The Wired Word for 04/06/2025  ## Metadata - Author: [[The Wired Word]] - Full Title: The Wired Word for 04/06/2025 - Category: #articles - Document Note: --- tags: - #evangelism - #christianwitness - #faithcommunication - #discipleship - #studentministries - #apologetics - #witnessing - #religioustraining Author: The Wired Word Team Source: The Wired Word, April 6, 2025 Weekly Lesson Reference: https://www.thewiredword.com date created: 2025-04-06 11:00 --- # Title: Student Evangelism: Techniques, Reflections, and Evolving Models of Witness ## Table of Contents: - [📝 Summary](#-summary) - [📖 Main Content](#-main-content) - [🗒️ Notes](#️-notes) - [📖 References](#-references) - [🗣️ Paraphrase](#-paraphrase) - [📰 Newsletter](#-newsletter) - [✅ Action Items](#-action-items) - [🧪 Hypotheses](#-hypotheses) - [📊 Methodology](#-methodology) - [❓ Questions](#-questions) - [🔮 Future Research](#-future-research) - [💡 Implications](#-implications) - [🧠 Learning Styles Assessment](#-learning-styles-assessment) - [📊 Accessibility Assessment](#-accessibility-assessment) - [🌍 DEIB (Diversity, Equity, Inclusion, and Belonging) Assessment](#-deib-diversity-equity-inclusion-and-belonging-assessment) - [✅ Logical validity](#-logical-validity) - [🔍 DARVO Analysis Prompt](#-darvo-analysis-prompt) - [🔍 SEO Evaluation](#-seo-evaluation) - [🎯 Conclusion](#-conclusion) ## 📝 Summary: This Wired Word lesson explores evolving evangelism practices among Christian college students, comparing public gospel presentations (like chalking Bible verses on campus sidewalks) with more reflective personal storytelling. The primary contrast is between bold, often confrontational methods and relational, story-based witness. The lesson draws from two main events: the Gospel Chalk Movement at WKU and Heidie Senseman's reflections on prayer-based "cold call" evangelism in public spaces. Key theological questions and scriptural passages guide readers to examine effectiveness, tone, and the ethics of evangelism. ## 📖 Main Content: This discussion pivots on the tension between **bold proclamation** and **relational connection**. Western Kentucky University's Gospel Chalk Movement represents the former—a high-visibility witness using public writing. In contrast, Senseman critiques such tactics as socially alienating, emphasizing **contextual sensitivity** and **relationship-first approaches**. Senseman’s writing reveals her theological and emotional journey from formulaic proselytizing to narrative-based spiritual sharing. The lesson links these reflections to Jesus’ model, biblical mandates (2 Tim 4:1-2; Isaiah 61), and broader implications about the **ministry of reconciliation** (2 Cor 5:18-20). ### 🗒️ Notes - **Western Kentucky University chalking event** - Inspired by TikTok’s "Gospel Chalk Movement" - Organized by Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM), "Cru," and Hilltoppers for Christ - Goal: publicly write the entire Gospel of John on sidewalks - Follow-up space was provided for student feedback - **Heidie Senseman’s narrative** - Early approach: cold-call prayer offers at Walmart - Inspired by local seminary students - Evangelistic prayers embedded with Scripture - Reflects on how this felt socially awkward and ineffective - Misinterpreting social discomfort as persecution - Recognized a disconnect between intention and impact - Evangelism as **narrative and personal witness** - Parallels with C.S. Lewis’ framing of stories as "portals" - Writing and storytelling became her evangelistic method - **Scriptural tie-ins** - Exodus 3: God hears the cries of the oppressed - Isaiah 61: Good news to the poor, echoes in Jesus' own ministry - Luke 4: Jesus' synagogue reading sparks anger due to radical implications - 2 Timothy 4: Evangelism "in season and out" - 2 Corinthians 5: Evangelism as reconciliation work - **Modern reflections** - Some view evangelism as coercive or colonialist - Effective witness involves relationship, empathy, and listening - Examples: BLESS model, Koukl’s tactical tips, Discipleship Gospel emphasis on slow, relational growth ## 📖 References: - Christianity Today: “My Walmart Evangelism Wasn’t Working” by Heidie Senseman - Fox News: Coverage of WKU Gospel Chalk Movement - Cru.org: “Modern Day Evangelism” - The Bonhoeffer Project: “Jesus’ Primary Method of Evangelism” - Howard Thurman, *Jesus and the Disinherited* - Jimmy Carter, *Through the Year with Jimmy Carter* ## 🗣️ Paraphrase: 1. **Original**: “It occurred to me that maybe the gospel hadn't been what offended our Walmart shoppers...” **Paraphrase**: Senseman wondered if it wasn't the message of salvation itself that bothered people, but rather the intrusive way it was delivered by strangers in a supermarket. 2. **Original**: “Good writers ... care about presentation. They connect with their readers...” **Paraphrase**: Her professors stressed that impactful writers think about how they engage their audience—with humor, story, and a relatable voice—suggesting that delivery shapes how deeply a message lands. ## 📰 Newsletter: **How Do You Share the Gospel Today?** In this week’s issue, we’re spotlighting student evangelism in action—from WKU’s sidewalk chalk Gospel to a writer's journey from awkward Walmart prayers to impactful personal storytelling. What’s working? What’s not? Dive into strategies like BLESS and tactics from Koukl, and see how students are reshaping faith conversations. Are we listening first or preaching first? Plus, explore scripture's deep ties to evangelism as reconciliation. Read the full reflection here: [The Wired Word](https://www.thewiredword.com) ## ✅ Action Items: - Consider integrating narrative and personal storytelling into evangelism training resources. - Examine potential parallels in contributor onboarding and how trust-based relationships foster stronger community connections in open source. - Reflect on the ethics of "broadcast" messaging in tech communities (i.e., mass emails, announcements) vs. relational engagement. - Evaluate the tone of evangelism methods within WordPress community growth—how are we connecting meaningfully, not just communicating? ## 🧪 Hypotheses: - Relational storytelling leads to deeper gospel engagement than public proselytizing. - Evangelism perceived as social intrusion creates long-term aversion to faith-based dialogue. - Evangelism rooted in empathy mirrors effective community-building practices in open source. ### 📊 Methodology: - Conduct qualitative interviews with individuals exposed to both styles of evangelism. - Textual analysis of online evangelical content for tone, intent, and user responses. - Comparative case studies of church evangelism programs using the BLESS model. ### ❓ Questions: - Can evangelism without an invitation still count as evangelism? - What makes a message feel like “good news” rather than judgment? - How does tone influence theological reception? ### 🔮 Future Research: - Explore cross-cultural perceptions of evangelism methods. - Investigate correlations between evangelistic approach and long-term church engagement. - Assess the role of digital storytelling in Gen Z evangelism. ### 💡 Implications: - Findings may reshape how churches and ministries train young evangelists. - Could impact policy on public religious expression in secular institutions. - Might inspire hybrid outreach models combining relational depth and creative visibility. ## 🧠 Learning Styles Assessment: - **Visual**: Absent—add diagrams of evangelism models (e.g., relational vs. proclamation). - **Auditory**: Missing—embed audio versions or sermon excerpts. - **Verbal**: Strong—reflective essays and narrative structure. - **Kinesthetic**: Moderate—encourage readers to practice different methods and journal experiences. - **Logical**: Moderate—could improve with comparative charts or frameworks. - **Social**: Strong—group reflection and discussion questions are central. - **Solitary**: Present—Senseman’s story invites introspection. - **Naturalistic**: Minimal—include analogies to natural systems for more engagement. ## 📊 Accessibility Assessment: - **Screen Reader**: Needs semantic HTML tags for scripture and emphasis points. - **Keyboard Navigation**: Not evaluated; assume basic compatibility unless interactive - Summary: On March 10, about 70 Christian students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) spent almost three hours writing out the entire gospel of John on campus sidewalks. Dear Class Members, Our lesson this week uses two recent articles about student evangelistic efforts to launch a discussion about what constitutes effective communication about our faith.  **Student Evangelistic Techniques Get Mixed Reactions*****The Wired Word*** **for the Week of April 6, 2025** **In the News** On March 10, about 70 Christian students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) spent almost three hours [writing out the entire](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3Dm7PA_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVvXpF4brNTEkyW6JbdtlO4sRt8xtgNANRFxH9GtyabOl-2FhW3q5Vq-2B7sKsy7ji5OpUe-2FbzaBb9fTEBCqTlLaOXKlTX-2FPp-2FoKwMXTQBxs3bwqgOFSw08z0EHxiaeJgHFf9bPrvJ1txcS0SRJQpVoAU8LPmliIBgcQWbyZRrsJ2oPs9wauL2q6OwTYVbfWBARpn3GE7LtgHaHKSggJNKHiP-2F2Q-3D) [go](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3DwnHs_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVqAkyPXtuSdoSRy8JpPD1QDOXYS31k0PV04lc2nbRAk7AZcOmcua6NJ6AapAsB-2FB0nMEpFL1DQHGD1lQhhd4xOUzUJpTOIpExU1HZU8uDlyeG2ig8sXkEi3lGESbgEWNhmTLD7-2BZ2bT-2FgcBMvhCJana8QDoJGFnCf7ToTelZNaP4B1EuspI8JxIRdoLMOgKVsxwO47BbJJB4ktGp9hKNrmg-3D)[spel of John](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3DAi2d_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVllnVlg2CtqJkNTrqm-2B7lJ3601DtTDclq3dvx0QxqxYMn0gytZMsjeiuuCE1YYc6KBpyEVaWDZRAklPCWggZkGJFuoOGYR6hgQeAN3z-2FlbuyazdBUhfvB-2Fuvf72sYAavCrtWM3RQfcqxIfFah9ahtriDKYBva6VVM2m0ExP2xBb0H5KIfM35C1BQ4FeZdr9k-2BOxcTN97nhnlksUcOUSJ-2BEE-3D) on campus sidewalks. The students, organized by the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) and joined by Campus Crusade for Christ "Cru" and Hilltoppers for Christ, got the idea from similar efforts (called "Gospel Chalk Movement" on TikTok) on several North Carolina campuses. Luke Alford, BCM vice president and WKU senior, said, "The main reason for us doing this ultimately is to spread the good news, or the Gospel." Another student involved in the activity, Rachel Harwood, said BCM followed up the next day with a designated space where students could offer their opinions about the event and talk about the message of the gospel. Heidie Senseman, an MFA candidate in the University of Iowa's Nonfiction Writing Program, recently penned [an essay about what she has learned about