KEYS TO EFFECTIVE EVANGELISM
Our Lord Jesus Christ has charged us with the task of reaching out to the world with the Gospel. (Mathew 28:18-20) Therefore the need for effective evangelism and more especially for us as Christian students cannot be underestimated.
The effectiveness of evangelism depends on the following:
1. Recognize the field of evangelism as a battle field (Ephesians 6:12)
A Dutch evangelist Curie Ten Boom said, “It’s a poor soldier indeed who does not recognize the enemy”. The key to victory in both natural and spiritual warfare is to clearly identify the enemy, and to understand his character and methods. Know that the purpose of evangelism is to release people from darkness (camp of the enemy) into His marvelous light and that will not come without a struggle (battle) (Isaiah 14:12-17).
2. Know your weapons and their use (II Corinthians 10:3-6). As soldiers our commission is to liberate those who are behind the enemy’s lines by breaking his stronghold with the weapons of our warfare. Any area where people are in bondage is an area where Satan has a stronghold in their lives. It is God’s will for us to tear down those strongholds. This is the basic purpose of our weapons. The pillars that support the effective use of our weapons are faith & obedience (our pillar of victory), and prayer & intercession (the pillar of communication and power). Our weapons: Ephesians 6:17)
3. Be set apart (as a vessel) God has chosen to do everything on earth through you, the vessel. (II Timothy 2:20). It doesn’t matter the type of vessel you are; the most important thing is to set yourself apart. Because clay can be used for something that gold cannot be used for. In the house of God every vessel is useful if only it is set apart. Don’t say I can’t do anything. There is something that you alone can do. Be available, prepared, set apart and God will anoint you and use you for good works. As a vessel you must build yourself up in the word and prayer and a holy lifestyle and God will use you abundantly.
4. Partner with the Holy Spirit. We must realize that we’re not in this business alone. The Holy Spirit is our Partner. He empowers us(Acts 1:8). He anoints us for good works (Luke 4:18). He leads us (Romans 8:14, Acts 16:6, 9-10). Philip was led into the desert to the Ethiopian(Acts 8),it seemed crazy to leave a thriving Samaritan revival and go into a desert of Gaza, but that’s where he was led and as a result the gospel traveled down into Africa with the Ethiopian. He comforts us
5. Know your audience and tailor your message to them
Audience:
Know their level and use simple language to carry your message across
Treat them as special people (because they are the reason for your being there)
Don’t condemn them or any of their practices. If you do, they may raise a resistance to your message. Rather let them know that God loves them just as they are.
Message (II Corinthians 5:19, Isaiah 1:8)
Be consistent with your message. Preach Christ. Don’t preach your church or your pastor. Paul said: I determine not to know anything about you except Christ and Him crucified
Present your message in your own unique way. Don’t try to preach like anybody. Be yourself. You’re best being yourself.
Let your words become flesh to them (relate it to their everyday experiences)
You can share your salvation experience
Balance the message. Don’t tell them only about the joys of Christianity but also the sufferings. Help them to count the cost.
6. Planning and preparation: for any undertaking to be effective it requires a lot of planning and preparation. It is good to plan but we should not put our hope in our plans and preparations. Our victory is of the Lord. Bible says: though the horse is prepared for battle, victory is of the Lord.
We must know that we’re into battle but the sweetest thing is that we fight from the point of victory. Remember that YOU and THE HOLY SPIRIT make evangelism effective. Be encouraged, strengthened, prepared, equipped and anointed for good works. Go and set them free in Jesus Name!
