Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare, Mentor's Guide, MG08

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E V A N G E L I S M A N D S P I R I T U A L W A R F A R E

who desire not just to win individuals, but to penetrate entire kinship, friendship, and associate networks. The results of penetrating the oikia (plural of oikos ) are phenomenal. For a wonderful and excellent starter text on this important concept I refer you to the excellent book by Win and Charles Arn, The Master’s Plan for Making Disciples . (Grand Rapids: Baker Book House, 1998). Again, the breadth of topics and length of this session will make it difficult for you to deal with all of these critical subjects thoroughly. Make certain that you gauge your time well, concentrating on those concepts and objectives that the students are curious about, and those that they need further clarification upon. All of these subjects–prayer, personal soul winning, public preaching, and the oikos principle–require much time to understand fully vis-a-vis their relationship to evangelism. What ties them all together is the need to exercise wisdom in dependence on the Holy Spirit as we go forward in evangelism. Only God can open the appropriate doors for us to make a difference through our efforts, whether in personal or public sharing, whether with individuals or in household networks. Concentrate on providing an overview, and take the conversations where the Holy Spirit leads. This particular lesson demands that you concentrate upon the students’ own assessment of their readiness for a public evangelistic ministry. We must be very careful as we proceed with these issues. If our assessment is too rigid upon the tender conscience of a developing leader, we may discourage them by our assessment of their personal life. On the other hand, if we kid glove our favorite individuals and gloss over or ignore their own lack of readiness for this kind of grueling and challenging ministry, we may thrust someone who is not prepared into a position of responsibility before they are mature enough to handle it. The only remedy for this is the filling of the Holy Spirit. As our students develop they should be honest about where they are but know that the Lord’s calling and gifting are irrevocable (Romans 11.34), and that he calls whomever he wills to do whatever he wants (Ps. 135.6). We are ready to go when the Lord calls (and not one second before, or after!)

8 Page 90 Student Questions and Response

9 Page 92 Student Application and Implications