This morning, many gather together in order to worship God, remember Christ, and celebrate the resurrection. What a wonderful day to begin a study on evangelism! Sunday mornings remind me of why we go out proclaiming the good news. After all, there would be no good news if it wasn’t for the resurrection of Jesus Christ. The death of Jesus truly is a testimony but what would it amount too if Jesus had stayed in the grave all these years? Evangelism comes from the excitement of ones conviction that Jesus does live and that He continues to change lives! Throughout this study, we will learn tools to help us become more comfortable and equipped to share the good news of Jesus Christ.
Today, we live in a “post-modern” culture. It is truly a unique culture that requires a little bit of creativity and understanding if you wish to reach it. It is a culture who would rather have a friend then a stranger share the good news. It is a culture that desires authenticity and relationship before the exchanging of ideas and “truth.” It’s not that the “post-moderns” don’t believe in anything, it’s that they believe anything that comes their way. The movement comes from the scrutiny of modernism and its tight reigns. The post-modern movement is an outcry for an actual relationship and meaning in life rather than statistics and facts. Our advantage is while all of these “seekers” are searching for meaning and purpose, we have that to offer them. Our challenge is that there are many false shepherds out there claiming to offer a better alternative (i.e. Wicca, Baha’i, etc.).
If one wishes to reach this culture of “post-modernists,” there are a few rules to follow:
1. Learn to speak their language. When the KJV was translated, it was written in the vulgar (or common) language. Although this is not a horrible translation, if you are witnessing to someone under the age of 30 who did not grow up in church, you are better off using a translation that speaks their language (as the KJV is no longer fulfilling its intention…i.e. it is no longer in the common language). I typically use the NIV. Other good suggestions are the ESV and the NKJV. Whatever you use, make sure it is not hard for someone to read and understand.This rule also means use down to earth terms. Canonical, eschatological, and temporal are a few examples of words that would only detract from the goal.
2. Feed the masses. I am not literally talking about feeding people (although it is a good example). Most people don’t care what you know until they know that you care. Finding a few non-threatening events to invite someone two will open up lines of communication. For example: inviting someone to bowling and other events are good ways for you to get to know each other. A conversion is not likely to take place within the first three meetings with someone you just met. Use the time to get to know them. Find ways to interest people in you and your life. Notice that those who came to Jesus typically came for their own needs (i.e. food, healing, answers, overthrowing of the government). Jesus used these as ways into their life. We find those who came for selfish reasons be changed and begin following Christ.
3. Be genuine. People don’t need another gimmick. They don’t need another person to befriend them in order to win them to their side only to be dropped if they fail to comply. People today (just like long ago) need a real friend, that means a friend who is still a friend even if they don’t accept the gospel.
Following these three simple rules will get you off on the right foot in evangelism. Only by studying the culture and our surroundings will we know how to present the Gospel in a relevant way without changing the message of the Gospel. Teaching methods can change as long as the Gospel stays the same.
—Josh
“Try great things for God and expect great things from Him!”
Joshua Freeman 