Confrontational or Permission Evangelism

Two Types of Evangelism

There are basically two ways to share the Gospel of Christ with a person, and both are found in the Bible. In the first kind, Confrontational Evangelism, two people tend to argue or have a “war with words.” Throughout the Bible, there are situations in which people were confronted with the Gospel. Jesus, John the Baptist, Peter, and Paul confronted the religious, the unbeliever, and the antagonistic people of their day. This type of evangelism feels more like a dispute or altercation.

The other type, Permission Evangelism, involves developing a relationship with a person to gain his or her permission before sharing the gospel. Through one-on-one ministry, group meetings, and other events, Jesus and his disciples shared the Gospel in a way that captured the hearts and minds of the people. As miracles and healings took place, people opened up to the message of the Gospel and often begged to hear more. The results are likely to be more positive than Confrontational Evangelism because you first gain the other person’s permission/ approval/ consent to share. And that permission is gained through dynamic spiritual relationships.

Evangelism is Relational

It is vital to develop a friendship – in fact, a dynamic spiritual relationship with someone before sharing the Gospel. You first need to gain a person’s trust. You may not always have the time or opportunity to develop a close relationship, but you can build rapport in a short time.

Acts 16:14-15 gives one of many scriptural examples of relational evangelism:

¹⁴One of those listening was a woman named Lydia, a dealer in purple cloth from the city of Thyatira, who was a worshiper of God. The Lord opened her heart to respond to Paul’s message. ¹⁵When she and the members of her household were baptized, she invited us to her home. “If you consider me a believer in the Lord,” she said, “come and stay at my house.” And she persuaded us.

WHAT KIND OF EVANGELISM DO YOU EMPLOY?

No Place for Fear – Permission Evangelism #3

No Place for Fear

Don’t be intimidated or timid when it comes to speaking about God or sharing Biblical scriptures publicly.

Even though we have received the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we may sometimes feel unworthy or incapable of evangelizing others. Remember, it is our responsibility as Christians to share how others can receive a new life in Christ.

“I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes: first for the Jew, then for the Gentile.” — Romans 1:16

Through the power of the Holy Spirit, we can overcome our timidity and any ambivalence in sharing our testimony and faith. God gives us the power, knowledge, confidence, and words we need to be an effective witness for Jesus.

Permission Evangelism Part 2

What is Evangelism, Anyway?

You are doing the work of an evangelist when you are inviting a friend to worship, church, small group, or other social function. You’re an evangelist when you take the time to pray with a friend, or when you share Christ as you serving others through community outreach. In short, evangelism is the practice of sharing the Good News in ways that help connect people to Christ and to church.

Through conversation with friends, family, or acquaintances, you can share the goodness of Christ. Present the Gospel by sharing your personal testimony, reading scripture with someone, or discussing how Christ can help them in their lives.

In addition to sharing the gospel verbally, you can evangelize through simple acts. The way you live your life is the best way to convey the work of the Holy Spirit in you. Let your everyday actions be your strongest evangelistic tool. The smallest act of love and kindness is a witness for Christ…if you do it in His name.

In the same way, let your light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven. — Matthew 5:16

Permission Evangelism

I want to start a series of blogs on Permission Evangelism. The thought over the next few weeks are from my book by the same name. Enjoy.

Permission Evangelism

The worst thing that could happen to a person would be to die without knowing Christ. We all need to be prepared to do the work of a evangelist—to teach non-Christians who Jesus is and why they need to have a relationship with him. In this chapter you’ll learn practical steps to share the most important message of all, the Good News of Jesus Christ.

In 2 Timothy 4:5, Paul encourages Timothy and members of the church to “…do the work of an evangelist.” As you read this, you may be questioning whether Paul was talking to you. You may argue that your gifting lies leadership or administration or pastoring but not in evangelism.

Although we do not all have the gift of eloquent speaking, God did give us the ability to share Christ. The truth is, as believers, we all are expected is to tell others about our life in Christ and how our life has changed since becoming a Christian.

How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them? – Romans 10:14

PART TWO Next week

Is Jesus our Product?