OceanSide church of Christ

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PERSONAL EVANGELISM (4)

 

The Methods (1)

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    When you finally get a Bible study with someone, you need to have some direction to your study with the individual.

 

B.      Some individuals have been involved in enough studies that they have developed their own method.  I have my own method of Bible study that I have developed.

 

C.     Others need a program that will guide them in their Bible study with another.

 

D.    There are four main methods that you can use.

1.      A Bible Correspondence Course

2.      The Jule Miller DVDs

3.      The Open Bible Study Method

4.      The Fishers of Men Course

 

I.                   PRELIMINARY CONSIDERATIONS

 

A.    Know the material that you will be covering with the individual.

 

B.      Be on time to the appointment.

 

C.     Take another person with you.

1.      Some refer to this person as “the silent partner.”

2.      His tasks can vary.

a.      He may have to take care of distractions such as children.  (NOTE:  When we are in the mission field, the women will often take coloring books and crayons or nail polish to keep the children busy).

b.      He watches the person with whom they are studying.  He watches for confusion, anger, etc.  He can tell his partner about these things after the study.

c.       Occasionally, he might inject something into the discussion.

 

D.    Free the area of any distractions.

1.      No children

2.      No cell phones

3.      Close the door

 

E.      Take all the supplies you will need.

1.      Two or three identical Bibles. 

a.      This can cut down on confusion.

b.      It will save time turning to passages.  Just turn to the same page number.

2.      Take the study course.

3.      Take several pens.

4.      Take paper for additional notes, questions, illustrations, etc.

 

F.      Sit corner to corner on a table, or side by side in chairs.

 

G.     Let the student read all of the verses.

 

H.    When questions arise:

1.      If they pertain to the presentation at hand, answer them.

2.      If you know that the questions will be answered later in the study, let the person know this.  Write the question down so you will remember to point it out when the answer is covered.

3.      If the question is about something off the entire subject, write it down and spend 5 or 10 minutes at the end of the study to cover it.

 

I.        Keep the study to about 1 hour.  Spending too much time can overwhelm the person and tire out all who are involved.

 

J.        Leave something behind for the student:  pamphlet, booklet, papers, a list of verses, etc.

 

K.     Confirm the next date and time of meeting before leaving the session.

 

L.      Close with a prayer if the person is comfortable with it.  (NOTE:  Ask if there is anyone they would like you to pray for).

 

M.   Differences in the mission field.

1.      If you are in a foreign country where you do not know the language, you will have a translator.  He will get the study.

2.      You will not have material to guide you in the study.  You will have to have a plan of action to follow.  I usually ask:  “Do you attend church services somewhere?” Or, “Have you ever heard of the churches of Christ?”  Both questions allow me to follow up with the information that I receive.

3.      Others will be with you.  Sometimes 3 or 4. 

a.      They sit and listen as you teach.  Occasionally, they will have some input.

b.      Sometimes they will do things with the children

4.      You can still take pencil and paper for illustration.  Your translator will explain the things you write down.

5.      You still allow them to read from their Bible.  The translator will work with you and the other person.

6.      Most of the time, you will answer questions immediately.  You might put one off until the end of the study.

7.      The study could go much longer than an hour.  Some have gone 3 or 4 hours and result in a conversion that day.

8.      You may, or may not, have information to leave them.

9.      The translator will often try to set up another study with the person for that some week.  You might go back 2 or 3 times.

 

II.                VICTOR’S FIRST LESSON

 

A.    I refer to it as “Three Sets of Bible Twins.”  (See my book, I Am Thinking about Becoming a Christian.

 

B.      I begin by having the individual read Ephesians 2:8.

 

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God.

 

 

 

God’s Part and Man’s Part in Salvation

 

 

INTRODUCTION

 

Ephesians 2:8

For by grace are ye saved through faith; and that not of yourselves:  it is the gift of God.

 

                     Grace                                                 Faith

                   God’s Part                                            Man’s Part

 

              Definition:  Divine favor (help)

 

             Two Aspects of God’s grace                    s            7           Two Aspects of Faith

                                                                           (Heb. 11:6)       

                                                   n            1

 

                                                                                  a           :

                                    The Cross                                                                                  Trust

                                                                            m           0

                                                                          

                                                                    o              1

 

                                                            R

 

                                    The Bible                                                                                   Obey