Evangelism…
Putting our faith into practice!
Coastland University
Barriers To First Century
Evangelism
Christians were resisted and rejected by the established
religious leaders of the day (Acts 5:17; 1 Th. 2:14-
16)
Christians were looked upon with suspicion by the
government (Acts 16:20-33; 21:30-33)
There were some hypocrites in the church (Acts 5:3;
1 Cor. 5:1; 11:21; 6:6)
There were many cults – the accepted religion was
pagan
Barriers To First Century
Evangelism
There was occasional strife among Christians (Acts
6:1; 15:1-2, 37-39; Gal. 2:11; Phil. 1:15-17)
The apostles had a reputation for being uneducated
(Acts 4:13)
There were vicious rumors spread about them (Acts
6:11, 13; 17:6; 21:28, 38; 24:5; 28:22)
The leaders were often under attack (Acts 5:18, 40;
7:60; 12:1-2, 4; 13:50; 18:12; 21:30; 22:22)
Against the odds, they shared…
A changed life (Mt. 3:8; Lk. 3:8)
Christian character (Gal. 5:22-23)
Godly living (Rom. 6:19-22; Eph. 5:8-10; Phil. 1:9-11;
Heb. 12:11; Jas. 3:17-18)
Spiritual development (2 Pet. 1:5-11)
Good works (Col. 1:9-11)
The simple Gospel -1Co 2:2 For I determined to know
nothing among you except Jesus Christ, and Him
crucified.
Faithfully Bearing Fruit
Edifying the brethren (Phil. 1:21-26)
Helping needy saints (Rom. 15:26-29)
Praising God (Heb. 13:15)
Giving to the Lord (2 Cor. 9:10)
Teaching the lost (Rom. 1:13; Col. 1:3-6; Phil.
4:14-17)
Evangelism In The Early
Church
They were in love with God (2 Cor. 5:14-21)
They were involved with people (Acts 2:46-47;
5:13-16)
They demonstrating complete Faith in Jesus! (2 Cor.
4:7-18)
They felt the urgent necessity of proclaiming their faith
(Acts 5:41-42; 20:18-24)
My motto is simply this, “Just one more”
Evangelism In The Early
Church
They were more concerned about souls than about
earthly possessions (Acts 2:44-45; 4:32-35; Heb.
10:32-34)
They believed the world was lost (Rom. 3:9-18, 23;
1 Jn. 5:19) – everyone was in a cult!!
They were so filled with the message of salvation they
had to tell it (Rom. 1:14-17; 1 Cor. 9:16)
Their dedicated lives attracted the world (1 Pet.
2:11-12)
They had a great call and vision
Jesus told the to go into all the world
and preach the gospel
They were looking for lost souls to save,
not to escape the world
They were commissioned to go to the
uttermost parts of the earth.
They knew that Jesus would not come
back until the fullness of Gentiles are
saved.
Facts That Ought To Concern
Us – in the Church…
Of all the reported church members in America:
5% Do all the work
10% Help a little
20% Never pray
25% Never read the Bible
30% Never attend church
40% Never give money for religious work
50% Plus do not believe Jesus is the only way to God
60% Never attend evening meetings
70% Never support foreign work
80% Never attend a midweek Bible study
90% Never worship at home
95% Never win a soul for Christ
Facts That Ought To Concern
Us – in society…
Pluralism
Moral Relativism
Postmodern thought
Gay agenda
Ecumenicalism
Intolerance of Christians
“ Americans should not expect one battle, but a lengthy
campaign unlike any other we have ever seen…What
is at stake is not just America’s freedom. This is the
world’s fight. This is civilization’s fight. This is the
fight of all who believe in progress and pluralism,
tolerance, and freedom.”
President George W. Bush
September 20, 2001
Much of the World‟s governments want to come together. It
is in the United Nations charter and their ultimate agenda!
Rev. 17: 17 "For God has put it in their hearts to execute His
purpose by having a common purpose, and by giving their
kingdom to the beast, until the words of God will be fulfilled.
Definition of Pluralism:
Theory that there are more than one or more than two
kinds of ultimate reality
Varieties of ultimate truths available
No one absolute truth
Exercised in the form of…
…Tolerance !
