Evangelism

Sowing and Reaping

By
James G. Poitras
 Evangelism The Israelites were people of the land.
Canaan was their inheritance. The
Lesson One children of God were repeatedly told to
“possess the land” (Deuteronomy 3:20).
Each family received their portion. It was
Evangelism and Farming their property, never to be sold, always
preserved. As evangelists we have been
given the land—our village, community, or
“Then saith he unto his disciples, The city. The land is ours! We must possess it.
harvest truly is plenteous, but the
labourers are few; Pray ye therefore the Jesus ministered to an agriculturally
Lord of the harvest, that he will send oriented society. Most citizens were rural
forth labourers into his harvest” people. Even those who lived in cities kept
(Matthew 9:37-38). farms outside of the city walls. They knew
what it meant to work the land.
FOCUS: God is interested in farming.
Explain how it parallels to evangelism. Life depended on what could be grown.
The essentials of life came from the land
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED including food, clothing, and shelter. Daily
life revolved around the needs of the land.
The daily life of the church revolves
In the Old Testament God established His
around our first priority, reaching the
interest in farming, the oldest recorded
unreached. We have everything it takes to
profession. The first man and woman,
reach them. We have the Bible, and it has
Adam and Eve, were placed in the Garden
the answer for every question. Old
of Eden (a farm) and were told, “work it
methods of farming will always work. The
and take care of it” (Genesis 2:15 NIV).
old-time religion found in God’s Word still
Because Adam listened to his wife and ate
works in reaping a harvest.
the forbidden fruit, the ground was
cursed. He continued to farm through Farming is important to survival. Farmers
agonizing toil and sweat. Even though they make up forty-eight percent of the world’s
had sinned, their responsibility for farming labor force. Sixty percent of Africans farm,
continued. and sixty-one percent of Asians. “Despite
the expansion of commerce and industry
God has always been involved in a harvest.
and the importance of these activities to
He is the “Lord of the harvest” (Matthew
the economy, most Africans remain
9:38). The Lord alone is in charge of His
farmers and herders.” (Encarta
harvest (1 Corinthians 3:6-7). His people
Encyclopedia 2000 CDROM)
are merely seed sowers (farm hands).

We look forward to hearing Him say on

judgment day, “You were a good farmer!”
Well, not exactly, but we do want to hear,
“Well done!”

“The greatest Farmer the world has ever

known is pursuing the greatest harvest the
world has ever seen.”
(Dutch Sheets in The River of God)
Through farming, food is provided for the 2. Why were Adam and Eve placed in the
population so that life goes on. With a Garden of Eden?
harvest of souls the church will not only _________________________________
survive, but its future will be secured. _________________________________

In the early days farming was a 3. Who is in charge of the harvest?

cooperative effort. Oxen and a plow were _________________________________
passed from one field to another.
4. Comment on God’s people being a
Farming was so important to the children people of the land.
of God that religious life revolved around _________________________________
four major feasts or celebrations. _________________________________
According to Dale Rumble in Behold the _________________________________
Harvest several of these celebrations were _________________________________
shadows of future spiritual harvests to be
enjoyed by the church. 5. What percentage of Africa
farm?____________________________
The Feast of Unleavened Bread reminded
God’s people that they had been set apart 6. What percentage of the world’s labor
from Egypt and were not to be a part of a force are farmers?__________________
sinful nation. Jesus is our Bread of Life.
7. What does a harvest of souls tell us
The Feast of the Passover reminded God’s about the future of the church?
people of their deliverance from bondage. _________________________________
It was fulfilled in the death, burial, and _________________________________
resurrection of Jesus Christ. _________________________________

The Feast of Pentecost was celebrated 8. Old Testament religious life revolved
when the wheat was ripe for cutting. It around four major feasts? What were
was fulfilled by the outpouring of the Holy they?
Spirit (Acts 2:1-4). This feast pointed to _________________________________
the day that God would reap the harvest. _________________________________
_________________________________
The Feast of Tabernacles will conclude the _________________________________
time of spiritual harvest with a final
gathering of souls bringing His return. 9. What were these celebrations a
shadow of?
God promised to pour out His Spirit on all _________________________________
flesh (Joel 2:28-29). This is likened to the _________________________________
early and latter rains, which brought the
crops to harvest. Farmers count on God to 10. What did the Feast of Pentecost
send rain. Without the rains coming at the represent?
right time, crops dwindle and die. There _________________________________
has to be a right climate for crops to grow. _________________________________

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

1. What is the oldest recorded

profession?________________________
 Evangelism

Lesson Two

Introducing the Farmers

"A farmer went out to sow his seed”

(Matthew 13:3, NIV).

FOCUS: Introduce the farmers that will

assist us in our study of evangelism.
A farmer:
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
b Always looks at seasons. He knows
when to plant and when to harvest.
b Puts great value on his seeds because
Rudyard Kipling in Just So Stories (1902)
he knows the seeds he sows today
“The Elephant’s Child” said,
determines the harvest he will reap
“I keep six honest serving-men tomorrow.
(They taught me all I knew). b Protects the plants from weeds, heat,
Their names are, What and Why and When insects, and animals.
And How and Where and Who.” b Values time. He knows how to work
hard and use effective time
We will be using six hard-working farmers management skills.
to assist us in our study of evangelism. b Practices pruning, and watering.
b Is patient. He waits for the
Their names are: appropriate time to plant and harvest.
b Know when he is winning or losing.
b What? b Plants but realizes that God gives the
b Why? increase.
b When? b Looks for the best, fertile land.
b Where? b Builds storehouses to keep the
b How? harvested crops.
b Who? b Knows the value of his crops.
b Realizes it takes time to prepare the
Hopefully, by the time this course is land. He is longsuffering.
completed, you will have shifted into b Is not lazy.
being a powerful witness and evangelist b Inspects the crops to determine growth
for the Lord Jesus Christ. and progress.
b Does not know everything. He invites
Students in a first year Bible school class in experts to help.
Ghana came up with the following points b Realizes farming is a family affair.
concerning farmers. Use your imagination Everyone is needed and included in the
and see how these points relate to work.
evangelism. Be aware; these points may b Is always looking for the right
surface again throughout this textbook. equipment and tools.
b Depends on God for the rains. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
b Knows his fields.
b Evaluates his harvest from season to 1. What are names of the six hard-
season. working farmers that will assist us in our
b Never goes to the field without tools. studies of evangelism?
b Is happy when it comes to the harvest. _________________________________
b Knows that without a harvest he has _________________________________
no future. _________________________________
b Always looks for new ideas. _________________________________
b Is always looking for workers to help in _________________________________
the fields. _________________________________
b Is change-oriented. He experiments
with new methods. 2. List ten things you have learned
b Looks for buyers. concerning farmers in this lesson.
b Plants a variety of seeds. _________________________________
b Knows that if he does not plant on the _________________________________
land somebody else will. _________________________________
_________________________________
One African leader on the last night of his _________________________________
presidency said, “Tonight I go to bed a _________________________________
president and will wake up in the morning _________________________________
a farmer.” He realized that he was _________________________________
returning to the basics of life as he left the _________________________________
presidency. _________________________________
_________________________________
It is our hope that through studying this _________________________________
course on evangelism that, regardless of _________________________________
your walk in life, you will wake up to being _________________________________
a farmer in God’s kingdom. It is a noble _________________________________
passion. _________________________________

Farmers know that to reap an abundant 3. How do farmers get the most
crop they must sow their best. abundant crops?
_________________________________
John Wesley once said, _________________________________
“Do all the good you can, 4. What did one African leader say on
By all the means you can, his last night in presidency?
In all the ways you can, _________________________________
In all the places you can, _________________________________
At all the times you can,
To all the people you can,
As long as you can.”
 Evangelism Our job is to sow the seed, despite the
prevailing circumstances around us, and to
Lesson Three leave the results up to God.

Ghana’s first President, Kwame Nkrumah

Between Sowing and Reaping said, “I have sown the seed and indeed it
will germinate.” He understood the law of
sowing and reaping.
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked:
for whatsoever a man soweth, that shall A Look at the Scriptures
he also reap” (Galatians 6:7).
“Be not deceived; God is not mocked: for
FOCUS: Explain the law of sowing and whatsoever a man soweth, that shall he
reaping as it relates to evangelism. also reap” (Galatians 6:7).

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED “But this I say, He which soweth sparingly

shall reap also sparingly; and he which
soweth bountifully shall reap also
bountifully” (2 Corinthians 9:6).

“So shall my word be that goeth forth out

of my mouth: it shall not return unto me
void, but it shall accomplish that which I
please, and it shall prosper in the thing
whereto I sent it” (Isaiah 55:11).

A common theme that runs throughout this To reap a harvest we need:

book is the law of sowing and reaping. This
is also known as the Law of the Harvest. ; Seed (the Word of God),
God promised that what we sow, we shall ; Soil (the unreached), and
reap. We cannot reap a harvest if we are ; Sower (the evangelist or witness).
not involved in sowing the seed. What you
sow is what you get! Farm life follows a cycle: early rains, fields
plowed, seeds planted, crops cultivated,
Robert Louis Stevenson once said, “Don’t and finally harvested. Farmers are often
judge each day by the harvest you reap uneducated, but they know how to get a
but by the seeds you plant.” harvest.

“He that observeth the wind shall not sow;

and he that regardeth the clouds shall not
reap. In the morning sow thy seed, and in
the evening withhold not thine hand: for
thou knowest not whether shall prosper,
either this or that, or whether they both
shall be alike good” (Ecclesiastes 11:4, 6).
 Seasons 1. The labor of ministry includes both
sowing and reaping.
Preparing the Soil Prayer
Planting the Seed God’s Word 2. The reaper’s success depends on
Cultivating 1 Corinthians 3:5-6 the work of the sower. “I sent you
(Watering) to reap what you have not worked
Nurturing Address doubts for.”
(Pull the Weeds) and questions.
Continue to 3. The sower has the harder job.
cultivate the “Others have done the hard work,
relationship with and you have reaped the benefits
the potential of their labor.” It takes one day to
convert. harvest what has been nurtured
for months.
Harvest Prospect is
converted.
4. The sower and reaper work as a
Process begins team. “The sower and the reaper
again may be glad together.”
Between sowing and reaping, there are
many dangers—drought, dry winds, locusts “The fields tell the farmer what task is
or other bugs, weeds (tares/thorns), and required for the day.”
theft by birds. In Bible times crops were (Tim Downs, Discipleship Journal)
protected by watchmen (Jeremiah 4:17).
The need for watchmen increased as the The law of the harvest teaches us that:
time of harvest neared.
; You reap later than you plant.
There cannot be reaping until sowing takes ; If you do not plant, you will not reap.
place. Someone must sow before another ; You reap in proportion to what you
can reap. have planted. (Read 2 Corinthians 9:6-
8.)
When someone comes forward in an altar
service, they bring a long history of soil “Consider carefully what you hear," he
being prepared and seeds being planted. continued. "With the measure you use, it
will be measured to you-and even more.
“And he that reapeth receiveth wages, and
Whoever has will be given more; whoever
gathereth fruit unto life eternal: that both
does not have, even what he has will be
he that soweth and he that reapeth may
taken from him" (Mark 4:24-25 NIV).
rejoice together. And herein is that saying
true, One soweth, and another reapeth. I
You always reap more than you plant.
sent you to reap that whereon ye
Someone has said, “Any fool can count the
bestowed no labour: other men laboured,
seeds in one apple, but only God can count
and ye are entered into their labours”
the apples in one seed.”
(John 4:36-38).

Tim Downs in his Discipleship Journal One small kernel of corn is planted. It
article, “Sowing Circle,” introduces four produces two stalks, and each one has two
principles. ears of corn. Each ear contains over seven
hundred kernels of corn. From one small
seed 2,800 more kernels are produced.
Farmers value their seed, knowing that the _________________________________
seeds sown today will determine the _________________________________
harvest reaped tomorrow. _________________________________
_________________________________
If seeds are carefully and prayerfully
planted, God will cause them to produce. 6. What are the various seasons of
farming?
A farmer evaluates everything he does to _________________________________
see if the activity contributes to the _________________________________
harvest. Harvest is that amazing season _________________________________
when farmers gather the fruits of their _________________________________
effort. It is always harvest time for the _________________________________
church. The world is a field, ready to be _________________________________
harvested (John 4:35).

7. When someone comes to God is this

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
usually a result of one person planting
the seed of God’s Word? Explain.
1. What is the “law of the harvest”? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
8. Who has the hardest job, the sower
2. What do you think Robert L. or the reaper? Explain.
Stevenson meant by, “ Don’t judge the _________________________________
day by the harvest you reap but by the _________________________________
seeds you plant”? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 9. What does the law of the harvest
_________________________________ teach us?
_________________________________
3. What did Kwame Nkrumah say as _________________________________
quoted in this lesson? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
10. How many kernels of corn can be
4. Write out Galatians 6:7. Learn this produced from one kernel?___________
verse by memory.
_________________________________
_________________________________ 11. When is it harvest time for the
_________________________________ church?___________________________
_________________________________ ________________________________
_________________________________

5. What is needed in order to reap a

harvest?
 and wait for people to come to God. “Our
Evangelism job is to labor so that there will be a
harvest. The season of harvest is that short
Lesson Four period of time for gathering the ripened
grain. The harvest can be lost during
harvest season if the church is not
The Lost Harvest prepared and ready to thrust in the sickle.

