Excerpts from the book

BECOMING A CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIAN

By Bill Hybels and Mark Mittelberg

SESSION 1
RELATIONAL EVANGELISM
1. Authentic/genuine/real
- Effective evangelism flows out of a genuine, living relationship with Christ where His love for
lost people passes through us to others. Christianitys truthfulness is demonstrated by a life
that has been noticeably marked by Gods love and leadership. Jesus said that as we abide
in Him we will bear much fruit (Jn 15:5). Joe Adrich said in his book, Lifestyle Evangelism,
that Christians are to be good news before they share the good news.
2. Natural
-

Instead of trying to be something we are not, Relational Evangelism reflects our own
personality and design. If it fits who we are! This puts others at ease and gives them the
assurance that what we have is real and worth looking into.

3. Personal
- When it comes to reaching people who need Christ, there are two possible approaches:
personal or impersonal. People today seem to be growing immune to many of the less
personal methods of communication such as tracts, religious radio and television, billboards,
bumper stickers. People are, however open to talking with personal friend.
- Think of what we do when we need advice on an important decision or need help with the
problem we are going through. Where do we turn? Generally, we talk to someone we know
and trust. If it is true of us, it is certainly true to non believing people we know. They dont want
to talk about personal matters, especially spiritual issues, with just anyone; they want to
confide in a faithful friend.
4. Verbal
-

We are talking about Relational Evangelism, which involves more than just building
friendships and hoping that others notice the difference in our lives and figure it out for
themselves.
Paul said in Romans 10:14; And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not
heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
For people to really get the message, someone has to go and explain it to them. Just as
words without actions are empty, so are actions without words. Live and explain the Gospel.

5. Process-Oriented
- To be effective we must not inappropriately rush or push a person. It takes time to understand
the message, believe it, and act on it. Seldom do people hear the message for the first time
and commit their lives to Christ. We must patiently bring people along, step by step.

6. Team-Oriented
- God rarely uses just one person to bring someone through the entire process of coming to
faith in Him. More often He orchestrates a number of people, places, and events to lovingly
move a person toward Christ. There are two implications to this.
First, we do not have to feel that we individually carry the full burden of leading
family and friends all the way to the point of trusting Christ. Cliff Knechtle, an
effective open-air evangelist, put it this way:
A persons coming to Christ is like a chain with many links. There is the first,
middle links and a last link. There are many influences and conversations that precede
a persons decision to convert to Christ. I know the joy of being the first link at times, a
middle link usually, and occasionally the last link. God has not called me to only be the
last link. He has called me to be faithful and love all people.

It is encouraging to know we can be a link or two in a link that God himself is

forging. And it is exciting that all the links from first to last can celebrate together
along with the angels in heaven (Luke 15:7, 10) when a person finally crosses the
line of faith.
The second implication is that it is strategic to intentionally partner with other
Christians to link up our strengths and abilities in order to lead people to Christ.

7. Putting Others First

- If we want to win peoples trust and gain opportunity to express our beliefs, we need to put
that person first.
- This means deferring to their interests, hobbies, schedules, and openness. It means listening
to their opinions before giving ours and taking an interest in their backgrounds, stories,
questions, doubts, and frustrations.
-

It means asking them about themselves, what they like or dislike, believe or disbelieve, value
or do not value, and then listening to them and being interested in what makes them who they
are.

Putting them first earns us the right to talk about our own interests, which eventually would
include our spiritual interests.

People are hungry to be in a relationship with someone who really cares about them. Using
the principle of Putting Others First is critical in building those types of relationships.

SESSION 2
PEOPLE MATTER TO GOD
1.
2.
3.
4.

The parable of the Lost Sheep Luke 15:1-7

The parable of the Lost Coin Luke 15: 8-10
The parable of the Lost Son Luke 15:11-31
The salvation story of the criminal Luke 23:39-43

Impact List
1. Carefully consider the person in your life to whom you could give concentrated effort in the attempt to
bring them to the next step in the evangelism process.
2. List the names of these people in the space below.
a. _________________________________________________
b. ___________________________________________
c. ___________________________________________
d. ___________________________________________
Pray for the People on Your Impact List
Begin to pray for the people on your IMPACT LIST. Ask God to work in their lives and to give you
wisdom on hoe to effectively work in their lives and give you wisdom on how to effectively reach
out to them. In praying for them, keep in mind the following three areas:
THEM
Ask God to:

