SEVEN STEPS OF CHRISTIAN LIVING MANUAL

STEP 6: EVANGELISM

Purpose Statement:

To provide the Christian leader with training on a lifestyle of personal evangelism.

Learning Objectives:

This lesson provides the Christian leader with the following:

1. An understanding of the biblical priority of evangelism

2. An appreciation for the value of relational evangelism:
a) An understanding of the importance of relational family evangelism
b) An understanding of the importance of relational friendship evangelism

Introduction:

Evangelism is the sixth step in the “Seven Steps of Christian Living.” Before leaving this earth
Jesus offered a command to His disciples:

And you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth (Acts
1:8).

To “witness” about Christ is to share the Good News that Jesus Christ is the King. Anyone from
anywhere in the world who surrenders to Christ can become part of His Kingdom now and for
eternity. It is the greatest message in all of the world and each of us has the responsibility and
privilege to share it with others.

You are the light of the world. A city on a hill cannot be hidden. Neither do people light a lamp and put it under
a bowl. Instead they put it on its stand, and it gives light to everyone in the house. In the same way, let your
light shine before men, that they may see your good deeds and praise your Father in heaven (Matthew 5:14-
16).

I. Biblical Priority of Evangelism

A. God is the supreme Evangelist

Each member of the Trinity is involved in evangelism. The Good News about Jesus flowed
from the heart of God the Father who lovingly sent His Son to our fallen world.

For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish,
but have eternal life (John 3:16).

In His earthly ministry Jesus powerfully proclaimed the Good News of His Kingdom. With
the heart of an evangelist, Jesus sacrificed His life for the glory of God that the “lost” may be
reconciled to God.

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 Before Jesus left this earth, He directed His disciples to share the Good News of His
Kingdom throughout the world (Acts 1:8). But to do this effectively, they were equipped
with the empowering presence of the Holy Spirit.

But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you . . . (Acts 1:8a).

Indeed, Father, Son, and Holy Spirit are intimately initiating evangelism to God’s beloved
creation.

B. Christians are to evangelize

1. If God demonstrates the priority of evangelism, so should we. Sadly, however, most
Christians today do not actively share their faith with others. Why?

a. Some Christians assume that only those uniquely gifted in evangelism or the pastors are
responsible for sharing the Gospel.

b. Some Christians are naturally shy or timid.

c. Some Christians do not feel qualified or equipped to talk about the Gospel.

d. Some Christians simply do not even think about it.

2. But it is important to recognize that EVERY Christian has the responsibility and the
privilege to share with others about Jesus. Why? There are many reasons, including:

a. Jesus commanded His followers to evangelize (Acts 1:8; Matthew 28:19).

b. Every believer is equipped by the Holy Spirit to evangelize (Acts 1:8a).

c. Christ’s love compels us to evangelize.

As Christ fills us with His love, we have a heart for those who do not know Him. And as
we love others we desire to share the message of truth, hope, and eternal life.

For Christ’s love compels us, because we are convinced that one died for all, and therefore all died.
And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for
them and was raised again. So from now on we regard no one from a worldly point of view. Though we
once regarded Christ in this way, we do so no longer. Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation
has come: The old has gone, the new is here! All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through
Christ and gave us the ministry of reconciliation: that God was reconciling the world to himself in
Christ, not counting people’s sins against them. And he has committed to us the message of
reconciliation (2 Corinthians 5:14-19).

II. Relational Evangelism

People become Christians through many different ways. Some come to Christ through a church
service; others through reading the Bible; while others are drawn to Christ through a special
healing or vision. But statistics have consistently demonstrated that most people who become a
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new Christian have been directly influenced by the loving relationship of someone close to
them.

Relational evangelism is the lifestyle commitment to share the Gospel with our family and
friends.

A. Family Evangelism

1. Our family is our most important evangelistic opportunity. We must faithfully pray for
each family member that he/she will come to a personal saving faith in Christ, and live
our lives as a witness of the Truth before them.

2. The most powerful Christian witness to our children is through cultivating a loving
marriage with our spouse. If we want our children to see the truth of Christ, we must
demonstrate the light and love of Christ in our marriages.

