Introduction + Day 1 – What is Evangelism?

Introduction

The fact that you have chosen to chosen to join us on this journey shows that you have witnessed the pivotal hour we are living in and recognize that the only Hope is making Jesus known. Times have grown dark, and the words “hunger for God” are more of a saying than they are a reality. The church is on a decline, yet the majority of those who claim to be Christians have remained silent. Our prayer is that as you journey through these 30 days, your life will be transformed, and you will be driven to a place of hunger, right identity, and surrender, as you yield your ambitions and plans to the Lord. May the eyes of your heart be enlightened (Ephesians 1:18) to who you really are as a new creation (2 Corinthians 5:17). As a result, may it not only transform you but also the city in which God has strategically placed you in. Our prayer is that you would see past the simple words in this book, and it would provoke an attunement of your ear to the very heart cry of the Holy Spirit. That you may be fervently compelled to abide in Christ and make Him known everywhere you go.

As a ministry, we have activated and trained believers across the world to share their faith and have had the privilege of watching many come to Jesus as a result. Far too often, we have heard Christians use the phrase “I’m not called to evangelize” as a reason why they don’t share their faith. What we have found is that even though a large majority of believers feel it’s their duty to share their faith, only a small percentage actually make an effort to evangelize on a regular basis, many times leaving it up to someone holding the title of “Evangelist”. As a direct result of this discrepancy, millions of believers have chosen silence rather than sharing the greatest gift to the world around them.

This devotional is made up of 15 Questions that we have compiled from over a decade worth of evangelism training around the world. Each question is answered over the course of two days and at first glance, they may seem simple, however, they have the potential to rightly realign our perspectives when answered from the truth of God’s Word. We want to humbly encourage you to take your time as you read through each day, measuring each answer for yourself according to the scriptures. Matthew speaks of what Jesus called the “greatest commands” to the believer:

36 “Teacher, which is the greatest commandment in the Law?” 37 Jesus replied: “‘Love the Lord your God with all your heart and with all your soul and with all your mind.’ 38 This is the first and greatest commandment. 39 And the second is like it: ‘Love your neighbor as yourself.’” – Matthew 22:36-39

To be clear, these are not called the “greatest suggestions” but commands given to us by God. The word “neighbor” that Jesus is talking about is not isolated to the person living next door to your primary residence. He makes it clear in Luke’s (Luke 10:29-37) account that our neighbor is anyone around us, regardless of their ethnic, religious, or economic status. These commands – given to all followers of Christ – will serve as the backbone and foundation of this devotional. The truth is, if Christians view and understand these two commands properly, most of the books we read (including this very devotional) would be obsolete.

Our prayer is that this devotional would cause a compulsion within you to seek the Lord like never before and out of a byproduct of your pursuit and abiding in Christ, would make Him known to the world around you.

This devotional is brought to you by the “Making Him Known” 30 Day Evangelism Devotional.
Preorder for Making Him Known is available now – Release Date: November 1st, 2023

Day 1 – What is Evangelism?

Before we can answer the question “What is Evangelism?”, we have to build a context for what the heart of the question is really asking. Modern day evangelists and evangelism efforts have taken an array of different approaches, angles, and even perversions at times, potentially distorting our perspectives of what the Word of God is actually commanding of us. Dependence on a specific method cannot be the driving force but our relationship with the Lord should be the sole compelling factor to making Him known. Jesus said, “If you’ve seen Me, you’ve seen the Father” (John 14:9). Scripts, distributing gifts, door knocking, stopping people in the streets- many have tried to create methods labeled “evangelism”, but we

must remember what evangelism is in its purest form. This, my brothers and sisters, is evangelism- someone who is a living, breathing display of God’s heartbeat on the earth, one compelled by Christ’s love (2 Corinthians 5:14-15)… a Christian. Even in the word Christian, we find the word “Christ”, symbolizing who it is that we follow. We must recognize that different methods and approaches will be used to share the gospel, but evangelism isn’t about a method- it is the very life of Christ displayed through a surrendered Christian. “It is no longer I who live but Christ who lives in me and the life which I now live, I live by faith in the Son of God who loved me and gave Himself for me.” – Galatians 2:20

The reality is that across America less than 5% of church-goers have ever won a soul for Christ. Pastors have had to resort to encouraging their congregations with “let’s invite one person to church this year” as a hope to get us motivated to reach the lost. The sad reality is that many modern day believers are asleep, and in fact, in a lot of “Christian” circles you can’t tell the difference between a “Christian” and the world they are supposed to be the light to. To speak plainly, the world is going to hell unless the Bride of Christ, the Church, rises up and takes their place (Romans 10:14-15). What we need is a revelation of the Word of God to set fire to preconceived, unbiblical, and self-prioritizing notions. It’s time for the followers of Christ to allow the Word to guide every move they make. It’s the only way the world will be reconciled to the Father. It’s the only way we will be the Bride He desires. We must follow the life and example of Jesus; it is the only way.

There may be many reasons why you are engaging with this devotional, but regardless of what brought you into this journey with us, we recognize that God’s plans for your surrendered life far exceed what anyone can conceive of. “For the eyes of the LORD roam to and fro over all the earth, to show Himself strong on behalf of those whose hearts are fully devoted to Him…” – 2 Chronicles 16:9a As we give Him our hearts fully devoted, He promises to show Himself strong on our behalf. He is ready to transform your community, your city, your mission field, through you!

Scriptures: Matthew 28:19-20, Mark 16:15, Romans 10:14-15, 2 Corinthians 5:14-15, Chronicles 16:9.

References: https://bible.org/illustration/evangelism-statistics