Pull them toward Himself

Open their eyes to the emptiness of life without Him
Help them see their need for forgiveness
Remove the confusion they have about Him and the life HE offers
Help them grasp the meaning and importance of the cross of Christ
Open the persons heart to Gods love and truth

YOU
Ask God to:

Help you live a consistent and attractive Christian life

Make you authentic and honest as you deal with lifes ups and downs
Give you wisdom in knowing how to approach the relationship
Expand your knowledge so you will be ready to define and defend the Gospel
message
Grant you appropriate boldness and courage
Use to help lead this person into a relationship with Christ

US
Ask God to:

SESSION 3

Cause depth and trust to grow in the relationship

Open doors for spiritual conversations
Guide those conversations in pace, frequency and content

PERSONAL BENEFITS OF A CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIAN

1. Adventure

God loves to stretch us beyond our comfort zone and challenge us to take risks on
the front lines of His kingdom advancement.
The Christian life is one of faith, where we find ourselves routinely overdriving our
headlights but knowing its okay because God is in control and has a purpose
behind it.
Matt 10:16- I am sending you out like sheep among wolves. Therefore be as
shrewd as snakes and as innocent as doves.

2. Purpose

begin to see the hands of God even behind difficult events and circumstances
Realize that what we do each day has a meaning in the big picture of Gods plan.

Theres nothing more satisfying than effectively furthering Gods redemptive

purpose for humanity.
2 Pet 3:9 - The Lord is not slack concerning His promise, as some count slackness,
but is longsuffering toward us, not willing that any should perish but that all should
come to repentance.
John 4:34- Jesus said to them, "My food is to do the will of Him who sent Me, and
to finish His work.

3. Fulfillment

4. Spiritual Growth

Youll be encourage to learn more about God

Become prayerful
The desire to worship God grows
It helps you maintain a high standard of conduct
Youll realize the importance of the task of the church

5. Spiritual Confidence
The desire to increase in knowledge
The desire to reach out even to those seemingly unreachable.
6. Enduring investments
How often could you expend your time and energy than investing it in people,
many of whom will thank for the eternity in heaven?
Matt 6:19-20: "Do not lay up for yourselves treasures on earth, where moth and rust destroy and

where thieves break in and steal; but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth
nor rust destroys and where thieves do not break in and steal.
2 Pet 3:10-11: But the day of the Lord will come as a thief in the night, in which the heavens will
pass away with a great noise, and the elements will melt with fervent heat; both the earth and the
works that are in it will be burned up. Therefore, since all these things will be dissolved, what
manner of persons ought you to be in holy conduct and godliness,

8. The honor of being Gods Agent

Acts 1:8: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.''

God has bestowed on you the honor of being His spokesperson.

SESSION 4
THE COST OF CONTAGIOUS CHRISTIANITY
1. Time and Energy
-

in building relationships
in showing Christian care and compassion
praying consistently

2. Reading and study

-

be sure you know what youre talking about

taka some bible study
read related books

3. Money
-

Matt 6:20-21: "but lay up for yourselves treasures in heaven, where neither moth nor rust destroys and where
thieves do not break in and steal. "For where your treasure is, there your heart will be also.

Invest on souls

4. Risk of Embarrassment, Rejection, or Persecution

-

Matt 5:11-12: "Blessed are you when they revile and persecute you, and say all kinds of evil against you

falsely for My sake. "Rejoice and be exceedingly glad, for great is your reward in heaven, for so they persecuted
the prophets who were before you.
Gal 6:9: And let us not grow weary while doing good, for in due season we shall reap if we do not lose heart.

5. It Complicates your life

-

SESSION 5

it entangles us in the concerns and activities of their lives

added load to a complicated life

A FORMULA FOR IMPACTING YOUR WORLD

HP + CP + CC = MI
Where: HP = High potency
CP= Close proximity
CC = clear communication
MI = maximum impact
1. A Divine Plan

Maximum Impact is to have the greatest spiritual influence possible on those

around us.
Acts 1:8: "But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be
witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.''
2 Cor 5:19 that is, that God was in Christ reconciling the world to Himself, not imputing their
trespasses to them, and has committed to us the word of reconciliation.
Matt 28:19-20: "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of
the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, "teaching them to observe all things that I have
commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.'' Amen.

