Musing – Evangelism - is it work or fun?

 Hebraic Musing – Evangelism - is it work or fun?

And the best one-word answer is “rewarding.”  So, let’s find out why.

Let’s get personal.  Where were you when you got saved?   Church service; Revival service; Vacation BS; Church camp; home; personal evangelism (not parents)?    There’s an interesting assortment of answers, so maybe it can happen anywhere!  And it doesn’t have to happen at a church service?!?!   Who planted the seeds?

A challenging question to get the attention of the congregation:  “How many of you have led someone to the Lord in the past 6 months?  Year?  5 years?   (Attention getter!?!?)

Why do we struggle with the challenge of leading someone to the Lord?  Here’s some reasons or excuses; and what’s wrong with these excuses.
1.    Lack of opportunity                                 How many people do we meet in a day?
2.    Fear of man                                              The Bible tells us to Love our neighbor, not fear them!
3.    Don’t know what to say                           Just ask questions AND listen!
4.    Personal life doesn’t match the gospel    Maybe your sins demonstrate your qualifications to share! *  
5.    Doesn’t feel the burden                           What did Jesus mean when He told us to go into all the world…

What does the Bible tell us about these two evangelism opportunities in which Jesus exposed their sin?
Jesus Counsels the Rich Young Ruler.  “Now behold, one came and said to Him, “Good Teacher, what good thing shall I do that I may have eternal life?”  So He said to him, “Why do you call Me good? No one is good but One, that is, God. But if you want to enter into life, keep the commandments.”  He said to Him, “Which ones?” Jesus said, “‘You shall not murder,’ ‘You shall not commit adultery,’ ‘You shall not steal,’ ‘You shall not bear false witness,’  ‘Honor your father and your mother,’ and, ‘You shall love your neighbor as yourself.’”  The young man said to Him, “All these things I have kept from my youth. What do I still lack?”  Jesus said to him, “If you want to be perfect, go, sell what you have and give to the poor, and you will have treasure in heaven; and come, follow Me.”  But when the young man heard that saying, he went away sorrowful, for he had great possessions.” Matt. 19:16-22 NKJV    Problem -- The Rich young Ruler was unwilling to acknowledge his sinfulness!   
The Samaritan Women at the well recognized her sins, and she recognized Jesus for who He is and “The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, ‘Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?’”  John 4:28-29     
Key Takeaways – Both people had ‘spiritual’ backgrounds; Jesus cared about them both; Jesus treated them each uniquely; Jesus let them talk.  Not everyone is ready to acknowledge Jesus!  The Rich Young Ruler was unwilling; but the Samaritan Woman took the words to heart.

Keys to successful evangelism:

1.   Who has God has laid on your heart; begin praying for them; and don’t limit yourself to just those people.

2.  Care about people, this isn’t a scorecard.

3.  Remember, you are saved because someone shared the gospel with you.

4.  Start the conversation but let them talk…and you just listen. 

5.  See the Appendix ** for examples of opening questions, starters!

Points to ponder

Make sure you are saved!

What lesson did we learn in Kindergarten?    A - Sharing!

Who do you know that needs Jesus?

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Yosef   a.k.a.  Joe Brusherd              July 7, 2026 
Author: “Hebraic Insights – Messages exploring the Hebrew roots of our faith” 
“Biblical Marriage (by Yosef)”     Weekly “Hebraic Musings”

Note – Message/musing inspired by Pastor Chris Cooper’s Sunday School lesson July 5, 2026

*  Ray Comfort is an evangelical Christian minister and author, known for street preaching, using the Ten Commandments to highlight sin before sharing the gospel.

** APPENDIX – Opening question options:

1.            So, what do you believe about God?

2.            Do you have a Bible translation you enjoy reading?

3.            What religion were you raised?

4.            What do you think about heaven and hell?

5.            Follow up ‘spiritual’ conversations with, “do you know what the Bible teaches about that?”

6.            If you died today, do you think you would go to heaven or hell?  Why?

7.            Do what Jesus did, take them to ‘the problem’. Sin, righteousness, and Judgement (John 16:8)

8.            Ask questions and let them talk.

9.            You are fishing. If the bobber goes under, set the hook…if not, that’s ok. You are chumming the waters:
  There were probably several people and instances in your life that God used to open your eyes.
  Some plant, some water, God makes it grow.   1 Cor. 3:5-9

10.           Leave open the opportunity to have another conversation in the future and pray fervently for them.

 

NOTES

“For God has not given us a spirit of fear, but of power and of love and of a sound mind.” 2 Timothy 1:7 NKJV

Personal evangelism

Where were you saved?

-church service

-revival service

-vbs

-church camp

-home

-personal evangelism (outside of parents)

 

How many of you have led someone to the Lord in the past 6 months?

 

Reasons people struggle (answer as we go)

    1.    Lack of opportunity

    2.    Fear of man

    3.    Don’t know what to say

    4.    Personal life doesn’t match the gospel

    5.    Doesn’t feel the burden

 

Way of the Master

2 accounts

    1.    Rich young ruler (Matt 19:16-22)

    2.    Samaritan woman  (John 4:4-34)

 

Both instances Jesus showed them their sin

One encounter was “successful”

Both people had ‘spiritual’ backgrounds

Jesus cared about both of them

Jesus treated them each uniquely

Jesus let them talk

 

Steps to evangelism

    1.    Make sure you are saved

    2.    Listen to who God has laid on your hear and begin praying for them, but don’t limit yourself to just those people

    3.    Care about people, this isn’t a scorecard

    4.    Remember, you are saved because someone shared the gospel with you

    5.    Start the conversation, but let them talk…and you should listen

    1.    So, what do you believe about God

    2.    Do you have a Bible translation you enjoy reading

    3.    What religion were you raised

    4.    What do you think about heaven and hell?

    6.    Follow up lose ‘spiritual’ conversations with, “do you know what the Bible teaches about that?” And let them answer

    7.    If you died today, do you think you would go to heaven or hell? Why?

    8.    Do what Jesus did, take them to ‘the problem’. Sin, righteousness, and Judgement (John 16:8)

    9.    Ask questions and let them sit quiet or talk

    10.    If the bobber goes under, set the hook…if not, that’s ok. You are chumming the waters

    1.    There were probably several people and instances in your life that God used to open your eyes.

    2.    1 Cor. 3:5-9

    3.    Open up opportunity to have another conversation in the future and pray fervently for them