Friendship evangelism

[Pergamum]

Sharing the Evangel?

A drink of water can be that. Especially if a man is near death and thirsty. Water is not good news to a man who craves steak.

(Mat 10:42) And whoever gives one of these little ones even a cup of cold water because he is a disciple, truly, I say to you, he will by no means lose his reward."

(Mar 9:41) For truly, I say to you, whoever gives you a cup of water to drink because you belong to Christ will by no means lose his reward.

Mr Norseman:

If you would like to start a new OP about this, I would like to advance the proposal that these "little ones" in Matthew 25 are not just people indiscriminately but are evangelists/missionaries going out for the Sake of the Name. On the Last Judgment how we receive Gospel Messengers will determine how God disposes of us.

 

[Pergamum]

I have friends who do horrendous things. Maybe I am more like an old Roman who lives in a totally Pagan Society. I might be too closely associated with it. Drugs, Prostitution, etc. I have seen my friends I love come and repent. It was because I was a light. Even in my darkness. More so in those times. I am horrendous.

I don't love my friends based upon truth. Just ask them. I have Lawyer friends who attest to this. They are prosecutors.

Romans 5. Romans 5:8 precisely

I am assuming these are friends that you met earlier in life? And that now as a New Creation you tend to gravitate towards different kinds of people now, even while trying to bless your already-existing network of friends from your "previous past life", right? That point is central to my OP (not deliberately seeking out close friendships with worldly people now that we are saved, especially in an effort to evangelize them).

 

[PuritanCovenanter]

No, that isn't true Pergy. I have so many friends that keep coming into my life. Are all beneficial? No. Are all in need? Yes. I am too.

 

[J. Dean]

I would think that Luther's advice to the shoemaker is fitting here ("Be the best shoemaker you can be for the glory of God"). We live our lives as Christians and be ready to give an answer to those who ask a reason, as Peter states.

When I was in college, it didn't take a whole lot to talk about the faith with others. Bearing witness is pretty easy in a place where solid Christians are few and far between. Can't say that anybody was converted specifically because of me, but those who talked with me knew what the gospel was.

 

[a mere housewife]

People are relatable to others in different ways; and sometimes the ratio of saved to unsaved friends has to do with that, more than with the purity of our testimony. I think generally an extrovert will not only find it easier to make friends, but will probably have more interest in activities that also interest others at the same time he is being interested in them -- hence will have more in common with a wider range of people -- than an introvert. No doubt there are real dangers to be very aware of in getting caught up and drawn away from the Lord, rather than drawing others to him: but someone who doesn't have the same dangers also largely lacks the same opportunities. I don't see trying to make either person the 'norm' for how everyone should relate to unbelievers.

I am unfortunately one of those people who generally find it a form of psychological torture to have to attend an event or party. Yet I can still try to be a human being who is kind and sympathetic in my interactions (as people who approach Rich meet with respect); and while showing the Lord's love is not always or even mostly about words, occasionally that can afford as meaningful an opportunity as I could have to speak about my Lord, without the context (which someone like myself could probably only generate very artificially) of friendship with an unbeliever.

 

[Semper Fidelis]

People are relatable to others in different ways; and sometimes the ratio of saved to unsaved friends has to do with that, more than with the purity of our testimony. I think generally an extrovert will not only find it easier to make friends, but will probably have more interest in activities that also interest others at the same time he is being interested in them -- hence will have more in common with a wider range of people -- than an introvert. No doubt there are real dangers to be very aware of in getting caught up and drawn away from the Lord, rather than drawing others to him: but someone who doesn't have the same dangers also largely lacks the same opportunities. I don't see trying to make either person the 'norm' for how everyone should relate to unbelievers.

I am unfortunately one of those people who generally find it a form of psychological torture to have to attend an event or party. Yet I can still try to be a human being who is kind and sympathetic in my interactions (as people who approach Rich meet with respect); and while showing the Lord's love is not always or even mostly about words, occasionally that can afford as meaningful an opportunity as I could have to speak about my Lord, without the context (which someone like myself could probably only generate very artificially) of friendship with an unbeliever.

