Friendship Evangelism Pt 3 - Member

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 3

FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM

YOUNG ADULT CELLS APR 2006

Member’s Notes

I. Introduction Friendship evangelism is about influence, influencing our friends to relationship with Jesus Christ. In the past weeks, we have learned the Biblical basis of friendship evangelism and using our personal testimony as the first step toward sharing the Gospel. I believe many of you have tried sharing the Gospel with your friends before. Some are receptive to hear us while others are not. Reflect on your personal experiences at friendship evangelism. What were some factors that cause some friends to hear us out while others are closed?

Learning Outcomes: Understanding, Skill Objective: At the end of this lesson, you will be able to: • Identify 3 types of responses to the Gospel when you build friendship. • Identify at most 3 persons that you would like to reach out to in the next few months. • Pray for your friends.

II. Who Should We Target? A story is told as follows: Several men went deer hunting. From the back of a pick-up two men spotted a herd of deer. One man had a rifle, the other had a shot-gun. The one with a shot-gun said, "Let's shoot them with the shot-gun, that way we'll hit the whole herd." The one with the rifle retorted, "You'll hit them all, alright, but you won't kill one of them. Let's use the rifle and kill one of them" We Christians frequently hunt like the man with the shot-gun. We just want to hit everyone with the Word, but we don't really penetrate any hearts because we're so general. Do you agree with the story? Why or why not?

The story above tells us to maximize our efforts on those most likely to respond. In other words, we must learn to practice selective evangelism. Can you think of any biblical examples of selective evangelism?

Do you think this principle can be carried too far or misapplied?

Of the friends that we shared the Gospel with, they are usually divided into 3 categories: A) Those who would not listen to us. From Rom 8:7, 2 Cor 4:4 and 1 Cor 1:18, what are some reasons why they do not want to listen?

Do you think there is anything we can do to change their attitudes?

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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS APR 2006

What about our own attitudes? What does 1 Pet 3:15-16 exhorts us to do?

B) Those who would listen out of cursory interest or out of Respect for you, not wanting to hurt your feelings. What are some of the things we can do with this group of people?

Eg. of cursory interest: for more knowledge sake or other personal reasons.

C) Those who have a genuine interest in the gospel. What does Jn 6:44, 65 have to say about this group of people?

Do you have friends in all three categories? Can you list down their names below according to each category?

With a prayerful heart, who do you think God is impressing upon you to reach out to specifically? Name his or her name down below. (Should not be more than 3 names.)

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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS APR 2006

I I I . G e n u i n e L o v e M u s t B e T h e M a i n M o t i v a t i o n Someone once said: “People don’t care how much you know until they know how much you care?” In Friendship Evangelism, you will need to get involved in the life of your friend. It is most effective when you really love and care about someone. They must be able to see it in your eyes, hear it in your voice and witness it in your attitudes and actions. Can you list some practical ways in which you can do that?

I

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FRIENDSHIP EVANGELISM – Part 3

YOUNG ADULT CELLS APR 2006

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