OceanSide church of Christ

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PERSONAL EVANGELISM (3)

 

The Meeting

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    One of the most difficult parts of evangelism is the initial contact. 

1.      How do we initiate a conversation with a family member, friend, or co-worker?

2.      What are some techniques we can use to start a conversation about spiritual things?

 

B.      Two important things will be required of us.

1.      We have to be intentional in what we are doing.

a.      When speaking to others, we must be deliberate about talking about spiritual things. 

b.      The conversation does not accidentally happen.  It is our purpose to carry on a spiritual conversation with someone.

2.      We are going to have to be courageous.

a.      Fear has a tendency to paralyze us.

b.      Discomfort causes us to retreat from such conversations.

c.       We have to tackle our fears and accept a certain level of discomfort.

 

I.                   SIMPLE INVITATIONS

 

A.    The most basic outreach we can make it to invite someone to the worship services at OceanSide.

1.      You can give the individual one of our calendars which has the service times on it.

2.      It might be wise for us to come up with a brochure about the church that can also be given to others.

 

B.      All of us should intentionally do this once a day until we are comfortable asking others.

 

C.     One person asked his neighbor to the services after living beside him several years.  The individual responded with an enthusiastic:  “Yes.”  He then said:  “I thought you would never ask.”

 

II.                ASK FOR A BIBLE STUDY

 

A.    One of the best ways to get a Bible study is to simply ask for one.  (NOTE:  This is what is done on mission trips all of the time).

 

B.      Ask the question:  “I love to study the Bible with others.  Would you study the Bible with me on a weekly basis?”  If they say:  “Yes,” give them two different times.  “Would you like to do it on Tuesday at 7:00 p.m. or on Thursday at 6:15 p.m.?

 

C.     NOTE:  The worst response they can give to us is:  “No.”

 

D.    POINT:  This should be what we are doing if we ever go community door-knocking.

1.      If we keep track of our efforts, a ratio will eventually form. 

2.      For every 30, 40, or 50 doors we knock, we get someone to study with us.

a.      Right now, we are looking for “Just One Soul.”

b.      It we set our goal higher, we just apply the ratio.

1)      50 doors – 1 study

2)      100 doors – 2 studies

3)      250 doors – 5 studies

 

III.             GIVE INFORMATION TO OTHERS

 

A.    We have been deceived into thinking that no one is looking for spiritual answers in their lives.

1.      This may be true of many, but not all.

2.      Remember:  We are looking for “Just One Soul.”

 

B.      There are many things that we can hand out:  tracts, CDs/DVDs, books (M&S)

 

C.     NOTE:  I was at Daily’s filling up with gas.  A lady drove by and rolled down her window and said:  “Will you take this Bible study?”  It was a pamphlet about suffering.  It was a published by the Jehovah’s Witnesses.  If this type of evangelism works for them, why can’t it work for us?

 

IV.             ASK QUESTIONS

 

A.    We can ask questions of others at almost any time.  We can even ask questions to complete strangers.

 

B.      The Fishers of Men program takes this approach.

1.      They will present someone with a list of three questions, then ask:  “Which one of these questions interests you the most?”

2.      Once the person responds, they ask:  “Why does this interest you?”

3.      NOTE:  After this, you are going to have to have some knowledge about the answer to the question they selected in order to continue the conversation.

 

_____  Is the Bible really from God?  (II Tim. 3:16; I Cor. 2:9-13).

_____  What happens to man after death? (Luke 16:19-31)

_____  Why is there so much religious division?  (Matt. 15:1-9)

 

C.     We can ask random questions from time to time.

1.      Are there verses of the Bible you do not understand?

2.      What does your religious group teach about…?

3.      Have you given thought to…?

4.      If you know the religious background of a person, you can ask:  Why does your group believe this?”

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    Some who hear what we have taught will say:  “These things do not work.”

1.      They work for other religious groups.

2.      They work on mission trips to foreign countries.

3.      Philip went to the Ethiopian eunuch and asked him a simple question:  “Understandest thou shat thou readest?” (Acts 8:30).

a.   A conversation ensued.

b.   A conversion resulted.

 

B.      Remember, to do these things we have to be intentional and courageous.