...do We Need More 'conventional' Ways Of Preaching The Gospel?

what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

so some believers, even those who have a sincere desire to see more people come to CHRIST, end up feeling like they are running up against a brick wall when most people don't want to give them the time of day.

so is there a more effective way? and do we need to do away with the traditional way altogether? please share your thoughts and experiences...(may the wisdom of GOD prevail).
 
what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

so some believers, even those who have a sincere desire to see more people come to CHRIST, end up feeling like they are running up against a brick wall when most people don't want to give them the time of day.

so is there a more effective way? and do we need to do away with the traditional way altogether? please share your thoughts and experiences...(may the wisdom of GOD prevail).

I believe with all my heart that man's presentation of the Gospel has no bearing on the receiving end.. We might make the person "temporarily" accept Christ based on our efforts.. Ultimately it is the work of Holy Spirit.. When we try to make the Gospel "effective", we are not only limiting the full effect of Gospel..

Yes, it might feel like hitting a wall.. Feel like hitting concrete or rock.. Because that is what an unbeliever's heart is like.. Only the Lord can break it and mould it.. Not human words..

The mechanism to be used could change based on the culture.. I don't mind that at all.. We have so many wonderful bloggers, authors, TV preachers (very little of them), street preachers, etc.. They all use different mechanism.. The message should not be tampered.. Today, people are tampering the message itself with our own way of presenting Gospel..
 
Good topic: I find I feel more cowardly and pathetic when I miss opportunities....oh like 'acting' like the Christian I am supposed to be.

I think the best and effective evangelism is the DO part, not the talk part; the world has to see, hear, smell, taste and 'feel' something different from Christians AND they have to desire it...even if that starts out with simple curiosity.

If we are too busy 'blending in' with the rest of the population; how can anyone know there is a different AND better way to live?

Be ye 'separate'; 'holy', 'IN the world but not OF the world', 'be ye not conformed...', 'salt' and 'light'.
 
I had the opportunity to stand up in front of a group of ladies, and they asked me what I do for a living? I told them being a stay at home mom, I am in full time service, no matter where I am, to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ with others.
I think because we live in an individualistic society, has made many in our society extreme introverts, even many of our brethren shows this same tendency to internalize their profession of faith, so that is why I believe many people think or believe, evangelicals are extinct. Both non-Christians and most Christians believe you can do good without being born-again, but when I am under the guidance of the Holy Spirit I strike while the iron is hot, and not waste any time or opportunity I can get to hit a few birds with one stone, even opened the door to pass out gospel tracts.
We the church need to remind those who are sleeping or unconcerned that evangelicals are still here, to proclaim the message, that God in His mercy is still giving people time to receive the love and forgiveness that is only in trusting Jesus Christ. I don't know how effective that short testimony was, but only God knows.
 
what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

so some believers, even those who have a sincere desire to see more people come to CHRIST, end up feeling like they are running up against a brick wall when most people don't want to give them the time of day.

so is there a more effective way? and do we need to do away with the traditional way altogether? please share your thoughts and experiences...(may the wisdom of GOD prevail).

When we walk in the Spirit God reveals to us or causes us to spread the gospel under his inspiration. I could tell you that sometimes I write notes and hand them out or put them on people's cars, but I do so because at that time that is where God wants me and that is what he wants me to do then. Spreading the gospel is a moment to moment trust between a believer and God. If you are filled with the Spirit of God you will speak as God moves you by his Spirit. There are no correct or incorrect ways as long as they are within God's will (they don't go against any of his commands). Formulas are of the world. God may use one person one way and another person he will use another way. He may use someone in countless ways. If a formula is used it limits God to the formula you are willing to do. If you love others and want them saved, then take every opportunity to tell others, regardless of the outcome. Trust God to guide you moment to moment. If your desire is to spread the gospel, he will bring you abundant opportunities, ideas, and direction to do just that.
 
I believe with all my heart that man's presentation of the Gospel has no bearing on the receiving end... Ultimately it is the work of Holy Spirit.

There is definitely a lot of truth to that: 1 Cor 3:6-7 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

But also, 1 Cor 9:19-22 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

But I guess that's exactly what you mean when you say, that the "mechanism to be used could change based on the culture."

In its most basic element, the gospel is a response to a need (God's response to our need,) but that need is manifested in different ways all over this world. So when we present the gospel, I think the best way to present it to a person is by understanding how a person's need for the gospel is manifested in their life... so we become all things to all people, so that by all possible means we might save some.
 
