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                        "EVANGELISM MADE SIMPLE"


INTRODUCTION

1. The importance of sharing the gospel with others cannot be 
   over-emphasized...
   a. Jesus wants everyone to hear the good news of salvation - Mk 16:
      15-16
   b. He has provided the gospel as God's power to save all who believe
      - Ro 1:16-17

2. But what is the most effective way to reach people today?  The
   Institute For American Church  Growth asked over 10,000 people this
   question:  "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this
   church?" Their replies were:
   a. I had a special need - 3%
   b. I just walked in - 3%
   c. I liked the minister - 6% 
   d. I visited there - 1% 
   e. I liked the Bible classes - 5% 
   f. I attended a gospel meeting - 0.5% 
   g. I liked the programs - 3% 
   h. A friend or relative invited me - 79%

3. What can we learn from a survey like this?
   a. It confirms that gospel meetings as traditionally held have lost
      much of their effectiveness
   b. It justifies churches' concern to pick their preachers carefully
      and to give special regard to the quality of their Bible classes

4. The obvious point of the survey is this:  If churches are to grow,
   it will be through the efforts of individual members!
   a. Preachers, programs, classes may help, but in most cases they
      will only maintain the size of the congregation
   b. Such congregational efforts are worthwhile, however, for they can
      reach people with whom we might otherwise never come in contact
   -- But the fact remains: The greatest potential lies with people who
      have some contact with members of the local congregation

5. Two things are needed to utilize contacts made through members of
   the congregation...
   a. Concern for the lost by those members - cf. Mt 9:36-38; Ro 9:1-3;
      10:1
   b. Knowledge of how to increase opportunities to share the gospel

[Assuming the concern is there, this lesson contains seven simple steps
to increase opportunities for sharing the gospel with relatives,
friends, neighbors, and others. 

These steps are based upon observations of what has consistently proven
fruitful in other places and are confirmed by the results of the afore
mentioned survey. The first step is to...]

I. DO THINGS WHICH MAKE FOR A CARING, EDIFYING CONGREGATION

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. It will help confirm our claim to be disciples of Christ
         a. Correct doctrine, organization, worship, etc., are 
            certainly important
         b. Yet it is our love for one another that the Lord intended
            to convince the world that we are truly His disciples! 
            - cf. Jn 13:35
      2. Our love makes us useful to the Lord 
         a. From Re 3:7-8 we learn that the Lord knows the true 
            condition of His churches, and that He will "open doors"
            for those that can be useful to Him.
         b. I am persuaded that if we are a church that can be used by
            Him to...
            1) Reach others with the gospel 
            2) Assimilate them into the family of God 
            3) Nurture them in their spiritual growth 
            ...then He will "open doors" for us as well! 
         c. Suppose we are not a place where new Christians can grow
            spiritually in an atmosphere of love?
            1) Do we seriously think that the Lord will use His 
               providence to lead us to souls who are seeking for the
               truth?
            2) Even if we did reach souls for Christ, would they
               receive the spiritual nourishment necessary to remain
               faithful and strong in the Lord's service?
      3. Hospitality towards Christians prepares us for the kind of
         personal work that is the most effective in leading others to
         Christ
         a. I am referring to "friendship" evangelism (also known as
            "relationship" or "lifestyle" evangelism)
         b. Which requires a willingness to be hospitable toward those
            we are trying to reach
         c. If we are unable (or unwilling) to practice hospitality
            towards our brethren, what makes us think we will practice
            it towards the lost?
      -- If we are going to be fruitful in the long run, we must make
         sure that we provide the right kind of loving and caring 
         spiritual environment in the local church
 
   B. SOME "ACTION STEPS" TO TAKE...
      1. Make it a point to get to know ALL the members and regular
         visitors by name
         a. Get a church directory and begin to place names with faces 
         b. Try to learn someone new at each service until you know
            them all
      2. Practice "hospitality" towards the members and regular 
         visitors - 1 Pe 4:8-9
         a. Invite them into your home, or out to eat (set a goal of
            one new family or member per month)
         b. Visit other Christians each week (esp. the sick, shut-ins,
            new members, absent members)
      3. Contribute your time, service, and resources to the local
         congregation
         a. Offer to help in whatever way you can (teach, give, serve)
         b. Do not make others beg for help in providing a caring,
            spiritual environment

[When a congregation is filled with loving members who care for and
edify its own, then I believe it is ready to be used by the Lord to
reach out and care for others!  Where does one begin in trying to reach
the lost? May I suggest that you...]
 
