Evangelism
Lesson Fifteen
Which Tools to Use?
“For though I be free from all men, yet have I
made myself servant unto all, that I might gain the more. And unto the Jews I
became as a Jew, that I might gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as
under the law, that I might gain them that are under the law; To them that are
without law, as without law, (being not without law to God, but under the law
to Christ,) that I might gain them that are without law. To the weak became I
as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men, that I
might by all means save some” (1 Corinthians 9:19-22).
FOCUS: Explain the
difference between principles and methods. Methods of evangelism are adjusted
to fit the need.
what i have learned
Farmers are always looking for ways to improve their
tools and how they are used. Tools
improve efficiency and cultivation. Long ago tools of bronze and iron were
considered efficient. Times and tools have changed.
“God’s work done in God’s way will never lack
God’s supply.”
(Hudson Taylor)
Civilization moves through different ages. We are living in the “information age.” The ways to reach people change in different
ages, but the principles remain the same.
If one method does not work, try another one. One man talked about how his great
grandfather used a wooden plow, as did his father. He concluded, “And I’m going to use a wooden
plow.”
It is silly for a farmer to use the old methods and
tools when newer, better methods are available.
Why use a wooden plow if you have a tractor? However, if you do not have a tractor, use
what you have. Do not sit around doing
nothing, refusing to plant, until a tractor appears. Use what is available. Farmers do.
D. L. Moody was, on one occasion, heavily criticized
for the evangelism method he used. Moody
answered, “I’m not too fond of it either.
Tell me yours.” The critic admitted that he did not have a method. Moody concluded, “I like mine better!”
Dick Eastman in Beyond
Imagination relates, “Early in my ministry, a wise colleague and mentor
told me, ’Dick, God’s plans are always incredibly simple and unusually
inexpensive. So if things start getting
terribly complex and amazingly expensive, you might rethink whether it’s God
plan after all.’”
Eastman feels that the early church understood this
principle. They reached their world for
Jesus without financial resources and concerns (Matthew 10:9-10). They went everywhere and preached to everybody
on all levels of society.
Modern equipment (tents, microphones, P.A. systems,
elaborate lighting and musical equipment) is not necessary for New Testament
evangelism. These things can be used
when they are available. G. Randy Adams
says, “God does not anoint these instruments.
He anoints people who go, preach, teach, and do …I fear that, at times,
people wait for these things, thinking without them they cannot be effective in
evangelism.” It is deceiving to think
all kinds of equipment are needed before evangelism can take place.
The International Bible Society recently ran an
advertisement that stated, “The best approach to evangelism is the one that’s
uniquely your own.” (Discipleship Journal)
The best method for evangelism would be the method
needed at the moment. A key to effective evangelism is to find the point in an
individual’s life where the gospel becomes good news, and then tailor the
method or presentation to fit the need.
R .C. Sproul said, “The Gospel is news to each
generation, and we must seek new ways to address our times.” The gospel should
be presented in fresh ways in each generation.
The children of Issachar had an understanding of the
times and the methods required to meet the needs. They were in touch with their
times.
“And of the children of Issachar, which were men that
had understanding of the times, to know what Israel ought to do” (I Chronicles
12:32).
These men “understood the times” (1 Chronicles 12:32, NIV).
They were in touch with the trends of the day and knew how to respond
wisely.
We need to be in touch with our times and know how to serve
God skillfully to reach our generation.
Men of God need to be conservative enough to value the old paths of
truth and liberal enough to keep an open mind and use new methods.
Hudson Taylor once stated, “We have given too much attention
to methods, and to machinery, and to resources, and too little to the Source of
Power, and the filling with the Holy Ghost.” (A Force in the Earth)
A farmer is not afraid to abandon methods that do not
work. In fact, his approach is, “If it
does not bear fruit, cut it down.” (See Luke 13:6-9.) This principle can also
be applied to methods used in evangelism.
If it does not produce fruit, let us get rid of it.
Always do your best. What you plant now, you will harvest later.
A variety of evangelism methods should be used. Farmers use a variety of seeds. They do not use the same seed for every
planting (unless that seed works especially well.) A sower uses an assortment of seeds. The more
seeds sowed, the greater the potential for a harvest.
