How To Do Personal Evangelism Proverbs 11:30, "He who wins souls is wise." Where someone spends eternity can very well depend on what we do or don't do. There are those desiring to hear the gospel but they don't know what it is and they will not know unless we teach them.
Why Do Personal Evangelism
To evangelize means to proclaim the good news of the gospel of Christ. Jesus in giving the Great Commission to the eleven apostles says in Matthew 28:19-20, "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things I have commanded you." Imagine that Jesus saying these words to eleven of us today and we were one of the eleven. What would be our reaction? Impossible? Incredible? Absurd? Or Lord don't you see there are only eleven of us? Or would we think "Yes Jesus really means me also."
We are also under this obligation to teach others. Jesus had just commanded the eleven to go teach and to teach those who were converted to observe all things he had command them which included that we are also to be taught to go and teach.
Paul says in Romans 1:14, "I am a debtor both to the Greeks and to the Barbarians, both to the wise and to the unwise." In like manner today we are debtors to every non-Christian because we have the good news that can save his soul. This places us under obligation to share the gospel with the lost so they can be saved. Because someone loved us enough to teach us the truth, shouldn't we do as much for someone else? What if you were unsaved and doomed to Hell, wouldn't you want someone to teach you the saving gospel of Christ?
If people have not heard and learned the gospel they cannot obey it. In 1 Peter 4:17 the question is asked, "What shall be the end of those who do not obey the gospel?" The answer is given in 2 Thessalonians 1:8 which says when the Lord comes He will come "In flaming fire taking vengeance on those who do not know God and that obey not the gospel of our Lord Jesus Christ.
"We should not want to see anyone lost but as Paul says in 2 Corinthians 5:11, "Knowing the terror of the Lord we persuade men." People are going to be lost forever if we don't teach them now!The Lord doesn't want anyone to be lost. We read in 2 Peter 3:9, "The Lord...is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance." They can only come to repentance when they know what to do. We also read in 1 Timothy 2:4, "Who will have all men to be saved, and to come to a knowledge of the truth." Because of what the Lord has done for us, we have the obligation to teach others so they can come to a knowledge of the truth and be saved. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 9:16, "Woe is to me if I preach not the gospel." How are we going to answer the Lord if we haven't bothered to tell the good news to others?
Our Lord in teaching His disciples, tells them in John 4:35, "Do you say there are still four months then comes the harvest? Behold I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields for they are white already to harvest." Our Lord was speaking of the spiritual harvest of souls who would be lost in eternity if they are not harvested. There is an urgency to teach the lost for Jesus says in Matthew 9:37-38, "The harvest truly is plentiful, but the laborers are few. Therefore pray the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest." We must work in the Lord's harvest because if we don't then those we could have taught will be lost and we don't want that to happen.
In the first century the good news of the gospel caused such great excitement that "And daily in the temple and from house to house they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus" (Acts 5;42). We need to be as excited today. And even when they were being heavily persecuted, some even to death, we read in Acts 8:4, "Therefore those who were scattered abroad went everywhere preaching the word." What should stop us today? We are not being persecuted. We have many more advantages. We have the automobile, the airplane, the telephone, the Internet, and the printed page. We are without excuse.
Teaching the lost is the work the Lord has commanded each of us to do. Successful evangelism is accomplished one person at a time. Evangelism is not only to be done in distant lands, but we must also teach those near us, our next door neighbors. God will be with us as we teach His word to the lost. We will be successful because we read in Philippians 4:13, "I can do all things through Christ who strengthens me." When we do what the Lord says to do we will not fail.
When we teach the lost we cause all of Heaven to rejoice. Jesus tells us that there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God when one sinner repents (Luke 15:7, 10). The joy of teaching one the gospel and seeing them obey it is beyond description.
Sources Of Prospects
Prospects are everywhere. The vast majority of people we come in contact with are lost (Matthew 7:13-14) and need to be taught the gospel. We need to develop an interest in spiritual matters with them and ASK them to study the Bible with us so they can learn the truth of God's word, obey it, and go to Heaven. The only way to set up a personal Bible study is to ASK. We need to have the parents permission for those who are not 18 years of age.
1) Children of Members. Whether they are minor or adult children they have usually attended the church of Christ with their parents.
2) Spouses of Members. Usually have attended with their believing spouse.
3) Friends Who Attend Youth Functions With Our Youth. These provide a contact that is many times overlooked.