If the farmer is slothful and neglects the

“The harvest is past, the summer is harvest, it will be lost. The same
ended, and we are not saved” (Jeremiah disappointment which comes to him will
8:20). also come to the church when it is guilty of
being slothful.”
FOCUS: If we do not reap the harvest it
will be lost or someone else will reap it. Kenneth F. Haney in his timely book, One
Vision, explains that only the prepared will
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED reap the harvest. When the harvest
conditions are right, the church must
move. If we hesitate to reap the harvest,
Jesus used the example of the harvest to someone else will get to it first. Rev.
represent the millions of people that need Haney states, “Whoever is present and
to be reached with the gospel. This prepared is going to reap the harvest.”
example is relevant for all times. The
image of the harvest speaks to everyone. Paul Baumeister in Connect magazine
Even those who live in the city understand Winter 2000, wrote, “There are good and
the importance of the harvest. The harvest bad harvesters…A harvester is not by
is necessary for our survival. Without it, definition God’s harvester. A harvester is
there is suffering. merely someone who recognizes that the
fields are white unto harvest. So, there are
An elderly, pioneer preacher was sitting harvesters of all kinds, as well as apostolic
beside a young pastor in a church service, harvesters. Why is everyone flocking to
when John 4:35 was mentioned. With his these fertile areas? They recognize the
huge hand, he slapped the young man on great amount of crop ready for
the leg and said in a loud voice, “Young harvesting.”
man, do you understand what that
scripture means? I’ll tell you. The crop is Many cults are prepared to reap a harvest.
so ripe that unless someone gets to it We cannot sit idly watching! Will you be
immediately, it will spoil.” there to meet the challenge of the ripened
harvest?
It is not time to sleep during the harvest.
We do not want the harvest to drop to the A terrible storm ruined a fine crop of
ground and spoil. Jesus said, “Do you think grain. Crops on other farms had been
the work of harvesting will not begin until gathered before the storm struck. The
the summer ends four months from now? owner of the field sadly stood, in silence,
Look around you! Vast fields are ripening looking at his ruined harvest.
all around us and are ready now for the
harvest” (John 4:35, NLT). A stranger walking along the road came up
to the farmer and said, “It is a really sad
Curtis Young in the “The Lost Harvest” sight, isn’t it?”
advises that the church cannot sit down
The farmer replied, “You would really ; Through prayer God touches hearts.
think it was a sad sight if it were your When we pray we open ourselves to
field. I could not get anyone to help me the will of God, become sensitive to
harvest the field.” (Behold the Harvest by His heartbeat, and join His labor force.
Dale Rumble) ; Time is running out. The harvest will
be lost if we fail to obey the great
A ripened harvest can be lost and go to commission.
eternal waste because the laborers are not
in the field gathering the crop. “All of us must quickly carry out the
tasks assigned us by the one who sent
Our goal is to harvest a crop of souls. “And me, for there is little time left before
the fruit they harvest is people brought to the night falls and all work comes to an
eternal life” (John 4:36, NLT). The enemy end” (John 9:4, TLB).
will do all possible to stop us from
reaching our target. Let us pray that the Lord of the Harvest
will send forth more farmers. Why not join
Matthew 9:38 reveals the only prayer the harvesting team now?
request ever given by Jesus. He said, "So
pray to the one in charge of the WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
harvesting, and ask him to recruit more
workers for his harvest fields" (TLB).
1. What is the harvest season?
Why should we pray that the Lord would _________________________________
send more workers into the field? _________________________________

; Two situations: the harvest is great, 2. Kenneth Haney claims that only those
and the workers are few. Luke 10:2 that are _____________ and
tells us “the harvest is plentiful.” ____________ will reap the harvest.
Every farmer with a bountiful harvest
3. What two situations are mentioned in
rejoices. This is a blessing. The
Matthew 9:38?
problem is that a shortage of laborers
_________________________________
can also result in a lost harvest.
_________________________________
; Jesus did not ask that we pray for the
harvest (the unsaved world). They are 4. Why did Jesus ask us to pray for
ripe, ready for harvesting. It is not laborers and not the harvest itself?
sufficient to pray for the lost without _________________________________
going to the lost. Therefore, we pray _________________________________
that the saved will have a vision for _________________________________
the lost world. Prayer awakens us to
the need of reaching the harvest. It 5. What did John see in Revelation 5:9?
has a way of shaping us so that He can _________________________________
use us. _________________________________
; Faith is demonstrated through prayer.
John saw a people of every tribe 6. What is a harvester?
(Revelation 5:9). The mission was _________________________________________________________
accomplished. Peter preached that _________________________________________________________
God was going to pour out His Spirit
upon all flesh (Acts 2:17).
 Evangelism 5. Rescuing men (Jude 22-23).
6. Sharing the good news (Luke 2:10).
Lesson Five 7. Winning souls into the kingdom of
God (Proverbs 11:30).
8. Fulfilling the great commission
What Is Evangelism? (Matthew 28:19-20).
9. Going (Mark 16:15).
10. Witnessing (Acts 1:8).
“For the Son of man is come to seek and 11. Answering questions concerning the
to save that which was lost” (Luke hope within (1 Peter 3:15).
19:10). 12. Speaking the truth in love
(Ephesians 4:15).
FOCUS: Provide a clear picture of what is 13. Guiding others to salvation (Acts
meant by “evangelism” and explain why 8:29-30).
we should obey the great commission. 14. Salting the earth (Matthew 5:13).
15. Lighting the world (Matthew 5:14).
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED 16. Turning people from darkness to
light (Acts 26:18).
17. Bearing precious seed that develops
into fruit that will remain (John
15:8, 16).
18. Seeking the lost (Luke 19:10).

Close your eyes. Allow your mind to draw

a picture of evangelism or an evangelist in
action. What do you see? Do you see a
crusade with thousands of people gathered
listening to a fiery, anointed evangelist?
Do you see someone passing out tracts? Do
you picture a believer sharing his Evangelism is like a garden; if it is not
testimony with an unbeliever? What about planted, it cannot be harvested.
a preacher preparing a radio broadcast? Do
you envision a revival meeting in your local Evangelism is God’s work done through
church? The picture you imagined explains people. It is reaching out to others who do
much about your concept of evangelism. not know the Lord Jesus Christ.
Evangelism is:
W. E. McCumber in Everybody Into the
1. Sowing (planting) the seed (Psalms Field explains that in pagan times the
126:6). announcement of the emperor’s birthday
2. Reaping the harvest. Jews or his ascension to the throne was called
historically called their rabbis and an “evangel.” The church later adopted
students “reapers” and their work this terminology in talking about the
of instruction “the harvest” gospel. He defines evangelism as
(Matthew 9:37-38). “everything the church does that aims at
3. Fishing for men (Matthew 4:19). the conversion of people.” It is more than
4. Persuading men (2 Corinthians just good news. It is God’s news!
5:11).
 Evangelism has been likened to expected from them. He expected that
one beggar telling another beggar where wherever they went, they would tell
to go to get bread. others the good news about Him. It was
not only a command, but also a promise.
The great commission is found in five “But when the Holy Spirit has come upon
locations. you, you will receive power and will tell
people about me everywhere" (Acts 1:8,
; Matthew 28:19-20. NLT).
; Mark 16:15-18.
; Luke 24:47-49.
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
; John 20:21-22.
; Acts 1:8.
1. Provide ten phrases and
Why obey the great commission? corresponding scriptural references that
give us an idea of what is meant by
1. It finishes the job Christ started and evangelism.
allows us to fulfill our purpose (and _________________________________
His) on the earth. _________________________________
2. It helps us discover our potential _________________________________
and use our talents for the _________________________________
expansion of the kingdom. _________________________________
3. Evangelism provides new members _________________________________
for the church and members provide _________________________________
the needed finance. _________________________________
4. Obedience brings the joy to the _________________________________
soul-winner. Leading someone to _________________________________
the truth is the greatest
2. Give five reasons why we should obey
contribution you can ever make to
the great commission.
his life.
_________________________________
5. It helps us to establish life-long
_________________________________
relationships with others.
_________________________________
6. It builds up church attendance and
_________________________________
assures the future of the church.
_________________________________
7. It causes rejoicing in heaven.
_________________________________
8. It reminds us that we too were once
_________________________________
sinners.
_________________________________
9. It keeps us on fire for God.
_________________________________
10. It allows us to have a greater
_________________________________
passion for the lost and vision to
_________________________________
reach them.
_________________________________
Think about it. If you knew you had only 3. Define evangelism.
five minutes left to live and many people _________________________________________________________
were listening to your last words, what
_________________________________________________________
would you say?
_________________________________________________________
With Jesus’ last earthly words He ______________________________________________________
reminded His disciples of what He
 Evangelism Studies show that many people leaving
the church do so because they cannot
Lesson Six find a friend in the congregation.

3. Community. The great commission

Who to Evangelize? is to “go.” We must go to our
community. It is our harvest field
right at our doorsteps.
“And he said unto them, Go ye into all
the world, and preach the gospel to 4. World. We are to go into the
every creature” (Mark 16:15). entire world and preach the gospel
to every creature. This includes
FOCUS: Explain who is to be evangelized people often forgotten or
and provide statistics on the unreached. overlooked—the poor, crippled,
lame, and blind (Luke 14:12-14).
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED Add to this list drunkards,
prostitutes, drug users, AIDS
patients, and derelicts. They will
“The Lord is not slack concerning his
come with their problems, but
promise, as some men count slackness; but
Jesus is the answer. His desire is
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that
that His house will be full (Luke
any should perish, but that all should come
14:23).
to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9).
Jack Cunningham in Advanced Church
God is patient with us (believers); not
Planting says, “In the last fifteen years
willing that any (of the unbelievers) should
one billion people have entered eternity.
perish, but that all should come to
Half of them (500 million) never heard the
repentance. God wants all men to be
name of Jesus spoken one time in their
saved. He wants no one to perish.
lifetime. Every day 139,560 people die;
Mark Conner in Transforming Your Church 339,500 are born. The earth’s population
suggests four areas of outreach. is increasing by 200,000 every day. When
you go to church next Sunday, there will
1. Inside the church. Many people be over one million more people in the
visit our church meetings. How world than last Sunday.”
these people are treated will have
a big impact on whether or not Statistics show (October 1999) the world
they become converted. population has passed the six billion mark.
Every twelve years one billion more people
2. Friends. Each Christian has a are added.
network of friends and contacts
that do not yet know the Lord. The G. Randy Adams in World Missions
longer we are Christians the more (Ministerial Development Series) said if all
we isolate ourselves from the unsaved people in the world were to
friendships outside of the church. line up single file at your front door, the
line would reach around the world thirty
You can reach certain people others times. This line would grow by thirty-two
cannot reach. Nine out of ten people kilometers each day. If you were to drive a
come to Christ as a direct result of car at eighty kilometers per hour for ten
relationships. hours a day, it would take you four years
and forty days to get to the end of this line The teacher lifted his eyes gesturing
of lost souls. And by then it would have upward. A silence settled over the
increased in length by 48,279 kilometers. classroom.

But, if there were only one Christian on McQuilkin provides five answers to the
the face of the earth, and he determined question, “How come?”
to reach one other person within a year,
and then they determined to reach one 1. Heart Trouble. We do not care
other person each for the following year, about the lost. We are preoccupied
and this process continued, in thirty-three with our own interests and needs.
years there would be more than four
billion believers. In thirty-four years there 2. Eye Trouble. We do not have a
would be 8,589,934,592 Christians. vision. We do not see the people
from God’s perspective.
Wycliffe Bible Translators report that over
440 million people still do not have the 3. Head Trouble. We think there must
Bible in their language. The U. S. Center be another way.
for World Missions estimates that there are
4. Knee Trouble. We treat praying as
8,000 people groups that do not have
a nonessential in life. Studies show
access to a church or the opportunity to
that many spend as little as four
hear the gospel.
minutes a day in prayer.
Why Are So Many Still Unreached? 5. Ear Trouble. Someone is not
listening to the call. God is calling,
Robertson McQuilkin in The Great but people are not listening.
Commission: A Biblical Basis for World
“And how can they believe in him if they
Evangelism relates a story that took place
have never heard about him? And how can
while he was teaching a large group of
they hear about him unless someone tells
students. He had just explained how half
them?” (Romans 10:14, NLT)
of the world’s population has not heard
the good news and cannot hear because Who Needs to Be Reached?
there is no witnessing church among them.
There are so many unreached people in
“How come?” a voice rang from the back the world. Who is to be evangelized? The
of the auditorium. easiest response to the question is
“everybody.” We will look at more
“How come, what?” McQuilkin asked.
specific groups of those that should be
“With so many lost people, how come so evangelized in a future lesson. Let us look
few are going?” at who should be evangelized in a general
sense.
“That is a good question,” McQuilkin
responded. 1. Sinners— transgressor, natural man,
unrighteous man, heathen (Psalms
“In fact, I know someone who asks that 2:8), unbeliever.
question every day.”

