From my reading in Acts 8:26-40 in the One Year New Testament.
Many approaches to evangelism assume people know too much.
In the USA it is common for those of us sharing to assume people have some knowledge of the Bible and Jesus. But often people have little to no knowledge on the subject.
On the other hand, those who have grown up in church might know a lot.
For someone, it is helpful to start by asking if they have any specific questions. Whoever you are trying to reach, is the principle is the same….
Start where they are and point them to the cross.
Philip is a great example of this in his encounter with the Ethiopian eunuch.
“Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” Acts 8:30
The man was already reading Isaiah. So Philip was able to simply ask about what he was reading. God ordained that the Ethiopian was reading a passage that predicted Jesus death!
In evangelism, we must look for the people whom God has already been preparing.
God caused Philip to be on that path and the Ethiopian to be reading about Jesus! It is so exciting when God places people in our path for us to tell about Christ.
“The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus.” Acts 8:34–35
Philip was able to tell the man about Jesus starting with where he was. The Bible is about Jesus, so regardless of where someone is reading there is usually a way to bring the conversation back to Jesus.
Philip was guided by the Holy Spirit to that specific man, reading that specific passage, on that specific road, to tell him about a specific man, Jesus!
If we are guided by the Holy Spirit, he can lead us to the exact people that he wants us to interact with and share about Christ!
It is an adventure to partner with the Holy Spirit, personally join people on their spiritual journey and share about Jesus in a relevant way. If we are faithful to do this lives and even countries can be changed!
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