BIRMINGHAM THEOLOGICAL SEMINARY
DOTHAN CAMPUS
5480 WEST MAIN STREET
DOTHAN, AL 36305
334-794-4080
Fall 2014
PT5637 Personal Evangelism
Professor: Pastor David Temples
E-mail: dtemples@westwoodpca.org
Office Phone: 334-794-4080
Cell Phone: 334-796-2163
Class Hours: 2
COURSE PURPOSE
The purpose of this course is to provide training in personal evangelism through class discussion, Bible study,
reading books on evangelism, and engaging in evangelistic activities under special supervision.
COURSE OBJECTIVES
1. The student will be able to articulate the content of the gospel and where to find it in scripture.
2. The student will understand the role of the Triune God in the salvation of sinners.
3. The student will understand the importance of prayer in evangelism.
4. The student will be able to explain the relationship between God’s sovereignty and human responsibility in
evangelism.
5. The student will learn various methods of presenting the gospel and how to employ them.
6. The student will learn how to present his/her personal testimony and to help others do the same.
7. The student will participate in at least four evangelistic events during the course of the semester.
8. The student will learn how to follow-up with new converts.
REQUIRED TEXTS
Holy Bible
Packer, J. I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Inter-Varsity Press, repr. 1991.
Barrs, Jerram. The Heart of Evangelism. Crossway Books, 2001.
Newman, Randy. Questioning Evangelism. Kregel Publications, 2004.
RECOMMENDED TEXTS
Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. 2nd ed. Revell, 2010.
Greenway, Roger S., ed. The Pastor-Evangelist. Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing, 1987.
Kennedy, D. James. Evangelism Explosion. 4th ed. Tyndale House, 1996.
Torrey, R. A. Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Bethany House, 2004.
COURSE REQUIRMENTS
1. Prayer. Select five people within your relational network who are not disciples of Jesus and pray for them
regularly during the semester, asking God to provide an opportunity to share the gospel with them. Also, pray
regularly for the class and the effectiveness of its members in gospel ministry.
2. Reading. Read each of the three required texts as assigned.
3. Writing.
(1) Select one book and write a critique (5-6 pages) where you interact with a main theme, point, or a
section of the book. This is not a book report; it is your interaction with the ideas of the book. Be sure to
provide a summary of the book’s position or theme and then critique it biblically. Include personal insights,
whether you agree or disagree with the position/theme and why, and how it impacts your thoughts on
evangelism.
(2) For the other two books, prepare a one-page discussion outline for one chapter out of each book; be
prepared to use the outline to guide a discussion during class. The outline should include the topic for the
chapter, each main point, biblical references supporting each point, how the chapter applies in evangelism, and
at least two questions for discussion.
(3) Prepare a four page “personal evangelism plan” for use by an individual, group, or church.
4. Speaking.
(1) Based on the information/demonstration presented in class, demonstrate four different ways to share
the gospel. The instructor or fellow classmate will serve as a training partner.
(2) Prepare your personal salvation testimony and present it in 3 minutes or less.
(3) Prepare a one-minute presentation of the gospel for someone you might meet on the street.
(4) Students are expected to participate in the class discussions.
5. Witnessing. Participation in four evangelistic events coordinated by the professor.
COURSE GRADING
1. Prayer 5%
2. Reading 9% (3% for each book)
3. Chapter outlines/discussion 6% (3% per outline)
3. Book critique 10%
4. Personal Evangelism Plan 10%
5. Gospel presentations 20% (5% each)
6. Personal testimony 5%
7. One-minute gospel 5%
8. Class discussions 10%
9. Evangelistic events 20% (5% each)
COURSE FORMATS & STYLE STANDARDS
Note: All papers must be formatted in accordance with Turabian Chicago standards including title page. Any
paper not conforming to these standards will automatically be dropped one letter grade. Times New Roman #12
font doubled-spaced. Proper planning and timely completion of assignments is crucial. All course materials
must be submitted by the last day of class. Therefore, course materials may be submitted for up to six weeks
after the end of the semester directly to the office of the Registrar with the permission of the professor. If a
student submits course materials after the end of the semester but within the six weeks grace period, the
student’s grade will be lowered by one letter grade. The course materials will not be accepted after the six week
grace period and a failing grade will be posted to the student’s transcript.
COURSE OUTLINE
Sept 11
Sept 18
Sept 25
Oct
Oct
Oct
Oct
02
09
16
23
Oct 30
Nov 06
Nov
Nov
Nov
Dec
Dec
13
20
27
04
11
Course overview
Galatians 1:6-9 and the Gospel—and understanding different gospels
Living witnesses: A Christ-centered and Gospel-focused Life
The primacy of prayer.
