In the past few Wednesday, I have been involved in evangelism training in campus centre from 12-2pm. basically, we did surveys and shared the gospel, as well as giving out gospel tract. We had a couple of people who come to these sessions: Shaun, Andrew, Angela, Brad, Adhit, and Sharon. We usually go in pairs so we can encourage and learn from each other.
At the beginning I was a bit afraid of what others might think when I shared the gospel. However, this fear was unfounded. I soon discover that talking to strangers and sharing my faith is easier than I think.
The survey questions are simple. They are like this. How many footy teams can you name? How many beers can you name? Then, how many Ten Commandments can you name? In this way, we start our conversation in the natural, and shift to spiritual things easily. Then we followed the ‘what did Jesus do method’ (WWJD). We usually start with asking the person 'would you consider yourself as a good person?’ People usually say yes and we go through the Ten Commandments with them. Something like 'have you lied, have you stolen, have you looked at a woman with lust, have you used God's name in vain?' Contrary to our fear, I found that the majority of people are not offended by these questions, because we are asking them their favourite subject - themselves. We are not accusing them of committing those things but getting them to confessed with their own mouths. Once their hearts are humbled by the law and they realized they are guilty, and on the judgment day they are going to hell. It now makes sense to them why Jesus had to die on the cross for them. Patients do not think they need a cure only after the doctor showed them precisely the disease they had. In the case of humanity, the disease is called 'sin' and the cure is 'Jesus'.
In my conversations with strangers, I often get to the part of sharing the significance of the cross and calling them for repentance. After my conversation, I always leave them a gospel tract for them to ponder about God's judgment and grace. I also discover that there is no point sharing God's grace with proud, self-righteous people.
Overall, I consider our evangelism sessions a success because we plant many seeds of the gospel in people's heart. In one session we can have in-depth conversations with like 8 people per group. We do not force to convert a person. That is the job of the Holy Spirit. This change in my perspective encourages me tremendously to share the good news to people, and it takes pressure off me to 'see decisions'. I encourage every one of you to come as well, it is fun, and you store up treasures in heaven at the same time. What could we better spend our time than to change where someone spends in eternity?
Clayton Science/Arts life group, Hope Melbourne Waverley
