(notes from Good Word Online)

According to the Adult Sabbath School Bible Study Guide, “we must first be grounded in our relationship with Jesus before we can be ‘properly equipped’ to effectively witness for our faith.”

Reread the quotation above.

• Do you agree? Why or why not?
• What are some biblical examples of people who would be excluded from membership in our churches because of their sins, but who God used in powerful ways to communicate his message to the world?

In a discussion of “equipping for evangelism,” it seems that we should take a careful look at how Jesus went about equipping his disciples for ministry. Matthew 10 is a thought-provoking chapter in this regard.

• Why would Jesus give the instruction in vss 5-6? Shouldn’t we go to all the world?
• In the so-called Western world, a great deal of emphasis is placed on “proclamation evangelism.” Jesus, however, seems to be more interested that his disciples go out with spiritual power (vs 1, 7-8).
• Is this power (to cast out demons, heal the sick, raise the dead) still available to Christians today? If it is still available, why does it seem in short supply?
• How effective is “power evangelism” in communicating the gospel?
• What are the dangers of relying upon miracles and exorcisms in witnessing? What are the dangers of ignoring miracles and exorcisms in witnessing?
• We often emphasize the joy that comes from sharing the gospel. Jesus seems also to stress the trouble that will occur. He mentions being arrested, beaten, and betrayed even unto death. How should we relate to his words on this subject? Does witnessing bring joy, or suffering? Is it easy, or difficult?

In Philippians 1:5-18, the apostle Paul notes that some are preaching Christ “out of envy and rivalry . . . not sincerely, supposing that they can stir up trouble for me while I am in chains.” The amazing thing is that Paul does not seem terribly bothered by this. Rather, he concludes, “The important thing is that in every way, whether from false motives or true, Christ is preached. And because of this, I rejoice.”

• Just how important is the integrity of the one witnessing? Which is better, an authentic Christian who is silent, or an insincere Christian who is loud?
• Should we actually rejoice over insincere, divisive Christians who are preaching Christ?

In Mt. 4:19 and Mark 1:17, Jesus calls his first disciples by saying, “Come, follow me, and I will make you fishers of men.” What is the balance between spiritual equipping for ministry, and more formal education in preparation for ministry? Does Jesus train us, or should a school train us? Are the two mutually exclusive?

(notes from Good Word Online)

As we have noted in previous lessons, the work of evangelism is not simply the task of professionals. The church as a whole is called to bear witness to the gospel.

We often emphasize the power of one-on-one witnessing. However, in Genesis 12, we find one of God’s earliest missionary callings. Here, God calls Abram to relocate his family. God also promises to make him into a great nation, bless him, and then, through him, bless the world (Gen 12:1-3).

• Why did God ask Abram to move away from Ur and go to a distant land? What was especially strategic about the location of Palestine?
• In what ways would Abraham and Sarah’s descendants serve as a corporate witness to the world?
• Where they a consistently good witness?
• How faithful–and how good–must a people be before God is able to bless others through them? Does God move on to another community if his first choice fails?
• Does God still have a special group of people through whom he wishes to bless the world? How would we be able to identify that special group? Would it be on the basis of their theology, their actions, or some other identifying feature?
• In what ways is the corporate testimony of a community of faith more powerful than the testimony of an individual? What biblical examples can you think of to support your view?

As missiologists study the spread of the gospel through history, they have concluded that the reasons for “rejecting” the gospel are often (or even usually) because the gospel is perceived as culturally foreign. The gospel is rejected primarily because it is seen as alien, not because it is determined to be false. Notice how Jesus’ model of ministry takes this into account. First, he left the heavenly culture and came to live with those he wanted to save. He was born as a Galilean, which was a distinct and identifiable subculture in Israel. He selected as his disciples men who were also Galilean–with the probable exception of Judas. His ministry began in Galilee. Clearly, his message was for all, but he seemed to intentionally build a network of followers from his own, unique Galilean subculture.

• What lessons are there for us in this?
• In what ways does the dominant church culture actually hinder us from reaching other cultures around us?
• If an “unchurched” person came to your church next week and stayed by for potluck, what parts of the service and the meal would leave them feeling like a confused foreigner? Would it be the sermon? The music? The food? The dress? The vocabulary?
• Who should bridge the cultural divide? Should the church expect the newcomer to change (i.e., “Learn OUR language!”) or should the church try to adjust its culture in order to minimize the newcomer’s culture shock (i.e., “We will try to speak YOUR language!”)? Does 1 Cor 9:21-23 help us with this question?

Colossians 1:28-29 speaks both of proclaiming and perfecting. How will the church ever become perfect and spotless if it continually is welcoming new, imperfect members?

(notes from Good Word Online)

Most of us live in an increasingly specialized society. General practitioners are being replaced by specialists in almost every field. What about evangelism? Can anybody be a witness for Jesus, or is our job merely to support the professionals as they communicate the gospel?

What is the most influential factor that leads to a person giving his or her life to Christ?

According to recent research, most of those who are baptized after an evangelistic series will say that they came to the meetings because of an invitation from someone they knew. Clearly, familial and friendship networks are important in evangelism.

• Why do you suppose this is the case?
• What are some examples of “personal evangelism” in Scripture?

The Adult Sabbath School lesson suggests that those who witness ought to be living a consistent life in which their words match their deeds. Secondly, the lesson stresses the need for a strong spiritual life prior to witnessing. In other words, we must know Jesus well before we can share him with others. After all, we can’t share what we don’t have!