Well said. That's why I think the idea of Friendship Evangelism is sort of focused on one aspect of our overall engagement with culture. It implies that the way to reach the lost is to deliberately become friends with people in order to evangelize them. I think there are employer-employee relationships where God can be glorified by our interactions with others and opportunity exists to share our hope (as it may come up) without having to think: "...unless I become buddies with this person then I can't evangelize him!"

I think Brad's example is perfect. The friendship developed naturally based, perhaps, on a business relationship related to his trade. Brad is not necessarily called to think: "Say, there are people that work for my friend and the only way I can reach them for the Lord is to go to the bar after work and become their bestest buddy...."

Again, friendship evangelism (as articulated in some ways) captures an aspect of our life in this world but we oughtn't think that it somehow encompasses *the* way.

 

[kappazei]

I know that this is a thread about friendship evangelism but has anyone read this article about evangelism/outreach?

The New Conversion: Why We 'Become Christians' Differently Today | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

It primarily talks about the Church moving away from the revivalist method of evangelism which would include one on one, 'get them to say the sinner's prayer' thing but but sinner-meets-church-pointperson kind of evangelism.

"...the church was often defined as in the business of making conversions happen; its life and mission were oriented toward getting more people converted through whatever means possible...Increasingly, there is appreciation that conversion is a complex experience by which a person is initiated into a common life with the people of God who together seek the in-breaking of the kingdom, both in this life and in the world to come. This experience is mediated by the church and thus necessarily includes baptism as a rite of initiation. The power or energy of this experience is one of immediate encounter with the risen Christ—rather than principles or laws—and this experience is choreographed by the Spirit rather than evangelistic techniques. Evangelicals are reappropriating the heritage of the Reformation with its emphasis on the means of grace, and thereby affirming the priority of the Spirit's work in religious experience."

 

[Pergamum]

People are relatable to others in different ways; and sometimes the ratio of saved to unsaved friends has to do with that, more than with the purity of our testimony. I think generally an extrovert will not only find it easier to make friends, but will probably have more interest in activities that also interest others at the same time he is being interested in them -- hence will have more in common with a wider range of people -- than an introvert. No doubt there are real dangers to be very aware of in getting caught up and drawn away from the Lord, rather than drawing others to him: but someone who doesn't have the same dangers also largely lacks the same opportunities. I don't see trying to make either person the 'norm' for how everyone should relate to unbelievers.

I am unfortunately one of those people who generally find it a form of psychological torture to have to attend an event or party. Yet I can still try to be a human being who is kind and sympathetic in my interactions (as people who approach Rich meet with respect); and while showing the Lord's love is not always or even mostly about words, occasionally that can afford as meaningful an opportunity as I could have to speak about my Lord, without the context (which someone like myself could probably only generate very artificially) of friendship with an unbeliever.

I like this little phrase....

People are relatable to others in different ways

At least for men, many of us don't have many just friend-friends, but we have hunting friends or jogging friends, etc (relating to others around a single common interest). In this way, I have made acquaintances/friends with unbelievers due to a common interest in wrestling/jogging/hiking, etc. You and Rich and Brad's comments have been helfpul.

 

[Pergamum]

I know that this is a thread about friendship evangelism but has anyone read this article about evangelism/outreach?

The New Conversion: Why We 'Become Christians' Differently Today | Christianity Today | A Magazine of Evangelical Conviction

It primarily talks about the Church moving away from the revivalist method of evangelism which would include one on one, 'get them to say the sinner's prayer' thing but but sinner-meets-church-pointperson kind of evangelism.

"...the church was often defined as in the business of making conversions happen; its life and mission were oriented toward getting more people converted through whatever means possible...Increasingly, there is appreciation that conversion is a complex experience by which a person is initiated into a common life with the people of God who together seek the in-breaking of the kingdom, both in this life and in the world to come. This experience is mediated by the church and thus necessarily includes baptism as a rite of initiation. The power or energy of this experience is one of immediate encounter with the risen Christ—rather than principles or laws—and this experience is choreographed by the Spirit rather than evangelistic techniques. Evangelicals are reappropriating the heritage of the Reformation with its emphasis on the means of grace, and thereby affirming the priority of the Spirit's work in religious experience."

Interesting article.