In Oct. 2000 the UN had a summit for all the religious leaders of the
world - they signed an agreement basically
affirming there are many ways to God and that all religions should
come together
Since pluralism says there are no absolute
truths…
…NEW tolerance states,
“All values, beliefs, lifestyles, and truth claims
are equal”
Now we must agree that another person’s position is just
as valid as your own – even if it is based on Biblical
Truth!
Now you must give approval, endorsement, sincere
support to their beliefs and behaviors.
This is setting the stage for the anti-christ!
We must stand for truth in these last days!
Law of Non-Contradiction: Two contradictory ideas
cannot both be true
Joh 14:6 Jesus *said to him, "I am the way, and the
truth, and the life; no one comes to the Father but
through Me.
Not through being good, the Church, or anything else.
All other teaching is of the anti-christ and preparing the
world for his appearing.
1John 2:18 Children, it is the last
hour; and just as you heard that
antichrist is coming, even now many
antichrists have appeared; from this
we know that it is the last hour.
Rejection of moral absolutes
“It is hard to proclaim the
forgiveness of sins to people
who believe that, since
morality is relative, they have
no sins to forgive.”
Gene Veith, Postmodern Times, p.16
The Difficulty of doing
Evangelism Today!
J.P. Moreland says:
“As we approach the twenty-first century, It
doesn‟t take a rocket scientist to recognize
that our entire culture is in trouble. We are
staring down the barrel of a loaded gun and
we can no longer afford to act like it is loaded
with blanks.”
Love God with all your Mind
P. 21
The Difficulty of doing
Evangelism Today!
… “If truth and reasonableness are not
uppermost in our presentation of the truth to a
pagan culture, already predisposed to
regarding religion as a set of private feelings,
then we will constantly hear this response.
“Well that‟s fine if having those feelings helps
you.”
Love God with all your Mind
P. 30
Barriers to Communicating
the Gospel
Rejection of moral absolutes
Skepticism
Indifference towards truth
1. Our methods must deal with these barriers
2. Our methods must accommodate those
who are not ready to consider the claims of
Christ now!
Why go the extra mile?
The Apostle Paul said, “I
have become all things to
all men so that by all
means I may save some.”
I Cor. 9:22
Jesus The Model Soul Winner
Jesus was motivated by his love for the lost (Mt.
9:35-38)
Jesus sought out the lost to save them (Lk. 19:10)
“Jesus came to seek and to save the lost”
Jesus looked for opportunities to talk about salvation
He stayed attuned to the spiritual needs of the people
in the world around Him
He went where the sinners were
Jesus The Model Soul Winner
He reached out to lost souls (Lk. 19:1-10)
Jesus was interested in all who wanted to know the
truth
Jesus was interested in even the worst of people
Jesus made the evangelized the evangelists (Mt. 10:1-
16; Mk. 5:19; Lk. 10:1-16; Mt. 28:18-20)
Jesus excluded no one
Jesus established relationships with people
We need to do the following…
Start by speaking to the heart, not the
head
Ask God to give you discernment about
the person you are witnessing to
Hear their heart issue, not the „smoke
screen‟
Speak with love and excitement
The Vine And The Branches
The secret to life is being in the Vine (Jn. 15:6)
The secret to being in the Vine is bearing fruit (Jn. 15:2, 6)
The secret to bearing fruit is abiding in Christ (Jn. 15:4-5)
The secret to abiding in Christ is obeying Christ (Jn. 15:7,
10)
The secret to obeying Christ is loving God (Jn. 15:9)
The secret to loving God is knowing God (Jn. 15:15)
When you know Him and Love Him you can’t help but tell
others about Him!
How are most people saved?
The Institute For American Church Growth asked 10,000
people this question: "What was responsible for your
coming to Christ?" They replied:
“I attended a revival service” .005%
“I visited a church” 1%
“I had a special need” 2%
“I just walked in” 3%
“I liked the programs” 3%
“I like the Sunday School” 5%
“I liked the minister” 6%
“One to one evangelism” 79%
Why You Need To Be Involved
In Evangelism
To fulfill your commission from the Lord (Mt.
