How to Develop an Evangelistic Lifestyle - Essay Example

?Evangelistic Lifestyle Anyone around us, who wish to count his or her life eternal, needs to develop an evangelistic lifestyle. How-to Book on Personal Evangelism, by Larry Moyer, depicts how evangelism proves to be a complete way of life. This book is a complete guideline on how one can develop an evangelistic lifestyle. Larry Moyer beautifully presents how the lifestyles of other people in Christian biblical canon, may help in developing evangelistic lifestyles. How-to Book on Personal Evangelism is an excellent addition in the works of Dr. Moyer published by Kregel Publications in 1998. In this book, the author reveals how one may keep the belief that Gospel can clearly and effectively communicate the message without any legalism that turns grace confusing. Moreover, with the help of this book, one can learn more about his ultimate faith in Christ as a Savior. As it is believed and gospel message that all the believers in Christ are the representatives and the ambassadors for Jesus having responsibility to declare His message to the entire world, in fact the fallen word. Apostle Paul is an enormous example of a loving and bold representative for Jesus. He came forward with the message of cooperation and reconciliation to all those who come in contact with him. He was the person who really did faithful evangelism throughout his life. Conversely, most of us cannot prove to be Apostle Paul. For many believers of Jesus Christ, the job of evangelism is something this may turn them into guilt and fear. For most of the believers, it is not a joyful experience than what it should be. Although many believers put in great efforts to develop evangelistic lifestyle and declaring the magnificent gospel’s messages but at the same time some fail to understand the urgency of this spiritual nourishment. So, Dr. Moyer points out what can be done to develop more faithful evangelistic efforts. In the first chapter, How to Develop an Evangelistic Lifestyle, Dr. Moyer presents that we must develop a feeling to observe people as God observes them. God always knows people’s mistakes yet He sees their needs too. Christ did the same. He had a heart of sympathy even for non- Christians. So, we must follow his pattern too. The true commitment is the foundation stone of evangelism. Christ commands to his representatives “Go into the world and preach the gospel to every creature.” This verse simply tells that evangelism requires true dedication and the obedience of God. On the other hand, according to Dr. Moyer, some people excuse while spreading the message of gospel to their surroundings which is absolutely contradictory in achieving evangelistic lifestyle. It is also presented in the book that those individuals who present themselves entirely to evangelism also offer themselves to prayers. They also request God to offer them with courage to speak about Gospel. This gave them strength to understand that God can do this or He will surely do that. Personal contact is also essential in developing evangelism. We may have contact with non- Christians in a get together or in an informal discussion regarding spiritual things. Moreover, we should not let fright and panic set in our way. With the help of this initial information put forward by Dr. Moyer, it is obvious that evangelistic lifestyle always deals with true commitment and obedience. It also demands sincere efforts and involvements rather than just developing a mere intention. It is a great way to bring lost individuals to the right path of God. Next to these initial details presented by Dr. Moyer, the second chapter of the book under title How to Turn a Conversation to Spiritual Things is far more interesting. According to Dr. Moyer, talking about spiritual things is nothing difficult but only to those who are already interested. So, the question is that what to do with those non- Christians who are not interested in such topics. How we can bring up the subject of Spiritual things to discussion. How we can turn the topic of discussion from Golf to God, from secular to spiritual. This is the point of frustration in evangelism. However, it must be understood that turning a useless discussion into a useful and spiritual conversation is not as simple as it seems but at the same time it is not as hard as we most often tempted. First thing that should be kept in mind is to realize that there are hundred ways to approach people as far as spiritual matters are concerned. The differences in cultures also play a great role. Moreover, we cannot surely deal a businessman and a farmer in the same way. So, it greatly depends on the evangelizing capability of the person. Talking about previous experiences, one may get a chance to move conversation in a right direction. Moreover, it must be believed that God will surely provide the opportunity for the right deed. Without God’s will, nothing can ever happen. However, one should have courage to take full benefit when God offers an opportunity. Those who ask for favorable opportunities from God in their prayers always be benefited. So, it is right to say that prayers make a difference towards evangelism. While describing evangelistic lifestyle and having conversation with non- Christians, Dr. Moyer presents a superseding principle known as Plow and Pursue. Plow