2. A New View of Salt

Matt 5:13. "You are the salt of the earth; but if the salt loses its flavor, how shall it be seasoned?
It is then good for nothing but to be thrown out and trampled under foot by men.

Salt spices things up

Salt preserves, it holds back decay
It stimulates thirst
Salt requires both potency and proximity to do its thing
unless salt gets poured out of the shaker, it remains a mere table influence.

3. A Lesson from Light

Matt 5:14 "You are the light of the world. A city that is set on a hill cannot be hidden.
It makes things visible and helps us see them for what they really are.
2 Cor 4:5-6 5. For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your
servants for Jesus' sake. For it is the God who commanded light to shine out of darkness who has
shone in our hearts to give the light of the knowledge of the glory of God in the face of Jesus Christ.

SESSION 6

It Illuminate: explaining the message of forgiveness and grace with precession and
accuracy.

HIGH POTENCY
Matt 5: 15. Don't hide your light! Let it shine for all; let your good deeds glow for all to see, so that they will
praise your heavenly Father.
High Potency- a strong enough concentration of Christs influence in our lives that His power and presence
will be undeniable to others.
Perception of people re: Christians

sort of uptight and narrow

rigid types
sort of isolated
I dont know them well because theyre in their own world
I feel like Im being condemned every time I walked with them
Just too self-righteous.
Bunch of hypocrites

people of integrity and moral courage

filled with compassion
they tell the truth
you can count on them to shoot straight with you.

It should be:

A letter written by a relatively new Christian to person whose life had influenced hers so greatly.
You know, when we met, I began to discover a new vulnerability, warmth and a lack of pretense that
impressed me. I aw in you a thriving spirit-no signs of internal stagnation anywhere. I could tell you were a
growing person and I liked that. I saw you had strong self-esteem, not based on the fluff of self-help books, but
on something a whole lot deeper. I saw that you lived by convictions and priorities and not just convenience,
selfish pleasure, and financial gain. And I had never met anyone like that before.
I felt a depth of live and concern as you listened to me and didnt judge me. You tried to understand me,
you sympathized and you celebrated with me, you demonstrated kindness and generosity - not just to me, but
to other people, as well.
And you stood for something. You were willing to go against the grain of society and follow what you
believed to be true, no matter what people said, and no matter how much it cost you. And for those reasons
and a whole host of others, I found myself really wanting what you had. Now the Ive become a Christian, I
wanted to write to tell you Im grateful beyond words of how you lived out your Christian life in front of me.

The PREREQUISITES OF HIGH POTENCY

SESSION 7
THA ATTRACTIVENESS OF BEING YOU
Just being you: Authentic Identity
Psalm 139:14. I will praise You, for I am fearfully and wonderfully made; Marvelous are Your
works, And that my soul knows very well.

There can be great diversity in the body of Christ.

He wants to use you in a fashion consistent with the design HE gave you.

Dont repress the God given uniqueness in you.

Being Real on the Inside: Authentic Emotional Life

John 11:35
Dont manipulate your emotions

People need to watch you work out your faith without discounting the everyday emotional
realities of your life.

Dont sanitize your struggles and emotions.

Being Forthright About Failure: Authentic Confession

Dedicated Christians deal with their foul-ups and failures.
Authentic confession is a powerful witness to the transforming power of Christ in your life.
People who are investigating Christianity dont expect perfection from Christians. Theyre
too street-smart for that! What they do hope to find is someone with the courage to confess
their blunders and make things right.
Living like we mean it: Living by genuine conviction
Seekers respect and admire Christians who are not afraid to take a stand.

Defend Christianity intelligently and or live your faith openly and authentically.

Power, attractiveness, and potential of Authentic Christian life.