evangelism](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNP95KrJfmUHVPV73SgCwK6Lj6C71VuMb4XJT-2BZHRyFnlsu1aAqud6uhWj3-2Bo0yeFb4ir3w3dCsUPHNJ0ccgLqfE6Pj-2BaM-2FIf5uqmchzuz9nxxIf_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlKqAj3ICRRIpjwFosTTx6-2BH5kUn3JmKqiIdAH9rQqyYGQ2Rt5nq1qKx4XsU5XzONd-2FgobxexrNw6ud71k8dJM-2BnopVneM-2FXVDed2MnPwNqav7d7bR1-2FaN0cePh-2BqnuqWVW-2FUO1T6M3rR02jYSfbV0Xa01UYpHJPWNNi4RIXzl2QKBBQKra15cfwaIc9VsQ-2FPmya-2Bm-2BrWlAPsBuh-2FydUBis-3D) during her faith journey. In her freshman year of college, she and her friends scouted out shoppers at the local Walmart, offering to pray for them. Their hidden goal, she said, "was to evangelize. We wanted to present the gospel message beginning to end, creation to consummation, and invite people to respond. So we prayed informative prayers. We situated requests inside the story of biblical history, defining terms and quoting Scripture along the way." While some shoppers ignored, declined or rebuffed their offer, others accepted, whether out of genuine interest or social politeness. And once prayer began, Senseman said, the zealous if clumsy evangelists had a captive audience until the "Amen" was finally pronounced. They took their cue from MDiv students at a seminary nearby, who urged, "If all you can do is pray for someone, ... then pray the gospel." Senseman indicated that their evangelistic approach was born out of sincerity and conviction that they had a sacred obligation to present the gospel to people who, they believed, were headed for hell without it. "A shot at saving someone from that fate was worth [possible] rejection," Senseman reasoned at the time. The "cold-call approach" wasn't very satisfying to Senseman, who sensed that it offered scant opportunity for deeper conversations or development of relationships. She wondered whether it was true that if they just planted seeds of the gospel, God would cause the seeds to sprout ([1 Corinthians 3:6](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxOdlwvpIcp6dpBWksJaxTxPrvJ2ZZm0knYR2DpjtJ6k7fZ-2Bb7Y3kyG8-2B6ccTZbqbmiCEe_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVllPN5whVYN0CsDc9Dy5ruz6N-2FaE5ZssDTh1zraq-2FfTnX8SpVP3x9aLPjwmnpkczhlNaJJFhgAbRaxF0jvEAfQ9ckMlNzTaFJsBDHIlnNhuTLIQLUF7RruEux7Z2-2BpsVVy38S8PzP30gBm-2Fpd-2B0k66O66P7R1516QJRz9uLsBQOPflA6cxD9xGjCGFaJ5hInA2QwjoKmyHQOAWTKmuum6yM-3D)). "It occurred to me that maybe the gospel hadn't been what offended our Walmart shoppers; maybe the gall of two strange, Pollyanna-ish teenagers demanding their attention in the chip aisle had," she reflected. Senseman sensed that sometimes we might misinterpret "a lack of discretion [or tact] as evangelistic seriousness." "It's easy to cast the plight of a Walmart evangelist in the same light as the apostles' persecution," she writes. "It's harder to admit that confronting strangers with the gospel in the street, a park, or a store might produce an affront that's more social than theological. Harder to accept that people don't like being dragged into intimate conversations with strangers. We find ideas more compelling when they're delivered through the lips of those we know -- that is, when there's a connection, or a relationship, or context." It was a revelation when she heard classmates and a professor describe proselytizing with words like "condescending, ... fanatical [and] an act of colonialism." As Senseman began to shift her focus to honing her skill as a writer, she heard her professors' counsel: "Good writers ... care about presentation. They connect with their readers. They build rapport. They use humor, tone, narrative, tact, which is why people feel so affected by their words. ... One could have a great message but deliver it terribly." Senseman began to develop a desire to get to know people, not as "a sort of faceless evangelistic cause" but as individuals with their own hurts and hopes, queries and quests. As they began to share bits and pieces of their own life stories, Senseman realized they often found themselves talking about things of eternal significance. "I wondered if all this talk might count as a kind of evangelism. The rubric in my head told me no. I wasn't 'naming the stakes' or inviting them to bow their heads in informative prayer. But I was providing an account of the Christian life. Of my Christian life. And it was the details they seemed most interested in. ... somehow the narratives created more engagement." "C.S. Lewis ... described stories … as windows and doors," Senseman added. "That is, access points. Portals. Things people can peer into and step through to 'see with other eyes, to imagine with other imaginations, to feel with other hearts.' I can't think of a better description of what evangelism hopes to accomplish in its hearers." More on this story can be found at these links: [My Walmart Evangelism Wasn't Working.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNP95KrJfmUHVPV73SgCwK6Lj6C71VuMb4XJT-2BZHRyFnlsu1aAqud6uhWj3-2Bo0yeFb4ir3w3dCsUPHNJ0ccgLqfE6Pj-2BaM-2FIf5uqmchzuz9nE-2-_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVrHpygcDxREe4gdb5LgJ5sgXQPB1F-2BY-2BFPryu4Z8ADXBpvczRsaSTfag1DdYpBRLXiK0Tn-2F28ZHs0ry4auitDGS3HdA-2FPnorvOqu9AfZCV8MBKxbOLu8IdOL-2BdtFezJXGWNoTKdfwhec6brHTP37p-2FcMlS-2B6oVprfBNYlQQDzrqu7oE-2BtcNK1o-2Fcu3XXlCedejM0DMZbyfr4qr-2BWbX2-2Bens-3D) *[Christianity Today](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNP95KrJfmUHVPV73SgCwK6Lj6C71VuMb4XJT-2BZHRyFnlsu1aAqud6uhWj3-2Bo0yeFb4ir3w3dCsUPHNJ0ccgLqfE6Pj-2BaM-2FIf5uqmchzuz9nzkHL_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVtIEYiUkZDhYK87zKZ7sOy-2BrfCTUQ8OWKwkx52bOYcIhGRySbf82D1dnCCeyre3qPBNlVqqRusPvvEAApW5xzrpVcWV5bYizutO6EFRc0CuNNR69lC-2FAK-2F2Qo8xumvGfWmiWuhMnkwxlN27Bw-2BpiM-2F1PwVAXJo-2BXHNE0Qvn0IOKgrRRhNH43chkD5acoRLUMjQVLd97LOTobiVuz5u3n0vk-3D)*[Kentucky Students Chalk Entire Gospel of John Across University in Campus Trend.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3DXKOp_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVnDkaqb6GrZ9v5Ryp18XLe0dIRSTEa3g2emO9085spVRQF3b4xfNZpdIZMyIZepNSwpMVTD41gLERdZBKRS2JWe0vf3bV0E9qJKxEh-2BF-2By9RevsRFoBZraRlAk7R1cpoaZny6RShzkRXQiSEP1-2Fp3UqTp8cV3MJDiVmEqrKFVOEpAzWDW5c4GQ-2Fkr-2B-2F8GVtt45GClifB2JZNlp7OBZyDaeI-3D) *[Fox News](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3Do48P_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVtKHndOEFJc5JeF9dfj9VN57qyT8ggsKJG-2FHGsFWHVFIvgfso-2BomfEqhDmnAtSrYK21twKZTT4-2F7suLKtM-2FLih8eo9lWLRAlRUttl5d8V9H6YTloYz8U-2FWcGos6YvX6qZQnZrA4kdt3RSD4KouLX-2Bp45Btfi94daDI46VK2euTZl9QyhjzCkeEgPyZwd7tzX9IQLCAIEfHSB-2BeDVsDMJPSI-3D)*[Modern Day Evangelism.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPLbhTPqtUJfxr-2BU5HpxyUhUM681G5JsgK7ryzKjj-2BkorqHAhN-2BWcf3rsxNEG-2B-2B0z3LbByIcVBR0Yb8UcmUCLIQY8u4IF73VPl6WWIaImWhEeDggH7Ve-2BbTnj5y-2Fb-2B2OaWVwmCoJCSgNZnMZFlJuCgN0-3DmOS5_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlT9BgZhk96DpcTwVfnAOoClhPUWLaAreAkQtxXxNPJByXJ0XxJ3DZcqbyVFv7G8s6sIh438yU1b94cWqHYDXXA33NXfwpTPuOrjZKc-2FSDXg30nPWZclVqkOrrCeSFZ5VtS2i7oKyqnTXIgO7NZki9Ja6JusfpzYWy79MfqZCi5j2B1uPSoJyfzaziq9aHUOVUP3lpAfjfJkfLVoQN-2FoD-2Bs-3D) *[Cru](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPLbhTPqtUJfxr-2BU5HpxyUhUM681G5JsgK7ryzKjj-2BkorqHAhN-2BWcf3rsxNEG-2B-2B0z3LbByIcVBR0Yb8UcmUCLIQY8u4IF73VPl6WWIaImWhEeDggH7Ve-2BbTnj5y-2Fb-2B2OaWVwmCoJCSgNZnMZFlJuCgN0-3DJ7-2_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVqo-2B9e2-2BWiA-2FnwHOfXYzRajiBQRy6dSFuQB1eJH6TpS2kpkxfrj5A2FxQQjImFMaKeAv84ckg5oZW1qo-2FXvyol5dEZiUt-2F6zrg-2FeZEpHqdd-2BIhZcUpdr4FECfqbvTiefcf2yOilSyxujFey58-2F30EgOXlbW7slnXZIso7iaTO4ccmvHWVZL6R-2BMlgG0JPJdgcGX-2FM4v1FU4bnnNhdDKj2tI-3D)* [Jesus' Primary Method of Evangelism.](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEWI-2FCVeGAqaPus0mhsfEQc2mE-2FDIrLdwi0EE2DiNg-2FkoCDIFxg8onEmMRnSRHdaXxXB1A4bJPybN0F8tdQoUcj2PVqRx8Wvr4ejGJgR5d9oMz07MUlDdX-2FgcrPyZr4R4w-3D-3DAaSS_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVhcKIa1JGHYTDL30kvND-2BxBoBDd9PWnAMJK-2FoAI8oNU8vic0rbCwKmmLAEJQoB7tiw75GASpPvYT49BEraaO5fpHzxIWjJca8MhZEGKTuQjpnvDJrTG4t-2BGKL5FvrDVWnQRR-2B2UR0SPa7O9R-2BMK-2FV5Nzx2CkxGZ73awYkB39fhKvzZIaxQEEKQAyZnxtVEybMuwhTU915C5BiJQAnMnWgp0-3D) *[The Bonhoeffer Project](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEWI-2FCVeGAqaPus0mhsfEQc2mE-2FDIrLdwi0EE2DiNg-2FkoCDIFxg8onEmMRnSRHdaXxXB1A4bJPybN0F8tdQoUcj2PVqRx8Wvr4ejGJgR5d9oMz07MUlDdX-2FgcrPyZr4R4w-3D-3DkJGX_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVsIlVBzoBwu-2BGlCcpL3d16BGUjUGUP-2BMutOiitWsbweFtUUmDIAqV4PidksnUAt27OV2uxQ-2FcyTWB4-2BfU2KdWRsog8AYB3EHBuudyW76maZ8TWf6qYW3FDp-2BMLFSNyMaVhYx3QUfBANVoQSv3LSldp6q7xTDKkbccN-2FwEnV3JEsgKnPZ1dJiL3rmzX5GfspYSGmau7uYVjN9y7-2BFJ8iNMxs-3D)* **Applying the News Story** The word "evangel" comes from the Greek, meaning "good news" or "gospel." The term has sometimes taken on negative connotations, for a variety of reasons. Those who call themselves evangelical or who engage in evangelism as they understand it may not always have a message that sounds like good news to listeners. Or at times, the way evangelists live or express their message belies or sabotages their effort. In order to be effective evangelists, we need to comprehend what is good about Jesus' message, how our lives can honestly reflect that message, and how we can present that good news winsomely and respectfully to others. **The Big Questions** 1. How did you first learn the gospel story? How did you react to it initially? 2. What factors might contribute to people rejecting the gospel? What factors might lead to people responding positively to an evangelistic message? 3. What are the qualities of a good evangelist? 4. What is the difference, if any, between evangelism and proselyting? 5. How are you responding to the Great Commission ([Matthew 28:18-20](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDd6QMlIfNhj6TCT8nNThCQu8b1seiRibChKgAXaX3BJb5MlS_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVot89etCyK7H-2Fsegy5zdaTpwQFCvjLjlcYKG2A1SmpdgB-2FVJo4BffUb9cDXv4S2n4wCmFX-2Bqp-2Bzhp4udSz9z3FAnxUEEXq1NN7jU0ogQ-2F8z1PUUr0kr42m7qj4FlMel3kjvrybY8zu1GzWpsrSGHXm0IFJ6ZPE2wacejW-2FijjgGHKr2flUXnRnqc6bak6sLYNwRidg6ipeAv8cs0zVOajWc-3D); [Mark 16:15](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxSK12ybKkmzWTeFuKKSrmw8mpRpXcygR2j3ufzhF-2FcLA6VbRSiSe-2F0jhY5JunxHKWCGTL_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVowAAfm2W6pNsd6gDtm9Nr-2FgUo3WkmdsgtvDIHxlzDo1HKVGL3rAg0sbDwG6OHCi37MEEgp2uuq-2FXWNnSIwRP4GbPqTsXkktrTiu4-2FdgmAwVqHr-2BJmwzKwHGEaub1nebP22myBQQHObNrzWlubviv-2FLtzT6SwDqVSVKWeonaLRwTDOKxhXKOtLcGzFwY3GB7gtnWvw8-2FGJBhQgdQhw9z58U-3D))? **Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope**Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion: **Exodus 3:7-10***Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."