Last week, I met with a leadership team for the first time to help them brainstorm new ways to grow in evangelism. I led them in a group discussion on evangelism.
Since this was my first discussion with them, I wanted to get a feel for their experiences and their pre-conceptions about
What is evangelism?
The outgrowth will be future discussions into particular areas.
What is evangelism?
Leading a group discussion on evangelism can be a challenge because the field of evangelism is huge.
In fact I did an evangelism mind map to start thinking about all the different aspects for this group discussion.
If you are
- gathering a new evangelism team, or
- starting up a new evangelism work in the local church, or
- leading some other group discussion on evangelism
here are some discussion questions I used that you might find useful.
Discussion Questions – What is evangelism?
- How would you describe or define evangelism?
- How do you think evangelism should be done?
- How do you do evangelism in your life now?
- In your journey to faith in Christ, how did evangelism happen in your life?
- What is the role of the congregation in evangelism?
- What is the role of the pastor in evangelism?
The Group Discussion on Evangelism
The opening question generated lots of answers that felt like cliches or rote answers — quick bursts of answers from years of hearing it from the pulpit.
- Preaching the Word.
- Sharing the Good News.
- Sharing your testimony.
- Giving the reason for your faith.
It may seem like a no-brainer question, but this questions reveals assumptions that people bring to the discussion on evangelism.
As the group facilitator, I pushed back a little to help people think through the “fixed answers.”
For example,
- What’s good news? What makes it good?
- Can laypeople do evangelism if it’s only preaching?
- What are the key elements to the gospel that you want to share?
- Personally, how do you share?
As we got into the group evangelism discussion, it became clear that on a surface level, these 8 people had great answers, but underneath that surface, I saw
- Different approaches to evangelism.
- Different experiences.
- Different theological understandings.
Avoid conversational drift.
Most opening discussions on the nature of evangelism, if unchecked at this point, tend to drift into colorful theological debates. For example,
- Do people respond to God’s grace, or do they make a decision to respond?
- What is the value or lack of value over the “sinners prayer?”
- Do people have to fully understand their sin first, or can they start following Jesus and learn about sin later?
- Can people follow first and understand later?
- Can people follow Jesus before even having a completely biblical world view?
- What do people have to understand before following Jesus?
- Can conversions be “false?”
Other times, it may drift into areas of practice and styles:
- Rush to present the gospel to as many people as possible.
- Take the time to build relationships of influence with people.
- Invite people to church
- Go to the mission field.
The purpose of this group discussion on evangelism was not theological debate, but to expose some of the presuppositions that these group members were bringing to the table.
By exposing the presupposition through careful questions that challenge simple rote assertions, it made for a very rich discussion, and then setup the potential for further discussion into particular areas.
Get a full copy
I’ll send you the full PDF discussion guide that I used. I want to have it field tested with other users, not just me. To get it, leave a comment below (or at the blog if you get this via feed).
At least tell me how and with whom you’d use this discussion guide.
I’ll send it to you and then follow up to see how the discussion went.
Related posts:
Please send me full PDF file of Evangelism Group Discussion guide.
Thanks and God Bless, Rob
I lead a home group for our church. I am also our Missions Committee lead. I’d be glad to give you feedback.
Please send me the full PDF to use with my church elders in Malaysia.
Thanks, Dave
Great word! May I please have the pdf file of Evangelism Group Discussion guide.
Thx!
Awesome blog… I would like the pdf file sent to me please.
Thanks you for this wonderful resource.
Please send the PDF version to me as we have a seminar on evangelism sonest in church and would not mind sharing it with the church.
regards.
Our Outreach Committee is entering a month’s discussion on evangelism, and I would appreciate receiving a copy of your guide.
this is a wonderful site.
MLJ
My church is starting a discussion on evangelism and I will be happy to provide you feedback. njb
Our Outreach Commitee will have a discussion on evangelism and I would like a copy of your guide. I will be happy to let you know how it went.
I am to become the Evangelism Chair of our church. The current evangelism committee has not been active for several years and I need ideas to help our leadership team understand what evangelism is and how we can proceed. Please send me the complete pdf guide.
Please send your complete pdf guide to Evangelism, I will be using it with our small group as well as a group of men going into a state prison
Thank you and God bless you
Dusty
Please send me the copy. Thank you for making this site available to many.
Please send your complete pdf guide to
Evangelism.
I have registered our church for Red Carpet Hospitality beginning 1/25 – looking forward to good ideas and discussion.
Thank you, could you please send me the pdf file on gruop discussion guide and any other teaching material on evangelism.
Shalom
Please send me the PDF and any other materials for Evangelistic Group Discussions. Thank you and God Bless.
Please send me the guide. It will be a big help for my evangelization team. Thanks. God bless!
Please send me the PDF and any other materials for Evangelistic Group Discussions. Thank you and God Bless.
Susan
Please send me the PDF and any other materials for Evangelistic Group Discussions. Thank you.
Please send me the pdf file. It look very interesting and I would like to see the complete view of this. Thanks for sharing with others
I’d like to share this with our team. Thank you
Please send your complete pdf discussion guide. I would like to review for use with clients in a non-profit ministry and on mission trips.
Thank you.
Please send me a copy of your complete discussion guide. I would like to review it for future use. Thank you for being willing to share your creation.