- Be real with people
- Manifest the genuine identity
- Be true to your emotions
- Lets humble admit errors
- Stand up for what we believe

SESSION 8
THE PULL OF COMPASSION
Luke 10: 30-37
The call to Compassion: John 13:34-35
Theres tremendous pulling power in the expression of even a single act of kindness. And God
wants that power to draw people toward the reality of His Son
As we express compassion to each other, people will recognize it as an earmark of authentic
Christianity. It helps them better understand what God is like, who His children are, and why
they should personally trust Him too.
Some compassion busters
Where you live compassion breeds compassion; love produces love. Merciful environs
foster merciful attitudes.
How you live trying to maintain an unhealthy pace of life. Most people are or have at least
at heart, kind and compassionate. But things changed when they plunge into their careers,
then they start raising their families, deal with ever-increasing financial demands and life
keeps getting faster and faster. They feel they cant expend precious emotional energy to dole
out warmth and kindness to people who are down on their luck.
How you give There are Christians who were so overwhelmed by Gods grace that they
wanted to be conduits of His love to every troubled person they could find that they gave so
excessively they were ready to give out. Caring for others should be balanced with caring for
yourself.
What you received people who regularly enjoy fresh touches of love from the hand of God
are then going to turn around and extend a similar line of grace and kindness to other people.
SESSION 9
THE STRENGTH OF SACRIFICE
Phil 2:15
Three Sacrificial Gifts- specific areas that have the highest impact on people.
1. Maximizing your Moment: Sacrifice of time ( Luke 19:1-10)
- Time, as they say, is money, and its becoming about as rare of a commodity.
- In a world where time is precious, you make a huge statement to others when you joyfully
offer them the gift of time.
- People are looking for someone who will take the time and effort required to help them come
to some solid conclusions about spiritual truth.
- The sacrifice of time combined with clear communication of the truth results to another sinner
finding the Savior.
2. Reinvesting your resources: Sacrifice of resources (I Jn. 3:18)
- Youll see how overwhelmed and appreciative people feel when a generous Christian joyfully
and eagerly helps to meet their needs.
- Put your faith into action on behalf of others - action that require some investments and
watch the return Hell bring in the form of changed lives.

3. Modeling over the long haul: Sacrifice of a consistent, godly lifestyle (Rom 12:1-2)
- There are people who need to watch a Christian live out his faith over a substantial period of
time before theyll be convinced the whole thing was true. Others watched and they keep
score of our moral and spiritual consistency, often without even realizing theyre doing so.
- We have to keep on living a life that manifests the working of Christ inside.
- The need to have integrity in every area of our lives.

SESSION 10
POTENTIAL OF CLOSE PROXIMITY
BUILDING RELATIONSHIIPS
Luke 5:29
People Groups
1. People we already know
- family
- neighbors
- friends
- work associates
- others
Include them in the activities we are already doing like sharing a meal, watching the
game, etc.
Organize a social event strategically designed to mix our unchurched friends with
some of our Christian friends to facilitate their interaction and do some relationship
building.
Spend time interacting with them socially. As we do this, we begin to build trust and
communicate on a more personal level-which increases the opportunity we will
have to talk about spiritual matters.
2. People we used to know
- schoolmates
- former work associates
- previous neighbors
- friends with whom weve lost touch
- others
Call them out of curiosity. Call them for fun. But in the process, prayerfully watch for
opportunities to inject into the conversation some of the changes God has affected
in your life. Theyll probably be more interested than youd expect.
3. People we would like to know
- civic groups
- grocery stores
- restaurants
- clothing shops
- community organization
- gas stations

others

Approach the people working in these places not as objects to serve us but as
people who matter to God who are worthy of our love and concern.
Frequent visit to these places with the right attitude of a contagious Christian can
build a closer relationship.
Over time, well begin to earn their trust and stimulate their curiosity about what it is
that makes us different from so many other customers who dont seem to care
about them at all.

SESSION 11
POINTS TO REMEMBER
1. Pray
-

As you make contact with people, ask God who He wants you to develop friendship with. Ask
the Holy Spirit to lead you to those people He has prepared for you to come alongside of, and
to help you assess where they are spiritually- what they are ready for, and what they are not
ready for.
One note of caution. Many of us unknowingly jump to the conclusion that God would only
bring people into our lives that would be difficult to relate to. He obviously ask us to love
others that we do not necessarily have affinity with, but he also gives us permissionand may
even want us to develop relationship with people we like! Keep this in mind when you are
praying for Gods leading.

2. Listen
-

Most of us have heard this but we often fail to practice it. We cannot build authentic
relationships without being great listeners.
This means taking a genuine interest in them, their life and their concernsand showing them
respect. It also means being transparent or vulnerable with them. Most people have very few
friends who care enough to listen to them, take the time to really understand, and who will
share personal matters with them. This is our chance to get on that short list by showing that
we care.