* (For context, read [Exodus 3:7-22](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxeUd9Vmpl90lk2kwaMbS8REdj2oN0LUXMf94yUz4lnC0ImVJ6dlX-2B7x3s8X4DOOXNf4ae_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVviY4jWTmBmP0vAoJrNGPpODG0zogSta7MhWdT8DFrNU0DSTHWmTVhJa0jrpT6iLGZ6rMyMl-2F2slY4gY7sU9ydF8s1Y41fW5a0NR-2FSgwTqv1ankZ0OEJLkJrHRFTwzuw5hyRbXDXVNNhglbgMF1YediLTKCmbagDYPwvqvLsbS4-2FakPVJjDvyqL7EVORHoLNTERmPmAyDuwhKtvI7PaW4tE-3D).) We may think evangelism appears only in the New Testament with the birth of Christ. But God has been bringing good news to humans throughout history and in the Old Testament as well. We note that the Israelites didn't always view the message Moses brought as good news ([Exodus 5:15-21](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxYverLtmBf9QwgxLQjrUTixQRyN3qgO9-2FuCoKMCQ-2BC2lBZkueb1ebnQt74zNVi3h3JXX-_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVq5AKnV3zH7-2FzBlHnDZf-2BrLa62pr0x5Ejdrd3d-2FERMTKYsUPzo34j2swDza8y19dXFgJjje5EA-2BluxzPFaxA52unyKHgMiTQSlwGNgTctdlXYwhERNw-2B92y1ObBkbEndeuOQEYz7j3TpqxNYF5gMItdpGbLFNnOJGPEDrXzWmnH7Uoa6sEh8Xt8Cq-2BjSpJswoA3QzKiBWjqncWg0Cdpf9fg-3D); [Exodus 6:1-12](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxZ1iGa5aoziBpjiOZk6nHSBTUy-2F8te-2FA70ekeTeCG4MlFJB-2FVNG8-2FN6-2Bj-2FOmHQy3xeAoi_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVgu4J-2FwIEeBwqk2Sby322YakR-2BtC45iZ6d-2FgGb2TzfqEPmQKgtRTXmGSP-2FfWcEVMnNRrbK16O3X22nvSgiQhBzjeiXJAKS-2BurIsjKMmudqgFYTnuNjE5Mrsxyj87epO28ApIJy2YsotfNNzbFeKXVXoAAsnmxGeIrGFYrRac27wVqvA9ibvcIcCnA9qM5b6v8wxLQG6odMgeAOdTU7zx5wo-3D)). Nor did Pharaoh view Moses' request that he release the people to worship God favorably ([Exodus 7:13](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxa8iUBOtDX-2BwhkQ5D2MPb7Ahjt1u-2F-2FNTz9TkQSDhDOEelXZY92IGnTcnJz8CnX4WnLztk_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVh9i4HA78MBU1-2FVS6nEX9CWEBDdwuxtLVCMmaEdl-2Bv79soHMPfg859vSeCiAsSrd9P-2F3w5bvtfIzYMSoDaZm-2F1C84hMks1E6aDC2TeYH0KKPp6pgxd43-2FG7-2BMCso4QpNYu1rhp20r3Kl-2FgfOzmlZuR6fPrgnK11-2F6ck7b6AibtKBRwzkjBcgZS8Wgl-2BT5MFyVs3aPlPJoUeRPmOyvNT0rVM-3D)). > **Questions:** What are some reasons people might see the gospel as bad news? What was good about the message God gave to Moses? What role did God assign to Moses? **Isaiah 61:1-2***The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, ...* (For context, read [Isaiah 61:1-11](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx9FW0MIKzV-2BEL3fhrL0EdE0zao1VWOt4bWxzraUaQq-2Bbx1lwp-2BAJdUUERP66G3akxCo6W_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVgQ8FGGkX6drbAsq-2FrcJkI8kFNfd8aqV7v02H-2B9-2FlioYmNIkXNxDVFsGcbxWFPYpk3tsA-2FcBfurVWAjJSX7vuRBnx53rCJkRAmlvPiXvzc7UWCYxhfHmt-2BByZJbx0ii3cpaK0oILFAHbM3kNZxBD7ZGbU1Qxh6ySdGn3wjaeqRimfATXqR45SWFZpHHDcs9oQLF0K6i2pSx2ygtiRIbjvzQ-3D).) Howard Thurman writes in [Jesus and the Disinherited](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOacMf8AxW-2FzUvsVx0MI14Q8lXw8FjGehc5O1qKOJkvKXqmSgQhHnxl2SrnKgejhq8X6T-2B5u0lQp3CmHP1JKLvYEtPeoSiSFeopvR5BB35NYK-2Bsu7X58W2oLwnHY6O3-2FXEJ0WsCxdVGf8vZcAQPWvuo-3DUOa3_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVpFvYDhJ9Su5ocHZUaZQWxCoNuxBnvUxOcXUV-2BoKULp1BpjuWmPxjTBKUlFWCYKPAiwEqmxSF7FVA4KDQxvXoXBLd11qvzvAMB4yQW-2FDZuKbrqTXnOPQ00EKyp6WBQEctll5xf6aOdf0DdGWuaU0CHdkwSMbvIhLIn8BwH91F0Rk2ZrCeAjUQDCDZvdIpDc8pqpwHo0i4VD7do7BmX3HHFo-3D), "I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times that I have heard a sermon on the meaning of religion, of Christianity, to the man who stands with his back against the wall. ... The masses ... live with their backs constantly against the wall. They are the poor, the disinherited, the dispossessed. What does our religion say to them?" Jesus turned to this passage from the prophet Isaiah when he was given the scroll to read in the synagogue ([Luke 4:18-19 Expanded Bible](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxr2uOTCNrsMcEcQV7l8ZPnfWeSDGd4PfeuJwUa74YQLn0yudg4pWfFrh4aobPWplxW0I8_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVmXT3nIb738Q6fZcq0lhwRsPNIjVW164AXu87z9f1euSwkiddA1N9XtKdaDLeC6MHnQrCtB-2BffHV73JaBuwCHExKmA3PBaJxF8DYCdfVuht2zRp79NaevT1AWkROdCjK-2FNhbEQIgZ1k3yCsF0ZqKaQeeoOtgtUVC-2Bm3A-2BO-2BTds92RYJp78tCw8UGUVrxyxL-2Fn56VVWYYDZY8heGoDDgyYAc-3D)). He announced that he was the one God had anointed to fulfill the prophecy, to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Most English translations fail to make clear the revolutionary implications of this announcement, which was an allusion to the Year of Jubilee God commanded his people to observe every 50th year (see [Leviticus 25 Expanded Bible](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxjEJmKyTKrwMbYoHzGlAEZQuodTsFRcSQU-2BO1BQmkI9p1zh3JlMmIEn7dtD0-2FDdphIKLe_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVvyMfvOpOC5t0Bgr1D4biOW-2FNWVYkxBwnuGYhcgxxlRSWMq-2F4tHNGw4fEZxsOQTanBl7Y6WOSC5exrEbHtaPURcGNbuL1Nk7i-2F-2BXzyUvUyNoDKjQPls5WL5MXuL4CsTXqOMMgOtTqk2ld-2BDY7unkv-2BJPaQxAPxNWdDq89jE4V4weqBVnzxmgRdSkreXbTastr7gMeiGIex7LZWjlmXhwd0I-3D), especially vv. 10-11 and 39-43). Mosaic law stipulated that no Hebrew could be enslaved for more than six years, after which time the slave was to be released and given sufficient resources to begin again ([Deuteronomy 15:12-15 Expanded Bible](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx8vT-2B4JcJ5j8RqGNYnps4kk8GZX8oG2gmc8YdVFTBoZm1oWAtAFeVoJmdKh41-2B-2F5nDCOA_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVkkSBW-2B9TxO08N71LpAdKXUuuLVtrTmoqFGPGX-2BDzqDqOM0AOKGOhtawRZ2ycNzql28OyNkISswFc1lqs-2BDHijnMdrfQYg-2BQ0h21-2BLxbAnBd86f-2BTGTS8g9mF98DvdU2T2Zr9UGmUnNFc46eJrnEShgtuC1sNcrzJiVxGLZVvTROXyFtTdB-2Boa94nmCI0yWhhiWBSEEA78MIlxeLKj31Gyg-3D)). Jesus' evangel (good news) to the underprivileged was one of hope that in God's kingdom, the oppressed would be relieved of their suffering, those enslaved would be freed, the poor would get a new lease on life. His audience took exception to his announcement and in rage drove him out of town and nearly off a cliff ([Luke 4:28-29](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxr2uOTCNrsMcEcQV7l8ZPnem9Hw8msShKUFJaLwqMM9-2Bfv0QQXh7v8j15IHmJNnr3DBmm_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViiO8PI6xHPp-2Bm9IRM9yDmr74AyWP1kFiVj5pEvcQMUoovQe9yDMKklIYGg-2Fix6wva6idB-2Fo-2FZWYS5oe8K7r5r5ve6yt88WNMpNwQgqdwz7MEpyV0iJAm7UNNClAkJ9CozWQEtBCd1G45u7llxzZNRKWiSonLx-2BjAZpWJcCN21VkBo08zTqCNABXjS35lQh58PSqu4pEaoZsgoSeRr-2F7MhY-3D)). > **Questions:** Why wasn't Jesus' message seen as good news by everyone? Why might some people prefer a tamer, spiritualized or sanitized version of his message? To whom was Jesus' message good news, and why? **2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5***In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. ... As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully.* (For context, read [2 Timothy 4:1-5](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxCB6Biq-2Bhf2lG2oReWih72hB2tCHyHS8GAqgLYBsbz-2FRvdtBvG61i2jpC-2F-2FoOYfIjmU2s_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVmRa082RsVl9J9TONRSHDQM-2FzOZAwreQGOeRaIbbDlW8vaAWhxznpx07RcAmcOnnLW1i4DE-2FxlXSwdDdzCXPcGPPTW6P-2BD9jRHuvFZ1xX-2BjHX0uHEuScd4N6ELQxTiP1ZeD6SnBzNBzWbkh0vnheMO577LHbvnmCpb4DByYHcdHpKzImCMIa0IYycVdBD8qWE-2FkvjM9MC4dlROGZQD9C2vc-3D).) Paul counsels Timothy to proclaim the message of Christ "in season and out of season," and to "do the work of an evangelist." Paul acknowledges that not everyone will be receptive to the message (vv. 3-4), but that is all the more reason Timothy needs to apply himself to the task persistently and patiently. TWW team member Bill Tammeus recalls hearing a pastor once describe evangelism as simply asking others what they need most and helping them find it. How would you define the work of evangelism? > **Questions:** In what way might the knowledge that we stand in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, motivate us to proclaim the message "of his appearing and his kingdom"? What exactly is "the work of an evangelist," and how does one do it? Does this command apply narrowly, only to people with a spiritual gift of evangelism or ministry position as an evangelist, or does it apply to all followers of Jesus? Explain. **2 Corinthians 5:18-20***All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God.* (For context, read [2 Corinthians 5:10-11, 14-20](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx5N3asDrM8aLtAZM6HVDt1Z-2B7WhtrjF3jiQ472mRyMpxqIvCqfj-2BZtZMzJrOzmAEhpvR-2FB5CGgbfh3SwgybsJBg-3D-3D2MKw_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVv2rCMVJDkxKdigDB9t1ECQASg1sU9gnIuQCwLsd-2FP45Xp54O4lt6zfCeUzedmQhKY2uK-2F6-2BGFjAUL9FmMIm4F5ddeKhAbpBkPKKF093tAnWJsKC2gQdvhetm4x6IhrPzZ8aSyPpSsB-2F5t1tK-2FjtrKInrbSF4tnAOqzW1ADAwf87-2F05N1bAmAI-2FIMo1zsKVc9vsidXyBpRPnsiWl7mpgQQo-3D).) In his devotional book, [Through the Year with Jimmy Carter](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPHB9LyLTPLnVthWsffMF1LtWsx6C6FprE3JfVZUFkIBnZ_x1_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVo05t1Sx6gcnpvkLULDETUkf2H3t580VYQslqbz8nXgn60BwYGVVgQfZ8xh6BfPVBn9jMBIlNgOeEn1V7x7oT-2BJG4wufwsGyoxLSe9VenmTRJm-2FRzNTlghDb2c-2FxFSY-2Fs7WNMrVYq-2Fn6uFG-2FLnuQRIvJMLWhNPogNVnJ6c-2BYkQDAvAzrmEEquUctQAxfh8S-2B9HUBq4MzVUNyElawn6po3eA-3D), the 39th president of the United States mentioned the work of more than 120 ambassadors stationed around the world who represented the authority and policies of the nation. "While few of us will ever become U.S. ambassadors," Carter wrote, "the Bible says *all* Christians are ambassadors for Christ. God makes his offer of salvation to the world through us." "As Christ's ambassadors," Carter continued, "we are to take this message to all people around the world. We must not exalt ourselves as superior to those who don't yet know Christ, but rather recognize that each person is a spiritual being, extraordinarily valuable to God. So we must reach out in a spirit of love and care and compassion, treating others with utmost respect." > **Questions:** What is the appeal God is making through those who are ambassadors for Christ? To whom are we to minister as ambassadors? What is the message of reconciliation entrusted to us? How is that message connected to evangelism? What is the ministry of reconciliation, and how do we perform that ministry? **For Further Discussion** 1. Scan the list of [Approaches to Evangelism](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCwBIZqUpwwOd8CtyZyo95YAsCB7qBgsTbTjOcyLYo8LJrcvvsZujSLqGV7M67JmeQ-3D-3DFQ6D_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVleGFJiHdNu3nYDxEyGLjw-2B7lrw-2BqGZpBGO2BQBfC9xYz1NDSzKQx-2BncUIcwXbyVzdsVjzoMKu6frKJ20ycirBlxw4hQ1CDAG2FvLH4OaKzed1tNuDyCwR-2FVEHMgPTxKEg0Sy5n7JP3KDHx-2Fm-2BOjO9cP6ASM8hMpU4GP7I8S75wbo-2F6O4WSnMlFt7eoc1uurWfnoYdFLXWnXNGntAxEIhYk-3D) found on this webpage. Which of these have you experienced? Which have you found most effective, ineffective, problematic, or promising, and what made them so? What evangelistic methods are missing from this list? 2. The Evangelical Covenant Church offers [BLESS](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIZvCGJvq454l0uPSXmldm3AKxAUsQrScW6lZXn1DCGMGIZ-2FjZ-2B5KKyYxyDRUiYFXkQePxCjpsTKyyyaEMH62LvLn6X7NdOZFwehSm-2FXJXc-2Bco1s_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlu8LRt51dglz52dIlDdGnCZLpfD3-2FFx4GJgK-2BEwm42GoWYUggOmP0mHAZDPvoTphsC3ASwj4GMllYr-2FLvXZBrPCgCk5YEtjlEZRfggPU1k2XGmN7QixBnPZWfpWh8nLP0Y-2Bl6dqIPrkRPF2djGv1PYpn6fIlHNIFR0paX9FSwn-2BiFWYae2EZ76n8A0m5EDVbVeMmmdENdLdbnYftQmTHOk-3D) as a model for evangelistic practice. The acronym comes from the idea that the people of God are to bless others, which is how we live out the gospel, as we: **B**egin with prayer **L**isten with care **E**at together **S**erve in love **S**hare the story How might you utilize this model in your own personal witness and in your church's evangelistic endeavors? 