deals with the concept of questioning from non- Christians about the areas of their expertise like family, background, hobbies, interests and job. With the help of such questions, a person may better understand the interests of an individual with whom he wants to interact. Such conversations offer non- threatening approach as well. However, questions should be formatted according to the demand of the conversation and focusing on the fact that these questions may have ability to turn discussion to spiritual things. Larry Moyer further mentions beautiful ideas in this book if you wish to develop evangelistic lifestyle. Those who want to develop evangelism must adopt a method to speak about Lord. As already mentioned, Moyer has presents the idea of conversation with non- Christians starting from the casual questions. Then, before presenting the messages of Gospel, it is necessary to emphasize salvation. Ask your opponent to explain as someone has ever shown him the lessons of Bible and the ways to enter heaven. Most of the times the non- Christians say ‘No’ to this question. This is the point where you can add the presentation of Bible and tell them that the Bible involves Good News well as Bad News. Something that gives awareness about God comes into the category of Good News whereas those who are non-believers have bad news. Moyer has explained that carry on your conversation with bad news. Tell non- believers that all the people are sinner. No matter how good we are or passing our lives religiously, we all have sinned. We are not meeting the true standards of conduct so we have to learn and understand several things. Moreover, the punishment of our sins is death. Here, the author has presented each and everything elaborating with the help of examples from daily life. I find it the most impressive way towards better explanation and understanding for non- believers. Give them an idea that Jesus Christ died for them, for their survival and one day he will arose to prove that death and sin have been conquered. In the end of this conversation, you have to explain that bad news is although worse but good news are even better and easy to adopt. We all can be saved through faith. It is an undeserved favor from God that we can get through true faith. We can be rescued from the punishment of sin. So, with the help of conversation we can be constant in evangelism. We can proceed from casual and secular approach to spiritual and Gospel messages. Later on in Chapter 4, Larry Moyer has mentions that consistency in action may also help you to turn your relatives into Christians. Several examples are available that demonstrate how antagonistic non- Christians towards Gospel messages finally came to Christianity. Furthermore, with proper conversation and teaching other timid relatives and family members also came to Christianity leaving behind their secular approaches. Chapter 5 of the book under title How to Respond to a Cultist focuses on the wrong and extremist people who might be accommodative or argumentative as well. Cultists do not agree with the basic teachings of Jesus Christ. So, Moyer has beautifully presented two ideas that may help whenever you find a cultist across your path. First of all, you should always be there to assist and talk to them in a rational manner. Actually God sends cultists not to guide you but he wants you to guide them towards right path. Here you can tell them Good News and the ways to move on a right path, the teachings of Gospel. You should have clear messages for them. Moreover, you must know what you want to share. You should be clear enough about your beliefs. Jesus was the master and true evangelist. He knew very well how to bring people towards himself. So, you can also take Bible as an open guideline for cultists. Be true in every statement and avoid emotionalism. God will help you. Next to relative, neighbors and other people around, we should also give the Good News to children. We should guide them to understand Gospel’s teaching as well. Moyer explains that children are so innocent and they usually adopt whatever elders tell them until they come to age of maturity. Children should not only teach Gospel but they should tell how they can trust Jesus. So many ways are available that can be adopted to draw the attention of a child in a right direction. First of all, make Gospel clear to yourself so that this message can be conveyed to children. Try to lead them towards right path through proper guidance. Larry Moyer presents the idea of guidance instead putting a driving force into practice for children. Moreover, as the children pass through the stage of maturity, they should be presented with fact based conversation because at that stage of their lives, they start understanding and taking things in a rational manner. In the chapter 7 of the book, Moyer has presented some more ideas that can help us in overcoming the fears in evangelism. According to Moyer, we all are hesitant and reluctant while talking to a non- Christian about Jesus or discussing their relationship with Christ. We, most often feel good when we do not find a person at home with whom we were planning to talk. So, this all occurs due to fear. Moyer discusses several questions in this chapter including the chances to overcome the issue and discussing a point that a person may