EMBRACE AND ENGAGE THE WONDER OF EVANGELISM

ED NEWTON

EMBRACE AND ENGAGE THE WONDER OF EVANGELISM

ED NEWTON

LifeWay Press® Nashville, TN

© 2015 LifeWay Press® No part of this work may be reproduced or transmitted in any form or by any means, electronic or mechanical, including photocopying and recording, or by any information storage or retrieval system, except as may be expressly permitted in writing by the publisher. Requests for permission should be addressed in writing to LifeWay Press, One LifeWay Plaza, Nashville, TN 37234-0144. ISBN: 9781430041450 Item number: P005737561 Dewey Decimal Classification Number: 248.83 Subject Heading: CHRISTIAN LIFE \ STUDENTS \ EVANGELISM Printed in the United States of America Student Ministry Publishing LifeWay Church Resources One LifeWay Plaza Nashville, TN 37234-0144 We believe that the Bible has God for its author; salvation for its end; and truth, without any mixture of error, for its matter and that all Scripture is totally true and trustworthy. To review LifeWay’s doctrinal guideline, please visit www.lifeway.com/doctrinalguideline. Scripture taken from the Holy Bible, NEW INTERNATIONAL VERSION®. Copyright © 1973, 1978, 1984 by Biblica, Inc. All rights reserved worldwide. Used by permission. Scripture Copyright © 1999, 2000, 2002, 2003, 2009 by Holman Bible Publishers. Used by permission. Holman Christian Standard Bible® and HCSB® are federally registered trademarks of Holman Bible Publishers.

TABLE OF

CONTENTS AUTHOR’S NOTE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 4 MY PICTURE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 5 MY PROMISE . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 13 MY PROBLEM . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 21 MY POWER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 29 MY PERSECUTION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 37 MY PREPARATION . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 45 MY PRACTICAL . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 53 MY PRAYER . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 63 ABOUT THE AUTHOR . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . . 71

AUTHOR’S NOTE June 6, 2003 changed my life. First, my oldest daughter, London Ellese Newton, was born. In a moment, I had become a dad. My life was forever changed! It was the happiest and most emotional day of my life, and I couldn’t wait to share the good news with everyone I met. I proclaimed the news of London’s birth to pretty much anyone who happened to cross my path: family, friends, medical staff, even the hospital custodial staff. My joy in sharing the good news even continued when I left the hospital on a search for real food. After several days of eating out of hospital vending machines, I had to eat something else—and fast! But is was late at night and almost every restaurant was closed. Finally, I found a KFC™ that was still open. I pulled into the drive-thru with a giddy, I’vejust-become-a-dad grin frozen on my face, placed my order, and pulled forward to pay. The employee greeted me with the total amount of my bill, and I just said it. “I became a dad today!” I exclaimed. “Excuse me?” she questioned. So, I tried again. “I became a dad today!” No response. I’d just shared the best news of my life and this woman’s expression didn’t even change. She simply handed me my food and told me to have a nice day. How could she not rejoice in the happy news I’d just shared, I wondered. Then, the Holy Spirit began to work in my heart and soul. Why was I so passionate about sharing the miracle of my daughter’s birth, but not about sharing the way to be born again spiritually? And why was I not heartbroken that most people responded to the gospel just like that KFC employee had responded to my good news, apathetically shrugging it off as if it wasn’t important or life-changing? I parked the car and pictured what the next few days were going to be like. I knew that I would be sharing pictures of London and initiating conversations with everyone I met, telling them the wonderful news that I was now a dad. In that moment I also realized that as a believer, I had the greatest news anyone can ever hear—that Jesus had lived a sinless life, died for our sins, and be raised to life so that we could be liberated from sin and enjoy eternal life. And that was news I needed to share. Right then, I prayed that God would help me to eagerly and joyfully share the gospel with every person He placed in my path. Out of that desire came this study. My prayer is that through the My 8 journey, you discover that God has set His affection on you, drawn you to Himself, and given you the great privilege of sharing the good news of His gospel with the world. I want you to embrace and engage the wonder of evangelism so that together we can change the world, one person at a time. —Ed Newton

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MY 8

SESSION 1

MY PICTURE Then I heard the voice of the Lord saying: Who should I send? Who will go for Us? I said: Here I am. Send me. ISAIAH 6:8

STUDENT BOOK

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WATCH As you watch the Session 1 DVD, complete the viewer guide below. 1. Evangelism is not just a request, it’s a ________________ from Scripture. 2. God could have chosen to spell out the gospel in the sky, but instead He has chosen to use ________ and ________. 3. The four key verses in the My 8 strategy are: 1. 2. 3. 4. 4. Isaiah 6:8: The calling on our lives to make Christ known is not ________________, but __________________. 5. Matthew 28: ______________________ serves as the fuel for evangelism. 6. Acts 1:8: What (or Who) is the power source for evangelism? The _________ ___________. 7. A  cts 8: Acts 8 is a practical look at the _____________ __________________ God has given you to share the gospel.

