INTRODUCTION - Web viewAs we open God’s Word together we will ... most weeks will include a variety of practical exercises. ... become available. Take steps to make friends

INTRODUCTIONAt Wollongong Baptist Church we believe that God has gathered us together for the dual purposes of knowing Christ more deeply, and making Christ known to the world. This is not just a slogan that defines our aims for our Sunday gatherings, but rather an attempt to capture our life’s purpose as followers of the Lord Jesus. Often it can be more comfortable to simply pursue the first half of that purpose, and leave the “making Christ known” part to others. However, our goal is to see every member of our church become motivated, be made available and be thoroughly equipped for the task of making Christ known.

So this term in our homegroups we will be devoting several weeks to looking at the topic of evangelism. As we open God’s Word together we will consider important questions such as:

Who should evangelise? What should motivate evangelism? What prevents evangelism? What is the content of the message to be delivered? How should we deliver this message?

This series is intended to be highly practical so, along with Bible study questions, most weeks will include a variety of practical exercises. Furthermore, this series will encourage you to work towards evangelistic efforts with 5 personal contacts. It is vital, therefore, that each week we spend plenty of time in prayer for these people, and for our efforts to reach them with the good news about Jesus.

As our whole church works through these studies concurrently we want to urge group members to share and discuss what they're learning with others in the church. We eagerly expect and anticipate that God will use this time to grow us as disciples, and to bring people to know and trust Jesus for their salvation.

WHO SHOULD EVANGELISE?

Discuss

1. Share with the group your most significant experience with evangelism (good or bad).

Before jumping in to the ‘how to’ of evangelism, it’s appropriate that we consider whether this is even a task that we should be engaged in. We need to listen to the Bible as we ask the question, “Who should evangelise?”

Evangelism and ‘evangelists’

2. Read Ephesians 4:10-13 & 2 Timothy 4:1-5. The word ‘evangelist’ only occurs in the New Testament three times (the other time being Acts 21:8). Clearly God has gifted and commissioned a particular group of believers to be especially set apart for this role. Who do you think these people are at our church? What makes you think so? What makes someone a gifted and commissioned evangelist?

‘Evangelism Part 1 Page 1.

WEEK 1

3. Parallel to this, the New Testament is also abundantly clear that every believer is expected to evangelise. In pairs or small groups look up the following passages and discuss who is envisioned as having responsibility to share the gospel, and why they are to share the gospel.1 Share you findings with the group.

Philippians 2:12-16

1 Peter 3:15-16

2 Corinthians 5:18-20

Matthew 28:18-20

4. In one sense then, every individual Christian is to view themselves as an evangelist, regardless of gifting. In the coming weeks we will spend time coming to grips with this responsibility, but for now how does it make you feel to be charged with this task of making the gospel known to the world?

1 We might also add to this list of biblical commands by pointing out the example of “ordinary believers” in the early church who participated in the work of evangelism (see Acts 8:1-4), or the idea that good stewardship of the gospel message compels us to pass it on to others (see Luke 12:48).‘Evangelism Part 1 Page 2.

Diagnostic tool

The ultimate purpose of this study series is to help every member of WBC be motivated, available and equipped for evangelism. To that end, now is a good time to take a diagnostic to discover where you stand in these three categories.2

Step 1: For each of these three categories, read the description bullet points below and rate yourself with either a + (Strong) or – (Weak).

Motivated My Rating

I am passionate about leading others to Christ I frequently pray for specific lost people by name I intentionally take risks to start spiritual

conversations with nonbelieving friendsAvailable My Rating

People could accurately label me “A friend to Sinners”

I have weekly contact with non-Christians who I am trying to win for Christ

Making time for evangelism is a non-negotiable priority of mine

Equipped My Rating

I know how to explain the gospel in various different ways, as fits the circumstances

I recognise opportunities to turn conversations toward spiritual matters

I am ready to share the gospel whenever there is opportunity

2 This resource is adapted from J Mack Stiles “Speaking of Jesus: How to Tell Your Friends the Best News They Will Ever Hear” (Downers Grove, Il: IVP, 1995) p39-41‘Evangelism Part 1 Page 3.

Step 2: Take your three answers and find your “diagnosis” on the chart below.3

Motivated Available Equipped Diagnosis

- - - Sequestered

- + - Apathetic

- - + Academic

+ - - Frustrated

- + + Daunted

+ - + Isolated

+ + - Reckless

+ + + Engaged

Step 3: Match your diagnosis to the chart below to get a sketch of a basic prognosis and treatment for your growth in evangelism. Share your diagnosis with the group. What parts of your diagnosis are accurate?

