Introduction
As required in this assessment, I witnessed three different people: Davison, Whitney, and Sameer, who were not saved. I utilized a confrontational approach through door-to-door evangelism. However, the method of sharing the word was always the four spiritual laws. The targets have different cultural backgrounds and their reasons for not accepting Christ are also diverse. This report discusses my experiences with each of the individuals and their reactions to the gospel.
Mr. Davidson: My Uncle, an Atheist
Davidson is my mother’s brother who lives in our neighborhood. He is a declared atheist who believes that God or other deities do not exist. For almost two years now, Davidson has held to the belief, openly sharing with our family about the stand. Therefore, he cannot be moved by mere charisma to believe in Jesus. My approach was to engage in an intellectual conversation on key faith issues, including human origins, life’s purpose and meaning, and eternal destiny, a method known as confrontational evangelism. Hence, the evangelism method used was the confrontational technique or evangelism explosion.
Circumstances Surrounding the Conversation
Davidson’s mother, my grandmother, has been ailing for several months with a terminal illness. After visiting her at the hospital, I decided it was the best moment to spark a discussion about the key issues mentioned earlier, especially on the source of life and eternity. I started by commenting on grandmother’s suffering and how she would need some inner strength during such trying moments. My uncle responded positively agreeing with me that no external support would outweigh such strength.
My uncle is Hispanic, brought up in a Christian family, and well educated. However, he changed his religion by abandoning his beliefs in God and Christ. To adapt my gospel presentation to this background, I had to realize that he knows the bible much better than ordinary nonbelievers know and was willing to defend his beliefs rather than listen to me and sulk. As such, I was prepared with responses to his counterarguments regarding the existence of an external superior power.
Davidson’s Reaction
I expected Davidson to be hostile but defensive but he maintained a rather calm demeanor probably because of the prevailing circumstances. Nevertheless, he explained that he does not believe that there is a superior being that would alleviate human suffering let alone change the course of life. He argued that if God existed there should not be so much pain in the world, claiming that faith was a fantasy humans used to escape the realities of life.
My Response to Davidson
Seeing that Davidson was unwilling to change his heart, I stopped convincing him to believe. I asked him if I could pray for grandmother and he responded positively, giving a glimpse of hope for change. Nevertheless, I also requested him to rethink his earlier life and review his encounters with the power of God. Specifically, I reminded him the birth of his firstborn, which he too believed to have been a miracle. Their marriage had suffered the lack of a child for six years when the boy was finally born. Davidson testified in church then that it was against the doctor’s expectation that they could bear a child. I was sure it was something he could not ignore and he promised to think about the Christian beliefs once more. I further asked questions to challenge his beliefs, relating them to his past Christian experiences.
Ms. Whitney
Whitney is a young adult whose life is wasted by alcoholism. She and I attended the same elementary school but she dropped out due to her family situation. Although we encounter each other several times a week, I have never talked to her about believing in God. For this assessment, I decided to visit her and introduce the gospel to her. I combined door-to-door evangelism with the four spiritual laws method.
Circumstances Surrounding the Conversation
I intentionally visited Whitney for witnessing and found her washing utensils. We exchanged greetings as usual then I asked her to walk with me outside as I had something important to discuss. As soon we were outside, I began the gospel conversation by explaining how my faith was growing. I then expressed my intention to share it with her in the hope that she would like to transform her life.
My words were guided by the four spiritual laws and Whitney was kind to listen. The first law says, “God loves us and has a wonderful plan for our lives.” I explained this statement to Whitney showing how her life’s purpose should be anchored in God. The second spiritual law is “man is sinful and separated from God.” I demonstrated how every person is separated from God by nature. The third law says, “Jesus Christ is God’s only provision for man’s sin.” I discussed how Jesus bridges the gap between man and God. The fourth law says, “We must place our faith in Jesus Christ in order to receive salvation and know God’s plan for our lives.” I explained how Whitney could receive Jesus Christ as a savior.
