Always Always Knowing What Knowing What

to Say:to Say:Tactics in Tactics in

EvangelismEvangelism

Always Always Knowing What Knowing What

to Say:to Say:Tactics in Tactics in

EvangelismEvangelism2 Cor. 5:18-20

• Knowledge: Read the word daily; practice remembering key Bible texts

• An Artful Method: a game plan in conversations in order to “redeem the time”

• Character That Commends the Message: Are we what an outsider would want to become?

Good Ambassadors Have...

• Knowledge: Read the word daily; practice remembering key Bible texts

• An Artful Method: a game plan in conversations in order to “redeem the time”

• Character That Commends the Message: we are what an outsider would want to become

Good Ambassadors Have...

• Jesus asked questions• To discover/reveal their beliefs & motives

• To put Himself in a better position to teach

• Without stating His own position

• Jesus reversed the burden of proof

• He continued to ask questions & exposed a flaw in their lives: rebelliousness

• Jesus never answered their question

Matt. 21:23-27

• Use carefully selected questions to productively advance the conversation

• Tactics are not “tricks” meant to belittle or humiliate; look for an honest heart

• Columbo tactic can be used to...• Lead a conversation to spiritual things

• Answer confrontational, challenging questions

The Columbo Tactic

• Rule of thumb: whoever makes an assertion must back it up with proof

• Step one: Gain information & stay out of the hot seat. Ask, “what do you mean by that?”• “There is no God.”

• “Jesus’ humanity was taken out of the Bible.”

• “All religions are basically the same.”

• “You shouldn’t force your views on people.”

• “The Bible was just written by men.”

The Columbo Tactic

• Step Two: Reverse the burden of proof -- “How did you come to that conclusion?”• “I believe the universe began with a big

bang.”

• “Fossils prove evolution.”

The Columbo Tactic

• Step Three: Exploit a weakness or flaw in their reasoning -- “Have you considered...”• “The natural occurrence of life coming from

non-life.”

• “If the Bible were written by men, how do we account for fulfilled prophecies?”

• “If partial birth abortion is morally acceptable, how do we condemn infanticide?”

• “If Jesus’ claims are wrong, how can we call Him a ‘good’ man?”

The Columbo Tactic

• Ask questions to gain information: What do you mean by that?

• Reverse the burden of proof: How did you come to that conclusion?

• Exploit a weakness or flaw: Maybe you can clear something up for me...Have you considered...?

Summed Up...