ever get a chance to overcome fear in evangelism or not. He mentions that the fear in evangelism is something very normal. He encloses the example of Paul the Apostle who was also afraid to evangelize. However, true determination offered him to overcome his fear. Being an ambassador of Jesus, he was determined that he was true in his message. So, moments of fear will be there while developing evangelistic lifestyle but self determination may work in a great way. Being an ambassador of Christ, evangelism should be developed as a privilege and not as pain. It should not be developed as endurable pain. Approach the lost ones with right teachings of the Jesus. Here Moyer further explains that if you wish to develop evangelistic approach then you must be closer to Jesus teachings and you should spend time with unbelievers. Pray God that He restore your concerns for non- believers. In Chapter 10, Moyer focuses on various mistakes that must be avoided to make evangelism a tremendous experience. First, the need of boldness should not be overlooked. Believers always need to develop absolute boldness so that they may better convey the message of God to non- believer. Second, assuming wrong belief about saving faith is also a mistake that need to be corrected. Most of the people believe that saving faith means surrender, dependence, acceptance or commitment about something. This is wrong. Saving faith just means peace with God. Moreover, it is also wrong to assume that you will either fail or succeed in evangelism. Do pray and believe in God. He will give you success and offer you the right path. Here, Moyer also talks about a clear notion most of them presented by people that walking Bible and Gospel Encyclopedias may help people to reach at Christ. Some people are afraid that they will not be able to present the answers for objections. This keeps them away from evangelism. However, real trust and believe in God and Jesus may help them to overcome the situation. Chapter 11, 12 and 13 under title How to Encourage New Believers to Grow, How to Help those who Struggle with Salvation and How to Help your Church Get on the Cutting Edge in Evangelism and Stay There respectively, Larry Moyer has highlighted the efforts that one can make for the new believers. Moyer stresses to give them a feeling that they are not alone. They are not just the part of God’s and Jesus’ family but they are also our part. Take the hand of new believers and lead them further. Do whatever you can do for them to give them satisfaction. New believers must be encouraged and one should be keen about their attitudes and actions as well. This will allow them to move on the path of growth and success. Prayers are also essential part to follow up the beginners. God plan for salvation is the assurance of the certainty in eternal life. People who struggle for salvation may have hopelessness and frustration in their life. They sometimes suffer with lack of assurance. However, if they develop interaction with right people then they may come out of this trauma. New believers should offer an opportunity to ask questions and respond as what they think. Although patience and time will be required to help them and convince them that heaven will be their future destination. This thought that they will get more relaxed life in heaven after death will help them in their struggle for salvation. They may better live in assurance for a better life. Recognition for the need of balance is also essential. Churches have direct relation producing evangelistic lifestyle. Churches should also be deeply committed in cultures. It proves to be a teaching and guiding station for the new believers. Leaders of church can do a great deal of work in evangelism. They have the ability to change things that are around. Basically, willingness towards right direction is greatly required but it is a fact that leaders may help ordinary people to develop such willingness that can drag them to the right path. However, people should be open for change if they really wish for. Pulling in a proper and right direction may make a difference. For example if there is a layperson or a proletarian then he will surely need a person who may better guide him. In such situation, better leadership may help such a person. Someone who is right in his own direction can guide him in a better way. So, discouraged preachers always need guidance. It should be remembered that nothing is ultimate in this world. Nobody is absolutely perfect. Everybody needs knowledge to unveil the hidden truths of life. A very good point in Moyer’s writing is that he presented all his theoretical work supported by present day world examples. It was a well written piece of writing with a convincing tone. In fact, evangelism is a difficult experience to understand as it deals with spiritual phenomena. Larry Moyer have beautifully expressed this concept and grabbed the attention of his readers from the beginning till end. For those who have gone through this book become immeasurably rich. This book not only participates in offering richness of knowledge but it also works well if you want to develop eternal happiness and satisfaction in life. In fact it proves to be a spiritual therapy for people. Reference 1. Moyer, Larry. How- to Book on Personal Evangelism. USA: Kregel Publications, 1998. Read More