II. MAKE A LIST OF THOSE YOU WOULD LIKE TO SEE TAUGHT THE GOSPEL

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. It utilizes a technique used by people successful in all walks
         of life (i.e., having a "things to do" list)
      2. For us, it helps to focus our attention upon those we hope to
         reach for the Lord, and not neglect them

   B. IN MAKING THE LIST...
      1. Start with those who are close to you and work outwardly: 
         a. Family 
         b. Friends 
         c. Co-workers 
         d. Neighbors 
         e. Relatives of fellow church members 
         f. Regular visitors to the services of the church 
         g. Casual acquaintances (mailman, store clerk, etc.) 
      2. Limit this list to five or eight souls (a list with too many
         and you will not be able to focus your efforts effectively)
      3. Give priority to those who are the "unchurched"
         a. I.e., who are not active members of any denomination or
            particular religion
         b. Active members of a denomination or religion are often very
            satisfied with their human traditions and are not as 
            receptive to the pure and simple gospel of Christ
      4. Husbands and wives should probably have one list (as the 
         suggestions to follow will require their joint cooperation)
      5. Keep this list where you will see it daily

[With such a list, you will be constantly reminded of these people, and
thereby more likely to do the things suggested next...]

III. PRAY FOR THOSE ON YOUR LIST DAILY

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. It is God who gives the increase when it comes to evangelism
         - 1 Co 3:6-7
      2. We are but servants whom God can use in His providential
         workings - 1 Co 3:5
      -- So though we may work as though it all depends upon us, let us
         pray as though it all depends upon God!

   B. WHAT YOU SHOULD BE PRAYING FOR...
      1. That God will work together with you:
         a. To give you "opportunities" to do good for them - Co 4:3
         b. To give you the "wisdom" to make the most of those
            opportunities - Co 4:4-6
         c. To give you "boldness" to say what needs to be said - Ep 6:
            18-20
      2. That those on your list will have:
         a. Have the opportunity to hear the truth 
         b. Have honest hearts to be open and receptive to the truth

[The next step will take the most time in effective evangelism...]

IV. DO THINGS WHICH DEMONSTRATE YOUR LOVE FOR THEM

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. It has been said:  "People don't care how much we know until
         they know how much we care!"
      2. A demonstration of love will make a person more likely to be
         receptive to the gospel of love when it is shared - 1 Pe 2:12
         a. By observing our "good works" they will more likely
            "glorify God" by obeying the gospel when they hear it
         b. I.e., love and good works will help prepare the "soil" to
            be as receptive as possible when the "seed" is finally sown

   B. SOME "ACTION STEPS" TO TAKE...
      1. Invite them into your home for a dinner or snack
      2. Visit them, especially in times of trial or sickness
      3. Do things with them on a social level

["Hospitality" and "neighborliness" will go a long way to increase
opportunities to share the gospel.  When people see "the incarnation of
the gospel" (the principles of the gospel lived out in the flesh), they
will be more likely to believe in "the verbalization of the gospel"
(the truth of the gospel in spoken or written word).

After you have spent time being "hospitable" and becoming better 
acquainted, the next step is to...]
 
V. INVITE THEM TO SERVICES

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. In the past, I might not have thought this to be very 
         important, but I have come to think differently
      2. There are several reasons for wanting people to attend church
         services:
         a. They will (should) have an opportunity to see a caring
            congregation in action
            1) Combined with your own demonstration of love as an 
               individual...
            2) ...the demonstration of love by others should make a
               lasting impression!
         b. They will more likely have an opportunity to be presented
            with the gospel of Christ (more on this, shortly)
         c. If they are attending regularly before conversion to
            Christ, they will more likely continue to attend after
            their conversion

   B. IN INVITING PEOPLE TO SERVICES...
      1. First spend time in prayer:
         a. Asking for "wisdom" to invite them in the best manner
         b. Asking for "boldness" to offer the invitation to attend
      2. People will more likely accept your invitations:
         a. If they are among the "unchurched"
         b. If they are dissatisfied with where they are attending and
            are willing to investigate a different church
      3. Be persistent:
         a. Invite time and again
         b. Your perseverance will more likely be rewarded

[The final two steps are essential, the first is to... ]

VI. BE HOSPITABLE TO VISITORS

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. By their presence, people are expressing an interest and/or
         willingness to learn
      2. By your love and acceptance, you are preparing the soil of
         their hearts for the seed of the gospel
      3. The Lord has provided "an open door"; dare we not take it?

