INFORMATION ABOUT THIS UNIT
Description
/ Isn’t it amazing that you can get people to volunteer to be involved in pretty much anything at church, except evangelism? They are willing to do courses on evangelism, listen to sermons on evangelism, sit through Bible studies on evangelism…provided they don’t actually have to do any evangelism. Maybe you are one of those people. I hope that over the next four months you find in these lectures a fresh new look at evangelism that encourages you in the task rather than convicts you of past failure, that is biblical rather than pragmatic, that is practical, and that ultimately results in more people hearing about the saving message of the Lord Jesus Christ.Teaching staff
/Lecturer
/ Rev. Andrew PrinceBVSc BTh DipMin MAMin PhD (cand)
Phone
/ Ph: (07) 3870 8355Additional information
/Credit points
/ 4Co/pre-requisites
/ N/ANo. of teaching weeks
/ 13Assessment Summary
/Item
/Details/Due Date
/Weighting
Report / 1,000 wordsDue: 2nd Aug / 20%
Essay / 3,000 words
Due: 6th Sept / 50%
Field work paper / 2000 words
Due: 25th Oct / 30%
STUDENT LEARNING OUTCOMES and UNIT CONTENT
Learning Outcomes
On completion of this unit, students will:Knowledge and understanding / A. know and understand
1. Biblical and theological principles of evangelism
2. Principles and practices of evangelism
3. Historic and contemporary approaches to evangelism
Skills / B. be able to
1. Discuss biblical and theological principles of evangelism
2. Analyse the principles and practice of evangelism
3. Under supervision, participate in evangelistic programs
4. Present a critical evidence-based perspective on evangelism
5. Evaluate historic and contemporary Christian approaches to evangelism
Application / C. be in a position to
1. Integrate perspectives from ‘Principles of Evangelism’ with their other theological and ministry studies
2. Engage in evangelism as a reflective practitioner
Content
Section A: Biblical and Theological Perspectives
1. An examination of evangelistic proclamation in Acts and the other New Testament texts, with attention to what constitutes the gospel message and varied approaches according to audience;
2. Divine sovereignty and human response, faith, conversion and baptism.
3. Motivations for evangelism; the relation of proclamation to meeting human need.
4. Proclamation, witness and presence; the place of evangelism in Christian education and worship.
5. Hindrances to evangelism, including brief consideration of common objections to the gospel.
Section B: Principles of Evangelism
6. The role of the evangelist: the vocation to be an evangelist; lifestyle and message; the role(s) of the congregation in the evangelist’s ministry.
7. Communicating faith: person to person; through relationships; small groups; life networks; earning the right to speak; mass evangelism.
8. Evangelism of various groups: for example, youth, nominal church members, ethnic groups, secular humanists, factory workers.
9. Appropriate evangelistic methods for different situations and contexts (including dialogue meetings, evangelistic church services, distinctive approaches for women and men); examination of two methods of personal evangelism.
Section C: Field Work
10. Personal involvement (with supervision) in not less than 20 hours in specifically evangelistic programs, including at least 5 hours of direct evangelism by the student. These hours exclude preparation and writing up time. This work should include both interpersonal and group contexts, using the methods studied in topic 9. This work should include people known to the student as evangelist, and those unknown. Large group and media settings may also be used.
UNIT TIMETABLE EM524
Week
/Date
/Articles for pre-reading
/Topic
1 / Jul 13 / Session 1- Course introductionSession 2- What is the gospel?
Session 3- The gospel, evangelism and the KOG
2 / Jul 20 / Session 1- What is evangelism?
Session 2- What is evangelism? Reading discussion
Session 3- 2WTL session 1
3 / Jul 27 / Session 1- Biblical basis for evangelism: evangelism in the Old Testament
Session 2- Biblical basis for evangelism: evangelism in the Gospels; Reading discussion
Session 3- 2WTL session 2
4 / Aug 3 / Session 1- Biblical basis for evangelism: evangelism in Acts
Session 2- Biblical basis for evangelism: evangelism in the rest of the New Testament;
Session 3- 2WTL session 3; Reading discussion
5 / Aug 10 / Session 1- The place of evangelism
Session 2- Motivations of evangelism
Session 3- 2WTL session 4; Reading discussion
6 / Aug 16/17 / Session 1-God’s sovereignty in evangelism
Session 2- Evangelism, the Spirit, and prayer
Session 3- 2WTL session 5; reading discussion
7 / Aug 24 / Session 1-Discussion on Readings
Session 2- Pastoral care and the regular life of the church
2WTL session 6
8 / Aug 31 / Personal evangelism practice (Queen street Mall)
9 / Sept 7 / Session 1- Evangelistic methodologies
Session 2- Evangelistic methodologies
Session 3- Personal testimonies
10 / Sept 14 / Session 1- Programs that train people in evangelism
Session 2- Programs that present the gospel
Session 3- Programs that present the gospel
Study week/ holidays
11 / Oct 5 / Session 1-Hindrances to evangelism
Session 2- Apologetics
Session 3- Apologetics
12 / Oct 12 / Session 1- The role of the evangelist
Session 2- Workplace evangelism (CBF)
Session 3- Workplace evangelism (EvMn, AFES)
13 / Oct 19 / No readings / Session 1- Evangelising youth
Session 2- Cross-cultural evangelism (o/seas)
Session 3- Cross-cultural evangelism (TESOL)
Readings (Books)
TEXTBOOKS
Chapman, John. Know and Tell the Gospel. 4th ed. Sydney: Matthias Media, 2005. 269.2 CHA
Coleman, Robert E. The Master Plan of Evangelism. 2nd ed. Abr. Grand Rapids: Spire, 2010. 269.2 COL
Two Ways to Live” Participants manual. Kingsford: Matthias Media.