4) Non-members Who Attend Ladies Bible Class. Those members who are their friends can be instrumental in helping you to set up a personal Bible study with the non-member.
5) Benevolent Contacts. When we show care and
6) Bible School and VBS Contacts. By their attendance they have indicated an interest in Bible study.
7) Visitors to Worship Services. By their attendance they have displayed an interest in the church.
8) Hospital Contacts. Those undergoing serious illness can see that their life could end at any time.
9) Delinquent Members. We should always try to restore the fallen, "Brethren if anyone among you wanders from the truth, and someone turns him back, let him know that he who turns a sinner from the error of his way will save a soul from death and cover a multitude of sins" (James 5:20).
10) Neighbors. We should want those who live near us in this world to also be with us in Heaven.
11) Fellow Employees. We work with these 5 days a week. During lunch and breaks we should bring up spiritual subjects and talk with them about their souls.
12) Door knocking. A good way to find prospects in a neighborhood.
13) Friends and Relatives of Members. It is good when other members can help you in contacting their friends and relatives in setting up a Bible study with them.
14) Newcomers to Town. They are seeking to establish new friends and are putting down new roots.
15) Visitors to Your Home. We need to ask them to have a personal Bible study with us.
16) Those Who Take Bible Correspondence Courses. These have already indicated an interest in Bible study.
17) Funerals. Those attending funerals, at that time, tend to realize the brevity of this life.
18) Fair Booths. Here you can come into contact with many people, who stop at the booth, who are interested in spiritual matters.
19) Jails & Prisons. Many incarcerated people realize they need to make some positive changes in their lives. In jails and prisons you can always find people who are wanting someone to teach them the Bible.
20) Rest Homes. People in rest homes like visitors and may want a personal Bible study.
21) Newspaper & Radio Contacts. These show an interest by responding to newspaper, TV, and radio contacts.
22) Questioners & Objectors. One who questions or objects is open to a discussion.
23) Friends of New Converts. Many times a new convert has friends and he would also like for them to be taught the gospel.
24) People Seeking Counseling. These are needing and wanting to make changes in their lives.
25) Those Getting Married. Particularly if the spouse of a member is not a member.
26) People Undergoing Trauma. People undergoing serious problems are usually looking to God for help and are usually very good prospects.
Setting Up The Study
1) Pray to God to help you to say the right thing, in the right way. Pray for open doors, for wisdom & strength to take advantage of the opportunities. Pray for open hearts and for the prospect to have ease of understanding.
2) Until a study is set up it can’t be conducted. To set up a study we must ASK. We should not be afraid that we are going to make a mistake in asking a person to study the Bible with us. The only person who never made a mistake is the one who did nothing for fear of making a mistake, but he made the biggest mistake of all by doing nothing. If we have sincerity and love for lost souls then what we say will not be so important. We must realize that everyone has a precious soul. Remember to always strive to gain a study appointment with a definite time and date rather than just answering questions on the spur of the moment.
3) Different people should be approached differently. Jude 22-23 says, "And on some have compassion, making a difference; and others save with fear, pulling them out of the fire; hating even the garment spotted by the flesh."
4) Be genuinely sincere when we are talking to someone about his soul. His soul is the most important thing in the world, and if he thinks we think so then he will see how important it is. If we could only realize how precious a soul is, then we would not despair any effort to teach them the truth. Love of the lost will lead us to an untiring effort for the salvation of others. If we really love the souls of people, we cannot bear the thought that they will be lost forever. People don’t care how much we know until they know how much we care. People will be more willing to listen to us if they really believe we care.
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We should help people in time of need and they will be grateful to us. If we are not interested in people, they will not be interested in what we have to say about the gospel.
6) Don’t be intimidated. The vast majority of people are a novice and their knowledge of spiritual matters is quite limited.
7) Get the person alone. Christ talked to Nicodemus, Zacchaeus, and the Samaritan woman alone. It is difficult to talk to a person about his soul before others.
8) Spend time in getting people ready to hear. Jesus did. He often healed and fed people and then they were in a proper frame of mind to listen.
9) Invite non-members to eat with you. Christ ate with Zacchaeus. It is said of the Lord in Matthew 9:11 that He ate "with publicans and sinners." We should be making friends with those who are not Christians so they can be led to Christ.
10) In talking to another we should remember that his convictions are just as sacred to him as ours are to us. What he believes may seem foolish to us, and it may be easy for us to see his error, but it is hard for him. It is difficult for him to give it up.