“Who’s that?” asked the student from the

back of the auditorium.
 A sinner is: Hybels in Becoming a Contagious
Christian suggests that Jesus told
; Someone that does the works of the these three stories in rapid succession
flesh (Galatians 5:19). to make an impression on His listeners.
; Dead in trespasses and sin (Ephesians This is the only time that Jesus told
2:1). three parables in a row. He wanted to
; Walks according to the course of this make sure that everyone understood
world (Ephesians 2:2). what and who really matters to God.
; A person living in spiritual darkness In each story great value was attached
(Ephesians 5:8). to what was missing. The lost sheep
; A person that is condemned (John mattered to the shepherd. The lost
3:18). coin was of great value to the woman.
; A servant of sin (Romans 6:15-18). The wayward son mattered to the
; Born in sin (Psalms 51:4-5). father. All heaven rejoices when the
; Someone who has not obeyed the lost are found. The lost matter to God!
gospel (James 1:22; 4:17).
2. God-fearers:
More Facts on Sin
; Do not have a full knowledge of the
; All have sinned (Romans 3:23). truth. Speak the truth in love to them
; There is none righteous (Romans 3:10). (Ephesians 4:15).
; The payment of sin is death (Romans ; We need to identify where they are in
6:23). their spiritual walk and then show them
; One man brought sin (Romans 5:19). the way of God more perfectly.
; Sin is transgression (1 John 3:4). ; Provide further truth for serious
; All unrighteousness is sin (1 John 5:17). seekers: Cornelius (Acts 10); Apollos
(Acts 18); Lydia (Acts 16); disciples at
Jack W. Hayford in Spreading the Good Ephesus (Acts 19); Ethiopian eunuch
News to Everyone says that world (Acts 8). In each case, the preacher
evangelism will take place when we see all started where they were spiritually and
people as God sees them—as sinners progressed from there.
(Romans 3:10; 3:23; 6:23).
3. Backsliders (Galatians 6:1).
; Unbelievers. There are three types of
unbelievers in this world: those that ; Prodigal son (Luke 15:11-32).
willfully reject truth; those that put
off accepting truth, the neglectors; The lost are waiting. “But how can they
and those that have never heard. All hear about him unless someone tells
three groups will be lost and them?” (Romans 10:14, NLT).
condemned because they have not
believed. (See John 3:14-18; Romans WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
10:13-15.)
; The lost (Luke 19:10). Read the “Lost 1. What are four areas of outreach
Chapter”—Luke 15. The lost sheep mentioned in this lesson?
knew that he was lost but didn’t know _________________________________
his way back home. The lost coin was _________________________________
lost but didn’t even know that it was _________________________________
lost. The prodigal son knew he was _________________________________
lost and knew his way back home. Bill
2. What is the population of the world?
_________________________________

3. How many people still do not have the

Bible in their language?
_________________________________

4. How many people are added to the

world’s population every twelve years?
_________________________________

5. According to McQuilken, what are

some of the reasons people do not
respond to the need to reach the
unreached?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

6. What is a sinner?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

7. What is sin?
_________________________________
_________________________________

8. Which chapter of the Book of Luke is

referred to as the “Lost Chapter”?
_________________________________

9. What are the three types of

unbelievers mentioned in this lesson?
_________________________________
_________________________________

10. Give two examples from Acts of

people who were seeking for and
received further truth.
_________________________________
_________________________________
 Evangelism ; Publisher. The evangelist is a
publisher of the good news (Psalm
Lesson Seven 68:11; Mark 13:10; Acts 13:49). He is a
part of the five-fold ministry of the
church (Ephesians 4:11-12). His tools
Who Evangelizes? are the Word of God, prayer, fasting,
and spiritual gifts. Evangelism gifts
include working of miracles, gift of
“As my Father hath sent me, even so faith, and gifts of healing.
send I you” (John 20:21).

FOCUS: Explain scriptural pictures of

evangelists and the spiritual qualifications.

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED

Scriptural pictures of a personal

evangelist: ; Fisherman (Matthew 4:19). Fishermen
know their fish. He learns the right
; Witness (Acts 1:8; 22:15). We give a techniques of catching as many fish as
testimony or evidence of what the possible. He knows where to go to
Lord has done in our lives or an catch the most fish. He studies the
incident that has happened. habits of the fish. He fishes often (not
just a couple of times a year). He will
try new methods.

“And Jesus said unto Simon, Fear not;

from henceforth thou shalt catch men”
(Luke 5:10). This was not only a
command. It was a promise that applies to
our generation.

; Newspaper (2 Corinthians 3:2-3). We

are like newspapers that can be read
by non-Christians. We are to spread
the good news.

Rev. J. R. Richardson, Africa Region

Director, said, “We are to be fishers of
men but have become keepers of the
aquarium. We feed the fish we have,
change the water, and take care of them
but are doing little to reach the entire
world. The Lord desires to change that in
us. We do not have the right to tell the
same people the truth over and over again
when most of the country has never heard
it.”

; Farmer (Matthew 13:1-43). We must

cultivate, sow and reap. Matthew 13
reveals that every person without
Christ is soil to be cultivated.
; Friend (Matthew 11:19). We need to
hate sin, but love sinners. Jesus loved
people and spent time with them
(Luke 22:37). Jesus ate in the home of
sinners, witnessed to the Samaritan
woman, and spent time with Mary
Magdalene. Douglas Shaw in Sharing
Jesus suggests His target audience for
His strong love as the despised
(Matthew 9:9-13), the depraved (Luke
19:1-10), and the deprived (Luke
4:18).

; Fireman (Jude 23).

It is such a privilege to be a soul winner.

Every member and minister should become
involved in evangelism. Charles Spurgeon,
as quoted in Effective Evangelism said,
; Ambassador (2 Corinthians 5:11-6:10). “Even if I were utterly selfish, I would
We are called to be the ambassador choose, if I might, under God, to be a soul-
for the King of kings. We have been winner; for never did I know perfect,
commissioned as His personal overflowing, unutterable happiness of the
representatives. purest and most ennobling order till I first
heard of one who had sought and found
the Saviour through my means. No young
mother ever so rejoiced over her first-born
child, no warrior was so exultant over a
hard-won victory.”
 Qualifications of Spiritual Farmers 3. Prepared. Be instant in season and
out of season (2 Timothy 4:2).
“The harvest is so great, and the workers
are so few," he told his disciples. “So pray 4. Work. “Do the work of an
to the one in charge of the harvesting, and evangelist” (2 Timothy 4:5).
ask him to recruit more workers for his Besides evangelizing the lost, the
harvest fields” (Matthew 9:37-38, TLB). work includes equipping people to
share their faith. Evangelists stir
God is a great employer and is looking for up a passion for the lost and help
the best in potential workers. His the church keep focused on the
recruitments should possess the following primary mission of the church.
qualities: Through your witness, you will take
souls to heaven with you. Through
1. Passion for the Lost. God’s heart failure to witness, souls will be left
for the lost is a theme that runs to die in their sins.
throughout the Scriptures.
Evangelists need to have an 5. Faith. An evangelist should be
importation of God’s heartbeat for convinced that when the gospel is
the lost. The motivation for preached, people will come to God
evangelism must be, at the heart, a (James 1:6-7).
passion for souls and a desire to see
souls saved. J. Oswald Sanders tells a story about an
early student at Spurgeon’s College who
Jim and Carol Plueddemann in Witnesses came to him one day and lamented, “I
to All the World state, “Of thirty-five have been preaching for several months,
missionaries who went to Ghana between and I do not think I have had a single
1835 and 1870, only two lived more than conversion.”
two years. Some nineteenth-century
missionaries packed their belongings in Spurgeon asked, “Do you think that the
coffin-shaped boxes that could also be Lord is going to bless you with souls being
used for their burials, since death was so saved each time you open your month.”
common.”
“No, sir!” was the student’s reply.
A lighthouse keeper watched as a terrible
storm erupted at sea. Suddenly the man “That is why you do not have souls getting
saw a small ship in distress. He turned to saved under your ministry. If you have had
his apprentice and told him, “Let’s go!” faith and believed, the Lord would have
given you the blessing.”
The frightened apprentice answered, “But,
if we go out there, we may never come It is important that we seek the lost, bring
back.” them to church and provide an evangelistic
service for them. Altar calls should be a
The lighthouse keeper responded, “We common occurrence in our services, giving
have to go out. We don’t have to come sinners the opportunity to make peace
back.” with God.

2. Disciplined. He has a call and is a Effective evangelists believe in the power

man of prayer and fasting. of the gospel (Romans 1:16). They know
that God’s Word is cross-cultural and will
work anywhere it is preached. They also
believe in the power of the name of Jesus 12. Self-encouraged (1 Samuel 30:6).
(Philippians 2:10; Acts 3:16; 4:12). Discouraging times will come when
the evangelist will need to
6. Burden. It is difficult to teach encourage himself in the Lord.
someone to have a burden. It
comes through prayer and seeking 13. Innovative. Willing to try new
God’s will and loving the way He methods and be creative. The
loves. The early church was evangelist is constantly searching
consumed with a burden to affect for new and effective methods of
their generation with the gospel. winning souls.
All Asia heard the Word within two
years (Acts 19:10). 14. Time. The evangelist gives priority
time to soul winning.
7. Love People. Evangelism is people
business. People matter to God. 15. Committed. The following was
They should matter to us too (Luke found among a young African
4:18). pastor’s papers after he was
martyred.
8. Caring. God cares about people.
Each lost person that is found “I am part of the fellowship of the
receives a heavenly party (Luke unashamed. I have Holy Spirit power. The
15). It has often been said, “People die has been cast. I have stepped over the
don’t care how much you know line. The decision has been made. I am a
until they know how much you disciple of His and I won’t look back, let
care.” up, slow down, back away, or be still.

9. Vision. Jesus announced His “My past is redeemed. My present makes

purpose in coming to mankind, “to sense. My future is secure. I am done and
seek and to save that which was finished with low living, sight walking,
lost” (Luke 19:10). We would do small planning, smooth knees, colorless
well to have the same vision. dreams, tamed visions, mundane talking,
Evangelists realize that soul cheap living, and dwarfed goals.
winning is their main business. (It
should be the main pursuit of every “I no longer need preeminence,
Christian.) prosperity, position, promotions, plaudits,
or popularity. I don’t have to be right, or
Paul said, “I might by all means save first, tops, recognized, praised, or
some” (1 Corinthians 9:22). rewarded. I live by faith, lean on His
presence, walk by patience, lift by prayer,
10. Patience. This is one of the most and labor by Holy Spirit power.
outstanding characteristics of an
evangelist (Luke 21:19; Galatians “My face is set. My gait is fast. My goal is
6:9). He never gives up. heaven. My road may be narrow, my way
rough, my companions few, but my guide
11. Study. An evangelist is self- is reliable and my mission is clear.
disciplined. He becomes more
effective through Bible study (2 “I will not be bought, compromised,
Timothy 2:15). He also studies detoured, lured away, turned back,
church growth principles and deluded or delayed.
evangelism methods.
“I will not flinch in the face of sacrifice or 17. Wisdom. It takes wisdom to witness
hesitate in the presence of the adversary. I effectively and lead someone into
will not negotiate at the table of the the truth. The wise man said, “He
enemy, ponder at the pool of popularity, that winneth souls is wise”
or meander in the maze of mediocrity. (Proverbs 11:30).

“I won’t give up, shut up or let up until I “Be wise in the way you act toward
have stayed up, stored up, prayed up, paid outsiders; make the most of every
up, and preached up for the cause of opportunity. Let your conversation be
Christ. always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so
that you may know how to answer
“I am a disciple of Jesus. I must give until I everyone” (Colossians 4:5-6, NIV).
drop, preach until all know, and work until
He comes. And when He does come for His 19. Adaptable. Paul said, “I have become
own, He’ll have no problem recognizing all things to all men so that by all possible
me. My colors will be clear!” means I might save some. I do all this for
the sake of the gospel, that I may share in
16. Boldness. It is easy to stand for its blessings” (1 Corinthians 9:22-23, NIV).
truth when everyone is agreeing
with you. It is harder to stand for Farmers plant a variety of seeds based on
truth when others do not agree. the soil, climate, and season.
R. M. Buie once said, “Evangelism is
embracing those who are in error Youth—Potential Work Force
while maintaining your anchor in
truth. It is extending God’s love
while maintaining your foundation
in the Word of God.”

Norman Cates shared a story of a man who

prayed each morning, “Lord, if you want
me to witness to someone today, please
give me a sign and show me who it is.”

One day he was sitting on a bus when a

huge man sat beside him. The shy, fearful The youth of our churches are untapped
Christian anxiously waited for his stop so labor forces and resources. Our young
he could get off the bus. Suddenly, the people have tremendous strength,
man beside him burst into tears and cried abilities, and powerful testimonies. Their
out, “I need to be saved. I’m a lost sinner energies should be mobilized for the task
and I need Jesus. Won’t somebody help me of world evangelism.
to be saved?”
“I have written unto you, young men,
The believer bowed his head and prayed, because ye are strong, and the word of
“Lord, is this a sign?” God abideth in you, and ye have overcome
the wicked one” (1 John 2:14).
This humorous story hits on a true point.
We often are fearful of witnessing for “Let no man despise thy youth; but be
Christ. We need to pray for boldness (Acts thou an example of the believers, in word,
4:29-31; 2 Timothy 1:7; Hebrews 13:5-6). in conversation, in charity, in spirit, in
faith, in purity. Till I come, give 3. What is the twofold work of an
attendance to reading, to exhortation, to evangelist in the church?
doctrine. Neglect not the gift that is in _________________________________
thee, which was given thee by prophecy, _________________________________
with the laying on of the hands of the
presbytery. Meditate upon these things; 4. What are ten qualifications of
give thyself wholly to them; that thy spiritual farmers?
profiting may appear to all. Take heed _________________________________
unto thyself, and unto the doctrine; _________________________________
continue in them: for in doing this thou _________________________________
shalt both save thyself, and them that _________________________________
hear thee” (1 Timothy 4:12-16). _________________________________
_________________________________
When he was well over seventy, John Mott _________________________________
said, “We must be constantly weaving into _________________________________
our organization the new generation. My _________________________________
work the world over and across many years
has shown me that young people can be
trusted with great loads and great 5. Why should we mobilize youth for the
responsibilities. Youth have never work of world evangelism?
disappointed me when I have put heavy _________________________________
burdens on them.” _________________________________
_________________________________
Ron Luce, founder and president of Teen _________________________________
Mania says, “Our greatest natural _________________________________
resources—the vision and energy of a
whole generation of youth—are being
squandered.” (Taken from A Force in the
Earth by David Shibley).

Why not allow the Lord to use you today?

WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

1. What are five scriptural pictures of a

personal evangelist? Provide a scripture
for each.
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

2. What was Jesus’ target audience

(according to Douglas Shaw)?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
 Evangelism is the key. Someone has said that right
decisions made repeatedly over time
Lesson Eight compound success.

L. R. Scarborough said, “It is found that so

The Evangelistic Church long as the heart of an institution burns
hot with the fires of soul-winning, it is not
likely to drift in its theology.” Lack of
“I have set before thee an open door, evangelism is a sure sign of a dying church.
and no man can shut it: for thou hast a
little strength, and hast kept my word, Church growth experts refer to a term
and hast not denied my name…I will called “ingrowth” or “inreach.” This
make them to come and worship before means the church looks only inward to
thy feet, and to know that I have loved itself. The church that practices ingrowth
thee” (Revelation 3:8-9). will usually die within two generations.
Focus needs to be shifted outward. The
FOCUS: Explain how to build a growing, church needs to be involved in “conversion
evangelistic church. growth,” “outgrowth” or “outreach.”
Here attention is focused on the
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED unchurched (outward to the community),
instead of the churched (inward to the
believers). There needs to be a priority
shift from inreach to outreach.

