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Sept.20.05 - Lftd -  "EMP1: The Objective of this Study"
Course : EVANGELISM MADE PERSONAL
-- Mark A. Copeland 

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Study 1 

"THE OBJECTIVE OF THIS STUDY"
What To Expect In The Lessons To Follow
The approach taken in this study devoted to the subject of evangelism varies somewhat from what you might normally expect to find. It is an effort to overcome the sort of problems that often follow special classes on personal work. Such problems as:

1- People losing their evangelistic zeal soon after the study is over, or soon after any efforts are made to try to reach others for Christ.

2- People who do not have the ability to teach being made to feel as though they are not as dedicated to the Lord as those who do teach.

3- People going out to teach before they are really prepared to teach, and often doing much harm in the process.

4- People who are unable to teach not being shown how they can greatly assist those who are able to teach.

5- Efforts in evangelism being carried out without being accompanied by a demonstration of the truth of the gospel in our own lives.

In trying to overcome these and similar problems, this study is based upon the following assumptions:
1- If people can be properly motivated and maintain a positive perspective, they will do whatever they can in this enterprise we call "evangelism", both now and in the future.

2- The Lord does not expect everyone to be a "teacher" in the formal sense of the word (Ja 3:1; 1 Co 12:29; Ro 12:3-8; 1 Pe 4:10,11), and we fail to appreciate the diversity of function in the Lord's body (the church) if we expect everybody to become a teacher.

3- Developing the ability to teach comes only with time, study, and training, which is far beyond the scope of any one course in evangelism.

4- Those who may not be able to teach can still do a lot to greatly enhance the opportunities for others to teach, if only shown how.

5- The most effective method of evangelism is one where the "verbalization" of the gospel is preceded by the "incarnation" of the gospel (i.e., demonstrating the truth of the gospel in our lives before we try to preach it to others).

I am sure that not all will agree with some of these assumptions. Given time and experience, I myself may change some of my views. But for now, and for the purpose of introducing this study, these remarks may help to explain the direction this study takes...

-- James 3:1 -- "Not many of you should presume to be teachers, my brothers, because you know that we who teach will be judged more strictly."

-- 1 Corinthians 12:29,30 -- "29 Is everyone an apostle? Of course not. Is everyone a prophet? No. Are all teachers? Does everyone have the power to do miracles? 30 Does everyone have the gift of healing? Of course not. Does God give all of us the ability to speak in unknown languages (speak in tongues)? Can everyone interpret unknown languages? No!"

-- Romans 12:3-8 -- "3 For by the grace given to me I say to everyone among you not to think of yourself more highly than you ought to think, but to think with sober judgment, each according to the measure of faith that God has assigned.    
4 Just as our bodies have many parts and each part has a special function,    5 so it is with Christ’s body. We are all parts of His one body, and each of us has different work to do. And since we are all one body in Christ, we belong to each other, and each of us needs all the others.    
6 God has given each of us the ability to do certain things well. So if God has given you the ability to prophesy, speak out when you have faith that God is speaking through you.    
7 If your gift is that of serving others, serve them well. If you are a teacher, do a good job of teaching. 8 If your gift is to encourage others, do it! If you have money, share it generously. If God has given you leadership ability, take the responsibility seriously. And if you have a gift for showing kindness to others, do it gladly."

-- 1 Peter 4:10,11 -- "10 God has given gifts to each of you from His great variety of spiritual gifts. Manage them well so that God’s generosity can flow through you.   
11 Are you called to be a speaker? Then speak as though God Himself were speaking through you. Are you called to help others? Do it with all the strength and energy that God supplies. Then God will be given glory in everything through Jesus Christ. All glory and power belong to Him forever and ever. Amen."