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11) Never, never, never argue and always maintain a calm composure and tone of voice when talking to people about their salvation. If you argue, a soul will be lost. Many people want the truth and will welcome it if it is presented correctly.
12) Avoid a belligerent, haughty, excited, argumentative, or angry attitude. If we don’t then a wall of opposition springs up. (A) If you say "I’ll prove it to you", in his mind he thinks "I’d like to see you do it." (B) If you say "Let me show you", he thinks "Maybe so but I won’t accept it from you if you do." It is better to say "could we see what the Bible says." Don’t quote scriptures to him. Ask him to read the scripture.
13) We should not make the other person angry. Most people don’t get angry because of the truth but because of the way or attitude in which it is presented. Some goto the other extreme and spend so much time trying to be nice and are so careful to try to keep from hurting someone’s feelings that they never get around to setting up the study or presenting the truth. Too many times we may care more for a person's feelings than we do for their soul.
14) Be alert for people who are undergoing trauma such as death of loved ones, serious illness, divorce, automobile accidents, financial difficulties, etc. In times like these, people realize how vulnerable they are and many times are looking to God for help. Many times this provides a great opportunity to talk to people about their souls.
15) A person must see that he is lost and needs the study. Do not allow the person to jump around with you. Examples of poor soil: (A) "Let me check with my husband." (B) Would you check back latter?" (C) "I will study if it doesn’t take too long." (D) "I would like to ask my preacher." (E) Being passive.
What To Say
(cold door knocking)
1) "Good morning sir, how are you today? (his response) We are on a campaign for Christ, sharing the gospel with people. We would like to share with you a very interesting Bible study. For instance how would you answer the first question on #8 (of Lesson #1)?" (his response)
2) "Would you like to see what the Bible says?" (his response) (Have him read the scripture.) (note: Have him to also read and answer the second and third questions)
3) "This is a three lesson study to help you to understand what God’s will is so that you can go to heaven. We would be happy to go through these three lessons with you. Would you like to do that?" (his response)
4) "We could study now or this evening at 7:00 PM, which would you prefer?"
(to friends)
"John, there has been something I’ve been wanting to talk with you about for some time and that is your relationship with God and your soul’s salvation. I feel guilty for not having talked with you yet and I’m sorry. John if you were to die tonight do you know for certain that you would have a home in Heaven?" (Wait for his answer.) "I can share with you from the Bible how you can go to Heaven, would you like that?" (His response.) "We could study now or tomorrow evening at 7:00 PM, which would you prefer?"
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Or "John you’re a very fine individual and I appreciate you as a friend. You are honest, kind to your family, and a good person; but you are not a Christian. You may have wondered why I haven’t talked with you before, but I just can’t continue without talking with you. Have you thought much about where you will spend eternity?" (His response.) "I would like to share with you a very interesting Bible study. For instance how would you answer question #8 (of Lesson #1)?" (His response.) Would you like to see what the Bible says?" (His response.) (Have him to read the scripture.) "This is a three lesson study to help you to understand what God’s will is so that you can go to Heaven. We would be happy to go through these three lessons with you. Would you like to do that?" (His response.) "We could study now or this evening at 7:00 PM, which would you prefer?"
Or "John we are going to one of two places in eternity, I want to go to Heaven, which place do you want to go?" (His response) "I can share with you from the Bible how you can go to Heaven, would you like that?" (His response.) We could study tonight or tomorrow night at 7:00 PM, which would you prefer?"
Or if asked, "Do you believe that only members of the church of Christ are going to Heaven and everyone else is going to Hell?" Your answer, "John, it does not really matter what I believe, or what you believe, or what any other person believes. What really matters is what the Bible says you need to do to go to Heaven. Could I share with you what the Bible says that you need to do in order to go to Heaven?"
"THE GOSPEL OF JOHN"
Seven Principles Of Personal Evangelism (4:1-26)
INTRODUCTION
1. Most Christians want to share the gospel of Christ with others...
a. Yet many often feel awkward in their attempts to talk with others
b. Or they simply don't know how to establish contacts for a Bible
study
-- Causing many to experience frustration that discourages them from
trying again
2. Perhaps we learn some things from Jesus, the master teacher...
a. Who often engaged in personal evangelism as well as public
preaching
b. For example, His conversation with the Samaritan woman at Jacob's
well - Jn 4:1-26
[Observing Jesus in action, it is possible to glean "Seven Principles Of
Personal Evangelism" that we would do well to remember in our own
efforts to teach others. One such principle is to...]