Types of Growth

1. Biological Growth. Children are

born and grow up in the church.
(Ingrowth)

2. Transfer Growth. People leave one

church and move to another.
(Ingrowth)

3. Conversion Growth. People are

converted. (Outgrowth)
Growing churches are always evangelistic.
It is interesting to note that churches also
They may have different characteristics,
decline for three opposite reasons: death,
but they all have one thing in common.
transfer, and backsliding.
They maintain a primary vision of reaching
the lost. A large percentage of their George Barna in Evangelism that Works
people are involved in evangelism-oriented found several common characteristics of
ministries. evangelistic churches.
I noticed on the back of a van, “We go, 1. The weekend services were central
sow, and grow.” to winning souls.
Growing churches are consistent in their 2. The intentional ministry focus of
determination to win the lost. Consistency the church is constantly directed to
 outreach. The preaching is directed Christians were scattered everywhere
to evangelism; classes are offered preaching the Word.” (See Acts 8:4;
giving training opportunities in 19:10.)
personal evangelism, and the
pastor models evangelistic passion Cunningham suggests:
and lifestyle. Evangelism is
emphasized in each aspect of the 1. Strive to become known as a center
church’s ministry. Personal for evangelism. Everything you do
testimonies from new converts are should have evangelism as its focus.
used to encourage the church to 2. The pastor must set the example.
evangelize. Local leaders are held Whatever the pastor does will set
accountable for their involvement the pace for the rest of the church.
in various evangelistic activities. 3. Every service should be evangelistic.
People are more apt to do what Each time visitors are present make
they hear repeated over and over an appeal to reach them. Create an
from the pulpit. evangelistic atmosphere.

3. The church uses a wide variety of Rick Warren in The Purpose Driven
events or programs to reach out to Church explains that a simple, childlike
people. ministry attracts people. Jesus was
able to attract large crowds (Matthew
4. Evangelistic churches study what 4:25; Mark 12:37) because of three
other churches are doing and adopt things:
and adapt their methods liberally.
Leadership in evangelism has more ; He loved them.
to do with focus and hard work ; He met their needs (Matthew 15:30).
than with new ideas and methods. ; He taught them in interesting and
Great ideas and methods are practical ways (Matthew 13:34; Mark
translated into the local context. 10:1).

5. Evangelistic churches rely on These ingredients will attract crowds

people to evangelize and invest a today. To the believers Jesus says, “Go
large portion of their budgets in and tell!” To the unbelievers He invites,
evangelism. “Come and see!” (John 1:39; 7:37).

6. Evangelistic churches do not feel 4. Make evangelism important in the

forced to copy other churches. church. Make heroes out of your
They have freedom to pursue soul winners. Let your church know
courses of action that may differ that winning souls is what you
from others. expect from them. People do what
is inspected, and not what is
Irvin J. Cunningham, in a Barnabas Report, expected. Hold your staff and
“Building an Evangelistic Church,” provides people responsible for reaching out
several suggestions. These have been to others.
adapted for your study. He claims that the 5. Hold periodic classes that teach
“most pressing problem in the church is evangelism.
the lack of evangelism.” In reading the 6. Have periodic revivals where people
Book of Acts “one of the most impressive being witnessed to can be
things we find is that New Testament harvested. It is a great motivation
 to reach the lost when you see equipping members for service within the
someone you witness to repent, be church and less than twelve hours a year
baptized, and filled with the Holy equipping members to witness outside of
Ghost. the church. This exposes our shameful
7. Stress evangelism in each service. failures in setting priorities.
Receive testimonies from those who
are winning the lost. Let new C. Peter Wagner in Strategies for Church
converts testify of what the Lord Growth suggests four things to check if
has done for them through the your ministry is not growing:
evangelistic efforts of the local
church. ; Be sure you are in the vine (John
8. Stay focused on evangelism. Keep 15:16).
the vision before your people— ; Be sure you are preaching to the right
through preaching, teaching, people.
testimonies or by using banners or ; Be sure you are using the right
bookmarks. methods.
9. Use the method that is working and ; Be sure you are working hard enough.
only as long as it works.
10. Teach new converts to bring their “Lost people are more amazed at our
lost friends. People who have been silence than offended at our message.”
in the church for less than six Alvin Reid
months win more than seventy-five
percent of all converts. This is
G. Randy Adams suggested that there are
because the convert still has many
two things that can hinder the growth of
contacts (family, friends) in the
the church.
world. Secondly, the new convert is
excited about what the Lord has ; A church that remains stationary.
done and wants to tell everyone.
; A church that remains silent.
11. Assign members to visit those who
are absent from service. Let’s go and proclaim the good news.
12. Have new convert classes and
programs to encourage retention of
converts. WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?

Evangelism and Church Growth (General 1. What one thing does all growing
Editor: Elmer Towns) explains several churches have in common?
widely accepted preconditions for growth _________________________________
in the local church. They include:
2. What is lack of evangelism a sure sign
; The pastor must want the church to of?
grow and be willing to pay the price. _________________________________
; The people must want the church to
3. What is the difference between
grow and be willing to pay the price.
“ingrowth” and “outgrowth”?
; The church must agree that the goal of
_________________________________
evangelism is to make disciples.
_________________________________
_________________________________
Ralph Neighbor estimates the average _________________________________
church will spend 300 hours a year
4. Provide five common characteristics church?
of evangelistic churches. _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 10. How many hours were spent
_________________________________ equipping the members for service
_________________________________ within the church?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 11. According to Rick Warren how was
Jesus able to attract the large crowds?
6. List ten ways we can assist in building _________________________________
an evangelistic church. _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 12. What are three types of growth
_________________________________ mentioned in this lesson?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 13. What are four things to check if
_________________________________ your ministry is not growing?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
7. What are three preconditions for _________________________________
growth in the local church? _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

8. G. Randy Adams suggests that there

are two things that can hinder the
growth of the church. What are they?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

9. Ralph Neighbor found that how many

hours per year were spent equipping
members for evangelism in the local
 Evangelism Jesus is coming back soon! (See Romans
13:11). The Bible is filled with the promise
Lesson Nine of His return. David Jeremiah in Jesus’
Final Warning found that there are 1,845
references to this event in the Old
Vision Testament and 318 in the New Testament.
Forty books of the Bible speak of the
promise of His return. For every prophecy
“Where there is no vision, the people concerning the first coming of Christ,
perish” (Proverbs 29:18). there are eight concerning His Second
Coming.
FOCUS: Explain the various areas where it
is beneficial for us to have a vision. Jesus testified, “Surely, I come quickly”
(Revelation 22:20).
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
The word “heaven” is mentioned 582 times
in the Bible. It is real, a prepared place for
Every successful, productive man of God a prepared people.
possesses a vision. A quick look at Isaiah 6
will reveal three visions that Isaiah “In my Father's house are many mansions:
experienced. if it were not so, I would have told you. I
go to prepare a place for you. And if I go
; Upward Vision (Isaiah 6:1-3). and prepare a place for you, I will come
; Inward Vision (Isaiah 6:5). again, and receive you unto myself; that
; Outward Vision (Isaiah 6:8). where I am, there ye may be also” (John
14:2-3).
Isaiah focused on God, saw himself, and
then he got a vision of the lost world. ; A place for born-again believers (John
3:3).
The Association of Church Missions ; Glorious city (Revelation 21:11-18).
Committees suggests that we develop a ; River of life is there to insure
bifocal vision. everlasting life (Revelation 22:1).
; The tree of life is there to insure
; Nearsighted. Look close by to the abundant life (Revelation 22:2).
needs and the lost around us. ; The throne of God will be there
; Farsighted. Look beyond ourselves to (Revelation 4:2).
the world in need and the opportunity ; It has twelve layers of foundation;
to minister globally. each inlaid with a different gem. It has
twelve gates with an angel standing
Each of us needs to receive a vision in five guard at each gate (Revelation 21:19-
areas so that we can be effective soul 20; 21: 12).
winners. ; The main street is of transparent gold
(Revelation 21:21).
VISION OF HEAVEN ; It is a place for all eternity (John
3:15).
“Jesus has gone away to heaven, and some ; Location of our treasures as Christians
day, just as he went, he will return!” (Acts (Matthew 6:20).
1:11, TLB). ; Our true home (Hebrews 12:22).
; Dwelling place of God.
According to the Book of Revelation in Abraham answered, “They have the
heaven there will be no more… prophets; let them listen to them.”

; Tears (21:4) What happens if they are not willing to

; Sickness (22:2) share the gospel?
; Pain (21:4)
; Death (21:4) From this story we learn:
; Thirst (7:16)
; Hunger (7:16) ; The souls of men live forever.
; Sin (21:27) ; There is a heaven to gain and a hell to
; Sun or moon (21:23) shun. Both are real.
; Judgment (22:3) ; The rich man cared, but he cared too
; Night (21:25) late.
; Temple (21:22) ; If souls are reached, it will be because
others went to them.
“And God shall wipe away all tears from ; If souls are reached, it will be because
their eyes; and there shall be no more they have listened to a witness,
death, neither sorrow, nor crying, neither preacher, or the Word of God.
shall there be any more pain: for the
former things are passed away” Hell is described using the following
(Revelation 21:4). words:

; The lowest pit

VISION OF HELL ; Worm dieth not
; Fire is not quenched
“And others save with fear, pulling them ; Outer darkness
out of the fire; hating even the garment ; Furnace of fire
spotted by the flesh” (Jude 23). ; Wailing
; Weeping
The problem with many Christians today is ; Gnashing of teeth
that they do not believe in “hell.” C. S. ; Lake of fire burning with brimstone
Lewis wrote, “There is no doctrine which I ; Tormented day and night forever
would more willingly remove from ; Underworld
Christianity than this (hell). I would pay ; Region of the departed
any price to be able to say, ‘All will be ; Place of departed spirits
saved.’” ; Unquenchable fire
; Pits of darkness
Luke 16:19-31 vividly describes an heir of
; Smoke of their torment
hell enjoying life in his home and an heir
; Place of punishment
of heaven sitting at the gate, perishing
; Black darkness
with hunger. The time came when both
died. The beggar was carried to Abraham’s
Studies show that “hell” is a place of
side, and the rich man went to hell. There
punishment translated “Gehenna,” the
he was in torment and looked for a way to
Greek form of the Hebrew word that
be delivered from the agony of the fire. He
means, “the vale of Hinnom.” This was a
pleaded, “Send the beggar Lazarus to my
valley located south of Jerusalem. Here
father’s house. I have five brothers. Let
the Canaanites worshiped Baal and the
him warn them, so they will not come to
fire-god Molech by sacrificing their
this place of torment.”
children in a fire that burned continuously.
Jeremiah prophesied that this place would We shared dreams, joys, and tears.
be known as the “Valley of Slaughter” A friend to me, you were indeed,
(Jeremiah 7:31-34; 19:2, 6). A friend to help me when in need.

During the time of Jesus’ earthly ministry, My faith in you was strong and sure;
the Valley of Hinnom was used as a We had such trust as should endure.
garbage dump. All of the filth and waste of No spats between us ever arose,
the city was thrown there. This included Among our friends, and so our foes.
the dead bodies of animals and executed
criminals. To consume this, fires burned What sadness then, my friend to find
relentlessly. Maggots ate away at the flesh That after all, you weren’t so kind.
of the animals and criminals. At night wild The day on earth my life did end,
dogs howled as they gnashed their teeth, I found you weren’t really a friend.
fighting over the treasures of the dump. For all those years we spent on earth
Jesus used this scene to depict the We spoke of things that had some worth
awfulness of hell. Hell is God’s “cosmic You never spoke of my lost soul
garbage dump.” All that is unfit to go to And of Christ who’d make me whole.
heaven will be thrown there. Human
language cannot describe the dreadfulness I plead today from hell’s cruel fire
of hell or the majesty of heaven. And tell you now my last desire.
(Reference used: Nelson’s Illustrated Bible You cannot do a thing today for me,
Dictionary.) No words today my bands will free.
But don’t err, my friend again,
For a closer scriptural look at hell read: Do all you can for the souls of men.
Matthew 8:12; 13:42; 13:50; 22:13; 24:51; Plead now with them quite earnestly,
25:30; Mark 9:46-47; Luke 13:28). Lest they be cast in hell with me!
(Author Unknown)
God does not want anyone to spend
eternity in hell. The words of Corrie Ten Boom are more
preferable.
“The Lord is not slack concerning his
promise, as some men count slackness; but When I enter that beautiful city
is longsuffering to us-ward, not willing that And the saints all around me appear,
any should perish, but that all should come I hope that someone will tell me,
to repentance” (2 Peter 3:9). “It was you who invited me here.”

“But the fearful, and unbelieving, and the William Booth, the founder of Salvation
abominable, and murderers, and Army, once remarked, “Most Christian
whoremongers, and sorcerers, and ministries would like to send their recruits
idolaters, and all liars, shall have their to Bible college for four or five years. I
part in the lake which burneth with fire would like to send our recruits to hell for
and brimstone: which is the second death” five minutes. That would do more than
(Revelation 21:8). anything else to prepare them for a
lifetime of compassionate ministry.” (A
Force in the Earth by David Shibley)
A Voice from Hell It is not possible to take a five-minute
excursion to hell, but it is possible to visit
You lived next door to me for years
the local mortuary and/or cemetery.
 VISION OF A LOST AND DYING WORLD “His lord said unto him, Well done, thou
good and faithful servant: thou hast been
While speaking in London, D. L. Moody was faithful over a few things, I will make thee
approached by a British friend. He wanted ruler over many things: enter thou into the
to know the secret of Moody’s success in joy of thy lord” (Matthew 25:21).
bringing others to Christ. Moody invited
Studies conducted concerning why
the man to look out the window and asked
Christianity expanded under the oppressive
him, “What do you see?”
Roman rule have found that:
The man reported that he saw crowded
1. Early Christians had great zeal.
streets below. Moody requested that he
2. They believed in future rewards.
look again. This time the man mentioned
3. There was a manifestation of
that he saw people—men, women, and
miracles.
children.
4. Christians lived a life of holiness
Moody insisted that he look a third time. (possessing pure morals).
The man became frustrated that he was 5. Their church organization was
not seeing what the great evangelist compact. (Adapted from Jesus’
wanted him to see. Final Warning-David Jeremiah.)

