- Wasting our time over worthless things:
- PE needs sufficient time for serious discussions.
- People find more convenience just merely talking and in their houses watching TV.
6. Inadequate and half hearted efforts:
- More cautious and do not want to offend others.
- Afraid of others that what they may think.
- Some want immediate action.
- Some get angry due to their over expectations.
- Many Christians’ lives are not exemplary. They do not live like converted people. They live for self.
- Many Christians give very blunt replay “you are going to hell.”
- Many Christians argue over silly matters or non-essential doctrines.
- Some don’ts:
– Don’t approach the people at an inappropriate time.
– Don’t argue.
– Don’t corner a person in his difficult time.
– Don’t expect immediate results.
2. Some Dos:
- Speak the truth in love (Eph. 4:15).
- Be gentle (1 Thess. 2:7)
- Be wise as serpents, gentle as doves (Matt. 10:36)
- Answer others meekness and fear. (1 Pet. 3:15)
- Let your speech be with grace seasoned with salt (Col.4:6)
- If people get offended, let it be because of the truth not because of our blundering efforts.
- Like a salesman try to sell the product about which he knew absolutely.
- God’s worker must study the Bible properly to use the Word. (2 Tim.2:15).
3. Some excuses:
- Evangelism is illegal.
- I don’t speak their language
- I don’t know non-Christians
- Other things seem more urgent
- Evangelism could cause problems at work.
- How will people respond to my verbal witness?
- What will I do if they object?
- What if they desire to receive Christ? How should I lead them?
I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believe. (Rom.1:16).
Personal evangelism would be very effective in the areas where those who are having: 1. Inner emptiness. 2. Purposelessness. 3. Fear of Death. 4. Desire for inner peace. 5. Loneliness. 6. Lack of self-control.
5-point formula to become an effective PE worker: LETUS
- L ove your friend.
- E stablish rapport..
- T alk about Jesus
- U se your own experience testimony.
- S equence appropriate questions to lead him/her to Salvation.
The qualities of a PE worker:
A delicious looking apple offered by a dirty hand full of sores, dirt under fingernails, etc will suddenly become unappetizing.
- Assurance of Salvation:
- One must be convinced that he/she is fully converted and can begin to teach others the way of Salvation (1 Jn. 5:13)
- Unconverted person can expect little success at winning others (ex. John Wesley at Boston before his conversion)
- You cannot lead someone where you have never been before.
- Commitment:
- One’s life must be fully surrendered to God (Matt. 16:24).
- Selfishness is the greatest enemy for PE work. He has to put away some of his personal interests, comforts, ease, pride and feelings.
- One must have the zeal and dedication like Apostle Paul for PE work. (Phil. 3:8-16; 2 Tim. 4:1-8). Ex. Have an imaginary experience of hell.