Door to Door?

[aprodigal1]

I'm interested in taking a Evangelism Explosion class my church is offering and one of the activities is door to door evangelism as well as going to the local college and sharing our faith.

Do you think it is biblical to go door to door to spread the gospel under the banner of Matthew 28:19-20? If I understand it correctly the emphasis is on making disciples, baptizing believers and teaching them to observe all things. RELATIONAL activity...not random selectivity.

Jesus' ministry as well as the apostles in the scriptures does not give any impression of just randomly knocking on doors or sharing their faith at the local market place for the purpose of making converts. It seems in each instance of folks being converted by the sharing of the gospel, their was opprotunity to share based on a sovereign and diving meetings that God had arranged for example: Acts 2 (Peters Sermon,) Jailer in Philipa reported in Acts chapter sixteen, The twelve at Ephesus recorded in Acts chapter nineteen and so on.

 

[Asmodeus]

they would probably take you to be jehovahs witnesses and the response would be mostly negative.

 

[aprodigal1]

I'm starting to think people in our everyday lives we are in contact with such as the grocery clerk, mail man, Edison meter reader etc. are the folks we can NATURALLY be evangelizing, rather then making evangelism so mechanical.

Thanks for your thoughts

 

[MahogonySnail]

There's no hard and fast rules about how to do it. Doing it randomly is perfectly ok. Remember what we think is random chance, might be Divine coincidences. God knows who will be knocking "randomly" on such and such's door in a months time, and so to God it is not random.

 

[aprodigal1]

There's no hard and fast rules about how to do it. Doing it randomly is perfectly ok. Remember what we think is random chance, might be Divine coincidences. God knows who will be knocking "randomly" on such and such's door in a months time, and so to God it is not random.

Biblically, wouldn't it make more sense to start with the people in your everyday life? It would seem like a more practical way of executing Matthew 28 in the discipleship/relational aspect.

Honestly, how many opportunities do we have on a daily basis to share the gospel with our own community, naturally, but don't?

 

[MahogonySnail]

How far would Jesus have got if he only evangelised the people in his daily life? He'd be followed by 12 carpenters instead of fishermen and sinners I guess.

Anyway, it is much easier to do so called "friendship evangelism", because of the relational aspect. Then again, it can be harder to tell someone you are friends with or a family member eg mum or dad, they are going to hell unless ... , and be respected for it. Jesus said a prophet is not respected in his hometown, so that's one negative aspect to friendship evangelism. If your friends/family only see you as the little boy who played with trucks and not as a mature Christian who carries the message of life. With Jesus I think they used to say "isn't that only Mary and Joseph's son, the carpenter's son?, bah, what does he know?"

A combination of both friendship and "random" evangelism is fine. But random seems to get better results than relational in terms of numbers saved and time to salvation. In overseas countries that are largely unevangelised there is no other way to evangelise except by "random" and they get pretty good results.

 

[aprodigal1]

But random seems to get better results than relational in terms of numbers saved and time to salvation. In overseas countries that are largely unevangelised there is no other way to evangelize except by "random" and they get pretty good results.

In unreached parts of the world, I don't believe the approach would be random, but relational, being that many who go out and do missions go on long term mission trips LIVING among the people in their communities and becoming apart of their society. I also don't believe evangelism is about numbers or time, but a state of being faithful to the commission our Lord set us apart for.

Jesus' own family did reject His claims, I agree, but I do believe the Word is clear that they eventually did believe (Acts 1:14), even though it was after the resurrection.

In our society there are very few that have never heard the gospel. We even package it differently and compromise truth so we can reach whoever is willing to listen. The problem is the lost never get a real chance to see it lived out on a constant uncompromised everyday basis.

Our unsaved families (mom, dad, sis and bro) unfortunately get to see the real saved us behind close doors, unrepentant and always willing to compromise truth for our own self serving reasons. Are we making the gospel attractive to them or making a mockery out of it?

The "random techniques or shot gun approach" may work to help fill our churches, but the question still remains are they becoming disciples?

