📖 Evangelism — Unit 6: Methods, Styles, and Misunderstandings in Evangelism

Chapala Theological Seminary · Dr. Wayne Cook, Author and Professor · Dr. Ted Rogers, Seminary Director

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The Certificate track answers the multiple choice. The Associate adds the fill-in-the-blank questions; M.Div. and Th.M. add those and the short-answer questions. 90% of each part is required to pass.

Orientation: Tools, Not the Message

Throughout church history, believers have developed many methods to communicate the gospel. Some have proven helpful; others have produced confusion or superficial response. Methods are tools — not the message. The gospel does not change, but the way it is presented may vary with the situation, the individual, and the leading of the Spirit. This unit examines a primary structured method (CWT), the seven styles by which different believers naturally witness, and the common misunderstandings that turn methods into masters.

I. The Proper Place of Methods

Paul demonstrated flexibility in approach while maintaining consistency in message: "I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some" (1 Corinthians 9:22, NKJV). The message is fixed; the method may vary. Reliance must always be on God: "our sufficiency is from God" (2 Corinthians 3:5, NKJV). Methods serve the message; they do not replace it. A well-crafted presentation can help a new believer share his faith clearly. A structured approach can prevent awkwardness or omission. But when the method becomes the focus, the evangelist trusts the tool rather than the Spirit.

II. Structured Evangelism: An Introduction to CWT

Structure does not replace the Spirit; it gives the believer a reliable path from ordinary conversation to a clear presentation. The most complete and time-tested structure in our tradition is Continuous Witness Training (CWT). The outline below has been used effectively by thousands of believers around the world.

III. Continuous Witness Training (CWT) — A Complete Gospel Presentation

Two Questions

➤ Have you come to a place in your life that you know for certain you have eternal life and will go to heaven when you die?

➤ Suppose you were standing before God right now and He asked you, "Why should I let you into my heaven?" What would you say?

God's Purpose

God loves us and has a purpose for our lives. The Bible states it this way: "For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life" (John 3:16, NKJV). God's purpose is that we have eternal life.

  • God gives eternal life as a gift. "…the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:23, NKJV)
  • We can live a full and meaningful life right now. "I have come that they may have life, and that they may have it more abundantly." (John 10:10, NKJV)
  • We will spend eternity with Jesus in heaven. "…I go to prepare a place for you… I will come again and receive you to Myself; that where I am, there you may be also." (John 14:3, NKJV)

Our Need

As we search for meaning in life, we discover that our sinful nature keeps us from fulfilling God's purpose for our lives.

  • We are all sinners by nature and by choice. "for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" (Rom. 3:23, NKJV).
  • We cannot save ourselves. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God, not of works, lest anyone should boast" (Eph. 2:8–9, NKJV).
  • We deserve death and hell. "For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord." (Rom. 6:23, NKJV)

God's Provision

God is holy and just and must punish sin. Yet He loves us and provides forgiveness for our sin. Jesus said, "I am the way, the truth, and the life. No one comes to the Father except through Me" (John 14:6, NKJV).

  • Jesus is God and became man. "In the beginning was the Word, and the Word was with God, and the Word was God" (John 1:1, NKJV). "And the Word became flesh and dwelt among us" (John 1:14, NKJV).
  • Jesus died for us on the cross. "For Christ also suffered once for sins, the just for the unjust, that He might bring us to God" (1 Pet. 3:18, NKJV).
  • Jesus was resurrected (arose) from the dead and is alive today. "who was delivered up because of our offenses, and was raised because of our justification" (Romans 4:25, NKJV). "For the death that He died, He died to sin once for all; but the life that He lives, He lives to God" (Romans 6:10, NKJV).
  • God, through His Holy Spirit, calls us to Himself. "No one can come to Me unless the Father who sent Me draws him; and I will raise him up at the last day" (John 6:44, NKJV).