Diagnosis: Sequestered Diagnosis: Apathetic

View of Evangelism: Not interested

Symptoms: Faith is adopted rather than personal

Prognosis: Marginalized Christian Life

Treatment: Make a commitment of faith apart from the Christian subculture

View of Evangelism: “My religion is a personal thing.”

Symptoms: Sleeping giant of the church world; no functional difference from non-Christians in the workaday world.

Prognosis: Assimilation by the secular world

Treatment: Embrace your faith and come to know Christ’s love for others; look at what the Bible says about sharing with others.

Diagnosis: Academic Diagnosis: Frustrated

3 This chart is, of course, a simplification of complex categories. For instance, your motivation might change depending on how well you are equipped for sharing your faith in a certain situation. It is more accurate to say that each category represents a continuum rather than something we either have or don’t have. However there is some value to these labels, as they help us identify where we can make progress.‘Evangelism Part 1 Page 4.

View of Evangelism: Sees evangelism as an intellectual exercise.

Symptoms: Knows the gospel and sociological trends; doesn’t know a non-Christian.

Prognosis: Treating non-Christians as a project

Treatment: Pray for love; take concrete actions to build bridges to the secular world.

View of Evangelism: Confused by what to say and who to say it to

Symptoms: Has a heart to share Christ

Prognosis: Debilitating guilt

Treatment: Look for a mature Christian role model, learn a biblical approach to evangelism and build bridges to the secular world.

Diagnosis: Daunted Diagnosis: Isolated

View of Evangelism: Frightening or tiresome

Symptoms: In a strong position; knows the secular world and basics of the gospel; lack of motivation hinders efforts

Prognosis: May share out of guilt or obligation

Treatment: Dare to share

View of Evangelism: Wants to share, but has five church potlucks this week

Symptoms: Could engage the world, but doesn’t know non-Christians on a social basis

Prognosis: Missing the action

Treatment: Gain an audience; become available. Take steps to make friends with a non-Christian

Diagnosis: Reckless Diagnosis: Engaged

View of Evangelism: Exciting job to be done Symptoms: motivation and contact with the secular world give real potential; may support manipulative evangelistic schemes Prognosis: Sharing false things about the Christian life

Treatment: Become equipped by developing a biblical approach to the secular world.

View of Evangelism: Giving away the faith

Symptoms: Shares the gospel effectively, using a biblical approach; available to people who do not know Christ; motivated by love

Prognosis: Good (but watch for pride)

Treatment: Keep following Christ.


Conclusion

In the space below write down the names of five non-Christian contacts with whom you are going to take steps to share the gospel during this study series.

1. _________________________________________

2. _________________________________________

3. _________________________________________

4. _________________________________________

5. _________________________________________

Over the coming weeks we will think more about each of these people in detail, and will begin to make plans to reach them for Christ.


MOTIVATION FOR EVANGELISM

Discuss

1. Is it possible to have the wrong motivation for evangelism? If so, what are some possible wrong motivations?

Scripture gives us many motivations for sharing the gospel with others. It would be an oversimplification to simply claim that evangelism is a question of obedience to God’s commands (although clearly, as we saw last week, scripture does command every believer to share the gospel). Today we will consider three major reasons from the Bible for why we should evangelise. The goal of this study is to help move us from a “because I have to” attitude towards evangelism, to a “because I want to” attitude.‘Evangelism Part 1 Page 7.

Recap

What did you learn from last week’s study?

Did you have any evangelistic opportunities this week?

WEEK 2


Reason #1 - The glory of Jesus

2. The writer of Hebrews says that “The Son is the radiance of God’s glory and the exact representation of his being” (Heb 1:3). The Apostle John says that those who have seen Jesus have seen the glory of the eternal God (John 1:14). As someone who has come to know Him, what do you find glorious about Jesus?

3. What is the appropriate response when someone encounters the glory of God? (see Isa 6:1-5, Rev 1:12-17)

4. How do you feel when someone you love and cherish is disrespected?

5. Jesus’ glory is seen most clearly on the cross (John 12:23, 17:1). How should it affect us when people fail to recognise and respond to this display of Jesus’ glory? Read Acts 17:16-18. How did it affect Paul when he found people disrespecting Jesus? What did he do about it?


