Evangelism – Setting Up the Study
Mark 1:16-17
Introduction.
This series will be a more “nuts and bolts” style of lessons on evangelism.
If you already are skilled and adept at this, then this is just a refresher—this lesson is to help those who might be a little rusty or unsure of themselves.
We notice that Jesus called His disciples from being fishermen to being fishers of men.
If Art were here, he could tell you all about fishing, as I’m sure others here could as well.
There is skill involved in fishing just as there is for evangelism.
Often we only get good at something with a lot of practice.
This day and age is different than the recent past.
People still need the gospel, but they don’t see the need as they used to.
People aren’t as willing to study as they used to be—simple fact.
There are several possible reasons for that which we won’t get into, but it’s a reality we must, as the Lord’s church, deal with if we are to be fishers of men.
Preview:
We will first look at the prospect.
Then we will go over how to talk to them.
Then we’ll look into “sealing the deal.”
Body.
Who should I talk to?
Easy answer is everybody.
Some people have the personality where they can talk to anybody about anything.
I knew a man who would talk to the cashier at the grocery store and just say, “God loves you.”
That would launch into a conversation about the gospel.
Others will simply say, “Hey I’m the preacher at such-and-such, and I’d like to have a Bible study with you. Here’s my card. Would you put your name and address on this piece of paper and I’ll come by sometime?”
Again, some personalities can get away with that, while others cannot.
Some need the list to be narrowed down some.
Make a prospect list of people in your life.
Here is a list of possibilities that can help get you started.
Narrow it down to just a few at any given time.
If an opportunity comes up, however, do not neglect it!
Friends and family are often the most likely candidates—someone with whom you have some kind of relationship.
Both Jesus and the early Christians had favor with men (Luke 2:52; Acts 2:47).
How should I talk to them?
Naturally
The conversation should be as natural as you can make it.
People can often sense when something sounds rehearsed and unnatural.
Smile for class pictures illustration.
Direct the conversation.
You have more agency in the direction of a conversation than you might think.
Ask open-ended questions, while rarely answering any.
Any answers someone might get will come in the Bible study (defer to the study).
One question I often ask is, “Where do you worship?”
The answer isn’t that important, but it gets the ball rolling to discuss other religious matters.
Let them talk while talking as little as possible! (James 1:19).
You are not there to teach them or preach to them in that moment, but to gain their interest in a study.
You are fishing! Not force-feeding.
If they are asking questions …
Their curiosity is up!
Don’t answer their questions outright, but defer until a study (John 16:12).
There’s something about having a Bible open in front of them, reading it for themselves that will convince people more than anything you might say (Psalm 19:7).
If you do answer them outright, it becomes “you vs. what they’ve heard.”
Nobody wins that discussion, and their curiosity lessens along with their interest.
When you set up the study.
This is your goal during the course of the conversation.
Your goal is not to answer their questions.
Your goal is not to get them in the water (yet).
Your goal is to set up an appointment for a Bible study.
Places to have the study.
Your home.
Be hospitable! (Heb. 13:2).
If you open up your home, it shows you are friendly and an open book.
They are more likely to trust you!
Their home.
This has an advantage of helping them to feel more comfortable in their own surroundings.
Be respectful of their abode.
Someone else’s home.
Make sure you have their permission first!
Some are not good at studies, but are great at hospitality.
You might be able to make a general offer that if anyone wants, they can have a study at your house.
The church building.
This has the advantage of letting them know where the building is.
The preacher may be here and be on hand to help if need be.
This is good for the last study—the baptistry is close by so they are less likely to change their mind.
You must decide which is the best option for your situation.
Make sure you have someone to accompany you in the study.
There needs to be a leader and a “second.”
During the study the role of the second may seem minor, but his/her role is crucial.
There is a reason the Lord sent them off in twos in the Limited Commission (Luke 10:1).
Talk more about that later, but make sure whoever you get can meet at the agreed upon time.
Conclusion.
Congratulations! You have set up the study. Now what? – Topic for next time.
Remember, set up a prospect list.
Be diligent to pursue those on the list.
If you have a prospect that you think would be better pursued by someone else, such as myself or one of the elders, pass off their name to us and we’ll see what we can do.
Remember to talk naturally, yet purposefully.
Direct the conversation to spiritual matters.
Ask open-ended questions, letting them do most of the talking.
Guide the conversation to a study.
Remember to set a specific date/time/place for it.
Someone’s home or the church building—restaurants can often get too noisy and distracting.
Find a “second” to help you in the study.
All this is to the glory of God, for the saving of men’s souls.
This is worthless to you if you haven’t obeyed the gospel.
Obey Him today, and make things right!