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Tactics In Evangelism
Sermon/Class Discussion
Introduction: 2 Cor. 10:3-5 “For though we walk in the flesh, we are not waging war according to the flesh. For the weapons of our warfare are not of the flesh but have divine power to destroy strongholds. We destroy arguments and every lofty opinion raised against the knowledge of God, and take every thought captive to obey Christ.”
Jude 3: “Beloved, although I was very eager to write to you about our common salvation, I found it necessary to write appealing to you to contend for the faith that was once for all delivered to the saints.”
- The above texts are often used as a battle cry, pictured as if we are to draw our spiritual swords and like Samuel with Agag, hack the enemy to pieces. Words like “weapons,” “contending for the faith,” and “give a defense” gave permission for aggressiveness and harshness toward those who disagree without regard for their soul or that gentleness and compassion could win the day. The goal was to destroy the person, not simply the strongholds, arguments, and lofty opinions raised agains the knowledge of God.
- Further, we can forget to differentiate between those who are “seekers” (whether in the body or out), and those who are truly false teachers leading other astray. In either case, we still must be gentle and have compassion for their soul.
Thus the question for us is how do we have conversations in which we defeat false teachings while at the same time using gentleness and compassion to save a person from eternal destruction. 2 Timothy 2:24-26 gives us the overall goal.
- A New Identity: Ambassadors for Christ (2 Cor. 5:18–6:2) [The key to being a good ambassador, implied by 1 Pet. 3:8-16]:
- Knowledge – we read the Word daily for the specific purpose of being better prepared to share the gospel (1 Pet. 3:15).
- Wisdom: An Artful Method or Approach – we have a game plan in our conversations so that when we have an opportunity we are able to “redeem the time.”
- Character that commends the message – Our approach is always with gentleness; our speech, “seasoned with salt.” We are the kind of person an outsider would want to become.
- The Example of Jesus: Matthew 21:23-27
- Notice that Jesus did not immediately answer? Why? He knows that he is talking to disobedient people. They rejected John the Baptist and they have rejected Jesus. Confronting Jesus is obviously not because they are honestly seeking the truth. Therefore, Jesus’ objective is not to simply answer a question and end up in an argument. It would be better to help them see the answer for themselves and thus expose the condition of their heart.
- Jesus’ approach of asking a question also diffuses the attack of the scribes and Pharisees. By asking them a question he has diverted their attention from their purpose. Jesus is now in control of the conversation. They can no longer “gang up” on him or make baseless accusations about him.
- Therefore, by asking a question, Jesus reversed the burden of proof and exposed their dishonesty in their hearts. Jesus did not change the subject, as it might seem, or divert attention away from their question. If they will honestly admit that John’s baptism was from heaven, then they will have to admit they had been disobedient and were rejecting Jesus whom John pointed out as the Messiah. This question put Jesus in the driver’s seat without even stating His position!
- Finally, notice that even at the end Jesus did not tell them where he got his authority. That would have been very difficult for us to do. When someone engages us in a religious conversation, we want to tell them everything we know. But if Jesus had made an assertion about His authority without them answering His question, He would have put Himself right back into the situation of having to prove something that was unprovable to people who were dishonest. Therefore, He focuses only on one point: their disobedience to God.
- An Example of an Actual Conversation: (retail clerk wearing a large pentagram, a five-pointed star associated with the occult, dangling from her neck.)
- “Does that star have religious significance, or is it just jewelry?”
- “Yes, it has religious significance. The five points stand for earth, wind, fire, water, and spirit. I’m a pagan.”
- “So you’re Wiccan?”
- She nodded. Yes, she was a witch. “It’s an Earth religion, like the Native Americans. We respect all life.”
- “If you respect all life, then I suppose you are pro-life on the abortion issue.”
- She shook her head. “No, actually I’m not. I’m pro-choice.”
- Surprised… “Isn’t that an unusual position for someone who is committed to respecting all life?”
