Evangelism: Reasoning and Conversing

I. Introduction
   A. Challenges involving evangelism methods
   B. Limited success of impersonal approaches
   C. Limited success of "come and see" approaches-- assemblies, 
      special meetings, etc.
   D. Another possible approach outlined in Scripture

II. Heading Toward the Conversation
   A. Gospel promotion as "preaching the Gospel"
      1. Surely the intent of our efforts (Romans 10:13-17)
      2. Nevertheless, one approach, or many approaches to this 
         point?
   B. James 1:19
      1. Operative principle: quick to hear, slow to speak
      2. Understood and applied in other contexts
      3. What about in evangelism?
   C. Approaches in Acts
      1. Consistent pattern in Acts 2-16 of finding, taking 
         opportunities to preach
         a. "Capturing" the audience, signs or time of exhortation
         b. Knowing audience, advancing Gospel
      2. Subtle emphasis shift in Acts 17:2-4, 16-31; 19:8-9
         a. "Preaching" and "testifying" before now shift to 
            "reasoning," "conversing," "persuading"
         b. Similar demands: must know audience, how to 
            communicate with them
         c. Substance of message does not change, but means of 
            working with audience certainly has changed!
   D. What is Paul heading toward?
      1. In part, 2 Corinthians 5:9-11, 2 Corinthians 10:5
      2. When we understand who God is, upcoming judgment, we are
         to work to persuade others
      3. We must destroy all arguments raised up against Christ, 
         bring thoughts captive to Him
      4. Only possible if/when we know arguments, understand 
         arguments, able to undermine arguments
      5. Requires reasoning skills, willingness to converse!   

III. Getting to Preach
   A. 1 Peter 3:13-16
      1. Important passage, demonstrating how we are to conduct 
         ourselves even in midst of adversity
      2. Making defense of hope with gentleness and respect
      3. Respect demands understanding of other person
      4. Notice when defense is expected to be made: "to anyone 
         who asks you"
      5. The right to impose this defense on others not presumed--
         expectation that we are to be asked what we believe
   B. A Return to Acts
      1. As we return to acts, note how the Apostles obtain the 
         "right" to preach
      2. Acts 2, 3, 10-- basis of signs (speaking in tongues, 
         healing the man born lame, work of angels)
      3. Acts 13-- time of exhortation in Jewish synagogue
      4. Now consider Acts 17:16-20
         a. Paul attempted to reason with Jews in synagogue, then
            philosophers in marketplace
         b. Based on those conversations, people asked to hear 
            more of message, brought Paul to Areopagus
      5. In all of these circumstances, preaching came only when
         some sort of permission was given
   C. How effective is unsolicited, unwanted, unexpected preaching?
   D. How much more effective is preaching when interest has been
      generated and people have at least a mild desire to hear so
      as to learn more?

IV. Conversation Methodology
   A. Apostles had benefit of new message and reasonable 
      expectation to understand ideologies/viewpoints of audience
   B. Today, no such reasonable expectation, and message, to many
      people, is not new
   C. How to proceed?
      1. Just inviting people to assemblies?  May get some, but 
         not those with other affiliations
      2. Going out and preaching on street corners?  Might get 
         some interest, but most will pass on by quickly 
      3. Being willing to listen first and then respond?  Much 
         more effective!
   D. Thus we return to James 1:19-- slow to speak, quick to hear
   E. Most people actually tell you how to evangelize them
      1. Not intentionally, but a perceptive listener can perceive
         the challenges and difficulties a person is experiencing
         and how to approach the message
      2. Acts 13, 17-- Paul knew his audience, worked from points
         of agreement, showed contrast, provided new information
      3. We can only ascertain points of agreement and the ability
         to show contrasts and provide new information when we 
         know what the person with whom we speak believes, and we
         only know that by having the conversation and listening!
   F. Hence, the conversation methodology in evangelism-- hearing
      before speaking, getting to know someone before addressing,
      earning the right to preach the Gospel through reasoning, 
      conversing, and persuading
   G. If it worked for Paul, it is worth trying today!

V. Conclusion
   A. We must go out and proclaim the message of Jesus, but we 
      must do so in ways that honor Him and work toward His 
      purposes
   B. Indirect means of evangelism have their place, but in our 
      society, relational, direct means of evangelism are most 
      effective
   C. We do well to follow James' advice and listen before 
      speaking, hear before preaching, converse and reason before
      proclaiming
   D. Let us seek to take God's message out into the world and 
      lead souls to Him!
   E. Invitation/songbook