The numbers speak for themselves. Less then 2% of people who respond to alter calls at huge evanglisitic events ,such as Harvest Crusades and Billy Graham Crusades ever follow up with getting churced or discipled.

No offense MahogonySnail, but after pondering what has been said, I'm even more convinced that relational evangilizim honors and best glorifies God more then any other approach.

Thanks

 

[MahogonySnail]

In unreached parts of the world, I don't believe the approach would be random, but relational, being that many who go out and do missions go on long term mission trips LIVING among the people in their communities and becoming apart of their society. I also don't believe evangelism is about numbers or time, but a state of being faithful to the commission our Lord set us apart for.

They are still meeting people they do not know and engaging them in conversation with the Gospel. How did Jesus preach? - not relationally. How did the apostles preach? Not relationally. I think it worked for them, it's good enough for us. Sometimes Paul appealed to his connections with the Jewish faith in order to win over his opponents who were brethren (as far as being Jewish), but it didn't get him very far.

The "random techniques or shot gun approach" may work to help fill our churches, but the question still remains are they becoming disciples?

The numbers speak for themselves. Less then 2% of people who respond to alter calls at huge evanglisitic events ,such as Harvest Crusades and Billy Graham Crusades ever follow up with getting churced or discipled.

I don't think that is largely the own person's fault or the method, that is due to lack of discipleship programs within churches and the general "once saved always saved" attitude that many have. But it takes a few thousand hours of discipleship to make one convert mature in the faith. Certainly the relational aspects come into play once they are put with a mentor or discipler or in a church.

 

[MahogonySnail]

In our society there are very few that have never heard the gospel. We even package it differently and compromise truth so we can reach whoever is willing to listen. The problem is the lost never get a real chance to see it lived out on a constant uncompromised everyday basis.

Well that's the thing, how do we live it out? or don't...

Actually I disagree a bit with your statement there are very few that have never beard the gospel in our society.
Besides the fact that worldwide, 40% of the world is unreached and 6000 people groups still not having a bible in their own language, there is a lot of ignorance in our society.

In Australia for examlpe, it is very multicultural with mostly asians coming here to live, and a lot have not heard the gospel before or know who Jesus is. The idea is to make converts of them so when they go back to their countries they can evangelise there.

With the westerners, I don't doubt they have heard the gospel in some form, but have they heard the right gospel in the right form? I doubt it. Most have the wrong idea and cannot make an informed decision about Christ based upon false information.

 

[become_the_generation]

Guys...guys...its both. Power evangelism works. So does relational. Its both. That why we have the Holy Spirit. Just make sure its done in love and its ok. "I want men everywhere, without disputing and arguing"

 

[aprodigal1]

Well that's the thing, how do we live it out? or don't..

By naturally developing relationships and engaging non believers in our everyday circumstances that God sovereignly and providentially puts us in contact with. Appointing a specific time and a day to go and evangelize the community may work, I do think we miss out on more opprotunites then we think, if we just acknowledged those perishing while eating out, while at school, at the work place or at the car wash.

The churches job is not to make disciples, it is our job. The church is to equip us for that task. Jesus did not turn the 12 over to the local synagouge, He hung out with them for 3 years. Paul didn't take Timothy and dump him in Ephesus until Paul discipled him and finally left him in charge of the church there.

The"once saved always saved" attitude will not prevent any from becoming disciples either. In fact it is a glorious truth to know that I am eternally secure as one of God's chosen children. Also, it is an amazing thought to know that the power of Christs blood and the infinite love God has for me, binds me to Him for all my natural and spiritual life, and NOTHING, not even sin can seperate me from Him ever again, Rom 6.

I can see where this headed and I do not think thats where it should end up. I do appreciate you once again MahogonySnail and I pray that your ministry to the Asians or to whomever you are ministring to is fruitful and most of all may it be the most honoring and glorifying to our Lord and Savior.