The farmer’s greatest tool is the seed. To the evangelist the seed is the Word of
God.
- It is
the power needed to move the sinner (Hebrews 4:12).
- It is
the seed that will reproduce (Isaiah 55:11).
- It is
the only book that can answer the excuses of sinners (Romans 1:20).
We do not have to compromise God’s message to draw a crowd.
We can change our methods. Rick Warren says, “You don’t have to transform the
message, but you do have to translate it.”
Once you find a method that works, work the method. Just
about any method will work if you make it work. It is difficult for evangelism
and comfort to sleep in the same bed. Evangelism is a lot of work. It takes
discipline, but it has eternal dividends.
Methods and Principles
Methods and approaches to evangelism change, but the principles
and priority remain the same. Principles
of evangelism apply to men of God everywhere, throughout all time.
Principles or Methods—
What’s
the Difference?
Principles:
þ
They do not change from age to age.
þ
If they are of God, they are transcultural (for
all cultures).
þ
They work in advanced society and in primitive
cultures.
þ
They apply to all people, everywhere, in all
situations, and throughout all time.
þ
They lead to success in ministry.
Methods:
þ
They work because principles are behind them.
þ
They are built on basic principles.
þ
They are changing local applications of the
unchanging universal principles.
þ
They change according to culture, location,
circumstances and time.
“Methods are many,
Principles are few;
Methods always change,
Principles never do.”
(Anonymous)
The early church used a variety of methods to reach their
world.
þ
Personal evangelism (Acts 8)
þ
Mass evangelism (Acts 13:14-41; 17:17, 22-33)
þ
Preaching (Acts 2:14-39)
þ
Teaching
þ
Witnessing
(Acts 26:1-23)
þ
House-to-House Evangelism (Acts 2:46; 20:20)
þ
Cell Groups
þ
Urban (City) Evangelism
þ
Rural (Village) Evangelism
þ
Power Evangelism
þ
Prayer Evangelism
Someone asked D. L. Moody how to win souls. He replied, “Go after them!”
Paul was willing to adapt his methods of evangelism to
accommodate the particular needs of his listeners. He knew that “by all means” some would be
saved.
“To the weak
became I as weak, that I might gain the weak: I am made all things to all men,
that I might by all means save some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)
Jim Amy in his course The
Internet and Evangelism 101 teaches that Paul was not afraid to use “all
possible means” to bring people to Christ. “Whatever it took, Paul was willing
to adapt his methods, his style, his techniques as long as it would reach men
and women with the saving gospel of Jesus Christ.”
Throughout the Book of Acts, the believers selected methods
of evangelism that fit the opportunity at hand.
We must find new and creative ways to effectively share the
gospel with this generation. Utilize the trial and error method. Keep trying
different methods until you find something that works for you.
Reinhard Bonnke in Time
Is Running Out says, “The means must match the moment. People talk about
jumping at the opportunity, but I think Paul kept jumping until opportunity
came. The best methods are when we each do what we do best, using our own
specific methods and not imitating others.” He also stated, “The gospel is you
and me telling the story of Christ, whatever the chosen means of transmission.”
The Boston Marathon is run each year. It is named after Marathon, a plain close to
Athens, Greece. Following the victory of
the Greeks over the Persians in 490 b.c.,
tradition says that a runner raced to Athens to carry the good news. As he reached the city completing his
mission, he collapsed and died.
Jesus has won the victory. We are called to be His
redemption runners carrying the good news of salvation. No cost is too great or
distance too far. Get on your mark, set, go! Time is running out!
what have you learned?
1. What
should you do when you find that the evangelism method you are using does not
work?
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2. What
did Dick Eastman say concerning God’s plans?
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
3. Comment
on how it is deceiving to think that all kinds of equipment are needed before
evangelism can take place.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
4. What
is the best approach to evangelism? Explain.
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
5. What
was special about the children of Issachar?
__________________________________________________________________
6. What
are the difference between principles and methods?
_______________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
7. Why
should a variety of evangelism methods be used?
_____________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________________
8. Comment
on Paul’s evangelism style used in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.
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