28:18-20; 2 Tim. 2:2)
To save the lost (Rom. 1:16-17; Jn. 6:44-45)
To be like Jesus (Jn. 13:15-16; Lk. 19:10)
To be like early Christians (Acts 5:28, 42; 8:4)
It is our mission (2 Cor. 5:14-15; Rom. 1:14-17)
To demonstrate your love for God and Christ (Jn.
14:15, 21, 23-24)
Why You Need To Be Involved
In Evangelism
To demonstrate your love for others (Rom. 9:1-3;
10:1-3; Tit. 3:1-7)
To be involved in the greatest work on earth (Mt.
16:26; Jas. 5:19-20)
Because people are going to hell
To mature and grow as a Christian (2 Pet. 3:18)
To experience the joy of salvation (Acts 8:39;
16:34; Phil. 4:1; 3 Jn. 3-4)
Definition – Evangelism
Telling the good news about Jesus to
people who do not know Him,
and inviting and persuading them
to commit their lives to Him as their Lord
and Savior.
Motives for Evangelism
Why Every Christian Should Be
a Personal Witness
A. God‟s Glory
“Let the Nations Be Glad” – John Piper
Isaiah 66:19
"They shall declare My glory among the
nations"
Psalm 96:1-4
“Sing to the Lord, all the earth!...
Proclaim good tidings of His salvation from
day to day...
“Tell of His glory among the nations,
His wonderful deeds among all the peoples!
For great is the Lord, and greatly to be
praised."
Go and Make Disciples!
Mat 24:14 "This gospel of
the kingdom shall be
preached in the whole world
as a testimony to all the
nations, and then the end
will come.
B. God‟s Love for the World
John 3:16
"For God so loved the world..."
II Corinthians 5:14, 15
"For the love of Christ controls us,…”
C. God‟s Will
Ezekiel 33:11
"'I take no pleasure in the death of the
wicked…‟”
I Timothy 2:3-4
[God] “desires all men to be saved and come
to know the truth."
II Peter 3:9
“not wishing for any to perish, but for all to
come to repentance."
D. Christ‟s Purpose
Matthew 20:28
[Jesus came] “to give His life as a ransom for
many."
Luke 5:32
" [to call] sinners to repentance."
Luke 19:10
"to seek and to save the lost."
John 10:10
Abundant Life
E. Christ‟s Command
Great Commission
Mat 28:19 "Go therefore and make
disciples of all the nations,
baptizing them in the name of the
Father and the Son and the Holy
Spirit,
F. Obligation of the Gospel
We have to tell the Story
Romans 1:14-17
"I am under obligation…"
"I am not ashamed of the gospel…."
I Corinthians 9:16
"for I am under compulsion, for woe is
me if I do not preach the gospel."
G. Our experience
We love to tell the Story
John 9:25
“…one thing I do know. I was blind but now I
see.”
Acts 4:20
"we cannot stop speaking what we have seen
and heard."
They need someone to tell them!
– Rom 10:13 for "WHOEVER WILL CALL ON
THE NAME OF THE LORD WILL BE SAVED."
– Rom 10:14 How then will they call on Him in
whom they have not believed? How will they
believe in Him whom they have not heard? And
how will they hear without a preacher?
– Rom 10:15 How will they preach unless they
are sent? Just as it is written, "HOW
BEAUTIFUL ARE THE FEET OF THOSE WHO
BRING GOOD NEWS OF GOOD THINGS!"
Evangelism is a process!
“I planted the seed, Apollos
watered it, but God made it grow.”
I Cor. 3: 6
My Definition of Evangelism:
“So abiding in Christ that you can’t
help but fall in love with Him. You are
filled with His joy and it overflows to
everyone you meet.”
Yours Truly
John 7:38 "He who believes in Me, as the
Scripture said, 'From his innermost being will flow
rivers of living water.'"
Evangelism involves Apologetics
Jud 1:3 Beloved, while I was making every
effort to write you about our common
salvation, I felt the necessity to write to you
appealing that you contend earnestly for the
faith which was once for all handed down to
the saints.
1Pe 3:15 but sanctify Christ as Lord in your
hearts, always being ready to make a defense
to everyone who asks you to give an account
for the hope that is in you, yet with gentleness
and reverence;
What is Apologetics?
