Practical Evangelism – The Person of Peace

My notes from the Planting Seeds conference with keynote speaker Mike Breen.

Often evangelism and discipleship are disconnected, but they should always be connected.

The Triangle (up-in-out)
- up with God (love)
- in with other believers (grow)
- out with non-believers (go)

Use this tool to analyze everything about your church. For instance, rate yourself from 1 to 10 for up-in-out (whatever area scores low is the area you need to work on in that ministry).

Jesus evangelistic strategy from Luke 10:1-12:
- Team, never go by yourself
- Time, harvest is a season that follows planting and growing. Go for the harvest that is available – let the others ripen.
- Target, within the harvest you don’t try to get everyone. You are looking for one person – the person of peace.
- Task, tell them the kingdom of God is near. God wants to do something in your life. Is there something that you would like God to do in your life?
- Trouble, just leave. If they don’t receive you, leave and don’t worry about it.

The Octagon (your person of peace)
. Person of Peace
· Perception. Open your eyes and look. Invite the Lord into our powers of perception. Visit people within 24 hours of visiting and they will become members.
· Presence. Recognize that they will see who you are from your heart. They need you to be present with them to earn the right to share. Random acts of kindness.
· Proclamation. After a time you earn the right to announce the gospel.
· Passing relationship (the sprint). You disciple them as far as you can
· Permanent relationship (the marathon). Say less, pray more. May not be the person of peace initially.
· Preparation. Ask the Lord to begin to prepare their life.
· Power. Stop being afraid of the Holy Spirit. Start asking God to show you power.

Resources:
LifeShapes
Blink: The Power of Thinking Without Thinking by Malcolm Gladwell
Conspiracy of Kindness by Steve Sjogren