Marks of Effective Evangelism - The Word

The Word

After we ask God to move through our evangelism  ( first mark of effective evangelism - prayer), we have to remember where the power comes from in our presentation.  The power does not come in the wise words or the tools we use, but in the Word of God. Hebrews 4:12-13,

For the word of God is living and active, sharper than any two-edged sword, piercing to the division of soul and of spirit, of joints and of marrow, and discerning the thoughts and intentions of the heart. And no creature is hidden from his sight, but all are naked and exposed to the eyes of him to whom we must give account.

The Word of God is what exposes the thoughts and intentions of the hearts. If we neglect the Word in our evangelism, we are hamstringing our efforts.  The Word works in the lives of the lost in exposing their sinfulness and showing them their need of the gospel.  The Word shows them that one day everyone will be naked and exposed before God to whom we must give an account. 

There are some tools that may be helpful in bringing in the Word (tracts, pamphlets, books, etc.), but they must be used to serve the Word and not trusted in over the Word. This gives us confidence in God rather than us.  We serve people by bringing the good news of the gospel into people’s lives.  We must allow the Word to do its work. 

This could be done in a corporate gathering, a small group discussion, or in one on one Bible reading.  We have to believe that God works through His Word.  When we trust in methods and tools over the Bible, we are showing our lack of confidence in God’s Word.  The Word is powerful.  It is living and active. It works.  Isaiah 55:10-11,

For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven and do not return there but water the earth, making it bring forth and sprout, giving seed to the sower and bread to the eater, so shall my word be that goes out from my mouth; it shall not return to me empty, but it shall accomplish that which I purpose, and shall succeed in the thing for which I sent it.

The Lord will accomplish His purpose through His Word so we must be faithful to share it.

One of the most overlooked tools for evangelism is the Bible and one of the most overlooked strategies is one on one Bible reading with people.  Reading the Bible with others allows the authority to rest on God’s Word over our own.