College is definitely a unique time, because we are bombarded with so many viewpoints and there are just so many different people there. There is definitely a huge harvest going on. So let’s go over some basics of conversational EV.
I usually ask, “Hi, I’m David! What’s your name? Do you have a second? I’m from CCM and we are just going around getting to know the people of this Campus and what they believe about life and death. I was wondering if you could share with me your thoughts.”
That’s usually it. Everyone loves to speak about themselves so let them speak. Listen! That is the Key. I don’t try to get to the foot of the Cross right away. Usually I save those for when they ask or for long term EV relationships.
I honestly don’t know that much. What I do know is that in Eving comes from the overflow of the heart. Jesus must be real to you. Out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. If Jesus isn’t real then you’ve already lost the battle. So many people go to CCM and KCM and all those ministries, but majority have a lot of trouble trying to communicate the Gospel. It honestly is a heart issue. If you saw your Grandma or family die in front of you what you do? It would be very emotional for most people. If you saw a bigfoot what would you do? You would be very surprised and that you know you have a story to tell. A truth to tell. When you share it, it is real. We are excited. When we sing praises we respond to his truth. Excitement is our response to Jesus. If that is all you know, that Jesus is your lord and Savior and that he died and rose again for your sins. Then you are ready to speak about him.
So many people use the excuse that “Oh if I had more knowledge how knew how to talk to people then I would go. To be effective Jesus must be real. I love reading apologetics and listening to debates all the time. As much as I love debating with people intellectual knowledge doesn’t save. Its only through the power of the Holy spirit. You guys have the Veritas forum at Online. Take advantage of it (I really wish we had it). I think there will be a talk given from John Lennox on Apr. 6. (http://www.facebook.com/event.php?eid=183850468294110) I really wish i could attend that. but yea know that Christianity can be defended philosophically and scientifically. This is all secondary stuff though. It will give you a strong layer of defense when people ask you strong questions. But again this stuff isn’t necessary for Eving. It will help you deal with intellectual nonchristians to some degree but it actually the love of christ that really will win people over. Knowledge will never do that.
If you really feel that you don’t know what to say, pray. Tell them you don’t know. It’s a sign of humility. There were times when I was completely stumped when I went out to EV, but I prayed and the Holy Spirit gave me words to speak. I was like “oh, dude that’s very wise. I said something really wise!” but I knew it wasn’t me. Its happened many times for me. God will do as he promises. “When you are brought before synagogues, rulers and authorities, do not worry about how you will defend yourselves or what you will say, for the Holy Spirit will teach you at that time what you should say.” – Luke 12: 11-12
Last thing I want to emphasize is Love. This is the most important thing in Eving. God uses us as an extension of his love. This love really confuses people. When you give and love when they don’t deserve they will be confused. I was confused when Christians first shared this love with me. I didn’t get why and that eventually led me to repentance. Truth must be undergirded by love. Truth without love is repulsive and unwanted. Truth with Love is embraced and cherished.
Introductory Recommended Reading
John Bunyan, Pilgrims Progress
Daily Light on the Daily Path (collection of Bible readings)
Gordon Fee and Douglas Stuart, How to Read the Bible for All Its Worth
Os Guinness, The Call: Finding and Fulfilling the Central Purpose of Your Life
C.S. Lewis, Mere Christianity
C.S. Lewis, Screwtape Letters
J.I. Packer, Knowing God
Roger Steer, George Muller: Delighted in God
John Stott, The Cross of Christ
John White, The Fight
Brother Yun, Heavenly Man
Ravi Zacharias, The Grand Weaver: How God Shapes Us through the Events of Our Lives
Further Reading in Apologetics (see also Bibliography for a more exhaustive list)
Norman Geisler, Christian Apologetics
Alister McGrath, The Twilight of Atheism: The Rise and Fall of Disbelief in the Modern World
Esther Lightcap Meek, Longing to Know: The Philosophy of Knowledge for Ordinary People
Amy Orr-Ewing, Why Trust the Bible? Answers to 10 Relevant Questions
Francis Schaeffer, A Francis Schaeffer Trilogy: The God Who Is There, Escape from Reason, He Is There and He Is Not Silent
James W. Sire, Naming the Elephant: Worldview As a Concept
N.T. Wright, Simply Christian: Why Christianity Makes Sense
Ravi Zacharias, Can Man Live Without God?
Ravi Zacharias, ed., Beyond Opinion: Living the Faith We Defend
Theology Websites
monergism.com
theresurgence.com
thegospelcoalition.com
Apologetics Websites
rzim.org
str.org
veritas.org
