Bible Text: Mark 16:15, Matt 28:18-20. | TOPIC :                    EFFECTIVE COMMUNICATION IN EVANGELISM

TEXTS :                   Mark 16:15, Matt 28:18-20.

WHAT IS EVANGELISM ?

Evangelism is the commitment to or act of Publicly Preaching of the Gospel with the Intention of spreading the gospel message and teaching of Jesus Christ. 

SUB TOPICS  

WHAT TO COMMUNICATE IN EVANGELISM
EFFECTIVE METHODS OF COMMUNICATION IN EVANGELISM
COMMON BARRIERS TO EVANGELISM AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM 

A. WHAT TO COMMUNICATE IN EVANGELISM

    Luke 24 : 47,  Acts 2 : 38-39, Acts 13:38-39,

Gospel of the Kingdom .. Matt24:14
The Gospel About Jesus Christ, The Son Of God .. Mark 1:1
Gospel of Grace .. Acts 20:24
Gospel of His Son . Rom 1:9
Gospel of Christ … Rom 15:19, 1Cor9:12, 2Cor2:12, Gal1:27, 1Thess3:2
Gospel of God.. Rom15:16, 2Cor11:7,
Gospel of Your Salvation. Ephe1:13
Gospel Of peace. Ephe 6:15
Gospel of Our Lord Jesus Christ. 2Thess1:8

Eternal Gospel .  Rev 12:6.

 B. EFFECTIVE METHODS OF COMMUNICATION IN EVANGELISM 

OPEN – AIR PREACHING : This is an Approach to evangelism characterized by speaking in public places out in the open generally to crowds of people at a time, using a message, sermon or speech which spread the gospel. 

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM : This approach to evangelism is characterized by Christian developing relationship with people in order to show them kindness and talk to them about God’s words. 

CREATIVE EVANGELISM : This approach to Evangelism is where the creative atrs such as music, Visual art, Drama, film show e.t.c are used to present a gospel message. 

USING GOSPEL TRACTS : This is typically a short presentation of Gospel message in a few pages usually printed on small piece of paper.

RADIO EVANGELISM : Radio Evangelism is an approach to Evangelism and reached more people than any other forms of evangelism.

INTERNET EVANGELISM : This is a form of Evangelism where the Christian Gospel Messages are preached on the Internet with the se of website to present APOLOGETICS about Biblical Itinerancy 

PHONE EVANGELISM : This approach to evangelism includes using phones to contact people in order to spread the gospel to them. 

DOOR-TO-DOOR EVANGELISM :

C. COMMON BARRIERS TO EVANGELISM AND HOW TO OVERCOME THEM

I AM AFRAID I WILL OFFEND THE PERSON AND THUS LOSE THE RELATIONSHIP.

The gospel message is offensive to those that are in enmity with God. However, we should strive to present the truth in love and not fear the loss of relationships. After all, it is God who gives us the relationship! We need to guard ourselves from placing our relationships with people above our relationship with God.

Matthew 10:37 “Anyone who loves their father or mother more than me is not worthy of me; anyone who loves their son or daughter more than me is not worthy of me.”

THEY MIGHT TELL ME TO MIND MY OWN BUSINESS.

It is the Christian’s business to be concerned about the spiritual condition of others. Let’s think where we would be if someone thought that our spiritual condition was not his or her business! 2 Corinthians 5:20 “

I DO NOT KNOW WHERE TO START.

We can always start with our own testimony…what Jesus did for us. That is what the ex-demoniac at Gerasenes was told to tell others.. Luke 8:39 “”Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”

It’s personal and cannot be refuted. And it can have quite an impact if the Spirit chooses to do so!

I AM STILL LEARNING THE BIBLE. I DON’T HAVE ALL THE ANSWERS FOR THE QUESTIONS PEOPLE MIGHT ASK.

The ex-demoniac of Gerasenes [Lk 8:26-39] did not know much of the Bible. Yet, he started witnessing immediately after his conversion [Lk 8:39]. We will never have all the answers that an unbeliever might ask.

I NEED TO LEARN MORE CREATIVE METHODS IN EVANGELISM. THEN I WILL EVANGELIZE.

Yes, there is always room for improving in our evangelism. However, if we are not faithful in the little that we know concerning evangelism, will we really be faithful if we learn more methods?. Luke 16:10 “Whoever can be trusted with very little can also be trusted with much, and whoever is dishonest with very little will also be dishonest with much.”

THEY WILL THINK I AM CRAZY AND A RELIGIOUS FANATIC.

The Christian is not of this world, but is one who belongs to another world. So, it is natural for the people of this world to think of Christians as “different.” Remember, it is very likely that in our pre-Christian life, we thought Christians were crazy too! 1 Corinthians 1:18 “For the message of the cross is foolishness to those who are perishing, but to us who are being saved it is the power of God.” 1 Corinthians 4:10 “ 

EVANGELISM IS THE RESPONSIBILITY OF LEADERS IN THE CHURCH.

While inviting unbelievers to a Church service or a special evangelistic outreach to hear the gospel is one method of evangelism, it is not a substitute for personal one-on-one witnessing. The Lord commands each Christian to open his or her mouth to proclaim the good news and this was the pattern of the early believers.. Acts 8:4 “Those who had been scattered preached the word wherever they went.”

I AM NOT AN EXTROVERT. BY NATURE I AM VERY SHY AND AFRAID TO TALK TO PEOPLE.

Acts 1:8 “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

2 Timothy 1:7-8 “7 For the Spirit God gave us does not make us timid, but gives us power, love and self-discipline. 8 So do not be ashamed of the testimony about our Lord or of me his prisoner. Rather, join with me in suffering for the gospel, by the power of God.”

I WILL JUST PRAY FOR THE PERSON INSTEAD OF SPEAKING TO THEM.

While prayer is extremely essential to evangelism, the Lord does command us to open our mouths and tell others about Him. Luke 24:47 “repentance for the forgiveness of sins will be preached in his name to all nations, beginning at Jerusalem.”

Luke 8:39 “Return home and tell how much God has done for you.” So the man went away and told all over town how much Jesus had done for him.”

We need to open our mouths to the Lord about the lost person [i.e. prayer] and we need to open our mouths to the lost person about the Lord as well [i.e. evangelism]. Neither is a substitute for the other.

HE OR SHE SEEMS SO STUBBORN. I DO NOT THINK THEY WILL ACCEPT THE MESSAGE.

God is in the business of breaking hard hearts and replacing them with soft hearts through the proclaimed gospel.. Jeremiah 23:29 “Is not my word like fire,” declares the LORD, “and like a hammer that breaks a rock in pieces? Take the apostle Paul as an example. Not only did he resist the gospel, but he also actively put many Christians to death for their faith. Yet, God changed him [1 Tim 1:12-16; Acts 26:9-18]! We can never underestimate what God can do. Our part is to simply present the truth; the results are to be left in God’s hands.