Training Leaders Who Can Help Grow & Plant Churches
How Jesus Christ Teaching Techniques May Apply
to Evangelism and Church Planting
Learning Objectives
1. The students will explain how Christ used object lessons, problem-solution methods, questions, and conversations for effective evangelism.
2. The students will write a short paper describing how they can use Christ’s teaching techniques in evangelism. They will point out how they can train their elders and local church leadership best in evangelism and church planting.
Introduction - The Bible commands us:
``Be on guard so that you may not be carried away by the error of the lawless, and lose your own stability, but grow in the grace and knowledge of our Lord Jesus Christ.’’ (II Pet. 3:18)
Learning about the messages of Christ is not enough. We should also examine the teaching ministry of Jesus. This will help us to learn how an effective teacher operates; what are his roles, what are his methods, what are his aims; what are his materials, how does he use questions to stimulate thinking in his pupils; how does he teach different people about different subjects; how does he use object lessons; how does he appeal to people’s needs etc?
Let us explore how Jesus, the teacher, used principles of education to do evangelism and prepare people for the beginning of the church!
I. Christ Use Object Lessons In Evangelism (John 4:1-43)
A. A good illustration is needed to help people see an example of what you are teaching them
B. When Jesus taught the woman at the well He let the teaching grow out of a natural occasion, he did not come with the same answers for different people’s questions. He was weary from his journey and went to get a drink of water.
C. Jesus initiated the conversation with a question, ``Woman would you give me a drink?’’
D. By speaking to a Samaritan woman, Jesus grabbed her attention, interest, and curiosity.
E. He taught mainly through conversation not with a lecture method. Most people learn more through conversation than through lectures!
F. Jesus was willing to teach to crowds or individuals, he taught whenever an opportunity arose. Later the woman told the crowds. Be willing to teach to both crowds and individuals.
G. Jesus was willing to be seen in association with an adulterous woman.
H. Jesus built upon her questions to lead her to the truth. (John 4:24)
I. Jesus moved from her problems to the solutions. Do not offer solutions until you have exposed the problems.
J. Jesus moved from what was known to what was unknown when he told the woman, ``Whoever drinks of this water will be thirsty again, but whoever drinks the water I shall give him will never thirst again, but the water that I will give him will become a well of water within him that bubbles up for eternal life.’’ (John 4:13,14) Use comparisons to show people what spiritual concepts like faith, love, hope, justification, sanctification mean!
K. Jesus used real things to explain theoretical concepts. Jesus said, ``Believe me woman the time will come when you will neither worship neither on this mountain or in Jerusalem, but an hour is coming when the true worshippers will worship in spirit and in truth.’’ (John 4:22-24)
L. Jesus used contrasts to show the woman how she was worshipping what she did not even understand. ``You Samaritans worship what you do not know, we Jews worship what we know.’’ (John 4:22)
M. Jesus used different forms of motivation to convince people of their need to follow Him and His teaching:
1). Commands - ``FOLLOW ME!’’
2). Incentives - ``Follow me and I will make you fishers of men!’’ (Matt. 4:19)
3). Power - All power is given unto me in heaven and earth, go therefore and make disciples of all nations.’’ (Mt. 28:19,20)
4). Warnings - ``Unless you repent you shall all likewise perish and be lost for eternity!’’ (Lk. 13:3)
5). Love - ``Peter if you love me, feed my sheep.’’ (Jn. 21:15-17)
6). Rewards - ``Anyone who has left their home to follow me will receive a hundred times as much in this life as in homes, brothers, sisters, mothers, and children, and fields, along with persecutions and in the future, eternal life.’’ (Mark 10:30)
7). Examples - Jesus said, ``Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or gather into barns and yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they. But, seek first his kingdom and his righteousness and things will be added to you as well.’’ (Matt. 6:31-33)
8). Modeling - Jesus said, ``Every pupil when he is trained will be fully like his teacher.’’ (Lk. 6:40)
9). Believed - Jesus believed the best in his disciples when he said, ``Peter, on this rock (Of your faith), I will build my church and the gates of hell will not prevail against it.’’ (Matt. 16:18)
10). Prayed - Jesus said, ``I pray that you not take them out of this world, but keep them from evil.’’ (Jn. 17:6-8)
11). Ask questions - Jesus asked, ``Peter, do you love me?’’ (Jn. 21:15-17)
12). Analyzed - Jesus said, ``Look at the fig tree that bears no fruit, it is likened to Israel.’’
