Survey Method
The following method has been highly effective in many situations. We all have seen people out taking a survey in malls, on street corners, etc. They are familiar with this method of information gathering, and although we don't particularly like to stop what we are doing to answer their questions, we know that it is done. It has been found to be highly effective in the market place, or they wouldn't do it. This method is a variation on the customer marketing survey. If desired, you can carry a clip board and pen with you to write down the responses. Some people even have a printed form, or list of questions to ask, and write down the responses. This is how it goes:
The evangelist will go up to someone and identify himself. "Hello, sir/ma'am. My name is ____, and I am a minister from _____ Church. I am out doing a little survey today. The question is: If your life were to end today, or tomorrow, or fifty years from now, do you know for sure that you are going to heaven? Nine out of ten people that I talk to tell me that they hope or think that they are going to heaven. What do you say?"
Then you wait for their response, which will normally be that they hope or think that they will go to heaven. If they say that they think that they will go to heaven, then you can ask them why they think that they would go to heaven. Most of the time they will tell you, "Because I am a good person." "I go to church." "I haven't done any thing really bad."
If they are already Born Again, they will know it, and let you know that the reason that they would go to heaven is because Jesus is their heart, that He is their Lord and Savior, etc.
If they think that they would get into heaven because they are a good person, I tell them what the Bible says in I John 5:12&13, and again in Romans 10:9&10. Then I ask them if they believe that Jesus is the Son of God, that He died on the cross for us, and God raised Him from the dead. If they agree, then I ask them if there is anything to stop them from praying a short prayer with me and to make sure that they are going to heaven.
Then you pray the prayer of salvation with them. This is an example of a sample prayer that you can pray with someone.
God in Heaven, I know that I am a sinner, and I want to change that. I ask you to forgive me of all my sins and make me clean. I believe that Jesus is Your Son, that He died on the cross for my sins, and that You raised Him from the dead. Jesus, I ask you to come into my heart. Keep me from evil, and make me the person that you want me to be. Be my Lord and My Savior. Amen.
The following is an excerpt from a web site called Knowledge of Truth, and you can see their full web site at: http://www.angelfire.com/de/knowledgeoftruth/
Starting Your Christian Evangelism
I got my start in evangelism in 1993. I accepted a challenge from my pastor to go out to East Stroudsburg University and talk to the college students. Using a 6 question questionnaire, we stood outside the cafeteria and would ask the questions to interested students.
The first time I just stood and listened to the conversations that went on between the students and church members. I finally got up the courage to ask the questions myself. I found out that the more I was challenged, the more I grew in faith and knowledge.
Listed are the six questions that I use when I evangelize. I will explain the purpose of the questions and list some Bible verses that might help you. Try to memorize a few verses before you go out, but it's not necessary, your testimony might be enough. Get a few people from your church to go with you. Do pray before and after your evangelism.
The survey works best if you ask the questions first, then explain what Gods says after the questions are asked. Don't let anyone intimidate you, but obey the laws in your area. Find a public area that you can feel comfortable at: the beach, farmers or flea market, a park, down town etc. Ask people if you can ask a few questions about their faith. Expect a lot of rejection!
1. Are you a regular attender of any religious service?
This question will usually help determine a persons religious background. They might say they are a Roman Catholic, Jehovah Witness, Lutheran, Baptist. Never take for granted that a person is saved just because they say they are a Baptist or a Christian.
2. Is Jesus Christ greater or equal to Muhammad, Buddha, Ghandi?
- Muhammad:
was an orphan who was adopted. He had a disorder that his mom likened to demon possession. His dad was a traveler and this helped Muhammad have lots of contact with Christians and Jews. He wrote the Koran (additional book to the Bible) after a so called vision from Gabriel. Islam is a works based religion that teaches that Jesus wasn't God, that He didn't die. They have a common bond with the Roman Catholic church in that they came through Abraham, pray a rosary and have a service for the dead. - Buddha:
Means enlightened one. As a child he lived a wealthy life. He got married, had a child and left them to be enlightened. He lived on a diet of 1 grain of rice per day and even ate his own excrement. There is believed to be no heaven, hell or sin. The goal is to go through eight steps to reach nirvana. Nirvana means "blow out" in which all your desires are taken away. - Gandhi:
Indian nationalist and Hindu spiritualist leader. The Hindu spiritual book is the Vedas "wise sayings" They worship 33 million gods.
If the person says greater, move on. If the person says equal to these men, use the Bible to prove He is greater.