RECOMMENDED READING
Carson, D.A. and Timothy Keller (ed.) The Gospel as Centre: Renewing our Faith and Reforming Our Ministry Practices. Wheaton: Crossway, 2012. 230.04624 CAR
Dickson, John. Promoting the Gospel. Sydney: Blue Bottle, 2005. 269.2 DIC
Dever, Mark. The Gospel and Personal Evangelism. Wheaton: Crossway, 2007. 248.5 DEV
MacArthur, John (ed.). Evangelism: How to Share the Gospel Faithfully. Nashville: Thomas Nelson, 2011. 269.2 MAC
Assessment for EM524
This applies to students who are enrolled at Diploma and Bachelors level.
Assessment 1
/Item
/ Report: 1,000 wordsDetails/
Due Date
/ Read William Carey, “An Enquiry into the obligation of Christians to use means for the conversion of the heathens.” Analyse the basis for Carey’s argument that Christians are obligated to take the gospel to the nations, taking into account the theological and historical context in which it was written.Due: Tuesday 2nd August, 5.00 pm
Weighting
/ 20%Assessment 2
/Item
/ Essay: 3,500 words/
Details/
Due Date
/ Students are to answer ONE of the following:1. “Creation Care is part and parcel of the Great Commission and the Great Commandment” (Scott Sabin). Critically evaluate this statement, taking into account both ecumenical and evangelical perspectives of evangelism and ecology.
2. Examine the relationship between evangelism and the fate of those who never hear the gospel. What are implications for the Australian church today in the context of a religiously pluralistic society?
3. ‘The social, economic and cultural factors such as housing, health, land rights, alcoholism, cultural breakdown, education and inequality are too insurmountable for effective evangelism to indigenous Australians to occur.’ Outline, analyse and critically evaluate the approach and effectiveness of at least ONE missionary or mission agency that has worked/ is working amongst indigenous Australians. What culturally appropriate additional strategies could they implement?
4. “We can begin effective evangelism now, right where we are. It doesn’t take any further training. We’ve all received the training we need to be effective evangelists if we have spent 6 months in the church and in reading our Bibles. It’s very simple!” (Steve Sjogren, “Extraordinary Lifestyle” in The Complete Evangelism Guidebook, p.44). Assess the validity of this statement in light of current literature and Scripture, including Matt 28:18-20 and 2 Tim 2:1-15.
In the essay students will at least need to do the following:
1. Interact with the Bible. What does the Bible have to say about the issue? Are there applicable theological concepts that can be applied? How has the Bible’s teaching shaped your thinking on the topic?
2. Interact with what others of note have said about the topic (in books, journals, reputable material sourced on the www). You will need to consider different views on your issue rather than just one view/ one way of thinking. What are these people saying about the topic? How has the writing of these people shaped your thinking on the topic?
3. Give your own conclusions. Having weighed the Biblical material and the material from various authors you will need to provide your own (more informed) view.
Due: Tuesday 6th September, 5pm
/
Weighting
/ 50%Assessment 3
/Item
/ Field work reflective paper: 2,000 wordsDetails/
Due Date
/ Students are to write a reflection paper based on 20 hours of evangelistic field work. The paper must reflect upon and analyse your evangelistic experiences in the light of relevant literature on personal evangelism (approx. 4-5 items). There are two things you will need to cover in the reflection paper:1. A journal of what evangelism you actually did (approx. 700 words)
2. Reflections on this evangelism (approx. 1300 words)
The basic idea behind the journal is this. You have done ‘theory’ on evangelism in the class lectures. You have also done ‘practice’ of evangelism during the semester. This reflection paper is meant to try and bring the two together. You do not need to have an abstract for this paper, but you are to include an introduction and conclusion.
Part 1: Incarnational Pre-Evangelism Mission (10 hrs)
You are required to spend time each week in a local community social group, building relationships with people and seeking to serve them as a missionary. As opportunities arise, you may share the gospel with people there.