 

[BLC]

Mt 10:11-16 And into whatsoever city or town ye shall enter, enquire who in it is worthy; and there abide till ye go thence. And when ye come into an house, salute it. And if the house be worthy, let your peace come upon it: but if it be not worthy, let your peace return to you. And whosoever shall not receive you, nor hear your words, when ye depart out of that house or city, shake off the dust of your feet. Verily I say unto you, It shall be more tolerable for the land of Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment, than for that city. Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.

Acts 5:42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

As 20:20,21 And how I kept back nothing that was profitable unto you, but have shewed you, and have taught you publicly, and from house to house, Testifying both to the Jews, and also to the Greeks, repentance toward God, and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ.

When the disciples went from house to house it was not random, it was by faith and in obedience to Christ who had sent them out. This became a pattern of presenting the gospel to every creature, in Jerusalem, Judea, Samaria and the uttermost parts of the earth.

I get a little weary of believers who knock the Billy Graham Crusades and others who present and preach the gospel in all the world. Before you start criticizing knocking on doors, why don't you go into your own neighborhood and knock on every door and present them with the gospel. They are sinners behind those doors that are in need of salvation. God does prepare people's heart to receive what we have to say. Who cares what the JWs do, we are to be wise as a serpent and harmless as a dove. The Father did give us commandment and also;

Luke 14:15-23 And when one of them that sat at meat with him heard these things, he said unto him, Blessed is he that shall eat bread in the kingdom of God. Then said he unto him, A certain man made a great supper, and bade many: And sent his servant at supper time to say to them that were bidden, Come; for all things are now ready. And they all with one consent began to make excuse. The first said unto him, I have bought a piece of ground, and I must needs go and see it: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have bought five yoke of oxen, and I go to prove them: I pray thee have me excused. And another said, I have married a wife, and therefore I cannot come. So that servant came, and shewed his lord these things. Then the master of the house being angry said to his servant, Go out quickly into the streets and lanes of the city, and bring in hither the poor, and the maimed, and the halt, and the blind. And the servant said, Lord, it is done as thou hast commanded, and yet there is room. And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.

compel - GK anagkazo, a verb meaning to necessitate, to compel, to constrain. Do what you need to do to get them to come, to partake of what has been prepared for them at the supper.

Do you have something against filling the church, God's house, with sinners so that Father can fed them? You should not be so concerned with what others ministries have been called to do. So why not go knock on some doors on purpose in obedience to the great commission in your own Jerusalem and then you can make disciples of them.

 

[shedrach]

IT IS A GREAT THING TO HAVE THE ABILITY TO PREACH GOD's WORD.THERE ARE MANY HOMES THAT HAVE NOT REPENTED FROM THERE SINS.THROUGH P REACHING DOOR TO DOOR IT COULD MAKE THEM TO RECEIVE CHRIST.THOUGH I HAVE ONCE DONE IT,AND IT WAS NOT EASY,BUT WHEN DOING THE WORK OF GOD ,NO MATTER WHAT ANYBODY TELL,DONT MIND THEM,BUT GO AHEAD FOR GREAT IS YOUR REWARD IN HEAVEN.IT IS SAID IN THE BIBLE THAT IF YOU GO TO ANY HOME TO PREACH TO THEM THE WORD OF GOD AND THEY DIDN'T ACCEPT YOU,DUST YOUR FEET ON THEIR FOOT MATCH AND GO YOUR WAY.
FINALLY MY BROTHER OR SISTER YOU CAN GO AHEAD AND PREACH DOOR TO DOOR.

 

[Forgiven83]

Here's my take on the topic.....

I believe that both methods are worthy of use, however, I think we're forgetting that Jesus had GREAT authority on this earth....I mean come on, seriously, how many people could you walk up to at their workplaces, say come follow me, and they'd get up and follow you???? Um, I'd hazard a guess and say none! The point I'm trying to make is that people responded so quickly to Jesus because Jesus had GREAT authority - He spoke with great power and saw into people's souls. Now, I'm not saying we too cannot have that authority here on earth, but it doesnt come just like that. We have to learn to walk in the spirit day in day out before we can hope to get to the stage of calling people out like that.

