EVANGELISTIC MODELS1
1. Information Transmission
This model of sharing the gospel is a one-way act of communicating facts. The relationship approximates a lecturer and a pupil. The aim is to impart correct information and secure mental assent (indoctrination). While truth may very well be presented, the question must be asked: What role does God’s written word have in the learning process? Without an open Bible, there is no sure way to verify whether or not truth is being conveyed. We no longer live in the first-century miraculous age when preaching the gospel was accompanied by confirming signs. There may be occasions when information needs to be orally transmitted, but unlike the period before the biblical canon was complete, this is no longer sufficient as the lone evangelistic model.
2. Manipulative Monologue
Manipulative monologue relies on leading questions and emotional appeals. The relationship approximates a salesperson and a customer. The goal is to “close the sale” and get visible and immediate results, even if one is coaxed into doing something he or she is not ready to do. But how does this method engender deep and lasting faith? Once again, the question must be asked: What role does God’s written word have in convincing and converting? While emotion should not be totally divorced from communicating and learning about God’s love and expectations, it does not provide a solid foundation upon which saving faith is built.
3. Non-Manipulative Dialogue
Non-manipulative dialogue is a two-way course of interaction. The relationship approximates a friend to a friend. The aim is to share love and faith and influence. While this type of engagement can be positive and beneficial, without a mutually agreed-upon standard of authority it is essentially one opinion versus another opinion that often leads to unhelpful disputes or the dead-end of agreeing to disagree. Beyond friendly conversation and quoting from memory isolated Bible verses, what about approaching the Bible itself as the sole standard for learning and addressing misconceptions and disagreements? Relational communication is important, but without the written word of God, evangelistic attempts are incomplete and ineffective.
4. Self-Discovery
The aim of the self-discovery model is to point to the scriptures as the authoritative message of God, while encouraging and directing people to learn for themselves from what they read therein. The relationship approximates a guide and a learner. The purpose is to allow the Bible itself to do the teaching (deductive Bible study). With this methodology, God’s written word is the central focus and basis of instruction. There may be positive aspects of the other models (noted above) that can be incorporated into the self-discovery approach, but none of them is adequate by itself. In order to effectively guide a learner through the scriptures leading to salvation, one must either have a thorough knowledge of the Bible and relevant texts or have access to proficient and trustworthy Bible study tools.
EVANGELISTIC METHODS AND TOOLS2
1. Personal Bible Studies
God, through his word, is the one who ultimately saves souls (John 8:31-32, 51; 1 Cor. 3:6-7; 1 Tim. 2:3-4; Jas 1:21). Our immediate goal in evangelism should therefore be getting people into the word of God and guiding them through. If someone is not engaged in Bible study, there can be no genuine conversion. A number of Bible study tools are available to the brotherhood, including materials from House-to-House Heart-to-Heart School of Evangelism, Fishers of Men, Ivan Stewart’s Open Bible Study, Stephen Rogers’ Evangelism Made Simple, John Jones and Lance Mosher’s Make Disciples Training Program, to name a few. The more one conducts personal Bible studies and learns from personal experience, one may want to develop one’s own Bible study lessons.3
2. Virtual Bible Studies
When face-to-face study of God’s word is just not possible, technology enables us to personally engage with those from whom we are separated. While not as ideal as in-person interaction, it is the next best thing. Virtual meeting platforms like Zoom, FaceTime, Google Meet, and Vimeo provide real-time connectability that would otherwise be missed.
3. Digital Bible Studies
Although missing out on the personal interaction afforded by the above scenarios, a pre-recorded Bible study is surely better than no Bible study at all, plus there are topics already well presented that the evangelizer might feel inadequate to handle. Helpful resources are available through Apologetics Press, Truth for the World, World Video Bible School, Searching for Truth, Lance Mosher’s Topical Bible Studies, and Gospel Broadcasting Network. The tried-and-true Jule Miller Visualized Bible Study Series is designed to incorporate the pre-recorded materials into personal interaction and discussion.
4. Group Bible Studies
The concept of corporate evangelism is well documented in the NT. However, this method was better suited for the collectivist environments of the ancient Mediterranean world, whereas modern westernized cultures are more individualistic. Trying to study the Bible with a group of people today is therefore less-than ideal unless the group is relatively small and each person is intellectually, socially, and spiritually compatible with everyone else. Otherwise, this could serve as a channel to identify certain ones in the group for follow-up later in a more personal setting.
5. Bible Correspondence Courses
Studying the Bible by way of mailing lessons or online courses has been an effective means of outreach for certain ones who might not be reached otherwise. Helpful materials include the John Hurt 12-Lesson Bible Correspondence Course, World Bible School, Truth for the World courses, both printed and online.
6. Evangelistic Books
As a supplement to our evangelistic endeavors, or as a gift to someone who needs the gospel, a number of good books are available that can help stimulate interest and assist searching souls in finding the truth. Michael Shank’s Muscle and a Shovel <Link> has led to many conversions. Definitely worth reading and sharing are Lance Mosher’s Transformed: A Spiritual Journey and Searching for Brandon Bason <Link>.
7. Tracts and Pamphlets
While this may not be the most successful way to reach the lost, a well-written tract or pamphlet on a particular Bible topic can inform and create greater interest in learning more. For evangelistically-minded individuals and churches, these materials are always handy to have in one’s evangelism tool kit. Helpful printed and online materials are available through Newsletter Evangelism (combined with door-knocking), Truth for the World, and House to House Heart to Heart.
Conclusion
Some in the church may seem better than others at reaching souls with the gospel, but this is no excuse for any Christian to not even try. The only way to fail at evangelism, and the best way to ensure that a lost soul stays lost, is to say and do nothing. But with the Lord’s help, and with so many stylistic approaches, models, methods, and tools at our disposal, may we all be busy doing something!
--Kevin L. Moore
Endnotes:
1 The first three descriptions are adapted from H. Eddie Fox and George E. Morris, Faith-Sharing (Nashville, TN: Upper Room Books, 1986) 89-90. Flavil R. Yeakley, in his “Views of Evangelism,” assesses these three approaches and evaluates church growth in relation to each, <Link>.
2 See Aaron Gallagher’s GBN interview with Rob Whitaker of House-to-House Heart-to-Heart School of Evangelism, “7 Effective Evangelism Methods” (2020), <Link>.
3 From Ivan Stewart’s Open Bible Study (OBS), to Rod Kyle’s Home Bible Study (HBS), to Kevin Moore’s Personal Bible Study (PBS), to Kent O’Donnell’s The Seed for Truth Seekers (TSFTS), we learn from each other and work together in a collaborative effort to win souls for Christ.
Related Posts: Evangelism: What, Where, Whom, How?, Evangelistic Approaches for Everyone
Image credit: https://janacarlson.com/effective-evangelism/
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