Evangelism Training Youth Leadership Summit

Transcription

1 WHY EVANGELISM? God s Heart! (Scriptural basis for evangelism) Q: What makes you happy? What do you really enjoy? What would you say your life is about? If you were on a date and someone was trying to get to know you What would you say is the passion of your life? Q: Have you ever thought about what God loves? What he is passionate about? What brings him pleasure? Answer: God desires a PEOPLE that love him and a PLACE that honors him CREATION AND GOD (Genesis 1 & 2) God created us in his image GENESIS 1:27-28 o We were made for God o Implication = Christianity isn t private Cultural Mandate o God create us to worship him in everything we do Common Evangelistic Question: Is God a megalomaniac? Isn t God conceited and vain? God is the only being in the entire universe for whom self-exultation is the most loving thing possible God is the greatest Good, the most lovely, most powerful, most beautiful, most awesome, most creative, most intelligent, most just, most pure, most righteous, most magnificent being in the universe If God doesn t exult himself he is evil and he hates us. BELIEVING THE LIE (Genesis 3:1-9) God s heart is a PEOPLE and a PLACE that honor him. Satan Plants Doubts o Evangelism is answering the doubts Giving a clear picture! Evangelism is about Truth vs. Lie (Do we believe what God says over what Satan/others say?) Do not evangelize over secondary issues o Careful in our evangelism that we do not add to God s Word (Drinking, Music, Dress, Movies-Conscience Issues) Fighting the Great Lie o God doesn t want your best o The god of this age has blinded the minds of unbelievers, so that they cannot see the light of the gospel that displays the glory of Christ, who is the image of God. (2 Cor 4:4) 1 P a g e

2 STATE OF HUMANITY (Romans 1:18-25) Under God s wrath due to sin Suppress the truth in unrighteousness Universe itself is evidence for God No excuse for unbelief Evangelism exists because worship doesn t o Evangelism is showing people why they should Honor and Thank God because he is worthy of honor and everything we have comes from him. Humanity s foundational problem is Idolatry One major area of idolatry in our culture: Sexual Sin o God is a loving Father A loving father never withholds any good gift from his kids without a reason o God isn t stealing your joy.. He is saving you heartache, defilement, brokenness and degradation. Exchanged the truth for a lie Evangelism is addressing the lie Either we worship and serve Creator or creation o This should break your heart Mission of God God doesn t leave us in our sins, excuses, wonderings he comes.. God loves the story of REDEMPTION! The major theme of the Bible is REDEMPTION Ephesians 2:1-5: As for you, you were dead in your transgressions and sins, 2 in which you used to live when you followed the ways of this world and of the ruler of the kingdom of the air, the spirit who is now at work in those who are disobedient. 3 All of us also lived among them at one time, gratifying the cravings of our flesh and following its desires and thoughts. Like the rest, we were by nature deserving of wrath. 4 BUT because of his great love for us, God, who is rich in mercy, 5 made us alive with Christ even when we were dead in transgressions it is by grace you have been saved. QUESTIONS FROM GOD S HEART How does God s Heart to have a people affect the way we live practically? What are some of the common objections you have heard to Christian faith? If God has made himself known to everyone through creation, how does this change the way we approach and talk with those who would identify themselves as non-christians. Why is it so important for Christians to understand the mission of God? 2 P a g e

