Matt 28:18ff & discipleship evangelism

[evangelist6589]

I have been in some debates with some over evangelism methods. In my interpretation Matt 28:18ff is the greatest passage in the NT advocating discipleship evangelism. A Way of the Master ONLY friend posted in FB that its not wise to associate with those who are not involved in evangelism. To him WOTM is the ONLY way to evangelize. I am WOTM preferred but not WOTM Only. I challenged him to read Matt 28 and or some other evangelism books, but I doubt he will seriously do so.

Anyone been in these kinds of debates? Mark 16 is a often quoted verse by WOTMO types to advocate a open air preaching approach. I love to open air myself, but I cant say its the only way to evangelize.

Thoughts? Opinions?

 

[Van]

I am not familiar with WOTM evangelism, as opposed to biblical evangelism which teaches cultivating, planting, and watering. Jesus, the Master in view I hope, taught as a rabbi with disciples not trying to learn His instructions, but instead trying to become like the Master. So Biblical evangelism is not simply exposing the lost to the promise of God, but also by word and deed to show the lost Christ through our lives.

 

[evangelist6589]

I am not familiar with WOTM evangelism, as opposed to biblical evangelism which teaches cultivating, planting, and watering. Jesus, the Master in view I hope, taught as a rabbi with disciples not trying to learn His instructions, but instead trying to become like the Master. So Biblical evangelism is not simply exposing the lost to the promise of God, but also by word and deed to show the lost Christ through our lives.

I think there is room for a diversity of opinion on this issue as it seems that everyone has a different interpretation of the text. Some will read a text to come to this conclusion, while others will read a text and come to another conclusion. I think the Lord gives us liberty here because of the many different personalities, backgrounds and spiritual gifts. My neutral position will get me in trouble in all camps, as I am not going to dogmatically say that God can only work via one method of evangelism. Many different evangelism programs out there that want people to believe that their program is the "biblical" method, etc..

 

[Van]

I know that the Billy Graham method, very open air, tent meeting type of "commitment" meetings works hard at establishing affiliations with local churches, so when someone "comes forward" they can be connected to a local church to fulfill the "make discisples" aspect of evangelism.