Lifestyle Evangelism

1. Lifestyle Evangelism Session I “Just the Facts”

2. Evangelism

3. Is this Evangelism?

4. Why don’t people evangelize? • Can a quiet, timid Christian go out and evangelize? • Is it possible for the average Christian to be transformed into an evangelizing witness of Jesus Christ?

5. Evangelism is not … • the same as filling pews. • an occasional raid by a visiting celebrity. • a matter of impassioned and repeated calls for decision. • a system. • proclamation alone or presence alone. • an optional extra for those who like that sort of thing.

6. Evangelism is … Traditional Definition: “Presenting the facts of the Gospel to people in such a way that they can make an immediatedecision to become a Christian.”

7. Evangelism is … A Better Definition: “Letting people know about Jesus and how one can become part of God’s family.”

8. Evangelism is … Lifestyle Evangelism: “Letting people know about Jesus and how one can become part of God’s family, and doing it as a naturalpart of yourdaily living in a way that is suited to your individual personalityandtemperament.”

9. Why Should We Evangelize? • The love of God constrains us. • It brings glory to God. • The Lord commands us to witness. • The gift of the Holy Spirit. • People are lost without Christ. • It is our responsibility. • It is our privilege.

10. Lifestyle Evangelism Session II “Let’s Get Personal”

11. Lifestyle Alone “Far too many Christians have been anesthetized into thinking that if they simply live out their faith in an open and consistent fashion, the people around them will see it, want it, and somehow figure out how to get it for themselves.” Bill Hybels

12. Lifestyle ‘Before’ “Christians are to be good news before they share the good news.” Joe Aldrich

13. Lifestyle as ‘advertisement’ “The best argument for Christianity is Christians; their joy, their certainty, their completeness. But the strongest argument against Christianity is also Christians – when they are somber and joyless, when they are self-righteous and smug in complacent consecration, when they are narrow and repressive, then Christianity dies a thousand deaths.” Sheldon Vanauken

14. 1 Thessalonians 2.8 “We loved you so much that we were delighted to share with you not only the gospel of God but our lives as well, because you had become so dear to us.”

15. What does salt do? • Makes us thirsty. • Spices things up. • Preserves. • Requires potency and proximity in order to work effectively.

16. What does light do? • Makes things visible. • Helps to see things clearly. • When we look into the biblical use of the term “light,” the central idea that emerges is that of clearly and attractively presenting God’s truth to others.

17. Formula for Effective Evangelism HP + CP + CC = MI • MI = Maximum Impact • HP = High Potency • CP = Close Proximity (Salt) • CC = Clear Communication (Light)

18. Praying – Impact List For Them, ask God to: • Pull them toward Himself • Open their eyes to the emptiness of life without Him • Help them see their need for forgiveness • Help them grasp the meaning and importance of the cross of Christ • Open the person’s heart to God’s love and truth

19. Praying – Impact List For You, ask God to: • Help you live a consistent and attractive Christian life • Give you wisdom in knowing how to approach the relationship • Grant you appropriate boldness and courage • Use you to help lead this person into a relationship with Christ

20. Busy?? • Are we too busy to be about our Father’s real business? • If so, how can we reorder our priorities to place HIS interests first?

21. Not merely … Not merely in the words expressed Not only in the deeds confessed But in the most unconscious way Is Christ expressed. Is it a calm and peaceful smile? A holy light upon your brow? Oh no! I felt his presence When you laughed just now.

22. Not merely … For me ‘twas not the truth you taught, To you so clear, to me so dim, But when you came to me you brought A sense of Him. Author Unknown

23. Lifestyle Evangelism Session III “Opportunity Knocks”

24. loving – 1 John 4.16 • holy – 1 Peter 1.16 • just – 2 Thess. 1.6

25. We are … • sinful – Romans 3.23 • deserving of death – Romans 6.23 • spiritually helpless – Isaiah 64.6

26. Jesus Christ … • is God and man – John 1.1, 14 • died in our place – 1 Peter 2.24 • offers forgiveness – Ephesians 2.8, 9

27. We must accept … • Jesus’ offer–John 1.12 • Him as Savior and Lord – 1 John 1.9 • the new life He gives– 2 Cor. 5.17

28. The Roman Road • Humanity’s sin – Romans 3.23 • Sin’s Penalty – Romans 6.23 • God’s Provision – Romans 5.8 • Humanity’s Response of Faith – Romans 10.9 • Humanity’s Response of Commitment – Romans 12.1-2

29. ABC’s of Salvation • Admit your need. • Believe on Christ. • Commit yourself to Christ.

30. E-A-S-Y • Everyone is a sinner • All sinners will die. • Sin’s penalty has already been paid. • You can be saved by believing Jesus died for your sins and asking Him to forgive you.

31. “If we confess our sins, He is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.” 1 John 1.9 The way to peace is easy – and yet it is hard – because you have to decide to surrender everything to the Lord. But when you do that you have this promise:

32. 1 Peter 3.15 “But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be preparedto give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have.”

33. Your Personal Story • People are interested in you. • People can relate to it. • People can’t easily argue with it. • Tell your story is easy to do! • What’s the thread that runs through your life? • What was life like before you accepted Jesus? • What was your conversion experience? • What difference has Jesus made to you?

34. Presenting Your Story • Be natural. • Be creative. • Be open. • Be loving and gentle. • Be simple. • Be specific. • Be bold.

35. Romans 10.14 “How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?”

36. Lifestyle Evangelism Session IV “Now What?”

37. 1 Corinthians 3.7-8 “So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but God who causes the growth. The one who plants and the one who waters have the same purpose, and each will be rewarded according to their own labor.”

38. Sample Prayer Dear Lord, I know that my sin has separated me from You. Thank You that Jesus Christ died in my place and rose again to be my Savior. I want to ask You to forgive me of all my sins. I want Jesus to be my Savior and Lord. Come into my life and lead me. Thank You for giving me a relationship with You forever. In Jesus’ name, Amen.

39. After the Prayer • Celebrate. • Affirm their commitment. • Paint a realistic picture.

40. Helping the Christian Grow There are few areas in the Christian Church where we fail more catastrophically than in the care we give to new believers.” Michael Green

41. Needs of the New Believer • Feeding – 1 Peter 2.2 • Protecting – 1 Peter 5.8 • Training – Colossians 2.6-7