Evangelism 10 – Part 3 Evangelism:  Two useful tools.  (Alternate title:  Maybe we should take this seriously and practice a little.)

Anything worth doing is worth doing well is what my dad and mom always told me growing up.  And the word “anything” applies to pretty much everything in case you were wondering!

In case you forgot or missed the first two installments you can see them here:  The first is learning how to have good conversations and caring about people.  The second is about prayer.  Give them a read!

Now we are here.  We care about people.  We now how to not have awkward conversations and how to ask good questions.  And have prayed it up.  The question is, “What now? What do I say?”  

First your story.

• Your story is the most powerful apologetic you own–because your story is not just your story.  It is God’s story and He is at work in you.  Tell the story!

My suggestion is to learn to tell your story and to learn to tell it as a trailer and a director’s cut.  I have a friend, Jason, who tells a fifteen second version of his story to everyone he meets…like everyone.  I think it is worthwhile to be able to share a 15 second version of God at work.  It is also worthwhile to be able to elaborate and tell of God at work in more detail. 

What do you tell?  The basic format is this:  

• Before I put my trust in Jesus my life was characterized by __________  and __________.

• How I put my trust in Jesus.

• After I put my trust in Jesus He changed my life and now I’m ___________ and _________.

Take some time right now to fill in those blanks. For a worksheet that can help you walk through this in more depth click here:  Creating your Testimony (big word for your story)

• Clearly articulating the gospel message so that someone could put their faith in Jesus is a good skill to learn.  

Yes, the results are in God’s control!  No, we can’t know the answer to every question ever.  But we can get really good at sharing a very simple salvation message.  So after learning to share your story I would recommend finding one presentation tool that you want to become an expert in.  In my organization, Athletes in Action, all new staff are required to memorize one tool.  We all know the main points, the Bible verses, and even good transition questions.  Is it a perfect tool?  No.  But even a memorized ok tool is better than a perfect tool that you can’t remember when you need it.  (For the record, in my opinion, there are no perfect tools!)

Practically, you can learn how to share here:  

And then I’d recommend downloading this app called GodTools. This app has digital versions of both of the above tools.

The tool: 

No amount of preparation can substitute for desire.  No amount of preparation can substitute for the work of the Holy Spirit.  But in my experience God uses our preparation.  It is also my experience that those that are most prolific and most successful in evangelism have taken the time to prepare themselves to share well.

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What have you found to be the easiest way to share your story?  

Do you have another tool that you are trained in that you have seen success with?

Evangelism 101 – Part 2  Talk to God about people before you talk to people about God.  (Alternate title:  You got to pray just to make it today.)

Pray.  That word always shows up in articles like this.  I wonder why that is?  hmmm…

First of all Jesus says to pray for the will of God to be done “on earth as it is in heaven.”  He also says to knock, seek, and ask and “it will be given to you.”  Then we have Paul’s example of continuing to keep those he cares about in his prayers. 

Prayer is not the only thing but it is the most important thing we can do.  In the organization I work for, Athletes in Action, we often say that “taking the initiative to share the gospel in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God.”  When we pray we make our dependence on God clear. He is the one who “makes things grow.”  We plant and water!

Practically what does this look like?

First:  Make a list.  For me it is a list of five individuals or couples that don’t yet know Jesus, are geographically close, and who I care about.  Figure out what to do that will help you keep them in prayer on a daily basis.  (I use technology and I have them added to a reminder that pops up on my phone.)  

In my opinion, every Christian should have a list like this.  (Full confession – in the past I have done this off and on.  Would you join me in making this a lifelong habit?) The two main things I ask is that God would move in their hearts to draw them closer to himself.  And that God would show me what next thing I can do to help them on their journey. 

In the book “Sent” by Heather Holleman (you should read it btw) she lists seven prayers she prays.  Ever since hearing her speak one of them in particular stands out and I find myself praying this for people from Psalm 119:37:  “God would you turn their eyes from worthless things.”  Imagine the impact this prayer would have on the people in your life!  Mini-revivals are going to break out!

Here are the rest of the seven.  I’m making this a printable image so that you can print this out and stick it on the mirror or on your dash.  

SEVEN WAYS TO PRAY 

1. Ask God to send a “Spirit of wisdom and revelation” to that person.—Ephesians 1:17–19 

2. Ask God to “turn [their] eyes from worthless things” and that they “come to their senses.”—Psalm 119:37 

3. Ask God to send others to help.—Matthew 9:38 

4. Ask God for an open door for the gospel.—Colossians 4:2–4 

5. Ask God to give you boldness to overcome your fear.—Ephesians 6:19–20 

6. Pray the message of Christ spreads quickly.—2 Thessalonians 3:1 

7. Ask God to continue to instruct you in when, where, how, and to whom He would like you to communicate the gospel.—Psalm 32:8

Evangelism 101–Part 1.  Two things that are more important than technique or tools.  (Alternate title:  Don’t be awkward.  Care about people.)

Awkward silence.  (Have you noticed that even the word “awkward” is awkward? Or is that just me?)  Only talking about yourself.  Never getting a word in.  These are just some of the things that make up bad conversations. They also make up bad evangelistic conversations. 

1.  The ability to have good conversations is a prerequisite to having good evangelistic conversations.

If you want to walk in the way of Jesus here is the first thing I’d suggest.  Become a better conversationalist.  If you look at Jesus’ example in Scripture you’ll see he had a lot of conversations with a lot of different people.  He didn’t hide in his scroll and never lift his head.  He didn’t dominate the conversation so much that people would see him coming and cross the street.  It appears that Jesus was a good conversationalist.

And this is where we get back to awkward conversations.  You must learn to have good conversations.  If you really care about others, then you will work on being a good conversationalist.  For some this is easy.  For others not so much.  

If you are a talkaholic, you probably need to learn to speak less and ask more questions.  If small talk terrifies you, you probably need to learn to speak more and ask more questions.  We all tend toward one side or the other.  Know your tendency and grow.  

My biggest suggestion for having good conversations:  Be curious.  Desire to know about the other person more than you desire to share your story. With a nod to How to Win Friends and Influence People, “Be interested to be interesting.”  Here is a very practical rule.  In conversation if someone has asked you three questions you need to ask them a question before they are able to ask you a fourth.  Then listen.  

If you have more and better conversations and you pair those with the next essential element you will have more and better evangelistic conversations.  

2. Having heart for those that don’t yet know Jesus is essential for having more evangelistic conversations.  

Or at least having a heart that is willing to ask Jesus to give you a heart for those that don’t yet know Jesus.  Ask and you will receive.

Do we actually care if people know Jesus or not?   I think of when Jesus looked upon the crowds.  He had compassion on them because he knew they were harassed and helpless.  Jesus knew that the crowds needed Him.  He knew that life for them would never be what it could have been.  That joy could never be experienced like it could have been.  That purpose could never be known like it could have been.  That relationship with Him is essential to living to the fullest.  

Do we care?  If we do then we’re well on your way.  

If you don’t care, ask God to move in your heart.  

If you have a heart for those that don’t know Jesus yet and you are having more and better conversations, you will have more and better evangelistic conversations.  And if you have more and better evangelistic conversations you will see more people come to Jesus.  

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What are your best tips to be a better conversationalist?

How have you developed a heart for those that don’t know Jesus yet?