When we walk in the Spirit God reveals to us or causes us to spread the gospel under his inspiration.

Yeah. I strongly suspect that when we are living the gospel in our own lives, we end up demonstrating the gospel to people in ways that we'll probably never even be aware of. Before I was a Christian, I was most impressed by what I saw in Christians' lives, not what I heard from their mouths.
 
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... no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

Yeah, I think awareness of need is a key idea here. My experience is that people who are convicted about empty spaces in their lives are the people most likely to see hope in the offer of the gospel.

In Mark 2, we read about Jesus,
16 When the teachers of the law who were Pharisees saw him eating with the sinners and tax collectors, they asked his disciples: “Why does he eat with tax collectors and sinners?”
17 On hearing this, Jesus said to them, “It is not the healthy who need a doctor, but the sick. I have not come to call the righteous, but sinners.”

There's a point, I think, where it's time to stop trying to convince people they're sick, and instead, seek out people who know they are, and sit and eat with them.

Paul says, "I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some." I doubt that "becoming all things to all people" or "all possible means" will ever really look conventional or traditional.
 
There is definitely a lot of truth to that: 1 Cor 3:6-7 I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God has been making it grow. So neither the one who plants nor the one who waters is anything, but only God, who makes things grow.

But also, 1 Cor 9:19-22 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible... I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some.

But I guess that's exactly what you mean when you say, that the "mechanism to be used could change based on the culture."
Spot on! Yes, that is exactly what I was referring to.. Thanks for those scriptures..
 
what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

so some believers, even those who have a sincere desire to see more people come to CHRIST, end up feeling like they are running up against a brick wall when most people don't want to give them the time of day.

so is there a more effective way? and do we need to do away with the traditional way altogether? please share your thoughts and experiences...(may the wisdom of GOD prevail).

The Gospel of Christ was just not about sin. We seem to have forgotten the rest of it. If we would stop being lazy and mention all of it then it will draw many in.

Remember John in Prison asking if this be the Christ to come?


And it came to pass, when Jesus had made an end of commanding his twelve disciples, he departed thence to teach and to preach in their cities. Now when John had heard in the prison the works of Christ, he sent two of his disciples,
(Mat 11:1-2)

John Hears the teaching and works of Christ.

The Gospel of Christ did include receiving Jesus for being lost and in sin. Yes it did........ Jesus talked also about sin, but that was not all the gospel.

And said unto him, Art thou he that should come, or do we look for another? Jesus answered and said unto them, Go and shew John again those things which ye do hear and see: The blind receive their sight, and the lame walk, the lepers are cleansed, and the deaf hear, the dead are raised up, and the poor have the gospel preached to them.
(Mat 11:3-5)

Notice Jesus did not mention the preaching on sin here?

The dead raised, deaf hear, blind receive sight and the poor have the gospel preached to them.

Jesus actually preached the Full Gospel, that is why people got healed, raised from the dead and free from sin.

Paul also preached the Gospel.

Act 14:8 And there sat a certain man at Lystra, impotent in his feet, being a cripple from his mother's womb, who never had walked:
Act 14:9 The same heard Paul speak: who stedfastly beholding him, and perceiving that he had faith to be healed,
Act 14:10 Said with a loud voice, Stand upright on thy feet. And he leaped and walked.

This man heard Paul which caused faith. Paul perceived that by the Holy Spirit and told him to get up.

I don't know what Paul preached that day, but it was the same thing Jesus told the people. I have come that you might have life and have it in abundance.

I know what Paul was not preaching. God is mysterious in all his ways and you just never Know if God wants you healed or not. God might want to build character first, nobody knows.

So, If we actually follow what they preached, then we get the same results.

The Gospel of the Kingdom......... The Gospel of Christ or the Good news how the anointing is come with yoke destroying, burden removing power.

Wonder what happened to the Idea of WWJD? Sounded good to me.
 
what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

Seeing how the chance that they may have heard the simplicity of the gospel is in their favour, and yet there is more than likely a greater chance for why they do not believe, it may be better to ask them if they believe in Jesus Christ & if not, then ask them why. It is highly probable that some false teachings have obscured the simplicity of the gospel for why they do not believe.

If one follows some set pattern of evangelism, then one may never address the obstacle for why they are not listening at all. Granted, only God can cause the increase, but in this day & age where alot of misrepresentation of the gospel truth is being given, it is best to get on the same page as them by addressing why they would not be listening or hearing at all about Jesus.
 
what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

so some believers, even those who have a sincere desire to see more people come to CHRIST, end up feeling like they are running up against a brick wall when most people don't want to give them the time of day.

so is there a more effective way? and do we need to do away with the traditional way altogether? please share your thoughts and experiences...(may the wisdom of GOD prevail).


