As a child I attended GA's or "Girls Auxillary" at a Southern Baptist Church. Part of the activities was to memorize scripture. We learned the "Roman's Road". Through scripture memorization and listening to missionary stories and other lessons from my teacher, I learned about Jesus and understood the gospel. Of course, as a child, your understanding is not always complete.
The church I grew up in was very legalistic, so it took me awhile to understand I was totally forgiven. That happened in my 20's as I was meditating on scripture, especially Romans 5:10.
I personally believe that evangelism for the average Chrisitan should be relationship based, kind of like what my teacher in GA's developed with her students. Not that everybody has to be a Sunday
School teacher, but she befriended me, talked to me, answered my questions, and basically, loved me.
I went through the Evangelism Explosion program as an adult and participated in door-to-door evangelism back in my 30's. I felt like a sales man or something. It is great to help you memorize scripture and have some good analogies for the gospel, but it is still a sale's pitch. Even if people pray to receive Christ , you leave that house and never know if those people were just praying to please you or if they really trusted Christ or what.
God has provided some really cool opportunities to share his truth with others. I find I don't have to go out and look for people to talk to. For example, one Sat. I went to get my oil changed in my car. I took along a book to read and it just happened to be "Why I am Not a Calvinist" (now don't go crazy on me, Calvinists!) and the lady sitting next to me asked what I was reading.
Oh boy, I REALLY didn't want to tell her - she'd think I was a nut! Who reads stuff like that? Anyway, I told her and we got in to a conversation about Calvinism, Arminianism different denominations, etc. then she asked me what I believed. WOW! and the little waiting room had 3-4 other people there who were actively listening and THEY got in to the conversation too. I got to explain the whole gospel story to this lady, the 3-4 customers, and the owner of the auto shop too! I had a "captive audience" as I explained we are all born sinners and and how Christ died for us to reconcile us to God etc. It was surreal! Who knew I would be a "side walk" preacher that day ha ha!
This kind of thing happens several times a year to me. God just opens the door at the weirdest times! I guess he uses me this way because he knows I'm not shy about speaking the truth to anyone. If you are willing to speak God will provide the people and the message!
