incredibly helpful. the audio from questioning evening night didn't work, but this is from MACU SL w/e away.
ok, so someone who had been taking notes at the event (far smarter than i was) kindly photocopied their notes and gave them to me...
- The gospel is powerful
- Jesus answered questions with questions to engage ppl, to make them think, and to meet them where they were at (e.g. rich man, asks 'good teacher, what must i do to inherit the kingdom of heaven?'... PERFECT SEGUE into the gospel msg. but jesus instead asks him, 'why do u call me good? no one is good but God alone'. reason? getting him to think more deeply about what 'good' means. why? he thought he was good.)
- 3 skills important: 1. How to declare the gospel. 2. How to defend the gospel. 3. How to dialogue the gospel.
- Acts 17, Paul visited 3 times to discuss in the synagogue, REASONED from the scriptures, sanctified arguing.
- Mixed reviews from audiences - from mobs to converts - don't be surprised by conflict'
- Our evangelism might sound like bad news before it is good news
- The Christ HAD TO die
- not just a teacher, not just an example --> needs to die to atone for the depths of our sin
- the death of the Holy One has to penetrate and humble the heart
most people just aren't thinking about spiritual things: 'think about spiritual stuff much?'
'You can believe whatever you want as long as it doesn't hurt anyone...'
A: really?
(shows you're happy to talk to about these kind of things)
'I think all religions get you to heaven'
A: Really? Can you explain that to me?
'So are you saying that everyone who doesn't agree with you lot are going to hell?' (KEY: tone indicates incredulity/abrasiveness) prov 26.4-5
A: Do you believe in hell?
- No, I think it's ridiculous
A: Then why are you asking me such a ridiculous question?
- I believe in Hell
A: OK, good, some common ground... So, who goes to Hell?
- Ah..
A: Hitler?
- Yeah!
A: OK, well who else?
- ...
A: Who decides who goes to Hell?
- Well, I guess God does. (NB: this was an atheist)
A: OK, well how does God decide who goes to Hell or Heaven?
- I guess the 10 commandments..?
A: How many of them do u have to keep to make it to Heaven?
- Sorry?
A: Well, obviously you don't murder, but what about lying? Can you get 9/10 to get to Heaven?
- ...
The person was really struck by how hard it was to be 'good enough'.
Now the conversation had made a turn which was suitable for talking about the gospel.
sometimes gradual approach is best - move them slowly along the spectrum.
' is it possible that?' ---> 'maybe?'
'how do you know that?' 'where did u get that from?'
as we 'lift the roof off their house' (francis schaeffer- wikipedia him) we need to do it carefully an lovingly - it can be traumatic to abolish their worldview
- fall on our knees in prayer
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