Module 8: Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare
Evangelism is proclaiming and demonstrating to the world that God has visited the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, and that this visitation is now accompanied by liberation from the devil and from the effects of sin! To evangelize is to prophesy deliverance in Messiah Jesus.
This module covers in a broad outline the key dimensions of evangelism and spiritual warfare, including the Bible’s telling of the war of the universe that was caused by the disobedience of the devil and humankind. God’s good creation was made subject to demonic powers and death, and humankind is now enslaved by selfishness, disease, alienation, and death. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are delivered from Satan’s dominion, as well as from the effects of the Curse through the power of the Spirit. In this module we discuss how to prepare for effective urban evangelism through intercessory prayer, personal soul winning and public preaching, and introduce the concept of the household network, or oikos in urban evangelism. We close our discussion by stressing the need to conserve the fruit of our evangelism by following up new converts, that act of “incorporating new converts into the family of God so they can be equipped to grow in Christ and use their gifts for ministry.”
Course Details
Lesson 1: Spiritual Warfare
Lesson 2: Evangelism: Content
Lesson 3: Evangelism: Methods
Lesson 4: Follow-up and Incorporation
Module Description
Evangelism and Spiritual Warfare
Evangelism is proclaiming and demonstrating to the world that God has visited the world in the person of Jesus of Nazareth, and that this visitation is now accompanied by liberation from the devil and from the effects of sin! To evangelize is to prophesy deliverance in Messiah Jesus.
The lessons of this module are organized to provide you with a solid overview of the critical issues arising from a biblical grasp of evangelism and spiritual warfare. The first lesson, Spiritual Warfare: Binding of the Strong Man, outlines the war of the universe that was caused by the disobedience of the devil and humankind. God’s good creation was made subject to demonic powers and death, and humankind is now enslaved by selfishness, disease, alienation, and death. Through the life, death, and resurrection of Jesus Christ, believers are delivered from Satan’s dominion, as well as from the effects of the Curse through the power of the Spirit. Evangelism is proclaiming God’s deliverance through Jesus Christ to the entire world in the power of the Holy Spirit.
Lesson two deals with Evangelism: The Content of the Good News of the Kingdom. Evangelism proclaims and demonstrates God’s deliverance in Christ through word as well as love and service to others. This ministry focuses on Christ; evangelism is nothing less than communicating the person and work of Jesus Christ! The Nicene Creed offers a clear useful, and powerful outline of the critical truths associated with Jesus’ incarnation, passion, resurrection, ascension, and Second Coming. If we master these truths, we can clearly communicate them in our urban neighborhoods.
Our next lesson, Evangelism: Methods to Reach the Urban Community, reveals how evangelism is not only what we say but who we are and what we do. To speak persuasively of the Lord Jesus in our communities, our credibility must be rooted in solid character and genuine spirituality. We will look at communication methods by which to share the Good News, and the importance of preparation for effective urban evangelism through intercessory prayer. We will look at personal soul winning and sharing one’s testimony, along with the importance of evangelism through public preaching and discourse. We will also consider the concept of the household network, or oikos in urban evangelism.
Finally in lesson four, Follow-up and Incorporation, we will explore the idea of conserving the fruit of our evangelism by following up new converts, that act of “incorporating new converts into the family of God so they can be equipped to grow in Christ and use their gifts for ministry.” We will look at how the apostles nurtured new converts, and study how we can use the same steps to bring new converts into a local assembly of believers, on the road to spiritual maturity and fruitfulness.
Our Lord Jesus desires that we bear much fruit to the glory and praise of God (John 15.8-16). May the Lord bless your study of his Word so you can join the harvest workers in gathering the fruit of the Lord’s own salvation, to the Father’s glory!
Reading Assignments
Lesson 1: Reading Assignment
By the conclusion of this lesson, you should have read the following:
Erickson, Introducing Christian Doctrine,pp. 155-160
PRISON EDITION, for Prison Students ONLY: SOFTCOVER, Introducing Christian Doctrine,
Fish, Every Member Evangelism for Today, pp. 1-37.
Anderson, Victory Over the Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ, pp. 15-88.
Lesson 2: Reading Assignment
By the conclusion of this lesson, you should have read the following:
Fish, Every Member Evangelism for Today, pp. 39-72.
Anderson, Victory Over the Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ, pp. 89-165.
Lesson 3: Reading Assignment
By the conclusion of this lesson, you should have read the following:
Fish, Every Member Evangelism for Today, pp. 73-111.
Anderson, Victory Over the Darkness: Realizing the Power of Your Identity in Christ, pp. 167-229.