Our Response

The only way Jesus can affect our lives is for us to receive Him. The Bible says, "But as many as received Him, to them He gave the right to become children of God, to those who believe in His name" (John 1:12, NKJV).

  • We must repent of our sin. "Repent therefore and be converted, that your sins may be blotted out" (Acts 3:19, NKJV).
    ‣ Repentance is not just feeling sorry for our sin. Paul said, "…that they should repent, turn to God, and do works befitting repentance" (Acts 26:20, NKJV).
    ‣ Repentance is turning away from our sin and turning to God through Jesus.
  • We must place our faith in Jesus. "For by grace you have been saved through faith, and that not of yourselves; it is the gift of God" (Eph. 2:8, NKJV).
    ‣ Faith is not just believing facts about Jesus. "You believe that there is one God. You do well. Even the demons believe—and tremble!" (Jas. 2:19, NKJV).
    ‣ Faith is trusting in Jesus. "For the Scripture says, 'Whoever believes on Him will not be put to shame'" (Rom. 10:11, NKJV).
  • We must surrender to Jesus as Lord. "that if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. For with the heart one believes unto righteousness, and with the mouth confession is made unto salvation" (Rom. 10:9–10, NKJV).
    ‣ Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is not just saying we give our lives to Jesus (Matt. 7:21, NKJV).
    ‣ Surrendering to Jesus as Lord is giving Jesus control of our lives.

My Commitment

Giving Jesus control is something each person must do for himself or herself. No one else can make this decision for you. Jesus says, "Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me" (Rev. 3:20, NKJV).

  • Does what we have been discussing make sense to you?
  • Is there any reason you would not be willing to receive God's gift of eternal life?
  • Are you willing to turn from your sin, place your faith in Jesus, and give Him control of your life right now?

If you are willing to receive Jesus into your life now, you can invite Him in by prayer. You may use the following prayer or a similar one using your own words:

"Dear Lord Jesus, I believe You are the Son of God and died to forgive me of my sins. I know I have sinned. I ask You to forgive me. I turn from my sins, and I receive You as my Lord and Savior. Thank You for saving me. I want to live for You the rest of my life. Amen."

IV. The Seven Styles of Evangelism

While CWT gives a structure, the New Testament shows that the Spirit equips different believers in different ways. Not every Christian will witness the same way. Seven recognizable styles emerge from Scripture, each with its own biblical model and its own gift. The wise believer identifies the style that fits the temperament God gave him while learning from the others.

1. The Harvesting Evangelist. The Spirit-gifted preacher who calls clearly and directly for decision. Most pastors and itinerant evangelists serve here. The danger is two distortions: the "Salesman" who pressures, and the "Grim Reaper" who threatens. Done rightly, harvesting is the bold, clear public invitation to receive Christ.
2. The Confrontational Style. Peter at Pentecost: "Men of Israel, hear these words… Him, being delivered by the determined purpose and foreknowledge of God, you have taken by lawless hands, have crucified, and put to death" (Acts 2:22–23, NKJV). Three thousand were cut to the heart. Chuck Colson later said it was "high time some of you faced the music." This style speaks the hard truth in love and refuses to soften the offense of the cross. Its danger is harshness; its strength is candor.
3. The Apologist (Intellectual) Style. Apollos "vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ" (Acts 18:28, NKJV). Paul reasoned on Mars Hill (Acts 17). Josh McDowell, an atheist who set out to disprove Christianity, became a believer and wrote Evidence That Demands a Verdict. The Apologist meets the skeptic with answers. Its strength is reasoned defense; its danger is winning the argument and losing the soul.
4. The Testimonial Style. The blind man in John 9, examined by hostile theologians, said, "One thing I know: that though I was blind, now I see" (John 9:25, NKJV). He could not debate; he could only testify. Personal story is its own evidence. Every believer has a testimony; this style simply tells it.
5. The Relational Style. The Gerasene demoniac, after deliverance, was sent home: "Go home to your friends, and tell them what great things the Lord has done for you, and how He has had compassion on you" (Mark 5:19, NKJV). Most evangelism still happens this way — across the dinner table, the cubicle wall, the family room. Trust precedes truth; relationship opens the door for the gospel.
6. The Invitational Style. The Samaritan woman left her waterpot, ran to the city, and said, "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" (John 4:29, NKJV). She did not preach; she invited. "Come and see." Many believers who feel unequipped to explain can still invite — to a service, a Bible study, a meal with a pastor, a moment of investigation.
7. The Serving Style. Dorcas "was full of good works and charitable deeds" (Acts 9:36, NKJV), making garments for widows. Barnabas — the Son of Encouragement — went looking for needs and met them. Service preaches when words cannot. Its question is, "How can I help?" — and the help becomes the platform from which the gospel is finally heard.

