Methods of Evangelism Essay

The Intellectual Method of Evangelism referred to as The Four ghostlike Laws is beat known as the widely wontd way of evangelism used by the popular college ministry known as Campus Crusade and was first published in 1957 by founder, Bill Bright in a brochure titled Have You heard of the four Spiritual Laws? In this publication, Bright simplifies the truths of the Gospel in an adjudicate to reach as m any people as possible. What ar known as Biblical truths argon delivered as spiritual laws in order to assist people to recognize that just as we ar governed by mans laws on earth, there are in like manner spiritual laws that govern the kin between idol and man. The four spiritual laws are 1) divinity fudge loves you 2) Man is sinful and separated from divinity 3) deliverer saviour is Gods only provision for mans sin and 4) We must(prenominal) individually receive Jesus as Savior and Lord. (Bright, 2007) There are some truly evident advantages in using this method of ev angelism. It is simple and easy to follow and it starts aside on a very positive note by explaining Gods love for mankind rather than addressing the sinful cite that all of mankind is in before accepting christ.Each eyeshade also has Scripture references to fierceness or proves that the laws are from God himself. The Four Spiritual Laws has been wildly successful in winning souls for Christ and the publication itself has sold over one hundred million copies and has been translated into all the major languages of the world qualification it a consumeily available resource for an evangelism tool. (Moo, 2002) There are however several disadvantages in choosing to use this method of evangelism. By electing to start these laws out on a positive note and addressing Gods love for mankind first instead of the sinfulness and our need of a Savior, one whitethorn involve the false impression that he does not need to be saved. In addition with the references to scripture creation taken out of context of could easily misunderstand the true meaning.One such example would be the first law, God loves you and the referenced Scripture John 316 and John 1010. go God does love everyone, these Scriptures taken out of context fail to show that it is Gods disposition and one of Hisattributes to love us. And the recipient of the word may not understand that a lovable God will still judge people for their worldly sins. The main concern with the Four Spiritual Laws is that although this pamphlet although Biblically correct mentions that a person dope receive Christ through prayer. Prayer alone is not how you receive Christ. Prayer combined with Faith is what it takes to nonplus a true conversion. (Robert H. Mounce, The Book of Revelation Revised, The impertinently International Commentary on the New Testament, one thousand Rapids, MI Eerdmans, 1977, 113.)Servant EvangelismThe Relational Method of Evangelism referred to as Servant Evangelism is based on the ideal that Ch ristians are to reach others by love, compassion and service date embracing a kind heart and a generous attitude along with a loving smile. The motivation that fuels servant evangelism is Jesus, himself especially when he was speaking to His disciples from the scriptures in Matthew Chapter 25 where he tell them that they are to feed the hungry, cloth and shelter the homeless, take care of the sick and visit those in prison as if they were armed service Jesus. Servant evangelism is to a greater extent just about doing the message of the Gospel than speaking it and gasping people to Christ through those actions. (Tarjanyi, 2013) There are some strong advantages to this sort of evangelism as the perception that non-Christians may have of Christianity may be altered and they may be to a greater extent willing to remember a more positive image rather than negative one. The focus shifts to the selfless acts of compassion and service they see these Christians perform in the name of Je sus.Many non-believers that witness Christians performing acts of service are very willing to discover that there must be some other power that drives the Christian to do so. This opening can lead as an avenue to lead a person to Christ. On the other hand, by brush the physical require of a lost person and not addressing what may be causing those needs (which could easily be a sinful nature), one may run a risk of neer reaching that individual for Christ. This is a definite disadvantage of servant evangelism. At all times, the servant must remain focused just like Jesus did and always turn the needs towards God and draw those in need to the real answer to all their needs. It can become very easy to present consumed with meeting needs and lose focus of the true mission which is to lead people a blackguard closer to God.Evangelism ExplosionEvangelism Explosion is a method of evangelism in which the leaders indicate that their principles are draw directly from the Bible. This me thod is highly organized and is designed around the focal point training those won to the Lord to win, and train, others. (Davis, 2010) the technique utilizes a series of direct confrontational questions which emphasize a key point of the Gospel and the non-Christian is challenged to respond. Questions like, Do you know for sure you are going to be with God in nirvana or If God asked you , Why should God let you into Heaven? what would you advance are posed and the goal is to get the non-believer to open their mind and heart up to the Gospel message. There is a two-fold advantage to this near of evangelism. First, this type of evangelism can place a direct challenge on the Christian to become more active voice in their own community and this aspect of evangelism makes Christians become very good at communicating the Gospel message effectively.The second advantage is that this approach directly confronts the non-believer with their sinful state and refuses to allow them any way t o escape the salvation message. The non-Christian cannot dismiss Jesus as their moral teacher. They are left to sink if they will accept Him as Savior. The disadvantages of this confrontational method are also two-fold. Some may introduce that these sorts of trainings can become too rehearsed and sound memorized and scripted instead of from the heart. This may turn a non-Christian off to auditory modality the Gospel. The other issue is that the high pressure nature of the question and answer session may produce false converts. The process of going through a premeditated dialogue can tolerate much open to be criticized by many.Application of These Methods to Your Own LifeThe method of evangelism that works best(p) for me is Servant Evangelism. Although I do see that there may be several responsibilities that are also attached to this approach, this is the best way that I have been able to be the actual hands and feet of Jesus to a lost and hurting world that may otherwise not be open to hearing the Gospel message. After reading and researching many of the other techniques, I find that servanthood best suits me. As we read in 1 Corinthians Chapter 12, God gifts us each uniquely. I feel that the service is a gift. non everyone can serve with a gratefulheart. Servant Evangelism is how the Lord reached me and I am sure that furbish up is part of the reason I have such a deep connection to this technique. Matthew 25 has been pick out as my familys scripture verse and is the basis of our family mission statement. I was once a least of these and I will never forget how the Lord reached down and saved me.Telling people about what God is doing in my life is the greatest joy I have ever found. For the people God has placed in my life, servant evangelism is the perfect way to show them the Gospel message. I am an active member of an international prison ministry. Time and time again, I have heard the participants on our retreats say that people just dont do these things. I also get the privilege of serving special needs children and adults as well as traveling with a ministry that visits churches that are in involvement or struggling and every time the people see the people of God come in concert to serve, not out of our own power but from Gods power. It makes a great daze on many lives. I could not imagine living a life that was not in service to others.ReferencesBIBLIOGRAPHY Beale, G.K. The Book of Revelation. Grand Rapids Eerdmans, 1999. The new Greek Testament Commentary. Bright, Bill. Have You Heard of the Four Spiritual Laws? Peachtree City Campus Crusade, 2007. Davis, James D. THE BASICS OF EVANGELISM EXPLOSION. Sun Sentinel 25 June 2010 (updated) 4D. Judy, Tarjanyi. Simple Acts of Servant Evangelism Create atmosphere for Church Growth. Austin American Statesman 8 April 1995 E.1. CMG Corporate Services, Inc of behalf of itself and the Newspapers. Moo, Douglas J. Encountering the Book of Romans A Theological Survey. Grand Rapids Bak er Academic, 2002.