“winning ways to witness” david hartman. perceptions of evangelism when you hear the word...

“Winning Ways to Witness”“Winning Ways to Witness”

David HartmanDavid Hartman

Perceptions of Evangelism Perceptions of Evangelism

When you hear the word evangelism what image first comes to mind?

When you hear the word evangelism what image first comes to mind?


Typical Stereotypes: Public meetings Scary beasts Doctrinal study

Typical Stereotypes: Public meetings Scary beasts Doctrinal study


Recent Studies: George Barna - 55% shared faith in

the prior 12 months Thom Rainer - 5% witnessed on a

consistent basis Institute of Church Ministries (Andrews

University) - 41% of Adventists actively share their faith

Recent Studies: George Barna - 55% shared faith in

the prior 12 months Thom Rainer - 5% witnessed on a

consistent basis Institute of Church Ministries (Andrews

University) - 41% of Adventists actively share their faith


What factors cause Adventists to shy away from doing evangelism?

Fear Factor Knowledge Factor Offence Factor Time Factor

What factors cause Adventists to shy away from doing evangelism?

Fear Factor Knowledge Factor Offence Factor Time Factor


What factors cause unbelievers to shy away from evangelism?

What factors cause unbelievers to shy away from evangelism?

• Pushy, offensive • Not relevant

Discomfort on BOTH

sides of the fence!

• Pushy, offensive • Not relevant

Discomfort on BOTH

sides of the fence!

Content of Seminar Content of Seminar

-5 -4 -3 -2 -1 +1 +2 +3 +4 +5

Goals of SeminarGoals of Seminar

• Motivation

• Tools

• 7-Step Process

• Support

• Motivation

• Tools

• 7-Step Process

• Support

What Is Evangelism?What Is Evangelism?

Biblical definition:

e u a n g e l i o n

Gk. euangelizo Heb. bissar

Proclaiming good news!

Biblical definition:

e u a n g e l i o n

Gk. euangelizo Heb. bissar

Proclaiming good news!

Occasions for Good News Occasions for Good News


Victory on the Battlefield!

Victory on the Battlefield!


“The enemy is defeated!” “We won!” “Good News! ”

“The enemy is defeated!” “We won!” “Good News! ”

Examples: 2 Kings 7:9; Isaiah 52:7; 61:1, 2

Examples: 2 Kings 7:9; Isaiah 52:7; 61:1, 2

Christ Is Ultimate VictorChrist Is Ultimate Victor

Christ has defeated the devil and established a new domain-the kingdom of God.

(Matt 4:23; 9:35; Lk 2:10, 11; 4:18, 19, 43, 44; 9:1, 2)

Christ has defeated the devil and established a new domain-the kingdom of God.

(Matt 4:23; 9:35; Lk 2:10, 11; 4:18, 19, 43, 44; 9:1, 2)

Results of Christ’s Victory


1. New Master

Colossians 1:13, 14

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”

1. New Master

Colossians 1:13, 14

“He has delivered us from the power of darkness and transferred us into the kingdom of the Son of His love in whom we have redemption through His blood, the forgiveness of sins.”



2. Personal Salvation

Romans 1:16, 17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes . . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”

2. Personal Salvation

Romans 1:16, 17

“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ, for it is the power of God to salvation for everyone who believes . . . For in it the righteousness of God is revealed from faith to faith; as it is written, ‘The just shall live by faith.’”



3. Freedom from Sin

Luke 4:18

“He has anointed Me . . . to preach deliverance to the captives.”

Romans 6:6

“No longer . . . slaves of sin.”

3. Freedom from Sin

Luke 4:18

“He has anointed Me . . . to preach deliverance to the captives.”

Romans 6:6

“No longer . . . slaves of sin.”



4. Holistic Healing

Luke 4:18 gospel to the poor healing to the brokenhearted deliverance to the captives recovery of sight to the blind liberty to the oppressed

4. Holistic Healing

Luke 4:18 gospel to the poor healing to the brokenhearted deliverance to the captives recovery of sight to the blind liberty to the oppressed

Good News Is for Sharing! Good News Is for Sharing!

Three Reasons for Sharing Three Reasons for Sharing

1. For God’s Sake1. For God’s Sake

Luke 15:1-7

The shepherd goes “after the one [sheep] which is lost until he finds it.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord . . . Is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

God’s heart beats for the lost!