3. Build on Areas of Common Ground

- This is similar to interests or activities you are both involved with. It could be that your friends
are of the same group, that you are in the same line of work, or that you both have similar
tastes in music. It could be similar struggles or problems you both have or used to have.
Whatever area is that you have in common, discover and develop it. Plan activities or get into
deeper conversations based on those areas of common ground.
4. Mention Spiritual Matters Early
- For example, if you are asked what activities you are involved with, you might mention a Bible
study you are part of or a Christian book you are reading. This is so that later on, when you bring up
spiritual matters in-depth, it will not be a surprise. It also plants seeds for those future spiritual
conversations.

SESSION 12
THE POWER OF CLEAR COMMUNICATION
Starting Spiritual Conversation
Romans 10:17 - So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.
Motivation in starting Spiritual Conversation
1. Heart-felt assurance that not only is your life better now than it was before you knew God, but the
lives l of others will be better too.
2. The desire to spread His message.
Method on starting Spiritual Conversation
1. The DIRECT METHOD
- It doesnt wait for opportunities; it creates them.
- Raise straightforwardly spiritual topics and see if the person is interested in talking about it.
If you want to know the difference of religion and Christianity, let me know and Ill
be happy to talk to you about it.
Im curious, do you ever think about spiritual matter?
Who, in you opinion, was Jesus Christ?
Whats your spiritual background?
What do you think a real Christian is?
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
______________________________________________________
_______________________________________________________
2. The INDIRECT METHOD
Take some element of the discussion topic and utilizes it to turn the conversation towards matter of God,
the church, or faith
-

Business

Hows your year going?well financially, okay; family-wise, pretty well; spiritually,
things are great. Which one do you want to talk about?
Hobbies and spare time.
Nature
Music
Sports
Shared struggles
Holidays

3. The INVITATIONAL METHOD

- Be very careful to select events (whether concerts, plays, movies, church services) that youre
confident will be done with excellence and with sensitivity toward outsiders.
- Give them details about the event.

- Offer them a ride.

Overriding Principles
1. Pray Hard
- There is no substitute for consistent prayer.
Ask God not only to give you wisdom and to guide your words, but also to help others be
open and interested.
2. Talk to people Individually
- Its easier to talk to people one-on-one so that they wont be embarrassed or concerned about
the opinions of anyone whos listening.
3. Attract Curiosity
- Dont feel like you always have to bring up your faith is a direct fashion.
- Drop hints and create curiosity the way Jesus did when he mentioned living water to the
woman at the well.
4. Seize split second opportunity
- be prepared to use every provided opportunity to raise topics of faith and be able to discuss it.
5. Dont underestimate their degree of interest
- share what we have to those who so desperately in need.

COMMUNICATION TIPS
1. Dont give a Speech
- People want to talk with you, not be talked at by you. Sometimes when we get an opportunity
to talk about our faith, we get a little excited and blurt out a monologue of what we think they
need to hear. But now that youre aware of the danger, do whatever you can to prevent it.
- The best way to avoid shifting into speech-is to ask questions first and then listen attentively to
the answers. Then when its your turn to talk, watch the other person to see if theyre following
you.
- If they look confused, stop and ask them whether what youre saying makes sense to them.
Get their perspective on the matter.
- Show respect for the other person, learn more about what they believe, and earn the right to
express more of your thoughts.
2. Give it in Doses
- Giving too much information at once is another problem we might encounter.
- When someone shows interest in your faith, it doesnt necessarily mean that they want all the
details.
- We must give them just enough to satisfy their thirst.
3. Be bold
-

Learn on the strength and wisdom that the Holy Spirit provides. With love in your heart, take a
deed breath, look them in the eye, say it to them straight, and see where God takes it.
People will respect you for not beating around the bush. Theyre looking at something that
makes sense, and they want to hear it from someone who really believes what theyre saying.

