Effective Evangelism - Ps Kerry Robertson

Summary and transcript downloads:
Effective-Evangelism-Teaching-Summary-27.pdf
Effective-Evangelism-Training-Transcript-10.pdf

Teaching Summary

Overview

The Big Picture: Why Evangelism Matters

  • 2 people die every second - 174,000 per day
  • 42% of the world has never heard of Jesus
  • 73% of Christians believe they should share their faith - only 52% ever have
  • Main barriers: fear of offending, feeling unequipped, lack of confidence
The goal isn't always to get someone saved - it's to get them one step closer to Jesus.
"I planted the seed, Apollos watered it, but God made it grow." 1 Corinthians 3:6

Foundation

You Don't Have to Be an Evangelist

The five-fold ministry includes evangelists - but all believers are called to reach the lost. Evangelism isn't only street preaching. There are many ways to fish.

"Do the work of an evangelist and fulfil your ministry." 2 Timothy 4:5

Step One

Find Your Pond

The best place to catch fish is where you're best at fishing. Ask yourself: who am I graced to reach?

  • Your background & experiencesWhat you've been through connects you to others in the same place.
  • Your natural giftsHospitality, humour, teaching, sport, music - all are valid tools.
  • Your practical skillsFixing cars, cooking, building - everyday skills open doors.
The most receptive age group globally is the 4-14 window. Don't overlook children and young people.

You can still reach people outside your pond - but know where you're most effective and start there.

What to Avoid

Six Unwise Ways to Reach the Lost

Unwise Approach The Problem
Cleaning the fish before you catch it Telling people to change before they come to Christ - that's God's job, not ours.
Being expressionless No passion about what God has done in your life.
Being boring Missing the chance to speak with excitement about your faith.
Being argumentative You can win an argument and lose a soul.
Not embracing the prodigal People won't return if there's no welcome waiting for them.
Being judgmental Love must always come first.

Core Teaching

Five Elements of Effective Evangelism

1

Be Wise Towards Outsiders

Colossians 4:5-6 - Make the most of every opportunity; they're everywhere, every day. Let your conversation be full of grace - good news, not condemnation. Season with salt: bring flavour and create thirst for God.

2

Ask Great Questions

Good questions open doors naturally and make people think. Start with:

  • "Do you have a spiritual background?"
  • "Do you believe in life after death - and what do you believe?"
  • "What are your beliefs, and how did you come to them?"

Once a conversation opens, use the Ten Commandments as a bridge - not to condemn, but to reveal the need for a Saviour.

"The law was our tutor to lead us to Christ." Galatians 3:24
3

Know How to Deliver Your Story

Every believer has a testimony worth sharing. Write yours out in three parts:

  1. Before Christ - Be honest and specific. People identify with real struggles.
  2. How you became a Christian - Make the prayer clear enough that someone could repeat it in their lowest moment.
  3. Life after Christ - Not a perfect picture, but a real and honest one.

Practice getting it down to 2-3 minutes. Aim for 1 minute for brief conversations.

"They overcame by the blood of the Lamb and the word of their testimony." Revelation 12:11
They can deny God. They can dismiss the church. But they cannot deny the change in a person's life.
4

Be Empowered by the Holy Spirit

"You will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you, and you will be my witnesses." Acts 1:8
  • The Holy Spirit gives supernatural boldness for witnessing
  • Being filled is not a one-time event - keep being recharged
  • When God's power is on you, He works through you beyond your own ability

Practical step: Regularly ask God for a fresh filling of the Holy Spirit.

5

Move in the Power of God

Miracles are signs - they point people to Jesus and demand a response. The commission to heal, deliver, and proclaim is still for the church today.

"These signs will accompany those who believe." Mark 16:17
"Anyone who believes in me will do the works I have done, and greater things than these." John 14:12
The key is belief - that God does miracles today, and that He can work through you.

Going Deeper

Four Elements to a Move of God

  • 1
    Preaching the Word

    Preach what you're believing for - salvation, healing, freedom. When you witness, you are preaching. Speaking about miracles creates faith for miracles.

  • 2
    Faith

    The Word creates expectation. Faith rises as you speak. Build an atmosphere of belief before you pray.

  • 3
    Gifting

    Discover where you're strongest and flow there. The more you step out, the clearer your gifting becomes.

  • 4
    Anointing

    Follow what the Spirit is doing in the moment. Don't force a direction - flow with the anointing, even if it's unexpected.

Practical Notes

Practical Reminders

  • Pray boldly - don't beg; take authority in Jesus' name
  • Ask people to test it - after prayer, invite them to do something they couldn't before
  • Partial healing is not failure - it means keep going; Jesus prayed for the blind man twice
  • You don't need a platform - signs and wonders can flow through any believer, anywhere

Your Challenge

In the next 24 hours - do something. Wherever you go today, there is an opportunity. Be natural. Be bold. Take one step.

"Be wise in the way you act towards outsiders; make the most of every opportunity." Colossians 4:5