13). Taught - Jesus said, ``Teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you.’’ (Matt. 28:19,20)
14). Promised - Jesus said, ``If you abide in me and my words abide in you ask whatever you wish and it will be done for you.’’ (Jn. 15:7)
N. Jesus let her express herself. ``Sir, I perceive that you are a prophet.’’ As the woman began to talk she started to reflect seriously about her spiritual status.
O. Jesus knew the woman’s background - Jesus knew about the Samaritans history, their religion, and their places of worship. Jesus also knew everything about the woman’s personal history. He did not always say what way predictable, instead He gave the woman what she needed at the time of their meeting.
II. How To Gain Interest the Way Jesus Christ Did!
A. Jesus obtained attention both through a sense of duty and a sense of felt needs. Normally, people would line the roads waiting to see if Jesus could solve one of their problems. (Matt. 4:21-25)
B. Jesus gained people’s interests by the teaching, preaching, and healing he did throughout His ministry. (Mt. 4:23)
C. Jesus gained followers through invitations and promises: ``Follow me and I will make you fishers of men.’’ (Mt. 4:19)
D. He let His light shine before men so that many people in darkness were attracted to his Holiness, Righteousness, and Dependability. (Matt. 5:16)
E. He announced His coming to certain towns with messengers sent in advance.
F. He used phrases that were familiar to the people like: ``Fishers of men.’’
G. He told stories that interested the people who were fond of stories. (Matt. 7:24-27)
H. He did not speak in complicated terms, but with simple, down to earth speech and with concrete illustrations. For instance, the lost sheep, the lost coin, the lost son.
I. Through the sharp contrast of the teaching of the scribes and Pharisees the people were attracted by the newness, uniqueness, and the originality of His teaching.
J. Jesus won attention because He paid attention to people. You must be interested in your pupils if they are going to be interested in your teaching.
K. Jesus did not just teach in the classroom. He took fields trips through the regions.
L. Jesus did not win attention because of His possessing a Ph.D. or any lofty degrees or honors or titles.
M. Jesus won people’s attention because He came to serve.
N. People were attracted to Jesus because what He taught was what He lived!
O. Christ not only gained people’s attention but He held it.
P. Christ let people see him as He was. He did not have to hide anything from his pupils. Even when Jesus was hurting, he asked for the disciples assistance. ``Could you not stay with me for at least one hour?’’ (Matt. 26:40)
Q. Through Christ’s free association with people of all social classes, tribes, and professions, he attracted men’s attention.
R. Jesus had the ability to adjust His teaching to suit the situation. At times Jesus is commending Peter. (Matt. 16:116-18) At other times He is rebuking Peter. (John 21:15-23)
III. How Jesus Initiated Contact With People For Evangelism
A. Jesus went to places where He could meet the most people. He did not wait for people to come to Him.
B. Jesus observed people, ``He observed Andrew and John coming after Him.’’
C. Jesus started conversations with people through greetings, commendations (praises), or questions.
D. Jesus asked people questions like, ``what do you want me to do for you?’’
E. He invited Himself over to people homes like that of Zacchaeus’.
F. He invited people to follow Him and see for themselves what he was talking about.
G. He referred to the scriptures and His Father for His reference points of credibility.
H. He studied people so that He could understand their character. ``Behold an Israelite in whom there is no deceit.’’ (Nathaniel)
I. He did not turn people away when they approached Him. (Nicodemus in John 3:1-16)
J. He readily ate with people.
K. When people offended Jesus He did not give up on them. For example, study his response to Peter’s betrayal in Luke 22:61.
IV. How To Use Christ’s Aims in Evangelism
A. Jesus declared to all in Luke 19:10: ``It is not those who are healthy who need a physician, but those who are sick. I did not come to call the righteous to repentance, but the sinners. For the Son of man has come to seek and save those which are lost.’’