3 CURRENT CONDITIONS FOR EVANGELISM (Why is evangelism so important?) Analysis of Summit View Church Weaknesses and Strengths LACK OF OWNERSHIP Shared Mission Weekend at Summit View Church very few people identified with the Rescuer Identity Not lack of emphasis but ownership FAMILY FOCUSED SVC tends to be first about family/community and secondarily about mission of seeing the lost saved. Almost everyone at Summit View says they like being here because of the friends they ve made. Q: Is this true of you? Easier to hang out w/friends TRANSFER GROWTH Christians moving into church because of youth programs, former relationships or the smallness of the church Need to be first about mission secondarily about community QUESTIONS ON CURRENT CONDITIONS FOR EVANGELISM What do you think of these statistics? How do you respond to the ideas shared about the current state of our church? Are members more concerned about the lost than their own preferences and comfort? Listen to how church members talk to understand what their true priorities are. Is the church led to pray for lost persons? Most churches are pretty good about praying for those who have physical needs. But do they pray for those who have the greatest spiritual need, a relationship with Jesus Christ? Are the members of the church open to reaching people who don t look or act like them? The gospel breaks all racial, ethnic, and language barriers. Do the members seek to reach others? Do they rejoice when these people become a part of the church? Do small groups and Sunday school classes seek to reach lost persons within their groups? Sunday school was once one of the most effective evangelistic tools in the church. Are the groups in your church evangelistic? Is the leadership of the church evangelistic? The congregation will follow and emulate the priorities of the church leadership. Are there ministries in the church that encourage members to be involved in evangelistic outreach and lifestyle? You may be surprised to find how many members become evangelistic with a modest amount of training and equipping. Have programs become ends in themselves rather than means to reach people? Perhaps a total ministry and program audit is in order. Is there any process of accountability for members to be more evangelistic? That which is rewarded and expected becomes the priority of the congregation. 3 P a g e

4 HOW DO WE EVANGELIZE? Tools Means of Grace DEFINING EVANGELISM Common Understanding Evangelism until someone crosses the line of faith then discipleship Truth Evangelism is discipleship Discipleship is turning any point of someone s life to Jesus REFUTING MISCONCEPTIONS The Live a Good Life Approach to Evangelism -Just be different and people will ask why. St. Francis of Assisi "preach the gospel and if necessary use words --- This mindset has infiltrated us Gospel is a message (Ancient times Gospel would go out about a conquering King) The Gospel isn t your life change The Gospel isn t your good works The Gospel isn t your community of friends The Gospel isn t your godly behavior These are all implications of the Gospel but they aren t the Gospel GOSPEL FLUENCY Be Gospel Fluent Communicating the Gospel Words not just actions/life change CONTEXTUALIZE: Know who you re talking to! o Speaking the truth in love - evangelism needs to be as different as relationships. ASSIGNMENT Take 5 minutes with a buddy and pick someone in your life that doesn t know the Gospel. Tell your buddy about their life, background, education, and personality then have your buddy try to share the Gospel in their own words in a way that person could easily understand. The goal of this exercise is that you would grow in your understanding and ability to contextualize the Gospel in accessible ways. Potential Gospel Outlines Man Creation Ownership Origins Sin Fall Rebellion Morality God Redemption Reconciling Recovery Response Restoration Adopting Destiny 4 P a g e

5 Missional Living Evangelism Training Youth Leadership Summit As the Father has sent me, even so I am sending you. (John 20:21 ESV) Therefore go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, Go therefore and make disciples (Matthew 28:19 NIV) Scheduling Problem I don t have time for Evangelism! o Evangelism isn t another ball to juggle between work, school, family, fun It s being intentional in it. Problematic Methods: o The TERRORISM Approach -Bible Jim at Evergreen WE DROP the Bombs, you pick up the pieces. o The TRACK BOMBER Approach - leave them in the bathroom at Costco. Track bombing in j-burg for missions but leaving on fat air-conditioned buses and never incarnating into their lives. Helpful Method: o Regular life with GOSPEL INTENTIONALITY Approach Let people around you know you are a Christian (in a natural, unforced way) Mention church involvement, prayer, bible reading, etc. Be honest and upfront. Ask friends about their faith and just listen! Carefully selected question can disarm and advance Why do you think that way? Why do you believe that? By what standard? Listen to your friends problems maybe offer to pray for them Our God answers prayer Don t be afraid to pray for them Share your problems with others testify to how your faith helps you People need to see the complexity of Christian life Not perfectrepentant/changing Give them a book to read Something well writing address their questions or struggles Most people have a question they ve never bothered to answer Most people have misconceptions about something in faith or practice Share your story Testify to the truth of resurrection and the power of the Spirit in your life. One of the most powerful witness to the truthfulness of the Gospel is your life Answer objections and questions Answer questions with grace and love. Don t be ashamed of the Gospel It s intellectually sound and emotionally satisfying True 5 P a g e