Definition

The glory of something is its weight, its unique worth. It’s what sets something apart in an inimitable way. The glory of a sunset is its colour; the glory of a lion is its strength; the glory of a master craftsman is his skill.

The glory of Jesus compels us to speak about Him, as we cannot bear to see him unacknowledged and unadored.

Reason #2 - The guarantee of the new creation

6. What is something you are passionate about and love to talk about?

7. Read Revelation 21:1-7. List all the good things we have to look forward to in the new creation.

8. This glorious future is completely certain because Jesus has risen from death and he now “holds the keys of death and Hades” (Rev 1:18). In your mind, is the new creation both certain and wonderful? How should these realities compel us to tell others about the reason for our hope?


If we are excited about where we’re heading, or more accurately who we’re heading towards, we’ll be motivated to tell others that they can

be heading there, too.

Reason #3 - The grim reality of death and hell

9. Jesus taught that: hell is a place of suffering (Luke 16:24); it is final (Luke 16:24); and it is deserved (Matt 13:41-42). Why are these truths so hard to live with?

10. “Warning someone about hell is an act of love. To not warn them is to not love them.” Do you agree or disagree with this statement? Why?

11. How would our interactions with people be different if, for every person we spoke to, we asked ourselves, “Where will this person be in 100 years?”

Conclusion

12. Which of these three motivations for evangelism resonates with you the most? Which one resonates with you the least?


Hell is a terrible reality and we should desperately want people to avoid it. Remembering this truth drives us to speak about the only One who

can save.

13. Thinking back to the five people you named last week, write down your reasons for wanting these people to come to know Jesus as you do. Bring these to God in prayer now.


WHAT PREVENTS EVANGELISM?

Discuss

1. In the first study we saw that all Christians are called to share the gospel with others. In your estimation, what percentage of Christians are actively, regularly and intentionally doing this? Why do you think this is?

2. What are some of the reasons people give to explain their resistance to sharing the gospel?


Recap



WEEK 3

Today we will look at three of the major excuses that often prevent evangelism, and consider how the truth of scripture nullifies them.


Excuse #1 – “It doesn’t matter”

Joe notices new neighbours moving in to the house across the street from him. Through his lounge-room window he observes an anti-Christian bumper sticker on their car. “Well they obviously aren’t interested in knowing God,” he mutters under her breath. “I assume other people have tried and failed to convert them by the looks of it.” Joe turns his attention back to the TV.

Truth #1 - God is sovereign

3. God is in sovereign control of every detail of the universe (Matt 10:29). Read Acts 17:24-27. Why has God sovereignly placed the particular people that he has in your street, workplace, family etc.?

4. There is no such thing as a “chance encounter”. Every person you meet is by divine appointment. Which connections with non-Christians do you need to stop seeing as unimportant and trivial?


We overcome the excuse of apathy by recognizing the truth of God’s sovereignty

Excuse #2 – “I’m too afraid”

Sophie is having dinner with an old non-Christian friend whom she has known for many years. In the midst of their conversation Sophie’s friend mentions the recent anniversary of her mother’s death. Sophie recognizes this as an opportunity to turn the conversation to spiritual matters, but she decides not to try. “That’s such a sensitive topic that I don’t want to risk offending her,” Sophie thinks to herself. “Besides, what if she asks me a difficult question about death which I’m not

prepared to answer? I don’t want her to think less of me.”

Truth #2 - God is gracious

5. Read Romans 8:15-17. What is our fundamental identity as Christians? How did we come to possess this privilege?

6. God’s grace to us allows us to say, “Whether you accept or reject me does not make me more or less valuable to my heavenly Father.” When we hold back from speaking about Christ out of fear, what is the mistake that we are making?

7. Sometimes there is good reason to be scared at the prospect of speaking up for Christ (Matt 10:16). However we must never fear men more than we fear God. Read Mark 8:34-38. In your life, where are you tempted to shrink back from speaking of Jesus?


We overcome the excuse of fear by recognizing the truth of God’s graciousness

Excuse #3 – “It won’t work”

Marty is at a 21st birthday party for a friend. At this late stage of the evening, several people are making fun of Marty for being a Christian. One in particular leans over to Marty and says, “How can you believe any of that rubbish? Don’t you know it’s all fairy tales?” Having had several unsuccessful attempts at evangelism with this person in the past, Marty decides to keep his mouth shut.