How to prepare your testimony
Gospel presentations and (1) open -air preaching, (2) tracts
Gospel presentations and (1) surveys, (2) 1 -verse evangelism
Gospel presentations and (1) John’s gospel, (2) Romans, (3) Ezekiel 36
Fall Break
Book “discussion outline” exercise 1
Gospel presentations and Evangelism Explosion
Personal testimony and gospel presentations assignment
How to follow up with converts
Personal testimony and gospel presentations assignment
Book “discussion outline” exercise 2
Practical application —evangelism exercise
Practical application —evangelism exercise
Thanksgiving—no class
Practical application —evangelism exercise
Practical application —evangelism exercise
Dec 18
Book critique discussion
Personal evangelism plan discussion
BIBLIOGRAPHY*
Anyabwile, Tahiti. The Gospel for Muslims: An Encouragement to Share Christ with Confidence. Chicago:
Moody Press, 2010. Anyabwile’s book is an excellent book clearly laying out the gospel and it’s power.
It
does not search for gimmicks and angles with which to approach Muslims; it sets forth the power of the biblical
gospel.
It does contain some good advice about the key points of concern when sharing the gospel with
Muslims, but this advice exalts the gospel.
The first part of the book is really applicable to all kinds of
evangelism, not just the for evangelizing Muslims.
Barrs, Jerram.
The Heart of Evangelism.
Wheaton, IL:
Crossway, 2001. This is a helpful work that
examines the need for evangelism, the biblical definition of the gospel and the biblical patterns of evangelism.
Those who take a presuppositional approach to apologetics will disagree with some of his assessment of Paul
at Athens (Acts 17), but overall it is very good book on evangelism.
__________.
Learning
Evangelism
from
Jesus.
Wheaton,
IL:
Crossway,
2009. Barrs continues what he
began in The Heart of Evangelism in his examination of the patterns of evangelism in the book of Acts.
In this
volume he examines the evangelistic patterns of Jesus and draws practical conclusions from Jesus’ practice of
evangelism.
Bonar, Horatius. Words to Winners of Souls. Repr. P&R Publishing, 1995.
Cecil, Douglass. The 7 Principles of an Evangelistic Life. Moody Publishers, 2003.
Coleman,
Robert
E.
The
Master
Plan
of
Evangelism.
Grand
Rapids,
MI:
FlemingH Revell,
1993.
A classic book on evangelism.
It is helpful.
However, it does not deal with some of the errors that have
sprung up in the presentation of the gospel (e. g., Easy Believism).
Dever.
Mark.
The
Gospel
&
Personal
Evangelism.
Wheaton,
IL:
Crossway,
2007. This is an excellent
book encouraging evangelism to be done and to be done biblically with a sound presentation of the gospel.
There are many helpful stories and suggestions in the book that illustrate effective evangelism.
This
book could be profitably used in a local church to encourage and train people for evangelism Green,
Michael.
Evangelism
in
the
Early
Church.Grand
Rapids:
Eerdmans,
2003.5 This is a scholarly examination of the
evangelistic methods of the early church.
It is well researched, but it is written from a very broadly
evangelical perspective that has some serious doctrinal issues.
The most concerning of these issues is the
flawed Christology presented in some sections of the book.
Greenway, Roger S. Ed. The Pastor-Evangelist: Preacher, Model, and Mobilizer for Church Growth.
Phillipsburg: P&R Publishing, 1987.
Hybels, Bill
and
Mark
Mittelberg.
Becoming
a
Contagious
Christian.
Grand
Rapids:
Zondervan,
1994.
Although the title of this work sounds quite helpful, the book takes a wrong angle on evangelism.
It is not that
we do not want our Christianity to be contagious, but this book views evangelism in a very man-centered way.
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. Repr. Riverhead Trade, 2009.
Kennedy, James D. Evangelism Explosion. 4th ed. Wheaton: Tyndale, 1996.
Little, Paul. How to Give Away Your Faith. IVP, 2008 (revised).
McCord, Kate. In the Land of the Blue Burqas. Moody Publishers, 2012.
McGavran,
Donald.
Understanding
Church
Growth.
Grand
Rapids:
Eerdmans,
1970. Donald McGavran
became the founding advocate for the Church Growth Movement.
McGavran’s book has been used by a wide
variety of teachers and pastors to advocate various approaches to evangelism (Willow Creek, Purpose Driven,
etc.).
This is a work that is worth being familiar with for its massive impact, but it is very pragmatic.
It
seems to emphasize sociological type research over a biblical pattern of evangelism.
McRaney,
Will,
Jr.
The
Art
of
Personal
Evangelism.
Nashville,
TN:
Broadman &
Holman,
2003.
McRaney’s book has some helpful information on communication skills and on understanding the changes in
American culture.
His presentation of the gospel message is good, but not as clear as the presentations in other
books on this list.
His quotations and examples of men like Bill Hybels and Bill Bright cause hesitancy in
regard to a strong recommendation of this book.
Metzger, Will.
Tell the Truth.
Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1984. This is an excellent book that
presents the vast difference between proclaiming a man-centered versus a God-centered gospel.
This book is
especially helpful in illustrating how methods reflect beliefs about the message of the gospel.
Miller,
C.
John.
A Faith Worth Sharing: A Lifetime of Conversations about Christ.
Phillipsburg,
NJ:
P&R
Publishing,
1999. A simple little book that records the life-long experiences of one man’s evangelism in his
life relationships.
It is an encouraging little book that has some interesting stories.
It is not really a training
manual or a discussion of evangelism.
