Articles
The Key to Evangelism
There is no better way to learn than to look to the words of God for guidance. There is no better person to learn from than the Good Teacher, Jesus Christ. This is especially true when we consider the task of all Christians to evangelize. And this is the task of all Christians, not just local evangelists.
Evangelism is simply the proclamation of the good news that Jesus Christ came to die to save us from the debts incurred from our personal failures. Despite this simple task (and it is simple), if Christians fail to perform their God-given directive, the Church will not grow. Think for a second about how many new converts we, or other nearby congregations of the Lord’s people, have had. Would you say that we are measuring up to this mandate? Of course there is not a quota we must meet but that really isn’t the point. We can always do more, and we can start by understanding evangelism better than we currently do.
Our Teacher has revealed that evangelism is nowhere near as hard as we put it out to be. Perhaps finding the right heart is difficult, but evangelism is not. The key to evangelism is…RELATIONSHIPS! Have you ever noticed that Jesus created opportunities to share the gospel by putting Himself in the open? He went to weddings (John 2). He feasted in people’s homes (Luke 14). He was a people person and valued getting to know His creation. He developed key relationships and that is how He demonstrates effective evangelism. Consider His relationship with Mary, Martha, and Lazarus. Do you think that just happened or did Jesus cultivate a relationship with them? What about Paul’s connection with Aquila and Priscilla?
Evangelism takes effort but spreading the news is fairly simple. It’s all about relationships. Creating new ones and allowing older ones to burgeon. In order to do that, we have to get up from the desk once in a while and talk to people. We need to create relationships by devoting the time to people. The opportunities are endless. Go donate some platelets. Join the Neighborhood Watch. Join an exercise plan. Go to classes at the gym. Get to know your neighbors by inviting them over for a cookout. GET TO KNOW PEOPLE!!!
If we will take the time to develop close relationships, we will find it easier to share the gospel with them and we will also find that our evangelism will be more effective. Be like Christ and get out there!