3. In *The Discipleship Gospel*, [Bill Hull and Ben Sobels](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEWI-2FCVeGAqaPus0mhsfEQc2mE-2FDIrLdwi0EE2DiNg-2FkoCDIFxg8onEmMRnSRHdaXxXB1A4bJPybN0F8tdQoUcj2PVqRx8Wvr4ejGJgR5d9oMz07MUlDdX-2FgcrPyZr4R4w-3D-3DjlvF_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViXTMtHSZZXWUe12ZsG48TFdUixwFyDPd-2FoAIzlbRUI0YEnMhS2goizW4VVDocu3w3gScSiMvB-2BwXBd4luDaZFYmeGecvdDUjd8bgoWDnQ7uicKS8KxB4G5SDUJgxcGvk9XWCZEr3RUSQGrZuVuYU5gTR7SlDJRUPHIWga0rTU7KPDKNzJn-2Bn-2FC9RatoBg-2BrSCJOZUFCpKwwt24A8k0G-2BhY-3D) wrote that discipleship is what "pastor and author (*The Message*) Eugene Peterson speaks of when he says that 'forming people in Christ is a slow work, so it can't be hurried; it is an urgent work, so it can't be delayed.' The most transformative environment for maturing people into Christlikeness happens when we allow people the time they need to come into a full understanding of the gospel in the context of committed discipleship relationships. This was true in Jesus' ministry, and it is no different in the local church today. It's the opposite of 'hit and run' evangelism. ... Discipleship, at its best, is evangelism." Discuss the relationship between evangelism and disciple-making. 4. In his book, [*Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions*](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOacMf8AxW-2FzUvsVx0MI14SLlOTbMAXztklBg9mV3A4Ngi6xTJrg-2BFYgXIRUZLpNERS61FE9ffc8v88CVsXkX0FrhPjhptYjQbAk7odXCKYaxP7s3Hg4VYuR8mgbSTkHdg-3D-3DYQSG_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlWH00sgYGuBxQDNBEkgmhXpKXjo4uNGfBkW1lYdPEXq7N0YrJ7M-2FteIFZ0dSyRHlAPUih0nTpA7pEO7VX-2B22TEHyqdK-2FyyZDrPSjP9oz-2BOlYFvZzzfun7n9URXy2-2BIRSgkjtMuJVPnn0TLfeKCae4-2FxcYDFlJ4UO5Jt73hhY9wieTN5PA5YGgt1ehffvG1zfT74bOUb1pWs2Ujsuggt0VE-3D), radio talk show host and founder of [Stand to Reason](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCG9ysz0T76i-2FbP0kTJqx3dO-2Ffu8x4HCsIpKCjqmQBvwIUuo_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVpR1okW3Fcp0h2XY39SfiPophVQfCAN4NCWW2G0gUy8l2bx5orLETHmb9cUcF53Q0PHigAhLNN95orIA1vHYdwD0rpm4v6QZJR32V6jyyAiZ3Oc6QXKaQknTt1qdBBttGFcKPxdX7HuKuZsq6evZb98LA259VWXTo42b2E9FOPpDsclO1tU3KRT2ATP98rrXc4CcMp1o2FA4Y1hF2dOJKu8-3D), a Christian apologetics organization, [Gregory Koukl](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPrSPQKuAZtkw-2F-2BbAx79xbX8sbb7RGcx1Ithe8d5-2BR1QK6VAFTLa9NGtsULvMBwZfBA2qqYlX-2FboV5LV-2FJ92VBgML4QiUkDO7FJKkKdlYF0Ii936IdgGD8Pp0YBm4PVS5g-3D-3DQB4H_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViWG7ZwX2h9KMq5Qdam8Zj5FMUhIbstZ8PcTZI9wSZL6yYaAtSpoMfLEhnyjl7VWVtwGe3ZZzl1fKaL-2FXKVqbVg1D29p1Ry0Zd8DftPJuug6Ao9r8q-2FAkY5SR4pVPqMVQncmTCN9Yr-2FmDmLxUZ7gFpY0zz2y4I4foPrHux-2FgeinRxvWS1s6WMBK8tcxuMQdrrHA4nJScB3KiZP95BmGj61w-3D) offered these tips for effective evangelism: ● Be ready. ● Keep it simple. ● Avoid religious language and spiritual pretense. ● Focus on the truth of Christianity, not merely its personal benefits. ● Give reasons [why you believe what you believe]. ● Stay calm. ● If they want to go, let them leave. ● But don't let them leave empty-handed. If possible, give the person a tangible way to follow up on what you challenged him to consider. Which of these tips do you already practice, and which might you need to add or strengthen in your own personal witness? **Responding to the News** 1. Brainstorm how you will develop effective evangelistic practices based on how Jesus brought good news to the poor. 2. Listen to [First Call -- Somethin' Takes Over (Video 3:24)](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPXTV2R-2Bm0Kz58iOCQYIq18aZKZV8j5Y7g9ANEzhCr0jhfOfiLpUsgOBcjql9dqN5g-3D-3DA_UW_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVh2rHEWEHTJTA-2Fezz1cJefSOBQK90-2Fmi39QR-2F-2BFYKKrJHP5OOQZS8PIodGUTxkkrGfik9XosLosDELRd724aGu-2BxXBJKxDq5Be9TPmQyl7l8CpDflwguLojtf-2BRncmtnTe-2Fn7MaCgqjQW-2BvXHUjIzL-2B2FwoAsgvrTF5CwFjE2aNkYYQ3-2BknIFpCMgceDh5n7ME-2BYm9ZfP6t6c2WNcUGp99s-3D); (Lyrics [here](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPME900AsXDmkLm9xuZ738QsoAzy-2B19r-2Fd2YhCWnZvP9Ddgo-2FsoXjZuxJTU-2FkCXchNBYbCoRPSpZVzudcqrYgZWiwVkqVrj1vF6YW2FZy2eTXO_oB_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVsYRZtkP-2BmoKXN6sHKQpHtPdAhUzxmHfWxFY919xylKZSfbd71TlP5bCuROP4OlLmL1GWb-2B2m6hPmObG8nYqZpSQzkQv2UjAwslFVMQmIu7Cv0dO6yss76NPaB2qlKflvx-2B1nSm4yfQW3GEiN6PE2qOe9Cy96TExbvcL0ZU2L9IjaMXGNBfa1uuIu-2BiSjjGgoHK0ujwXpgaq3xrYdR-2F7oX8-3D)) and discuss how joy can impact your evangelistic efforts. **Prayer** Suggested by [Isaiah 40:9](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx01q-2FDUFHyH4Q-2FNuCp9d7Z7JHDSyg1BxyUxq8X26nA4K7kx3tsvKivZ-2F44lkY-2FxqTk4B9_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVnR-2BtZq7xjTY6O-2FAagN7PNWkBmvEt7Ng7FS1K2jgOApmOGU841bioVjRoFrtsTFWGhpNVo36e5JYmFJ7a6tyiHHd4n7D41PZDqud0OuMqpymcuwYi-2FAsogHtryOnTFFfvzI2GZ9sXk6uIwVaq-2F2dUhWLQMda85yX3fxtazcZD35MDRc2RA-2BlvdG1uBMNZFUpG6S-2BYsVMfF9djKN6EG-2Fx9mE-3D); [Isaiah 52:7](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx8fPDsj5S5hW7hBewUShLxz-2FYzpY-2FjrX-2FLZlKwYSVwjwUbBLgEy-2F8n-2F-2F1MEu8ySangeM9_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVuTdcsOgl6Sbs-2FbeWzAtHCkV3gzRybXu3LgbePNGuSx7Q4we7P7uJnEkwaSkyxNtTBf97nh9ek9e4KGJBrMj71wUYRCWQBr59BjaD4YQVXMmPTDwzpw683L18KXD3rMTcc8io-2BdamEnovjW4qi8AZKfvltroP4okL-2BTBkVH8FD4rTDlTvwhSAeJ0Si8SDVnynUYsBUQMuME8foFsSQDNUGU-3D); [Romans 10:14-15](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxB1sByFkCq00De7qxK5ZsvsnoE12Qg05e3ayAA7vivjvuuOQjrTk7ZGTmd-2Fs6khfL1hK8_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVphyjUaKU3cRvcYJf84Yzd6EU0Z31crau8JEUh39Wc46WlRuugaxWxC63b-2FIoiSUoeorcL1IQi4ya75gADyaP4Dbys7-2BchakGFfIdmEeNM5oXmzgQISVW394u3RqiyEifFJ83MLiY9-2B4EFNtJhhBckpMNpLz09QWzHTVQ7hIhPo9jLH5CuXH0aypO-2FXSX5mJniCiN6lQ7-2BGrjH6uuxM-2By-2Fw-3D); [Matthew 9:35-38](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDWQj-2FEyc55uvtkzql-2FYX12S4VrP1zhV1S1ayVQQwvu1SYzV__-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViPeHJdCTAF8LE5QAZ9ZWTaRcVti1MxZjoLEfIvpuujCdsZ5T0Dn61i4FwD6Q7NjQlejnlCgAehSr-2BojUY1zkV2ph9eo4EGYZbw5-2F-2Bxas-2B7pkna8e9zi3fjpDvZdrMmQAOX73oP3k9PTrW1SPk5dt4jxSbgK-2BhQAt0EBLPVJIO3FTvIXGfMHP2Ol9Z5av5p9nuDf9-2FKVMdNMcyxfuoDuifE-3D); [Isaiah 6:8](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx9FW0MIKzV-2BEL3fhrL0EdEzrznD2S89cvsrnTlAVjDAbus3qeXE-2BmroYTOgVO3aj4B1-a_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVsJqkxwLwN5aFE60JJucCXYyCsjs3jAMwpuzdkePAQthcj-2BsJy69AzQMixBimZ5VcLLTl-2B8TOjbtUyhQ0gREKFzTqwpLXmwUMymZDi193B309C2vn7QPEcszYddTBHYz7PN2QgmrUv9bIa4xw7AR3-2FOFYJ2uqt0JTAYWAPQpxWmPavFpNcTke991kQFG8-2FJrIwOE47XMDG6bTTh4me9T-2BBo-3D) O God who sees the suffering of the abused and neglected, thank you for sending your herald to declare the good news, "Here is your God! Your God reigns!" Give us eyes of compassion to see people as Jesus sees them, strong and fearless voices to join in proclaiming the glad tidings of your peace initiative and rescue operation from the mountaintop, and the beautiful feet of ambassadors who bring the message and ministry of reconciliation to the world! Amen. **Copyright 2025 Communication Resources** [Unsubscribe From This List](https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user_id=14323725&data=lj2PmJEJY73zg8c9SldIt_WtKsInDpN0ttuTNNiIJMxoMDAwdTAwMCIEWtXDrM92hh4aUr0at1chM1Sd0LKLNnbEd3CAQWjYSkb1ExlcjHPDt12K-09jU5OYaYchGt0oEL5gTDy6I4sE8orTUoyMZOcl4kbFEzI5ZErGb8mlRLkArxfjjz509au75zNQu6mIo-ovKmgck_47qaSWJh8kmQbgjnOlia4_awWopJQ1g62sWuf8pvzRRR4Ry1Mxk0BKOH5az76-WxW9iyBs4ZFG1LaWUUBeeEN9lJvJdaV12noKShoR-09_JKxN3rp24L-32JTyNf-fdoxoIGHgFhWmJ9yqF3qtPlerMyD4t-F6Guq-0YtYhwi2BiSbKNNlIZc6O9WUiHHcTaworVMlGQirRkTmOILO5alMSAxODWmGqgAHRaI2Wzd7ZXIO4T37oZpAdNQgFYzCPj6_kS-7FHKuN5rRqoLEyeCz6r-yvSQzcswbtvax5nhyIiS2ZIQZllJ68uqmoSb2bmavzyY4mkN0HgZJCvhAn9juIR2Yabbi_9XbsUhcaCwsjoenR9ihZSIX68hsSrl2VfWbLyCKoqJfveOpWKRSkCsrt0KLUHBuE2-rRaq3f1XEhJuME7iQdJsZ1JyoevTkrdc=) <div><p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;">Dear Class Members,</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;">Our lesson this week uses two recent articles about student evangelistic efforts to launch a discussion about what constitutes effective communication about our faith.</p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="border: none; mso-padding-alt: 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt 31.0pt; mso-border-shadow: yes; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"> </p><br/><p align="center"><img alt="" src="https://www.thewiredword.com/\_img/tww\_logo\_email.jpg"/></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 18.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Student Evangelistic Techniques Get Mixed Reactions<br/></span></strong><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The Wired Word</span></em></strong><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> for the Week of April 6, 2025</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In the News</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">On March 10, about 70 Christian students at Western Kentucky University (WKU) spent almost three hours <u><span style="color: #1155cc;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3Dm7PA\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVvXpF4brNTEkyW6JbdtlO4sRt8xtgNANRFxH9GtyabOl-2FhW3q5Vq-2B7sKsy7ji5OpUe-2FbzaBb9fTEBCqTlLaOXKlTX-2FPp-2FoKwMXTQBxs3bwqgOFSw08z0EHxiaeJgHFf9bPrvJ1txcS0SRJQpVoAU8LPmliIBgcQWbyZRrsJ2oPs9wauL2q6OwTYVbfWBARpn3GE7LtgHaHKSggJNKHiP-2F2Q-3D">writing out the entire</a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3DwnHs\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVqAkyPXtuSdoSRy8JpPD1QDOXYS31k0PV04lc2nbRAk7AZcOmcua6NJ6AapAsB-2FB0nMEpFL1DQHGD1lQhhd4xOUzUJpTOIpExU1HZU8uDlyeG2ig8sXkEi3lGESbgEWNhmTLD7-2BZ2bT-2FgcBMvhCJana8QDoJGFnCf7ToTelZNaP4B1EuspI8JxIRdoLMOgKVsxwO47BbJJB4ktGp9hKNrmg-3D"> go</a><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3DAi2d\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVllnVlg2CtqJkNTrqm-2B7lJ3601DtTDclq3dvx0QxqxYMn0gytZMsjeiuuCE1YYc6KBpyEVaWDZRAklPCWggZkGJFuoOGYR6hgQeAN3z-2FlbuyazdBUhfvB-2Fuvf72sYAavCrtWM3RQfcqxIfFah9ahtriDKYBva6VVM2m0ExP2xBb0H5KIfM35C1BQ4FeZdr9k-2BOxcTN97nhnlksUcOUSJ-2BEE-3D">spel of John</a></span></u><span style="color: #333333;"> </span>on campus sidewalks. The students, organized by the Baptist Campus Ministry (BCM) and joined by Campus Crusade for Christ "Cru" and Hilltoppers for Christ, got the idea from similar efforts (called "Gospel Chalk Movement" on TikTok) on several North Carolina campuses.