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

faith, especially questioning whether such a faith can claim to be the same tradition which the apostles speak of in their dozens of “one anothers” in their Christian ethical commands, and their analogy of the Christian community as a body, a temple, a house, a family. Do not hesitate to allow your students to explore these ideas, and even disagree about the meaning of such questions. To help them to do so is to pave the way for them to explore the deepest spiritual questions of our time, and perhaps will springboard them into seeking biblical answers for very unbiblical approaches to spirituality and faith that are so common in so many places today. The objectives of this first segment of lesson four are critical for the entire module on evangelism, as told by the first objective of the segment. “The key to successful evangelism is following up new Christians by incorporating them into a local assembly of believers as quickly as possible.” If the apostles demonstrate any angst regarding the nature of their evangelistic outreach, it is their preoccupation with the ongoing well-being of those who have begun in Christ Jesus (cf. Acts 20.29; Luke 10.8; John 10.12; 2 Pet. 2.1; 1 Cor. 11.19; 2 Cor. 11.13-15; Eph. 4.14; Col. 2.8, 18; 2 Thess. 2.3-12; 1 Tim. 4.1-3; 2 Tim. 3.1-9; 2 Tim. 4.3). These texts reveal a knowledge within the apostles that there would come after them “ravenous wolves” amongst the flock that would seek to deceive, discourage, and devour them through their deceitfulness and lies. New converts are vulnerable to the backlash of the enemy, who attempts to bring the believer back up under the dominion of the devil. Therefore, follow-up is absolutely critical for their well-being, as well as being a good steward of what we are doing in our evangelistic work. Pay careful attention to the definition offered in regards to follow-up in this segment. The idea of “incorporating new converts into the family of God so they can be equipped to grow in Christ and use their gifts for ministry” provides a simple grid for understanding the correlation of evangelism to follow-up activity. If evangelism is concerned with regeneration in the Holy Spirit (in other words, new life in Christ , cf. Titus 3.5; John 1.12-13; 3.3-5; 1 Cor. 6.11; Eph. 5.26; Col. 3.10; Eph. 4.23), then follow-up continues that holy purpose on for the purpose of maturity (growing up in Christ) and fruitfulness (reproduction in Christ by multiplying disciples).

4 Page 102 Summary of Segment 1