One of my kids’ favorite pastimes is building trenches on the beach and watching the waves fill them with water.
Pre-evangelism is like building trenches in the sand, giving the water of the gospel a channel to go in.
I get to teach on evangelism often. When I mention skills to build relationships, some Christians think, “Does this really need to be said? I’m here to learn how to share the gospel. I want to see people converted. I’m not here to learn how to build friendships.”
Do “people skills” matter in evangelism? I think they do, especially in today’s world. Why?
First, the Bible promotes friendship.
Paul says that elders—those men expected to be models for the whole church—are to “be well thought of by outsiders, so that he may not fall into disgrace, into a snare of the devil” (1 Tim. 3:7). I trust part of the elder’s witness is that he has built meaningful relationships with non-Christians who see him as a man of integrity.
Second, our technology prevents friendship.
I work with college students and see it up close. Americans have
To continue...read the full-length post originally published on this site.
