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The GO Zone:The Jesus Method
by Dave Weiss (Dave's bio)
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Evangelism for years, thanks in large part to the ministries of evangelists like Billy Graham, has been seen as a big production, something done in arenas and stadiums. While I would never want to denigrate this type of approach (Dr. Graham is one of my heroes) it is certainly not the only way of doing evangelism. It is probably not the way most of us in the church will do it. Jesus did teach the masses on several occasions but if you look at the scriptures, He spent the majority of His time training, discipling and being highly involved in the lives of a small group of twelve men. He trained them. He taught them. He got to know them. He was their friend.
I have heard it said that out of all the people who go forward at the average crusade, only about a fourth stay with the faith. Jesus’ method of discipling those first disciples was far more effective. After all he only lost one out of twelve and those remaining eleven would go on to do some of the most radical evangelism under some of the most difficult circumstances the world has ever seen. Personal involvement and training in the Word is of the utmost importance in evangelism.
Now of course someone is thinking, “Well of course Jesus was very successful, He is, after all, God.” This is very true but He is also our example to follow. Think about it, most of us will never have the communication skills, financial backing, notoriety and/or experience to go out and preach the Gospel in a stadium. It would be impossible for all but a few. But any Christian can become deeply involved in the lives of a few people who need to know Jesus. Anyone can talk one on one about what Jesus has done in his or her life. Anyone can be open and transparent and love someone into the kingdom. Anyone can share what they know. Anyone can invite a friend to the church to hear more. Anyone can pray with a friend that is hurting. Anyone can have a few friends over to talk and share. It’s not a grandiose project or some kind of program. It’s simple involvement in the lives of a few people, simple friendship from a friend who cares enough to try to make an eternal difference in someone’s life, with God’s help, of course. This really was, and is, the Jesus method.
Is He your example, then what are you waiting for? GO!
Copyright 2002, Dave Weiss. All rights reserved. Used with permission.
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About Dave Weiss: Dave Weiss is a youth leader, speaker, writer and licensed minister in the Church of the Brethren and resides in Mohrsville, PA. He is a member of the Write Group for Interlinc's Youth Leader's Only, a youth ministry resource. He has written "Interlinc's Festival Survival Guide." For more on Dave's Ministry go to http://www.radicallyreal.com
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