Some Personal Evangelism models
Philip: (Acts 8:26-40):
- When God sent orders for Philip to leave Samaria and go to the road that led from Jerusalem to Gaza, he obeyed. (Acts 8:26-27).
- Even though he had great success in Samaria, when he was commanded to leave he went.
- He left Samaria and travelled about 50 miles for one lost soul.
- He was willing to leave the crowds for one individual.
- Philip was unprejudiced for Ethiopian eunuch who was still considered as an outcast.
– Without hesitation, Philip was willing to teach gentile (Acts 8:27).
– We must be colour blind in doing PE.
- When the Holy Spirit told Philip to join the Chariot, Philip ran to him. (Acts 8:29)
– He knew the urgent need of the man.
– He did not waste time
– This kind of enthusiasm is desperately needed today.
3. Philip used very effective techniques: (Acts 8:31-35):
- Start the discussion with a question:
– Philip asked him “do you understand?”
– The questions showed real concern.
– Questions arouse greater interest in study and discussion.
4. Philip was thorough in the Scriptures:
– When Ethiopian asked certain questions, Philip knew them and referred the Scriptures and connected well to Jesus.
– PE worker should be effective teachers and must know the Scriptures well.
– We are not to give our opinions or feelings.
– After baptizing the Ethiopian, Philip went on his way preaching to thers (Act 8:40).
Personal evangelism was the pattern of life for those who experienced salvation.
- Andrew shared it with his brother Simon Peter
- Philip found Nathaniel and told him about Jesus
- After Pentecost the Christians witnessed daily.
More Personal Evangelism models:
- Paul with Lydia and her household. (Acts.16:)
- Paul with Philippian Jailor (Acts.16:)
- Peter with Cornelius (Acts.10:ff)
- Jesus with Zacchaeus (Luke 19:9)
- Samaritan woman (Jn 4:ff )
- Jesus spending time with Lazarus, Mary and Martha.
- Moses nurturing
- Elijah nurturing
Some ready techniques for PE:
PE is very simple, but most Christians feel inadequate. They will look at (Acts 8) and think, that Philip was an evangelist and I am not Billy Graham. I could never do that. Philip was an evangelist only when he reached (Acts. 21:8). Throughout the passage Philip was mentioned not an evangelist but a deacon (Acts 6:1-5) which simply means a servant. Some techniques we can readily use when we do PE are as follows:
Use 4S-formula.
- Start discussion with a question: Always start a with question. Show that you are concerned about them. Ask their whereabouts, their family matters, their background, penetrate into their spiritual standings etc For this we must be a good listener.
- Show no prejudice: Jesus never showed any prejudice when talking with Samaritan woman or tax collectors viz. Zachchaeus blind people or adulterous woman or Magdalene Mary Never judge by their outward looks or their religion, or their faith or their background. The Word of God can change any person irrespective of their past life.
- Share Scripture: We must remember that our good words can never change a person unless the Holy Spirit work in them. But we have to do our part in sharing the Scripture. Our cock and bull stories will never convict a person. Use the Scripture as much as possible. The Word of God is powerful and double edged sword can pierce into any soul to bring them to conviction and acceptance of Jesus Christ.
- Sign off with open doors: Always make bridges but not barriers. Our discussion must end with a good note that it produces interest in his or her heart that the person will come again and again to listen to the Word of God.
Prepared for EU and Haggai seminars by Kati Ravikumar, Email: katiravikumar@gmail.com