SESSION 13
MAKING THE MESSAGE CLEAR
Four Points to Ponder
1. GOD
- He is loving 1 John 4:16b
Out of His compassion He made us and desires to have a relationship with us.
Even though were sinners who have rebelled against Him, He continues to
patiently extend His love to us.
- He is holy I Pet. 1:15-16
This means that He is absolutely pure; and He is separate from everything that is
impure.
Under normal lighting, our lives tend to look pretty good, with no serious moral flaws
or blemishes. But then God comes and shines the brilliant light of His Holiness on
our actions, thoughts, and intentions and exposes whats not acceptable to Him.
- He is just. 2 Thess. 1:6
He is like a good judge who cant wink at a broken law.
He must punish rebellion, sin, and imperfection because a good judge does not let
lawbreaker go without paying for their misdeeds.
He is a perfect judge who will dispense justice to everyone fairly.
2. Us
-

We were created good but became SINFUL ( Rom 3:23)

The human race was originally created good, but became sinful as a result of Adam
and Eves rebellion against Gods law.
All of us continue to rebel against God and break His laws.
We deserve DEATH, both physical and spiritual.( Rom 6:23)
Gods holiness exposes us for what we are and His justice deals fairly with the sins
weve committed.
Unfortunately, the seriousness of our sin requires God to pronounce upon us the
death penalty. This means both physical death and spiritual death, which is
separation from God in a place called hell.
We are spiritually .(Isaiah 64:6)
We are spiritually HELPLESS to initiate any action that can change our situation.

3. Christ
-

Jesus Christ is God, who also became man. ( John 1:1,14)

Jesus was uniquely able to solve our dilemma because He was both God and man.
He is not only the Creator of the universe, but He also became a human being. God
actually became one of us and lived among us.
Christ died as our SUBSTITUTE ( 1 Pet. 2:24; :3:18)
Christ died in our place, as our substitute. He suffered the death penalty debt for us.
He expressed the love of God, upheld the holiness of God, and satisfied the justice
of God.
He did all of that so that He could turn around and offer us His forgiveness,
friendship and leadership as a gift.. The only way we can receive it is humbly bow
before Him, admit our waywardness, and say yes to His incredible offer.

When we do that, our sin-debt is paid in full, and we receive the promise eternal life
in heaven. We also gain the ongoing companionship of the gift-giver Himself, who
will be there to lead us, guide us, and lovingly bring us correction when we need it.
- Christ offers His forgiveness as a GIFT (Eph. 2:8-9)
In spite of the enormity of out debt and the high cost Jesus paid to buy us
forgiveness and new life, the whole package is offered to us freely. It is literally a gift
waiting to be opened.

4. You
-

You and I must RESPOND (John 1:12)

The gift has been offered, but each of us must respond by receiving it.
Many people are left with the impression that if they go to church, or are born into a
Christian family, or try to be moral and religious, then they are automatically made
right with God.
You and I must ASK Christ to be our FORGIVER and LEADER (1 John 1:9)
This is how we need to respond. As forgiver, Christ takes away our death
sentence and gives us eternal life with Him.
As our LEADER, Christ has control of our life. It is important for people to
understand that they are coming to Him not only for forgiveness of past sins, but
also for the strength and guidance they will need to make a fresh start and begin
living the way God wants them to live.
Spiritual TRASFORMATION by the Holy Spirit. (2 Cor 5:17)
When we respond by receiving Christ as forgiver and leader, a spiritual
transformation takes place in us.
The Holy Spirit comes into our lives and changes us from the inside out so that we
begin to desire to follow Christ.

NOTE: Discuss with the group how to present the Gospel message through materials youre going to use.

SESSION 14

BREAKING THE BARRIERS TO BELIEF

Mark 9:24
BARRIERS TO BELIEF
Misconceptions
The idea that following Christ will cost you loosing everything you have: Freedom, individuality,
sense of adventure any hope of fulfillment. That Christianity is anti-intellectual.
1. Poor Examples Some seekers usually respond with sarcasm when they meet some nave, narrow-minded
and pessimistic people who-in the name of God, the Bible or the church- condemn anything
they dont happen to like.
Tell your friends that you understand their hesitations. Tell them about the ill-founded worries
you once had about following God. Although your words can go along way toward softening
their prejudices, its what you do that will ultimately reshape their perceptions.

They need to be convinced that Christian favor love over law-keeping, truth over trivialities,
and faith over frenetic religious activity. Live your life as a model and give them a new view of
Christianity

2. Bad Teaching Misguided mental images effectively blunt peoples motivation to move
toward God.
They have been taught wrong ideas. They picture God as a helpless old man, harsh and
impersonal God.

Try to identify with your friends concern. Reflect on your own former misconceptions.
Teach the Bible and encourage them to study it for themselves
Encourage them to read books that faithfully portray His character.

