By Aleena Denison
When we become believers in Jesus Christ, we begin to see everything in a new light. We have a desire for everyone we know to share the same belief and hope, so we begin to tell people about the truths of God, His Word the Bible, and Jesus Christ. Many times, in order to be better able to share with people, we look for help from those who have been involved in evangelism for years and "know what they're doing." But what happens if one person who has been very active in evangelism for years strongly disagrees with another person who has the same heart for evangelism? Who do we believe? Are we just supposed to choose one to follow and stick with that approach the rest of our lives?
I think people sometimes have a tendency to become too caught up in following the teachings of another person, either because he sounds like he knows a lot or because they can really relate to his approach. The Bible is often misinterpreted and used to support individual ideas rather than being the direct standard for how evangelism should be executed. God shows us though His Word how He relates to us, and how we, in turn, are to relate to others. We should ask questions about evangelism, and then look to God's Word to see how He answers them either directly, or by example through the lives of individuals. For example:
• The Israelites are a picture of evangelism in their set-apartness. God chose them to represent how He relates to all mankind, and what He requires of people. Other nations watched Israel, knowing that Israel had a God unlike any they'd ever worshipped, and they knew that the Israelites were different because of it. God provided for them, and showed His might to them and through them.
• Delving into the life of Jesus is probably the first thing one does when wanting to study evangelism. How did the Master reach multitudes? As we study, we ought to notice how repeatedly he drew apart to pray. His relationship with God the Father was the most important part of His life. Also, He chose twelve whom He could teach in a detailed way, from the beginning, that He was the fulfillment of the prophecies concerning the Messiah. He also taught them by speech and example what the life of a disciple should be like. These important relationships with the twelve were intended to prepare them to go out and reach the ends of the earth with the Gospel (Acts 1:8).
• We can't see what evangelism looks like without discovering that it goes hand-in-hand with discipleship. When God had Moses lead the children of Israel out of slavery, it isn't long before Joshua appears as Moses' apprentice. The relationship that God had with Moses was viewed by (and probably explained to) Joshua. What better way for the young man to see how God works, and learn to cultivate his own relationship with Him, than to be a part of the life of a godly man?
• While looking at the men and women in the Bible used by God to reach people, we can't ignore their sacrifices. What seems to be important to everyone today was apparently least important to them. Jesus said that if anyone would follow after Him, he should deny himself, and take up his cross (Mark 8:34). He also said that those who came to Him must hate father, mother, wife, children, brother, sisters and self (Luke 14:26). This doesn't mean to literally hate them, but shows the extremity of how much more God should be loved than our most valued possessions on this earth.
So we can see that it's important for us to look to God's Word for the answers to all of our questions, rather than looking solely to other people. Once we see through the pages of Scripture how God works, we can look to see who is following in His way, and learn from them as they follow Him.
Aleena Denison has a heart for seeing the message of the Bible presented in a clear way,and is dedicated to sharing Jesus with the lost and helping believers see their responsibilities in evangelism, discipleship, and Bible study. For more information and free downloads, see http://www.goodseed.com
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