   B. IN SHOWING HOSPITALITY TOWARD VISITORS...
      1. Be friendly to all, whether they were invited by you, someone
         else, or are simply "walk-ins"
      2. Arrive early for services
         1) Visitors are more likely to arrive early, and leave early
         2) If you come in late, you may not have an opportunity to
            visit
      3. Give priority to visiting with guests over visiting with 
         brethren
         1) You can always visit with brethren later
         2) This may the only opportunity to make an impact with the
            visitors
      4. In extending hospitality, do what is within your ability:
         a. Greet them, letting them know they are welcome 
         b. Invite them home or out for a dinner or snack 
         c. Call or visit them after they have attended the services 

[Finally, we are ready for the most important step in all our 
efforts...]

VII. PROVIDE THEM AN OPPORTUNITY TO HEAR THE GOSPEL

   A. WHY THIS IS IMPORTANT...
      1. Only the Gospel is God's power to save - Ro 1:16
      2. While love and hospitality may help prepare the "soil", the
         "seed" must still be sown

   B. IN PRESENTING THE GOSPEL OF CHRIST...
      1. Ideally, this will come AFTER witnessing a demonstration of
         the gospel in our lives
         a. By our love, hospitality, etc.
         b. Both as individuals and as a congregation
      2. If you feel confident in discussing it with them, then
         approach them yourself and suggest some sort of Bible study.
         I have found either of the two suggestions effective:
         a. A Bible study with them in their home (using aids like
            video tapes, charts, or simply an open Bible)
         b. That they study on their own:
            1) With the aid of a Bible correspondence course
            2) By viewing a video Bible study series
      3. If you do not feel you are yet confident in approaching them
         concerning a study, or in conducting it your self, there is
         still much good that you can do:
         a. Bring it to the attention of members who are able and
            willing to teach
         b. Provide opportunities for the teacher and the prospect to
            become better acquainted, and the teacher can take it from
            there

CONCLUSION

1. These suggestions are offered...
   a. With a firm conviction that if they will be carried out,
      opportunities to share the gospel and save souls will be greatly
      increased!
   b. Also, with the hope that you will accept the challenge to
      implement these suggestions

2, This approach is not only the most successful in saving and keeping
   souls, it is also one of the most natural and easiest ways to reach
   the lost for Christ...
   a. Remember the survey by The Institute For American Church Growth?
   b. One does not even have to be able to teach to be effective in
      leading others to Christ!
   c. One simply has to be a FRIEND to Christians and to the lost!

3. And even if we do not convert a single soul... 
   a. We will have fulfilled our obligation to share Christ with others
   b. We will have done it in such a way as to become:
      1) Better Christians, a better congregation
      2) Better friends, better neighbors, better co-workers! 

SUGGESTIONS FOR IMPLEMENTATION BY A CONGREGATION OR A FEW INTERESTED
INDIVIDUALS...

1. Have those interested in being involved meet together weekly
   a. Encourage one another to SET GOALS for the coming week
   b. Share ideas for goals; for example...
      1) Having over or visiting one person or family from the
         congregation
      2) Making a list of souls for which to begin praying
      3) What you plan to do to demonstrate your love and concern for
         those on your list
      4) Who you will invite to services
      5) What visitors you will call, visit, etc.
      6) Who you will offer to have a study, or put in contact with
         someone who will follow-up with a study
   c. Write the goals for the coming week down
   d. Pray about them, together and on your own throughout the week

2. At each successive meeting...
   a. Share and discuss how the goals are being met
   b. Set new goals for the coming week
   c. Write them down, pray about them

This simple program should easily increase opportunities to share the
gospel and bring many souls to Christ!
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