The most effective way is to allow the Holy Spirit to use us when and where he sees fit. Before the seed can be planted, the ground must be ready to receive. "1,2,3, pray after me" has only made false Christians. So many call themselves Christians when in reality they are saying they're not Jewish or Muslim or Hindu... Would the world be coming to an end if the Church were effective and the people receptive?
 
what are your thoughts? is the traditional way of going up to a person and talking with them about their faith outdated and ineffective? what does effective evangelism look like?

i find that many believers are discouraged from going to share the Gospel message candidly especially in an individualistic society where no one wants to be bothered and they find it offensive to be asked about their faith and told about their sins and their need for a SAVIOR.

so some believers, even those who have a sincere desire to see more people come to CHRIST, end up feeling like they are running up against a brick wall when most people don't want to give them the time of day.

so is there a more effective way? and do we need to do away with the traditional way altogether? please share your thoughts and experiences...(may the wisdom of GOD prevail).
Never mind, its an ole thread.
 
The most effective way is to allow the Holy Spirit to use us when and where he sees fit. Before the seed can be planted, the ground must be ready to receive. "1,2,3, pray after me" has only made false Christians. So many call themselves Christians when in reality they are saying they're not Jewish or Muslim or Hindu...

Granted, that the Good Shepherd will lead us by the Holy Spirit within us, but the "methodical steps to salvation" do not make false christians if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ & that God raised Him from the dead. I believe these steps obscure the reality to the new believers because when they believe in Jesus Christ, they are saved in according to His word. What happens next is discipleship; of learning that they can trust Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd in understanding His words as they are kept in the KJV, living by faith in Him as their Friend that He will enable them to live as His friend by His grace & by His help.
 
Granted, that the Good Shepherd will lead us by the Holy Spirit within us, but the "methodical steps to salvation" do not make false christians if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ & that God raised Him from the dead. I believe these steps obscure the reality to the new believers because when they believe in Jesus Christ, they are saved in according to His word. What happens next is discipleship; of learning that they can trust Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd in understanding His words as they are kept in the KJV, living by faith in Him as their Friend that He will enable them to live as His friend by His grace & by His help.


I agree, but far too many pray without meaning it, just going through the motions, and go on about their lives without any impact. They are not Christians. A born-again person will have a life-altering change when they accept Jesus into their hearts. There are people that have gotten saved over and over and baptised without any change. They don't get it. Because of this easy-believism so many are preaching, the only thing it's producing is still-borns. And those people think they're Christians and they're not. Still others believe they're Christians because their parents were Christians and look at it more like an ethnicity than what it really is. It's heart breaking :(
 
I agree, but far too many pray without meaning it, just going through the motions, and go on about their lives without any impact. They are not Christians. A born-again person will have a life-altering change when they accept Jesus into their hearts. There are people that have gotten saved over and over and baptised without any change. They don't get it. Because of this easy-believism so many are preaching, the only thing it's producing is still-borns. And those people think they're Christians and they're not. Still others believe they're Christians because their parents were Christians and look at it more like an ethnicity than what it really is. It's heart breaking :(

If you consider what you are posting in how they are saved, then they are christians, but because they are not continuing in His words in being His disciples to bear fruit & not lose their full reward of attending the Marriage Supper, they run the risk of being left behind at the pre tribulational rapture event when God judges His House first. This is why Jesus warns believers to be ready & He prophesied that many will not be ready, but only a few due to apostasy or their love growing cold.

If you consider 1 Corinthians 3:10-17, then the easy believism testify to the power of God in salvation for all those that believe... even in His name ( John 1:12-13 ), but what we build on that foundation will be judged which is why every believer having His seal should be looking to Him at that throne of grace for help in these latter days to discern the weights & sin in our lives to depart from ( Hebrews 12:1-2 ) as we rest in hope in Him to have us ready to go as the ready bride when the Bridegroom comes.
 
Granted, that the Good Shepherd will lead us by the Holy Spirit within us, but the "methodical steps to salvation" do not make false christians if they believe in the Lord Jesus Christ & that God raised Him from the dead. I believe these steps obscure the reality to the new believers because when they believe in Jesus Christ, they are saved in according to His word. What happens next is discipleship; of learning that they can trust Jesus Christ as their Good Shepherd in understanding His words as they are kept in the KJV, living by faith in Him as their Friend that He will enable them to live as His friend by His grace & by His help.
"methodical steps to salvation" That sound a whole lot like "dead works" of mans religion to me? Its funny the word "method" is that which is used to describe satans tricks and deceptions.

