The Evangelism Handbook
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Behaviour Patterns
It is commonly understood that we all need each other. Two people need to talk to one another for their own well-being, they need to share, encourage and build one another up by exchange. In terms of response, this is translated into, 'If you are not stroked, your spinal chord will shrivel up!'"
Play the Man
In the early days of the Reformation, Martin Luther was summoned to the city of Worms to debate with the all powerful and much feared Roman Church hierarchy. "The streets were crowded. The multitudes were silent. The leader of the New Faith pressed steadily, almost stonily on. Suddenly a voice, clear as a bell, rang through the air. "Play the man, Play the man. Fear not death. It can but slay the body. There is life beyond." In a moment, Martin straightened up, renewed and encouraged. His spinal chord had been stroked. He had received the courage he needed!
Introduce Christ
When you begin a conversation with somebody you can be sure that they need what you have to give. Their goal is to obtain as much satisfaction as possible from you. The Christian's role is to introduce Christ as a new element in a person's life in order to increase their satisfaction still more! Transactional theory goes on to explain that an individual acts in accordance with a system of feelings accompanied by a related set of behavioral patterns. Combined together the feelings and behavioral patterns are called "ego states." These can be classified under three headings:
ADULT : Objective appraisals of reality
CHILD : Fixed in early childhood
PARENT : Parental figures
Your complete personality is governed by a kind of traffic light. The PARENT tends to say, "Stop! You were taught that..." The middle amber light of the ADULT asks the question, "Are you ready?" The green light is for the CHILD who wants to "Go... Go... Go..." The Christian personality is enclosed by the God element. All his or her feelings and behavioral patterns are influenced by his relationship with God. In Paul's words, "Do not conform yourself to the standards of this world, but let God transform you inwardly by a complete change of your mind" (1).
Here is a prayer for those who are in the business of leading other people to Christ.
The Fisherman's Prayer
"God grant that I may live to fish, until my dying day.
And when it comes to my last cast, I then most humbly pray.
When in the Lord's safe landing net, I'm peacefully asleep.
That I be judged, good enough to keep." Amen
Notes
(1) Romans 12:2
"Practical Christian Outreach in the Local Church"