3. If you are a parent, invest time and teach your children to follow the Lord. As a result,
they may also bring up new generations of faithful Christians, who will in turn touch
many other lives around them.
I have been reminded of your sincere faith, which first lived in your grandmother Lois and in your
mother Eunice and, I am persuaded, now lives in you also (2 Timothy 1:5).

B. Friendship Evangelism

1. Beyond our family, commit to pray for the salvation of at least two non-Christian friends.

Ask God in prayer for direction on which two friends He might place on your heart to
pray for faithfully.

These friendships may come from many different places such as: childhood friends,
neighbors, co-workers, friends connected to an activity or school, etc.

But always try to have at least two such relationships. This number is not overwhelming.

2. If we do not have two non-Christian friends, we need to pray that God will direct us to
them.

Oftentimes the longer we are a Christian the fewer non-Christian friends we have. This is
particularly the case for those in full-time Christian vocations where all their time is
connected to other Christians.

If we do not have at least two non-Christian friends to pray for their salvation, we must
make lifestyle changes to be around more of them. Perhaps we add an activity to our lives;
have a neighbor over for dinner; get to know the parents of our children’s friends; etc.
Even if it means less time at church, it is very important that we develop some friendships
with non-Christians.

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3. At each small group meeting pray for your two (or more) non-Christian friends and those
of the other small group members.

Sharing consistently in the small groups creates accountability and encouragement.

4. Allow our evangelistic conversations with our friends to develop naturally.

Our conversations should not be forced or awkward. Our evangelistic discussions are not
to be too tightly “programmed” with techniques. Rather, we look for opportunities to
share the Gospel within a true, authentic friendship.

5. Consider inviting our non-Christian friends to special church events and activities.

Whether a church service, a special program or holiday church event, or to participate in a

church service project, it is effective to connect our friends with other believers.

6. Consider inviting our non-Christian friends to an outreach Bible study.

7. Recognize that our non-Christian friends are especially open to the truth of Jesus during
difficult times.

When life-altering events occur (such as a loss of a job, divorce, a physical illness, or the
death of a loved one) it is often a time when our friends are willing to think about the
“bigger issues of life.”

If we have developed a healthy friendship, and are present during such times, our friends
are more willing to listen to what we have to say.

8. Be prepared that friendship evangelism may not yield immediate results.

Some of our non-Christian friends may surrender to Christ very quickly. But some will
take a long time, and some never will. The results are up to the Lord. We are simply His
faithful servants.

9. Pray, pray, pray.

Especially pray that the Holy Spirit will convict our friends of sin and their need for the
Savior.

Pray for the needs of your friends.

10. If one (or more) of our non-Christian friends becomes a Christian we then offer to
disciple them.

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 Conclusion:

As followers of Christ we are to reach out to our broken world with the Good News of Jesus
Christ. In this lesson we have considered the biblical priority of evangelism and then stressed a
practical – yet effective – approach of relational evangelism.

As Christian leaders we need to teach – and motivate – our congregations to reach out to their
families and to at least two non-Christian friends. And we must model in our own lives this
commitment.

When our churches begin to practice Step 6, our congregations will become far more exciting
and dynamic. They will grow both spiritually and numerically as they experience the saving
power and see the glory of Christ.

You became imitators of us and of the Lord, for you welcomed the message in the midst of severe suffering with
the joy given by the Holy Spirit. And so you became a model to all the believers in Macedonia and Achaia. The
Lord’s message rang out from you not only in Macedonia and Achaia—your faith in God has become known
everywhere. Therefore we do not need to say anything about it, for they themselves report what kind of
reception you gave us. They tell how you turned to God from idols to serve the living and true God, and to wait
for his Son from heaven, whom he raised from the dead—Jesus, who rescues us from the coming wrath (1
Thessalonians 1:6-10).

Review questions:

1) In what ways does God Himself promote evangelism?

2) What are some reasons we fail to evangelize?

3) What are some reasons to evangelize?

4) What is relational evangelism?

5) Why is family evangelism so important?

6) What are some ways to develop friendships with at least two non-Christians?

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