It should not be somewhere associated with any already established church ministry. Rather, it should be a place where:
a) the same people frequent regularly
b) there is opportunity for social interaction
Examples:
i) A TESOL class- where you are involved in teaching English each week, meeting people etc
ii) A Sporting Club- Eg. Tennis, Soccer, PCYC Club has many options to choose from: Indoor Soccer, Squash, Tap Dancing, kickboxing
iii) Trivia Nights- Often held in clubs and pubs. Great for bringing friends along to, not so great for making new friends
iv) A child’s after-school sport or hobby group- Mingling with other parents at such groups is an ideal place for this activity
v) Toastmasters- Teaches how to do public speaking
vi) A Community Education Class- Various schools and Community centres offers a number of different classes to choose from- eg golf, guitar, cooking Thai, art, dancing, etc etc These courses may cost from $50-$100 for a whole term.
vii) A Book Reading Club
ix) A Community Mothers group
It is ideal to do this task in a small team of 2-3 people from this class, or with another Christian who may not be from this class. You can, however, do it on your own.
Your goals will be:
a) to learn as many people’s names as possible
b) to pray consistently for the people you meet
c) to befriend as many people as possible
d) to befriend especially people of influence- e.g. the manager / teacher/ organiser
e) to seek opportunities to expand the dimensions of the social group, by initiating new experiences for the group, showing hospitality, and sharing life together
e) to respond to any opportunities that arise to share your faith and explain the gospel
Part 2: Direct Evangelism (10 hrs)
For this part you need to be involved in direct evangelism. We will do some of this this together as a class:
(a) Walk-up evangelism in the Queen street mall (a Wednesday morning)
(b) Conversational English class- English Corner (a Tuesday afternoon)
Due: Tuesday 25th October, 5.00 pm
Weighting
/ 30%HOW TO STUDY THIS UNIT
You should allocate approximately 10 hours each week to this unit.
LATE SUBMISSION OF WORK
Please note the ACT Late Penalties Policy (including extensions; see also BST Student Handbook). Failure to submit any individual assignment on time may result in either a late penalty or a zero mark for the assignment.
PASSING THIS UNIT
To pass this unit you must complete and submit each assessment item. You must also attain an overall percentage mark of 50% or more.
PLAGIARISM
Please note the ACT Academic Misconduct Policy (see also BST student handbook) on plagiarism. This is a serious issue and it is your responsibility both to understand what plagiarism includes and to avoid it completely. If you are found to have plagiarised, there will be serious consequences as specified in the BST student handbook.
Penalties for plagiarism are as follows (from ACT Academic Misconduct Policy).
First offence:
Students will be subject to academic counselling, with the maximum penalty being to fail the item with no marks awarded. Where deemed appropriate, the minimum penalty available will be that students may be granted an opportunity to resubmit the assessment with a maximum of 50% for the assessment.
Second offence:
Fail unit, with no remedial opportunity.
Third or major offence:
Exclusion from any award of the ACT, or exclusion from the award for up to two years, or other outcome appropriate to the case but with an impact less serious than exclusion.
In the case of severe plagiarism and/or cheating, a student may be subject to a separate disciplinary process approved by the ACT Academic Board. Colleges are required to immediately report to the ACT Director of Academic Services all offences of wilful academic misconduct, for recording on TAMS.
Graduate Outcomes
Unit: Principles of Evangelism Lecturer: Andrew Prince Year/Semester: 2, 2016
How this unit contributes to the College’s Graduate Attributes:
Attribute / Emphases of UnitStrong Moderate Light / Comment (elaborate in terms of teaching and assessment)
1) Passionate discipleship / √ / The practical nature of this unit will challenge the students as to the reality of their love for Christ, as they rub shoulders with non-Christians in secular environments. The requirement to engage in overtly evangelistic events and activities will be opportunities for students to grow in their faith as God opens doors of opportunity for them and works through them to bless others.
2) Sound knowledge of the Bible / √ / Students will be asked to rethink their understanding of the gospel and evangelism from a biblical basis, and formulate their personal philosophy of evangelism.
3) Humility and faithfulness / √ / Students will be challenged by the often difficult nature of practical evangelism – receiving knockbacks from people doing surveys; difficulties encountered in deepening relationships with non-Christian contacts. The need for perseverance and patience will be a common experience.
4) Communicating the Gospel / √ / Students will be challenged to rethink and practice their method of presenting the gospel, and will be asked to present their testimony. They will also gain direct practical experience of sharing their faith and answering people’s questions.
5) Commitment to mission / √ / The students’ commitment to mission will be directly challenged by requiring them to step out of their comfort zone in significant ways in their own communities. This will challenge them on whether their commitment is just a theoretical one or a real one.
6) Commitment to team ministry /
√ / Students will be strongly encouraged to work in teams as they engage in their pre-evangelistic mission, and realise that their gifts and personalities should be used to complement one another in doing mission together
7) Basic ministry skills /
√ / Students will gain experience in basic skills such as explaining the gospel, answering people’s questions, organising events, showing hospitality, telling their testimony, and running church evangelistic events.
8) Commitment to lifelong learning /
√ / Students will be asked to engage with different philosophies of evangelism, and will be stimulated to appreciate the value of learning from a variety of evangelistic strategies.
Graduate Attributes