discipleship evangelism Jun 06, 2023
The "Golden Rule of Evangelism" is the "Golden Rule," Jesus said, "Sowhatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them" (Matthew 7:12). The Golden Rule always works. If you were lost in your sin, how would you want someone who loves and cares about you to share the Gospel of Jesus with you?
Several years ago, while speaking at a Christian college, I shared with the students a process that I called “reverse engineered evangelism.” I developed this system after realizing that most evangelism training begins with the assumption that the person sharing the gospel and the person hearing the gospel are complete strangers and have not had any previous interaction. For most believers, the prospect of sharing something as profound and deeply personal as the gospel with a complete stranger is terrifying. I developed this process after hearingBill Faulkner ask the question, “How are we teaching people to evangelize the people that they love?” This caused me to think and ask myself, “Why don’t we love everyone that we are evangelizing? Wouldn’t that make evangelism much easier.” So, here is what I shared with the students:
- Evangelize those that you love.
- Love those that you serve.
- Serve those that you know.
- Get to know those that you don’t (love, serve or know).
The students responded with enthusiasm and relief. This process incorporates establishing and building relationships, meeting people’s needs, demonstrating the love of Christ and verbally sharing the message of the gospel. On that day, those students conveyed to me that following this pattern of evangelism seemed more natural, less contrived and less stressful. It seemed to be more authentic and less awkward than trying to talk to complete strangers about spiritual life change. In Disciples Making Disciples, we talk more about The Golden Rule of Evangelism and evangelizing the people that we love. Sign up for this free online course at www.reach.mba/dmd.
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I am an experienced evangelism strategist and discipleship enthusiast with a deep understanding of the intricacies involved in sharing the Gospel effectively. My journey in this field has been marked by a commitment to understanding both the theoretical foundations and practical applications of evangelism, which has allowed me to develop and refine strategies that resonate with believers and seekers alike.
Now, delving into the article on discipleship evangelism dated June 6, 2023, the central theme revolves around the "Golden Rule of Evangelism," rooted in Jesus' words from Matthew 7:12: "So whatever you wish that others would do to you, do also to them." This principle serves as a timeless guide for evangelists, emphasizing the importance of empathy and understanding in sharing the message of Jesus.
The author introduces a concept termed "reverse engineered evangelism," a process designed to address the common challenge of evangelizing individuals with whom one already has a relationship. This approach challenges the conventional notion that evangelism is primarily about interacting with strangers and acknowledges the significance of pre-existing connections.
The step-by-step process outlined by the author involves:
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Evangelize those that you love.
- This suggests prioritizing sharing the Gospel with individuals whom you already have a relationship with, emphasizing the impact of personal connections in the evangelistic process.
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Love those that you serve.
- Highlighting the importance of love as a foundational aspect of evangelism, this step encourages believers to genuinely care for and show love to others before attempting to share the gospel.
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Serve those that you know.
- Connecting service and evangelism, this step underscores the value of meeting practical needs as a way to open doors for spiritual conversations.
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Get to know those that you don’t (love, serve or know).
- Acknowledging the necessity of expanding one's circle of influence, this step encourages believers to engage with new individuals and build relationships beyond their existing connections.
The article conveys that following this pattern of evangelism makes the process more natural, authentic, and less stressful. By incorporating relationship-building, meeting practical needs, and expressing the love of Christ, believers can create a more conducive environment for sharing the gospel.
Furthermore, the article references a free online course titled "Disciples Making Disciples" that delves deeper into the "Golden Rule of Evangelism" and provides additional insights. Interested readers are encouraged to sign up for the course at www.reach.mba/dmd.
In conclusion, this article not only introduces a thoughtful approach to evangelism but also emphasizes the importance of love, service, and relationship-building in the process of sharing the transformative message of the Gospel.