My pastor always used to say "you have to EARN the right to speak into people's lives" and I believe that earning can be done through both relationships OR authority. But the common denominator is you have to have earnt the right to do that, and personally I think that unless you have specifically lead by God to approach one particular person that leading by your example, and speaking to people you come across about your experiences and earning the right to speak into their lives and possibly change their lives is the best way to go about things. Some people are good at the stranger thing, some people are not. Jesus didnt lay down a specific way to spread the good news and make disciples, he just said to do it. Whichever way is fine, so long as you remember that you have to have the authority and walk with God daily nomatter what method you're using. It is through our RELATIONSHIP with Jesus, not our head knowledge, that souls are saved!

Happy Men fishing brother!

 

[aprodigal1]

compel - GK anagkazo, a verb meaning to necessitate, to compel, to constrain. Do what you need to do to get them to come, to partake of what has been prepared for them at the supper.

BLC,
All the scriptures you have produced I have definitely taken into consideration. Unfortunately our culture today does not NATURALLY facilitate this process. If I knock on someones door unannounced, in most cases It is not going to facilitate an opprotunity to break bread with the unbelieving family, or giving me the opprotunity to share the gospel in a way that would do it justice. If anything, our culture has deemed it as being flat out rude. To Jewish and ancient cultures, the act of inviting someone into your home meant a lot more then what it does today.

Also, we have some things today that none had in that culture or era of time, God's Word, a Christian society (supposedly) and the local church!! I am not anti evangelism, but I do believe we live in a society and time (mainly western culture) where if people are interested in hearing the gospel, there is no shortage of resources available for individuals to find or hear what they are searching for. What I believe most honors and glorifies God is for a person searching out Christ to have the opprotunity to naturally, build relationships with believers in their work place, school, grocery store or in their NATURAL settings or environment, that God can use to disciple, teach and eventually baptize them by a natural means NOT a mechanical method.

If knocking on doors was the true and sincere method of spreading the gospel for every believer, why was that not what our Lord specifically commanded us to do in Matthew 28? Imagine, every believer in our local church, knocking on every door in their own local neighborhoods, I imagine it would be a wonderful thing to see. But imagine for a moment, every believer in every local church living out their faith in their communities, work place, grocery store and school, the results could even be that much greater, even world changing.

I apologize if it sounds like I'm knocking the whole idea of door to door evangelism, or Billy Graham Crusades. God can use what ever method He chooses to save an individual and according to Romans 1, He can even use His own creation to get His message across.

I will leave you with this famous quote we all have heard once or twice:

"Preach the gospel and if necessary, use words" author unknown

 

[BLC]

True Story

There was a man who came home from work one day and answered a knock on his door. The man at the door introduced himself and asked him if he could share the gospel of Christ with him. He responded by saying he was not interested and thought Christians were a bunch of, you know what. The man responded by handing him a tract and left him with this statement, 'Please read this tract, I think you are more intelligent then to let you and your family go the hell'. That statement made him him angry but he took the tract and slammed the door.

Later that evening without telling a soul what happened, he went to the back of his shed and read every word of the tract. Even though he was angry God used it and he came under tremendous conviction. He tried to prove that the scriptures were not trustworthy and a short time later he went to church with his wife and accepted Christ. He attributed his salvation to this man that knocked on his door, the tract and God's faithfulness to draw him through the word of God and the prayers of his family.

This man has since passed a short time ago but God had raised him up and used him as a pastor to build (5) churches, (4) were over (1000 people) and the other was close to (500) from a home Bible study. All (5) churches started and grew because he believed that God's method of reaching the unsaved was from door to door. He started a Bible School that has commissioned and sent out over the past (35) years more than (400) missionaries all over the world. Every church that was planted in every place they have gone they knock on doors, ministered in the streets and market places as part of their outreach to preach the gospel and still do it today. The gospel is confrontational as it should be. How are you going to tell me and any of these people that have built churches, that door to door confrontational evangelizing is not effective.

