My husband and I strive to be Jesus followers above all else and our desire is to point people to Jesus, rather than corral them into religion, tradition, or self-reformed morality. This book was the best resource (blog articles, videos, curriculum, book studies, etc.) that we've ever come across which attempts to give guidance on the best way to go about sharing the Gospel. |
This book not only didn't disappoint, it surpassed my expectations. Let me share a few quotes from the first chapter:
"Sometimes we forget the Gospel is good news. ... We think we're in a war and we have to 'win people to Christ.' It's a contest, a battle, a game, a conflict. In that context, it's not 'good news.' It's propaganda. ... that's a philosophical argument waiting to happen."
Now, the author wasn't trying to say there's no conflict between good and evil on earth or make any inferences toward spiritual warfare in that above quote. In context, he was discussing the mindset shift that needs to occur. If you go into a witnessing opportunity literally expecting a conflict... well, then, you're likely to find one. This may not be the best way to inform people about Jesus's love, life, sacrifice, and victory.
The chapters in this book gently lead us to examine how we truly view the Gospel, whether or not we're remembering the audience we're speaking to and showing genuine interest and care for them, and many helpful words of wisdom regarding how to consider the individual (or group dynamic) of the parties we are trying to convey the Gospel message to. I couldn't give you a bottom line, a three point summary, or even a list of 10 things to remember when witnessing based on this book because it would NOT do the book justice.
If you want to share the Gospel message in a way that is respectful, kind, and caring, without compromising the Truth and you're willing to enter into relationships with the people you witness to, this is an excellent starting point. As I stated before, we've never found a resource this good on how to evangelize. Far too many push religion, using judgement and guilt and motivators rather than remembering that one of the commandments Jesus gave believers directly in the New Testament is to "love others as I have loved you." (John 15:12) I personally think with the educational focus of many churches, God's people have sometimes lost faith in the Holy Spirit's ability to guide, counsel, and work mightily through and with individuals. This is truly unfortunate as the Holy Spirit was sent directly to be our helper in these times. (John 14:26)
For those who may be concerned about how treatment of the delicate issue of LGBTQ is or is not addressed by the author in this book, there is a small section discussing an interaction where a person (referred to as "Mark") identifying himself as gay approaches the author and this exchange occurs:
"Can I follow Jesus?" Mark asks.
"Mark, you can follow Jesus."
"But I'm gay."
"Mark, what I'm trying to say to you is that God loves gay people. Jesus loves gay people."
Then the author explains that Mark and readers may want to know whether the author considers it a sin to be gay or to live an actively gay lifestyle. The author refocuses readers by asking us to consider who Mark is- a college student who's had unloving interactions with the church to the point that he thought God didn't love him.
"Our communication to him, as the church, left him believing our 'good news' is that the most powerful being in the universe disapproves of and possibly hates him. ... We don't have to catalog every sin Mark has ever done or is doing. Mark doesn't have to fix himself and jettison all his sins before coming to Jesus. Those sins that are unclear or confusing or that he's unaware of... well, the Holy Spirit will make them clear in time. 'But,' you might say, 'Mark is still a sinner!' Well, yeah. Me too. After all these years of following Jesus, being a missionary, writing Christian books, and going to church for decades, I'm still a sinner. I'm not the only one, I trust. I have a hunch you are too. While we were yet sinners, Christ died for us. That's good news. We love Him because He first loved us. That's good news. God delights to show mercy. Ah, thank God. That is good news indeed."
**In the interest of full-disclosure: I received a complimentary copy of this book from NavPress for the purpose of reviewing. I was not required to give a positive review; my opinions are genuine.