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Listening as Evangelism
…go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. 20a Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. —Matthew 28:19b-20a
Reference book: B.L.E.S.S. by Dave and Jon Ferguson
Big Idea: Evangelism requires faithful listening before it results in fruitful speaking.
Big Question: What (or who) do I listen to in evangelism?
Main Scripture: Acts 8:26-40
As for Philip, an angel of the Lord said to him, “Go south down the desert road that runs from Jerusalem to Gaza.” 27 So he started out, and he met the treasurer of Ethiopia, a eunuch of great authority under the Kandake, the queen of Ethiopia. The eunuch had gone to Jerusalem to worship, 28 and he was now returning. Seated in his carriage, he was reading aloud from the book of the prophet Isaiah. 29 The Holy Spirit said to Philip, “Go over and walk along beside the carriage.” —Acts 8:26-29
Philip ran over and heard the man reading from the prophet Isaiah. —Acts 8:30a
What (or who) do I listen to in evangelism?
1. I need to listen to the Spirit.
Why is it, when we talk to God, we call it prayer, but when God talks to us, we call it schizophrenia? —Deepening Your Conversation with God by Ben Patterson
Philip asked, “Do you understand what you are reading?” 31 The man replied, “How can I, unless someone instructs me?” And he urged Philip to come up into the carriage and sit with him. 32 The passage of Scripture he had been reading was this: “He was led like a sheep to the slaughter. And as a lamb is silent before the shearers, he did not open his mouth. 33 He was humiliated and received no justice. Who can speak of his descendants? For his life was taken from the earth.” 34 The eunuch asked Philip, “Tell me, was the prophet talking about himself or someone else?” 35 So beginning with this same Scripture, Philip told him the Good News about Jesus. —Acts 8:30b-35
What (or who) do I listen to in evangelism?
1. I need to listen to the Spirit.
2. I need to listen to the soul.
The Four H’s of Listening:
History: “What is your story?” “Where did you grow up?”
Heart: “What’s your favorite (team, restaurant, vacation destination)?”
Habits: “What are you into?” “What do you like to do with your free time?”
Hurts: “How are you doing with (name the situation)?”
Home: “Do you have a church home to attend?”
These types of questions will help you become a great listener. And that allows you to become a better friend to your neighbors.
As they rode along, they came to some water, and the eunuch said, “Look! There’s some water! Why can’t I be baptized?” 38 He ordered the carriage to stop, and they went down into the water, and Philip baptized him. 39 When they came up out of the water, the Spirit of the Lord snatched Philip away. The eunuch never saw him again but went on his way rejoicing. 40 Meanwhile, Philip found himself farther north at the town of Azotus. He preached the Good News there and in every town along the way until he came to Caesarea. —Acts 8:36-40
What (or who) do I listen to in evangelism?
1. I need to listen to the Spirit.
2. I need to listen to the soul.
3. I need to listen to the situation.
If you have decided to follow Jesus today, we’d like to celebrate that with you and help you with some next steps. Please text Life to 63566.