Additional Notes:

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MY 8

STARTING THOUGHTS Are you able to see the image hidden in an autostereogram? Perhaps you’re struggling to just pronounce the word, nevertheless see the picture hidden in one. Autostereograms are pictures that just seem to be a series of colors and patterns, but if you look long enough, another image begins to form. For some people, the hidden image is easy to see, while others can’t see it at all. Think about a time when a friend could see something you couldn’t—whether the image in an autostereogram, the truth of someone’s character, or the consequences of the actions you were about to take. Describe that situation.

Sometimes, what’s apparent or true isn’t necessarily easy to see. It’s not hidden, but rather just not evident to you, like the FedEx® arrow wasn’t evident to me. But once you see it, what are you likely to do? That’s right, pass it on. In a conversation with a friend or acquaintance, you’ll probably find a way to share the insight you recently gained. There’s a chance the person you’re talking to may have already noticed whatever it is you’ve just come to understand. But what if that person reacts with enthusiasm and excitement because you’ve just shared information about something he or she has never understood? In all likelihood, the cycle will continue. The person you enlightened will enlighten someone else. In essence, you’ve come to understand something vitally important that was once veiled to you. Now it’s so clear that it’s like a glaring neon sign you’ll never overlook for the rest of your life. With that in mind, think about this: How does this apply to sharing the gospel? For many people, the gospel has been veiled. They may know something about the gospel, but they’ve never come to a moment where they really understood it. For many people, the truth of the gospel is veiled because we, as believers, have come to the false conclusion that everyone in our circle of influence has either heard of or received our Jesus. But that’s not the case. Does that describe you? Have you—consciously or subconsciously—decided not to share the gospel with someone because you assume that everyone you know has already heard? What’s the danger in that kind of thinking? It’s my prayer for you that the joy of knowing Jesus would lead to a zeal for others to know your Jesus. I pray that zeal would drive you to unashamedly proclaim Him. This is the beauty of evangelism: your life divinely and intentionally colliding with those who God has placed in your path who need to hear what you have seen and experienced in Jesus. STUDENT BOOK

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CLOSER LOOK Now, before we journey on, here’s another challenge for you:

• What’s the common denominator in these four Scripture passages: Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; and Acts 8?

My intent isn’t to be mystical or mysterious, but the answer may be a little like those autostereograms you read about earlier—apparent, but not evident just yet. It’s the reason this study has eight sessions, eight Scripture references to memorize, and eight eight-minute sermonette video clips to watch. So, what is it? Jot your answer here. The answer? It’s the number 8. Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; and Acts 8. Before we go any further, here’s a disclaimer: I don’t believe that the chapter and verse references of the Bible are inspired by God. Actually, the chapter and verse organization we’re so familiar with in the Bible didn’t come on the scene until 1227 A.D. So while these numbers aren’t inspired, they do present an interesting phenomenon—one I hope will serve as a battle cry to help God’s people return to the joy of sharing Jesus.

Isaiah 6:8

Let’s take a quick look at these four important passages, starting with Isaiah 6:1-7. Read it in your Bible, then answer the questions that follow. • Who did Isaiah encounter in this passage? Why is that important?

• Describe or sketch the scene Isaiah witnessed.

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MY 8

• Words and phrases are repeated in Scripture for emphasis. Underline the repeated words or phrases in this passage. Why are they significant? What do they teach you about God? About His glory and holiness?

• Look at verse 5. How did Isaiah respond to his encounter with our holy God? Why did he respond this way? Explain.

The holiness of God consumed His throne room. The seraphim praised God’s holiness, and it was seeing God in all His glory and holiness that caused Isaiah to fall on his face before God crying “Woe is me!” Now, direct your attention to Isaiah 6:7 in your Bible. • How did God respond to Isaiah’s confession? Explain.

• Underline the word “your” every time it is used in Isaiah 6:7. Why is this word significant? Explain.

God responded to Isaiah’s confession with forgiveness. When Isaiah recognized his sinfulness, he called out to God, and God responded with grace and mercy, cleansing him of his guilt and freeing him from the bondage of sin. To symbolize that cleansing, the seraphim touched a burning coal to Isaiah’s lips. When you and I see God for who He is and ourselves for who we are not, then we will see the chasm of our sin and the utter hopelessness it creates. Because of our sin, you and I— like Isaiah—stand guilty before a holy God, and there is nothing we can do through our own effort or power to make ourselves clean, righteous, or pleasing to Him. But, as a Christian, He has shown you the same grace and mercy He extended to Isaiah and given you freedom from sin. Your sin and shame are gone, taken away through Jesus’ all-sufficient sacrifice. • Turn your attention to Isaiah 6:8. Journal it here.

• What did God do after cleansing Isaiah from his sin?

• How did Isaiah’s cleansing prepare him for God’s call?

STUDENT BOOK

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• What was Isaiah’s response to God’s call? How is this an appropriate response to God’s work of salvation in our lives? Explain.

Isaiah had no clue how this vision would end. All Isaiah knew was that his guilt had caused God’s judgment to be unleashed. This prompted Isaiah’s heart cry of “I am wrecked and ruined.” But God acted according to His mercy and grace to forgive and cleanse Isaiah, who responded to God’s call in obedience: “Here am I! Send me!” When we confess our sin and place our faith for salvation in Jesus, God’s grace covers our sin and brings us from spiritual death to life. When you have experienced that transformation, there is only one appropriate response to God’s call: Here am I! Send me.