Moody came to the window with tears in Notice that one of the reasons Christianity
his eyes and said, “I see people going to thrived was because they had a strong
hell, lost without Jesus Christ.” belief in future rewards. They were willing
to give their lives (if needed) for the
What do you see at the bus stop, in busy gospel. God has a system of rewards
traffic, in the marketplace, or as you pass (Psalm 58:11; 62:12; Mark 9:41; 10:29-30;
others on crowded streets? Do you see the Hebrews 6:10-12).
lost?
“Rejoice, and be exceeding glad: for great
Jesus ministered to a blind man who saw is your reward in heaven” (Matthew 5:12).
men as walking trees. Another touch from
the Master restored his sight, and he was God will reward His people after the
able to see every man clearly. Pray that catching away of the church.
the Lord will open your eyes so that you
“For we must all appear before the
see souls as the Lord of the harvest sees
judgment seat of Christ; that every one
them.
may receive the things done in his body,
“And he took the blind man by the hand, according to that he hath done, whether it
and led him out of the town; and when he be good or bad” (2 Corinthians 5:10).
had spit on his eyes, and put his hands
At the judgment seat of Christ, each life
upon him, he asked him if he saw ought.
will be reviewed and rewards issued.
And he looked up, and said, I see men as
trees, walking. After that he put his hands Crown of Victory 1 Corinthians 9:25-27
again upon his eyes, and made him look Crown of Rejoicing 1 Thessalonians 2:19
up: and he was restored, and saw every Crown of 2 Timothy 4:8
man clearly” (Mark 8:23-25). Righteousness
Crown of Life James 1:12;
VISION OF THE LORD OF THE HARVEST Revelation 2:10
SAYING, “WELL DONE!” Crown of Glory 1 Peter 5:4
The crown of rejoicing is considered to be The Bible used the term “lost” to describe
the soul winner’s crown. The greatest those who are away from God and will
reward will be to hear Jesus say, “Well perish if they are not found and saved.
done!” What will we do with our rewards Some do not realize they are lost. They do
and crowns? We will cast our crowns not look to be rescued, recognize or
before His throne (Revelation 4:10). accept the way of escape when it is
offered.
No one will want to stand in His presence
empty-handed (Deuteronomy 16:16). “But if our gospel be hid, it is hid to them
that are lost: In whom the god of this
VISION OF THE VALUE OF A world hath blinded the minds of them
which believe not, lest the light of the
LOST, ETERNAL SOUL
glorious gospel of Christ, who is the image
of God, should shine unto them” (2
There are three things that will last for Corinthians 4:3-4).
eternity.
What possession do you have that you
; God consider of great value? What would you
; Word of God do if you lost it? Your mind would not be at
; Souls of men rest. You would abandon everything you
are doing and search for your valuable
We need to invest our lives with a view of
possession (until you find it).
eternity.
Each lost soul has tremendous value. Jesus
God places great value on a lost soul (John
came to seek each one and gave His life at
3:16). It was for this reason that Jesus
Calvary for their salvation. In Luke 15 we
came into the world.
see various examples of things of great
“For the Son of man is come to seek and to value that were missing. When found, each
save that which was lost” (Luke 19:10). event produced rejoicing. The prodigal’s
father even threw a party when his son
In one short sentence Jesus described His came home.
purpose—“to seek and to save.” He also
explained His target group—the lost. If you took a new (currency) note and
offered it to a group of people, would
We remain on the earth to finish the task. anyone accept it? Yes, because everyone
Before He left, He said, “As my Father knows the value of money. If you took the
hath sent me, even so send I you” (John note and wadded it up, would anyone still
20:21). want it? Yes, because the value did not
change. If the note were spit upon, would
“Hereby perceive we the love of God, people still want it? Yes, the value still has
because he laid down his life for us: and not changed. Throw the note down and
we ought to lay down our lives for the stomp it into the ground. Would anyone
brethren” (1 John 3:16). take it now? Yes, there still would be
takers. Why? The note still has the same
Have you ever experienced the terror of value.
being lost? How did you feel? Alone?
Afraid? Disoriented? A lost soul has tremendous value to Jesus
Christ. It will never lose its worth. No
matter how deep in sin a soul may get, no
matter how filthy he may become, a soul 5. Why do think it is important for us to
never loses its value. How much value do have a vision of heaven?
you place on a lost soul? _________________________________
_________________________________
J. Oswald Sanders in Effective Evangelism _________________________________
gives the following ways that the value of _________________________________
the soul can be calculated?
6. What are four things that will not be
; By its nature and origin (Genesis 1:27). found in heaven?
; By the duration of its existence _________________________________
(Matthew 25:46). _________________________________
; By the cost of its redemption (1 Peter
1:18-19). 7. What did C. S. Lewis say about the
; By the struggle required for its doctrine of hell?
possession (Matthew 12:29). _________________________________
_________________________________
“But go rather to the lost…And as ye go, _________________________________
preach, saying, The kingdom of heaven is _________________________________
at hand” (Matthew 10:6-7).
8. What are three things we learn from
the story in Luke 16:19-31?
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? _________________________________
_________________________________
1. What three visions did Isaiah have in _________________________________
Isaiah 6? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
9. Describe hell.
2. What is meant by the bifocal vision of _________________________________
evangelism? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
3. Jesus is coming back! Comment on
how the Bible is filled with the promise 10. Describe the Valley of Hinnom.
of His return. _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
4. What did Jesus testify in Revelation _________________________________
22:20? _________________________________
_________________________________ ________________________________
11. Why did William Booth wish that he _________________________________
could send his recruits to hell for five _________________________________
minutes? ________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

12. What was the secret of Moody’s

success as an evangelist?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

13. Which crown is considered the soul-

winner’s crown?
_________________________________
_________________________________

14. What are three things that last for

eternity?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

15. How do we know that God places

great value on a lost soul?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

16. What are three ways that the

value of a lost soul can be calculated?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

17. What five visions are needed to

help us be effective soul winners?
 Evangelism It was because of a burden that Jesus said
to the little man, “Zacchaeus, make haste,
Lesson Ten and come down; for to day I must abide at
thy house” (Luke 19:5).

Burden Because of a burden, Jesus claimed, “And

other sheep I have, which are not of this
fold: them also I must bring, and they shall
But when he saw the multitudes, he was hear my voice; and there shall be one fold,
moved with compassion on them, and one shepherd” (John 10:16).
because they fainted, and were
scattered abroad, as sheep having no Jesus’ burden caused Him to move from
shepherd” (Matthew 9:36). city to city, village to village, preaching
the gospel. “And Jesus went about all the
FOCUS: Look briefly at the burden cities and villages, teaching in their
possessed by Jesus Christ and several synagogues, and preaching the gospel of
notable men. the kingdom, and healing every sickness
and every disease among the people. But
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED when he saw the multitudes, he was
moved with compassion on them, because
they fainted, and were scattered abroad,
Charles Spurgeon expressed that if sinners
as sheep having no shepherd” (Matthew
were to be damned, they should have to
9:35-36).
leap over our bodies. If they were to
perish, they should perish with our arms Jesus ultimately climbed Golgatha and
around their knees. He felt that no one hung on Calvary because of His burden and
should go to hell unwarned and unprayed love for lost mankind. One Nigerian chorus
for. says, “Jesus, surrendered His life for me.
What have I done for Him?”
“If one-tenth of what you believe is true,
you ought to be ten times as excited as you “But life is worth nothing unless I use it for
are.” (Walter Moberly) doing the work assigned me by the Lord
Jesus—the work of telling others the Good
We must recognize our divine obligation. News about God's mighty kindness and
Jesus said to His earthly parents, “I must love” (Acts 20:24, TLB).
be about my Father's business” (Luke
2:49). C. T. Studd, a missionary who served in
China and Africa, said, “Some want to live
His burden, vision, and passion kept Him
within the sound of a church or chapel
working. “I must work the works of him
bell. I want to run a rescue shop within a
that sent me, while it is day: the night
yard of hell.”
cometh, when no man can work. As long as
I am in the world, I am the light of the David Holdaway in Never Enough claims
world” (John 9:4-5). that it was an article by a non-believer
that motivated Studd to give all to the
It was because of a burden for a lost soul
Lord. Holdaway’s quotation of the article
that Jesus stated that He “must needs go
appears below:
through Samaria” (John 4:4).
“If I firmly believed, as millions say they Paul possessed a great burden for people.
do, that knowledge and practice of “Therefore watch, and remember, that by
religion in this life influences destiny in the space of three years I ceased not to
another, then religion would mean to me warn every one night and day with tears”
everything. I would cast away earthly (Acts 20:31).
enjoyments as dross, earthly cares as
follies, and earthly thoughts and feelings One man was finding his work difficult,
as vanity. Religion would be my first experiencing little progress. William Booth
waking thought and my last image before sent him this message, “Try tears!” It
sleep sank me into unconsciousness. I made the difference.
should labor for its cause alone. I would
take thought for the morrow of eternity William Carey is considered to be the
alone. I would esteem one soul gained for father of modern missions. He had an
heaven a life worth suffering. immense burden for the lost. As a young
man, he worked in a shoe cobbler’s shop.
“Earthly consequences would never stay He saved discarded bits and pieces of shoe
my hand or seal my lips. Earth, its joys and leather and made a makeshift globe. He
griefs, would occupy no moment of my sketched in ink the outlines of the
thoughts. I would strive to look upon continents and various countries on his
eternity alone, and on the immortal souls crude leather globe.
around me, soon to be everlastingly happy
or everlastingly miserable. I would go forth It is said that Carey’s tears of intercession
to the world and preach to it in season and for the world literally blurred the outlines
out of season.” of the nations on his handmade globe. He
became a missionary to India and changed
The story is told of a prison chaplain who the course of mission’s history throughout
tried to share the gospel with a the world.
condemned man. After listening to the
man’s appeal, the prisoner responded, “He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing
“Do you really believe the gospel, precious seed, shall doubtless come again
Chaplain? If I believed your gospel were with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with
true, I would crawl across England on him” (Psalms 126:6).
broken glass to tell men about it.”
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED?
The reality of our beliefs determines the
urgency of our witness. 1. What is crying usually a result of?
_________________________________
_________________________________
It is unusual to see a man cry (weep).
_________________________________
Crying is usually manifested as a result of:
_________________________________

2. What does the reality of our beliefs

; Sadness (Joel 2:12; Psalm 30:5).
determine?
; Joy.
_________________________________
; Burden (Psalm 126:5-6).
_________________________________
William Booth-Clibborn talked of “the 3. What did Charles Spurgeon say about
curse of dry-eyed Christianity.” sinners that were to be damned?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

4. Give two examples that would show

Jesus possessed a burden for souls.
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

5. What did C. T. Studd say in this

lesson?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

6. What did William Booth tell the man

who was struggling to see growth in his
area of responsibility? Why do you think
he said that?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

