Most Christians believe that sharing their faith with friends is an effective form of evangelism, a new survey suggests.
The survey, Confidently sharing the gospel?, was undertaken by the Evangelical Alliance to determine whether Christians are still evangelising in the 21st century.
It found a shift in the way that Christians are speaking about their faith, from the open air preaching that typified the evangelism of the 19th and early to mid 20th centuries, to more intimate settings.
Leah wrote: John, I understand how easy it is to let things slide and before u know it, years have passed. However, the longer we leave it, the harder it becomes. Prayer is a big key as I'm sure u know. Pray not just for their salvation, but the opportunities to witness. Sharing your testimony can be a great opener into a deeper conversation, as no one knows u like your family. And can I encourage u, that as hard as it is, it would be harder if they don't hear it and they die in their sins. Regarding your sister, we know that none can come unless the Father draws them. We witness, but it is God Who saves. I have had to rest in that fact with some members of my own family who have heard the truth several times now and yet are not saved. God bless u.
Thank you Leah for your encouraging words. Yes, my father died a long time ago and was faithless. Two years ago my mother died, and I travelled to see her just four days before she expired and told her that Jesus could bring her safely into heaven if she would only ask him to. But I held out little hope of her responding. As you say, only God can draw to Christ. But for several months after she passed on, I felt very sad that my own mother was languishing in hell, even though it was just.
John, I understand how easy it is to let things slide and before u know it, years have passed. However, the longer we leave it, the harder it becomes. Prayer is a big key as I'm sure u know. Pray not just for their salvation, but the opportunities to witness. Sharing your testimony can be a great opener into a deeper conversation, as no one knows u like your family. And can I encourage u, that as hard as it is, it would be harder if they don't hear it and they die in their sins. Regarding your sister, we know that none can come unless the Father draws them. We witness, but it is God Who saves. I have had to rest in that fact with some members of my own family who have heard the truth several times now and yet are not saved. God bless u.
Leah wrote: Thanks John. I agree. Our approach should always be in a loving and gentle spirit. However, we know that to some we are the aroma of life, to others the smell of death. It is inevitable that some will be offended, which is exactly my point regarding friendship evangelism. The hardest people to witness to are our family and friends because if they get offended then we risk losing our relationship. So most people put it off waiting for the 'right moment', with excuse after excuse ('I don't know them well enough', 'I haven't earned the right to witness to them', 'I don't want to offend them and push them further away', 'I don't want to lose the opportunity to share with them later'). Unfortunately too often a lot of Christians wait until it is too late and they (their family or friends) die in their sin.
Yes, your every point is spot on and hitting the mark. I don't see very much of my natural family. In fact, I don't really see them as my family, since God put me in the family of God. But I am amazed at how little witnessing I have accomplished with them, fearing a complete breakdown of relationship. But this year, on a short break with my sister, some truths came out which caused a big rumpus. It was hard going.
Thanks John. I agree. Our approach should always be in a loving and gentle spirit. However, we know that to some we are the aroma of life, to others the smell of death. It is inevitable that some will be offended, which is exactly my point regarding friendship evangelism. The hardest people to witness to are our family and friends because if they get offended then we risk losing our relationship. So most people put it off waiting for the 'right moment', with excuse after excuse ('I don't know them well enough', 'I haven't earned the right to witness to them', 'I don't want to offend them and push them further away', 'I don't want to lose the opportunity to share with them later'). Unfortunately too often a lot of Christians wait until it is too late and they (their family or friends) die in their sin.
Leah wrote: Sorry for the long post. It's something I'm passionate about, as I have tried it both ways and know which is more effective.
No need to apologise for your post, it made interesting reading, and I wish more people were interested in the "fishing for men" in this world.
Catching fish in sea, lake or river, requires much thought, planning and execution. And bringing men to Christ is no less difficult. It is one thing to theorise, and another to have good success. At least we know that if we tell sinners about the Lord Jesus Christ, who he is and what he has done for sinners, and that through him they may be reconciled to the Creator God, the Holy Spirit has the opportunity to give the increase, in a way which only he can perform.
I personally do not like the expression "friendship evangelism", but I do believe in "friendly evangelism", in which the only offense can come from God and his word. After all, we are only dying men preaching to dying men; we are natural-born sinners trying to communicate with our fellows of the great change that comes with forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life. But until a sinner comes to faith, they are actually an enemy of God and therefore our enemy.
'Friendship evangelism', by its very definition, is also very deceitful and is not really what they are talking about in this article. Real 'Friendship evangelism' says to make friends first, then later on, when they bring up the subject, talk to them about God. But from talking to non-Christians who have been on the receiving end of this, they feel like the only reason these Christians became friends was to talk to them about God (which is true) and then, if they rejected the Gospel, dumped them and moved onto other 'fish'. It is better to share the Gospel first one-to-one, THEN become friends. At least there is no pretense. Sorry for the long post. It's something I'm passionate about, as I have tried it both ways and know which is more effective.
Generalising sin, as in 'all have sinned' is certainly not offensive, but neither is it very effective. I know for myself that it was only when my sin became personal that my heart was convicted and God granted me repentance and faith and saved me. Romans 3:20 'through the law comes the knowledge of sin' is a verse that could and should be used (and expanded upon) if u are using the 'Roman Road'. Regarding 'friendship evangelism'.... You will find that most 'conversations over coffee with friends' if they ever get to talk about spiritual matters, never get to personalise sin, because that would be potentially offensive and most 'friends' don't want to risk losing the friendship, so they are never as honest about the Gospel as they would be to a stranger.
Generalising sin, as in 'all have sinned' is certainly not offensive, but neither is it very effective. I know for myself that it was only when my sin became personal that my heart was convicted and God granted me repentance and faith and saved me. Romans 3:20 'through the law comes the knowledge of sin' is a verse that could and should be used (and expanded upon) if u are using the 'Roman Road'. Regarding 'friendship evangelism'.... You will find that most 'conversations over coffee with friends' if they ever get to talk about spiritual matters, never get to personalise sin, because that would be potentially offensive and most 'friends' don't want to risk losing the friendship, so they are never as honest about the Gospel as they would be to a stranger. 'Friendship evangelism', by its very definition, is also very deceitful and is not really what they are talking about in this article. Real 'Friendship evangelism' says to make friends first, then later on, when they bring up the subject, talk to them about God. But from talking to non-Christians who have been on the receiving end of this, they feel like the only reason these Christians became friends was to talk to them about God (which is true) and then, if they rejected the Gospel, dumped them and moved onto other 'fish'. It
Jim Lincoln wrote: It's not telling them they are sinners, but --all-- are sinners. While the Word is offensive to those who are not elected, it still can be put in a way that is not offensive, The Roman Road even though the complete message may will offend many. The mechanics of the presentation of the Gospel shouldn't be.
Well put Jim, and I agree. The message hasn't changed after all these years. It can't change! I've set through too many church services getting yelled at to believe that it is effective on the streets to people who do not believe.
It's not telling them they are sinners, but --all-- are sinners. While the Word is offensive to those who are not elected, it still can be put in a way that is not offensive, The Roman Road even though the complete message may will offend many. The mechanics of the presentation of the Gospel shouldn't be.
I read the article through. It sounded a lot like Rick Warren's ministry. Like him, it also avoids telling someone they are sinners that will experience God's wrath if they don't repent of their sins and receive God's mercy and forgiveness. Sounds like they are ashamed of the gospel?
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Dr. Paul Kingsbury | 10/29/2009
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christopher000 from rhode island: "i have never understood why athiests are so..."