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Luke Alford, BCM vice president and WKU senior, said, "The main reason for us doing this ultimately is to spread the good news, or the Gospel." Another student involved in the activity, Rachel Harwood, said BCM followed up the next day with a designated space where students could offer their opinions about the event and talk about the message of the gospel.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Heidie Senseman, an MFA candidate in the University of Iowa's Nonfiction Writing Program, recently penned<span style="color: #333333;"> </span></span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNP95KrJfmUHVPV73SgCwK6Lj6C71VuMb4XJT-2BZHRyFnlsu1aAqud6uhWj3-2Bo0yeFb4ir3w3dCsUPHNJ0ccgLqfE6Pj-2BaM-2FIf5uqmchzuz9nxxIf\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlKqAj3ICRRIpjwFosTTx6-2BH5kUn3JmKqiIdAH9rQqyYGQ2Rt5nq1qKx4XsU5XzONd-2FgobxexrNw6ud71k8dJM-2BnopVneM-2FXVDed2MnPwNqav7d7bR1-2FaN0cePh-2BqnuqWVW-2FUO1T6M3rR02jYSfbV0Xa01UYpHJPWNNi4RIXzl2QKBBQKra15cfwaIc9VsQ-2FPmya-2Bm-2BrWlAPsBuh-2FydUBis-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">an essay about what she has learned about evangelism</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #333333; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">during her faith journey. In her freshman year of college, she and her friends scouted out shoppers at the local Walmart, offering to pray for them. Their hidden goal, she said, "was to evangelize. We wanted to present the gospel message beginning to end, creation to consummation, and invite people to respond. So we prayed informative prayers. We situated requests inside the story of biblical history, defining terms and quoting Scripture along the way." </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">While some shoppers ignored, declined or rebuffed their offer, others accepted, whether out of genuine interest or social politeness. And once prayer began, Senseman said, the zealous if clumsy evangelists had a captive audience until the "Amen" was finally pronounced. They took their cue from MDiv students at a seminary nearby, who urged, "If all you can do is pray for someone, ... then pray the gospel."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Senseman indicated that their evangelistic approach was born out of sincerity and conviction that they had a sacred obligation to present the gospel to people who, they believed, were headed for hell without it. "A shot at saving someone from that fate was worth [possible] rejection," Senseman reasoned at the time. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The "cold-call approach" wasn't very satisfying to Senseman, who sensed that it offered scant opportunity for deeper conversations or development of relationships. She wondered whether it was true that if they just planted seeds of the gospel, God would cause the seeds to sprout (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxOdlwvpIcp6dpBWksJaxTxPrvJ2ZZm0knYR2DpjtJ6k7fZ-2Bb7Y3kyG8-2B6ccTZbqbmiCEe\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVllPN5whVYN0CsDc9Dy5ruz6N-2FaE5ZssDTh1zraq-2FfTnX8SpVP3x9aLPjwmnpkczhlNaJJFhgAbRaxF0jvEAfQ9ckMlNzTaFJsBDHIlnNhuTLIQLUF7RruEux7Z2-2BpsVVy38S8PzP30gBm-2Fpd-2B0k66O66P7R1516QJRz9uLsBQOPflA6cxD9xGjCGFaJ5hInA2QwjoKmyHQOAWTKmuum6yM-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1 Corinthians 3:6</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">). "It occurred to me that maybe the gospel hadn't been what offended our Walmart shoppers; maybe the gall of two strange, Pollyanna-ish teenagers demanding their attention in the chip aisle had," she reflected. Senseman sensed that sometimes we might misinterpret "a lack of discretion [or tact] as evangelistic seriousness."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">"It's easy to cast the plight of a Walmart evangelist in the same light as the apostles' persecution," she writes. "It's harder to admit that confronting strangers with the gospel in the street, a park, or a store might produce an affront that's more social than theological. Harder to accept that people don't like being dragged into intimate conversations with strangers. We find ideas more compelling when they're delivered through the lips of those we know -- that is, when there's a connection, or a relationship, or context." It was a revelation when she heard classmates and a professor describe proselytizing with words like "condescending, ... fanatical [and] an act of colonialism." </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">As Senseman began to shift her focus to honing her skill as a writer, she heard her professors' counsel: "Good writers ... care about presentation. They connect with their readers. They build rapport. They use humor, tone, narrative, tact, which is why people feel so affected by their words. ... One could have a great message but deliver it terribly."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Senseman began to develop a desire to get to know people, not as "a sort of faceless evangelistic cause" but as individuals with their own hurts and hopes, queries and quests. As they began to share bits and pieces of their own life stories, Senseman realized they often found themselves talking about things of eternal significance.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">"I wondered if all this talk might count as a kind of evangelism. The rubric in my head told me no. I wasn't 'naming the stakes' or inviting them to bow their heads in informative prayer. But I was providing an account of the Christian life. Of my Christian life. And it was the details they seemed most interested in. ... somehow the narratives created more engagement."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">"C.S. Lewis ... described stories … as windows and doors," Senseman added. "That is, access points. Portals. Things people can peer into and step through to 'see with other eyes, to imagine with other imaginations, to feel with other hearts.' I can't think of a better description of what evangelism hopes to accomplish in its hearers."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">More on this story can be found at these links:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNP95KrJfmUHVPV73SgCwK6Lj6C71VuMb4XJT-2BZHRyFnlsu1aAqud6uhWj3-2Bo0yeFb4ir3w3dCsUPHNJ0ccgLqfE6Pj-2BaM-2FIf5uqmchzuz9nE-2-\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVrHpygcDxREe4gdb5LgJ5sgXQPB1F-2BY-2BFPryu4Z8ADXBpvczRsaSTfag1DdYpBRLXiK0Tn-2F28ZHs0ry4auitDGS3HdA-2FPnorvOqu9AfZCV8MBKxbOLu8IdOL-2BdtFezJXGWNoTKdfwhec6brHTP37p-2FcMlS-2B6oVprfBNYlQQDzrqu7oE-2BtcNK1o-2Fcu3XXlCedejM0DMZbyfr4qr-2BWbX2-2Bens-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">My Walmart Evangelism Wasn't Working.</span></a><em><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNP95KrJfmUHVPV73SgCwK6Lj6C71VuMb4XJT-2BZHRyFnlsu1aAqud6uhWj3-2Bo0yeFb4ir3w3dCsUPHNJ0ccgLqfE6Pj-2BaM-2FIf5uqmchzuz9nzkHL\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVtIEYiUkZDhYK87zKZ7sOy-2BrfCTUQ8OWKwkx52bOYcIhGRySbf82D1dnCCeyre3qPBNlVqqRusPvvEAApW5xzrpVcWV5bYizutO6EFRc0CuNNR69lC-2FAK-2F2Qo8xumvGfWmiWuhMnkwxlN27Bw-2BpiM-2F1PwVAXJo-2BXHNE0Qvn0IOKgrRRhNH43chkD5acoRLUMjQVLd97LOTobiVuz5u3n0vk-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;"> Christianity Today</span></a><br/></em><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3DXKOp\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVnDkaqb6GrZ9v5Ryp18XLe0dIRSTEa3g2emO9085spVRQF3b4xfNZpdIZMyIZepNSwpMVTD41gLERdZBKRS2JWe0vf3bV0E9qJKxEh-2BF-2By9RevsRFoBZraRlAk7R1cpoaZny6RShzkRXQiSEP1-2Fp3UqTp8cV3MJDiVmEqrKFVOEpAzWDW5c4GQ-2Fkr-2B-2F8GVtt45GClifB2JZNlp7OBZyDaeI-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Kentucky Students Chalk Entire Gospel of John Across University in Campus Trend. </span></a><em><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPNnRLkPfLAMpP6p3RttiMUHx8UKe90-2FK-2BrYUnr7Vi61XPxmq7IBxg1nbnZCviNV4kctMlL8jPHjIAmSdzz0-2B6DjBEMrRNQ1ES2OGFJxt9EbQqY5CxXlu8t2WMiDBwKQEBh9oCxuWsTHVu3y5c6AzGVE-3Do48P\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVtKHndOEFJc5JeF9dfj9VN57qyT8ggsKJG-2FHGsFWHVFIvgfso-2BomfEqhDmnAtSrYK21twKZTT4-2F7suLKtM-2FLih8eo9lWLRAlRUttl5d8V9H6YTloYz8U-2FWcGos6YvX6qZQnZrA4kdt3RSD4KouLX-2Bp45Btfi94daDI46VK2euTZl9QyhjzCkeEgPyZwd7tzX9IQLCAIEfHSB-2BeDVsDMJPSI-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Fox News</span></a><br/></em><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPLbhTPqtUJfxr-2BU5HpxyUhUM681G5JsgK7ryzKjj-2BkorqHAhN-2BWcf3rsxNEG-2B-2B0z3LbByIcVBR0Yb8UcmUCLIQY8u4IF73VPl6WWIaImWhEeDggH7Ve-2BbTnj5y-2Fb-2B2OaWVwmCoJCSgNZnMZFlJuCgN0-3DmOS5\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlT9BgZhk96DpcTwVfnAOoClhPUWLaAreAkQtxXxNPJByXJ0XxJ3DZcqbyVFv7G8s6sIh438yU1b94cWqHYDXXA33NXfwpTPuOrjZKc-2FSDXg30nPWZclVqkOrrCeSFZ5VtS2i7oKyqnTXIgO7NZki9Ja6JusfpzYWy79MfqZCi5j2B1uPSoJyfzaziq9aHUOVUP3lpAfjfJkfLVoQN-2FoD-2Bs-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Modern Day Evangelism. </span></a><em><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPLbhTPqtUJfxr-2BU5HpxyUhUM681G5JsgK7ryzKjj-2BkorqHAhN-2BWcf3rsxNEG-2B-2B0z3LbByIcVBR0Yb8UcmUCLIQY8u4IF73VPl6WWIaImWhEeDggH7Ve-2BbTnj5y-2Fb-2B2OaWVwmCoJCSgNZnMZFlJuCgN0-3DJ7-2\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVqo-2B9e2-2BWiA-2FnwHOfXYzRajiBQRy6dSFuQB1eJH6TpS2kpkxfrj5A2FxQQjImFMaKeAv84ckg5oZW1qo-2FXvyol5dEZiUt-2F6zrg-2FeZEpHqdd-2BIhZcUpdr4FECfqbvTiefcf2yOilSyxujFey58-2F30EgOXlbW7slnXZIso7iaTO4ccmvHWVZL6R-2BMlgG0JPJdgcGX-2FM4v1FU4bnnNhdDKj2tI-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Cru</span></a></em><br/><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEWI-2FCVeGAqaPus0mhsfEQc2mE-2FDIrLdwi0EE2DiNg-2FkoCDIFxg8onEmMRnSRHdaXxXB1A4bJPybN0F8tdQoUcj2PVqRx8Wvr4ejGJgR5d9oMz07MUlDdX-2FgcrPyZr4R4w-3D-3DAaSS\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVhcKIa1JGHYTDL30kvND-2BxBoBDd9PWnAMJK-2FoAI8oNU8vic0rbCwKmmLAEJQoB7tiw75GASpPvYT49BEraaO5fpHzxIWjJca8MhZEGKTuQjpnvDJrTG4t-2BGKL5FvrDVWnQRR-2B2UR0SPa7O9R-2BMK-2FV5Nzx2CkxGZ73awYkB39fhKvzZIaxQEEKQAyZnxtVEybMuwhTU915C5BiJQAnMnWgp0-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">Jesus' Primary Method of Evangelism. </span></a><em><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEWI-2FCVeGAqaPus0mhsfEQc2mE-2FDIrLdwi0EE2DiNg-2FkoCDIFxg8onEmMRnSRHdaXxXB1A4bJPybN0F8tdQoUcj2PVqRx8Wvr4ejGJgR5d9oMz07MUlDdX-2FgcrPyZr4R4w-3D-3DkJGX\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVsIlVBzoBwu-2BGlCcpL3d16BGUjUGUP-2BMutOiitWsbweFtUUmDIAqV4PidksnUAt27OV2uxQ-2FcyTWB4-2BfU2KdWRsog8AYB3EHBuudyW76maZ8TWf6qYW3FDp-2BMLFSNyMaVhYx3QUfBANVoQSv3LSldp6q7xTDKkbccN-2FwEnV3JEsgKnPZ1dJiL3rmzX5GfspYSGmau7uYVjN9y7-2BFJ8iNMxs-3D"><span style="color: #1155cc;">The Bonhoeffer Project</span></a></em></span></u></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Applying the News Story </span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The word "evangel" comes from the Greek, meaning "good news" or "gospel." The term has sometimes taken on negative connotations, for a variety of reasons. Those who call themselves evangelical or who engage in evangelism as they understand it may not always have a message that sounds like good news to listeners. Or at times, the way evangelists live or express their message belies or sabotages their effort. