What Methods Work Best Today?????

Hi, Teddy. Quite an interesting question, and one that I am sure you will deal with quite a bit in Bible College. I cannot contribute very much to the discussion, but I believe that Baptist churches have been influenced too much with the "12-step program" mentality. By this I mean the kind of thinking that if do a certain thing that it will produce a certain result. Spreading the gospel is not about methods and programs. We are not commanded to produce results. We are commanded to go and preach the gospel. Salvation is of the Lord.

 

Whatever the method you choose, just make sure that in the final tally you can say, with Paul:

ACTS 20:26 Wherefore I take you to record this day, that I am pure from the blood of all men.
ACTS 20:27 For I have not shunned to declare unto you all the counsel of God.

Do that and God will see you as faithful.

 

Our brother rlvaughn is correct in asserting that evangelism is not about programs, it is about preaching the gospel. However, I would disagree with him just slightly as to methodology. Our evangelism must have a biblical methodology, which is two-fold.

First, proclaim the Gospel! Proclaim it in its fulness, not in a "watered-down" sort of fashion. Include faith and repentance. Do not shy away from preaching Christ, the God-Man, and Him crucified for sinners. I think you get the picture.

Second, pray! Pray! Pray! Pray! We are completely dependent upon the Lord in the work of evangelism (as in all other things in the Christian life). Unless the Spirit moves, all of our labor is in vain. Pray! Ask God to move. Ask Him to be gracious. Ask Him to open blind eyes. Ask Him to bring life where there is only spiritual death. Ask Him to remove the heart of stone and to replace it with a heart of flesh. Salvation really is of the Lord.

If you want a helpful "outline," use that found in the Scriptures (especially Acts 17 - St. Paul on Mars Hill):

I. Creation
* God created all things for His pleasure
* all things owe their lives / being to God
* all things owe their allegiance to God
II. Fall
* Adam & Eve rebelled against God
* We are born into their rebellion
* We are sinners / rebels by nature and choice
* As sinners we are under the curse
* All sin / sinners deserve death and hell
III. Salvation
* God the Father sent Jesus the Son
* Jesus is fully God, fully Man
* Jesus born of a virgin, lived without sin
* Jesus died on a cross, though innocent
* Jesus rose from the dead on the 3rd day
* Jesus lived and died for sinners
IV. Response
* God calls everyone everywhere to repent
* God calls everyone everywhere to have faith
* Faith must be placed in Christ alone
* Those who place their faith in Christ are saved
* Those who reject Christ will be condemend forever (hell)

Hope this is helpful.

Rev. G

 

Warm Christian greetings!

The time honoured and Biblical way of evangelism is the straight one to one (I believe you say one on one!). Just speak to people about the age old truths of the Gospel and how they have changed you. If you can follow this up with a NT or John's Gospel so much the better. The Holy Spirit then does the rest.

Kind regards

Robert J Hutton

 

Rev. G, I don't think I disagree with anything you say, and I certainly believe in Biblical methodology. What I had reference to is that many people think they can find some certain method or program and because of using that particular program they achieve results. It is we who pray and preach the truth. It is God Who produces the results. I think that pretty much summarizes Biblical methodology. Or, put another way, if I preach the word and pray and do not see any results, I will not go looking for some other method. I would continue to preach the truth and pray, understanding that results are up to God.

[ October 03, 2002, 05:35 PM: Message edited by: rlvaughn ]

 

Amen, brother!

Rev. G

[ October 03, 2002, 11:15 PM: Message edited by: Rev. G ]