Evangelism – 4MS508 RTS – Atlanta Dr. James Saxon Summer of 2010 Course Title – Evangelism and Soul-winning (4MS508) Class Schedule: Four days - June 16-19, 2010. All day practicum – Saturday, June 19th, 9-3pm. Purpose of the Course – To help believers fulfill the mandate of II Tim 4:5 - “Do the work of an evangelist, (and) fulfill your ministry.” Course Description – This Evangelism Training Course is designed to be a practical overview of the ministry of evangelism and soul winning. It is structured to cover the fundamental aspects of the biblical paradigm for evangelism as well as to equip and to train students to actively engage our culture for soul-winning purposes. The atmosphere will be one of highly interactive learning designed to develop in students a balance of knowledge (learning), understanding (equipping), and wisdom (engaging) in the fine art of soul-winning. Course Objectives: The overall goal of the class is to stir our zeal for evangelism, root it in the soil of biblical content, and ground it on the foundation of sound theology. To build confidence to overcome the natural fears inherent in doing evangelism. To de-mystify evangelism and make it practical and understandable. To learn insights, approaches, and practices in evangelism that are current and relevant to reaching lost people in today’s culture. To learn a comprehensive view of evangelism as a process, not as point action. Topics to be Covered: The Biblical Basis for Evangelism Introduction and Overview God’s Heart for the Lost – OT God’s Heart for the Lost – NT God’s Commission to the Church God’s Sovereignty in Soul-Winning Man’s Responsibility in Soul-Winning The Fine Points of Soul-Winning The Identity of the Soul-winner Pitfalls in Soul-winning – The Apostolic Paradigm God’s Plan for Soul-winning Mastering Basic Skills – The Key to Building Confidence The Art of a Good Testimony Winning a Soul – How it Usually LooksThe Evangelism Process Understanding the Primary Target Group Finding the Open Door Effectively Presenting the Gospel Inviting a Person to Receive Christ Follow-up of New Believers Positioning Growing Believers to Press on to Maturity Course Requirements: Class attendance and interaction – 25% of the final grade – this includes active participation in the Saturday field project. Reading of Assigned Texts - 25% of the final grade - see the list below – Each assigned reading requires a one page single spaced report highlighting the main theses as well as key principles, insights, and practices gathered from the reading. Final Exam – 2 Parts – 50% of the final grade – this must be completed in a timely manner Oral – Evaluates how well the student compiles and articulates a written draft of the student’s salvation testimony. 25% of the final grade Written – A final exam that evaluates each student’s understanding of the content of the course lectures – 25% of the final grade REQUIRED READING: Sjogren, Steve, Dave Ping and Doug Pollock. Irresistible Evangelism (Loveland, CO: Group Publishers, 2004). Report due by – 7/31. Packer, J.I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 1961). Report due by – 7/31. Rainer, Thom S. The Unchurched Next Door (Grand Rapids, MI: Zondervan, 2003). Report due by – 7/31. Book of Acts – Read Devotionally - Journal entry of readings with a one sentence summary of the heartbeat of each chapter. Due – 7/31. *All Reports are due by July 31st but can be turned in before the due date.Recommended Reading (choose ONE of the following - Report due by –7/31) Barna, George. Evangelism That Works – How to Reach Changing Generations With The Unchanging Gospel (Venture, CA: Regal, 1995). Comfort, Ray. Hell’s Best Kept Secret – Discover the Crucial Key Needed to Unlock the Unbeliever’s Heart (New Kensington, PA: Whitaker House, n.d.). Covell, Jim & Karen and Victorya Michaels Rogers. How to Talk About Jesus Without Freaking Out (Sisters, OR: Multnomah Publishers, 2000). Douglas, J.D. e.d. Let The Earth Hear His Voice (Minneapolis, MN: World Wide Publications, 1975). Fay, William. Share Jesus Without Fear (Nashville, TN: Broadman & Holman Publishers, 1999). Kromminga, Carl G. Bringing God’s News to Neighbors (Nutley, NJ: Presbyterian and Reformed Publishing Company, 1976). Kuiper, R.B. God-Centered Evangelism (London, England: The Banner of Truth and Trust, 1961). Metzger, Will Tell The Truth – The Whole Gospel to the Whole Person by Whole People (Downers Grove, IL: InterVarsity Press, 2002). Parrish, Archie. Impact Your World – How to Pray With Kingdom Focus So That Your Family, Associates and Neighbors Are Gripped With The Gospel (Atlanta, GA: Serve International, 2001). Wagner, C. Peter e.d. with Win Arn and Elmer Towns. Church Growth – State of the Art (Wheaton, IL: Tyndale House Publishers, 1998). Webber, Robert E. Ancient-Future Evangelism: Making Your Church a Faith-Forming Community (Grand Rapids, MI: Baker Books, 2003).READING REPORT GUIDELINES Your Name Please limit your report to one typed, single- Course Title & Number spaced page, and one paragraph per topic Professor (Overview, Critique, Application) Date Title of Book Complete Bibliographic Reference Overview – Give a brief overview of the book, including its theme, perspective and approach. Critique – Offer a brief critique of the book, including elements of strength and weakness. Application – Offer some specific application to your own ministry – demonstrating the value and relevance of the material in this book. Best Quote – Be sure to include the page number where the quote can be found. Did you read the entire book though fully (not merely skimmed)? Yes___ No___ % Read (0-100)Teacher/Professor: Dr. James Saxon, is an ordained PCA minister since 1979, and has actively served in the pastorate for the last 30 years. He was converted to Christ at the age of twenty while a student at the University of Alabama. His conversion was so dramatic that he decided against going into the business world with his Marketing Degree and instead began pursuit of his call to ministry by enrolling in RTS, Jackson in the summer of 1975. After