Truth #3 - God is powerful

8. Read 2 Corinthians 4:4-6. If evangelism rested entirely on our own abilities and cleverness, why would it fail every time?

9. Paul says that God took the same power that made the world and he used it to give us spiritual sight. How does this truth free us from pessimism towards evangelism?

10. What is our role in evangelism? What is not our role? (2 Cor 4:5, 1 Cor 3:6)


We overcome the excuse of pessimism by recognizing the truth of God’s power

Conclusion

Thinking back to the five people you have named in previous weeks, what do you imagine a negative response from that person might look like if you shared the gospel with them? Fill out the table below.

NameA negative reaction to me

sharing the gospelHow I would respond

Having noted this, why do we presume that forgiveness in Christ is something people do not want? If we believe in God’s election then we know there will always be those who turn to God regardless of how hard-hearted they seem. And if we ourselves are convinced there’s good reason to believe the truth of the gospel, then surely we are justified in having positive expectations that others too will realise their need for Christ and turn to Him for forgiveness and new life.

Pray that nothing would prevent you from sharing the good news with others.


WHAT EVANGELISM IS

Discuss

1. Are the following statements true or false?

“Evangelism involves proving that God exists”

“Inviting someone to church is evangelism”

“The goal of evangelism is to get someone to pray the sinner’s prayer”

“Living a godly life is a form of evangelism”

“Telling someone, ‘God loves you’ is evangelism”

“Evangelism requires defending the historical truth of Christianity”

“Sharing my personal testimony is evangelism”

“Successful evangelism is determined by whether the person comes to faith”

“Showing someone the love of God in practical ways is a form of evangelism”


Recap



WEEK 4

What evangelism is

There are many definitions of evangelism but at its most basic, evangelism is simply announcing the evangel, the good news about Jesus, with the aim to persuade. Let’s think about these three components of evangelism.

Announcing

2. St Francis of Assisi is reported to have said, “Preach the gospel at all times, and if necessary use words.” Read Romans 10:14. Why is it impossible to make the gospel known without speaking?

Good news

The good news is the message about Jesus which leads us to salvation. The fact that it is good news means we are announcing that an objective historical event has taken place. The fact that it is good news means that we giving explanation as to why this event matters, and what benefit it brings.

3. Read through the following passages. How is the historical event (Jesus’ life, death and resurrection) described in each verse? How is the benefit of this event explained in each?

Mark 10:45

John 3:16

2 Corinthians 5:21


2 Corinthians 8:9

1 Peter 3:18

Hebrews 9:14

4. Notice the variety of ways that the event and its benefits are explained in these verses. What does this teach us about how we go about explaining the good news? What factors might influence the way in which we articulate the good news to different people?

There are many good summaries of the gospel which can help you remember and explain it easily (e.g. Two Ways To Live, Bridge to Life, God / Man / Christ / Response, G.O.S.P.E.L.). However, no single one of these is perfect for every occasion. Our goal should be to become so fluent in the gospel that we instinctively know how to speak it into the detail of people’s real lives. In the coming weeks we will learn and practice some skills which will help in this regard.


Aiming to persuade

5. Read Acts 18:4 and 2 Corinthians 5:11. Our goal and hope is for people to be persuaded by the message we are announcing to them. If this is our goal, what sort of tone should our evangelistic efforts take?

6. Persuasion is about more than mere understanding and agreement. We want the message to impact people. Read and discuss the following passages. What does each passage teach us about what it looks like to properly accept the gospel?

1 Thessalonians 1:4–10

Romans 10:9–13

Acts 20:20-21


Conclusion

As we start to learn how to best speak the gospel to each of the five people we have been praying for, it is vital that we understand them deeply. Fill out the table below for each of these individuals to the best of your ability.

Name:

Surface

Interests, preoccupations, favourite topics, defining character traits

Core

Underlying beliefs & values, understanding of God & Christianity, attitude to your beliefs

Cracks

e.g. fear of death, boredom, suffering, loneliness, anxiety, guilt, family breakdown, addiction

Obstacles

What is making faith difficult? Where might repentance be hardest?

Name: ‘Evangelism Part 1 Page 23.

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Core


Cracks


Obstacles



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INTRODUCTION - Web viewAs we open God’s Word together we will ... most weeks will include a variety of practical exercises. ... become available. Take steps to make friends