• Is this true? Can we witness for Christ in the midst of personal struggles and doubts? Can someone who struggles with sin still be an effective personal witness for Jesus? How does Matthew 28:17-20 (especially vs. 17) speak to this issue?
• Can you think of biblical examples that would suggest that those who are most uncertain of their fitness for witnessing are actually the best witnesses of all?
• Is there ever a time when we should “hold back” from witnessing because of our own doubts or struggles?
• How important is our motivation for witnessing? Should be witness even if we don’t feel like it (perhaps out of a sense of duty?), or is this ultimately counterproductive?

In John 1:35-42, Andrew hears Jesus, and then brings his brother Simon Peter to Jesus. Later in the New Testament, this same Simon Peter gives counsel to wives who have husbands who “do not believe the word” (1 Peter 3:1-2).

• Is it easier to witness to friends or to close family members? Why?
• What are the unique challenges to bringing family members to Jesus?
• According to 1 Peter 3:1-2, how is it that wives were to win their husbands? In general, is this a good strategy for personal evangelism outside the home?

In 1 Cor. 9:21-23, Paul describes his willingness to “become” a different person in order to reach different audiences. He says, “To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.”

• What does it mean to “become all things to all people”?
• Is this a good strategy for personal evangelism?
• What are the dangers of such an approach?
• How does one emulate Paul while still being an authentic, genuine witness?

(notes from Good Word Online)

Imagine travelling to a distant land as a pioneer missionary. You arrive, unpack your luggage, and settle into your home. Then what? How should you begin your work?

How does the example of Jesus’ life help us to answer the question posed above? According to Luke 3:23, how old was Jesus when he began his public ministry? Why did he wait so long? Doesn’t it seem like a waste of time to have the Son of God living earth for 30 years, working in a carpenter shop without really doing anything overtly evangelistic? Did Jesus have a general pattern–a sort of evangelistic sequence–that he used as he tried to reach people?

Read John 16:12-13 and 1 Cor 3:2.

• What is the point that both Jesus and Paul seem to be making here?
• Just because something is true, does that mean we should share it with someone? Can truth, given at the wrong time and to the wrong person, actually harm someone?
• Would it be fair to say (based on the passages above) that there is a time to withhold truth for the sake of our audience?
• What are some concrete examples of Bible doctrines that are “milk” for beginners?
• What are some concrete examples of Bible doctrines that are “solid food” for those who are more advanced in their spiritual development?

Read 1 Cor 9:19-23. How much should the needs of our audience affect the message we share? How much should the culture of our audience shape the message we give?

Which mistake is made most often in the evangelism programs you have experienced?

• Evangelists are too timid and merely tell people what they want to hear.
• Evangelists are too aggressive and share truths before people are ready to hear them.

If the sequence of our evangelism matters, doesn’t this place a lot of pressure on us? What if we “do it wrong” and people are driven away? What if we give solid food and choke the baby, to use a biblical metaphor? Are we responsible for this? Are souls lost because of poorly planned evangelistic endeavours?

In John 6:54-66, we find that Jesus taught something that was difficult for his followers to accept. Apparently, there is a time to share truth, even though it may not be well received. How can we know when to share truths that may offend?

If you had to design a series of Bible studies, what topics would you cover first? What doctrines would you save for last? Why?

Weekly discussion, study and prayer meeting.

Leader – Pastor Bob Rodd.

Weekly discussion, study and prayer meeting.

Leader – Pastor Robin Riches.

(notes from Good Word Online)

When we speak of “evangelism”, many of us may think first of a public proclamation of the gospel. The reality, however, is that whether we realize it or not, each one of us preaches a message through the way that we live. In fact, our actions speak much more loudly than our words. So, it isn’t just our proclamation that matters. Our very presence in a community says something about the God we serve.

In 1 Thess 4:11-12 we read, “Make it your ambition to lead a quiet life, to mind your own business and to work with your hands, just as we told you, so that your daily life may win the respect of outsiders and so you will not be dependent on anybody.”

• What is the reputation of Christianity around the world? What do “outsiders” think of when they hear about Christianity?
• On a more local level, what does your community think about your local church? Is your reputation earned?
• On an even more personal level, what do your neighbours, coworkers, and business associates (or competitors) think of you? Have you won their respect through your daily life? How about your own children?
• Which is easier to do: proclaim the gospel through our words, or, to live the gospel in our daily lives?
• Is there a tension between public proclamation of our faith and leading “a quiet life” and minding our “own business”, as 1 Thess 4 says?

According to Acts 9:36, “In Joppa, there was a disciple named Tabitha (which, when translated, is Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor.” Is this sort of humanitarian aid of secondary importance to the explicit, public proclamation of the gospel? Is the “social gospel” merely a preparation for the real gospel – or is helping others in their distress evangelism?

Look at the definition of true religion in James 1:27. If this is so, do you belong to the true church?

I worked as a literature evangelist for one summer in a city not far from home. It was fascinating to me to watch the reaction of people when they found out I was a Seventh-day Adventist. Many didn’t know anything about my denomination. Many were confused. A few knew something, but what they knew wasn’t what I wished they knew! If a local church is living as they ought to live, what should be their reputation in the community? What should they be known for? Does John 13:35 help to answer this question?

I’d like to conclude with two quotations from E. G. White. In what ways do these statements encourage us? How do these statements challenge us?

“A kind, courteous Christian is the most powerful argument that can be produced in favour of Christianity” (GW 122).

“Too often the influence of the sermon preached from the pulpit is counteracted by the sermon preached in the lives of those who claim to be advocates of the truth” (9T 21).