I have seen those that go and do as you have suggested and end up with a hand full of people. The others went and put into practice what they had been taught and have hundreds in there local assemblies and they are discipling every one of them that come and sending their own missionaries into various parts of the world. What can be said to that except thank God for the work of that ministry that God has borne much fruit. I don't know what culture you are referring to because all I know is that God is after men's hearts.

 

[Reesegirl]

1 Corinthians 1:20-21 "Where is the wise? where is the scribe? where is the disputer of this world? hath not God made foolish the wisdom of this world? For after that in the wisdom of God the world by wisdom knew not God, it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe.

Romans 10:13-17 "For whosoever shall call upon the name of the Lord shall be saved. How then shall they call on him in whom they have not believed? and how shall they believe in him of whom they have not heard? and how shall they hear without a preacher? And how shall they preach, except they be sent? as it is written, How beautiful are the feet of them that preach the gospel of peace, and bring glad tidings of good things! But they have not all obeyed the gospel. For Esaias saith, Lord, who hath believed our report? So then faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God.

 

[thefightinglamb]

I think foremost it is a Christian's duty to look after those who are close to Him...meaning if those in your neighborhood don't know you or have seen and testify that you are a curse (meaning they think you a horrible person) than what can witness against this truth?

So as I said foremost I think a Christian needs to be a Christian to those brothers and sisters and neighbors that REALLY live next door...or even in the same neighborhood...and if this is not so, they are but a hypocrite...for seeing/not caring that your TRUE neighbor is in need and doing nothing every single day you see them is a vice unlike any other...it is like the priest walking by the injured man in the good samaritan parable, but times 100 at least because it is like the priest doing this EVERY day.

So door-to-door evangelism within your community is not only a good idea but a necessity.

Door-to-door evangelism in other communities I would suggest as the Spirit leads...

More thoughts on this,
but trying to put them together.

God bless
tony

 

[Thaddaeus]

guess I be the meanie here again, you tell us of a ministry that your Church is doing then ask us what we think and then argue when someone says that it is ok, so I don't know what you were looking for, someone to agree with you so that you don't have to go door-to-door or not. some are evangelist some are pastors, teachers, prophets, Apostles. not everybody is call to witness ono on one , this is where my weakness is , I can preach to any number but one on one, is not for me, you don't have to have a thousand people tell you that you shouldn't go door to door . to not get involved in this ministry of door to door just say you know I will be the prayer warrior for you guys , every great ministry needs prayer warriors, on their knees while others are actually do hands on ministry. or either you are looking for a reason not to be part of this minstry at all , then truth is always the best policy. just say no I not getting a green light from the Spirit, or you are running from God on this ministry, and if this be the cause then stop running and submit your service to God

 

[MahogonySnail]

I will leave you with this famous quote we all have heard once or twice:

"Preach the gospel and if necessary, use words"

This is one of those little slogans that are nice, but shouldn't be used to underestimate the importance of words.

Paul goes out of his way to explain how preachers preaching words are necessary in Hebrews or Romans, I forget which. It is the word which is spoken and preached to the hearer that ultimately saves.

It always surprises me how people react to the words of the Gospel. A reaction you would not ever get if you never used words. Some surprised, some angered, some accept it gladly.

But what are some ways we can not use words in our preaching? The most obvious that comes to mind is - heal the sick, raise the dead, cast out the demons. But given the fair majority of Christianity are cessationists by doctrine or practice, I see that isn't going to happen on a large scale. Given that, words is the best thing you got.

I do believe this sort of "power evangelism" is the most effective way to preach the Gospel with action and followed by or preceded by words. Because let's face it - putting a nice smile on your face and combing your hair and acting like Mr or Mrs goody-two -shoes isn't going to save anyone, but make you look like Mr devout muslim or Mr noble citizen atheist. Or perhaps make you look like your local friendly neighbourhood JW or Mormon.