Giving People Answers = Apologetics
I Pet. 3:15 says,
“But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to
everyone who ask you to give the reason for the
hope that you have. But do this with gentleness
and respect.”
Is There a Need for Apologetics Today?
“Apologetics is offering each person
evidence and reasons for the truth of
Christianity that turns the gears of
his/her mental machinery.”
Robert Koons, Notes Effective
Apologetics Workshop ISI, June 1998
Biblical Apologetics in Action
What does it mean to be ready in I Pet. 3:15?
The Greek word for ready (Hetoimos) is
used of anticipating Christ's return in Matt
24:44 and Luke 12:40.
It means to eagerly anticipate
their objection or question.
If I tell Cody to get ready to go, his response is based
on where we are going. To the Beach – he is hetoimos.
To school – he is ready but not eager.
What is the Goal of Apologetics in
Evangelism?
2Ti 4:2 preach the
word; be ready in
season and out of
season; reprove, rebuke,
exhort, with great
patience and instruction.
How do we share the Gospel?
Can we use the Bible to prove for a
Muslim that Christianity is true?
Yes! The Bible is God‟s Word!
But what if they reject the Bible?
Then start with your testimony!
Starting At a Different Place
Why?
They don’t believe in absolutes.
They have difficulty with the concept of
sin.
Theydon’t like to be told what the truth is.
They want to discover it for themselves.
Starting further back
“Under these conditions, evangelism
means starting farther back… We cannot
possibly agree on the solution that Jesus
provides if we cannot agree on the
problem he confronts.”
D.A. Carson, Telling the
Truth: Evangelizing Post-moderns, P.386
Trust in the Holy Spirit
To empower us to speak in a way that makes a difference (Acts 14:1)
To empower us to live godly lives (Phil 1:14)
Hear the discrepancies / contradictions (Acts 17: 22-30)
The contradictions can be between what they say they believe and how they live.
The contradictions can be between two things they hold that are mutually contradictory.
The contradictions can be in the statement itself.
Illuminate discrepancies by asking questions
Questions to uncover the meaning of certain unclear terms
Questions to expose false belief systems
Navigate around barriers
Determine whether it is a legitimate question or a smoke screen?
Find out what their biggest barrier to Christianity is?
Find out what would motivate them to get answers in these areas?
Keep the door open for sharing the gospel (2 Tim. 4:2)
If you can remember, “THINK,” you can effectively witness to others!
Pastor Brett Peterson, Coastland University “Ministry is not a future goal, it’s a daily call”
Evangelism is not a program!
It is much more than memorizing and
giving the four spiritual laws!
Sharing the Gospel must be real. It
must be Spirit led. It must flow from
who you are, not what you know!
How should we defend our faith?
“Always be ready to make a
defense to everyone . . . with
gentleness and reverence”
1 Peter 3:15
Apologetics - What’s it all about?
Apologetics is “the science and
art of defending Christianity‟s
basic truth-claims.”
Gordon Lewis
OK – let’s get equiped
What tools do
you need to
proclaim the
good news?
Most important is that you are
totally in love with Jesus!
First Question: God
Question: Does God exist?
Cosmological argument
This argument is
concerned with the origins
of the universe.
Many believe in the „Big
Bang‟
The “first cause” of the
universe is assumed to be
God.
Design argument
The observable order
and purpose in the
universe indicates
intelligent design.
Thisdesigner is taken
to be God.
Moral argument
Our inherent sense of
right and wrong
argues for an
absolute moral
authority.
authority is
That
understood to be God.
Second Question: The Bible
Question: Why should I believe the Bible?
It‟s just another ancient “holy book.”
Testing a document’s validity
Internal evidence : what the document claims
for itself
Bibliographic evidence: from the original
documents to the copies we possess today
External evidence: how the document aligns
with facts, dates, persons from its own
contemporary world
Testing a document’s validity:
Internal evidence
OldTestament:
“Thus saith the Lord”
New Testament:
Jesus words were
considered God‟s words
Two Key Questions to Ask
Howmany manuscript copies
do we have?
How close are the copies to
the original?
Testing a document’s validity:
Bibliographical evidence
The New Testament
• Over 5600 Greek manuscripts
extant
• Over 10,000 manuscripts of the
Latin Vulgate.