Matthew 28:18-20

Isaiah 6:8 shows us what it means to be arrested by grace, but don’t stop there. Read Matthew 28:18-20 in your Bible. • You’re probably familiar with this passage. It’s usually called the Great Commission and details what Jesus called His followers to do. In your own words, list what He instructed us to do.

Read Matthew 28:17 to learn more about the context of Jesus' call for His followers to make disciples.

Jesus had died on the cross and been raised to life, defeating sin and death once and for all. The risen Lord had appeared to nearly 500 eyewitnesses, some of whom responded with worship and others with doubt, according to Matthew 28:17. Those who received Jesus’ mandate to “go into all the world” would do so in an attitude of worship. John Piper was spot-on in his book Let the Nations Be Glad when he wrote that worship fuels our evangelism. Jesus’ command in the Great Commission will become exhausting if we are not fueled by awe for the only God who can remove our wickedness and atone for our sin. If we have not been arrested by grace, then we will seek to fulfill Jesus’ directive in Matthew 28 through our own power and effort—and the results will be futile and have no lasting effect.

Acts 1:8

So far, we’ve learned that when we experience God’s grace and mercy, we respond in obedience that is fueled by worship and awe for the holy God who has saved us. But we must be moved from worship to actually engaging people with the gospel. And Acts 1:8 sheds some light on how that happens.

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MY 8

• Read Acts 1:8. Write it here.

• There are several key words and phrases in this passage, but what would you say is the first key word? Why did you pick that word?

The word is power. This power guided Jesus throughout His ministry, led Him to the cross, then raised Him from the dead. This same power now lives in us. • How do we receive this power?

It’s important to recognize this isn’t a power we summon. We receive this power in the form of a person, the Holy Spirit. Whether or not we choose to embrace and engage the wonder of evangelism hinges upon our willingness to submit to the leadership of the Holy Spirit. When we tune our hearts to the fullness of the Holy Spirit in our lives, we are able to walk in the supernatural and the unexplainable. We are able to share the gospel and see lives transformed.

Acts 8:26-39

Finally, we arrive in Acts 8, where these three components of grace (Isa. 6:8), worship (Matt. 28:18-20), and power (Acts 1:8) culminate with a grand crescendo celebration. The story of Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch in Acts 8 is a masterful portrayal of what is required to live out the My 8 call on your life. Read Acts 8:26-39 in your Bible. Summarize it here.

At the heart of Acts 8 is a majestic moment when the Holy Spirit brings about the divine collision between Philip and the Ethiopian eunuch. While the Ethiopian man was reading a passage from Isaiah that points to Jesus’ substitutionary sacrifice, Philip approached his chariot and asked a simple question. That interaction led to Acts 8:35: “then Philip opened his mouth, and beginning with this Scripture he told him the good news about Jesus.” It was the Holy Spirit who placed Philip there to help the eunuch come to a clear understanding of the Word of God, which transformed his life. This will be the case for us, too, when we see evangelism no longer as an obligation, but as a beautiful opportunity. • Do you think this kind of encounter can happen in your life? Explain.

STUDENT BOOK

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N E XT STEPS

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Review

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is God’s power for

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My 8 List

1. Person who ca 2.

me to mind:

salvation to everyone who believes, first to the Jew, and also to the Greek.

3. 4. 5. 6. 7. MY 8

A fter each session, you' ll be challenged to e memorize a vers is Th e. ur of Script week, focus on Romans 1:16:

the gospel, because it

•

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Scripture Memory

8.

WHO ARE YOUR 8? What if you started to prepare for your daily life the way you prepare for a mission trip? What if you regarded every encounter, every interaction, and every conversation as an opportunity to share the gospel? What if evangelism wasn’t a duty, but something you felt compelled to do? That’s the challenge of My 8, an eight-session study for students. My 8 isn’t a how-to manual or just another evangelism strategy. This study will help students understand both the heart and how-to of evangelism, challenging them to share their faith out of a deep desire to see the lost come to faith in Christ. Centered around four passages of Scripture—Isaiah 6:8; Matthew 28:18-20; Acts 1:8; and Acts 8—My 8 will guide students to identify eight people in their lives who need Christ and commit to pray for them faithfully. In addition, students will be challenged to memorize eight verses of Scripture that will help them biblically share the gospel in those divine appointments God has designed for them. My 8 is not just another study to check off the list, but a lifelong invitation to embrace and engage the wonder of evangelism. ALSO AVAILABLE My 8 Student Book (item 005737561) and Leader Kit (item 005737563) which includes: one student book, one leader guide, and one DVD that features eight introductory videos by Ed Newton.

Ed Newton seeks to inspire people to be passionate, dedicated followers of Christ. He serves as staff evangelist at First Baptist Church Central Florida and is the executive director of the LIFT TOUR. He and his wife, Stephanie, and their four children—London, Lola, Liv, and Lawson—live in Orlando, Florida.