There are several popular approaches to personal evangelism and each has its strengths and weaknesses.
Join us on Sunday afternoons at 1:30 PM as Pastor McShaffrey explains and adapts a few approaches in hope that we will all become more comfortable and effective witnesses for the Lord Jesus Christ.
The schedule and outlines are below:
04/10/16 – Lifestyle Evangelism
Defining our Terms
What “Lifestyle Evangelism” does not mean: Being a covert disciple and bumming around with unbelievers in hope that they will somehow become saved through spiritual osmosis.
What it does mean: Living a pilgrim lifestyle in this sinful world and waiting for someone to ask, “Why?”
1 Peter 3:15
“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear…”
Group Discussion
1. Review 1 Peter 1-2. What makes us pilgrims in this world?
2. What examples of the pilgrim lifestyle does Peter mention?
3. What are some unhappy experiences we can expect?
4. How exactly do we sanctify the Lord in our hearts?
5. What might our reason/defense/rationale sound like?
04/17/16 – Conversational Evangelism
Defining our Terms
What “Conversational Evangelism” does not mean: Engaging in aimless and endless chit-chat with unbelievers without ever saying anything spiritually significant.
What it does mean: Intentionally engaging unbelievers in thoughtful conversation with a view toward their conversion.
Colossians 4:5-6
“Walk in wisdom toward those who are outside, redeeming the time. Let your speech always be with grace, seasoned with salt, that you may know how you ought to answer each one.”
Group Discussion
1. Do we really categorize people as “insiders” or “outsiders”?
2. What are some “times” which could easily be redeemed?
3. Are the concepts of grace-talk and salt-talk different? How?
4. How do we determine what “each one” needs to hear?
5. What might wise-gracious-salty-specific speech sound like?
04/24/16 – Ecclesiastical Evangelism
Defining our Terms
What “Ecclesiastical Evangelism” does not mean: Leaving the entire work of missions (home and foreign) to the institutional church and ordained ministers.
What it does mean: Acknowledging the primacy of preaching as a converting means of grace.
Romans 10:14
“How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? And how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? And how shall they hear without a preacher?”
Group Discussion
1. Who is the “they” Paul had in mind and what does it imply?
2. What is preaching? What does it sound like in the NT?
3. Does this take anything away from “laymen” in the church?
4. What are some ways we can expose people to preaching?