FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM (2)
February 24, 2002 AM
Sermon Outline
Isa 55:10,11
INTRO: Last week I began a series of thoughts on what I call friendship evangelism (or, as I suggested, relationship evangelism. We talked about some essentials such as a knowledge of the word, the example of the faithful Christian life and a desire to share the good news with others. I mentioned that a recent survey of 14000 members of the church indicated that over 75% of them indicated that their coming to the Lord was the result of relationships with friends or relatives!. That survey is a compelling reason for my own belief that friendship evangelism is the most effective outreach for most Christian people. Certainly, there are excellent examples of this sort of evangelism in the lives of Andrew and Philip. May I continue this line of thought this morning?
I. INDICATIVE QUESTIONS?
A. Who are the people in you have the greatest interest?
B. Who are the people you are most likely to influence?
C. What people are most likely to trust you?
1. once again, I suggest it will be family and friends
2. it depends, though, on whether or not you have exemplified the disposition of Christ in your own life - you must have behaved in ways which inspire trust and confidence
3. 2 Cor 3:3 - what are people learning about Christ from your life?
4. because people close to us see and know that we are very serious about our faith in Christ and the life in Christ which we live, they are very likely going to trust you for information relating to spiritual issues
D. What people are most likely to continue in their growth of faith?
1. is it not people who have obeyed the gospel and have formed strong relationships within a local congregation?
2. the church is a one another body in which interdependence is crucial to living faithfully
3. 1 Thes 4:9 - ...taught of God to love one another
4. Heb 10:24,25 - encouraging to love, to good works, to faithfulness
II. PERHAPS, TOO, A FEW WORDS ABOUT FRIENDSHIP ARE IN ORDER
A. Prov 27:10 - A friend is faithful to his friends
B. 2 Pet 1:7 - A friend is certainly kind and thoughtful
C. 2 Tim 1:6,7 - A friend is encouraging
D. Prov 10:12 - A friend is forgiving
E. Prov 27:9 - A friend seeks what is best for his friends
F. Prov 11:13 - A friend is careful about keeping confidences
G. Prov 17:17 - A friend is constant in his love
III. SO, HOW DOES ONE BEGIN?
A. We may have very natural hesitation
1. we typically fear rejection
2. and we may have the built in fear which comes from the belief that friends dont talk about religion or politics
3. remember, though, this is a person you love and for whom you want the very best!
B. You might simply ask, Would you like to study the Bible with me?
1. the question more often than not receives an affirmative answer
2. many people, these days, are interested in knowing more about the Bible - recognize the need (but have never gotten around to it)
3. or, what about asking a friend to read the Bible through in a year - and meet for discussions of what you have read?
C. You might invite friends to a small group Bible study in your home
1. such studies have many advantages
2. but, again, people are interested in Bible study - and we should offer
D. You might watch for special opportunities in conversations to turn thoughts to a discussion of the Bible
1. so many world events can take a Bible turn
2. and the question, Lets get together to study more about this
E. Remember, a concerned friend should have no difficulty finding an approach to one about whom he is concerned!
V. WHAT METHOD DOES ONE USE IN SUCH A STUDY?
A. Your method depends on you - a method comfortable for you
B. Many of us prefer an open Bible study which uses a time line
C. Some prefer a disciplined study such as the one brother Rogers uses
D. Some prefer to use a video home Bible study series
E. Even a correspondence course as an outline is a good method
F. Point: get to the study
1. if you need help, there are people willing to help
2. be organized and stick to scripture
CLOSE: I believe that every one of us can be a personal evangelist in one respect or another: as an introducer or as a teacher. Nothing is more important to our friends than our concern for their eternal destination!
Cecil A. Hutson
24 February 2002