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In order to be effective evangelists, we need to comprehend what is good about Jesus' message, how our lives can honestly reflect that message, and how we can present that good news winsomely and respectfully to others.<span style="mso-spacerun: yes;">  </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The Big Questions</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1. How did you first learn the gospel story? How did you react to it initially? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2. What factors might contribute to people rejecting the gospel? What factors might lead to people responding positively to an evangelistic message?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">3. What are the qualities of a good evangelist?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">4. What is the difference, if any, between evangelism and proselyting? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">5. How are you responding to the Great Commission (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDd6QMlIfNhj6TCT8nNThCQu8b1seiRibChKgAXaX3BJb5MlS\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVot89etCyK7H-2Fsegy5zdaTpwQFCvjLjlcYKG2A1SmpdgB-2FVJo4BffUb9cDXv4S2n4wCmFX-2Bqp-2Bzhp4udSz9z3FAnxUEEXq1NN7jU0ogQ-2F8z1PUUr0kr42m7qj4FlMel3kjvrybY8zu1GzWpsrSGHXm0IFJ6ZPE2wacejW-2FijjgGHKr2flUXnRnqc6bak6sLYNwRidg6ipeAv8cs0zVOajWc-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Matthew 28:18-20</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxSK12ybKkmzWTeFuKKSrmw8mpRpXcygR2j3ufzhF-2FcLA6VbRSiSe-2F0jhY5JunxHKWCGTL\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVowAAfm2W6pNsd6gDtm9Nr-2FgUo3WkmdsgtvDIHxlzDo1HKVGL3rAg0sbDwG6OHCi37MEEgp2uuq-2FXWNnSIwRP4GbPqTsXkktrTiu4-2FdgmAwVqHr-2BJmwzKwHGEaub1nebP22myBQQHObNrzWlubviv-2FLtzT6SwDqVSVKWeonaLRwTDOKxhXKOtLcGzFwY3GB7gtnWvw8-2FGJBhQgdQhw9z58U-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Mark 16:15</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">)?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Confronting the News With Scripture and Hope<br/></span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Here are some Bible verses to guide your discussion:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Exodus 3:7-10<br/></span></u></strong><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Then the LORD said, "I have observed the misery of my people who are in Egypt; I have heard their cry on account of their taskmasters. Indeed, I know their sufferings, and I have come down to deliver them from the Egyptians and to bring them up out of that land to a good and spacious land, to a land flowing with milk and honey, to the country of the Canaanites, the Hittites, the Amorites, the Perizzites, the Hivites, and the Jebusites. The cry of the Israelites has now come to me; I have also seen how the Egyptians oppress them. Now go, I am sending you to Pharaoh to bring my people, the Israelites, out of Egypt."</span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> (For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxeUd9Vmpl90lk2kwaMbS8REdj2oN0LUXMf94yUz4lnC0ImVJ6dlX-2B7x3s8X4DOOXNf4ae\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVviY4jWTmBmP0vAoJrNGPpODG0zogSta7MhWdT8DFrNU0DSTHWmTVhJa0jrpT6iLGZ6rMyMl-2F2slY4gY7sU9ydF8s1Y41fW5a0NR-2FSgwTqv1ankZ0OEJLkJrHRFTwzuw5hyRbXDXVNNhglbgMF1YediLTKCmbagDYPwvqvLsbS4-2FakPVJjDvyqL7EVORHoLNTERmPmAyDuwhKtvI7PaW4tE-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Exodus 3:7-22</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">We may think evangelism appears only in the New Testament with the birth of Christ. But God has been bringing good news to humans throughout history and in the Old Testament as well. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">We note that the Israelites didn't always view the message Moses brought as good news (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxYverLtmBf9QwgxLQjrUTixQRyN3qgO9-2FuCoKMCQ-2BC2lBZkueb1ebnQt74zNVi3h3JXX-\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVq5AKnV3zH7-2FzBlHnDZf-2BrLa62pr0x5Ejdrd3d-2FERMTKYsUPzo34j2swDza8y19dXFgJjje5EA-2BluxzPFaxA52unyKHgMiTQSlwGNgTctdlXYwhERNw-2B92y1ObBkbEndeuOQEYz7j3TpqxNYF5gMItdpGbLFNnOJGPEDrXzWmnH7Uoa6sEh8Xt8Cq-2BjSpJswoA3QzKiBWjqncWg0Cdpf9fg-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Exodus 5:15-21</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxZ1iGa5aoziBpjiOZk6nHSBTUy-2F8te-2FA70ekeTeCG4MlFJB-2FVNG8-2FN6-2Bj-2FOmHQy3xeAoi\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVgu4J-2FwIEeBwqk2Sby322YakR-2BtC45iZ6d-2FgGb2TzfqEPmQKgtRTXmGSP-2FfWcEVMnNRrbK16O3X22nvSgiQhBzjeiXJAKS-2BurIsjKMmudqgFYTnuNjE5Mrsxyj87epO28ApIJy2YsotfNNzbFeKXVXoAAsnmxGeIrGFYrRac27wVqvA9ibvcIcCnA9qM5b6v8wxLQG6odMgeAOdTU7zx5wo-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Exodus 6:1-12</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">). Nor did Pharaoh view Moses' request that he release the people to worship God favorably (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxa8iUBOtDX-2BwhkQ5D2MPb7Ahjt1u-2F-2FNTz9TkQSDhDOEelXZY92IGnTcnJz8CnX4WnLztk\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVh9i4HA78MBU1-2FVS6nEX9CWEBDdwuxtLVCMmaEdl-2Bv79soHMPfg859vSeCiAsSrd9P-2F3w5bvtfIzYMSoDaZm-2F1C84hMks1E6aDC2TeYH0KKPp6pgxd43-2FG7-2BMCso4QpNYu1rhp20r3Kl-2FgfOzmlZuR6fPrgnK11-2F6ck7b6AibtKBRwzkjBcgZS8Wgl-2BT5MFyVs3aPlPJoUeRPmOyvNT0rVM-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Exodus 7:13</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">).</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> What are some reasons people might see the gospel as bad news? What was good about the message God gave to Moses? What role did God assign to Moses?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Isaiah 61:1-2<br/></span></u></strong><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">The spirit of the Lord GOD is upon me because the LORD has anointed me; he has sent me to bring good news to the oppressed, to bind up the brokenhearted, to proclaim liberty to the captives and release to the prisoners, to proclaim the year of the LORD's favor and the day of vengeance of our God, to comfort all who mourn, <span style="color: red;">... </span></span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx9FW0MIKzV-2BEL3fhrL0EdE0zao1VWOt4bWxzraUaQq-2Bbx1lwp-2BAJdUUERP66G3akxCo6W\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVgQ8FGGkX6drbAsq-2FrcJkI8kFNfd8aqV7v02H-2B9-2FlioYmNIkXNxDVFsGcbxWFPYpk3tsA-2FcBfurVWAjJSX7vuRBnx53rCJkRAmlvPiXvzc7UWCYxhfHmt-2BByZJbx0ii3cpaK0oILFAHbM3kNZxBD7ZGbU1Qxh6ySdGn3wjaeqRimfATXqR45SWFZpHHDcs9oQLF0K6i2pSx2ygtiRIbjvzQ-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Isaiah 61:1-11</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Howard Thurman writes in </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOacMf8AxW-2FzUvsVx0MI14Q8lXw8FjGehc5O1qKOJkvKXqmSgQhHnxl2SrnKgejhq8X6T-2B5u0lQp3CmHP1JKLvYEtPeoSiSFeopvR5BB35NYK-2Bsu7X58W2oLwnHY6O3-2FXEJ0WsCxdVGf8vZcAQPWvuo-3DUOa3\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVpFvYDhJ9Su5ocHZUaZQWxCoNuxBnvUxOcXUV-2BoKULp1BpjuWmPxjTBKUlFWCYKPAiwEqmxSF7FVA4KDQxvXoXBLd11qvzvAMB4yQW-2FDZuKbrqTXnOPQ00EKyp6WBQEctll5xf6aOdf0DdGWuaU0CHdkwSMbvIhLIn8BwH91F0Rk2ZrCeAjUQDCDZvdIpDc8pqpwHo0i4VD7do7BmX3HHFo-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Jesus and the Disinherited</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">, "I can count on the fingers of one hand the number of times that I have heard a sermon on the meaning of religion, of Christianity, to the man who stands with his back against the wall. ... The masses ... live with their backs constantly against the wall. They are the poor, the disinherited, the dispossessed. What does our religion say to them?" </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Jesus turned to this passage from the prophet Isaiah when he was given the scroll to read in the synagogue (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxr2uOTCNrsMcEcQV7l8ZPnfWeSDGd4PfeuJwUa74YQLn0yudg4pWfFrh4aobPWplxW0I8\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVmXT3nIb738Q6fZcq0lhwRsPNIjVW164AXu87z9f1euSwkiddA1N9XtKdaDLeC6MHnQrCtB-2BffHV73JaBuwCHExKmA3PBaJxF8DYCdfVuht2zRp79NaevT1AWkROdCjK-2FNhbEQIgZ1k3yCsF0ZqKaQeeoOtgtUVC-2Bm3A-2BO-2BTds92RYJp78tCw8UGUVrxyxL-2Fn56VVWYYDZY8heGoDDgyYAc-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Luke 4:18-19 Expanded Bible</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">). He announced that he was the one God had anointed to fulfill the prophecy, to bring good news to the poor, to proclaim the year of the Lord's favor. Most English translations fail to make clear the revolutionary implications of this announcement, which was an allusion to the Year of Jubilee God commanded his people to observe every 50th year (see </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxjEJmKyTKrwMbYoHzGlAEZQuodTsFRcSQU-2BO1BQmkI9p1zh3JlMmIEn7dtD0-2FDdphIKLe\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVvyMfvOpOC5t0Bgr1D4biOW-2FNWVYkxBwnuGYhcgxxlRSWMq-2F4tHNGw4fEZxsOQTanBl7Y6WOSC5exrEbHtaPURcGNbuL1Nk7i-2F-2BXzyUvUyNoDKjQPls5WL5MXuL4CsTXqOMMgOtTqk2ld-2BDY7unkv-2BJPaQxAPxNWdDq89jE4V4weqBVnzxmgRdSkreXbTastr7gMeiGIex7LZWjlmXhwd0I-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Leviticus 25 Expanded Bible</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">, especially vv. 10-11 and 39-43). Mosaic law stipulated that no Hebrew could be enslaved for more than six years, after which time the slave was to be released and given sufficient resources to begin again (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx8vT-2B4JcJ5j8RqGNYnps4kk8GZX8oG2gmc8YdVFTBoZm1oWAtAFeVoJmdKh41-2B-2F5nDCOA\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVkkSBW-2B9TxO08N71LpAdKXUuuLVtrTmoqFGPGX-2BDzqDqOM0AOKGOhtawRZ2ycNzql28OyNkISswFc1lqs-2BDHijnMdrfQYg-2BQ0h21-2BLxbAnBd86f-2BTGTS8g9mF98DvdU2T2Zr9UGmUnNFc46eJrnEShgtuC1sNcrzJiVxGLZVvTROXyFtTdB-2Boa94nmCI0yWhhiWBSEEA78MIlxeLKj31Gyg-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Deuteronomy 15:12-15 Expanded Bible</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">).