Relationship evangelism in the school and workplace
Nov 29, 2009 Discussion Topics
Posted by
Kevin Harper
To often, I think evangelism is viewed as a science, or as a marketing objective. So-called “church growth experts” give us statistics on how best to reach the largest quantity of people with the least amount of resources (i.e., time and money). This search for evangelistic efficiency is great – if you’re an organization, perhaps.
But even the church growth experts agree that the most effective tool is…you:
In a survey cited by [Win and Charlie Arn], 14,000 people were asked, “What or who was responsible for your coming to Christ and your church?” The top response, given by 75-90 percent of the respondents was “a friend or relative.”
Source: Evangelism.net
Is it possible that institutionalized evangelism can disenfranchise the average believer and lull them into thinking that evangelism is only for those with advanced degrees, big budgets, or mass audiences? So what about you, the individual? What can you do to influence people for Christ?
First, I think we need to lose the idea that evangelism is best left to others, and take a personal role in evangelizing the lost. We need to be passionate about it. How do we do that? At least one way is relationship evangelism.
We need to look at evangelism, not as an event, but as a process. It starts first with seeing others in our sphere of influence, not as co-workers, fellow students, clients, or customers, but as human beings worthy of our time. We shouldn’t even look at them first and foremost as prospects for evangelism; that can make the relationship fake and conditional.
Think about it. That class clown at school, or that rude guy you work with every day may be facing a family crisis that could draw them closer to God. How will you know if you’ve never taken the time to build a relationship with him?
Questions to consider:
- Which is more efficient? Mass evangelism where you can reach millions of viewers at a time, or relationship evangelism where it’s largely one-to-one?
- What limits do you think you might encounter in efforts to evangelize your workplace: As an hourly employee? As a manager? As a business owner?
- Do you think we ought to accept those limits, or try to subvert them in the name of our faith?
- How do you get to know someone and gain their trust and friendship: If you couldn’t really care less about them as a person? If they annoy you? If they are hostile to you? If they have a foul mouth and really low moral standards?
Verses to consider
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