Lately, I seem to find myself in conversations on the topic of evangelism. Evangelism seems like an intimidating word. I think there are many stereotypes that can accompany that word. I know when I think of evangelism, I think of someone on stage, probably on television, preaching about God. That is very intimidating. I think that there is also a misconception that evangelism is only for those who have the “gift” of evangelism.
The word evangelism means something different to me. I do think that there are some gifted speakers out there who can communicate a relationship with Christ very well. I also think that every believer has a responsibility to communicate a true relationship with Christ.
The story of the first disciples in the gospel of John is one of my favorite stories. John explains evangelism in a way that gets me passionate.
In the gospel, John talks about what I describe as the “great invitation.” John tells the story like this: one day Jesus was walking by John the Baptist. John the Baptist points out Jesus and says, “there goes the Lamb of God.” Two of his disciples heard this and head out to follow after Jesus. Jesus then realizes he’s got company and stops to address the men. These two disciples ask Jesus where he is staying. Odd question, but alright a question at that. Jesus doesn’t explain to these men about his life or where he is staying. He simply says, “come and see.” Three of my favorite words is the bible. Jesus invited these men to be a part of his life. Out of that invitation these two men were changed forever.
Jesus communicates the gospel by inviting people into a relationship with himself. Yes, Jesus had many stages, as well as, many crowds, but he invited twelve into the intimacy of life with him. Those twelve men did the same thing after Jesus was gone. Those twelve men also had many different kinds of stages, but I believe all invited people into their lives to know a true relationship with the savior. Actually, I love that you can see the first example of that between Nathaniel and Philip.
There is a risk with inviting others into your life. There is a real possibility of rejection. Jesus’ invitation was rejected all the time, but he never stopped inviting. The great thing about evangelism is that it’s not about having it all together, having the “right” answer, or even being that much further ahead of someone.
Evangelism is about growing in an understanding that God died to save your soul and reconcile your heart to his. Evangelism is about offering the same invitation you were given to be reconciled, everyday, back to an original perfect relationship. What that explanation looks like is your life, lived out, growing in the understanding of grace and forgiveness. Evangelism comes out of offering to others the invitation to taste and see that He is God by your life.
This week I want to talk more about evangelism as ministry, being a second mile person, and the great commission.
I would love to hear your thoughts on Evangelism.
You just summed up our entire year of Bible study last year in one blog post! I think the scariest thing about one-on-one evangelism is the fear of not being perfect. I know I always think that if I mess up after inviting someone into my life, I’ll mess up the chance to show them Jesus. I suppose that goes back to grace and forgiveness, as you said. The vulnerability that this type of evangelism requires means 3 things for us: 1. we must risk in order to show Christ’s love. 2. we cannot be self-sufficient if we invite others to join us in living our lives. 3. transparency exposes our weaknesses and our fears- it also brings about ‘real’ness. However, I think the most important is that God uses us, no matter where we are, in order to spread His Kingdom. It’s not about me (or you), it’s about Him.
awesome list!! ha! Thank you for your three points! You are right in that it is all exposing on some level. It is about God. I am so thankful that He risked it all with us. Missing BS!
You know I think in lists!
Good post. I think it can be a misunderstood topic as well. Evangelism has the connotation of sending Believers to far away lands to speak the Gospel–when their is so much work to be done locally.
I associate evangelism with opportunity–one must be aware and prepared–an area that I need lots of work.
Hey Slamdunk!
Thank you for your comment! I would love to hear more of your thoughts on evangelism as opportunities. Do you have some examples?
I think it varies from using a trip, spring break or whatever, to assist people of another country in building a house of worship to offering comforting and Holy words to a cooworker who is down.
For me, it has been simply being aware so that I can stay out of God’s way and let him use me.
I like those examples. It is everything. It is your heart as well as what response you take. Great example of James’ faith with action verses.
Thanks for these!
i love how you have such a gift of taking a verse or a word that is so misunderstood or not thought about and breathing life into it. i hope that my life is evangelism. i want badly to live that out on a daily. i want to invite everyone that i come in contact with to “come and see”.
can’t wait to see what is going to challenge me tomorrow in your blog :)
Thanks for being in my “front row!” I always appreciate your thoughts and listening to me pace around the room about this topic!
Agree with Steph about you breathing life into verses!
Tracee – great blog today [as usual]. Why do I always feel that conviction of not doing enough evangelism? I think it is the risk. Sure, I’ve been on a mission trip to S.Africa; work weekly with the teen outreach ministry at our chuch…. but I know I fall so short of evangelizing in my everyday life. To those God has placed me among on a daily basis I have not reached out with the good news. My questions are rhetorical to myself. I get that same feeling that some people do when the subject of “exercising” comes up and they know it is necessary but have endless reasons as to why they can’t. I’ve got the excerise thing down, but not personal evangelism. I find myself talking about God with people near me, but it’s not evangelism. Ughh..
Hey Linda,
Thanks so much for expressing your thoughts! It is hard to put yourself out there. That is a risk for sure. I think you might be doing it more than you realize. People watch us all the time. Some times we know about and some times we don’t. I can bet that people around you are getting a great example of Christ by watching you live out yours.
I am with you on the risk factor. that keeps me from, well, lots of things actually. So glad that God works on me all the time.
Tracee — you are an encouragement! God bless you!
Linda
mmm.
i struggs. i hateeee when evangelism and mature faith are defined as inviting people to Church or the like. and with that definition guiding them, when people use them to judge the quality of faith.
i really liked that you referred to the Bible and Jesus. I think evangelism can become too focused on the individual and the person they are ministering to instead of taking a step back and realizing the root of all of it. and what it should actually look like.
as for actual relational evangelism I struggle. I know people know I’m different. but its hard for me to reconcile the bringing people to church evangelism with the relational. especially when i don’t feel comfortable at the churchy stuff (but maybe that makes it easier for me too see what to do?) it’s also hard to keep pursuing and loving on people when they keep rejecting you or your faith. i get that a lot. at church and in the real world. i want to keep taking to risk. but it’s so hard to keep taking the same risk and getting the same results. but hopefully it’s planting seeds
Coop-
I so wish you could how much your understanding of a relational God blows people’s minds. You love and pursue God with more genuine heart then most any one I know. I see your life as evangelism play out all the time. You offer such great things to your small group. You wrestle with the tension between the truth you are learning to know vs. what you see at school. You have depth to offer, depth you are already offering. You will be appreciated and rejected. welcome to being considered worthy of suffering for the Lord.
You are doing great!
such freedom in this. because i’m NOT an evangelist in the traditional sense of the word. but i do value and crave authenticity in relationships. i love how that’s summed up in Jesus’ invitation to “come and see” — i want my life to reflect that same invitation.
i love that you are not traditional!! one of my fave things about you! you invite so dang well!
lots of church in you!
i need to be more intentional about the inviting. most often, i don’t want to risk in that way as i go about my everydayness. (and the introvert in me takes over.) but… i need to.
you are so intentional. you meet with people when you don’t always feel like it. you are always great about being present in those times. you take risks!!
Just you is inviting. more than you know!