These seven are not rivals. They are complementary. A church needs all seven, and most believers find themselves naturally drawn to two or three. The Spirit gifts differently; the gospel is one.

V. The Danger of Mechanical Evangelism

When method becomes rigid, evangelism loses sensitivity. A believer may follow a script so closely that he fails to listen to the person in front of him. Jesus did not follow a fixed script; He adapted to each individual. Mechanical evangelism treats people as projects rather than image-bearers. The solution is not to abandon structure but to hold it loosely, allowing the Spirit to guide the conversation.

VI. Tract Evangelism — The Philip Model

A tract can be a helpful tool when used properly. Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch provide the model: Philip ran to him, heard him reading Isaiah, and then "preached Jesus to him" (Acts 8:35, NKJV). The eunuch had Scripture but needed a teacher. A tract should be used in conversation, not merely dropped like an anonymous leaflet. The believer should offer to read it together, explain the verses, and answer questions. Used this way, a tract becomes an extension of personal witness, not a substitute for it.

VII. The Misunderstanding of Results

Pressure leads to superficial response. Jesus warned, "Not everyone who says to Me, 'Lord, Lord,' shall enter the kingdom of heaven" (Matthew 7:21, NKJV). A decision made under emotional pressure may not be a genuine conversion. Methods that count professions without examining fruit mislead. Faithful evangelism aims for conversion, not merely profession. The evangelist must be willing to let a person walk away rather than press him into a false assurance.

VIII. Conclusion: Methods as Servants — The Carpenter and His Tools

A carpenter has many tools — hammers, saws, levels, squares. Each tool serves a purpose. But the carpenter does not praise the tools; he uses them. If he becomes enamored with his hammer and forgets the design of the house, the house will be poorly built. The tools are servants, not masters. So it is with evangelistic methods and styles. They are useful servants, but they must never become the object of confidence. The skill belongs to the Spirit; the design belongs to God. The evangelist simply takes up the tools and works, trusting the Master Builder for the result. As Paul concluded, "I planted, Apollos watered, but God gave the increase" (1 Corinthians 3:6, NKJV).

Prayer: Lord, teach us to use methods as tools, not idols, and styles as gifts, not boundaries. Give us wisdom to know when to speak and when to listen, when to confront and when to serve, when to reason and when to testify. Free us from manipulation and superficiality. May the gospel itself remain Your power unto salvation. In Jesus' name, Amen.

Unit 6 Final Exam

Certificate track: Section A (multiple choice) required at 90%; Section B (short answer) optional. Associate: Section A and the 10 fill-in-the-blank questions, each at 90%.

M.Div./Th.M. track: Section A, the fill-in-the-blank questions and Section B, each at 90%, independently.

📖 Course Readings — Required and Honors
Certificate and Associate: honors is optional. Read any three of the five selections for honors; no separate required-reading exam is needed.

M.Div. and Th.M.: all five assigned readings are part of the course. Their separate exam is required after activation; see its page for the current rule. Honors remains optional and does not replace the exam.

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