Be very careful here… Yes the sacrifice Jesus Christ made was out of the love God had for man. Yes, as well it is a Christians responsibility to live their life pleasing to God. These are both facts and truths that are not being addressed in this blog. However they are just not true Biblical Evangelism styles.

Love should always be reflected in how we act toward each other. This is referenced by John 13: 34b-35; “Love one another. By this everyone will know you are my disciples.” This Does Not meet the criteria for an evangelism style.

Live my Life in front of my friends and family. This is no more an evangelism style than living on ice cream and cookies is the perfect diet to improve health. They both have the same effect. They can console the mind and provide a good feeling of fulfillment, but in the end the provide nothing but an unhealthy life style.

The Gospel in all aspects is offensive. Not that we should beat our hearers over the head but the offence will come by hearing a true Gospel. Our friends and family only disserve the best from us; not excuses that only fuel our fear of rejection.

Both of these are easy to claim to be doing something, but there is no confrontation.

Obviously there is a stigma attached to the term “Friendship Evangelism”. I therefore want to explore both distinctions of the terminology.

Defined as Term 1. Is the view that “I’m reaching my friends, family, and the world around me by the life I live. I don’t need to witness to them, my life lived in front of them is enough”.  There are multiple styles in our previously blogged list, that use this form of an extreme passive approach to evangelism. The clear reason you will see below… “IT’S EASY” Remember, easy doesn’t make it right or effective.

Defined as Term 2. I need only a few minutes or even a brief encounter to establish enough friendship to present the Gospel to this New Friend. This is a foundational platform for the Holy Spirit to use you to present the Gospel.

Term 1:

1. Usability- No Need for outreach life is good enough.
2. Ease to learn- Natural
3. Comfort of Use- There is no discomfort with no confrontation
4. Receptivity- There is little to no receptivity through osmosis
5. Numbers focused- N/A
6. Build excitement for the user- Builds deception that it is doing some good
7. Scripturally sound- The Gospel preached throughout the Bible was Confrontational. This version of Friendship Evangelism Is the opposite of anything Scriptural.
8. Seed Planting- In no way
9. Salvation Offering- Not an option
10. Disciple making- One can not make a disciple without causing another person to grow. Growth comes through change. Change comes through confronting issues.

Term 2:

Friendship reflected in term 2 is the basis from which a biblical form of Evangelism can be launched. An example from none other than Jesus Himself is found in John 4. His encounter with the Samaritan woman at Jacobs well is a clear picture in the use of Term 2 friendship to open the door to a more confrontational approach to evangelism.

Understand we “ALL” choose an evangelism style regardless if it is an active or passive choice. Therefore, I feel it necessary to present these styles in review. I challenge you, the reader, be sure you are informed of your choice. This can be critical in the witness you present.

Prior to review, any process should be held to a set of standards. I intend not to rant against any one process nor overly praise the others. I only wish to present an opinion of evangelism techniques. From this blog series I hope to help the readers have a more informed decision when allowing themselves to choose their form of evangelism.

I will report by the technique’s ability to follow Biblical principles used by Jesus, and the Apostles in witnessing. We will also consider these techniques in scenarios to address effectiveness. Lastly we want to connect the techniques to discipleship that closes the loop into the Great Commission.

There is an open opportunity for the readers to make counter points to the opinion written. However, professionalism, ethical, and biblical responses will only be entertained.

Be Informed, Be Bold, Be Faithful

Barney Graham

messagetothelost@yahoo.com