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"EVANGELISM MADE EASY"
INTRODUCTION
1. With the Great Commission Christians are given a great task...
a. To make disciples of all the nations - Mt 28:19
b. To go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature
- Mk 16:15
2. It was a task accepted by the early disciples...
a. They went everywhere, preaching the Word - cf. Ac 8:4; 1Th 1:8
b. The gospel was proclaimed to everyone - cf. Col 1:23; Ro 10:17-18
3. But how about today...?
a. Is the gospel being shared by most Christians?
b. "Are you sowing the seed of the kingdom, brother?"
[It does not require great knowledge or expertise to share the gospel
with others. It can be done quite easily and often very effectively...]
I. USE CORRESPONDENCE COURSES
A. CHALLENGES INVOLVING EVANGELISM...
1. Finding prospects for study
2. Setting up the study
3. Teaching the material
4. Answering questions
5. Asking for a decision
-- Such challenges have hindered many from getting involved in
evangelism
B. CORRESPONDENCE COURSES ELIMINATE THESE CHALLENGES...
1. Through various methods of advertising, or a simple offer to a
friend or acquaintance...
a. You find people who want to study the Bible
b. The study is automatically set up by those who respond to
the offer
2. Through the use of a Bible correspondence course...
a. The students teach themselves!
b. If questions are raised, you can study and answer them at
your leisure
c. People are given the opportunity to make a decision
-- It becomes quite easy to share the gospel, even if one is a
babe in Christ!
[While there are many ways to advertise a correspondence course, I
highly recommend direct mail...]
II. USE DIRECT MAIL
A. THERE ARE DIFFERENT WAYS TO ADVERTISE...
1. In the paper, on the radio or TV
2. Using the Internet via a web site
3. Direct mail, through mass or targeted mailings
-- For reaching people in a local community, direct mail has its
advantages
B. ADVANTAGES OF USING DIRECT MAIL...
1. You can target a specific audience
a. E.g., a mass mail out to a particular zip code
b. E.g., a targeted mailing to neighbors and friends
2. Everyone glances at their mail
a. As opposed to the TV, radio, newspaper
b. Even it is junk mail
3. It is non-intrusive and non-confrontational
a. You never interrupt their dinner, sleep, or favorite TV
program
b. You can reach people who otherwise might not open doors or
give the time of day
-- Direct mail almost guarantees that contact can be made with any
person
[Not all correspondence courses are designed with the direct mail
approach in mind. There is one that I highly recommend...]
III. USE "JESUS, THE WAY"
A. ABOUT "JESUS, THE WAY"...
1. Authored by Sewell Hall, developed while preaching in England
2. Contains seven lessons presenting Jesus as the way to many
blessings
3. Perhaps the least expensive course available
-- Simple, easy to complete, yet adequate in presenting the gospel
B. ADVANTAGES OF "JESUS, THE WAY"...
1. The first lesson is designed for being sent via direct mail
2. The first lesson presents gospel fundamentals, unlike courses
which do it in later lessons
3. Attention is focused on Jesus and His will for us
-- Even if the first lesson is not returned, the gospel has been
shared!
[Whether it be "Jesus, The Way" or some other course designed for direct
mail, let me now offer...]
IV. USE A PLAN OF ACTION
A. PERSONAL PLANS...
1. Mail the first lesson to 50 homes in your neighborhood
2. Give or mail the first lesson to your friends and family
3. Every person who receives the first lesson has been exposed to
the gospel
-- If you can slap on an address label, you can evangelize!
B. CONGREGATIONAL PLANS...
1. Mail the first lesson to every home in the community, or to
select postal codes
2. Advertise the course in local papers, or even print the entire
first lesson in the paper
3. Offer the course to the world via a web site on the Internet
-- The opportunities are endless, provided sowers are willing to
sow the seed!
CONCLUSION
1. If you are willing to sow the seed, evangelism can be easy...
a. You don't have to wait for a congregational effort
b. Just start mailing or giving the first lesson to everyone you
know, or to every person you would like to provide an opportunity
to learn about Jesus
2. For everyone who receives the first lesson...
a. The responsibility now rests on their shoulders
b. They will not be able to say "You never mentioned Him to me."
Whether they complete the course and obey Christ, or reject the first
lesson with not even a casual glance, we have fulfilled our
responsibility. That is "Evangelism Made Easy"...!
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Executable Outlines, Copyright © Mark A. Copeland, 2009
