"Just bow your head right there where you are, say this prayer after
me:

[ I confess I’m a sinner – paraphrase Rom 10:9]

... Friends, if you prayed that prayer just now, we believe you
got born again. Write to us for literature on how you can begin your new
Christian Walk."

Part of the folly of modern evangelism is the idea that if we can get people to “confess with their mouth and believe in their hearts” (just once, right away, trick them into it if you have to, close the deal!), then they will be saved (and we get another notch in our belt).


1. Is it important that the individual being evangelized understand what it means to be a sinner before being told to confess to it? (we spoke much more on this in the early chapters of Romans)


2. Does Romans 10:9-10 speak of a do-it-once-and-punch-your-ticket (like a flu shot) event in a person’s life?

3. Discuss the dangers of this approach’s results (creating false converts).

• To the individual
  
  
• To the evangelist
  

_______

Student Question -- "What is your opinion on what a Christian should do when he/she runs into someone else who thinks they have the Absolute Truth?"

Good question, and the answer might surprise you.

1) Listen to understand. When the person sees that you have a real interest in what they have to say, you will establish a level of trust and good will that will come in as you start to offer alternatives.

2) Ask questions. The Columbo Tactic (very short but helpful article on it here) gives you the types of questions to ask. The article only covers Columbo type one ("what do you mean by that?") and two ("how did you come to that conclusion?"), the third type is used when you see a flaw in their logic that leads to an absurd conclusion (reductio) and can usually start with something like "have you considered ...?" Keep in mind, you can be very productive with the first two easier types of questions.

3) Don't be afraid to say "that's a good point" and "I never thought of that" (truthfully... not patronizing). Don't even be afraid to say "I don't know."

Get in a bind? Ask a question. Columbo rocks.

... so, do you consider yourself to be a good person? On what standard? ...

WARNING: Never ever ever allow this person to isolate you. Don't accept their word alone on the issue; you will encounter people who are very persuasive, manipulative, etc. You should also ask people more mature in the faith, do your research ... prepare for the next round.

Don't be afraid to learn something.

Student Question--"When speaking to a non-Christian, what's a good way to inform them about Christianity without making it sound like you are forcing it on them, or changing their beliefs?"

This is a great question that I believe many people have. I'll start and the end and work our way back.

First, it is important to be honest. You are trying to change their beliefs, so we shouldn't be trying to make it sound like you aren't. It doesn't mean you have to be rude about it, but I'd rather be seen as too frank than as trying to trick someone.

The "forcing it on them" perception can often be avoided by drawing lines in the right place. The person you are speaking to is a sinner, but so are you. If you come across as anything other than a humble recipient of God's saving grace who is offering the same good news to others, your witness will be hindered. It's also important to remember that even if you are humble and faithfully proclaim the gospel, conviction or rebellion in the sinner is still a possibility. The great news is that you are not responsible for this. You don't save anyone; you are just a faithful mouthpiece, God changes the heart. Scripture says people are saved through preaching the gospel, not tricks, entertainment, flattery, etc.:

ESV 1 Corinthians 1:21 For since, in the wisdom of God, the world did not know God through wisdom, it pleased God through the folly of what we preach to save those who believe.

How? The Objective Gospel that we covered in class is helpful here. Of course you don't always have time/opportunity to do them in order, it's just a tool. It is easy to turn a conversation with a question like "... so, do you consider yourself to be a good person?"



I hope this is helpful.