Evangelism Sunday School Class

Content given at Pekin Bible Church during 3 Sunday School classes in October 2008

Heart of Evangelism Sunday School Class
Pekin Bible Church October 5th 2008

Intro: One housekeeping item: end at 10:20
5 parts to a testimony? This entire class will focus on the 'lead in'
Next week, when we talk about the use of Scripture in Evangelism we'll focus more on the 'Close'
Topic for the day is: Everyday Opportunities. In the form of a question: How can we turn everyday opportunities into extraordinary interactions? (write on board)
I am just a student like you. Please do not think of me as a guru on a mountaintop. I'm guessing most of you know more about this subject than I do. I'm expecting to learn today too. For further study, I highly recommend this book: "Just Walk Across the Room" In fact, you can borrow it once this class is over. I'll be pulling multiple thoughts from it today. But let's start with the best book about Evangelism, Does anybody know what it is? the Bible. *Prayer*

Scriptural Examples- Read as a group, put tips on white board
Jesus & Nicodemus (John 3:1-16) (do Nicodemus story 2nd after Woman at the Well)
People might come to you, but they might also be confused (v2)
Keep it positived
Know your audience, Jesus gave Nicodemus some heady responses because he could handle it
Jesus and Woman at the Well (John 4:1-26)
He overcame stereotypes (v9)
Keep questions coming
He was intriguing in how he talked (v10)-just look at her response in v11
He practiced patience (long conversation)
bypass arguments
use 'easy' illustrations
Philip with Eunuch (Acts 8: 26-40)
Go places unusual to you (v26)
He started with a question.(v31)
Paul & Lydia (Acts 16:11-15)
Thinking ahead of a place to meet receptive people (v13)
God does the work, Paul & Co. just talked (v14)
Paul in Athens (Acts 17:16-21)
He must have been a skilled conversationalist.
Don't be afraid
Be thick skinned

I don't want you to miss what we just did... we took ideas from Scripture. They are worth a lot. What idea up here should you write down?
Pray- groups of 2-3 and share one name (as Larry challenged us to write), a little detail about the person/situation, and then pray for each other; pray that everyday opportunities become extraordinary interactions.

October 12th Bring: prayer journal, just walk, index cards
Explain we're skipping to Prayer and will cover Scripture next week. 10.20 end time.
My thoughts: How can we turn everyday opportunities into extraordinary interactions?
Remember Scripture lessons! What is a point from a story last week that you remember?
Build Bridges
Are you in a place for an opportunity to happen? Jesus: Awkward place- Jews didn't associate with Samaritans and men didn't address women. Philip: A road to Africa? Paul: Looked for people! Are there places or people that you have written off as impervious to the Gospel? Where can you go, what can you do to put yourself in contact with people who need the Gospel? Maybe you're good at this, maybe you're not... I have to plan on it: (working at CJs)
Carefully Converse
Be genuine. Care for the other person just by how you talk to them. I can't stress this enough. We've all had "conversations" with people who only wanted to talk about what they wanted to talk about, don't do that. I Cor 2:14. "People who have not yet accepted Christ are not accustomed to spiritual conversations. If you steamroll your way into one before establishing any relational credibility, you'll find yourself standing there with a stubbed toe (or worse yet, a black eye)"
How can you be genuinely genuine? How do you get to know a person in a short time? Look for common ground, what do you have in common? What can you use as a relationship builder? Ask good questions. Jesus asked numerous questions throughout the Gospels. Philip asked the official. (Talk about Aunt Beth.) What are good questions? (write on board) Explain FAT vs skinny. After you know someone- which shows you care, some additional questions to ask: list in Hybels: pg159 Philip's question.
Be a good listener: Respond to what they're saying, not what you're thinking. Guys, we're great at this with our wives... I'll start giving Brittany an answer before she's even finished talking. Don't do that! Not with your spouse, not with anyone. After being invited, Philip let the official ask the first question.
If you regularly cross paths with someone, do your research (Max & politics)
{enthusiasm discussion?}
Pray, Pray
To keep the alliteration. Pray God guides your physical steps into the right places and that he guides your conversation toward a spiritual focus.
What biblical references can we think of for prayer?
Negative: Open your Bibles to Joshua 9. Can anyone tell me what happens in Joshua 9? The Gibeonites deceive the leaders of Israel… Joshua 9:14… who failed to pray. They hindered themselves (chapter 10’s battle was a result of this treaty) because they did not pray.
Positive: Acts 4:23-24. As we turn there, who can tell me what Acts 4 is about? After being threatened to no longer tell about Christ, the disciples FIRST and immediate response was to pray. It was a great prayer too... so great that there was an earthquake.

