Our Sufficiency is from God

Personal preaching has always been one of the most effective ways to gain someone’s interest in the gospel message.

The Apostle Paul’s letter to the Roman Ecclesia includes a couple of critical verses on the necessity for preaching the Gospel message:

As Christadelphians, we have met this obligation with public lectures and by personal preaching to friends, relatives, colleagues, and others we may come in contact with. Public witness has taken various forms through the years, ranging from soapbox preaching2 in city parks to advertised lectures at our ecclesial halls and sometimes delivered at rented neutral venues. Recently, “Learn to Read the Bible Effectively” seminars were used in place of lectures to attract an audience. 

Public preaching draws its inspiration from examples given in the Scriptures by speeches delivered by the Apostle Peter at Jerusalem on the day of Pentecost and the Apostle Paul on Mars Hill in Athens. Both examples attracted an audience! The current problem with our public proclamations is that acquiring an audience willing to listen to our message has become increasingly more difficult. An editorial in The Christadelphian magazine in 1989 observed:

Since the advent of popular entertainment, and its commercial exploitation, it has resulted in a generation who are not prepared to put themselves out for long term benefits. Unless there is something to be gained almost instantaneously, little interest is shown.3 

These words were written thirty-five years ago, before the spread of cable TV, satellite TV, and the omnipresent streaming services in North America, which offer thousands of possible TV program choices at any given hour.4 To compound the problem, it is clear that when both Apostles spoke to their respective audiences in Jerusalem and Athens, they were dealing with crowds that believed in religion. That is not necessarily a given today!

A recent survey taken by the Pew Research Center found that when people were queried about their religion, the reply “None” constituted the largest single group in the U.S.5 Hence, if we are to continue as a community to spread the true gospel message, we need to find better ways to address the realities of the current situation. Regardless of the mode of public preaching we use, without personal follow-up on potential contacts, our efforts would fail. Hence, whether we are considering publicly obtained or singular contacts, the road to a successful conclusion is developing our individual abilities to teach the gospel message.

Personal preaching has always been one of the most effective ways to gain someone’s interest in the gospel message, and given the obstacles that are escalating on public proclamation, it is a mode that we must cultivate more than ever before, lest we find our community fading into oblivion.6 

The first instance of personal preaching in the New Testament occurs in the opening chapter of the gospel of John.

It is certain Andrew had a sufficient understanding of the Old Testament prophesies to recognize Jesus as the promised Messiah. Consequently, Andrew was able to bring Peter to Christ! If we are to be capable of bringing people to Christ, we need to begin with being good Bible students. As the Apostle Paul exhorted Timothy:

Also, his message to the Colossians:

Obviously, this is not an easy task, and we may be filled with feelings of inadequacy, which is perfectly natural. We cannot all be eloquent teachers, but we may be able to find ways that suit our personalities and abilities that can aid us in bringing people to Christ.7 That brings us to a second observation about Andrew’s personal preaching, namely that Peter was receptive because he must have had sufficient knowledge to appreciate the message (note that Andrew says: “We have found”).

The challenge for us is how to expose people to the Scriptures so that they will pursue more detailed study. Foremost, we must develop a relationship with a person. Friendship is critical to someone being willing to listen to the gospel (I take it that is what is implied in Paul saying, “Let your speech always be gracious.”). Also, the Apostle Peter gives us an important insight on how we should preach:

But in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect.” (1 Peter 3:15).

We need to make an acquaintance aware of the Scriptures—not a given these days. This can be done in various ways. I will describe a few suggested approaches I have observed as follows:

• A brother started a Bible class in his dorm by putting out a sign that said: “Bible studies Tuesday and Thursday 7 to 8 PM. Feel free to learn, argue, or ignore any commentary—no one will be allowed to belittle another person.”
• Another brother liked to go to “garage” sales. In the process, he would drop off some literature, and if the recipient were so inclined, he would start up a conversation.
• If you are hosting a garage sale, have lots of literature to give away to those attending.
• Some started Bible Reading groups where they were employed (I am personally aware of several instances where this has been done quite successfully).8
• A sister living in a retirement community started a Bible reading group for senior citizens. She put a sign on the meeting room bulletin board saying, “Time to find out about God before it is too late. Bible studies every Tuesday and Thursday at 7 PM.”
• Some people are just good at starting up conversations with anyone they know and letting them become aware that the Bible has a message of salvation that they should know about. Some people are even capable of addressing people they hardly know. I know of both a brother and a sister who were admitted to hospitals with terminal illnesses. They had virtually every employee they encountered receive a thorough dialogue on the gospel message of salvation.9
• Perhaps the most important personal preaching I have encountered involves teaching someone a brother or sister is romantically involved with but not yet a Christadelphian. The Apostle Paul admonishes us to marry “only in the Lord” (1 Corinthians 7:39), but that does not preclude dating someone who is not a member of our community. We are not a large group, and one may not be able to find a compatible mate within the household. In such a case it is best to make known one’s beliefs early in the relationship. Delay causes two problems. First, the romantic partner could just believe you are not serious about your commitment to your faith. Secondly, if the information is delayed too long, the passion in the relationship may make it difficult to bring it to an end. Many dedicated Christadelphians have been introduced to the true gospel message after developing a romantic relationship with a brother or sister and being willing to hear about their companion’s beliefs.10 

However, some people are simply not cut out to use any approach that requires them to take the initiative. Being shy is not a sin. Even Moses was a reluctant speaker! (Exodus 4:10). The opportunity to introduce someone to Bible study doesn’t have to be from our depth of Bible knowledge but instead can come from our strength of character—no speech required!

People have been drawn to our community simply by observing a brother or sister whose way of life impressed them. That led the person to inquire about their religion. Many stories illustrating how this has happened could be told, but I will recite just a couple so you can get some idea of the possibilities.

• Two young brothers headed off to Sunday’s meeting from their apartment in a large complex, dressed in suits and ties and carrying their Bibles. This behavior was so different from so many other young people in that complex, who seemed to party on Saturday nights and sleep in most of the day on Sunday. This led a person in the facility to enquire where they were going. Eventually, they invited him to tag along. That person is now a brother!
• A sister at work let her colleagues know she didn’t want to hear profane language or vulgar jokes. That led them to respect her character and eventually ask about her religion. This interaction is still in progress.

Any business metric shouldn’t measure the success of personal peaching. In the end, it is the LORD who will give the increase. It is important that no matter how we attempt to preach, what must underpin any kind of personal or public effort is the necessity for prayer on our part so that our efforts may bear fruit.

The words of Apostle Paul in this regard have always stuck in my mind:

 

John C. Bilello,
Ann Arbor Ecclesia, MI