7. According to Acts 20:24 TLB, what is

the work assigned to us?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

8. What are five things that the man

(quoted by David Holdaway) said he
would do if he believed that millions
were lost?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
 Evangelism 9. Because men are lost outside of
Jesus Christ. The word lost comes
Lesson Eleven from a root word meaning “ruined”
or “destroyed” (Romans 3:10, 3:23,
6:23, 5:19; Psalm 51:5).
Why Evangelize? 10. Because men are going to hell (2
Thessalonians 1:8-9). Hell is real. No
one should go to hell without a
“For I am not ashamed of the gospel of witness (Psalm 9:17).
Christ: for it is the power of God unto 11. Because we are to be a light in a
salvation to every one that believeth; to sin-darkened world (Matthew 5:14-
the Jew first, and also to the Greek” 16; Romans 2:19; 2 Corinthians 4:4).
(Romans 1:16). Light has a way of spreading. The
truth is compared to light, and
FOCUS: To explain why we should be when it is shared, it will spread.
involved in evangelism. Charles Spurgeon said, “We live in
such a dark world that we must not
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED waste the tiniest piece of candle.”
12. Because the gospel is hidden to
We evangelize… them that are lost (2 Corinthians
4:3; Luke 11:33). The treasure must
1. Because Jesus came to seek and to be revealed.
save the lost (Luke 19:10). 13. Because it is the will of God (2
2. Because we truly believe that there Peter 3:9; Matthew 18:14).
is no other way to be saved (Acts 14. Because we know the terror of the
4:12). Lord (2 Corinthians 5:11).
3. Because how else shall they hear? 15. Because there is a better place.
(Romans 10:14-15). Vinson Synan Heaven is waiting to be populated
once said concerning world (John 14:1-3; Revelation 21:4).
evangelization, “If not us, who? If 16. Because Jesus is coming soon (1
not now, when?” Thessalonians 4:15-18; John 14:3;
4. Because Jesus commanded it (Acts Acts 1:11; Hebrews 10:37;
1:8; Matthew 28:19-20; John 20:22; Revelation 1:7; Matthew 26:64).
Mark 16:15; Luke 24:47). 17. Because we are in a spiritual battle
5. Because Jesus does not want for the souls of men (Ephesians
anyone to perish (2 Peter 3:9; John 6:12; 2 Corinthians 4:3-4, 10:3-5).
3:15-16). 18. Because we cannot help but speak
6. Because it makes heaven happy what we have seen and heard (Acts
(Luke 15:10). Evangelism creates 4:20, 22:15).
joy in heaven. Heaven gets more 19. Because we do not want the blood
excited about the lost being found of sinners on our hands (Ezekiel
than any other thing. 3:17-20; Acts 18:6, 20:26-27).
7. Because the gospel is good news. It 20. Because he who wins souls is wise
is only good news when it is shared (Proverbs 11:30).
(Luke 4:18). 21. Because we understand the value of
8. Because we are the body of Christ a human soul (Matthew 16:26; Luke
(1 Corinthians 12:27). Jesus Christ 9:25).
is in us (Colossians 1:27). 22. Because the love of God is in our
hearts (Romans 5:5; Leviticus 19:18;
 Mark 12:31). His love overflows from 36. Because we know that what God
our lives. Our love for Him cannot says He means. All will stand before
be self-contained (1 John 4:7-8; the judgment seat of Christ (2
Romans 5:5). We should care Corinthians 5:10; Hebrews 9:27).
enough to reach out. Jesus was 37. Because Jesus has done so much for
moved with compassion (Matthew us. It must be shared (Acts 4:20).
9:36). What about you? The 38. Because I cannot help but
church’s main business is soul evangelize. He has done so much for
winning. me I have got to tell somebody. “I
23. Because of Calvary (Luke 23:33). couldn't keep from preaching it if I
24. Because witnesses must witness; wanted to. I would be utterly
otherwise they are not witnesses (1 miserable” (1 Corinthians 9:16,
Corinthians 9:16; Acts 1:8). TLB).
25. Because time is running out (John
4:35; John 9:4). “Then I said, I will not make mention of
26. Because of people’s lack of him, nor speak any more in his name. But
knowledge (Isaiah 5:13; Hosea 4:6). his word was in mine heart as a burning
People are ignorant and need to be fire shut up in my bones, and I was weary
informed. with forbearing, and I could not stay”
27. Because God wants people to come (Jeremiah 20:9).
to the knowledge of the truth (1
Timothy 2:1-4). 39. Because we are debtors (Romans
28. Because men in captivity need to 1:15-16).
be delivered from bondage (Isaiah 40. Because evangelism is an expression
61:1-3; Luke 4:18-19). of a healthy church (Acts 1:8, 8:4).
29. Because if we do not evangelize the 41. Because it is an honor to be His
lost, cults and false religions will. agent (ambassador). We have a
30. Because we love the unsaved. The heavenly invitation to share the life-
most loving thing you can do is changing gospel with others. We
present the gospel to someone else represent the King of kings and
(2 Corinthians 5:14-15). Evangelism speak on His behalf (2 Corinthians
shows the love of God to the world 5:20; Ephesians 6:20).
(John 3:16; 1 John 3:16). 42. Because evangelism could hasten
31. Because we want to please God and the coming of our King (Matthew
bring glory to His name. Pleasing 24:14).
God is the chief aim of man 43. Because Jesus said, “I will build my
(Ecclesiastes 12:13). church” (Matthew 16:18). Through
32. Because it is the primary purpose of evangelism, we help build the
the church (Matthew 18:11, 20:28; church.
Luke 19:10; John 10:10; 1 Timothy 44. Because we want to hear the Lord
1:15). of the harvest say, “Well done thou
33. Because harvest is necessary for us good and faithful servant” (Matthew
to exist. 25:21).
34. Because evangelism produces the 45. Because great rewards are
church (Matthew 9:37-38; John promised, both now and in eternity,
4:35). to those that witness (Daniel 12:3;
35. Because the gospel is the power of 1 Thessalonians 2:19-20).
God unto salvation (Romans 1:16).
 46. Because the fear of the Lord through prayer, fasting, worship
compels us to evangelize (2 and Bible study.
Corinthians 5:11; Luke 12:47). ; To minister to one another
47. Because we do not want the Lord to (relationship with other Christians.)
be ashamed of us (Mark 8:34-38). This is expressed through love,
48. Because there is no greater joy fellowship and serving.
than bringing someone to Christ. ; To minister to the world
Our joy is made full when we (relationship with those who do not
evangelize (1 John 1:3-4; John know the Lord Jesus). This is
15:11). Watchman Nee claimed that expressed through evangelism,
the two happiest days in every outreach, church planting and
believer’s life are the day he is missions. (Mark Conner,
saved and the day he leads some Transforming Your Church)
one to Christ.
49. Because involvement in evangelism The only one that cannot be done in
produces a sense of direction, heaven is number three. The only reason
purpose and destiny for our lives for the church to remain on the earth is
(Acts 18:19-20). It gives us for the purpose of evangelism. There will
something worth living and dying not be any evangelism in heaven.
for.
We populate heaven or hell by our
“We are debtors to every man to give him obedience or disobedience to the
the gospel in the same measure in which we command of Christ.
have received it.”
P. F. Bresee, founder of the Church of the Obedience Populate Heaven
Nazarene Disobedience Populate Hell

First and Last Commands of Jesus Christ “Today…people will go to heaven, and
people will go to hell. The percentage of
; The first commandment of Jesus: people going to heaven and the percentage
of people going to hell today is determined
“And Jesus said unto them, Come ye after by how well you did your job yesterday.
me, and I will make you to become fishers If you remember heaven today, it will help
of men” (Mark 1:17). someone avoid hell tomorrow.”
(Primary Purpose)
; The last commandment of Jesus:
D. L. Moody made up his mind that he
“But ye shall receive power, after that the would witness to at least one person per
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall day. One night as he crawled into bed, he
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, remembered that he had not preached to
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and anyone that day. He got dressed and went
unto the uttermost part of the earth” out looking for someone he could talk to.
(Acts 1:8). It was already midnight, and the streets
were deserted. He finally found a
The church exists for three main reasons: policeman still on duty and witnessed to
him. The man was annoyed and scolded,
; To minister to God (relationship “Do you not have anything better to do
with God). This is expressed than disturb me in the middle of the night,
trying to persuade me into being a _________________________________
Christian.” A few days later that man got _________________________________
saved. He never forgot his midnight _________________________________
encounter with a personal evangelist bent _________________________________
on populating heaven. _________________________________
_________________________________
John Wesley once told a group of _________________________________
preachers, “You have nothing to do but _________________________________
win souls.” _________________________________
_________________________________
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
1. What was the first commandment of _________________________________
Jesus Christ? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
2. What was the last commandment of _________________________________
Jesus Christ? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
3. Why does the church exist?
_________________________________ 6. What are the two happiest days in a
_________________________________ believer’s life?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________

4. How do we populate heaven?

_________________________________

5. Provide twenty reasons why we should

be involved in evangelism.
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ Evangelism
_________________________________
_________________________________ Lesson Twelve
 what to say, or of being rejected by
Why Not Evangelize? others.

Charles Stanley in Success God’s Way says,

“Say not ye, There are yet four months, “Fear is the uneasy feeling that we are
and then cometh harvest? behold, I say inadequate. It is an alarm that goes off
unto you, Lift up your eyes, and look on when we feel threatened or suddenly feel
the fields; for they are white already to incapable.”
harvest” (John 4:35).
“The fear of man bringeth a snare: but
FOCUS: Explain the reasons why people do whoso putteth his trust in the LORD shall be
not get involved in evangelism. safe” (Proverbs 29:25).

WHAT I HAVE LEARNED ; Fear of rejection.

; Fear of embarrassment.
; Fear of failure.
The fields are ready for harvesting. It looks
like this will be our best crop ever. But, God is not the author of this kind of fear.
there is a problem, or two, or three. Nearly 1500 scriptures address the subject
Where are the workers? What? Some are of fear. God often told His people, “Fear
shy; others are full of fear. Some do not not!” (See Psalm 34:4.)
believe it is harvest time; others are
ashamed of being caught farming. We have “For God hath not given us the spirit of
a handful that say they would love to fear; but of power, and of love, and of a
help—tomorrow. Others claim it is not sound mind” (2 Timothy 1:7).
their responsibility or life calling. Still
others are claiming they have no idea how Pippert suggests, “Our secret fear is that
to farm. What will we do? The harvest is evangelism is really up to us. We wring
ready—now. our hands, close our eyes, and hope
against hope that God backs us up as we
Discipleship Journal featured an article dare to talk about our faith.” She claims
entitled “The Invisible Evangelist” by that we have it backwards. “Evangelism is
Rebecca Manley Pippert. She writes, “The something God does; we are only
heart of evangelism is sharing the story of instruments He uses ... God is always there
Christ, the good news of how God took first.”
upon Himself the sin of the human race so
that all who believe in Him might be saved We merely sow the seed; God evangelizes.
(Acts 4:10-12). This message is the most He prepares the heart for the seed to be
liberating news to ever grace this planet. planted. Evangelism is God working. After
So why aren’t we shouting from the all, He is the Lord of the harvest.
rooftops the glorious news?” Someone defined evangelism as, “sharing
Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and
In this lesson we will address some of the leaving the results up to God.” (See
reasons people do not get involved in Zechariah 4:6.)
evangelism and what can be done to
counteract it. We need to have confidence in God,
trusting He will destroy fear. It is better
1. Fear. This is one of the biggest to fear God than man (2 Corinthians 5:11).
enemies of evangelism. This
includes fear of failure, not knowing
“So that we may boldly say, The Lord is my father owned but did not want to
helper, and I will not fear what man shall share it with the prodigal son. Let
do unto me” (Hebrews 13:6). us never drop into the sin of being
like the elder brother.
Pray for boldness (Acts 4:29-31; Proverbs
28:1). 8. Procrastination. “I’ll do it
tomorrow.” The problem is
2. Shyness (introverted) and tomorrow may be too late.
inferiority complex. This relates
back to fear and the possibility of 9. Disobedience. Failure to obey
rejection. God’s Word and commands.

3. Unbelief. Do you really believe the 10. Laziness. Reaching the lost is work
gospel? It has already been said and requires discipline.
that the reality of our beliefs
determines the urgency of our 11. Sin and carnality in the life of the
witness. We believe, and then we believer. Sin dulls our senses and
witness. desire for witnessing.

4. Ashamed of the gospel. We have 12. Cannot speak well (speech

the truth, and it needs to be taken impediment or language barrier).
to a lost and dying world. It is the That excuse has been used as far
power of God unto salvation back as Moses. Each time you think,
(Romans 1:16). We have the whole “I cannot,” remember Philippians
gospel (Acts 2:38-39; Acts 4:12). 4:13.
We know the plan of salvation. The
question is, “Will we let the world “I can do all things through Christ which
know?” strengtheneth me”
(Philippians 4:13).
5. “It’s not my responsibility.” The
saint will say, “Let the pastor do 13. Lack of burden, vision,
it.” The pastor says, “Let the compassion, or concern. “Where
evangelist do it!” This excuse is there is no vision, the people
close to “that is not my ministry.” perish” (Proverbs 29:18).
The great commission is a command
to all Christians. Winning souls is “And what pity he felt for the crowds that
part of the Christian life and a came, because their problems were so
direct result of the baptism of the great and they didn't know what to do or
Holy Ghost (Acts 1:8). where to go for help. They were like sheep
without a shepherd” (Matthew 9:36, TLB).
6. Lukewarm in relationship with
God. Needs to be moved out of the Jesus was concerned for His world. We will
comfort zone. evangelize when we truly care for the
eternal destiny of others.
7. Out of touch with the heavenly
Father’s heart. The prodigal’s ; He was moved with compassion
elder brother should have been able (meaning: “to suffer with”) when He
to see how far he had drifted from saw the multitude (Matthew 9:36).
his father’s concerns. He had all his Compassion is to relate to someone’s
 pain to the extent that you are willing 20. Thinking that one’s lifestyle is
to do something about it. enough witness. Winning souls
; He had a burden (John 4:34-35). involves more than a silent witness.
; He had a vision (Luke 19:10; Matthew
16:18). 21. “I’m too busy!” Could even be busy
; He wept (John 11:35). doing things for the church but
; He died—accepted His responsibility. having little to do with evangelism.
(Read 1 John 3:16.)
22. A bad experience could keep a
14. Lack of witnessing skill. “We don’t person from witnessing.
know how to evangelize. We were
never taught.” Fear can be 23. Respecting other people’s rights so
overcome through effective decide not to witness to them. We
training. God has given us all we do not want to offend anyone. We
need to succeed. are deceived into the mindset that
we should live in tolerance with
15. Lack of biblical knowledge. Feeling others, and what they believe.
that we do not know enough about
the Bible to be an effective witness. It is useless to discuss “how to evangelize”
until people develop the “want to” and
16. Never mobilized. People are become involved. Evangelism, on our
waiting to be asked to be involved part, begins with desire.
in evangelism.
Jonah is an example of someone that did
“Why have you been standing here doing not have the “want to.” God provided the
nothing?” fitting motivation that landed Jonah on
the shores of his harvest field.
The answer the unemployed workers gave
was, “Because no one has hired us.” (See Peter Lloyd Olivia is a beloved pastor from
Matthew 20:6-7.) No one had motivated or Mauritius. He preached a message on
trained them. evangelism, taken from the Book of Jonah.
He pointed out that the story of Jonah has
“Sometimes people are doing nothing all the ingredients of New Testament
because no one has asked them to do evangelism.
something.”
; A vessel to preach: Jonah. The
W. E. McCumber
problem was that he was a
reluctant vessel running from the
17. Wrong priorities. Inward focused will of God.
instead of outward focused. ; A people in need of salvation:
People of Ninevah.
18. Racial prejudice (the feeling that
; The great commission: “Arise, go to
nothing is good in others) can
Nineveh, that great city, and cry
prevent evangelism (John 1:46).
against it; for their wickedness is
19. “I’ll just mind my own business” come up before me” (Jonah 1:2).
attitude. Thinking that Christianity (See also Jonah 3:2.)
and religion is a personal choice. ; The commission executed: People
believed and repented (Jonah 3:5-
9).
 ; The results: God relented from the 2. What kinds of fear might one
disaster; judgment was stayed experience when wanting to get involved
(Jonah 3:10). in evangelism?
_________________________________
Initially, Jonah may have suffered from _________________________________
fear, rebellion, racial prejudice, and _________________________________
feelings of insecurity. Jonah was finally
ready to go to Ninevah when he prayed, 3. Explain how evangelism is something
“Salvation is of the LORD” (Jonah 2:9). He that God does?
realized that God would do the work in the _________________________________
hearts of men. _________________________________
_________________________________
George Verwer, founder of Operation _________________________________
Mobilization predicts that the world will
never be reached with the gospel unless 4. How can we counteract fear in our
Christians show greater commitment to lives?
God. “Most human beings, including _________________________________
Christians, are more known for their _________________________________
unfaithfulness. In my view, less than 10 _________________________________
percent of all who profess the name of the
Lord are faithful to His Word, especially in 5. Give ten reasons why people do not
terms of prayer, discipline, evangelism, get involved in evangelism.
grace and love.” (Charisma Internet) _________________________________
_________________________________
Some churches are distracted from _________________________________
evangelism because of: _________________________________
_________________________________
; Church problems. Do not focus on _________________________________
problems. Focus on souls. _________________________________
; Lack of finances. _________________________________
; Lack of manpower. _________________________________
; Lack of proper priorities and/or _________________________________
burden. _________________________________
_________________________________
A genuine burden will cause us to step _________________________________
beyond these limitations. It is so easy to _________________________________
become distracted by minor issues and _________________________________
problems. We need to spend time on _________________________________
things that matter for eternity. _________________________________
_________________________________
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? _________________________________

1. What is the heart of evangelism? 6. How does Jonah have all the
_________________________________ ingredients of New Testament
_________________________________ evangelism?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

7. Why are some churches distracted

from evangelism?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

8. George Verwer claims that some will

not get involved in evangelism until what
happens?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

9. What is fear?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

10. How do we know that Jesus

possessed a burden?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
 Evangelism Where should we evangelize? Everywhere.
Anywhere.
Lesson Thirteen
“Therefore they that were scattered
abroad went every where preaching the
Where to Evangelize? word” (Acts 8:4).

