Introduction to Evangelism
.... In our previous module we discussed a series of proper responses to the gospel, but one type of response deserves a series of it’s own. It has to do with evangelism. For just as someone shared the gospel with us, we should be willing to share it with others..
.... In a sense, new Christians can be natural evangelists anyway. Even if they don’t yet know very much about the faith, they at least know how to become a Christian, and that’s enough to show someone else the way. They are also well connected. Many of their friends and family members may still be unsaved, but our new Christian has long ago earned a place for speaking with them -- and they will usually feel an urgent need for doing so. As a special bonus, they are a living example of their own message, providing a ‘before-and-after’ picture of the Lord’s work for those who had known them previously.
.... In a sense, new Christians can be natural evangelists anyway. Even if they don’t yet know very much about the faith, they at least know how to become a Christian, and that’s enough to show someone else the way. They are also well connected. Many of their friends and family members may still be unsaved, but our new Christian has long ago earned a place for speaking with them -- and they will usually feel an urgent need for doing so. As a special bonus, they are a living example of their own message, providing a ‘before-and-after’ picture of the Lord’s work for those who had known them previously.
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.... In many ways, a 'golden period' will emerge at this time as new Christians reach out to their old acquaintances to include them on the journey. They are still just a few steps ahead of them; it would be easy for them to catch up, and then they could still explore their new beliefs together. They are family members and long time friends; they would be at the same place in life, understanding each other’s backgrounds, questions, hopes and trials, which could only be of greater benefit to them all. And just as they were friends before their conversion, they could now become co-pilgrims on the road to eternal life.
.... In many ways, a 'golden period' will emerge at this time as new Christians reach out to their old acquaintances to include them on the journey. They are still just a few steps ahead of them; it would be easy for them to catch up, and then they could still explore their new beliefs together. They are family members and long time friends; they would be at the same place in life, understanding each other’s backgrounds, questions, hopes and trials, which could only be of greater benefit to them all. And just as they were friends before their conversion, they could now become co-pilgrims on the road to eternal life.
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.... "Behold, how good and how pleasant it is for brethren to dwell together in unity!" (Psalm 133:1)
.... In fact, the problem can sometimes be that our new Christian friend is a little too zealous, and despite some excellent intentions they might end up trampling their old friends instead of helping them. Years later, as they mature in Christ, they’ll look back on those early episodes with regret, wishing they’d know a little more at the time and fearing that those golden opportunities were lost. The following lessons will help them capitalize on their personal experience and enthusiasm, while avoiding some of those early mistakes, that they may learn to share the gospel correctly.
posted by loren at 12:19 AM
1 Comments:
Everyone who has come to the Lord as an adult can probably relate to that final point, about running over some of our loved with our zeal. And sometimes it can even be compounded.
For example, when my wife Nancy came to the Lord, she zealously shared the gospel with some of her relatives, who felt a little trampled by her enthusiasm. But eventually one of her brothers came to the Lord as well; and when he did, he zealously trampled the same relatives again!
This has remained a source of grief to them both, and has helped highlight the need for these lessons.
By
loren, at 6/01/2005 2:35 AM
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