Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

Introduction

7 Opening Questions about Evangelism:

Why Don’t We Evangelize?What Is the Gospel?Who Should Evangelize?How Should We Evangelize?What Isn’t Evangelism?What Should We Do After We Evangelize?Why Should We Evangelize?

Never Confuse These Three Things!1.

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Man-Centred vs Christ-Centred Evangelism

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

Case Study: Personal Testimony

What my life was like before I met God:

I grew up in a family where my father was never around because he had to go to the Cape to find a job to feed me and my siblings. My mother would then sometimes struggle to give all of us what we wanted. This caused trouble between me and my other siblings as we would compare who was given things more often by my mother. We started having fights in the family and I started resenting my father for not being around most of the time. After some time in my teenage years I then decided to take alcohol as the healer of my soul and of my problems. I had any failing relationships and I could not commit to anything.

How I realized I needed God:

After failing my Grade 12, my mother then decided to take me to Cape Town where I would find a job and finish my matric. Instead of doing what I came to Cape Town to do, I continued my drinking habit and played with girls. One day I realised that I was not coping and my life was falling apart. I would sleep with no food as I was scared of going to my father because I thought I was a disgrace to him. Then I decided to pray as my mother showed me. It was at that time that I decided that I needed God.

How I committed my life to God:

In Cape Town I was still praying but not ready to commit myself to God. Then my older sister moved here and as she was always a church-goer she then took me to her church. I then saw changes for the better in my drinking behaviour and people in the community also saw that I was changed and they complimented me on that. Seeing how I grew since attending the church, I then decided to stop drinking altogether and told myself that the church was where I wanted to be and would go nowhere else. That is how I committed myself to God.

The difference it has made in my life:

Now I have support from many Christian friends and my church family. I know that when I need help with something, somebody will be there for me. My brothers and sisters in Christ offer me advice and wisdom, and the church helps me by praying for me. I also have more hope for the future. I know that God has the best plan for my life. I am not worried about school, career or relationships. I want to help others around me now. I also no longer see my fellow students as my enemies. At last, I’m having a better relationship with my parents. I know there are still many hurts and scars, but God will heal me.

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

Case Study:Christ-Centred Evangelism in the Planting of the Church in

Thessalonica (1 Thess 1-2)

The 4 M’s of Christ-Centred Evangelism

The Message

The Messenger

The Method

The Manifestation

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

Summarising Christ-Centred Evangelism

From Tell the Truth by Will Metzger (2012: IVP)Pages 87, 88, 230

Christ-Centred Evangelism

Man-Centred Evangelism

Theological understanding of conversion and salvation.

God superintends the conversion of sinnersGod’s role is to regenerate, while our role is to faithfully present the gospel.Goal is the glory of God, not just save souls.God is a law maker.All attributes of God are honoured in harmony, not one trumping over the others. Christ is the centre of the gospel and conversion.Holy Spirit’s power is essential.Scriptures is the medium of conversion.The sinner is enslaved to sin; every faculty touched profoundly by sin.Faith involves knowledge, assent, acceptance.Divine sovereignty and human responsibility are not antithetical.Salvation comes completely by God’s grace.

Conversion depends wholly on manChrist died only to provide but not secure salvation.God’s love is the focus often to the detriment of other attributes. God is friend.Weak view of sin and its effects on humanity.Submission to Christ’s lordship is optional.The sinner possesses the key to salvation in his/her hand.

MessageThe content of the message shared by the evangelist

Maximum truth of the full gospelScripture is the medium of conversion

Minimalist, dilutes the contents, distorts one element, dishonours God’s glory.

MessengerThe life/character/ motivation of the evangelist

Evangelist’s life is vital and backs up the message.Zeal for God.True love for others, seeking the best of others.Genuine, transparent,

Evangelist’s character is an added extra.Motivation is to gain converts.Self-centred and focus on own needs.

MethodThe evangelistic methods used to share the gospel

Appeals to the whole person.Teaching: the heavy use of Scripture. Teaching truth to the head has a certain priority.

