OceanSide church of Christ

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PERSONAL EVANGELISM (9)

 

The Manner

Victor M. Eskew

 

INTRODUCTION

 

A.    Once you have established a Bible study, you must conduct it with the right attitude and with the proper behavior.

 

B.      The title of our lesson is:  “The Manner.”  We will look at some of the things that will help us to conduct the study in the proper manner.

 

I.                   WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY PRAYERFULLY

 

A.    Things for which we can pray:

1.      In our study, we want the heart of the hearer to remain good, honest, and tender.  Let’s pray to that end.

2.      In our study, we want the heart of the hearer to be opened by the Word of God.  Let’s pray to that end.

3.      In our study, we want a relationship of trust to be developed between us and the hearer.  Let’s pray to that end.

4.      In our study, we do not want the evil one to interfere with our efforts.  Let’s pray to that end.

5.      In our study, we may need wisdom from time to time.  Let’s pray to that end.

 

B.      Matthew 21:22

 

All things whatsoever ye shall ask in prayer, believing, ye shall receive.

 

II.                WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY SINGLE-MINDEDLY

 

A.    We have a single aim or purpose when we enter into a Bible study.  That purpose is to reveal the simple plan of salvation to the person who is lost.

 

B.      NOTE:  It is very easy to get sidetracked.

1.      We can get sidetracked about things we know.

2.      We can get sidetracked about things we do not know.

3.      We can get sidetracked on other topics, even secular topics.

 

C.     This is why it is good to have a Bible study program to use to guide you.

1.      Write down all questions that are not immediately relevant to the study.

2.      Keep coming back to the Bible study method.

 

III.             WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY KINDLY, GENTLY (WITHOUT STRIFE)

 

A.    II Timothy 2:24-25a

 

And the servant of the Lord must not strive, but be gentle unto all men…in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.

 

B.      At times, we must practice great self-control in order to keep the qualities in this point manifested in the study.

1.      The student can get emotional at times.

2.      The student can hurl names and insults and accusations at us.

 

C.     We stay calm and practice good listening skills.

1.      Repeat their statements back to them.

2.      Repeat a paraphrase of their statements back to them.

3.      Listen for their feelings:  confusion, anger, unbelief, or sadness.

 

IV.             WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY PATIENTLY

 

A.    II Timothy 2:24

 

…but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient.

 

B.      Why we need patience:

1.      Barriers have to be broken down.

2.      Confusion has to be overcome.

3.      The individual may have to work through grief.

4.      It may take a while for a person to be ready to be baptized.

 

V.                WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY CONFIDENTLY

 

A.    Confident:

1.      Having strong belief, full assurance, sure

2.      Having no uncertainty

 

B.      The person must never think that we do not really believe or adhere to the things we are teaching.

 

C.     We are teaching THE TRUTH and we are sure of it! (II Pet. 1:19)

 

We have also a more sure word of prophecy, whereunto ye do well that ye take heed, as unto a light that shineth in a dark place, until the day dawn, and the day star arise in your hearts.

 

VI.             WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY BOLDLY

 

A.    As we study with different individuals, subjects will come up that must be addressed.

1.      Doctrinal issues.

2.      Moral issues

 

B.      We have to have courage to address the issues that are in opposition to the truth (See Eph. 6:19-20).

 

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in bonds; that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

 

VII.          WE MUST CONDUCT THE STUDY ENCOURAGINGLY

 

A.    To encourage is “to put heart” into another person.

 

 

B.      The person sees the truth, but Satan wants him/her to doubt it.

The person wants to obey the truth, but Satan wants him/her to second guess.

 

C.     During the course of the lesson, we have to keep encouraging and exhorting the hearer.

1.      This is God’s will.

2.      God will be well-pleased.

3.      Others have obeyed in the past.

4.      The Christian life can be lived.

 

D.    We may have to encourage the person to make the step to be baptized.

1.      At this time, you know enough to obey the gospel.

2.      Those in the first century obeyed the truth immediately.

a.      “Then they that gladly received his word were baptized” (Acts 2:41).

b.      “And as they went on their way, they came unto a certain water:  and the eunuch said, See, here is water; what doth hinder me to be baptized?” (Acts 8:36).

c.       Acts 8:12; 9:19; 16:15; 16:33; 18:8; 19:5

 

And he took them the same hour of the night, and washed their stripes; and was baptized, he and all his straightway.

 

CONCLUSION

 

A.    What is taught in a Bible study is very important.

 

B.      Almost as important is the demeanor of the teacher.  He/she must conduct the study in the proper manner.

1.      If we do well, we can overcome obstacles and be the person who truly encourages the person to obey the truth.

2.      If we fail to do well, the person may end the study because our behavior was not of the proper manner.

 

C.     Philippians 1:27

 

Only let your conversation be as it becometh the gospel of Christ…