• Over 9200 other translations
10,000
15,000
20,000
25,000
5,000
0
Plato 7
Manuscripts
Thucydides
8
Gallic Wars
10
Tacitus 20
Aristotle 49
Number of New Testament
Iliad 643
New
Testament
24,970
Dating of New Testament
Manuscripts
Work Written Copy Time Span
Plato 447 BC 900 AD 1200 years
Gallic Wars 44 BC 900 AD 1000 years
Tacitus 100 AD 1100 AD 1000 years
Aristotle 384 BC 1100 AD 1400 years
Illiad 900 BC 400 BC 500 years
New
Testament 90 AD 125 AD 30 years
NOTE: Now part of Matthew was discovered and
dated to 43 AD!
Testing a document’s validity:
External evidence
Historical records
Archaeology
Every
discovery has
proven the
Biblical record
Third Question: Jesus
Question: Wasn‟t Jesus just another great
religious leader?
The historicity of Jesus
The events of Jesus‟
life are recorded in the
context of real history.
Extra-Biblical Sources
• Jewish
• Roman
The identity of Jesus
The Works and Claims of Christ
• Forgave sins
• Performed miracles over nature
• Healed people of diseases
• Fulfilled Messianic prophecies
• Allowed others to worship Him
The identity of Jesus
The Works and Claims of Christ
• Claimed He had absolute, moral
authority
• Claimed to be God, Messiah,
and the way to God
• Allowed others to call Him God
and Messiah
What are the options?
Choose one
• Liar
• Lunatic
• Legend
• Lord
The only reasonable choice
“A man who was merely a man and said
the sort of things Jesus said would not be
great moral teacher. He would either be a
lunatic--on a level with the man who says
he is a poached egg--or else he would be
the Devil of Hell. You must make your
choice. Either this man was, and is, the
Son of God, or else a madman or
something worse” (C.S. Lewis).
The Resurrection of Jesus
The reason for the empty tomb
The disciples stole the body??
The disciples were deceived??
The Jewish leaders took the body??
Jesus didn‟t really die??
Jesus was raised from the dead!!
The importance of the
resurrection of Jesus Christ
The resurrection certifies
that what Jesus proclaimed
about Himself is true, that
He is the Son of God
(Romans 1:4).
His completed work of
redemption has made it
possible for us to have
direct access to God.
Jesus is the Lord of History!
It’s all true!
Jesus Christ is worthy to be
entrusted with our lives, our purpose,
and our destiny!
He is the only way!
We must proclaim our faith!
So why don’t we share our faith?
FEAR!
Nine of ten Christians…
never
No wonder the
share church is dying!
their
faith
with
anyone.
Four major fears that
keep people from
witnessing
Fear of being rejected
Fear of not knowing enough
Fear of offending
Fear of being ridiculed.
Success in witnessing is:
Living out your Christian life
Sharing the gospel
Trusting God for the
results
Success is NOT bringing
someone to Christ.
God can use your witness, but
He cannot use your silence.
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
2Ti 1:7 For God has not given us a spirit of timidity, but of
power and love and discipline.
2Ti 1:8 Therefore do not be ashamed of the testimony of our
Lord or of me His prisoner, but join with me in suffering for
the gospel according to the power of God,
2Ti 1:9 who has saved us and called us with a holy calling,
not according to our works, but according to His own
purpose and grace which was granted us in Christ Jesus from
all eternity,
2Ti 1:10 but now has been revealed by the appearing of our
Savior Christ Jesus, who abolished death and brought life
and immortality to light through the gospel,
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
1. What is fear?
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
1. What is fear?
2. What is an attitude?
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
I. Why we are afraid to witness to others
A. Our Adversary
B. Our Attitude
1. What is fear?
2. What is an attitude?
3. What is this kind of fear?
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
II. What God will do to enable us to witness
to others
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
II. What God will do to enable us to witness
to others
A. Accept His authority over us
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
II. What God will do to enable us to witness
to others
A. Accept His authority over us
B. Accept His appointment for us
How to Overcome Your Fear of
Witnessing to Others?