I. CONTACT PEOPLE SOCIALLY
A. WE MUST HAVE SOCIAL CONTACT...
1. The import of Jesus passing through Samaria - Jn 4:1-6
a. Many Jews, because of their disdain for Samaritans, avoided
Samaria
b. Jesus and His disciples chose to pass through Samaria,
assuring contact
c. A similar example of Jesus making social contact - cf. Lk 5:
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2. When people aren't coming to Christ, it's because we are not
going to the people!
a. We can't be fishers of men by fishing in a barrel; if the
fish won't come to the barrel, then we must go where the
fish are!
b. The problem with sowing the seed is not that there is not
good ground to be found, but that the seed is still in the
barn! - cf. Hag 2:19
B. DO NOT CONFUSE SEPARATION WITH ISOLATION...
1. Yes, we must be separate - 2Co 6:14-18
2. But this does not mean we are to isolate ourselves
a. Note the prayer of Christ - Jn 17:15
b. Note the command of Paul - 1Co 5:9-11
3. Withdrawing ourselves from those who have not heard or obeyed
the gospel in contrary to the will of the Lord!
C. OPPORTUNITIES FOR SOCIAL CONTACT...
1. At school with fellow students
a. Don't think you are too young to be involved in leading
others to Christ
b. Young Christians often possess the greatest opportunities to
teach others
c. How you serve now will likely be an indication of how you
will serve later in life
2. At work with fellow employees or employers
a. We spend much of our life with these people
b. We have the greatest potential to influence them, especially
by example
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a. Do we even know our neighbors?
b. Those closest to us can be difficult sometimes, but are
reachable - e.g., Mt 13:54-58; Jn 7:5; Ac 1:14
[Remember, Jesus said "Go into all the world..." (Mk 16:15). We must go
where the people are! Another principle we can glean from Jesus'
conversation with the woman is...]
II. ESTABLISH A COMMON INTEREST
A. COMMON INTERESTS CREATE A BRIDGE...
1. Note Jesus' first words to the woman - Jn 4:7-8
a. She had come to draw water
b. He was thirsty
c. His first words centered around their common interest
(water)
2. Realize the need to build rapport
a. Meaningful dialogue is not easy, especially involving
spiritual matters
b. A common interest allows opportunity for meaningful dialogue
c. Once a bridge for communication has been established, it
will be easier to discuss God's word with another person
B. COMMON INTERESTS ARE MANY...
1. They include family (such as children, grandchildren)
2. They include activities (such as work, community projects,
hobbies)
3. They include shared experiences (such as travel, or even
tragedies)
[Don't feel that you must immediately begin talking about spiritual
matters. Take time to nurture common interests. Yet at some point we
want to reach the next stage, which leads to our third principle...]
III. AROUSE SPIRITUAL INTEREST
1. The example of Jesus - Jn 4:9
a. As a man He speaks to her, a woman
b. As a rabbi He speaks to her, an immoral woman
c. As a Jew He speaks to her, a Samaritan
-- He aroused interest by simply speaking to her
2. Regarding our actions
a. We can arouse spiritual interest by our example
b. By showing kindness and compassion to all, even the evil and
wicked
c. By not harboring racial or social prejudices to those who
are different
d. By our own example of faith and hope - e.g., 1Pe 3:1-2,15
B. THROUGH YOUR WORDS...
1. The example of Jesus - Jn 4:10-14
a. Jesus' statement shifted their conversation to spiritual
matters
b. He led them into a discussion on a common spiritual interest
(living water!)
2. Regarding our words
a. We can raise questions or make statements that shift
conversations to spiritual matters
1) E.g., "What do you think our world is in such a mess?"
2) E.g., "Would you be interested in what the Bible says
about...?"
b. The discussion should first involve matters of common
agreement
1) Start with things upon which you agree, to build rapport
and instill confidence
2) This was the practice of apostolic preaching - e.g., Ac
13:16-22
[Once spiritual interest has been aroused, another principle can be
gleaned from Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman...]
IV. DON'T GO TOO FAR, TOO FAST
A. GIVE A PERSON WHAT THEY ARE READY FOR...
1. Note Jesus' discussion with the woman - Jn 4:15-16
a. She wanted the "living water", but did she really
understand?
b. Jesus saw the need to slow her down and provide the proper
ground work
1) She needed faith in Him as the Messiah
2) He needed to provide evidence that He was the Messiah
c. So instead of giving her the "living water"...
