Training Believers in Personal Evangelism at Grace Baptist Church, Ridgeway, Virginia

Abstract

This project presents an experimental methodology for training believers in personal evangelism within the local church. Chapter 1 lays the foundation for the research project. It identifies purpose and establishes the critical goals for the work. The ministry context of Grace Baptist Church in Ridgeway, Virginia is also highlighted. Chapter 2 gives the project its biblical roots. Exegeses of an Old Testament (Gen 12:1-9) and five New Testament texts (Matt 28:18-20, Luke 8:4-15, Acts 2:14-47, Acts 22:1-16, and Col 1:3-8) yield rich biblical insights and remind the Christian that the Old Testament mission of redemption continues into the New Testament age. Chapter 3 is multi-faceted, taking a mosaic approach by tackling several theoretical and practice issues in personal evangelism. It addresses historical wisdom, spiritual warfare, witnessing obstacles, evangelism models, accountability issues, and statistical realities. Of particular interest is the coupling of personal evangelism with the doctrines of the application of redemption. Chapter 4 provides the fifteen-week research grid for training believers in personal evangelism. The project seeks five goals believed to fortify the evangelistic thrust of the church: (1) increase biblical knowledge, (2) improve evangelistic skill, (3) initiate personal accountability, (4) proclaim the gospel, and (5) strengthen pastoral leadership in the area of evangelism and church growth. Chapter 5 provides a rigorous examination of the research project. It offers analyses in a number of areas, striving always to gauge the value of the work.