Knowing Jesus, Part 12: Evangelism
Download StudyThis week we conclude our Knowing Jesus series. If knowing Jesus is the most important thing that ever happened in your life, then it follows that helping another person to know Jesus should be the most important thing in your life.
This study is meant to help you in that quest. Read on, friends!
Ralph Drollinger
The subject of evangelism is often a difficult one for believers who have never communicated their faith to another person. There is however no greater thrill than overcoming this hurdle (often of fear) and experiencing the blessing of God—for Him to use you to bring another person to Christ! I have heard some people attempt to justify their lack of personal evangelism by stating that Jesus’ Great Commission was aimed at His disciples only—versus all believers in general. We will touch on the fallacy of that view in this lesson.
I. THE CALL TO EVANGELISM
The word “evangelism” brings many thoughts to mind. Some think of revival tents and famous speakers; still others of weekly “visitations” and the fear of “witnessing.” This lesson will introduce the biblical concept of evangelism and the role the believer plays.
According to Mark 16:15 what were the disciples to do?
“And He said to them, ‘Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation.’”
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What are three aspects of making disciples recorded in Matthew 28:19–20?
“‘Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.’”
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What did Jesus say should be proclaimed to all the nations?
“And He said to them, ‘Thus it is written, that the Christ would suffer and rise again from the dead the third day, and that repentance for forgiveness of sins would be proclaimed in His name to all the nations, beginning from Jerusalem.’” (Luke 24:46–47)
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What was Paul to tell all people?
“‘For you will be a witness for Him to all men of what you have seen and heard.’” (Acts 22:15)
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II. THE GOOD NEWS OF EVANGELISM: THE GOSPEL
According to 1 Corinthians 15:3–4, what is the good news that Paul preached?
“For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins according to the Scriptures, and that He was buried, and that He was raised on the third day according to the Scriptures.”
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Of what did Paul say he was not ashamed?
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.” (Romans 1:16)
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Why?
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III. THE ESSENTIALS OF EVANGELISM
What must someone believe about Jesus Christ for salvation?
“In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God.” ( John 1:1)
“Jesus said to him, ‘I am the way, and the truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but through Me.’” ( John 14:6)
“‘And there is salvation in no one else; for there is no other name under heaven that has been given among men by which we must be saved.’” (Acts 4:12)
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The following are key verses in sharing the Gospel message. Read each verse and briefly summarize the key point:
“For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.” (Romans 3:23)
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“For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.” (Romans 6:23)
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“But God demonstrates His own love toward us, in that while we were yet sinners, Christ died for us.” (Romans 5:8)
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“And He Himself bore our sins in His body on the cross, so that we might die to sin and live to righteousness; for by His wounds you were healed.” (1 Peter 2:24)
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“If you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.” (Romans 10:9)
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“But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, even to those who believe in His name.” ( John 1:12)
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IV. THE STRATEGY FOR EVANGELISM
A. WITNESS BY YOUR LIFE
What kind of life should we live and how should we appear to the world?
“Do all things without grumbling or disputing; so that you will prove yourselves to be blameless and innocent, children of God above reproach in the midst of a crooked and perverse generation, among whom you appear as lights in the world.” (Philippians 2:14–15)
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Others will see your redeemer through your redeemed life.
Read Matthew 5:16:
“Let your light shine before men in such a way that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father who is in heaven.”
What do people notice that makes a Christian’s life shine?
What will be the result?
According to Colossians 4:6, how should you speak to others?
“Let your speech always be with grace, as though seasoned with salt, so that you will know how you should respond to each person.”
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B. PRAYER
As Paul prayed for others, what was on his heart?
“Brethren, my heart’s desire and my prayer to God for them is for their salvation.” (Romans 10:1)
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For what requests did Paul ask the Colossians to pray?
“Praying at the same time for us as well, that God will open up to us a door for the word, so that we may speak forth the mystery of Christ, for which I have also been imprisoned; that I may make it clear in the way I ought to speak.” (Colossians 4:3–4)
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When speaking the Word of God to others, especially in threatening situations, what should we ask God to give us?
“And now, Lord, take note of their threats, and grant that Your bond-servants may speak Your word with all confidence.” (Acts 4:29)
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What does the first and last stanza of the following passage state about “kings and those in authority?”
“First of all, then, I urge that entreaties and prayers, petitions and thanksgivings, be made on behalf of all men, for kings and those in authority … This is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth.”
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C. USE GOD’S WORD
What will God’s Word do?
“For the word of God is living and active and sharper than any two-edged sword, and piercing as far as the division of soul and spirit, of both joints and marrow, and able to judge the thoughts and intentions of the heart.” (Hebrews 4:12)
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How did Paul use the Scripture in witnessing?
“And according to Paul’s custom, he went to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, explaining and giving evidence that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, ‘This Jesus whom I am proclaiming to you is the Christ.’” (Acts 17:2–3)
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What are the Scriptures able to do?
“And that from childhood you have known the sacred writings which are able to give you the wisdom that leads to salvation through faith which is in Christ Jesus.” (2 Timothy 3:15)
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V. APPLICATION
We must be ready to speak of Christ in any situation. We must know the essentials of the gospel. We must have confidence in God and His Word.
“Always being ready to make a defense … to give an account for the hope that is in you.” (1 Peter 3:15)
Then pray and look for opportunities!
List several people whom you want to reach for Christ. Pray regularly for those people and prepare for the opportunity to share the Word of God with them. Allow God to do His convicting work and trust Him.
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