Relational Evangelism defended

Evan - no offense buddy, I love ya like a brother, but you have got to learn the difference between "who" and "whom." :smilewinkgrin:


That said, can you at least provide brief definitions or links for the following:

• Relational Evangelism
• Conversational Evangelism
• Lifestyle/friendship evangelism

Just so we all know what terms we're dealing with here.

 

I was thinking the same thing. One should be able to defend their views from the Bible not a book, no matter how many verses that book may quote. The Bible should always be our authority not how many books one has read.

Now onto the OP I would say looking at both the Gospel's and Acts and the Epistle that there is no one size fits all method. It seems more like be ready and open to sharing, use wisdom on the method, and reliance on the Holy Spirit. I apologize for the lack of Bible references but I'm at the laundromat on my phone

We see Jesus lambasting the religious leaders, talking in parables to the crowds, directly to the women at the well. We see different sermons in Acts that have different tones, we see Paul using what is around him to witness, the idols in Athens or quotes from their writers. We see him give one line to the jailer and an entire summary of the gospel to Felix. I'm sure there are more but that is what came to mind off the top of my head.

 

That said, can you at least provide brief definitions or links for the following:

Relational Evangelism
Conversational Evangelism
Lifestyle/friendship evangelism

Just so we all know what terms we're dealing with here.

 

What's this, ITL? I don't even merit a "QUOTE?" :smilewinkgrin: (kidding)

 

I think it has no Biblical support. Faith comes by hearing, not by seeing me live a Christ centered life. And would it be a Christ centered life if you weren't sharing the gospel, with your voice, with that person?

 

This is not how it works. Unbelievers see how a Christian lives their lives and it becomes an opening for a conversation about how Jesus has changed your life. Ultimately the gospel needs to be told to these unbelievers.

Anyway, you're the one that keeps saying that God will draw the elect to him no matter what, so why wouldn't this technique work? Is your God not sovereign enough?

Here's the chorus from a song that describes part of what lifestyle evangelism is about:

Above and below me
Before and behind me
In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

 

You assume there are any 'friendship' evangelists on here. I believe you are misreading some of those who are saying that having a friendly conversation with someone is more likely to have impact than a cold impersonal letter sent by someone who a person doesn't know.

 

1 Peter 2:12 Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.

Matt. 5:16 In the same way, let your light shine before others, that they may see your good deeds and glorify your Father in heaven.

1 Peter 3:1-2 3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

1 Peter 3:15 But in your hearts revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect,

Colossians 4:5 Be wise in the way you act toward outsiders; make the most of every opportunity. 6 Let your conversation be always full of grace, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how to answer everyone.

1 Cor. 9:19 Though I am free and belong to no one, I have made myself a slave to everyone, to win as many as possible. 20 To the Jews I became like a Jew, to win the Jews. To those under the law I became like one under the law (though I myself am not under the law), so as to win those under the law. 21 To those not having the law I became like one not having the law (though I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law), so as to win those not having the law. 22 To the weak I became weak, to win the weak. I have become all things to all people so that by all possible means I might save some. 23 I do all this for the sake of the gospel, that I may share in its blessings.

Yes, and you ignore me when I said "ultimately the gospel needs to be told to these people. Now, which way of preaching the gospel is more effective:

1. Standing on street corners yelling at disinterested strangers?

2. Having friends of yours truly interested in what Jesus has done in your life and asking you to explain it to them?

 

Sure but do they go around hoping:

In every eye that sees me
Christ be all around me

 

1 Peter 3:3 Wives, in the same way submit yourselves to your own husbands so that, if any of them do not believe the word, they may be won over without words by the behavior of their wives, 2 when they see the purity and reverence of your lives.

 

Sounds like they first rejected the word, then because of the behavior of the wife they believed.