Effective Evangelism Training Lab Time

In some of our weekend Evangelism Training Seminars, we often build in a practical exercise in personal evangelism, a “lab time,” where people can leave the retreat setting and venture out to do evangelism in the style that we teach.

It is modeled after Phillip and the Ethiopian Eunuch.

The basic premise is that we ask God to show us in whom he is working to draw unto Himself and then ask God how to participate in that work.

Phillip was sensitive to the Lord’s leading to “Go stand next to that Chariot.”

Likewise, we listen for those promptings.

The conversation that follows develops out of the context and the direction that the Lord gives.

“On the way to Gaza”

So we spend time in prayer and then give about 5 hours for people to find their “desert road on the way to Gaza” to see who they will encounter.

“Go stand next to that chariot”

When the people go out with a simple task of asking God to point out where he is working, I’m always personally amazed at the ease of conversation.  Sometimes we plant, we water, or we harvest.

We always find people who are easily talkative about spiritual things, about their life, and in some cases, have pretty open questions.  Conversations that follow are not forced, but natural.

Lab time

Its a great exercise and over the years, the stories that have come back have been encouraging to see God at work.

So how can one provide effective practice sessions in a local evangelism training session?

1. Provide time for practical evangelism experience.
2. Build in time for feedback after each evangelism activity.
3. Include positive and constructive feedback for each encounter.
4. Help groups monitor their time (some feedback discussions chase theological rabbit trails)
5. Do it again.

When the people return from their outing, we have a debriefing time.  We allow people to share their stories and we ask questions to help evaluate each encounter.

Some questions I like to ask are:

1. “How did God point out that person to you?”
2. “Where did you notice God was already at work?”
3. “What was their spiritual thirst?”
4. “What would you do differently?”
5. “What did you share about Christ?”

Coaching Corner

Think about your last encounter where you engaged a person in a spiritual conversation.  Answer the questions above.

My own Personal Evangelism Teaching on DVD

I have a DVD (or digital download) set that focuses on a conversational style evangelism that would be effective in:

• casual conversation between friends
• causal conversation between strangers

Read more about the Effective Evangelism Conversations in the store

It is a recording of a live seminar I gave in 2012.