Whitney’s cultural background is created by her family and community settings. Most members are drug addicts and a few are criminals. They do not have religious ties to any group and they live by their own rules. To adapt my presentation of the word, I showed her how a connection with God would transform her life and that of her generations. The realization that she lives a deficient life would compel her to accept Christ as an alternative for a better future.
Whitney’s Reaction
She was glad that I took the time to share the gospel after we had been acquaintances for a while. Whitney explained that nobody had ever taught her about the bible as I did. I saw the hope and joy she felt in her eyes while I was speaking. Nevertheless, she had questions for me regarding her current situation and salvation. One such question was about abandoning alcoholism and deception. She said that alcohol enables her to overlook her misery while deception is the means by which she survives. How then could she receive Christ and be forced to give up these things?
My Response
I assured Whitney that salvation is a journey and does not turn one’s life around overnight. I insisted that receiving Christ was the first step and the rest would follow. I suggested that we pray and she gladly accepted, noting that she would want to hear more of the gospel. I realized that there are more people waiting to hear the gospel than we would imagine.
Mr. Sameer
Sameer is a middle-aged man who runs a grocery store near our house. He is a Muslim and we have had simple conversations about our different lines of faith occasionally. I have never set out to witness or evangelize to him with the intention of winning his soul. I used the Romans Road evangelical method with Sameer because Muslims require facts from the bible rather than personal experiences.
Circumstances Surrounding the Conversation
I met Sameer at his store mid-morning when there are few or no customers. I made my intention straight away that I wished to share the gospel but did not mention the issue of winning him over to Christianity, as he would become defensive. My servant evangelism had set the ground for me because Sameer gladly offered his time to me and listened keenly and affectionately.
I began with the problem, followed by consequences, scope, solution, response, assurance, and then result. At each stage, I read the corresponding Romans verse and explained it. The problem is that everyone has sinned, fallen short of God’s glory, and nobody is acceptable, leading to death. The solution is Jesus’s death for our sins on the cross. We are to declare Him as Lord and accept salvation with the assurance of the word. Eventually there is reconciled peace with God, lasting relationship, and a life without judgment.
Sameer is of Arab descent and is an American Muslim, which alienate him from the Christian faith. He was born and raised in Muslim family and community, having no chance to interact or learn Christianity. Therefore, although not entirely a new idea, salvation was a far-fetched belief for Sameer. I expected him to defend his religion as the only true faith, as many Muslims do.
Sameer’s Reaction
Our casual relationship might have affected our encounter, as Sameer did not seem to take the gospel seriously. However, he listened through the session keenly, asking for clarifications now and then. At one time, he asked me to reread a verse, signifying that he could have been following the discussion. Unexpectedly, Sameer did not begin an argument on whose faith is superior or true between Christianity and Islam.
My Response
Seeing that Sameer did not react openly to the gospel, I asked him whether he has ever considered becoming a Christian. He explained that he has never paid any attention to how different the religions were because he felt it does not matter at all. I explained that Jesus offered the only way to the father and the true reconciliation with God. Sameer expressed his opposition to the idea but did not want to give reasons. Due to my insistence, Sameer agreed to ponder over the issue and even consented to another discussion in the future.
Conclusion
My witnessing experience was the best I have had since becoming a Christian. Often I do not walk up to someone with the intention of sharing the gospel. I prepared myself through bible reading and research before approaching my target. I can testify that the process was much easier and more interesting than I expected. I will continue my discussions of the word with all my three targets.
Bibliography
Davis, John P. Ongoing Personal Evangelism: Factors That Influence Evangelism. Wipf and Stock Publishers, 2021.
Gustafson, David M., and Samuel C. Kang. “Chicagoland Evangelism Research Project (CERP): Comparison of “The Big Story” and “Roman Road with Bridge”.” Witness: The Journal of the Academy for Evangelism in Theological Education 32.
Monaco, Cas. “Bill Bright’s (1921–2003) Four Spiritual Laws Reimagined: A Narrative Approach to Meaningful Gospel Conversations for an American Twenty-First-Century Secularized Context.” PhD diss., Southeastern Baptist Theological Seminary, 2020.