It is more an illustration of evangelism.
Murray, John. Redemption Accomplished and Applied. Grand Rapids: Eerdmanns, 1955.
Newman,
Randy.
Questioning
Evangelism:
Engaging
People’s
Hearts
the
Way
Jesus
Did.
Grand
Rapids:
Kregel,
2004.6 Newman advocates doing evangelism with questions.
He claims this follows the
pattern of the Old and New Testaments and especially Jesus.
He lists common questions that unbelievers ask
and some biblical answers to the questions.
He also asks questions about the motives and attitudes of believers
in regard to evangelism.
This is a helpful book overall and gives some good suggestions for engaging in
evangelism.
Packer,
James
I.
Evangelism
and
the
Sovereignty
of
God.
Downers
Grove,
IL:
InterVarsity
Press,
2008. This is a modern classic.
In a very clear and readable way Packer explains the importance of giving the
gospel and trusting God to provide the results. He declares the biblical truth that human responsibility and the
sovereignty of God are not opposed to each other, but are friends.
This book is an encouragement to
evangelize and to evangelize properly.
Piper, John. Let the Nations Be Glad: the Supremacy of God in Missions. Baker Academic, 2010.
Platt, David. Radical: Taking Back Your Faith from the American Dream. Multnomah Books, 2010.
Posterski,
Donald
C.
Reinventing
Evangelism.
Downers
Grove,
IL:
InterVarsity
Press,
1989.
Posterski’s book is a little dated.
It gives a good summary of American culture and pluralism and often rightly
assesses the problems and opportunities in America.
The book is problematic because of a far too broad
definition of Christianity.
It is very ecumenical in its emphasis and it minimizes the true gospel because of that.
Qureshi, Nabeel. Seeking Allah, Finding Jesus: A Devout Muslim Encounters Christianity. Zondervan, 2014.
Reid,
Alvin.
Evangelism
Handbook:
Biblical,
Spiritual,
Intentional,
Missional.
Nashville,
TN:
Broadman
&
Holman,
2009. This book is a more practical guide to evangelism than Reid’s earlier
Introduction to Evangelism (see below).
It has helpful suggestions and has an excellent emphasis on the need
to change the DNA of a church (not just programs) in order to get the church to be biblically evangelistic.
However, Reid is quite open to church growth ideas.
He is open to considering broad input from theologically
diverse schools of thought (emergent, church growth, etc.).
This openness makes the book less helpful.
___________.
Introduction
to
Evangelism.
Nashville,
TN:
Broadman
&
Holman,
1998. Reid’s volume
on evangelism is intended to be a textbook for a seminary level course on evangelism.
It is not really helpful
for local church evangelism training.
It examines the various approaches to evangelism throughout history and
it engages in an examination of
how to respond to modern culture.
Richardson,
Rick.
Evangelism
Outside
the
Box:
New
Ways
to
Help
People
Experience
the
Good
News.Downers
Grove,
IL:
InterVarsity,
2000. Richardson’s book is extremely helpful in creating an
understanding of the Postmodern spirit of the West.
He has some great assessments and explanations of the
culture of the West in the twenty-first century.
However, his solutions rely too heavily on the culture and are
very man-centered (he emphasizes a felt-needs approach).
Sjogren,
Steve.
101
Ways
to
Reach
Your
Community.
Colorado
Springs,
CO:
NavPress,
2001. This is
a book full of gimmicks to open opportunities for the gospel.
Most of the ideas are good deed actions that are
intended to change opinions about Christians and thereby open up opportunities for the gospel.
It is not
especially helpful for those seeking to model the New Testament pattern.
Spurgeon,
Charles
H.
The
Soul
Winner:
How
to
Win
Sinners
to
the
Saviour.
Reprint.
Charelston,
SC:BiblioBazaar,
2008. This is a practical and pastoral work by Spurgeon.
It is a classic and should be read
by all ministers of the gospel.
I was intrigued to notice that Spurgeon uses the term soul winner equally of
preaching the gospel as he does to personal one-to-one evangelism.
Clearly there was a shift in thinking at
some point in the Twentieth Century to think of soul winning as only personal evangelism. However, Spurgeon
does not denigrate personal evangelism, in fact he encourages it with this work.
Stott, John. Christian Mission in the Modern World. IVP, 2008.
Thompson,
W.
Oscar
and
Carolyn
Thompson
Ritzmann.
Concentric
Circles
of
Concern:
Seven
Stages
for
Making
Disciples.
Revised
by
Claude
V.
King.
Nashville,
TN:
Broadman
&
Holman,
1999.
This is an easy read.
It emphasizes the need to keep and build relationships with people from our family to our
neighbors to the people we are yet to meet.
It teaches that relationships are the key to evangelism and even
life.
The book has a helpful stress on building relationships with people to win them to Christ.
However, it is
filled with man-centered theology and clichés.
Torrey, R. A. Baptism with the Holy Spirit. Bethany House, 2004.
*Much of this bibliography is copied from Dr. Charles Lewis’ bibliography from his Personal Evangelism
course. The excellent book summaries are his. I have added the books without summaries.