This is an article which my husband recently wrote.


Teaching at the Andrew Connally School of Preaching is one of my passions. The class I just concluded reaffirmed this feeling as I had a group of 12 men studying how to better teach the gospel to the lost. This class on Personal Evangelism is one of the most important in equipping these good men for the work which lies before them.

Our Lord also took 12 men, and said: “Come ye after me, and I will make you fishers of men” (Matt. 4:19). There are a number of lessons which might be drawn from the “fishing” motif. One huge problem we have been tackling here in East Africa, is the lack of adequate teaching before a person is led to the waters of baptism. This problem comes from natives, visiting campaigners, and even visiting preachers. Our son Luke has characterized this problem as: “The catch and release program.” Many are familiar with the sport fishing practice of enjoying the experience of catching the fish, but then immediately releasing them back to the water. Sadly, many well intentioned teachers are persuading scores of people to “get baptized” and then they go on their way, uninterrupted in their practice of denominationalism and/or their former ways. In addition to that disturbing conduct, there is sometimes the “reporting” of these vast numbers being added to the Lord, without giving the true picture.

One crucial difference we would like to stress between “fishing for fish” versus “fishing for men.” When fishing for fish, we will try to purposefully trick the fish into taking the bait. In contrast, when one showed interest in following Jesus, he did not try to give them an unrealistic view of discipleship. One man said: “Teacher, I will follow thee whithersoever thou goest” (Matt. 8:19). Jesus responded: “The foxes have holes, and the birds of the heaven have nests; but the Son of man hath not where to lay his head” (Matt. 8:20). Jesus is seeking followers, but only those who understand the commitment He requires. We need to have a balance in sharing both the blessings for those in Christ, as well as the demands placed upon disciples by the Lord.

One chapter heading in a book I have on evangelism is: “The Reaping Mentality- Are we too anxious for the harvest?” Our motives may be good, but often our methods are not. Inadequate teaching is like trying to purposefully have a child born prematurely. Premature birth often results in death for the child. So also in evangelism, if we try to rush the birth (John 3:5), before there is time for hearing and learning to take place (John 6:45) there will be fatalities. The author of the book mentioned above came to this conclusion. “I had expanded my understanding of evangelism to include planting, watering, and cultivating as well as reaping. I learned that evangelism is a process” (Evangelism As A Lifestyle, Jim Petersen, 25). The catch and release program follows the method of using one quick lesson, sometimes shockingly only half an hour, then heading for the water. Usually this pithy lesson centers on only two main points: (1) Baptism is a burial, and (2) Baptism is for the remission of sins.

It should be noted that illustrations, while helpful, often fail to align completely with the reality they are intended to help convey. In reality, inadequate teaching followed by submersion in water is not catching at all. Mormons baptize people for the remission of sins. But who in the Lord’s body is prepared to say that alone adds one to the body of Christ? Jesus said: “Every one that hath heard from the Father, and hath learned, cometh unto me” (John 6:45). If someone has been taught only about baptism, they have not learned adequately, and cannot yet come to the Lord. Remember, about twelve men had been baptized, but had not been taught properly, and therefore needed to be “re-baptized” (Acts 19:1-7). This Bible example clearly shows that even if someone is taught about immersion in water for the remission of sins (such was John’s baptism, Mark 1:4) that alone does not make their baptism valid. If we truly love the souls of lost humanity, we will be more concerned about true conversions to Christ, than merely reporting numbers to supporters.

In my class at ACSOP the students were encouraged to make personal evangelism personal. That is, each person must be taken from where they are in their knowledge and brought by teaching to a proper understanding. Each class must be personalized. Some prospective converts will require more teaching than others.

One aspect of training men which inspires me to give it more attention is the fact that I myself am limited, but the students have few of my limitations. They speak the native tongue fluently, they know the culture, and the thought processes of their fellows. But perhaps more importantly, they are many and I am one! If I go house to house, I may reach a few. But if I prepare others, they may go on to reach a multitude!

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3Jn 1:4 "I have no greater joy than to hear that my children are walking in the truth."

Awesome and how true. I have the opportunity to study with people after their initial study and it is amazing how little they know and how the teacher does not connect the dots and explain to them what God's law/rules/love is and what is expected of them. I appreciate this article and everyone needs to re-read it from time to time. Great job George.

Jim

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Romans 3:3-4
1 Timothy 4:16
2 Timothy 2:21
2 Timothy 4:5

So true. From a discussion about new converts, one participant observed that "lifestyle change", implied from Luke 13:3, needs to be emphasized. Brethren need to encourage Bible study among all concerned, in order for all to "grow in the grace and knowledge".

Excellent work your husband did, Joy. The brethren here read it when the bulletin about the work in Tanzania came in the mail. Thanks for sharing.

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"that in all things he might have the preeminence." Colossians 1:18