</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Jesus' evangel (good news) to the underprivileged was one of hope that in God's kingdom, the oppressed would be relieved of their suffering, those enslaved would be freed, the poor would get a new lease on life. His audience took exception to his announcement and in rage drove him out of town and nearly off a cliff (</span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxr2uOTCNrsMcEcQV7l8ZPnem9Hw8msShKUFJaLwqMM9-2Bfv0QQXh7v8j15IHmJNnr3DBmm\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViiO8PI6xHPp-2Bm9IRM9yDmr74AyWP1kFiVj5pEvcQMUoovQe9yDMKklIYGg-2Fix6wva6idB-2Fo-2FZWYS5oe8K7r5r5ve6yt88WNMpNwQgqdwz7MEpyV0iJAm7UNNClAkJ9CozWQEtBCd1G45u7llxzZNRKWiSonLx-2BjAZpWJcCN21VkBo08zTqCNABXjS35lQh58PSqu4pEaoZsgoSeRr-2F7MhY-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Luke 4:28-29</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">). </span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions:</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> Why wasn't Jesus' message seen as good news by everyone? Why might some people prefer a tamer, spiritualized or sanitized version of his message? To whom was Jesus' message good news, and why?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2 Timothy 4:1-2, 5<br/></span></u></strong><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, and in view of his appearing and his kingdom, I solemnly urge you: proclaim the message; be persistent whether the time is favorable or unfavorable; convince, rebuke, and encourage with the utmost patience in teaching. ... As for you, be sober in everything, endure suffering, do the work of an evangelist, carry out your ministry fully. </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxCB6Biq-2Bhf2lG2oReWih72hB2tCHyHS8GAqgLYBsbz-2FRvdtBvG61i2jpC-2F-2FoOYfIjmU2s\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVmRa082RsVl9J9TONRSHDQM-2FzOZAwreQGOeRaIbbDlW8vaAWhxznpx07RcAmcOnnLW1i4DE-2FxlXSwdDdzCXPcGPPTW6P-2BD9jRHuvFZ1xX-2BjHX0uHEuScd4N6ELQxTiP1ZeD6SnBzNBzWbkh0vnheMO577LHbvnmCpb4DByYHcdHpKzImCMIa0IYycVdBD8qWE-2FkvjM9MC4dlROGZQD9C2vc-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2 Timothy 4:1-5</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.) </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Paul counsels Timothy to proclaim the message of Christ "in season and out of season," and to "do the work of an evangelist." Paul acknowledges that not everyone will be receptive to the message (vv. 3-4), but that is all the more reason Timothy needs to apply himself to the task persistently and patiently. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">TWW team member Bill Tammeus recalls hearing a pastor once describe evangelism as simply asking others what they need most and helping them find it. How would you define the work of evangelism?</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In what way might the knowledge that we stand in the presence of God and of Christ Jesus, who is to judge the living and the dead, motivate us to proclaim the message "of his appearing and his kingdom"? What exactly is "the work of an evangelist," and how does one do it? Does this command apply narrowly, only to people with a spiritual gift of evangelism or ministry position as an evangelist, or does it apply to all followers of Jesus? Explain.</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><u><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2 Corinthians 5:18-20<br/></span></u></strong><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">All this is from God, who reconciled us to himself through Christ and has given us the ministry of reconciliation; that is, in Christ God was reconciling the world to himself, not counting their trespasses against them, and entrusting the message of reconciliation to us. So we are ambassadors for Christ, since God is making his appeal through us; we entreat you on behalf of Christ: be reconciled to God. </span></em><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">(For context, read </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx5N3asDrM8aLtAZM6HVDt1Z-2B7WhtrjF3jiQ472mRyMpxqIvCqfj-2BZtZMzJrOzmAEhpvR-2FB5CGgbfh3SwgybsJBg-3D-3D2MKw\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVv2rCMVJDkxKdigDB9t1ECQASg1sU9gnIuQCwLsd-2FP45Xp54O4lt6zfCeUzedmQhKY2uK-2F6-2BGFjAUL9FmMIm4F5ddeKhAbpBkPKKF093tAnWJsKC2gQdvhetm4x6IhrPzZ8aSyPpSsB-2F5t1tK-2FjtrKInrbSF4tnAOqzW1ADAwf87-2F05N1bAmAI-2FIMo1zsKVc9vsidXyBpRPnsiWl7mpgQQo-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2 Corinthians 5:10-11, 14-20</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">.)</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">In his devotional book, </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPHB9LyLTPLnVthWsffMF1LtWsx6C6FprE3JfVZUFkIBnZ\_x1\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVo05t1Sx6gcnpvkLULDETUkf2H3t580VYQslqbz8nXgn60BwYGVVgQfZ8xh6BfPVBn9jMBIlNgOeEn1V7x7oT-2BJG4wufwsGyoxLSe9VenmTRJm-2FRzNTlghDb2c-2FxFSY-2Fs7WNMrVYq-2Fn6uFG-2FLnuQRIvJMLWhNPogNVnJ6c-2BYkQDAvAzrmEEquUctQAxfh8S-2B9HUBq4MzVUNyElawn6po3eA-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Through the Year with Jimmy Carter</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">, the 39th president of the United States mentioned the work of more than 120 ambassadors stationed around the world who represented the authority and policies of the nation. "While few of us will ever become U.S. ambassadors," Carter wrote, "the Bible says <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">all</em> Christians are ambassadors for Christ. God makes his offer of salvation to the world through us."</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">"As Christ's ambassadors," Carter continued, "we are to take this message to all people around the world. We must not exalt ourselves as superior to those who don't yet know Christ, but rather recognize that each person is a spiritual being, extraordinarily valuable to God. So we must reach out in a spirit of love and care and compassion, treating others with utmost respect."</span></p> <blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Questions: </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">What is the appeal God is making through those who are ambassadors for Christ? To whom are we to minister as ambassadors? What is the message of reconciliation entrusted to us? How is that message connected to evangelism? What is the ministry of reconciliation, and how do we perform that ministry?</span></p> </blockquote> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">For Further Discussion</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1. Scan the list of </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCwBIZqUpwwOd8CtyZyo95YAsCB7qBgsTbTjOcyLYo8LJrcvvsZujSLqGV7M67JmeQ-3D-3DFQ6D\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVleGFJiHdNu3nYDxEyGLjw-2B7lrw-2BqGZpBGO2BQBfC9xYz1NDSzKQx-2BncUIcwXbyVzdsVjzoMKu6frKJ20ycirBlxw4hQ1CDAG2FvLH4OaKzed1tNuDyCwR-2FVEHMgPTxKEg0Sy5n7JP3KDHx-2Fm-2BOjO9cP6ASM8hMpU4GP7I8S75wbo-2F6O4WSnMlFt7eoc1uurWfnoYdFLXWnXNGntAxEIhYk-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Approaches to Evangelism</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #333333; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">found on this webpage. Which of these have you experienced? Which have you found most effective, ineffective, problematic, or promising, and what made them so? What evangelistic methods are missing from this list? </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2. The Evangelical Covenant Church offers </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIZvCGJvq454l0uPSXmldm3AKxAUsQrScW6lZXn1DCGMGIZ-2FjZ-2B5KKyYxyDRUiYFXkQePxCjpsTKyyyaEMH62LvLn6X7NdOZFwehSm-2FXJXc-2Bco1s\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlu8LRt51dglz52dIlDdGnCZLpfD3-2FFx4GJgK-2BEwm42GoWYUggOmP0mHAZDPvoTphsC3ASwj4GMllYr-2FLvXZBrPCgCk5YEtjlEZRfggPU1k2XGmN7QixBnPZWfpWh8nLP0Y-2Bl6dqIPrkRPF2djGv1PYpn6fIlHNIFR0paX9FSwn-2BiFWYae2EZ76n8A0m5EDVbVeMmmdENdLdbnYftQmTHOk-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">BLESS</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #333333; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">as a model for evangelistic practice. The acronym comes from the idea that the people of God are to bless others, which is how we live out the gospel, as we:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">B</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">egin with prayer</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">L</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">isten with care</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">E</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">at together</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">S</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">erve in love</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">S</span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">hare the story</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">How might you utilize this model in your own personal witness and in your church's evangelistic endeavors?