3. Natural Fears it blurs the picture

The feeling every time you make a life changing choice; buying a house, car, getting
married etc.
The idea of loosing more than gaining

Show them the benefits of being a Christian.

Help them understand the goodness of being a child of God

Intellectual Roadblocks
1. The accuracy of the Bible
2. The Logic of Faith
3. The problem of Evil
4. Christianity vs. Science
5. Etc.
Moral Misgivings-The issue of unwillingness to give up moral issues.
Asking a lot of questions to cover other issues in life
Some seekers
Try to uncover his real issue.
Help him to evaluate the benefits of Christianity
The process may be short or it may be long, but weve got to stick with it, helping our friends clear
away whatever barriers are standing between them and Christ

SESSION 15
EVANGELISM STYLES
A. Confrontational Style
Biblical Example: Peter in Acts 2
Theme Verse : 2 Tim 4:2 Preach the word! Be ready in season and out of season.
Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching.

Traits
Confident
Assertive
Direct
Skip small talks, likes to get right to the point
Has strong opinions and convictions

Cautions
- Be sure to seek Gods wisdom so you will be appropriately sensitive and tactful.
- Allow the Holy Spirit to restrain your desire to come on strong in every situation.
- Avoid judging or laying guilt trips on others who approach evangelism with the different style.

Suggestions for using and developing this style

Ask friends for feedback on whether or not you have the right balance of boldness and
gentleness.
Prepare for the situations where you will stand alone.
Practice the principle of Putting Others First. It is critical that you listen and value what others
say before telling them what you think they need to hear
Team up with friends who have other styles that may match the personality of the person you
hope to reach.

B. Intellectual Style
Biblical Example: Paul in Acts 17
Theme Verse : 2 Cor 10:5 casting down arguments and every high thing that exalts
itself against the knowledge of God, bringing every thought into
captivity to the obedience of Christ,

Traits
Analytical
Logical
Inquisitive
Likes to debate
More concerned with what people think than what they feel

Cautions
- Avoid getting stuck on academic points, arguments, and evidence. They are mainly to clear
the way back to the central gospel message.
- Remember that attitude is as important as information.
- Avoid becoming argumentative.

Suggestions for using and developing this style

Set time aside to study and prepare ( I Pet 3:15)
Avoid doing all your preparation on academic vacuum. Get out and talk to others. Try out your
arguments and answers on real people, and make refinements as needed.
- Develop relational side.
- Team up with friends who have other styles that may match the personality of the person you
hope to reach.
-

C. Testimonial Style
Biblical Example: The Blind man in Jn 9
Theme Verse : I John 1:3a : that which we have seen and heard we declare to you, that
you also may have fellowship with us;
Traits
- Clear communicator
- Good listener
- Vulnerable about personal life
- Overwhelmed by the account of how God reached them
- Sees links between their own experience and that of other peoples.

Cautions
- Be sure to relate your experience to the life of your listener.
- Do not stop with merely telling your story. Challenge them to consider how what you learned
might apply to their life.
- Avoid downplaying the value of your story because it seems too ordinary. The ordinary story is
the kind that relates best to ordinary people.
Suggestions for using and developing this style
Practice so you will be able to tell your story without hesitation
Keep Christ and the Gospel message as the center of your story. This is an account of how
He changed your life.
- Keep your story fresh by adding new and current illustrations from your daily walk with Christ.
- Team up with friends who have other styles that may match the personality of the person you
hope to reach.
-

D. Interpersonal Style
Biblical Example: Matt in Luke 5
Theme Verse : I Cor 9:22 : to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I
have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some.

Traits
Conversational
Compassionate
Sensitive
Friendship-Oriented
Focuses on people and their needs.
Cautions

Beware of valuing friendship over truth. Telling them they are sinners in need of savior will test
the relationship
Do not get so involved in the process of building friendships that forget the ultimate goal:
bringing people to know Christ as forgiver and leader
Do not get overwhelmed with the amount of needs your friends might have- do what you can
and leave the rest to God.

