Wisdom in Evangelism

PM 102 Evangelism

I do not believe in . . . Existence of God Reliability of the Bible Creation vs. Evolution Reality of Heaven Reality of Hell Reality of Jesus Resurrection of Jesus Exclusive claims of

Jesus

A good God when there is evil/suffering

Church because of the hypocrites

Salvation by faith Religion because it is

for weak people

Disclaimer #1:Distinguishing Source of Objections

Smokescreens

Self

Satan

SincereQuestions

And this is the judgment: the light has come into the world, and people loved the darkness rather than the light because their works were evil. For everyone who does wicked things hates the light and does not come to the light, lest his works should be exposed.

John 3:19-20, ESV

Disclaimer #2:Distinguishing Our Role and God’s RoleFor when one says, “I follow Paul,” and another, “I

follow Apollos,” are you not being merely human? What then is Apollos? What is Paul? Servants through whom you believed, as the Lord assigned to each. I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the growth. So neither he who plants nor he who waters is anything, but only God who gives the growth. He who plants and he who waters are one, and each will receive his wages according to his labor. For we are God’s fellow workers. You are God’s field, God’s building.

1 Corinthians 3:4-9, ESV

Disclaimer #3:Speaking to the ConscienceGod has built into all of us a point of contact:

A sense of Deity A sense of responsibility

For when Gentiles, who do not have the law, by nature do what the law requires, they are a law to themselves, even though they do not have the law. They show that the work of the law is written on their hearts, while their conscience also bears witness, and their conflicting thoughts accuse or even excuse them. . . .

Romans 2:14-15, ESV

Speaking to the Conscience“The truth of the gospel fits with the way people are

made. Our task is to remind them of what deep down they already know: God exists and has created them to act rightly. . . . We are to reinforce, educate and illuminate the conscience of unbelievers. As we touch the conscience, we bring truth alongside people’s lives. Ultimately, the acceptance of the gospel is a moral problem, not an intellectual problem.”

Will Metzger, Tell the Truth, 170.

Wisdom:Common Sense & Disarming PurityWalk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best

use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person.

Colossians 4:5-6, ESV

Solomonic Soulwinning“Rather than trying to learn all of the right

words, have all of the right booklets, anticipate all of the right questions, and memorize all of the right intros and Scriptures, we should approach evangelism with wisdom. This means that we become people who incarnate the gospel and speak of it freely because our hearts and minds have been captivated by it. Becoming people of wisdom and compassion is the prerequisite for any evangelistic technique.”

Randy Newman, Questioning Evangelism, 40.

Solomonic Soulwinning1. Avoid an argument (not fight/not flight)

The beginning of strife is like letting out water, so quit before the quarrel breaks out.

Proverbs 17:14, ESV

Whoever loves transgression loves strife; he who makes his door high seeks destruction.

Proverbs 17:19, ESV

A brother offended is more unyielding than a strong city, and quarreling is like the bars of a castle.

Proverbs 18:19, ESV

The Gospel to the Whole Person Mind – Not intellectualism but truth Emotion – Not emotionalism but compassion Will – Not natural desires but surrender

Consideration, Not Argument“We can stand firmly on our positions and beliefs

and come across with confidence, but in order to get a full hearing, we cannot be seen as trying to force our beliefs on others. We can, however, skillfully ask others to consider our position in light of their positions. We attempt to surface inconsistencies in their beliefs in light of our credible lifestyle and the word of God. We can inform their considerations with apologetic supports such as archeological and historical evidence.”

Will McRaney, The Art of Personal Evangelism, 170.

Consideration, Not Argument“We ask unbelievers – we prod them – to look at life

through our glasses. We expose their own assumptions to them (for many have unconscious beliefs about the world) and ask them to evaluate how consistently they live out those assumptions. ”

Will Metzger, Tell the Truth, 169.

Solomonic Soulwinning2. Recognize a fool

Leave the presence of a fool, for there you do not meet words of knowledge.

Proverbs 14:7, ESV

Do not speak in the hearing of a fool, for he will despise the good sense of your words.

Proverbs 23:9, ESV

A fool takes no pleasure in understanding, but only in expressing his opinion.

Proverbs 18:2, ESV

Solomonic Soulwinning3. Treat people as people

When a man’s ways please the Lord, he makes even his enemies to be at peace with him.

Proverbs 16:7, ESV

“I’m so glad you asked that.”“You seem well-read.”“You have given this a lot of thought.”“You seem interested in spiritual things.”

Demonstrating Personal Intrigue“People are responsive and receptive to us when we

consistently display interest in them.”

Hurts Desires Dreams Hopes Failures Struggles

Will McRaney, The Art of Personal Evangelism, 176.

Areas of Life for Transitions Financial stress Job change/loss Stress in general Family issues Parenting issues Divorce Relational conflict Death of a public

figure Public tragedy Personal illness

Looking for purpose/meaning

Church issues Hobbies Religious background Beliefs of a public

figure Lack of hope Hell Death Heaven

Will McRaney, The Art of Personal Evangelism, 181-182.

Silos or Worldview

Marriage

Jesus

CurrentEvents

Money

PopCulture

Politics

Parenting

Work

LIFE

Transitional Questions How did you come to that conclusion about

______? Who has had the greatest impact on your life? What do you think is our purpose here on earth? Do you think much about spiritual things? Has your spiritual journey helped you answer

the deepest questions you are asking? To you, who is Jesus Christ? What do you think happens to people when they

die?

Will McRaney, The Art of Personal Evangelism, 180-181.

Solomonic Soulwinning4. Remember the power of the tongue

Wisdom – Proverbs 10:31Rescue – Proverbs 12:6Healing – Proverbs 12:18; 15:4; and 16:24Knowledge – Proverbs 15:5Instruction – Proverbs 16:21-23Life – Proverbs 18:21

Do you see a man who is hasty in his words? There is more hope for a fool than for him.

Proverbs 29:20, ESV

Solomonic Soulwinning

NonstopTalking

Silence

Wisdom