Evangelism Using The Gospel In The Garden
Many Christians have taken evangelism courses with good results. We should all be reminded that Jesus Himself gave us the commandment to “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you. And behold, I am with you always, to the end of the age (Matthew 28:19-20).”
Many do not realize that the Gospel started in the Garden of Eden.
A full discussion of The Gospel in the Garden and a PDF download can be accessed at www.hebrew4christians.com.
The example I am stating here is from the Roman Way (some call it the Roman Road). You can use many different verses to accomplish what you are led to say while in the process of witnessing. There are several things to consider before just simply quoting scripture. I am covering these ideas here:
Pray first – a lot - “Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Be prepared with good study - “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
You can ask God to lead you to someone that is ready to hear the Gospel.
You need to earn the right to share so be kind, courteous and complimentary.
You can keep notes containing the verses if you want, however it is probably better to have memorized them if possible.
Never overwhelm a prospect with too much information.
Don’t be pushy, disparaging or demeaning and especially self-righteous.
Don’t get into theological arguments – you may be witnessing to a person that believes in another religion or a cult member or has problems with belief in God’s inerrant Word.
If you don’t have immediate results, remember to leave the results to God – we are only commanded to present and share the facts of the Gospel – We plant the seed and God reaps the harvest.
Use your own testimony but be brief – “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15)
Most of all, lead a Godly life around others “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (I Peter 2:12)
Now what am I referring to about an addition to evangelism? As I stated, I am going to give the example of the Roman Way so here are the basic verses:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Finally, you can add if you want “For God so loved the world (humans), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Be aware that some cultures may not understand the significance of sacrifice but may understand works. Actually, many may not understand Biblical sacrifice.
What I am suggesting to add with these verses are brief mentions of the origin of sin and of God’s redemption. Here is what I suggest:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Mention the falling into sin by our first ancestors Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 when they disobeyed God.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Mention that God commanded Adam and Eve to not eat of one particular tree in the Garden of Eden and by eating from it they would die physically and spiritually separated from God (Genesis 3).
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Mention that God provided a sin offering by killing the first animals (first time anything died) and using their skins as a covering for their nakedness – the first clothes. (Genesis 3) That sacrifice or atonement leads to Jesus on the Cross.
Jesus is referred to in Genesis 3 as defeating Satan because He is The Creator (Colossians 1:16 and John 1:1-3).
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Finally, you can add if you want “For God so loved the world (humans), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
I am merely suggesting these extra steps to be included in some fashion because I believe from my experiences you can make it easier to get the attention of many when you go all the way to the Beginning (Genesis or B’re’shith in Hebrew). You may choose to use a different way.
Approach the first chapters of Genesis from a straightforward literal reading method without any outside additions (called eisegesis in Greek). We should practice exegesis (another Greek word) or taking what we read out of the Scriptures into our understanding; not the other way around from our fallible or man’s understanding added to the Scripture.
Whatever you do, please do not get into discussions or arguments over evolution, old earth ideas or about what science have to say. We are not into a discussion about religion or secular worldviews. We need a Biblical Worldview. Let the Word of God and God’s Holy Spirit accomplish the task. We are concerned for lost souls and because of fallible man’s improper worldview many have about our true origins, use the Genesis Accounts with care and brevity. Just plant the seed.
Many do not realize that the Gospel started in the Garden of Eden.
A full discussion of The Gospel in the Garden and a PDF download can be accessed at www.hebrew4christians.com.
The example I am stating here is from the Roman Way (some call it the Roman Road). You can use many different verses to accomplish what you are led to say while in the process of witnessing. There are several things to consider before just simply quoting scripture. I am covering these ideas here:
Pray first – a lot - “Pray without ceasing.” (I Thessalonians 5:17)
Be prepared with good study - “Do your best to present yourself to God as one approved, a worker who has no need to be ashamed, rightly handling the word of truth.” (2 Timothy 2:15)
You can ask God to lead you to someone that is ready to hear the Gospel.
You need to earn the right to share so be kind, courteous and complimentary.
You can keep notes containing the verses if you want, however it is probably better to have memorized them if possible.
Never overwhelm a prospect with too much information.
Don’t be pushy, disparaging or demeaning and especially self-righteous.
Don’t get into theological arguments – you may be witnessing to a person that believes in another religion or a cult member or has problems with belief in God’s inerrant Word.
If you don’t have immediate results, remember to leave the results to God – we are only commanded to present and share the facts of the Gospel – We plant the seed and God reaps the harvest.
Use your own testimony but be brief – “but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (I Peter 3:15)
Most of all, lead a Godly life around others “Keep your conduct among the Gentiles honorable, so that when they speak against you as evildoers, they may see your good deeds and glorify God on the day of visitation.” (I Peter 2:12)
Now what am I referring to about an addition to evangelism? As I stated, I am going to give the example of the Roman Way so here are the basic verses:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Finally, you can add if you want “For God so loved the world (humans), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
Be aware that some cultures may not understand the significance of sacrifice but may understand works. Actually, many may not understand Biblical sacrifice.
What I am suggesting to add with these verses are brief mentions of the origin of sin and of God’s redemption. Here is what I suggest:
for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God. (Romans 3:23)
Mention the falling into sin by our first ancestors Adam and Eve in Genesis 3 when they disobeyed God.
For the wages of sin is death, but the free gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord. (Romans 6:23)
Mention that God commanded Adam and Eve to not eat of one particular tree in the Garden of Eden and by eating from it they would die physically and spiritually separated from God (Genesis 3).
but God shows his love for us in that while we were still sinners, Christ died for us. (Romans 5:8)
Mention that God provided a sin offering by killing the first animals (first time anything died) and using their skins as a covering for their nakedness – the first clothes. (Genesis 3) That sacrifice or atonement leads to Jesus on the Cross.
Jesus is referred to in Genesis 3 as defeating Satan because He is The Creator (Colossians 1:16 and John 1:1-3).
because, if you confess with your mouth that Jesus is Lord and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes and is justified, and with the mouth one confesses and is saved. (Romans 10:9-10)
Finally, you can add if you want “For God so loved the world (humans), that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.” (John 3:16)
I am merely suggesting these extra steps to be included in some fashion because I believe from my experiences you can make it easier to get the attention of many when you go all the way to the Beginning (Genesis or B’re’shith in Hebrew). You may choose to use a different way.
Approach the first chapters of Genesis from a straightforward literal reading method without any outside additions (called eisegesis in Greek). We should practice exegesis (another Greek word) or taking what we read out of the Scriptures into our understanding; not the other way around from our fallible or man’s understanding added to the Scripture.
Whatever you do, please do not get into discussions or arguments over evolution, old earth ideas or about what science have to say. We are not into a discussion about religion or secular worldviews. We need a Biblical Worldview. Let the Word of God and God’s Holy Spirit accomplish the task. We are concerned for lost souls and because of fallible man’s improper worldview many have about our true origins, use the Genesis Accounts with care and brevity. Just plant the seed.