Saturday, November 01, 2008
Two of the important principles that guide us in evangelism are as follows: "People don't care how much you know until they know how much you care." Another principle that guides us is, "When you go to where people are, you can take them where you are going." Let's discuss each of them and see how by putting them into practice we can be more effective in leading people to Christ.
In every way, we encourage people to study the bible. This is especially important to those engaged in outreach. You want to know the material that you want to present. You want to be able to go to the bible for answers. Just today, someone asked me why we did not have musical instruments in "our church"? By going to the bible and reading to them, I let the authority of God do the talking. His word is far more influential than I am. Very probably most of us could give a biblical answer, but it's getting the chance to explain what the bible says in their "comfort zone" so that they will be receptive to the answer. That's where "knowing how much you care" comes in. The people with whom I studied today, ( we were blessed with 2 bible readings & studies today) have already been shown that we at the Howell church care about them and their concerns, both physically and spiritually. We are finding that showing careing concern is a definite help in developing a study.
The second principle that is a great help in obtaining a bible study is " When you go to where people are, you can take them to where you are going" Jesus was the great example of both of these principles. Think how many times He fed people, think how many times, He healed people, Think of the times He told them of God's providence. He went to where people were. Now by going to where people are, we don't mean their address, we mean being able to help them with those things that are of great personal concern. It may be finances, it may be family, it may health, it may be a whole host of things. As you have shown care for people, often they are apt to share with you those things that are crowding out our ability to discuss spiritual things with them. I have found that a great place to start showing God's care for them is in Matthew chapter six. Remember, and this is important, go the individual with an attitude of leading and helping, not arguing, brow beating and driving. We have found it is much easier to lead someone to Christ rather than to try and drive them. In fact, I don't remember anyone I have successfully driven there. Without a doubt, argumentation, debate, etc. has it's place, but when you are privileged to talk with someone about their soul, we might rember the words of James as recorded in chapter 3,v.17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gently, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,... "We can do it." Don
In every way, we encourage people to study the bible. This is especially important to those engaged in outreach. You want to know the material that you want to present. You want to be able to go to the bible for answers. Just today, someone asked me why we did not have musical instruments in "our church"? By going to the bible and reading to them, I let the authority of God do the talking. His word is far more influential than I am. Very probably most of us could give a biblical answer, but it's getting the chance to explain what the bible says in their "comfort zone" so that they will be receptive to the answer. That's where "knowing how much you care" comes in. The people with whom I studied today, ( we were blessed with 2 bible readings & studies today) have already been shown that we at the Howell church care about them and their concerns, both physically and spiritually. We are finding that showing careing concern is a definite help in developing a study.
The second principle that is a great help in obtaining a bible study is " When you go to where people are, you can take them to where you are going" Jesus was the great example of both of these principles. Think how many times He fed people, think how many times, He healed people, Think of the times He told them of God's providence. He went to where people were. Now by going to where people are, we don't mean their address, we mean being able to help them with those things that are of great personal concern. It may be finances, it may be family, it may health, it may be a whole host of things. As you have shown care for people, often they are apt to share with you those things that are crowding out our ability to discuss spiritual things with them. I have found that a great place to start showing God's care for them is in Matthew chapter six. Remember, and this is important, go the individual with an attitude of leading and helping, not arguing, brow beating and driving. We have found it is much easier to lead someone to Christ rather than to try and drive them. In fact, I don't remember anyone I have successfully driven there. Without a doubt, argumentation, debate, etc. has it's place, but when you are privileged to talk with someone about their soul, we might rember the words of James as recorded in chapter 3,v.17, "But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceful, gently, and easy to be entreated, full of mercy and good fruits,... "We can do it." Don
# posted by Missions with Don&Rosemary @ 1:20 PM 