2 Timothy 1:7
II. What God will do to enable us to witness
to others
A. Accept His authority over us
B. Accept His appointment for us
C. Accept His ability through us
FIVE OPENING QUESTIONS
Do you have any kind of spiritual belief?
To you, who is Jesus?
Do you think there is a heaven and a
hell?
What happens to someone when they
die?
What does it mean to be a „Christian‟?
“I pray that you
may be active in
sharing your faith,
so that you will
have a full
understanding of
every good thing
we have in Christ.”
Philemon v. 6
Witnessing to People of
Other Religions
Jn 4:4-29 Mt 15:21-28
I. Understand the basic assumptions
A. Give careful thought to the way
you phrase questions.
B. Inquire about people’s
understanding of the Bible.
Witnessing to People of
Other Religions
Jn 4:4-29 Mt 15:21-28
II. Understand the special concerns
A. Talk about significant issue without
using „Churchese‟ language.
How do you describe the basic
human problem?
What is the main religious concern
you have about your life?
Witnessing to People of
Other Religions
Jn 4:4-29 Mt 15:21-28
II. Understand the special concerns
Tell me more about your perception
of Jesus Christ.
Let me tell you what Jesus Christ
means to me.
Witnessing to People of
Other Religions
Jn 4:4-29 Mt 15:21-28
II. Understand the special concerns
B. Insist on defining terms…
yours and theirs.
You Cannot
fail
if you are
Faithful
Think – a method of evangelism
Trust in the Holy Spirit:
To empower us to speak in a way that makes
a difference
Acts 14:1
To empower us to live godly lives
Phil. 1:14
Remember we are just the instrument!
“God chose the weak things of the world to
shame the strong.”
I Cor. 1:27b
Hear
Hear the discrepancies / contradictions
We want to hear their discrepancies / contradictions
and use them as leverage to help the person to see
their views more clearly.
Removing Illusions
Sometimes people may not be motivated to
change until they see the problem!
Some Limitations to Using a “Mirror”
Approach in Evangelism
Confronting people with the truth in a harsh manner
can be a real turn off!
The Apostle Paul said it this way, “And if I
have the gift of prophecy, and know all… And
if I deliver my body to be burned, but do not
have love, it profits me nothing,”
I Cor. 13: 2a & 3b.
Types of Contradictions
Hear the discrepancies / contradictions
in their statements.
1. The contradictions can be between what they say
they believe and how they live (Gal 2:14-16).
2. It can be between two things that they hold that are
It can also be in the idols (Acts itself.
mutually contradictory, e.g.statement17:22-30).
3. It can also be in the statement itself.
Words vs. Actions
1. The contradictions can be between what they
say they believe and how they live.
Example:
Paul challenged Peter about his
inconsistent behavior.
Gal 2:14-16
Contradictory Beliefs
2. It can be between two
things they hold that are
mutually contradictory,
e.g. idols.
Acts 17:22-30
Contrary Beliefs
Examples:
Show that they can’t hold both conflicting views!
A. Jesus is my Savior.
vs.
B. I can measure up.
A. The Bible is reliable.
vs.
B. I must do good works to be saved.
(Eph. 2:8-9: Titus 3:5)
Contradictory Statements
3. The contradiction can also be in the statement.
Just because a statement is sayable does
not mean that it is meaningful.
Example:
I cannot utter a word in English!
Contradictory Statements
Examples:
What are some of the common discrepancies /
contradictions we hear from others?
Youshould be skeptical about
everything
Alwaysavoid making absolute
statements
Contradictory Statements
More Examples:
What are some other common discrepancies /
contradictions we hear from others?
God is so far beyond us that we can not
really know anything about Him.
There is really no absolute truth.
Illuminate
Illuminate discrepancies by asking questions
Questions to uncover the meaning of
certain unclear terms
Questions to expose false belief
systems
Clarify the Terms!
Salvation?
Sin?
Clarify the Terms!
Clarify the Terms!
Illustration
Questions for Clarification
What do you mean by… ?
Blood of Jesus
Savior
Good
Diedfor us
Son of God
Reverse the Burden of Proof
Remember, when someone throws a questions at
you, like a boomerang, let it come back around to
them first!
Q: Isn’t Christianity only a “Crutch?”
A: What do you mean by “Crutch?”