So Prayer is important. How do we make it happen? How can we do it better?
Two categories for prayer that have been helpful to me. (There is also Corporate...which we have done and will continue to do in this class.)
Closet Prayer. Where would that be referenced in Scripture? Matthew 6:6. A specific reference to going somewhere alone and purposefully spending time in prayer to God; just you and the Lord. Think of your ‘classic’ prayer time. Acts 10 Peter & Cornelius... look at what results!
Constant Prayer. Where would that be in Scripture? I Thessalonians 5:17. A good description I read in Just Walk: “When you understand the concept of being [constantly in prayer] it’s as if you have one ear tuned in to the conversation you’re in, while the other ear is tuned in to God. You may be in dialogue with someone about any number of things – the latest news or sports; whatever – but you are constantly asking , ‘God, is this an open door? Do you want me to encourage? What do you need me to do? Guide me please.’” Nehemiah!
(hand out Note cards) Write down ‘Closet’ and ‘Constant’ If we could bump both of these up a notch in our lives, we not only would grow spiritually, but it would improve our Evangelism (and everyday opportunities) as well. Take a moment to think. Circle the one that you know you need to work on. Now let’s talk about that.
Discuss Helps:
How can you improve your closet prayer?: have a location (car, bed?), have a list, have a system: (ACTS, divide days of week), be alone, prayer journal
How can you improve your constant prayer?: pray for it in your ‘closet’ time, memorize a prayer or two that you can use, use a place/sound/site to remind you, cell phone alarm, discipline of thought (brother Lawrence),

Take-away:
Build Bridges-Where can you go? Write it down.
Pray Pray- Write down one idea for the prayer area you circled. Improving our relationship with God is the best thing we can do for your ability to share the gospel.
Share what you wrote with someone and pray for each other.


10/19 - Scripture in Evangelism
Review of Testimony, Lead Ins, Close: gospel
Stories from the Week?
housekeeping - 10:20 end time; PRAY
I wasn't totally sure where to go with today's topic. I began by asking myself: "How does Scripture present the Gospel message?"
Here are passages in Acts where people accepted Christ. Let's take a look at what they heard presented previous to their acceptance of the Gospel message. (Read the 'salvation' verse from each.) Divide into 3 groups, take 5-10 minutes to study 'Peter' stories. What did he communicate?
Peter
Acts 2:22-41
v41 Salvation results!
v22 'Jesus of Nazareth' is the starting point
v23-36 Jesus is alive, despite his death
v38 forgiveness of sins
Acts 3:11-4:4
4:4 Salvation results!
3:13 Jesus is mentioned in the second verse of this speech
3:15 Risen from the dead
3:19 Sin
3:26 wickedness
Acts 10:34-48
v44 Salvation results!
v36 Jesus! (third verse in this speech)
v40 Resurrection
v43 Immediately after Peter explains that belief in Jesus = forgiveness of sins... they are saved! They were listening, comprehending... and as soon as Peter utters the words, they believe and are saved.
Paul
Acts 13:16-43
v42-43 Limited Salvation results.
Entire speech focuses on Christ.
v29-30 Death & resurrection
v38 forgiveness of sins
Acts 17:22-34
v34 Salvation results
v30 need to repent
v31 resurrection of Christ

In Acts the communication of the Gospel that leads people to Salvation involves the Big 3: 1) Christ, 2) his death & resurrection, 3) sins can be forgiven.
Remember that the primarily Jewish audience knew all about Sin, all about the events that had just taken place in Jerusalem, and all about the concept of a Christ figure. We might need to 'fill in the gaps' that some people have in their knowledge, but the Big 3 should be the focus.

If that's the case, how can we clearly communicate that message in a succinct way?
(Write 'methods' on board from list below; get ideas from others.)
Evaluate:
Romans Road: 3:10; 3:23; 5:12; 6:23; 4:5; 10:9-10 check
OT 'Romans Road': Isa 59:2; Psa 14:3; Isa 64:6; Prov 14:6; Lev 17:11; Isa 51:6; Joel 2:32;
'Sin, Savior, Salvation' Just don't forget his death and resurrection
Bridge: include big 3
Wordless Book: good tool to 'fill in the gaps' with children
Good News/Bad News: check
Do/Done: a set up for big 3
Morality Ladder: a set up for the Big 3

Take Away: Memorize a couple scriptures and one 'method' We need to have these in our head to be able to present it to people.

Ending: What if there is no response? What should you do? You've prayed, you bridged, you've conversed, even shared the Gospel... and NOTHING! How do you treat that person?
Mark 10:17-22 Do you think Jesus know what his ultimate response would be? Did Jesus love him anyway? People's worth is rooted in the fact they are created by God. We should love them whether they ever accept Christ or not.

Corporate Prayer Time

Extra:
OT: Joel 2:32
In addition to these stories, the Gospel is all over the epistles, some great passages about it: Romans 3:21-31, Romans 10:5-17, I Corinthians 15:1-11