RELATIONSHIP EVANGELISM

"RELATIONSHIP EVANGELISM"

Definition And Value Of Relationship Evangelism

RELATIONSHIP EVANGELISM

There are some forces which may hinder our effectiveness in evangelism...

Too many people. Life is too fast and complicated.Our exposure to limited evangelism models

Misunderstanding "separation"

The credibility gap

One approach to evangelism that takes these forces into consideration is "Relationship Evangelism" (also known as "Lifestyle Evangelism")

"RELATIONSHIP EVANGELISM" DEFINED

THE CHRISTIAN HAS BEEN PROVIDED WITH TWO PRIMARY MEANS TO WIN THE WORLD TO CHRIST...

First and foremost is the message of the gospel of Christ

Romans 1:16 ESV

16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel, for it is the power of God for salvation to everyone who believes, to the Jew first and also to the Greek.

Secondly, the manifestation of the gospel in the life of the Christian

1 Peter 3:1–2 ESV

1 Likewise, wives, be subject to your own husbands, so that even if some do not obey the word, they may be won without a word by the conduct of their wives, 2 when they see your respectful and pure conduct.

"RELATIONSHIP EVANGELISM," THEN, IS...

Adapting the two means to the best advantage for the person we are seeking to lead to Christ

A process of developing meaningful relationships with other people...

In which we allow the beauty of the gospel to first be demonstrated in our lives.

In which we "build bridges" (develop relationships) with our prospects that allow the "traffic" (i.e., the gospel) to flow freely and naturally

It involves gradually developing relationships with those who are lost...

By working with an unlimited pool of contacts (family, friends, neighbors, co-workers, etc.)

By normally starting with those closest to us and working outward in "concentric circles of concern"

The development of relationships that involve several progressive levels...

The initial contact

Becoming better acquainted

Being a servant

Being a friend

Sharing your faith

Witness of the "Body"

Exposure to the gospel

Invitation--

Therefore, "Relationship Evangelism" is where we have enough love and concern for the lost...

That we are willing to make the effort to develop relationships with them.

So that we can by both "word" and "example" share the gospel of Christ with them

What value does this approach have over others?

THE VALUE OF "RELATIONSHIP EVANGELISM"

ITS EFFECT ON OUR OWN LIVES...

"Relationship Evangelism" requires that our spiritual growth and development be what it should be!

Other forms of evangelism (e.g., preaching, door-knocking, correspondence courses, etc.) can be utilized by hypocrites or those less than truly dedicated Christians

To be effective in "Relationship Evangelism" our lives must be:

"An open book "Rated G"

“An epistle of Christ, known and read by all men.”

2 Corinthians 3:2–3 ESV

2 You yourselves are our letter of recommendation, written on our hearts, to be known and read by all. 3 And you show that you are a letter from Christ delivered by us, written not with ink but with the Spirit of the living God, not on tablets of stone but on tablets of human hearts.

So by adopting this approach to evangelism, it will:

1. Motivate us to draw closer to God

2. Make us better Christians

ITS EFFECT ON THE LIVES OF NON-CHRISTIANS...

"Relationship Evangelism" gets us out of the church building and into the lives of those who are lost.

Where we can be "salt" and "light"

Matthew 5:13 ESV

13 “You are the salt of the earth, but if salt has lost its taste, how shall its saltiness be restored? It is no longer good for anything except to be thrown out and trampled under people’s feet.

Matthew 5:14 ESV

14 “You are the light of the world. A city set on a hill cannot be hidden.

Mark 9:50 ESV

50 Salt is good, but if the salt has lost its saltiness, how will you make it salty again? Have salt in yourselves, and be at peace with one another.”

Where we can humbly demonstrate a better way of life

Adopting this approach to evangelism can:

Make our neighborhoods a better place in which to live

Improve the moral environment in our places of employment

ITS SUCCESS...

What may have worked well in times past may not today because of changing conditions

It used to be that the majority of Americans were of a "Christian" background

Though non-Christians, they held to basic Christian morals and beliefs (God, the Bible, the Judgment, etc.)

In such cases, a simple presentation of the gospel was often all that was needed.

But today, the majority is now what can be called "secular, or other religion" background.

I.e., worldly-minded, or holding to non-Christian religions, they do not hold to basic Christian morals and beliefs

In such cases, a lot of preparation of the "soil" must sometimes be made prior to the planting of the "seed"

It used to be that most Christians knew how to easily develop new relationships with other people

Many Christians had close friends, associates, who though have a "Christian" background were like Apollos.

Acts 18:24–26 ESV

24 Now a Jew named Apollos, a native of Alexandria, came to Ephesus. He was an eloquent man, competent in the Scriptures. 25 He had been instructed in the way of the Lord. And being fervent in spirit, he spoke and taught accurately the things concerning Jesus, though he knew only the baptism of John. 26 He began to speak boldly in the synagogue, but when Priscilla and Aquila heard him, they took him aside and explained to him the way of God more accurately.

In such relationships, it was easy to discuss religious differences over a period of time without breaking off all contact after a few disagreements.

But due to the "hindrances" mentioned earlier, many Christians today don't have such relationships, and don't know how to be close friends with those of different faiths.

Again, "Relationship Evangelism" takes these changing conditions into consideration

In his book, "Why Churches Grow," Flavil Yeakley, Jr. made the following observations based upon his study of growing and dying churches:

"The establishment of a pattern of friendship is an important part of the conversion process." (p. 64)

"Thus the Christ who lives in the heart of the individual members of that congregation is formed in the heart of the new convert. A personal relationship is essential in the process." (p. 53)

"When people formed personal relationships with members of the congregation, they were likely to remain faithful. When they did not form such personal relationships, they were likely to drop out of the church." (p.54)

Where a personal relationship was used as a vehicle to present the gospel...

- A person is more likely to convert to Christ.

- A person is more likely to remain committed to Christ

Finally, consider the results of a survey by The Institute For American Church Growth, who asked over 10,000 people this question: "What was responsible for your coming to Christ and this church?" -

Their replies:

I had a special need - 2%

I just walked in - 3%

I like the minister - 6%

I visited there - 1%

I like the Bible classes - 5%

I attended a revival meeting - 0.5%

I liked the programs - 3%

A friend or relative invited me - 79%-- Does this not tell us something?

CONCLUSION

I am not suggesting that "Relationship Evangelism" is the ONLY way to do personal work

Many souls have been brought to Christ through other means

It may be that you are more suited to use other methods

But "Relationship Evangelism" is a viable option which...

Takes into consideration some of the forces which hinder our effectiveness in evangelism.

Makes us better Christians in the process of trying to influence the lost.

Is an easy, natural, less confrontational way to share the gospel with others

Is more likely to be successful in leading souls to Christ and keeping them faithful to the Lord!