“And they went forth, and preached

“The field is the world” (Matthew everywhere, the Lord working with them,
13:38). and confirming the word with signs
following. Amen” (Mark 16:20).
FOCUS: Explain the various fields available
for evangelism. Since the field is the world, we should sow
the seed wherever and whenever we can.
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
Over fifty per cent of the world’s
population lives in cities. There are five
Where do we begin to share Christ? Start hundred cities in the world with a
at home. We first share the truth where population greater than one million
we are and with those closest to us (our people. Seventeen of these cities have
area of influence). populations greater than ten million.
Seven are in the Muslim world.
“If a person’s Christianity isn’t believable
at home, then there’s no sense taking it on Throughout Paul’s ministry, he planted
the road” (Acts Commentary, page 10). churches in cities. He was looking beyond
the city to the surrounding region. These
The Lord established this pattern in Acts cities were strategically located on major
1:8. Notice the direction given. Take the trade routes. This helped to speed up the
message where you are right now and start spreading of the gospel.
moving outward. It becomes like the
ripples caused by throwing a stone in a Cities:
lake. The ripple continues to move
outward. 1. Are open to change.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the 2. Have the necessary resources
Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall (including people).
be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem,
and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and 3. Have potential for contact with the
unto the uttermost part of the earth” surrounding region and quicken the
(Acts 1:8). sharing of the gospel with the
masses.
Jesus told a story of a farmer that went
out to sow his seed. The means of sowing Jerry Richardson in his seminar, “Waking
at the time was to dip one’s hand into a the Giant,” stated that we must “train
sack of seed and then disburse it in a men to meet the challenge of a new day.
spreading motion. Other farmers held their Rural evangelism is needed in many areas.
seed in an upturned garment, casting it However, more and more of the population
out as they walked. Some grew. Some did are no longer in villages, but in large
not. metropolitan cities. How will we meet the
challenge? If we are going to reach the
people, we will have to go to where they house being angry said to his servant, Go
are.” out quickly into the streets and lanes of
the city, and bring in hither the poor, and
Village or Rural Evangelism the maimed, and the halt, and the blind.
And the lord said unto the servant, Go out
Villages or small, rural towns should not be into the highways and hedges, and compel
left out of the evangelism picture. Jesus them to come in, that my house may be
cared for all people, regardless of their filled” (Luke 14:21-23).
status in life, or where they lived. Ghana
alone has nearly 15,000 villages without a The Modern Translation
Protestant church.
Streets Inner City
“And he went round about the villages, Lanes Residential areas
teaching” (Mark 6:6). Poor Homeless, poverty-
stricken
“And ran through that whole region round
Maimed Hospitals, sick
about, and began to carry about in beds
Halt Elderly
those that were sick, where they heard he
was. And whithersoever he entered, into Blind Handicapped
villages, or cities, or country, they laid the Highways Neighboring areas
sick in the streets, and besought him that Hedges Countryside,
they might touch if it were but the border villages
of his garment: and as many as touched
him were made whole” (Mark 6:55-56).

“For the Son of man is not come to destroy

men's lives, but to save them. And they
went to another village” (Luke 9:56).

“And they, when they had testified and

preached the word of the Lord, returned LOOKING THROUGH THE WINDOWS OF
to Jerusalem, and preached the gospel in EVANGELISM
many villages of the Samaritans” (Acts
8:25).
To find the lost start looking for them
Each person we pass is a soul for whom (Luke 19:10). Pray that the Lord will give
Jesus Christ died. Try repeating that in you sensitivity for those who need to know
your mind each time you see a person on Him (Luke 15:1-10). Look out the window
your way home today. Say, “That is a soul to a lost world. Go ahead, and take a look.
that Jesus Christ died for.” By the time What do you see?
you reach home, you will likely go to your
knees, burdened for lost humanity. The 10/40 Window

Jesus reached for the lowest. He was not The majority of unreached people in our
content with reaching the religious people. world live in a rectangular-shaped window
He went out of His way for those that were referred to as the 10/40 Window or the
despised and rejected in society. Resistant Belt. The window extends from
West Africa to East Asia, from ten degrees
“So that servant came, and shewed his
north to forty degrees north of the
lord these things. Then the master of the
equator. It includes sixty-one countries. because 86% of people who become
The Christian Information Network website Christians do so between the ages of 4 and
(accessed 4/9/99) in an article by Luis 14. This makes children and young people
Bush (“Getting to the Core of the Core”) the “world’s most fruitful field.” Children
suggests that this window confronts us are the adults and leaders of the future.
with several considerations: To impact the future, reach the children
now.
1. It contains thirty-seven of the fifty
least evangelized countries. Consider the following:

2. The dominance of Muslims (700 ; Every day 35,000 children die of

million), Hindus (700 million), and malnutrition.
Buddhists (encompasses all of China ; Every year 40 million are aborted.
with a population of 1.2 billion), Twenty-nine percent of all children
representing billions of lost people. are never born.
; In Africa alone there are 322 million
3. Two-thirds of the world’s children under the age of fifteen. This
population lives in this area (four represents forty-four percent of the
billion people). population.
; In South Africa 60,000 babies are
4. Of the world’s poorest, eight out of infected with AIDS each year. Most of
ten live in this area. The gospel is them will never see their second
for the poor (Luke 4:18; 6:20; birthday.
7:22). ; It is estimated that by 2010 there will
be 40 million AIDS orphans in Africa.
5. Unreached people groups.
George Barna in The Habits of Highly
6. Least evangelized mega cities. All
Effective Churches writes, “Highly
of the top fifty least evangelized
effective churches are strategic in their
cities are in the 10/40 Window.
evangelistic efforts . . . They devote most
7. The stronghold of Satan is within of their evangelistic resources to reaching
the Resistant Belt. kids. Our research shows that a majority of
people who accept Christ as their Savior do
so before the age of eighteen—nearly two
4/14 Window out of three believers. Thus, focusing on
young people is a wise investment of the
church’s limited evangelistic resources . . .
These churches want to maximize their
influence for Christ and therefore make
the most of the apparent opportunity.
Across the board these churches note that
evangelism among adolescents and early
teens is also a much simpler process than
trying to penetrate the hardened hearts of
adults.”
Gerry Dueck of the Children’s Mission
Resource Center believes that reaching Jesus is concerned about evangelism
children is the key to reaching the 10/40 among the world’s children.
Window. He calls them the 4/14 Window
“In the same way your Father in heaven is
not willing that any of these little ones
should be lost” (Matthew 18:14, NIV).

Parents and pastors need to be concerned

too. A national church survey conducted
by the Ghana Evangelism Committee found
that “no provision for children and youth”
was one of the major reasons that people
stopped attending church.

Islam is reaching out to the entire world.

15/45 Window
We must reach the world with the
liberating, life-changing gospel.
One of the largest unreached people
groups in the world is in the 15/45 About 1.7 billion people in the world claim
Window. These are the people infected to be some form of Christian. Statistics
with HIV/AIDS, most often between the show that Islam is increasing by 16% per
ages of 15 and 45. Ninety percent of these year, Hinduism by 13%, and Buddhism by
people are without knowledge of the 10% and Christianity by only 9%. What is
gospel. They die without a personal the fastest growing religion in the world?
relationship with the Lord. Regardless of Ouch!
the circumstances that have caused them
to become infected, they have a right to We must “go” and establish churches if we
hear the gospel. The need is urgent. expect to evangelize the lost world.

; Worldwide 36.1 million people have T. F. Tenney once asked, “Which part of
AIDS and 26.1 million of them are in the word ‘GO!’ don’t you understand?”
sub-Saharan Africa.
; It is projected that by 2005, more than Taking the “whole gospel to the whole
100 million people will become HIV world” is the task of the entire church.
positive.
; Only 10% of the world’s population The focus of the gospel is outward to a lost
lives in Africa, but it is home to world. We come to church to fellowship
seventy percent of the world’s HIV and worship our God. However, we should
infected people. not become inwardly focused by placing
; Already, 13 million Africans have died too much attention on maintaining
of AIDS. In the next five years, 10 programs inside the church. We come to
million more will likely die. church to worship, but we leave the
; In sub-Saharan Africa, there are 5,500 church to witness. Once we walk out of
funerals a day. the doors of the local assembly, we are in
; AIDS kills 8,000 per day globally. a mission field. Here we meet unbelievers
where they feel comfortable—on their
How are we doing with getting others to grounds. We cannot expect the sinners to
join in the Christian race? come to the gospel. We should take the
gospel to the sinners. We must be like a
city set on a hill (Matthew 5:15).
Reinhard Bonnke wrote, “Observance of 7. According to Luke 14:21-23, where
the Apostolic Ministry.” In it he states, should we be conducting evangelism?
“The apostolic ministry can be summed up _________________________________
in one word: ‘Go!’ Our task is no smaller _________________________________
than that of the first apostles nor is it any _________________________________
different. Indeed, we can be sure of one _________________________________
thing: If we go as they went we shall get
what they got. The task remains 8. What does the 10/40 Window mean?
unchanged, and neither has God changed _________________________________
in the slightest degree. God will do for us _________________________________
what He did for the apostles if we do for _________________________________
God what the apostles did, because God
never changes.” 9. What does the 4/14 Window mean?
_________________________________
“And daily in the temple, and in every _________________________________
house, they ceased not to teach and
preach Jesus Christ” (Acts 5:42). 10. What does the 15/45 Window mean?
_________________________________
_________________________________
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? _________________________________

1. Why should we start to share Christ 11. How many people live within the
close to home? 10/40 Window?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
12. Why is it considered to be the
2. Where should we evangelize? Resistant Belt?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
3. Where does over fifty percent of the _________________________________
world’s population live?
_________________________________ 13. Where do most highly effective
churches place their evangelistic
4. Why did Paul choose cities as the emphasis and resources? Why?
place to plant churches? _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
14. What is the fasted growing religion in
5. Why does Jerry Richardson feel that it the world?
is necessary to train men to reach cities? _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 15. What are you going to do about this
_________________________________ statistic?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
6. How many villages in Ghana are still _________________________________
without a Protestant church of any kind?
_________________________________
16. Reinhard Bonnke claims that the
apostolic ministry can be summarized in
one word. What is it?
_________________________________
_________________________________

17. When will God do for us what He did

for the apostles?
_________________________________
_________________________________
 Evangelism 3. There are seasons for planting and
harvesting. If you do not reap in
Lesson Fourteen time, the harvest will be lost.
4. Plant when the soil is fertile.
5. The harvest varies according to the
When to Evangelize? climate involved.

In Bible times families moved into the

fields until the harvest was over. It was
“Do you think the work of harvesting important business. Time wasted meant
will not begin until the summer ends the crop would be wasted.
four months from now? Look around you!
Vast fields are ripening all around us Pirkey Aboth said, “The day is short, the
and are ready now for the harvest” work is great, the workmen idle, the
(John 4:35, NLT). reward abundant, and the master of the
household is urgent.” (Adam Clarke’s
“There is a time for everything, a Commentary)
season for every activity under heaven.
A time to be born and a time to die. A As we continue to sow the seed of the
time to plant and a time to harvest” Word and water it with our prayers,
(Ecclesiastes 3:1-2, NLT). people will become aware of what the
Bible says and what God can do in their
FOCUS: Explain when to evangelize and lives. Many are reaping the consequences
that there are times when people are more of their sins and are ready to turn to God.
receptive to the gospel.
Not all crops ripen at the same time. The
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED harvest determines how many workers are
needed. A great, ripened harvest requires
Jesus used the picture of planting seeds a large labor force. We have already
and reaping a harvest to describe the ways studied that there are resistant and
we can reach people with the gospel. receptive people. While all should have
the opportunity to hear the gospel, we
Planters test their soils and adjust their should focus primarily on the receptive.
methods to the demands of the particular Certain indicators show when a person will
soil. In the parable of the sower, only the be receptive to the gospel. At particular
good soil brought forth a harvest. Plant in times a person tends to be more receptive.
the best spiritual soil to reap abundantly. The methods used in reaching the
receptive may not work when trying to
Farmers can tell you that the principles of reach the resistant. The Holy Spirit knows
harvest have not changed. whether a person is ready to receive the
gospel. We can only judge by the fruit
1. Everyone can be involved in the produced.
harvest work.
2. Different seeds grow at varying “For what man knoweth the things of a
speeds. Some take longer than man, save the spirit of man which is in
others. him? even so the things of God knoweth no
man, but the Spirit of God” (1 Corinthians
2:11).
“For the LORD searches every heart and “We need to be energetically at work for
understands every motive behind the the One who sent me here, working while
thoughts. If you seek him, he will be found the sun shines. When night falls, the
by you; but if you forsake him, he will workday is over” (John 9:4, The Message).
reject you forever” (1 Chronicles 28:9,
NIV). On a smaller scale a person under stress
because of the death of a spouse or family
Gentle Persuasion gives various tips for member, the birth of a child, a loss of a
understanding when people are receptive. job, personal injury or illness, pregnancy,
divorce, change in residence, jail term,
People show they are ready when: and a host of other circumstances is likely
to become more receptive to the gospel.
1. They enjoy being with Christian Why? He cannot find answers to his
friends. problems and knows that he does not
2. Their religious background and possess the power to work out or change
experience stops being a hindrance circumstances on his own. When in
to them accepting truth. trouble, people everywhere tend to look
3. They have responded positively to outward and upward for help. We need to
seed planting attempts by friends. be there with an open ear and encouraging
4. They become aware that the gospel word.
may contain solutions to their
problems. “They reeled and staggered like drunkards
5. They are curious about spiritual and were at their wits’ end. “LORD, help!”
things. they cried in their trouble, and he saved
6. They are willing to talk about their them from their distress. He calmed the
spiritual journey. storm to a whisper and stilled the waves”
7. They include you in their activities. (Psalm 107:27-29, NLT).
8. They are willing to attend some
harvest event. At the resistant stage it is important to:

