EVAN 525 Liberty University Forum 1 Spring 2015
Part 1: In McRaney chapter 1, the author states that God created us to live in “relationship” and “community” with Him and with each other. Briefly, discuss the importance of both terms and how they affect the way we involve ourselves through personal evangelism in a contemporary world. How does this impact the way you live out your faith outside of the church with people at work, your neighbors, friends, etc.?
Relationship
According to McRaney, God created people to live forever, and this demonstrates his desire for an everlasting relationship with mankind.[1] This statement empowers the believer to go forward with the act of personal evangelism knowing that sharing the gospel with an unbeliever fulfills this deep desire of The Heavenly Father. The contemporary culture is searching for something that is lasting, real, and deeply personal. A relationship with God meets that need. Personal evangelism focuses on relationship building and reconciles man to God also opens the door to membership in the community of God. [2]
Community
The author states, “The Bible refers to [believers] as a community of faith.”[3] The construct of “community” began with the Triune God, and he wants to extend that oneness to mankind.[4] Personal evangelism that results in an acceptance of Jesus Christ as one’s Savior grants that person entrance into this community.[5] It impacts the believer’s walk because each believer represents that community. The outside world must see a representation of a place, concept, or a community of unconditional love that they yearn to be a part of when they look at the lifestyle of believers. This leads this writer to want her life to reflect the concept presented inEphesians 4:32 New International Version (NIV).
Notes Part 1
[1] William McRaney, The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a Changing Culture (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2003), 15, Kindle.
[2] McRaney, The Art of, 16.
[3] Ibid.
[4] Ibid., 17.
[5] Ibid.
Part 2 In addition, after thoroughly reading the assigned chapters of Evangelism Is, as well as watching the “Learning to Listen” videos, incorporate several insights from the material into your thread in reference to how this might immediately impact your approach to evangelism. Are you an effective listener? Do you tend to walk by evangelism/ministry opportunities because you are consumed by less important issues related to daily life? Are you busy and distracted by non-essentials? If so, what steps do you need to take in your life to become an effective evangelist?
Part 2
Having read the assigned reading the writer was reminder that believers are to, “make disciples, preach, and witness”.[1] The author has focused on preaching and discipling; however, the scope has been limited to an online venue. Personally witnessing to people in the offline venue has not been an
active or ongoing pursuit. The author’s online ministry is indeed preaching and teaching many nations, but personal evangelism in her current community
is remiss. Partial obedience is not an option for any believer. Therefore, stepping outside of one’s comfort zone is pivotal to absolute obedience to The Lord. . Dave Earley and David Wheeler declared “evangelism is more than passing on information . . . [moreover, it] is not a spiritual gift”.[2] This clarified the confusing construct that the writer has heard presented in sermons over the years. The learning to listen video series pinpointed the fact that the writer is not always actively, and intentionally listening to people as they speak in the manner that Jesus listened to the Samaritan woman.[3] The five levels of listening were truly poignant and eye opening. [4] Reflecting back what the person is saying for clarification is a Rogerian methodology that the author learned in college; however, it has not been applied to discipleship or evangelism.[5] Finally, the importance of intentional and active listening reflects how the Lord listens to us; it is the author’s deepest desire to practice listening as Jesus practiced it.[6]
Notes Part 2
[1] Dave Earley & David Wheeler, Evangelism Is–: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2010), 18, Kindle.
[2] Dave Earley & David Wheeler, Evangelism Is–: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence (Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2010), 283 and Location 63, Kindle.
[3] David Wheeler, “Learning to Listen Video Series: How Jesus Practiced Active Listening” (video of lecture, EVAN 525-B12LUO, week1, Liberty University, spring 2015), accessed January 12, 2015. Lynchburg, VA, January 13, 2015).
[4] Ibid.
[5] David Wheeler, “Learning to Listen Video Series: Hints for Active Listening” (video of lecture, EVAN 525-B12LUO, week1, Liberty University, spring 2015), accessed January 12, 2015.
[6] Ibid.
Bibliography
Earley, Dave and David Wheeler. Evangelism Is–: How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, TN: B&H Academic, 2010, Kindle.
McRaney, William. The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a Changing Culture. Nashville, TN: B & H Academic, 2003.
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