B. Jesus said, ``My food is to do the will of Him who sent me and to accomplish His work.’’ (John 4:34)
C. To disciple men and to have them disciple all the nations and tribes of the earth, by baptizing them and teaching them to obey all things that He had commanded.’’ (Mt. 28:19,20)
D. He offered a perfect substitute for traditional, legalistic, and false religions. (Mt. 7:13)
E. To show by His example and teach by truth.
F. To give people faith, hope, and love.
G. To destroy the works of the devil, evil, and darkness.
H. To give people eternal life, forgiveness of sins, and the Holy Spirit as their comforter, protector, and guide.
I. To help people fellowship with the heavenly Father through prayer, Bible study, communion, and service.
V. How Jesus Used Problem-Solution Methods to Evangelize
A. Jesus generally approached people who had a problem that needed solving. After, he helped people recognize the root cause of the problem, He offered them a solution. Sometimes the solution was physical like food, but always it lead to a spiritual solution like faith, obedience, prayer, scripture, or doing the will of God!
B. Jesus helped people recognize that many of their problems like fear, sickness, or a lack of provisions were symptoms of deeper spiritual problems. ``Do not work for the food which perishes, but work for the food that endures to eternal life.’’ (John 6:27)
C. When people approached Jesus with His own family problems, Jesus said, ``Who are my brothers and sisters and mother? Are they not the ones who know the will of God and do it? (Mk. 3:33) Many people fail to put God’s will before the desires of their families.
D. Jesus did not always solve everyone’s problems. (Mk. 2:7)
E. Jesus helped people face real problems. Jesus knew that the facing of the problem honestly is the beginning of the solution to the problem.
F. Some people approach people with greedy motives in their minds. Like the man who came to Jesus saying, ``Speak to my brother so that he divides the inheritance with me.’’ In this case Jesus declined to deal with this man’s selfish motives.
G. The Pharisees often came to Jesus with problems to trap Him. (Mark 10:2) Jesus always used wisdom to deflect the real problems back onto the questioners.
H. Jesus dealt with practical, physical, social, spiritual, Biblical, educational, medical, religious, and philosophical problems!
I. Jesus usually understood most people’s problems through their cultural eyes. He did not change truth, but communicated it in a culturally relevant way!
J. Jesus helped solved people’s physical problems to help them learn the source of solutions to their spiritual problems.
Example - Our churches are concerned about people’s health needs so it has hospitals, clinic, dispensaries, community health projects, and pharmacies. A church planter should know how to direct people to physical help like medical, dental, and agricultural aids!
K. Jesus approached all problems by speaking the truth in love. (Eph. 4:15)
VI. How Christ Used Conversation For Evangelistic Purposes
A. Jesus displayed the characteristics of love, sympathy, listening ability, intelligence, discipline, self-control, humor, honesty, joyfulness, purposefulness, humility, and truth in His conversations with people.
B. In John 6:66-71 Jesus asked the disciples, ``Do you plan to leave me as well?’’ Peter said, ``Lord to whom shall we go, you have the words of eternal life and we have believed and have come to know that you are the Holy One of God.’’
C. Sometimes, Jesus threw questions back into the face of His questioners. In Lk. 11:19 when the Pharisees accused Jesus of casting out demons with the devil (Beelzebub) he said to them:
``And if I by Beelzebub cast out demons, by whom do your sons cast them out?’’
D. Jesus used conversation with politeness, he was never rude, arrogant, boastful, proud, haughty, and He did not exaggerate, argue, interrupt others, or rebuke people to put them down.
E. Many of Christ’s conversation in the scriptures were brief, purposeful, to the point, personal, friendly, appreciative, included eye-contact, simple, stimulating, and convicting!!!
VII. How Jesus Used Questions in Evangelism
A. The gospels include over 100 different questions that Jesus asked people to help them learn the truth.
B. Examples of these questions include:
1). How is it that you sought me? 2). Did you not know that I should be in Father’s house (Lk. 2:49 - His first recorded words) 3). Are you a teacher of Israel (Nicodemus) and do not understand these things? (Jn. 3:10) 4). Do you not say, There are yet four months, and then comes the harvest? (Jn. 4:35) 5). Why do you think evil in your hearts? (Mt. 9:4-6). Do you want to be made whole? (Jn. 5:6-7). Is not life more than food and your body than clothing? (Mt. 6:32-8). Why do you look at the speck in your brothers eye and fail to notice the log in your own eye? (Mt. 7:3,4)
C. Many great educators through the centuries have used questions to help their pupils to think, understand, and discover!