Suggestions for using and developing this style

Be patient. This style tends to work more gradually than others. Look and pray for
opportunities to turn conversations toward spiritual matters.
- Continually create and plan opportunities to interact with new people through social events,
sports, etc. This will put you in a position where your style can flourish
- Practice telling the gospel message so you will be prepared when opportunity arises.
- Team up with friends who have other styles that may match the personality of the person you
hope to reach.
-

E. Invitational Style
Biblical Example: The woman at the well in John 4
Theme Verse: Luke 14:23 Then the master said to the servant, `Go out into the
highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house
may be filled.

Traits
Hospitable
Persuasive
Enjoys meeting new people
Committed ( believes in things in which he or she is involved)
Sees outreach events as unique opportunities

Cautions
- Do not let others do all the talking for you. Your acquaintances need to hear how Christ has
influenced your own life. In addition, your friends have questions you could answer concerning
implications of the Gospel in their own lives.
- Carefully and prayerfully consider which events or church services you take people to. Look
for ones that are truly sensitive to spiritual seekers that will help them in their journey toward
Christ.
- Do not get discouraged if people refuse your invitation. Their refusal could be an opportunity
for a spiritual conversation.

Suggestions for using and developing this style

- When inviting people, try to get written details about the event into their hands.
- At events, put yourself in the place of the other person. Ask yourself whether the event would
relate to the people concerns and mindset. Reinforce those things to the person you invited.
- Team up with friends who have other styles that may match the personality of the person you
hope to reach.

F. Serving Style
Biblical Example: Dorcas in Acts 9

Theme Verse : Matt 5:16: "Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your
good works and glorify your Father in heaven.

Traits
Patient
Others-Centered
Sees needs and finds joy in meeting them
Shows love through action more than words
Attaches value to even menial tasks

Cautions
- Remember that although words are no substitute for actions, actions are no substitute for
words
- Do not underestimate the value of your service. It is your style that will reach those persons
who are the most negative and hardened toward God. Acts of loving service are hard to resist
and difficult to argue with.
- Be discerning as to how much you can do realistically, without depriving yourself or your
family of needed care and attention.

Suggestions for using and developing this style

Find creative, non-imposing ways to communicate the spiritual motivation behind the physical
acts of service you offer to others.
Seek God daily for opportunities to serve others for eternal purposes. He will open your eyes
to areas you would have missed. Be ready to follow His leadings, even if they seem a bit out
of the ordinary.
Be careful not to impose your service on others. Pray for wisdom so you will know where to
invest your efforts in ways that will be strategic for the Kingdom of God.
Team up with friends who have other styles that may match the personality of the person you
hope to reach.

SESSION 16
MAXIMUM IMPACT
CROSSING THE LINE OF FAITH
Approaching the Line of Faith
1. Assessing Interest
- are they defensive or disinterested?
- If so then continue conversation with caution
- Tell them to ponder on the words you shared
2. Assessing Understanding
- evaluate their how they responded to your questions
- their interactions will tell you their level of spiritual understanding
3. Assessing their Readiness

your words and actions need to communicate to them that knowing and serving God is what
we were all created to do.
If your friend is not open to receiving Christ, then its natural for you to ask why, in the hope
that you can help them work through whatever the problem is.
Offer to pray for them and their spiritual progress right then and there, assuring them that
youll do the talking and they can just listen.

Crossing the Line

1. Relax- God will help you lead the person to faith
2. Forget about word formulas
- All the person needs is an attitude of repentance which means the desire to turn away from
his sins, and a little help from you make a heartfelt request to god for His salvation.
3. Pray together help them start the prayer
- Pray aloud- to hear the content of actual prayer
- lead off the prayer
- Turn it over to them
After your prayer tell them and go ahead and talk to God in their own words.
Encourage them to focus on their need for Gods forgiveness, which Christ paid on the cross
and for His leadership.
If theres a particular area of sin that they confided to you as being troublesome in their life,
you may want to suggest they talk to God about it specifically asking Him to forgive it and to
help them overcome it.
- Close the prayer
Getting Beyond the Line
1. Celebrate- talk about the significance of their decision;
- Luke 15:10- Likewise, I say to you, there is joy in the presence of the angels of God
over one sinner who repents.''
2. Affirm their Commitment
- Explain to them that they made the biggest decision of their life.
3. Paint a realistic picture- explain the reality of the ups and downs of a Christian life
4. Explain steps for spiritual Growth- prayer
- bible reading
- relationship with other Christians
- relationship with non-Christians
5. Provoke Long term spiritual nurturing