The church as a whole has been doing a good job of evangelism around the world and of streamlining their administration to get better at meeting specific ministry tasks. Therefore, I am not writing to ask any religious body to make major changes, but I am asking us to remember the evangelism techniques that Jesus used and pattern them in our ministries. Jesus changed the world by changing the hearts and satisfying the souls of the people He served. We can improve evangelism by doing it Jesus’ way. I believe that when Jesus said “I am the way, the truth and the life” He was also saying to the church that the way how He did ministry is the same way the church must do it – bringing the body of Christ into a cohesive unit. The story of the woman at the well is very fascinating because we can learn from Jesus’ counselling and evangelism approach for effective witnessing.
In John 4:7-29 we have the story of Jesus ministering to the woman at the well.
A Practical application of water (4: 7-10). Jesus used water to start the conversation and connected it to a spiritual truth. He said, “Will you give me a drink?”
1) Be Patient. Patience is the first rule for evangelism, right before this, in John 4:6, Jesus sat down and He waited for the opportunity to counsel. When we wait we are waiting for the Holy Spirit to identify who we are to counsel.
2) Start a conversation. In John 4:7 Jesus used the water, and His need for water, to introduce her to the living water. How do we start a conversation? We can start by getting involved with what they are doing. When you do this you gain respect and attention.
I once saw a lady cleaning her yard and I asked her where she had bought it because I needed one myself. I also asked if I could help her in her work and we worked together to clean her yard. I later took the broom and said to her “the same way the broom can sweep clean; Jesus is able to clean up our life; He cleaned mine of sin and shame and, if you let Him, He will clean up your life in every area.” I ended up praying with her and her family that day and have kept in touch since then. She later told me that since she started praying she has had peace with God and knows that everything will be alright. She even told me she was adopting me as her “son”!
3) Give people Jesus (4:10): Jesus gave them Himself. Don’t try to change people or force religion on them but skillfully give them Jesus and let Jesus work on their heart. I am a prayer minister and when I just pray for a person nothing happens, but when I prayerfully release Jesus in their lives, I have realized that something happens, because of the praise report that I receive later. Jesus is at work in their hearts and eventually there is a change!
The Natural Application of the water (4:11-23). We use water to quench thirst and Jesus connects that physical thirst to a spiritual thirst. Jesus didn’t condemn her for being thirsty instead he offered to quench her thirst.
4) Tell them what Jesus can do (4:14): He works transformation. He will take the ordinary things in life and make them supernatural. Tell people that when you give Him your life He will give you eternal life; when you give him your love and He will make you the beloved of God.
A taxi driver in Toronto was leaning on his car and I said to him “beautiful car”, I said I know someone who can help you with your “insurance” and he was very happy to hear about that. He asked me who could help with insurance and I told him that Jesus could! I said to him “if you let Jesus be your spiritual driver your eternal insurance will be free and there will be no need for a GPS because Jesus is the way.” When I told him that he silently told me he was a believer but had been too busy for church. I told him that Jesus is not too busy for him. I told him about a taxi driver in Jamaica who went to church on Sunday mornings and then went to work afterwards. I asked him why he didn’t try that, he thought about it and replied: “God has protected me throughout the week and therefore I must find time to give him praise.” We went on to talk more and I was able to lead him in a prayer of surrender to God.
5) Tell them Jesus loves them (4:16, 18): A true witness shares that Jesus loves you and He will never condemn you; He will always encourage you to be your best. There must be a genuine love coming from our heart for the concerns for others; a tangible relationship must be felt; a spiritual connection must be evident; sent by God’s love must be transferable.
6) Let them come as they are (4:21): Jesus met her where she was at. He didn’t start with rules. We need to be a loving church who believes in welcoming new believers and seekers while also supporting and caring for their members.
7) Guide them (4:22): Be willing to share: In our church we believe in lifting up the brethrens liberally for equality and as a family we condemn condemnation and uphold peace.
8) Be their friend (4:23): Stay connected to them. I once heard of a lady who gave $10,000 in tithe and for 3 months she didn’t come to the church and nobody contacted her. She was very disappointed because of the lack of connection. I also heard of a prominent Pastor in the USA whose membership was being reduced on a weekly basis. He decided that every Sunday evening he would personally call the first time visitors and if they are available he would take them out and pay for their dinner. He reported that while visiting different homes, the people were astonished to see him and they rewarded him with a special love offering and eventually the church membership was enlarged beyond measures. Such a simple yet refreshing act to be a friend.
The supernatural application of the water (4:24-29). The water is used to transform life – “a time is coming and now has come…” (V.23-24)
9) Share the word (4:24): Share your testimony. Having tasted of the water now tell someone about it. The natural always comes before the supernatural; tell them what God has done for you. We can feel the breeze but we cannot see it. When the sprit comes upon us we must surrender to His leading and allow Him to speak through us. Grandfather is not in the bible and we believe in him but Jesus is in the bible and he believes in you.
10) Tell them about the God who gives life (4:26): If they are sick let Jesus be their Jehovah Rapha- “the Lord that Healeth thee” (Ex.15:26); if they are depressed let Jesus be their Jehovah Shalom “the Lord our peace” (Judges 6:24); if they live in fear let Jesus be their Jehovah Shammah “the Lord who is there” (Ezek. 48:35).
11) Expect a spiritual operation (4:29): Only Jesus can change the hearts of people and we are His vehicle of operation on earth to continue His ministry. If we evangelize Jesus’ way we will be effective ministers and a victorious church. We all drank of that spiritual rock that followed them: and that rock was Jesus (1 Cor. 10:4).
I want to close with a prayer: Lord God, I thank you for the passion of the Christ who enables us to be hungry and thirsty for righteousness and strengthened us in our weakness; and gives us courage for our fear, and wisdom for our insufficiency. The church that you have given to us is renewed according to your word and shall operate and function according to your will. Jesus we acknowledge and recognized your spiritual authority over us as the Shepherd and Bishop of our souls. Shalom in Christ Jesus, Amen.
David Daye is a Minister at Progress Church in Toronto, ON.