3180. meyodeia methodeia, meth-od-i'-ah
from a compound of 3326 and 3593 (compare "method"); travelling over, i.e. travesty (trickery):--wile, lie in wait.

And again the KJV is not "His Words" it is a translation from about a half-dozen partial text. The first copies of this translation being covered in mystic symbols and from the hands of a known luciferian, sir f bacon. Not to even mention those sweet love letters to other men that old KJ wrote and can still be read.
 
"methodical steps to salvation" That sound a whole lot like "dead works" of mans religion to me? Its funny the word "method" is that which is used to describe satans tricks and deceptions.

3180. meyodeia methodeia, meth-od-i'-ah
from a compound of 3326 and 3593 (compare "method"); travelling over, i.e. travesty (trickery):--wile, lie in wait.

And again the KJV is not "His Words" it is a translation from about a half-dozen partial text. The first copies of this translation being covered in mystic symbols and from the hands of a known luciferian, sir f bacon. Not to even mention those sweet love letters to other men that old KJ wrote and can still be read.

King James did not have a direct hand in the KJV. If he did, he would have ordered that all references to homosexuality be removed, but he did not.

As for sir f bacon, this is news to me, but again, he was not a translator of the KJV. See link below.

http://www.unboundscriptures.com/alphabetical-listing-of-kjv-translators/

Granted, I do not doubt he had a "hand" in devising the cover you had mentioned, but that had to be done later & by his personal preference in creating as it is not the norm for Puritans to be using.

The request for a new Bible came from the Puritans who wanted a Bible without footnotes that were running contrary to the word that was written in scripture like saying Christ was Micheal the archangel and supporting rebellion towards those in authority. The latter did appeal to King James, but again, he had no authority to change what was written within.
 
If you consider what you are posting in how they are saved, then they are christians, but because they are not continuing in His words in being His disciples to bear fruit & not lose their full reward of attending the Marriage Supper, they run the risk of being left behind at the pre tribulational rapture event when God judges His House first. This is why Jesus warns believers to be ready & He prophesied that many will not be ready, but only a few due to apostasy or their love growing cold.

If you consider 1 Corinthians 3:10-17, then the easy believism testify to the power of God in salvation for all those that believe... even in His name ( John 1:12-13 ), but what we build on that foundation will be judged which is why every believer having His seal should be looking to Him at that throne of grace for help in these latter days to discern the weights & sin in our lives to depart from ( Hebrews 12:1-2 ) as we rest in hope in Him to have us ready to go as the ready bride when the Bridegroom comes.

Have you ever studied how to become a Muslim? You pray a prayer. That's it. All you have to do it recite the shahada. Have you studied how to become a Christian? It's not by reciting a prayer, but by believing in the heart, the soul.

Romans 10:9 (KJV) That if thou shalt confess with thy mouth the Lord Jesus, and shalt believe in thine heart that God hath raised him from the dead, thou shalt be saved. Romans 10:10 (KJV) For with the heart man believeth unto righteousness; and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation.

Those that believe in the prayer and not what Jesus did for them are not saved no matter how many time they recite it. It has been and forever be a matter of faith.

Titus 1:16 (KJV) They profess that they know God; but in works they deny [him], being abominable, and disobedient, and unto every good work reprobate.

Don't you see, the warnings of the Lord Jesus about the Pharisees is the same warnings for today - no change equals no transformation. One of the worst things to happen to the church is wrong evangelism and pseudo love for those who want to stay in their vomit. The west is taught to cheat at everything, lie all the time, but you can't cheat salvation or skirt the reality of what it means to follow Jesus Christ.

1 Peter 4:1 (KJV) Forasmuch then as Christ hath suffered for us in the flesh, arm yourselves likewise with the same mind: for he that hath suffered in the flesh hath ceased from sin; 1 Peter 4:2 (KJV) That he no longer should live the rest of [his] time in the flesh to the lusts of men, but to the will of God.

To suffered in the flesh is the word of one experiencing grief for sin, the war of Romans 7, and when so many do not experience this war, they're not saved. They've believed a lie and are trusting in a hollow prayer. Those that are saved do not wish to remain in their sins, it's repulsive and every real Christian goes through that.
 
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