- You’re right. It is odd,” then quickly qualified herself, “I know I could never do that. I mean, I could never kill a baby. I wouldn’t do anything to hurt anyone else because it might come back on me.”
- (1) Notice the words she used to describe abortion. From then on I abandoned the word “abortion” and used the phrase “baby killing” instead. (2) Her first reason for not hurting a defenseless child was self-interest.
- “Well, maybe you wouldn’t do anything to hurt a baby, but other people would. Shouldn’t we do something to stop them from killing babies?”
- “I think women should have a choice,” she countered without thinking.
- (Think about the statement, “Women should have a choice.” Who wouldn’t agree that women should have a choice? The question is, choice about what? The right to choose depends on what a person is choosing to do. In this case, the choice is clear: women should have the right to kill their own babies. Those were her terms and her view.)
- “Do you mean women should have the choice to kill their own babies?”
- “Well…I think all things should be taken into consideration on this question.”
- “Okay, tell me: What kind of considerations would make it all right to kill a baby?”
- “Incest,” she answered quickly.
- “Hmm. Let me see if I understand. Let’s just say I had a two-year-old standing next to me who had been conceived as a result of incest. On your view, it seems, I should have the liberty to kill her. Is that right?”
- Long pause. “I’d have mixed feelings about that.”
- “I hope so.” (Conversation ends because of customers lining up.)
- Lessons:
- You know a person has a weak position when he tries to accomplish with the clever use of words what argument alone cannot do. [women should have the right to choose]
- There was no tension, no anxiety, and no awkwardness in the exchange. The discussion flowed easily and naturally.
- “I was in complete control of the conversation” without being confrontational or harsh.
- “The Wiccan was doing most of the work. The only real effort on my part was to pay attention to her responses” asking follow-up questions based on her explanations of her view.
- The conversation ended by “putting a pebble in her shoe.” She has discovered that there is a flaw in her reasoning. If under certain conditions killing an unborn baby is a rightful choice, then killing a two-year-old under the same conditions would also be an acceptable choice.
- The above conversation was taken from “Tactics” by Gregory Koukl
- The Three-Step Tactical Approach to Biblical Conversation
- Gain Information & Stay Out of the Hot Seat. The key to this is that you are simply learning what a person believes and why they believe it. This may give you an opportunity. Your first question will almost always be the same: “What do you mean by that?” or some similar question. Examples:
- “There is no God.” – What do you mean by “no God.” Then, So how do you think everything got here with all its complexity?
- “You shouldn’t be forcing your views on people.” – How am I forcing my views on people? And then, so you are saying people ought not try to convince others of something they believe? Then why are you forcing your views on me?
- Reverse the Burden of Proof. The key here is to recognize when the other person has made a claim and ask them, “How did you come to that conclusion?” Most have never heard the arguments on the other side of what they believe. Do you think most who believe evolution have actually studied the reasons behind creation science? Example: “I believe the universe started with a big bang.” – Answer: I’m really interested in how you came to that conclusion. What evidence is there for a big bang?
- Expose a Weakness or Flaw in Their Reasoning.
- It is important to know that there are times you may not feel qualified to take this next step. That’s okay because you will have already put a stone in their shoe with the above questions. Further, you now know what you must study to be prepared better for next time.
- The key question asked in this step is: “Have you considered…” For example, after asking about the Big Bang, I might say, “Have you ever considered the lack of evidence for the natural occurrence of life coming from non-life in the theory of evolution?” In other words, I have always had a hard time believing in a Big Bang without a Big Banger!
- Gain Information & Stay Out of the Hot Seat. The key to this is that you are simply learning what a person believes and why they believe it. This may give you an opportunity. Your first question will almost always be the same: “What do you mean by that?” or some similar question. Examples:
Conclusion: Let me urge you to practice this in your conversations:
1. Ask questions to gain information.
2. Reverse the burden of proof – How did you come to that conclusion?
3. Expose a weakness or flaw in their reasoning: – “Maybe you can clear something up for me…” or, “have you considered…”
Berry Kercheville