ESG Chapter Three

As usual, it is much easier to do something than to sit down and write about it.  In the weeks since I last posted on ESG, our group has worked our way through Chapter Two.  Tomorrow we begin our discussion of Chapter Three:

 Chapter Three deals directly with the subject of Evangelism and Packer is asking (and addressing) four questions:  What is it?  What is its message?  What is the motive?  And what are the means and methods we should use?  We’ll be discussing pages 37-41 this week.  

We’ll discuss the difference between defining evangelism as an effect produced vs. a message delivered and then we’ll walk through the Archbishop’s Committee definition re: Evangelism

“To evangelize is so to present Christ Jesus in the power of the Holy Spirit, that men shall come to put their trust in God through Him, to accept Him as their Saviour, and serve Him as their King in the fellowship of His Church.”

Evangelism is the declaration of a specific message—What is that message?

Evangelism is a specific message with a specific application—What is that application?

What is the problem with the italicized statement above?

What is the Biblical definition of evangelism?

How comfortable are we with its message and its application?  In other words, how can we know for sure if we are evangelizing?

One more thing; it’s really not enough to parse definitions until we “have it right,” is it?  We must be about the task of sharing the Gospel.  Is there someone in your life with whom you are currently sharing the Gospel?  Is there someone with whom you desire to open up a Gospel conversation?  Is there anything holding you back?

Resources:  JI Packer's article on Puritan Evangelism 

What is Evangelism by Mark Dever 

Comments

[connie]

Once again, thank you for doing this!!!