1) He tells her to get her husband
2) Which will result in her conviction of Him as a prophet
2. Sometimes people don't realize what they need first
a. They'll want to talk about a particular subject
b. But they really need something else first
B. SOME EXAMPLES...
1. Some want to study Revelation, when they need to be grounded on
the rest of the Bible first
2. Some want to discuss issues related to church organization,
work, worship, etc., when they ought to focus on the "first
principles" of the gospel
3. It is important that a person not choke on the "meat" of the
Word - cf. 1Co 3:1-2
[There is another principle of evangelism that takes into consideration
the need of the prospect...]
V. DON'T CONDEMN UNNECESSARILY
A. THE EXAMPLE OF JESUS...
1. He could have dwelt on her being an adulteress - Jn 4:17-18
2. As stated elsewhere, He came to save the world, not to condemn
it - cf. Jn 3:17
3. Not to say He will not one day judge the world, but that the
primary purpose of His first coming was to offer salvation
- cf. Jn 12:46-48
B. IN OUR EVANGELISTIC EFFORTS...
1. Though we preach against sin, our primary purpose is to save,
not judge - 1Co 5:12-13
2. Our focus should be to inform others of the forgiveness God
offers - cf. 2Co 5:18-20
a. God seeks reconciliation with sinners
b. Ours is a ministry of reconciliation
[Another important principle in evangelism to remember is...]
VI. STICK WITH THE MAIN ISSUE
A. IN THE CASE OF THE SAMARITAN WOMAN...
1. She turned the subject away from herself to where one should
worship - Jn 4:19-20
2. Jesus answered her question, while effectively turning the
conversation back to the original subject: Who He is and what
He offers - Jn 4:21-25 (cf. Jn 4:10)
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B. REMAIN STEADFAST TO YOUR OBJECTIVES...
1. If seeking to establish a common ground of agreement, avoid
jumping ahead
2. As you move from common to uncommon ground...
a. Take one step at a time
b. Do not go on until agreement at each step has occurred
3. If your objective is simply to obtain consent for a home Bible
study, avoid getting into a detailed discussion at that time
- cf. Pr 15:28
[One last principle in evangelism gleaned from Jesus' conversation with
the woman at the well...]
VII. CONFRONT DIRECTLY
A. JESUS' EXAMPLE THEN...
1. Finally, Jesus confronted the woman with His identity - Jn 4:26
2. This came after He had laid the groundwork
B. EXAMPLES FOR TODAY...
1. In trying to set up a home Bible study
a. Take advantage of social contacts
b. Develop common interests
c. Be open to comments that indicate a spiritual interest,
while demonstrating your own faith through actions and words
d. Avoid fruitless arguments, emphasize instead common beliefs
e. Praise their good points and encourage them in the right
direction
f. Have one primary objective: to encourage them to study the
Bible even more
a. Ask if they would like to learn more about Jesus, the
Bible, His church
b. Note the example of Aquila and Priscilla with Apollos
- Ac 18:24-26
g. Confront them directly with the opportunity to study the
Bible
2. During the course of a home Bible study
a. Continue to develop the social contact
b. Continue to establish common interests
c. Take time to accentuate common ground you share in your
spiritual interests
d. Go from common ground to uncommon ground carefully
e. Stress the gospel message; don't obsess on their individual
shortcomings
f. Have one primary objective: to help them understand their
need and gospel plan of salvation - Mk 16:15-16; Col 1:5-6
g. Confront them directly with the invitation to obey the
gospel of Christ; for example, by asking...
1) "Does this make sense?"
2) "Is there anything I have said that you do not
understand?"
3) "Have I been teaching you anything other than what the
Bible teaches?"
4) "Would you like to obey Christ now and be baptized for
the remission of your sins?"
CONCLUSION
1. The result of Jesus' conversation with the Samaritan woman was the
conversion of many people in the city of Sychar - Jn 4:39-42
2. This demonstrates the potential of personal evangelism...
a. Who knows whether the one person you teach may in turn bring many
to Christ?
b. That one person may be like a seed from which seeds may come forth
Realizing this potential, we can better appreciate the words of Jesus:
"Do you not say, 'There are still four months and [then] comes
the harvest'? Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look
at the fields, for they are already white for harvest!" (Jn 4:35)
Perhaps by following the example of our Lord, we can be more useful in
His service...
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