[For each of the following, list some short and long term goals that could help you move toward and/or reach the objective]

Overall Evangelism Objective: To glorify God by faithfully obeying Christ’s command to make disciples by 1) authenticating and 2) sharing the gospel so that 3) people {especially those in my sphere of influence} are 4) motivated to both: 5) enter into a saving relationship with Jesus Christ, 6) accepting rather than rejecting God’s free gift of salvation, 7) and continue on the path of discipleship. .

Theme from Ephesians: get your act together, get it through the auditions, take it on the road, move them along their road.

I. Preparation Objectives

2Tim 2:2...cleanses himself from the latter, he will be a vessel for honor, sanctified and useful for the Master, prepared for every good work.

A. To realize: 1) why God has me in my specific location on this planet, in contact or potential contact with my peer/affinity group, who are going to suffer temporal pain and an eternity in torment without the gospel, and 2) my accountability for them.

1. Identify and pray for a sensitivity to the need for Christ of those in my sphere of contact/influence/oikos

2. Develop and follow a plan to meet, know, love and serve them (can be done in five minutes or five years)

B. To be able to share not only the gospel, but answers that refute the most common objections to the gospel. 1Pt 3:15  But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you

1. Nature of Truth (absolute vs relative; scientific vs historic; sincerity or belief doesn’t = truth; infinite must be revealed to finite)

2. Existence of God (evidence? self-caused?  Evolution?)

3. Possibility and Reliability of His communication (reliability of Scripture)

4. Challenges to His Character (How can a good God allow suffering?)

5. Comparisons to other religions (not even on the same mountain re: person of God, final destiny, how you get there)

6. Unique features and benefits of Christianity (God becoming and reaching out to man; Holy Spirit; grace rcvd by faith vs works)

7. Common Smoke screens (hypocrites; weak: cure, not crutch; those who haven’t heard; too easy)

C. To develop the sanctification that enables me to have my needs met by God so I’m free to serve the needs of others

(See Js 2:8,12; royal law of liberty) 12  So speak and so do as those who will be judged by the law of liberty.(1Cor 9:22-27)

II. Cultivation & Authentication Objectives

1Thess 2:8  So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. (cf Mt 5:16 let your light shine before men)

A. To be able to build both long term and short term loving relationships, in which credibility, trust, commonality and are developed so that communication (having in common) occurs {see TOYL Friendship Outline and Relationships Categories}

B. To expose pre-Christian friends to Christian friends to both authenticate the message through the witness of the Body, and help the pre-Christian move further along the path of their spiritual pilgrimage. {See retreat brainstorming ideas}

III. Sowing Objectives

Mt 13:23 seed on the good ground is he who hears the word and understands it, who indeed bears fruit and produces

A. To relate Biblical truth/principles to the needs of both temporal and eternal existence, by illustrating/authenticating truth in your own life, and seeking to raise needs through listening and questioning.

(Share portions of Scripture that relate to their felt/expressed need; share books, “edifications”, experiences with God, answers to prayer)

B. To help people face and answer, from a Biblical perspective, the questions relating to their purpose for living and eternal destiny.

(Lead a Discussion or an Evangelistic or topical Bible Study)

IV. Reaping Objectives

Jn 4:36  he who reaps receives wages s, and gathers fruit for eternal life…may rejoice together.

A. To share an illustration of the Gospel bringing people to a consequence-informed  decision of accepting or rejecting God’s offer. (Memorize and practice the Bridge illustration. {see Training Objectives in TOYL)

B. To be able to assure a convert of  their secure salvation, and both motivate and lead them through the initial steps of follow-up (Study the Discipleship Verses with them, get them tied into Biblical Fellowship).

All Things to All Men: IN the World yet not OF the World

Gal 5:13 For you, brethren, have been called to liberty; only do not use liberty as an opportunity for the flesh, but through love serve one another.

I. Sanctified Believers glorify God by Emanating the unity and love of God to the world around them

John 17:3  And this is eternal life, that they may know You, the only true God, and Jesus Christ whom You have sent.

4  I have glorified You on the earth. I have finished the work which You have given Me to do.  {Know-feel/value-do-finish}

A. We cannot be so Separate that we have no basis for communication

11 Now I am no longer in the world, but these are in the world, and I come to You. Holy Father, keep through Your name those whom You have given Me, that they may be one as We are. 13  But now I come to You, and these things I speak in the world, that they may have My joy fulfilled in themselves.

B. We can not be so Similar that we have no basis for manifestation of God’s wisdom and love  (2Cor 5:17, 6:17)

14  I have given them Your word; and the world has hated them because they are not of the world, just as I am not of the world.

15  I do not pray that You should take them out of the world, but that You should keep them from the evil one.

16  They are not of the world, just as I am not of the world. 17  Sanctify them by Your truth. Your word is truth.

Worldlings’ worth & value from: Being around a group just like us; Being accepted/liked by others; Having/doing what everyone else does

C. Our Mission and Methods are our Master’s

18 As You sent Me into the world, I also have sent them into the world. 19 And for their sakes I sanctify Myself, that they also may be sanctified by the truth. 20  I do not pray for these alone, but also for those who will believe in Me through their word; 21 that they all may be one, as You, Father, are in Me, and I in You; that they also may be one in Us, that the world may believe that You sent Me. 

Sanctifying and Sacrificing ourselves to do His will, as a team of ambassadors on a life or death mission

D. Our Motivations, values and ambitions must be sourced in our Sender

22 And the glory which You gave Me I have given them, that they may be one just as We are one: 23 I in them, and You in Me; that they may be made perfect in one/unity, and that the world may know that You have sent Me, and have loved them as You have loved Me.  25 O righteous Father! The world has not known You, but I have known You; and these have known that You sent Me. 26 And I have declared to them Your name, and will declare it, that the love with which You loved Me may be in them, and I in them.

Secret society, cost life to join, other’s ensure our needs are met, we lay down life for others [Love is doing what is in another’s best interest]

II. Those who follow Christ to glory are serious about Emulating His other-centered service of real needs

A. Self-Denying Disciples are not concerned about their own interests, worth, value, and reputation, but are all about the other guy.

1Cor 9:19  For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more;

B. Taking an interest in others, accommodating their preferences/interests gives us the common ground necessary for communication

20  and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; 21  to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; 22  to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 23  Now this I do for the gospel’s sake, that I may be partaker of it with you.

Ethos (honest/good-it works in your life); Pathos (feel strongly; empathize, identify);  Logos (persuasive logic and reason)

C. Christlike service of the unwashed is life’s highest calling, requiring denial and discipline to win. (But it’s worth it!)

24  Do you not know that those who run in a race all run, but one receives the prize? Run in such a way that you may obtain it.

25  And everyone who competes for the prize is temperate in all things. Now they do it to obtain a perishable crown, but we for an imperishable crown. 26  Therefore I run thus: not with uncertainty. Thus I fight: not as one who beats the air.

27  But I discipline my body and bring it into subjection, lest, when I have preached to others, I myself should become disqualified.

Questions for Reflection/Discussion/Response:

1. How could Jesus party with the pagans while being free from sin? What keeps believers from “going native”?

2. What are most folks’ objectives during an interpersonal interaction? How would Jesus interact with your sphere of influence?

3. Can you share an instance when someone met you on your turf to help move you to Christ’s kingdom?

4. How can we be all things to all men without compromising our values or being infected? Who or what meets our needs?

5. What do you think causes most people to fail to manifest God’s wisdom, unity and love to those stumbling in the dark around them?