D. Christ’s questions were characterized by:
1). Practicality 2). Convicting ability 3). Truthfulness 4). Purposefulness 5). Evangelistic 6). Thought provoking 7). At times persuasive 8). Rhetorical at times 9). Personal 10). Loving 11). Probing 12). Originality 13). Brief 14). Informative 15). At times confrontational
E. Jesus used questions for many purposes:
1). To introduce a story 2). To grab the attention, interests, and curiosities of the people 3). To recall known facts about history, God, or the scriptures 4). To convict people of sin 5). To rebuke the Pharisees or the proud and disobedient (I.E. Peter) 6). To help people realize the root cause of a problem 7). To reinforce a point 8). To stimulate action
VIII. How Jesus’ Answers to Questions Can Be Used In Evangelism
A. Jesus answered people with the truth in love.
B. Jesus did not always reveal the whole truth to everyone who asked Him a question immediately. Jesus recognize the value of timing His answers.
C. Jesus never avoided a question that had not already been answered before.
D. Jesus never said, ``I don’t know.’’
E. Christ answers would always correspond with the motive behind the question.
F. Jesus did not always satisfy people’s curiosity.
G. At times Jesus answered a question with a question. For instance, the Pharisees asked Jesus, ``By what authority do you do these things?’’ Jesus answered, ``I also will ask you a question.’’
H. Christ’s answers often called for more questions, action, and a change of thinking.
I. Many times Jesus answered with concrete illustrations, stories, and parables.
IX. How Jesus Used the Scriptures in Evangelism
A. Jesus often quoted from the Old Testament to move people from what they knew to what they needed to know:
1). ``Man shall not live by bread alone, but by every word that proceeds from the mouth of God.’’ (Mt. 4:4; Deut. 6:16)
2). ``You will worship the Lord your God and serve Him only.’’ (Mt. 4:10; Deut. 6:13)
3). ``These people honor me with their lips, but their hearts are far from me.’’ (Mt. 15:8,9; Isa. 29:13)
B. Jesus used scriptures to discuss the interpretations with the people familiar with religious teachings, writing, and traditions.
C. Jesus wanted to interpret the Old Testament in light of His teaching and not visa-versa!
D. Paul reminds us of why Christ used the Old Testament so freely in Romans 15:4 which says, ``Everything that was written in the past was written to teach us, so that through endurance and the encouragement of the Scriptures we might have hope.’’
E. Paul also wrote of the Old Testament in II Tim. 3:16,17, (Which can be applied to all of scripture today)
``All scripture is inspired by God and is profitable for teaching, rebuke, for correction, and training in righteousness. That the man of God could be equipped, thoroughly trained for all good works.’’
X. How Jesus Used Comparisons and Contrast in Evangelism
A. Jesus helped Nicodemus to see in John 3 that being born-again is contrasted with physical birth. ``Can a man enter his mother’s womb and be reborn?’’
B. Jesus compared his cursing of the fig tree in Matt. 21:19-22 to the judgment that Israel will face for their fruitlessness.
C. Jesus contrasted the hypocrisy of the Pharisees with the widow and her two mites. (Luke 21:2-4)
D. Jesus contrasted the one lost sheep and the 99 in Luke 15 to describe how important winning the lost is!!!
E. Jesus contrasted true obedience and half-hearted obedience in Matt. 21:23-32.
F. Jesus contrasted the wise and foolish virgins in Mt. 25:1-13 to warn people about accepting Him as their Savior so that they would not have to live for eternity in darkness.
G. Jesus contrasted the sheep and the goats at the final judgment or the wheat and the weeds in Matt. 25:30-40 to show people that God knows who is a Christian and who is faking it.
H. Jesus compared the heavenly Father’s compassion and willingness to be reconciled with His children when they backslide in the parable of the prodigal son in Luke 15!!