Luke 15:1-7

The shepherd goes “after the one [sheep] which is lost until he finds it.”

2 Peter 3:9

“The Lord . . . Is not willing that any should perish but that all should come to repentance.”

God’s heart beats for the lost!

2. For Others’ Sake 2. For Others’ Sake

Luke 15:1-7

The lost sheep roams until it eventually dies.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

People need quality of life now, and the joy of eternal life with God.

Luke 15:1-7

The lost sheep roams until it eventually dies.

Romans 6:23

“For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”

People need quality of life now, and the joy of eternal life with God.

3. For Our Sake 3. For Our Sake

Luke 15:1-7

Finding the lost sheep brings joy to the heart of the seeker.

Ministry of Healing, 102 - “It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Saviour.”

Christian Service, 22 - “It is in working for others that [we] will keep [our] own souls alive.”

Luke 15:1-7

Finding the lost sheep brings joy to the heart of the seeker.

Ministry of Healing, 102 - “It is in working to spread the good news of salvation that we are brought near to the Saviour.”

Christian Service, 22 - “It is in working for others that [we] will keep [our] own souls alive.”

3. For Our Sake 3. For Our Sake

Acts of the Apostles, 105 - “Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service.”

Desire of Ages, 142 – “God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work.”

Acts of the Apostles, 105 - “Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service.”

Desire of Ages, 142 – “God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work.”

Three Reasons for Not Sharing

Three Reasons for Not Sharing

1. Misunderstand Content 1. Misunderstand Content

Good News

Not

Bad News

Good News

Not

Bad News

2. Misunderstand Role 2. Misunderstand Role

It’s the job of the:

• Pastor

• Evangelist

• Professional

It’s the job of the:

• Pastor

• Evangelist

• Professional

Biblical Role of Evangelism Biblical Role of Evangelism

Matthew 28:19,20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

Matthew 28:19,20 “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”


Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19, 21, 24 Lay people were the

primary agents of evangelism

Ordinary men and women with no literary training “went everywhere preaching the word.”

Acts 8:1, 4; 11:19, 21, 24 Lay people were the

primary agents of evangelism

Ordinary men and women with no literary training “went everywhere preaching the word.”


Desire of Ages, 195

“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary.”

Desire of Ages, 195

“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary.”


Acts of the Apostles 110

“Everyone who has received Christ is called to work for the salvation of his fellow men.”


“Everyone who has received Christ is called to work for the salvation of his fellow men.”



“It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul-saving depends alone upon the ministry.”


“It is a fatal mistake to suppose that the work of soul-saving depends alone upon the ministry.”

Birthright StolenBirthright Stolen

Over the centuries . . . Bishops then priests

hovered over congregations People relied on clergy to

do work of evangelism Birthright of evangelism

snatched away from congregants at large and given to “professionals”

Over the centuries . . . Bishops then priests

hovered over congregations People relied on clergy to

do work of evangelism Birthright of evangelism

snatched away from congregants at large and given to “professionals”

Birthright StolenBirthright Stolen

The early Adventist church…LAITY were the primary evangelists

1. Pastors served as itinerant evangelists2. Conference evangelists3. Union evangelists4. Media evangelists

Evangelism has strayed four levels from where it was originally intended. We need to get back to the blueprint!

The early Adventist church…LAITY were the primary evangelists

1. Pastors served as itinerant evangelists2. Conference evangelists3. Union evangelists4. Media evangelists

Evangelism has strayed four levels from where it was originally intended. We need to get back to the blueprint!

Birthright RestoredBirthright Restored

Joel 2:28, 29

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see vision.”

God predicts an inter-generational movement in the last days which will turn hearts back to God (Mal. 4:5, 6; Acts 2:17-20).

Joel 2:28, 29

“And it shall come to pass afterward that I will pour out My spirit on all flesh; your sons and your daughters shall prophesy, your old men shall dream dreams, your young men shall see vision.”

God predicts an inter-generational movement in the last days which will turn hearts back to God (Mal. 4:5, 6; Acts 2:17-20).

Great Controversy 611, 612 Great Controversy 611, 612

"The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at is close. . . . Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven.

"The great work of the gospel is not to close with less manifestation of the power of God than marked its opening. The prophecies which were fulfilled in the outpouring of the former rain at the opening of the gospel are again to be fulfilled in the latter rain at is close. . . . Servants of God, with their faces lighted up and shining with holy consecration, will hasten from place to place to proclaim the message from heaven.

