This will be a two part blog. Part 1 will attempt to challenge you to think and have your own opinion about evangelism I want to start  this session by asking a question and doing my best to answer it. It is a single question that may help clarify thoughts that you may have regarding the title of this blog session. Personal Evangelism…

Is personal evangelism intended to be confrontational?

The short answer here is yes… The longer answer is YES… however there are conditions by which confrontation will be used.

Reviewing the personal evangelism style of Jesus we find that our answers above to be true.

The woman at Jacobs well in John 4. Jesus had a short conversation with her to open a conversation. Jesus then directed the conversation over to a more spiritual tone and directly pointed her to the 7th commandment regarding adultery. He ask about her husband and in fact she was living with was not her husband. Very controversial and confrontational.

The rich young ruler in Luke 18 spoke to Jesus and gave him a proud self-serving attitude. Jesus then pointed him to the First commandment that he failed to keep. He was to love the “Lord your God with all  your heart…” He found this so confrontational that he was not willing to follow Jesus’ instruction.

Jesus’ confrontation in His evangelism  was to bring those he spoke to into understanding of their sin and their need for a savior.

The other side of the coin is there was no hate in His heart for the person. There was no confrontation due to the desire for earthly power. Jesus did not beat them over the head to get their attention, but He let the Law  show them their faults and gave them an out from their sin.

If we follow the same pattern of evangelism it is a style done out of concern for their eternal soul.