Developing a Bold Witness for Christ as a Church Planter By Dr. Tom Cheyney

“The evangelistic harvest is always urgent “The evangelistic harvest is always urgent. The destiny of men and of nations is always being decided. Every generation is strategic. We are not responsible for the past generation, and we cannot bear the full responsibility for the next one; but we do have our present generation. God will hold us responsible as to how well we fulfill our responsibilities to this age and take advantage of our opportunities.” - Billy Graham

Planting your Church from the Harvest Proven Methods of Personal Evangelism

How NOT to Evangelize Scream the gospel on the busiest corner in your focus community Wear a 3-piece suit and carry a huge black Bible when you go out to witness. Begin witnessing with… TURN or BURN!

How NOT to Evangelize - cont’d Talk about your church but not Christ. Send out direct mail, work on your computer, plan the services, organize your teams, BUT don’t share the gospel with individual people.

Evangelism is a PASSION not a PROGRAM!

PASSION How can a person develop a passion for evangelism? 3 ways: Powerful Experience Mark 5:19 Pointed Scriptures Acts 1:8; Matt. 28:18-20 Personal Involvement

POTENTIAL How do you reach your potential in evangelizing your focus community? You must be… STUDIOUS --Become the EXPERT on your FOCUS AUDIENCE. --Develop a PROFILE. SENSITIVE --Project your love for people.

POSSIBILITIES What are possible approaches to personal witnessing? Printed tracts Testimony/story/Net Evangelism Training Roman Road Marked New Testament Ministry evangelism Evangelism Explosion or Continued Witnessing Training “Draw the Gospel”

I. A Christian Witness Must include telling others about Christ. A. It’s at the core of the definition of the word Christian. B . It is amplified by the definition of a leader. Bold Influence

II. Five Hindrances to Sharing your Faith A. Lack of Knowledge Cure for the lack of knowledge: 1. Tell your testimony in 3 minutes or less 2. A Tract (four spiritual laws, How to have peace) 3. Text (Biblical Text) Romans Road, Etc.

The Romans Road Romans 3:23 Romans 6:23 Romans 5:8 Romans 10:9

II. Hindrances to sharing your faith – cont. B. Fear Learn to recognize the object of your Fear 1. Physical (Dog, Threatened Physical) 2. Emotional (Rejected, Turned away) 3. Intellectual (Don’t know what to do)

II. Hindrances to sharing your faith – cont. C. Apathy (indifference, not motivated) D. A bad experience. E. Drifting into the comfort zone. Revelation 2:1-5

III. God supplies the Power if you will supply the obedience. A. You don’t save anyone. B. Your responsibility is to tell people about Jesus and invite them to trust Jesus as Savior. C. God’s Holy Spirit supplies the Power you need to be used for the change. Acts 1:8 D. Your primary expression of God’s power in evangelism is through prayer.

IV. Five Principles to Help you share your faith in Christ. A. Cultivate your sensitivity. Acts 8:25 B. Be quick and eager to talk about your faith. C. Take the initiative. Opening Question. Do you attend church? Do you believe in reincarnation? Do hurricanes make you nervous? Does life make sense to you? In your opinion, who was the greatest person who ever lived? D. Practice tactfulness E. Be direct and when the time is right, don’t back down.

Lifestyle Evangelism is the most effective and the only style that lasts. A. You must make a heartfelt commitment. B. Be practical in your approach. C. Keep a list of unsaved friends to focus your efforts. D. Remember your lifestyle is an evangelistic tool whether you like it or not. D. Never lose sight of the fact that you make a difference.

Developing a Bold Witness for Christ as a Church Planter Thank You!