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Jesus received human worship:
Matthew 14:33, 28:9, John 5:23, 9:38, 20:28, 29. The greatest of ordinary men and angels refused worship: Acts 10:25, 26, Revelation 22:8, 9. - Jesus forgave sins:
Mark 2:5-7, Luke 7:48-50, - displayed omnipotent powers:
Luke 8:24, 9:16, 17, John 2:9, 6:19, - displayed omniscience:
John 11:11, - raised the dead
John 5:25 - judges
John 5:27. - These things only God can do.
- He is the creator of all things:
Genesis 1:1, John 1:1-4, Colossians 1:16. - Jesus is called God:
John 1:1, 20:28, Philippians 2:6, Colossians 2:8-9, Titus 2:13.
3. Do you believe the Bible is the inspired Word ofGod?
The Bible declares itself to be the Word of God.
Deuteronomy 6:6-9, 17-18, Joshua 1:8, 8:32-35, Psalm 1:2, 119:9, 11, 18, 89-93, 97-100, 104-105, Matthew 5:17-19, Mark 13:31, John 2:22, 5:24, 10:35, Revelation 1:2, 22:18.
- Jesus quoted many verses from the Bible.
Check out Matthew chapter 4:1-11. Satan twists the Scripture to tempt Jesus. Jesus uses Scripture to back off Satan. This is a trick that Satan still uses through all many religions that exist. Many who claim to be Christian! Beware of any "Christian" religion that takes away the authority of the Bible by offering you another book. - Important passages of inspiration:
2 Timothy 3:16-17 All scripture is inspired by God! 2 Peter 3:15-16 Peter says that Paul's writings are scripture.
4. Do you believe that Heaven, Hell and Satan exist?
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A. If they deny the existence of Satan:
Show them Isaiah 14:12-15 or Ezekiel 28:11-19
B. The Bible speaks of eternal punishment or hell:
Matthew 8:11-12, 13:42, 50, 22:13, Luke 13:24-28, 16:19-31, 2 Peter 2:17, Jude 13, Revelation 14:9-11, 20:15.
C. Some references to heaven:
Matthew 13:45, 18:1, John 14:2, Philippians 3:20, 1 Thessalonians 4:17, 1 Peter 1:4, Revelation 2:7. Jesus says "today you will be with me in paradise" (Luke 23:43).
5. If you died tonight would you go to heaven?
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Use verses 5 and 6 together in your final presentation. If a person says no, I won't get to heaven, find out why they think so.
If they say yes, find out why they feel God will allow them in. That's where question 6 comes in.
6. If God asked you why He should let you in, what would you tell Him?
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A. Some people will tell you they have accepted Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior. Rejoice in their salvation.
B. A person might tell you because they were "good" or didn't commit any major sins like kill someone. Explain that: "All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Romans 3:23). The penalty for their sin is death, physical (Hebrews 9:27) and spiritual (Revelation 20:14-15, Revelation 21:8).
When they die they will stand before God, if they have accepted Jesus Savior and Lord, they will enter heaven because He took the punishment for their sins. John 1:29, 3:3-6, 3:16-18 ,Galatians 2:15-21, Hebrews 9:26. If they choose to stand before God without Jesus, they will have to accept the punishment for their sins:hell.
C. Others feel they will never meet up to Gods standards and are doomed to hell. Help them to understand that Gods gift is free and He doesn't want them to go to hell."Ephesians 2:8-9 "For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith-and this is not from yourselves, it is a free gift from God-not by works, so that no one can boast."
Grace is a free gift from God. You cannot earn it through works, good deeds or any other way. Think about this: Biblical Christianity is the only religion where God saves man as opposed to man saving himself.
What's Next?
Do your best to present the gospel. Remember that all God wants you to do is be faithful. Only the Holy Spirit can convict a person to accept Christ as Savior and Lord (1 Corinthians 12:3).
Ask the person if they would like to accept Jesus. If they say they are not ready, remind them that they need to be ready for hell. God does not guarantee if we will live to see tomorrow.
If they want to pray, help them out: They should admit they have sinned and be sorry to God for their sins. They must accept that Jesus took the punishment for their sins by His death on the cross. They must acknowledge Him as Savior and Lord of their new life.
Do your best to get their name, address and telephone number. You will want to get them placed in a church that uses only the Bible as the base for their teaching, and that salvation is possible only through faith in Jesus!
Knowledge of Truth is a non-profit ministry that has an online form that you can use for this method.
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