I. Establishing a relationship with a pre-believer
Sometimes, we overemphasize the methodology of evangelism and the motivation behind sharing the gospel that we neglect the importance of simply establishing of a relationship with the person and obedience to God’s leading.
"Without things like relationship and obedience, you may have evangelism. However, you don't have the gospel. The good news is that Jesus is alive, and that means we have something personal to share. A witness isn't somebody who merely repeats what somebody else has told him, or who has mastered the art of getting a message across. A witness is someone who has experienced what he is talking about. The love of Christ becomes known to others through Him, because it is a reality in His own life."
Effective evangelism needs to be built upon LOVE because:
- People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care. Love meets a perceived need in people everywhere.
- The God we proclaim is love in His very nature.
"We love because He first loved us." 1 John 4:19
We must first establish a relationship with the pre-believer, based on love and trust.
- Learn to listen and listen to learn
- Show interest in your prospective friend
- Cultivate and maintain the friendship (be active and intentional about it!)
- Share your faith and your experiences
Only then can we earn the right to witness and create opportunities to share the gospel. Never neglect prayer, pray specifically and persistently!
Once a relationship of trust is established, opportunities will come. Make the most of the opportunities by recognizing them and being sensitive to the Spirit’s leading.