Focusses only on one element: mind, emotions, or will.Manipulation.

ManifestationThe results expected of sharing the gospel

Social engagement is a fruit.Deep change and radical repentance.Happy with immediate response but prefers to wait for fruit.Follow up is essential.

Social engagement = the gospel.Verbal profession in order to count number of converts.Content with immediate response.No focus on follow up.

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

Case Study:Christ-Centred Evangelism in the Planting of the Church in

Iconium (Acts 14:1-7)

The Message

The Messenger

The Method

The Manifestation

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

Case Study: Personal Testimony

Why did I feel I need Christ in my life?

I was privileged to have been born into a God-fearing Christian family that taught me the spiritual truth. As a result of this I did not take the Lord’s name in vain and there was never a time when I did not want to have a right relationship with God, or when I did not want to be in heaven at the end of life.

Unfortunately, as a young person, I started going astray and turned to my own ways. What followed thereafter were strings of different experiences that caused my thoughts to be on eternal things. Deaths in the family, debts, disappointments and failures in life, etc. were without doubt, the finger of God in my life.

In 2007 a tent was pitched in the neighbouring township of Daveyton and I started attending evening church services there. I was impressed with the gospel message of Jesus Christ I heard there and I soon learnt that I was no different than anyone else. “For there is no difference, for all have sinned and come short of the glory of God” (Romans 3:23).

At this point in time I was heavily burdened and I needed some direction in my life. Sometime in April 2007 in one of the evening church services, the pastor read from Matthew 11:28 – “Come to me (Jesus said) and I will give you rest”. Even though I did not get saved right away, this verse touched by life and I started reading the Bible a lot with an intention of getting to know God better. I started believing and my faith in the Lord grew.

One night, whilst wrestling with issues, I recalled a Bible verse that I had recently heard. In this verse the Apostle Paul says, “For by grace are ye saved through faith, and that is not of yourselves; it is the gift of God: not by works, lest any man should boast” (Ephesians 2:8-9).

As I pondered those words, it occurred to me that God didn’t want me to improve my life or become more religious either; rather He had a gift for me, one that could not be earned or merited, a gift of everlasting life through Jesus Christ.

How could he offer such a gift? Of course that is the story of the Cross. In a world where all had sinned, God sent His sinless Son. And all that punishment that I deserved because of my sin was laid on him, and He died as the sin-bearer, and as the Saviour. It all became clear to me: Jesus died for me.

And with that recognition, I simply depended on Him and His work, and that instant I became His child, and entered into His Kingdom. He took my guilt, and I took His gift and I was forever changed.

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

I now have peace, knowing that all is right between my soul and God. I now have assurance that I will never face my sin again, and that heaven is my eternal home.

Group Work:Evaluate a Gospel Tract

Evaluate this gospel tract “Bad Bob” based on what you learned about Christ-Centred Evangelism.

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

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Christ Centred Evangelism Seminar4 June 2016- Dr. Karl Peterson

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Christian Leadership ProgrammeSeminar: Sat, 04 June 2016Christ-Centred Evangelism on Paul’s First Missionary Journey – Karl Peterson

Name: .................................................... CLP Class: ...........................You are required to reflect on what you’ve learnt today and then respond to the questions below. This paper must be submitted (hardcopy or emailed to: clpbisa@gmail.com ) by Monday, 13th June 2016. Failure to submit a report may result in no credit being given for this seminar.

Read how the church was planted in Pisidian Antioch and watch the Apostle Paul’s evangelistic approach. Read Acts 13:13-52 and complete the chart below.Then write a page describing how YOUR evangelism needs to conform more closely to the example of the Apostles in this passage.

Marks of Christ-Centred Evangelism

Evidence from Acts 13:13-52

The Message (content, what we tell people)

The Messenger (the person who shares the gospel)

The Method (how we share the gospel)

The Manifestation (the results in the hearer, messenger, community)

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