I'll be honest, i didn't get a massive amount from the input whilst i away at a conference last week. I gleaned a few interesting thoughts, but nothing mind blowing.
From the first key note address i did gain an insight into the way that people encounter God, particularly early in their walk with God, and how that has an influence on how we do personal evangelism.
The speaker identified ten "gates" which people engage strongly with the gospel message.
They are...
For Deliverance/liberation
Through identifying with the Suffering of Christ
A sense of purpose and direction - Leadership
Desiring to make a difference - Martyrdom
Transformation to new life
Cleansing from guilt and shame from your past
Having a place to be engaged in ministry - Service
A sense of Peace from anxiousness and turmoil
Forgiveness that results in a new relationship between us/God, each other and creation
Belonging to the Family of God
Each believer will identify with God through a combination of "gates" and will speak more prominently of those connections when they share their faith story.
God relates to each person individually and i was reminded that when i preach i need to give a balance of the "gates" which people encounter Christ.
Sure, you wouldn't chuck all ten into one gospel presentation, but over time you should touch on each one, mindful that other "gates" will be effective on others, even if they weren't overly compelling (but still equally valid and true) for you.
2 comments:
Sounds like theories of atonement with new titles. Was the any mention of the theories in the talk?
I did walk into the session late... on the back of a four hour drive... so perhaps. But I don't remember them spoken of.
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