XI. Jesus Used Concrete Items to Teach Abstract Truths
A. Never teach the abstract (Faith, Love, Forgiveness, and Obedience) without giving concrete examples.
B. Here are some examples of how Jesus used the concrete to teach the abstract:
1). ``Look at the birds of the air, they do not sow or gather into barns yet your heavenly Father feeds them. Are you not worth much more than they? (Teaching Trust)
2). ``The wind blows where it will . . .’’ (Teaching how the Spirit of God Ministers)
3). ``Mary has chosen that good part which shall not be taken away from her.’’ (Lk. 10:38-42) (Teaching of priorities and distractionless devotion to God’s word)
4). ``It is harder for a rich man to enter the kingdom of heaven than for a camel to pass through the eye of a needle.’’ (Describing how hard it is for some people to become Christians)
5). ``The things that are impossible for man are possible for God.’’ (Teaching of the Sovereign power, authority, and ability of God)
XII. How Jesus Used People in Evangelism
A. Jesus went to Zacchaeus’s house to illustrate that He did not have any prejudice against tax-gatherers or sinners.
B. Jesus used his contact with the Samaritan woman to show that the gospel was for women, adulterers, and gentiles.
C. Jesus used his contact with Nicodemus to show that even religious people need the gospel, repentance, and belief in Christ for their salvation.
D. Jesus used the disciples to send them out in His name to witness.
E. Jesus trained 12 apostles who started the Christian church.
F. Jesus used His contact with the invalid of 38 years at Bethesda’s pool to demonstrate His ministry of Preaching, Teaching, and Healing.
G. Jesus showed His power over death and all evil forces by casting out demons from the demoniac and raising the little girl and Lazarus from the dead.
XIII. Jesus Recognized Individual’s Differences in His Evangelistic Approaches
A. Jesus said of Nathaniel, ``Behold an Israelite in whom there is no guile or deceit.’’ Jesus praised Nathaniel.
B. Jesus forgave Peter of his betrayal by asking him to feed His sheep. (John 21:15-17)
C. Jesus recognized Phillip’s phlegmatic nature when He turned to him and asked him where they could find enough bread to feed the 5,000. Jesus knew that Phillip needed most to develop his faith?
D. Jesus knew that John loved Him most. ``If I want him to remain until I come, what is that to you, come follow me.’’ (Jn. 21:22)
E. Jesus knew that His brother James might be a little jealous of His success. Yet, James describes himself in James 1:1, as a servant of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ.
XIV. Jesus Appealed to People’s Needs in Evangelism
A. Jesus understood that people would respond first to His teaching if He appealed to people’s felt needs such as:
1). Their fears, interests, traditions, culture, perceptions, families, physical problems, need to relieve their guilt and sins, spiritual needs, curiosity of the supernatural, relief from oppression from their enemies, their human egos and pride, needs for joy, needs for eternal life, needs for purpose and meaning, social needs, need for love, need for hope, need for something to worship, need for something to believe in!
B. Jesus often expressed his concern for the needs of people although He did not always meet them immediately.
C. Jesus sympathized with people’s problems.
D. Jesus healed people to appeal to their belief that He was and is the Great Physician.
E. Jesus quieted the winds and the sea to appeal to people’s belief in His ability to control the most powerful forces in nature that were known in that day. He appealed to their sense of miracles
F. Jesus appealed to people’s intellect by suggesting that in Him was hidden all the treasures of wisdom and knowledge. (Col. 2:3,4)
G. Jesus withdrew from Judea in Galilee (Jn. 4:1-3) in order to avoid a conflict or competition in baptizing with the disciples of John. We should learn to not compete with other shepherds. However, if the sheep are not being fed or cared for we should continue to feed our flock and encouraged the straying sheep to join the fold where they will be best led and fed!
H. Jesus appealed to different temperaments in people. He realized that some would be outgoing and others would be shy. He suited His approach to each individual. He became all things to all men that by all means He may save some. (I Cor. 9:22)
I. Jesus recognized different people’s background identities. He called James and John the ``sons of thunder.’’ He adjusted His approach to address them in the most effective manner.
XV. How Jesus Evangelized Children
A. He took them in His arms and blessed them, loved them, and taught them.
B. He provided food for them to eat. (Mark 5:43)
C. He healed children (Mt. 17:14-21)
D. He watched children play - He noted that their game of wedding and funerals (Lk. 7:32)
E. He told everyone that the kingdom of God is comprised of child-like people. He admired children’s teachableness, innocence, and willingness to humble themselves.
F. He felt respect for children (Mt. 18:10)
G. He told people to learn from children. ``Whoever shall humble himself as this little child, the same is the greatest in the kingdom of heaven.’’ (Mt. 18:4)
H. He cautioned people against offending children or abusing them or misleading them. (Mark 9:42) ``Whoever shall cause one of these little ones that believe on me to stumble, it were better for him if a great millstone were hung on his neck and he were cast into the sea.’’
