An Easy Approach to Evangelism - Be a Friend, Share Your Story, Offer to Pray for People

Mark Virkler's picture

Jesus obviously models an awesome approach to evangelism. Let's take a look at it.


Now after this the Lord appointed seventy others, and sent them in pairs ahead of Him to every city and place where He Himself was going to come. And He was saying to them, "The harvest is plentiful, but the laborers are few; therefore beseech the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers into His harvest. Go; behold, I send you out as lambs in the midst of wolves. Carry no money belt, no bag, no shoes; and greet no one on the way. Whatever house you enter, first say, 'Peace be to this house.' If a man of peace is there, your peace will rest on him; but if not, it will return to you.

"Stay in that house, eating and drinking what they give you; for the laborer is worthy of his wages. Do not keep moving from house to house. Whatever city you enter and they receive you, eat what is set before you; and heal those in it who are sick, and say to them, 'The kingdom of God has come near to you.' But whatever city you enter and they do not receive you, go out into its streets and say, 'Even the dust of your city which clings to our feet we wipe off in protest against you; yet be sure of this, that the kingdom of God has come near.' I say to you, it will be more tolerable in that day for Sodom than for that city." (Lk.10:1-12)

Steps in the above approach to evangelism

  1. Pray for God to send out laborers into His harvest.
  2. Go in teams of two.
  3. Be kind and gentle even though you are among wolves.
  4. Don't carry money, but instead, look for the person who resides in a house of peace. 
  5. Stay in that home with them as you minister to those whom they have influence over.
  6. Heal those who are sick and let them know it is the power of the Kingdom of God that has accomplished this.
  7. If you are not received by a person of peace, go on to the next locality and repeat the process.

Things you already know about the heart of each person you meet

  1. Everyone wants a friend and wants to be loved and accepted, so be a friend, love and accept them unconditionally.
  2. People are: sick, distressed, guilt-ridden, anxious, fearful, feeling hopeless, insecure, and hungry for God since there is a God-shaped vacuum within them. ONLY Jesus can meet these needs!
  3. Your story of how Jesus has met your needs is extremely powerful. Your story is your sword so tell it
  4. Ask if there are any needs they have that you could pray with them about.
  5. Pray for God to supernaturally touch and meet them. Stay open to the flow of the spirit as you pray.
  6. Don't feel pressure that YOU have to get them to say the sinner's prayer TODAY. Planting a seed is as good as watering or harvesting. ALL are necessary.
  7. Here is a wallet-size card on the 4 steps to salvation and here is a blog on salvation that you can forward

How does one discern if a "person of peace" is in his or her life? Here are a few things to look for:

  1. Did they receive you openly into their lives knowing that you are a follower of Jesus?
  2. Are they open to spiritual conversations? That is, you can dialogue with them about spiritual issues without them shutting down emotionally.
  3. Are they willing to look into the Scriptures with a curious spirit and not a critical one?
  4. Do they have influence with others? Are they in a position of influence over their family, friends and within the community?
  5. Is their home a hub of activity for the neighborhood and extended family?
  6. Do they have the ability to introduce new people into their sphere of influence effectively?
  7. Do they have a natural ability of including and bringing others to small groups, events or worship services?

The person of peace is essentially a “point person” through whom a church planter can make lots of new connections. This person may be spiritually seeking, or already a believer who has lots of unchurched contacts. Sometimes it’s a person who has many people seeking them out for spiritual conversations.

Related Resources: 

How to Be Empowered by the Holy Spirit!   
Add new comment

Results

Results 381 - 390 of 488

Pages

Twenty Key Biblical Principles for Management eBook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 111 Pages

Does the Bible contain principles which should be followed if you are managing a business, a church or a home? Do the most successful businesses, churches and homes follow these principles? The answer to both questions is, "Yes!" Do you know what these key principles are for successful management? If not, this book is for you. The book is designed with quick, easy evaluation worksheets provided for each of the 20 principles.

Price: $12.95

Vibrant Health eBook

Click here for Kindle version. At age 40 I took full responsibility for my health, and I have not needed an appointment with an MD for the last 22 years. I focused full time on health from ages 40-42, and 60-62, and part time during the intervening years. My health is better at age 62 than it was at age 30. Yours can be too!

Price: $9.95
Wading Deeper Into the River of God eBook

Wading Deeper Into the River of God eBook

by Mark Virkler | 212 Pages

This book is the story of Mark’s personal journey toward revelation knowledge. With his trademark transparency and humor, you’ll identify with his challenges along the way and rejoice in his breakthroughs as he endeavors to continually wade deeper into the river of God.

Price: $16.95

When Everything Changes eBook

by Steve Stewart | 242 Pages

Jesus Christ declared a Gospel that is radical in its scope and implications, and powerful enough to bring change to everything it touches. When Everything Changes enlarges our worldview, inviting and challenging us to become active, passionate participants in God's Greater Story of rescue and restoration. As we learn to recognize and move in the rhythm of God's Kingdom, we step into a place of exciting new possibilities where healing, justice and mercy move through us to transform entire communities.

Price: $9.95
When Heaven Touches Earth - Front Cover

When Heaven Touches Earth eBook

by Greig, Virkler, Rogers, Goll, Fuller | 140 Pages

The central theme of this book is that average Christian believers can learn to exercise the eyes of their hearts and receive Spirit-led visions to worship in heaven, to receive the Lord's healing of their hearts, His authority, and His strategies to bring heaven down to earth (Matt. 6:10). Heavenly encounters initiated and led by Jesus with angels and those who have gone before us may sometimes be a part of these visionary experiences, as they were in Scripture.

Price: $14.95

Words of Life: From the Father's Heart of Love eBook

by Graham J. Marriott | 115 pages

This is a book of two-way journaling accompanied by color pictures on nearly every page. You will be blessed and inspired as you read! You receive this ebook in three formats: Kindle, PDF, as well as an EPUB version. This will ensure you can read it on all of your devices.

Price: $5.75

Your Extraordinary Life PDF eBook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 197 Pages

Can you imagine starting new believers off with the Holy Spirit! What if the first thing you were taught as a newborn Christian was how to connect easily and daily with the Holy Spirit Who was living inside you, anointing you, empowering you and transforming you?

Price: $10.95
Ethical Network Marketing eBook

Ethical Network Marketing eBook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 62 Pages

Direct selling, or network marketing, has been taking an ever larger niche of the business market in recent years. Network marketing allows the individual to begin a home-based business with just a few hundred dollars, and then nurture its expansion across the nation, or even the world. The network marketing business of a skilled communicator and promoter can grow very large. This book provides you with keys for building such a successful business.

Price: $9.95
LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice Notebook eBook

LEARN 4 Keys to Hearing God's Voice eBook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 54 Pages

This 49-page Life Enrichment And Review Notebook is designed to go along with the CD/ DVD series and/or PowerPoint presentation. If receiving training in a group, we highly recommend that EVERY member of the group have their own copy. It offers you the following four benefits:

Price: $5.95
Counseled by God Life Enrichment And Review Notebook eBook

LEARN Counseled by God ebook

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 52 Pages

Have you ever been defeated by negative emotions such as anger, fear, guilt, inferiority, condemnation or depression? Have you tried to fight them off unsuccessfully? Is there an answer that is deeper than simply trying to mentally reason yourself out of these emotions? Is there a way that Jesus can speak a word of life into the depths of your emotional despair and bring healing on a deep level? Is there a form of Christian counseling that begins and ends with the movement of Christ within your heart, rather than simply with the words of man?

Price: $6.95

Pages