C. Peter Wagner in Strategies for Church 1. Build intentional friendships and

Growth teaches that the first indicator of relationships.
receptivity is where churches are growing. 2. Do not argue with the person over
If an area is experiencing church growth, it religious differences.
probably indicates that the people are 3. Pray that God will draw them to
receptive. New churches can move in to Himself (John 6:44).
the area and reap a portion of the 4. Pray that God will remove their
bountiful harvest. spiritual blindness (2 Corinthians
4:3-4).
The second indicator is where people are 5. Pray that God will make their
changing. This change could be social, hearts receptive (John 16:8-13).
political, economic, etc. As people 6. Pray for the opportunity to witness
encounter problems and stress, the (Colossians 4:3-5).
receptivity level increases. On a larger 7. Show them that you care by
scale when a people group suffers from treating them with respect and as
political upheaval, war, famine, poverty, a friend.
disease, the receptivity level increases. It 8. Invite them to your home or to a
is important for the harvesters to move in fun church event.
at the right time.
 9. Go out of your way to express your When the disciples went into a town or
love for them. village, they were instructed to look for
10. Accept people as they are, trusting receptive people. They were to leave
God to make them what they need blessings in their homes. He called these
to become. people “worthy.” This term speaks of
11. Be ready to share the Word and people that were ready to embrace the
your testimony. Do not get message of salvation.
sidetracked talking about
nonessential things. If the people were not receptive, the
12. Be patient. disciples were to take back their blessings
13. Use crisis situations in their lives and leave, shaking the dust off their feet.
to show them how they need God. This meant (to the Jews) that they would
14. Identify when the person is eager have no further association with the
to hear about the gospel and people of that village. This was a sign that
respond accordingly. they were protesting the peoples’
15. Take advantage of divine resistance to the gospel. We seldom shake
appointments and opportunities the dust off our feet, but we do seek out
that God brings across your paths. and work with groups of people that will
Look for the open door of respond to the gospel. As circumstances
opportunity. change, even resistant people become
receptive to truth.
C. Peter Wagner explains that one of the
most unfortunate chapter divisions in the A biblical example of someone who was
New Testament exists between Matthew resistant to the gospel becoming receptive
chapters nine and ten. is Saul. He hated the church and
persecuted it without mercy. He
Chapter nine ends with Jesus’ declaration encountered a stressful situation on the
that the harvest is huge and the laborers road to Damascus, and with God’s help
are few. He requests that prayer be made Saul quickly became receptive. Several
for more workers. Jesus does not stop things can be learned from Saul’s
there. In chapter ten He explains the experience:
strategy that His disciples should follow in
reaping this big harvest. 1. God draws people to Himself (John
6:44).
Jesus did not send them to people in 2. People move from being resistant to
general. He had specific target groups in receptive at different speeds.
mind. Some were more receptive (at that 3. One never knows the true heart of a
time) than others. person. It was difficult for
Christians to believe that Paul had
He identified three groups of people and been changed.
told them to go only to the lost sheep of
the house of Israel. Paul was called to be an apostle to the
1. Jews Gentiles. He had a harvest strategy. In
2. Samaritans (They were harvested in most places where he tried to start a
Acts 8.) church he first visited the synagogues.
3. Gentiles (Their harvest began with There he met three types of people:
Cornelius in Acts 10.)
1. Jews,
2. Proselytes (converts), and
 3. God-fearers. 3. According to The Message, when is the
best time for us to do a work for God?
The god-fearers loved God but did not Why?
break ties with their Gentile roots by _________________________________
becoming a Jew. They were a ripened _________________________________
harvest field for Paul. _________________________________
_________________________________
We live in the last days, and God has
promised us a great harvest. Now is the 4. During times of harvest where did the
day of salvation (2 Corinthians 6:2). Let us farmer and his family move? Why?
continue to witness to all. _________________________________
_________________________________
“Be sure to stay busy and plant a variety of _________________________________
crops, for you never know which will
grow—perhaps they all will” (Ecclesiastes 5. What are five things that can be done
11:6, NLT). to be a witness to resistant people?
_________________________________
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? _________________________________
_________________________________
1. Provide five ways people show they _________________________________
are ready to hear and obey the gospel. _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 6. According to C. Peter Wagner, what
_________________________________ are two indicators of receptivity?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
2. What principles could farmers tell us
concerning the harvest? 7. What happens as people encounter
_________________________________ problems and stress?
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________ 8. What three groups did Paul meet in
_________________________________ the synagogues?
_________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________ _________________________________
_________________________________
9. Which group was the most
receptive?
_________________________________

10. What is meant by “worthy”

people?
_________________________________
_________________________________

11. What was shaking the dust off feet

a sign of?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

12. What can cause a person or people

to move from being resistant to
receptive?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
 Evangelism If one method does not work, try another
one. One man talked about how his great
Lesson Fifteen grandfather used a wooden plow, as did
his father. He concluded, “And I’m going
to use a wooden plow.”
Which Tools to Use? It is silly for a farmer to use the old
methods and tools when newer, better
“For though I be free from all men, yet methods are available.
have I made myself servant unto all,
that I might gain the more. And unto the Why use a wooden plow if you have a
Jews I became as a Jew, that I might tractor? However, if you do not have a
gain the Jews; to them that are under tractor, use what you have. Do not sit
the law, as under the law, that I might around doing nothing, refusing to plant,
gain them that are under the law; To until a tractor appears. Use what is
them that are without law, as without available. Farmers do.
law, (being not without law to God, but
under the law to Christ,) that I might D. L. Moody was, on one occasion, heavily
gain them that are without law. To the criticized for the evangelism method he
weak became I as weak, that I might used. Moody answered, “I’m not too fond
gain the weak: I am made all things to of it either. Tell me yours.” The critic
all men, that I might by all means save admitted that he did not have a method.
some” (1 Corinthians 9:19-22). Moody concluded, “I like mine better!”

FOCUS: Explain the difference between Dick Eastman in Beyond Imagination

relates, “Early in my ministry, a wise
principles and methods. Methods of
colleague and mentor told me, ’Dick,
evangelism are adjusted to fit the need.
God’s plans are always incredibly simple
and unusually inexpensive. So if things
WHAT I HAVE LEARNED
start getting terribly complex and
amazingly expensive, you might rethink
Farmers are always looking for ways to whether it’s God plan after all.’”
improve their tools and how they are used.
Tools improve efficiency and cultivation. Eastman feels that the early church
Long ago tools of bronze and iron were understood this principle. They reached
considered efficient. Times and tools have their world for Jesus without financial
changed. resources and concerns (Matthew 10:9-10).
They went everywhere and preached to
“God’s work done in God’s way will never everybody on all levels of society.
lack God’s supply.”
(Hudson Taylor) Modern equipment (tents, microphones,
P.A. systems, elaborate lighting and
musical equipment) is not necessary for
Civilization moves through different ages.
New Testament evangelism. These things
We are living in the “information age.”
can be used when they are available. G.
The ways to reach people change in
Randy Adams says, “God does not anoint
different ages, but the principles remain
these instruments. He anoints people who
the same.
go, preach, teach, and do …I fear that, at
times, people wait for these things,
thinking without them they cannot be little to the Source of Power, and the
effective in evangelism.” It is deceiving to filling with the Holy Ghost.” (A Force in
think all kinds of equipment are needed the Earth)
before evangelism can take place.
A farmer is not afraid to abandon methods
The International Bible Society recently that do not work. In fact, his approach is,
ran an advertisement that stated, “The “If it does not bear fruit, cut it down.”
best approach to evangelism is the one (See Luke 13:6-9.) This principle can also
that’s uniquely your own.” (Discipleship be applied to methods used in evangelism.
Journal) If it does not produce fruit, let us get rid
of it.
The best method for evangelism would be
the method needed at the moment. A key
to effective evangelism is to find the point Always do your best. What you plant now,
in an individual’s life where the gospel you will harvest later.
becomes good news, and then tailor the
method or presentation to fit the need. A variety of evangelism methods should be
used. Farmers use a variety of seeds.
R .C. Sproul said, “The Gospel is news to They do not use the same seed for every
each generation, and we must seek new planting (unless that seed works especially
ways to address our times.” The gospel well.) A sower uses an assortment of
should be presented in fresh ways in each seeds. The more seeds sowed, the greater
generation. the potential for a harvest.
The children of Issachar had an The farmer’s greatest tool is the seed. To
understanding of the times and the the evangelist the seed is the Word of
methods required to meet the needs. They God.
were in touch with their times.
1. It is the power needed to move the
“And of the children of Issachar, which
sinner (Hebrews 4:12).
were men that had understanding of the 2. It is the seed that will reproduce
times, to know what Israel ought to do” (I (Isaiah 55:11).
Chronicles 12:32). 3. It is the only book that can answer
These men “understood the times” (1 the excuses of sinners (Romans
1:20).
Chronicles 12:32, NIV). They were in
touch with the trends of the day and knew
We do not have to compromise God’s
how to respond wisely.
message to draw a crowd. We can change
We need to be in touch with our times and our methods. Rick Warren says, “You don’t
have to transform the message, but you do
know how to serve God skillfully to reach
have to translate it.”
our generation. Men of God need to be
conservative enough to value the old paths
of truth and liberal enough to keep an Once you find a method that works, work
the method. Just about any method will
open mind and use new methods.
work if you make it work. It is difficult for
evangelism and comfort to sleep in the
Hudson Taylor once stated, “We have
given too much attention to methods, and same bed. Evangelism is a lot of work. It
takes discipline, but it has eternal
to machinery, and to resources, and too
dividends.
 METHODS AND PRINCIPLES ; Witnessing (Acts 26:1-23)
; House-to-House Evangelism (Acts 2:46;
20:20)
Methods and approaches to evangelism
; Cell Groups
change, but the principles and priority
; Urban (City) Evangelism
remain the same. Principles of evangelism
; Rural (Village) Evangelism
apply to men of God everywhere,
; Power Evangelism
throughout all time.
; Prayer Evangelism

PRINCIPLES OR METHODS— Someone asked D. L. Moody how to win

WHAT’S THE DIFFERENCE? souls. He replied, “Go after them!”

Principles: Paul was willing to adapt his methods of

evangelism to accommodate the particular
; They do not change from age to age. needs of his listeners. He knew that “by
; If they are of God, they are all means” some would be saved.
transcultural (for all cultures).
; They work in advanced society and in “To the weak became I as weak, that I
primitive cultures. might gain the weak: I am made all things
; They apply to all people, everywhere, to all men, that I might by all means save
in all situations, and throughout all some.” (1 Corinthians 9:22)
time.
; They lead to success in ministry. Jim Amy in his course The Internet and
Evangelism 101 teaches that Paul was not
Methods: afraid to use “all possible means” to bring
people to Christ. “Whatever it took, Paul
; They work because principles are was willing to adapt his methods, his style,
behind them. his techniques as long as it would reach
; They are built on basic principles. men and women with the saving gospel of
; They are changing local applications of Jesus Christ.”
the unchanging universal principles.
; They change according to culture, Throughout the Book of Acts, the believers
location, circumstances and time. selected methods of evangelism that fit
the opportunity at hand.
“Methods are many,
We must find new and creative ways to
Principles are few;
effectively share the gospel with this
Methods always change,
generation. Utilize the trial and error
Principles never do.”
(Anonymous) method. Keep trying different methods
until you find something that works for
you.
The early church used a variety of methods
to reach their world. Reinhard Bonnke in Time Is Running Out
says, “The means must match the
; Personal evangelism (Acts 8) moment. People talk about jumping at the
; Mass evangelism (Acts 13:14-41; 17:17, opportunity, but I think Paul kept jumping
22-33) until opportunity came. The best methods
; Preaching (Acts 2:14-39) are when we each do what we do best,
; Teaching using our own specific methods and not
imitating others.” He also stated, “The _________________________________
gospel is you and me telling the story of _________________________________
Christ, whatever the chosen means of _________________________________
transmission.” _________________________________
_________________________________
The Boston Marathon is run each year. It
is named after Marathon, a plain close to 5. What was special about the children of
Athens, Greece. Following the victory of Issachar?
the Greeks over the Persians in 490 B.C., _________________________________
tradition says that a runner raced to _________________________________
Athens to carry the good news. As he
reached the city completing his mission, 6. What are the difference between
he collapsed and died. principles and methods?
_________________________________
Jesus has won the victory. We are called _________________________________
to be His redemption runners carrying the _________________________________
good news of salvation. No cost is too _________________________________
great or distance too far. Get on your _________________________________
mark, set, go! Time is running out! _________________________________
_________________________________
WHAT HAVE YOU LEARNED? _________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
1. What should you do when you find
_________________________________
that the evangelism method you are
using does not work?
7. Why should a variety of evangelism
_________________________________
methods be used?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
2. What did Dick Eastman say concerning
_________________________________
God’s plans?
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
8. Comment on Paul’s evangelism style
_________________________________
used in 1 Corinthians 9:19-22.
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
3. Comment on how it is deceiving to
_________________________________
think that all kinds of equipment are
_________________________________
needed before evangelism can take
_________________________________
place.
________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________
_________________________________

4. What is the best approach to

evangelism? Explain.