6 QUESTIONS ON MISSIONAL LIVING Invite them to a church event 70% of people appreciate being invited to church Most people feel honored that you would invite them Lots of people are willing to come check things out Offer to read the Bible with them Show and explain the scriptures to them Show people you don t have to be a pastor to understand the Bible Get Ready to Grow Along the Way Maturity along the way You ll learn better when you re sharing, defending, caring (You ll never be mature enough, know enough, charismatic enough, quick enough Learn on job) How are you living with missional intentionality in your everyday life? Who are you pursuing and how are you pursuing them? 1. When you speak of church, what prepositions do you use? Do you focus on church as a place or event more than a people who are sent? 2. When you think of missions, do you think of a mission trip to a distant city and a service project in your own community or do you think about daily life among your family, neighbors, and coworkers? The answer should be both. Living sent means you are a missionary in your everyday encounters. 3. What is your common declaration about lost people around you? Can you believe the way those people act? OR When can you come over for dinner? Hospitality is a key to living sent. 4. Is my tendency to disengage from culture and retreat into safer, more Christian environments? Or is it to engage culture even amidst discomfort and danger? We must be among lost people in order to be an effective witness. 5. When you hear make disciples, do you think of a classroom or your relationships? We should be equipped to disciple people in the daily routine of life, not just the classroom. 6. Do you spend a lot of time wondering whether you should quit your job to surrender to ministry? Or do you simply live to minister to anyone and everyone where you are currently? Pastoral ministry is vitally important, but too many Christians are unaware that they too are involved in ministry to the people around them. 7. When you think of a friend who needs help, do you think, I need to get him to see the pastor OR I wonder what I can do to help? Pastors are to equip God s people to do the work of the ministry, not be the only ones who minister and witness to the lost. 8. When you think of heaven, do you think kingdom come or kingdom is here? As people who believe the kingdom is both now and not yet, we ought to live as people who are the presence of the future. 9. Do you have a lost friend who would actually introduce you as his or her friend? If we are to live sent the way the sent One intended, then we must have genuine friendship with the lost too 6 P a g e

7 Community on Mission Q: Who here has been on a mission trip? It s hard and awkward but you figure it out and have the best time of your life. Why can t regular life be like that? BE IN A COMMUNITY ON MISSION o Evangelism is NOT individualism Are you being faithful? o Fear of FAILURE: Success is obedience o Fear of REJECTION: They might reject me, mock me, and make fun of me Blessed are you when people insult you, persecute you and falsely say all kinds of evil against you because of me. 12 Rejoice and be glad, because great is your reward in heaven, for in the same way they persecuted the prophets who were before you. Matthew 5:11-12 o Fear of IGNORANCE: I ll look stupid and won t know o Fear of MISUNDERSTANDING: If you re like me you would much rather be hated than misunderstood. Q: What are you of afraid? (It s okay to be afraid, it s okay to admit you re afraid lets deal with it tonight) CHALLENGE Take some time to talk about what your scared of encourage one another and pray for courage, boldness, opportunity, etc. Missional Tips 1. Eat with other people We all eat 3 meals a day. That s 21 opportunities for church and mission each week without adding anything new to your schedule. And meals are a powerful expression of welcome and community. 2. Be a regular Adopt a local cafe, pub, park and shops so you regularly visit and become known as a local. Imagine if everyone in your church, small group or group of friends did this! 3. Join in with what s going on Churches often start their own thing like a coffee shop or homeless program. Instead, join existing initiatives you don t have the burden of running it and you get opportunities with co-workers. 7 P a g e