There are a number of tracks to follow – last year I chose the apologetics network. This year I’ve chosen to join the evangelism track, where the main speakers will be Michael Ramsden and Michael Green. As preparation for this I have been looking at some books and have found the following helpful:
Questioning Evangelism – Randy Newman (Kregel Publications).
This is a book which challenges the way so many of us think we should evangelise. We wait for the opportunity to pour out our well practised presentation, often preaching at people, rather than speaking to them. Often the way into people’s confidence is to question them and to listen until we understand where they are. At other times we need to challenge people’s ideas using questions to push their own beliefs further. When they get to admit the shortcomings of their own viewpoint, then they are ready to listen to others.
The Gospel and Personal Evangelism – Mark Dever (Crossway)
Mark Dever is obviously a man who is gifted in Personal Evangelism. However this is not an excuse for those of us who do not feel we have the same gift not to engage in speaking to others about Christ and his gospel. If this book is not particularly long, it is certainly challenging. The author takes us through all the excuses which we have for not speaking the gospel personally, and encourages us in very practical terms to get to work.
What Kind of God – Michael Ots (IVP)The author looks at ten questions which are often used as objections to the Christian Faith. As a result of years of dealing with these questions he gives clear, useful answers which can be used in disarming those who object to the Christian Faith.
Things God Wants us to Know – Roger Carswell (Christian Focus)
A simple, clear presentation of the gospel by one of the UK’s more effective evangelists. Following an initial chapter which challenges the reader to come with an open mind to listen to the Christian message he goes on to say that God wants us to know who He is; who we are; what He has done; what we must do. This is a book to put into the hands of those who are prepared to think and want to know what the heart of the Christian message is.
The Heart of Evangelism – Jerram Barrs (Crossway)
I am reading this at the moment. It is the fruit of more than thirty years of reflection on what the New Testament teaches about evangelism. It is a thorough treatment of the subject, and, although the chapters are short and easy to read in one sense, they are full of the Bible and challenging. It is split into four sections – Section One is Mission to the World, and challenges us to think of what we are called to do. The next section – The Kindness and Perseverance of God – faces us with the fact that our mission proceeds from God’s heart himself. The third section – Barriers in the Way of Communicating the Gospel – looks at those barriers within ourselves, the church and the hearers. The final section helps us with the principles we need to bear in mind as we fulfil our calling to evangelise – Making the Gospel Known.
This is a book born from the heart of one who yearns for Christ to see the fruit of His labours, and for the lost to be found. It’s almost 300 pages, so not a book to consume in an afternoon! But as I read I am challenged, my heart is both convicted and warmed. I am encouraged to engage in the work. I look forward to reading the book through to the end.
This is a book born from the heart of one who yearns for Christ to see the fruit of His labours, and for the lost to be found. It’s almost 300 pages, so not a book to consume in an afternoon! But as I read I am challenged, my heart is both convicted and warmed. I am encouraged to engage in the work. I look forward to reading the book through to the end.
Incidentally, for those of us involved in the Welsh language work, Christianity Explored is now available in Welsh. Contact the Evangelical Movement of Wales for more information.
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