Hi, I would love a full copy of the PDF. I’m the evangelism coach at church, and would like to have this as a resource!
Thanks so much,
mark
Please send me a full copy of the pdf. I will use it to coach a lay chaplain class on evangelism. Thanks.
Please send me the full copy of the PDF as soon as possible. I am addressing a lay group regarding evangelism and would love to use your materials.
Thank you.
Please send me the full copy of the PDF as soon as possible. I am facilitating a group of men this Thursday on discussing evangelism as a spiritual discipline and would like to see how your materials could clarify our understanding.
Thank you.
Please send me a full copy of the PDF as soon as possible. I am teaching teenagers on evangelism. I believe it a great source of material.
Thank You
Please send my the full copy of the discussion guide. I am the chair of our Evangelism team and I am looking for ways to spark thinking about evangelism beyond hospitality. Thank you Phyllis
Please send a complete copy of the PDF regarding doing Evangelism. My husband is Chair of this committee and is in the midst of checking to see what other churches in the area and of our denomination are presently doing to reach out to others. We look forward to seeing what you have on this. Thank you, Jackie
I’d love to have a copy of your PDF. Thanks!
Can you please send me the full PDF? I would like tou use this for my small group. Thank you.
hi very interesting would like the pdf file please, i am busy with a smallgroup in our church.
thanks and God bless
I have enjoyed your site and would like to have more information. We are just beginning an Evangelism program. We are a Presbyterian Church and our congregation is even uncomfortable with the word. Any help you could send my way would be greatly appreciated. Thanks you.
Please do send me the PDF so I can share with our local Church! We’re about to embark on an evangelism drive here in our local area and your PDF would be very beneficial in our efforts. Thank you and God bless!
I am a student pastor, i am assigned to teach about evangelism in a tribal pastor. I want to study about it and have a
full knowledge about it… can i have your material about evangelism?
I would appreciate receiving your evangelism guide (if you are still sending). Great site (just found via a LinkedIn post that directed me back to your article from three years ago!)
I would love to receive the Evangelism Guide you have mentioned in your above article. I am beginning a new intentional interim position and it would help start some great discussions among the leaders of the congregation. Thank you so much for being willing to share. Blessings on your ministry.
We are at a stage where present evangelism efforts are being re-evaluated. I would like to share this with the group so we are asking ourselves the right questions. Thank you for offering to share. Can you send your guide to Evangelism? Thanks in advance.
Please send my the full copy of the discussion guide. I am the chair of our Evangelism team and I am looking for ways to spark thinking about evangelism beyond hospitality. Thank You
I would like a full copy of the discussion guide. Our church is embarking on a 12 week experience of learning about and practicing evangelism, under the assumption that all members of the church should be evangelizing, but may not be. I’d like to use the discussion guide as part of our first class. Thanks.
Please add me to the list of people who would appreciate receiving a pdf of the discussion guide. I’m sure it will be a great help for our church plant launch team. Thank you, and blessings!
Please send me the pdf discussion guide. I am starting an evangelism ministry to touch the neighbourhood i live in in kenya. God Bless you.
Please send me the PDF discussion guide, I teaching a discipleship class and we are studying Evangelism
This is great, can you send me a copy. I might use it for evangelism seminar. Thanks.
Please send me PDF on Evangelism group discussion guide. I teach evangelism in bible college and would like to use you material for practical purposes
Please, send me the full PDF file. I am a small group leader on campus and I want to get a good discussion going about evangelism in Men’s Fellowship!
Thank you!
I have been nominated as the new Evangelism Chair person for our church . Before I start sending people out to evangelize. I want to insure that are prepared, informed, and know what evangelism is and why it is an important aspect and mission of the church. I have enjoyed your website and find it very informative as well as educational. Thank you.
Your brother-in-Christ,
Ted Wilbanks
Please send me the full PDF . Thank You
I would love a copy of the full PDF!
Thanks!
thanks so much, we are preparing for Teenagers interdenominational retreat this December 15-20th 2015. in Kwara state Nigeria. please pray along with us, that God should send more laborers to work with us and that every needs spiritually and financially should be met. Regards and Please send me the full PDF . Thank You.
Please send me full PDF file of Evangelism Group Discussion guide.
Thanks and God Bless
Sean
Please send me the copy of this resource for our bible study in Dar es Salaam, Tanzania
I have just been nominated into the evangelism team in my Church. In the past we have really not been successful at this, and my thinking is that we must have a discussion on what we’re not doing right and how to improve.
Please send me the PDF resource so I can facilitate our session.
I found the study very helpful inmygroup. Please send me the pdp file also so that I can increase my understanding.
Thank you
Pls me a guideline of your Evangelism Discussion Group..we are planning to start our evangelism program in our church. Thanks.
My husband and I are youth pastors and are diving into “what is evangelism and how do I do it?” with our kids. I’d love a copy of the PDF, thanks!
Please send me full PDF file of Evangelism Group Discussion guide.
Thanks and God Bless, Lauretta
I’ve been asked to lead a study on evangelism by our small group. My source aside from the Bible is the book EVANGELISM by J. Mack Stiles. Your discussion guide will be very helpful focusing our discussions and making sure we stay on track. Happy to provide appropriate feedback. God bless.