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">3. In <em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Discipleship Gospel</em>, </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPEWI-2FCVeGAqaPus0mhsfEQc2mE-2FDIrLdwi0EE2DiNg-2FkoCDIFxg8onEmMRnSRHdaXxXB1A4bJPybN0F8tdQoUcj2PVqRx8Wvr4ejGJgR5d9oMz07MUlDdX-2FgcrPyZr4R4w-3D-3DjlvF\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViXTMtHSZZXWUe12ZsG48TFdUixwFyDPd-2FoAIzlbRUI0YEnMhS2goizW4VVDocu3w3gScSiMvB-2BwXBd4luDaZFYmeGecvdDUjd8bgoWDnQ7uicKS8KxB4G5SDUJgxcGvk9XWCZEr3RUSQGrZuVuYU5gTR7SlDJRUPHIWga0rTU7KPDKNzJn-2Bn-2FC9RatoBg-2BrSCJOZUFCpKwwt24A8k0G-2BhY-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Bill Hull and Ben Sobels</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #333333; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">wrote that discipleship is what "pastor and author (<em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;">The Message</em>) Eugene Peterson speaks of when he says that 'forming people in Christ is a slow work, so it can't be hurried; it is an urgent work, so it can't be delayed.' The most transformative environment for maturing people into Christlikeness happens when we allow people the time they need to come into a full understanding of the gospel in the context of committed discipleship relationships. This was true in Jesus' ministry, and it is no different in the local church today. It's the opposite of 'hit and ru<span style="color: #000000;">n' evangelism. ... Discipleship, at its best, is evangelism." Discuss the relationship between evangelism and disciple-making. </span></span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">4. In his book, </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPOacMf8AxW-2FzUvsVx0MI14SLlOTbMAXztklBg9mV3A4Ngi6xTJrg-2BFYgXIRUZLpNERS61FE9ffc8v88CVsXkX0FrhPjhptYjQbAk7odXCKYaxP7s3Hg4VYuR8mgbSTkHdg-3D-3DYQSG\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVlWH00sgYGuBxQDNBEkgmhXpKXjo4uNGfBkW1lYdPEXq7N0YrJ7M-2FteIFZ0dSyRHlAPUih0nTpA7pEO7VX-2B22TEHyqdK-2FyyZDrPSjP9oz-2BOlYFvZzzfun7n9URXy2-2BIRSgkjtMuJVPnn0TLfeKCae4-2FxcYDFlJ4UO5Jt73hhY9wieTN5PA5YGgt1ehffvG1zfT74bOUb1pWs2Ujsuggt0VE-3D"><em style="mso-bidi-font-style: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Tactics: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions</span></em></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">, radio talk show host and founder of </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPCG9ysz0T76i-2FbP0kTJqx3dO-2Ffu8x4HCsIpKCjqmQBvwIUuo\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVpR1okW3Fcp0h2XY39SfiPophVQfCAN4NCWW2G0gUy8l2bx5orLETHmb9cUcF53Q0PHigAhLNN95orIA1vHYdwD0rpm4v6QZJR32V6jyyAiZ3Oc6QXKaQknTt1qdBBttGFcKPxdX7HuKuZsq6evZb98LA259VWXTo42b2E9FOPpDsclO1tU3KRT2ATP98rrXc4CcMp1o2FA4Y1hF2dOJKu8-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Stand to Reason</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">, a Christian apologetics organization, </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPrSPQKuAZtkw-2F-2BbAx79xbX8sbb7RGcx1Ithe8d5-2BR1QK6VAFTLa9NGtsULvMBwZfBA2qqYlX-2FboV5LV-2FJ92VBgML4QiUkDO7FJKkKdlYF0Ii936IdgGD8Pp0YBm4PVS5g-3D-3DQB4H\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViWG7ZwX2h9KMq5Qdam8Zj5FMUhIbstZ8PcTZI9wSZL6yYaAtSpoMfLEhnyjl7VWVtwGe3ZZzl1fKaL-2FXKVqbVg1D29p1Ry0Zd8DftPJuug6Ao9r8q-2FAkY5SR4pVPqMVQncmTCN9Yr-2FmDmLxUZ7gFpY0zz2y4I4foPrHux-2FgeinRxvWS1s6WMBK8tcxuMQdrrHA4nJScB3KiZP95BmGj61w-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Gregory Koukl</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> offered these tips for effective evangelism:</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Be ready.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Keep it simple.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Avoid religious language and spiritual pretense.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Focus on the truth of Christianity, not merely its personal benefits.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Give reasons [why you believe what you believe].</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Stay calm.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">If they want to go, let them leave.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="text-indent: -.25in; mso-list: l0 level1 lfo1; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt .5in;"><!-- [if !supportLists]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"><span style="mso-list: Ignore;">●<span style="font: 7.0pt 'Times New Roman';">      </span></span></span><!--[endif]--><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">But don't let them leave empty-handed. If possible, give the person a tangible way to follow up on what you challenged him to consider.</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Which of these tips do you already practice, and which might you need to add or strengthen in your own personal witness?</span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Responding to the News</span></strong></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">1. Brainstorm how you will develop effective evangelistic practices based on how Jesus brought good news to the poor. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">2. Listen to </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPPXTV2R-2Bm0Kz58iOCQYIq18aZKZV8j5Y7g9ANEzhCr0jhfOfiLpUsgOBcjql9dqN5g-3D-3DA\_UW\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVh2rHEWEHTJTA-2Fezz1cJefSOBQK90-2Fmi39QR-2F-2BFYKKrJHP5OOQZS8PIodGUTxkkrGfik9XosLosDELRd724aGu-2BxXBJKxDq5Be9TPmQyl7l8CpDflwguLojtf-2BRncmtnTe-2Fn7MaCgqjQW-2BvXHUjIzL-2B2FwoAsgvrTF5CwFjE2aNkYYQ3-2BknIFpCMgceDh5n7ME-2BYm9ZfP6t6c2WNcUGp99s-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">First Call -- Somethin' Takes Over (Video 3:24)</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; (Lyrics </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPME900AsXDmkLm9xuZ738QsoAzy-2B19r-2Fd2YhCWnZvP9Ddgo-2FsoXjZuxJTU-2FkCXchNBYbCoRPSpZVzudcqrYgZWiwVkqVrj1vF6YW2FZy2eTXO\_oB\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVsYRZtkP-2BmoKXN6sHKQpHtPdAhUzxmHfWxFY919xylKZSfbd71TlP5bCuROP4OlLmL1GWb-2B2m6hPmObG8nYqZpSQzkQv2UjAwslFVMQmIu7Cv0dO6yss76NPaB2qlKflvx-2B1nSm4yfQW3GEiN6PE2qOe9Cy96TExbvcL0ZU2L9IjaMXGNBfa1uuIu-2BiSjjGgoHK0ujwXpgaq3xrYdR-2F7oX8-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">here</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">) and discuss how joy can impact your evangelistic efforts. </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Prayer </span></strong><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Suggested by </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx01q-2FDUFHyH4Q-2FNuCp9d7Z7JHDSyg1BxyUxq8X26nA4K7kx3tsvKivZ-2F44lkY-2FxqTk4B9\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVnR-2BtZq7xjTY6O-2FAagN7PNWkBmvEt7Ng7FS1K2jgOApmOGU841bioVjRoFrtsTFWGhpNVo36e5JYmFJ7a6tyiHHd4n7D41PZDqud0OuMqpymcuwYi-2FAsogHtryOnTFFfvzI2GZ9sXk6uIwVaq-2F2dUhWLQMda85yX3fxtazcZD35MDRc2RA-2BlvdG1uBMNZFUpG6S-2BYsVMfF9djKN6EG-2Fx9mE-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Isaiah 40:9</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx8fPDsj5S5hW7hBewUShLxz-2FYzpY-2FjrX-2FLZlKwYSVwjwUbBLgEy-2F8n-2F-2F1MEu8ySangeM9\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVuTdcsOgl6Sbs-2FbeWzAtHCkV3gzRybXu3LgbePNGuSx7Q4we7P7uJnEkwaSkyxNtTBf97nh9ek9e4KGJBrMj71wUYRCWQBr59BjaD4YQVXMmPTDwzpw683L18KXD3rMTcc8io-2BdamEnovjW4qi8AZKfvltroP4okL-2BTBkVH8FD4rTDlTvwhSAeJ0Si8SDVnynUYsBUQMuME8foFsSQDNUGU-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Isaiah 52:7</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxB1sByFkCq00De7qxK5ZsvsnoE12Qg05e3ayAA7vivjvuuOQjrTk7ZGTmd-2Fs6khfL1hK8\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVphyjUaKU3cRvcYJf84Yzd6EU0Z31crau8JEUh39Wc46WlRuugaxWxC63b-2FIoiSUoeorcL1IQi4ya75gADyaP4Dbys7-2BchakGFfIdmEeNM5oXmzgQISVW394u3RqiyEifFJ83MLiY9-2B4EFNtJhhBckpMNpLz09QWzHTVQ7hIhPo9jLH5CuXH0aypO-2FXSX5mJniCiN6lQ7-2BGrjH6uuxM-2By-2Fw-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Romans 10:14-15</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzxEE9arX6m0yHZZAbtNhYaDWQj-2FEyc55uvtkzql-2FYX12S4VrP1zhV1S1ayVQQwvu1SYzV\_\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZViPeHJdCTAF8LE5QAZ9ZWTaRcVti1MxZjoLEfIvpuujCdsZ5T0Dn61i4FwD6Q7NjQlejnlCgAehSr-2BojUY1zkV2ph9eo4EGYZbw5-2F-2Bxas-2B7pkna8e9zi3fjpDvZdrMmQAOX73oP3k9PTrW1SPk5dt4jxSbgK-2BhQAt0EBLPVJIO3FTvIXGfMHP2Ol9Z5av5p9nuDf9-2FKVMdNMcyxfuoDuifE-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Matthew 9:35-38</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">; </span><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/ls/click?upn=u001.kR2s0BHA4IMM0a9cQYZVPIPMr3QdAndcnhgARhLxPRBMJBYCTolkbvW-2F0TosyGzx9FW0MIKzV-2BEL3fhrL0EdEzrznD2S89cvsrnTlAVjDAbus3qeXE-2BmroYTOgVO3aj4B1-a\_-2FDMt8DmC0b3MPPPEfxHbnxzgfJsbXDNMpwCP9nNwhUmwW6wkyKFLFNgtWOsfoWlqzJWknYznvBlIhQrMvSLcaZdhhbJIKGm-2F5qmCcYPIpJSn2obb9skqJf4MgaypxrLi7oLPa8a7eS7JtzjOXCCX8BHD-2F4cv9wFI-2FUH-2BL75pc25Hbh6RKf8EPZebHASiEu2b1aGXbOqJQ3Dnm6HAk92YmVExCSfJRHhtJfiUh1OIL0DS1mvNrXftcEOjKzsRcyBoqU5hOzbzpzXmM0KHSUcZVsJqkxwLwN5aFE60JJucCXYyCsjs3jAMwpuzdkePAQthcj-2BsJy69AzQMixBimZ5VcLLTl-2B8TOjbtUyhQ0gREKFzTqwpLXmwUMymZDi193B309C2vn7QPEcszYddTBHYz7PN2QgmrUv9bIa4xw7AR3-2FOFYJ2uqt0JTAYWAPQpxWmPavFpNcTke991kQFG8-2FJrIwOE47XMDG6bTTh4me9T-2BBo-3D"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; color: #1155cc; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Isaiah 6:8</span></a><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;"> </span></p> <p class="MsoNormal" style="margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><span style="font-size: 12.0pt; font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">O God who sees the suffering of the abused and neglected, thank you for sending your herald to declare the good news, "Here is your God! Your God reigns!" Give us eyes of compassion to see people as Jesus sees them, strong and fearless voices to join in proclaiming the glad tidings of your peace initiative and rescue operation from the mountaintop, and the beautiful feet of ambassadors who bring the message and ministry of reconciliation to the world! Amen. </span></p> <p align="center" class="MsoNormal" style="text-align: center; margin: 0in 0in 10.0pt 0in;"><strong style="mso-bidi-font-weight: normal;"><span style="font-family: 'Times New Roman',serif; mso-fareast-font-family: 'Times New Roman'; background: white; mso-highlight: white;">Copyright 2025 Communication Resources</span></strong></p><br/><br/><p style="font-size: 11px;"><a href="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/asm/unsubscribe/?user\_id=14323725&amp;data=lj2PmJEJY73zg8c9SldIt\_WtKsInDpN0ttuTNNiIJMxoMDAwdTAwMCIEWtXDrM92hh4aUr0at1chM1Sd0LKLNnbEd3CAQWjYSkb1ExlcjHPDt12K-09jU5OYaYchGt0oEL5gTDy6I4sE8orTUoyMZOcl4kbFEzI5ZErGb8mlRLkArxfjjz509au75zNQu6mIo-ovKmgck\_47qaSWJh8kmQbgjnOlia4\_awWopJQ1g62sWuf8pvzRRR4Ry1Mxk0BKOH5az76-WxW9iyBs4ZFG1LaWUUBeeEN9lJvJdaV12noKShoR-09\_JKxN3rp24L-32JTyNf-fdoxoIGHgFhWmJ9yqF3qtPlerMyD4t-F6Guq-0YtYhwi2BiSbKNNlIZc6O9WUiHHcTaworVMlGQirRkTmOILO5alMSAxODWmGqgAHRaI2Wzd7ZXIO4T37oZpAdNQgFYzCPj6\_kS-7FHKuN5rRqoLEyeCz6r-yvSQzcswbtvax5nhyIiS2ZIQZllJ68uqmoSb2bmavzyY4mkN0HgZJCvhAn9juIR2Yabbi\_9XbsUhcaCwsjoenR9ihZSIX68hsSrl2VfWbLyCKoqJfveOpWKRSkCsrt0KLUHBuE2-rRaq3f1XEhJuME7iQdJsZ1JyoevTkrdc=">Unsubscribe From This List</a></p><img alt="" border="0" height="1" src="https://u14323725.ct.sendgrid.net/wf/open?upn=u001.ri3TO7QGEXgsxcVdo6-2BoAGTuuWiDEfH5lVjP7AVQ-2Bcl7JaDKdeJ1ydQkXpTFAEqRD2SOncm40jgMuVls37ZLseTP-2Bc5kaLjFJf1Q3kw4FZdt1YoCkYWvLa1l-2BT-2F-2F8yIUiLbFHrmn64p2Xwmffzl3edR6Ty8TRKnThBIufHec6MYr94WZQxWVvMWvfNqNZdVSm2JpSP2sJuJ7h3Z8Ne0G7ro9PIFbcB-2FqpPwV9rd5gj6Qxq2q-2F0G7MMs04ZeH6z04r7tJpysWkSFOhvyvkyVl1IH5NDsHKpIgVYllqFnw64rKvIONnyukAZgDS5rF4rsstILzQCL-2BOjIASL3-2FBtu0FFLjCX-2BEwWWNxRPFYnxZXBTlDJhK52rrDYZpamzjIR2X-2FaRViJEpu7Js3dV6qb6KNx-2FTjQx3Dtr12K-2BIys0Ju8Equge4Ip-2F1Wo6k-2FZAKaNUZiFEdJZgpE7R0RgEHq4ipgY6GeYRUV5HuDog-2BN-2FcFipA-3D" style="height:1px !important;width:1px !important;border-width:0 !important;margin-top:0 !important;margin-bottom:0 !important;margin-right:0 !important;margin-left:0 !important;padding-top:0 !important;padding-bottom:0 !important;padding-right:0 !important;padding-left:0 !important;" width="1"/> </div>, The Wired Word for 04/06/2025, The Wired Word, 01jqy2pc77yp086d513b3mz84g.