in the last days, and God has promised us a great harvest. Now is the day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Let us continue to witness to all.

“Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of crops, for you never know which will grow—perhaps they all will” (Ecclesiastes 11:6, NLT).

what have you learned?

1.   Provide five ways people show they are ready to hear and obey the gospel.

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2.   What principles could farmers tell us concerning the harvest?

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3.   According to The Message, when is the best time for us to do a work for God? Why?

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4.   During times of harvest where did the farmer and his family move? Why?

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5.   What are five things that can be done to be a witness to resistant people?

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6.   According to C. Peter Wagner, what are two indicators of receptivity?

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7. What happens as people encounter problems and stress?

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8. What three groups did Paul meet in the synagogues?

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9.           Which group was the most receptive?

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10.        What is meant by “worthy” people?

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11.        What was shaking the dust off feet a sign of?

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12.        What can cause a person or people to move from being resistant to receptive?

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