Sunday, May 24, 2015
Relational Evangelism
I just finished a course on Evangelism through Northwest Nazarene University, my alma mater, taught by Robert Luhn. I didn't have very high expectations of this continuing education course but it had a very big impact on me. We talked about a lot of different issues ranging from motivations for evangelism, narrative, table fellowship, power evangelism, and being the message.
I think the most surprising part of this course was power evangelism. This is where I interacted with ideas consistent with a dear friend living overseas who had already told me about the ways that God is moving. It seems that people are pulling away from their classical Protestant roots of thinking that God only speaks through scripture. Both forces have begun to open me up to this avenue.
My friend whom I mentioned previously has been coaching me a little bit on how to pray in a way that I might be able to hear God's voice. I was focusing on hearing actual sentences and nothing happened but as I've thought more in terms of images, even I've had some curious experiences.
Much of those experiences seem to center around one place on the campus where I teach. There are numerous benches (Ironically, I think I've seen students making out there), lots of trees and the place is mostly green. For me it has become a sanctuary.
Last week, I went for a run, something I haven't done for a long time but was motivated to do because my back was hurting, possibly from holding Uri (my six-month-old boy) so much. I didn't really plan the route but it just worked out that I came across my "sanctuary". When I came to that place I had such a sense of God's presence. I just sat there as I felt the energy. Before I left, I sang a song I learned as a teenager that goes like this:
Lord, prepare me
to be a sanctuary
pure and holy,
trite and true.
With thanksgiving,
I'll be a living
sanctuary,
for you.
As I left that place, I felt as if God was saying, "Where are you going? I'll be right here."
Unfortunately, last week I was busy with the class I took but now that I have finished that I hope to return to that place and be able to hear God's voice so that I can know God more and tell others about God. They need God's grace and so do I.
Thank you, Dear Friend!
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6 comments:
For specific answers to specific questions such as Should I take this job?, or What should I preach on this morning? God can reveal some things outside scripture. But for general revelation about God, when one leaves the Bible he is opening himself up to demonic activity. Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth. John 17:17
What a pleasant surprise, Uncle Kenneth! I do believe this is our first interaction in years aside from a recent confrontational issue. I'm only responding to you now because I haven't checked my blog in a while and apparently I'm not set up to receive an e-mail when someone comments.
I agree with you that scripture has to be the foundation by which we measure our experiences. As a Wesleyan, I believe that scripture is primary, and that we can also see what the Church has affirmed in unity in spite of its diversity, along with our experiences and reason to verify or negate whether our experiences are of God. But the notion that God can only speak through scripture has sometimes led us (erroneously) to think that God does not work in our world today.
Regarding truth, I don't think that Jesus was limiting "God's truth" to what we know as the bible today but certainly it is a part of it. I guess I better do an exegetical paper on this topic, eh?
Much learning doth made thee mad. Now, I don't mean that as a compliment (Paul was not mad, but you are). Just stick with the Bible is my advice. You have been so confused with all your "learning". I'm sorry I encouraged or contributed in any way to your "education". I don't like the rift between us, but you have gone on such an unBiblical road. I don't know how (other than praying for you, and we do) to pull you out of the fire. "If the foundations be destroyed, what can the righteous do?" Psalm 11:3
Thank you.:)
Don't mention it. You sure are quick to respond:) I think it's a good policy you have of checking your social media at least once every two years. I mean, a lot can happen, and it's good to keep on top of it like you do. Of course your wife does facebook, or you do, or somebody that sounds like you does.
Yeah, she doesn't do much with it so I spend more time on it since I don't have my own Facebook account. I haven't done anything on it recently, which means I'm getting other things done. Keep in touch.
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