Challenging False Thinking
Overview
Illuminate discrepancies by asking questions
Does it matter what we believe?
Can all religious views be essentially right?
Why don’t you believe that the bible is
reliable?
Do you think people will be held accountable
for the way they live their lives? If so what is
the standard?
Clarifying Their Beliefs
“Most non-Christian I talk to who believe in God say
they are getting to heaven by:
Being mostly good
If good deeds out weigh bad deeds
High standard
Following the Ten Commandments
If you treat others well
Try your best
Being sorry for the bad things
Being humble
What question do you want to ask these people?
Exposing Their False Beliefs
Exposing false belief systems
Do you think Hitler will be in Heaven?
If Hitler will not be in Heaven, what is the
standard which we will all be judged by?
(Matt. 5:48; Js. 2:10)
Illuminating False Beliefs
Can all religious viewpoints be right?
No!
“Either Jesus is the Messiah or He isn't.”
“If He isn't the Messiah, then the Christians are wrong.
If He is the Messiah, then the Jews are wrong.”
“So one way or another somebody's right and
somebody's wrong! Everyone can't be right at the same
time, can they?“
Greg Koukl, Christian Apologist
Taken from web-site at: http://www.str.org
Exposing the False Beliefs of Atheism
With a hard core Atheist:
Ask them what are their reasons for believing
that there is no ultimate reality whether it be
Theistic or Pantheistic (All is God), especially
since most people believe in some kind of
ultimate reality?
Exposing Weakness
Ask questions that expose the weaknesses of their
own beliefs:
How did you come to that conclusion?"
Navigate
Navigate around barriers
“Ihave an arrangement with the „Man‟
upstairs”
“I‟m not interested”
“That‟s good for you”
“Oh yeah, I‟m a Christian”
“How can your way be the only way”
Navigate Around Barriers
Determine whether it is an intellectual
or emotional question or concern?
Remember that sometimes people
carry a lot of baggage on their way
to the cross
Dealing with intellectual Barriers
Determine whether it is a legitimate
question or a smoke screen.
A Formula for Unmasking
the Real Barrier
“If I could answer your questions in a way that
would make sense to you, would that help you
to more seriously consider a belief in God and
Christianity?”
“What kind of evidence are you looking for?“
Speak to Their Heart Felt Issues
Find out:
What their biggest barrier to Christianity is?
What would motivate them to get answers in
these areas?
Common Barriers 1
Example of a common barrier:
All religious beliefs have equal validity!
Show them that comparing
Christianity with other religions is not
like comparing apples with apples!
Removing the Barriers
Christ’s claims and proof of claims are totally
unique compared to any other major religious
leaders
“Buddha pointed to the way, Muhammad
claimed to be a prophet of God, but
Jesus Christ is the only major religious
leader that ever claimed to be God, who
fulfilled prophecy, lived a sinless life,
and then died on the cross and rose
from the dead.”
Common Barrier 2
Example of a common barrier:
Being unwilling to commit to a religious perspective
Question to Ask:
“If it were possible for you to know the truth about
religious issues, would you want to know it?”
Jesus said, “You shall know the Truth, and the Truth
will set you free” John 8:32
Keep
Keep the Door Open for Sharing the Gospel
“Preach the Word; be prepared in season and
out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage—
with great patience and careful instruction
(NIV).
2 Tim. 4:2
Keep the Door Open for Sharing
the Gospel
Don’t get so caught up in removing barriers
that you forget to remember the goal!
Look for opportunities in conversations to
transition to spiritual things.
For example…
Transitioning to the Gospel
Transition to the Gospel From the topic of
Creation/Evolution
Transitions to the Gospel:
The good news about all the evidence for
creationism is that it affirms that you and I are not
merely an accidental by-product of nature.
God does have a purpose for our existence. We
have intrinsic value as God‟s creation. The bible
teaches us that God desires a relationship with
us.
Has anyone ever explained to you how you could
know God more personally?
Our Goal is to share the Gospel
Gospel is good news!
After you share, ask them if they want to
experience new life in Jesus Christ
Ask them if they will pray with you
Get their email address or phone number and
give them yours or Pastor Brett‟s 949-677-
0903
Follow up – make sure they get involved in
church!