Category: Evangelism

friendship handshake men

Using Relationships In Evangelism – Part 2

Posted on by

Last week we talked about using relationships in evangelism, especially with friends who are not saved. We explained that the nature of healthy relationships points to God and how he relates to us, as well as how he wants us to relate with others. Below is a discussion one might have with a seeker, using relationships in evangelism to them. You may be able to collect some ideas for the next discussion you have with a friend who will talk about the meaning of life, but who may not listen to a direct evangelistic message. Many seekers want to understand a relationship with God before they pursue following Jesus. Using relationships in evangelism is a non-threatening way to point someone toward Christ. “Think about someone you love very much and who also loves you. If you don’t have such a relationship think about the ideal relationship you would like to Continue Reading →

friendship handshake men

Using Relationships In Evangelism – Part 1

Posted on by

I got into a debate online with someone who was complaining about God ordering the death of some people in the Old Testament. We went back and forth until finally I explained that the root reason for God’s judgment was that the people were destroying relationships. They had embraced a destructive culture, even to the point of sacrificing infants to their idols. The other person didn’t respond to my comment. What could he say? This is an example of discussing Christian principles of relationships in evangelism, showing that Jesus is the way to healthy relationships. Usually, when we think of apologetics in evangelism, we think of presenting evidence related to facts of the Christian faith. But sometimes apologetics relates to values or ideas that listeners already embrace. For example, when Paul evangelized Gentiles he did not use the same ideas that he used with Jews. When he spoke to Gentiles Continue Reading →

admonish, warn

Why Do So Many People Ignore Morality (And How Do We Respond)?

Posted on by

New York Times Columnist David Brooks recently published an article in the Atlantic magazine about the condition of morality. He discussed the history of morality and explained why so many people ignore morality today. (The article can be found here, but you probably need a subscription.) This is very important for believers to understand, especially leaders, because we need to understand how people think if we are going to help them transition to Christlike thinking. Brooks begins with the problem, then examines history; he highlights the Enlightenment movement that began in the 17th century. It prioritized the power of reason to arrive at all knowledge. I will quote from Brooks’ article. There’s a question that’s been bugging me for nearly a decade. How is it that half of America looks at Donald Trump and doesn’t find him morally repellent? He lies, cheats, steals, betrays, and behaves cruelly and corruptly, and Continue Reading →

conversation missions evangelism

Invite The Lost Into The Jesus Counterculture

Posted on by

Last week we saw that it is normal for society to consider Christians intolerant or antisocial and that historically people turn to Jesus when Christians are outcasts and lights for Jesus. So, we have the opportunity to invite people into the Jesus counterculture. Yet, some of us may be avoiding the idea of Christians being separate from the mainstream of society. If we let go of these things we will find peace as well as greater effectiveness for Jesus. Instead, we should remember that we do not need to think of ourselves as being on the defensive. Rather, we are always on the offensive because we are bringing “goodness and light” to the world. The Jesus counterculture is a greater contrast to popular culture than ever before. Some of the lost are looking for an alternative, we can offer the Jesus counterculture. We do not have to be afraid to bring Continue Reading →

conversation missions evangelism

When Our Society Declines: Being Missionaries Everywhere

Posted on by

It’s not really fair to expect unbelievers to act like believers. We are in this world as lights, not as adversaries to the world. We are to love our enemies as well those who are not our enemies (which I think covers everyone). Most people do not follow Jesus, so we are to be missionaries everywhere. If we change our mindset then we won’t be so discouraged when our culture becomes destructive. Instead of thinking we have a right to live in the kind of place we want, it might help to think of ourselves as missionaries in our community and our world. We are in the minority and we cannot quickly change our culture. As missionaries we need to understand the culture around us. Since there is such a diversity of views wherever we go, our lives are a constant cross-cultural experience. Even talking to our neighbor is sometimes Continue Reading →