Great Controversy 611, 612 Great Controversy 611, 612

By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. . . . The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. . . . a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.”

By thousands of voices, all over the earth, the warning will be given. Miracles will be wrought, the sick will be healed, and signs and wonders will follow the believers. . . . The message will be carried not so much by argument as by the deep conviction of the Spirit of God. . . . a large number take their stand upon the Lord’s side.”

3. Misunderstand Process 3. Misunderstand Process

View evangelism as an “event” or “activity”

4 week campaign Sabbath afternoon

literature distribution

Then get back to “normal”

View evangelism as an “event” or “activity”

4 week campaign Sabbath afternoon

literature distribution

Then get back to “normal”

Event vs. LifestyleEvent vs. Lifestyle

Different metaphors for witnessing: light (Matt 5:13) salt (Matt 5:14) yeast (Matt 13:35-37) fragrance (2 Cor 2:14, 15) letter (2 Cor 3:2, 3) ambassador (2 Cor 5:20)

being vs. activity or “evangeliving”

Different metaphors for witnessing: light (Matt 5:13) salt (Matt 5:14) yeast (Matt 13:35-37) fragrance (2 Cor 2:14, 15) letter (2 Cor 3:2, 3) ambassador (2 Cor 5:20)

being vs. activity or “evangeliving”


Fishing (Matt 4:19) Fishing (Matt 4:19)

• an occupation

• not a sport

• an occupation

• not a sport


Gardening (Mark 4:3-20; 26-29) Gardening (Mark 4:3-20; 26-29)

Principles of Gardening Principles of Gardening

“The same laws that govern earthly seed sowing govern the sowing of the seeds of truth.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 33

“The same laws that govern earthly seed sowing govern the sowing of the seeds of truth.” Christ’s Object Lessons, 33

Gardening Is a ProcessGardening Is a Process

Jeremiah 4:3

“Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns.”

Jeremiah 4:3

“Break up your fallow ground, and do not sow among thorns.”

http://upload.acclaimimages.com/_gallery/_comp/Acclaim_Images_0027-0709-1117-1757.jpg


Mark 4:26

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground . . .”

Mark 4:26

“The kingdom of God is as if a man should scatter seed on the ground . . .”


Mark 4:28

“For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.”

Mark 4:28

“For the earth yields crops by itself: first the blade, then the head, after that the full grain in the head.”


Mark 4:29

“But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

Mark 4:29

“But when the grain ripens, immediately he puts in the sickle, because the harvest has come.”

The Agricultural Cycle The Agricultural Cycle

Ways To Witness Ways To Witness

•Intercession•Friendship•Service•Testimony•Invitation •Conversation

•Proclamation


•Proclamation

7 Personal Styles of Evangelis

m

7 Personal Styles of Evangelis

m

1. Intercession1. Intercession

Praying for the salvation of friends, family, and work associates.

Prayer prepares BOTH hearts for the witnessing encounter (Isa. 50:4; 2 Cor. 10:4, 5; Col. 4:2-4; GC 525).

Power of focused prayer (1 Tim. 2:1, 4; 1 John 5:14, 16)

Praying for the salvation of friends, family, and work associates.

Prayer prepares BOTH hearts for the witnessing encounter (Isa. 50:4; 2 Cor. 10:4, 5; Col. 4:2-4; GC 525).

Power of focused prayer (1 Tim. 2:1, 4; 1 John 5:14, 16)

Gospel Workers, 65

“In times past there were those who fastened their minds upon one soul after another, saying, ‘Lord, help me to save this soul.’ But now such instances are rare. How many act as if they realized the peril of sinners? How many take those whom they know to be in peril, presenting them to God in prayer, and supplicating Him to save them?”

Gospel Workers, 65

“In times past there were those who fastened their minds upon one soul after another, saying, ‘Lord, help me to save this soul.’ But now such instances are rare. How many act as if they realized the peril of sinners? How many take those whom they know to be in peril, presenting them to God in prayer, and supplicating Him to save them?”

Medical Ministry, 244

“Let the workers grasp the promises of God, saying, ‘Thou hast promised, Ask, and ye shall receive. I must have this soul converted to Jesus Christ.’"

Medical Ministry, 244

“Let the workers grasp the promises of God, saying, ‘Thou hast promised, Ask, and ye shall receive. I must have this soul converted to Jesus Christ.’"