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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!   
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Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

Intimacy with the Holy Spirit

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 223 Pages

This book leads you in meditating on and journaling about two hundred and fifty verses that discuss the Holy Spirit. You will grow in intimacy with the indwelling Holy Spirit, and the anointing within you will increase! You will exclaim as the disciples did on the Emmaus Road “Did not our heart burn within us…while He opened to us the scriptures?” (Luke 24:32)! In addition to being led to journal through these verses, you will read numerous two-way journal entries from Mark Virkler, as well as a five-page prayer at the conclusion of the book.

Price: $10.95

Kids Can

by Karen Barnes | 98 Pages

This book will inspire you and train you to teach children to minister in the power of the Spirit! And the stories it contains will bring tears to your eyes! Kids Can is a message for the children of today about their destiny tomorrow. When kids encounter the pure essence of Jesus, they will become empowered, equipped and energized to serve Him accurately and with amazing clarity. As they hear His voice and are encouraged in their giftings, strong leaders are created and maturity, vision and skills are fine tuned.

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Lamad Biblical Education Association

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Lamad Faculty Handbook

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by Mark and Patti Virkler | 78 Pages

This book presents lamad (revelation-based learning) standards  for teachers and curriculum writers. Lamad is a Hebrew word found in the Old Testament and it is translated "to teach" or "to learn."  It is a kind of learning that involves the Holy Spirit granting divine revelation to the heart of man. Thus it goes beyond western rationalism as a learning methodology.

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Living with Jesus Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family

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by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 1 - Welcome to God's Family introduces the child to the Body of Christ.

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Living with Jesus - Book 3

Living with Jesus Book 3 – Talking and Listening

by Daphne Kirk | 47 Pages

This delightful book teaches children ages 4-8 the four keys to hearing God's voice and gets them started journaling (drawing pictures if writing is too hard for them) and seeing vision.  It is ideal for parents and children to use together, or for use in a children’s Sunday school class or children’s home group.

Book 3 - Talking and Listening - Hearing the voice of God.

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Living with Jesus Book 6 - What Do We Choose?

Living with Jesus Book 6 - What Do We Choose?

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 6 - What Do We Choose? introduces children to making kingdom choices.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 7 - Having Faith

Living with Jesus Book 7 - Having Faith

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 7 - Having Faith introduces children to a life of faith.

Price: $9.95
Living with Jesus Book 8 - Staying Protected

Living with Jesus Book 8 - Staying Protected

by Daphne Kirk | 47 pages | Published 1999

The Living with Jesus series is a unique, exciting  and transformational discipleship course for children, taking them through the fundamentals of the Christian faith in a relational, interactive and challenging way, always applying to their lives the commands to love God, love one another and love the lost.

Book 8 - Staying Protected introduces children to spiritual warfare.

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Operations Manual

Operations Manual

by Mark and Patti Virkler | 134 Pages

We have helped hundreds of churches establish Schools of Ministry or church-centered Bible schools over the last 25 years. This manual draws together insights and approaches for how to do it easier, faster and better. Enjoy as you build on the success of those who have gone before you.

Price: $69.95

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