Discovering Your Style (Part 1) Series

Six Evangelistic Styles

Style Biblical Example Text

Confrontational Peter Acts 2

Intellectual Paul Acts 17

Testimonial Blind Man John 9

Interpersonal Matthew Luke 5

Invitational Samaritan Woman John 4

Serving Dorcas Acts 9

This morning we’re going to look at the Confrontational style of Peter. I was also going to focus on Paul’s Intellectual approach but I didn’t want to be handed a note from one of the ushers! We’ll tackle Paul’s preferred style and the Blind Man’s M.O. next Sunday. We’ll then focus on the Interpersonal, Invitational and Serving styles two weeks from now.

Let me lay out some principles related to these 6 styles:

1. The key is to discover your style and begin using it. Listen carefully today and the next two weeks and ask God to reveal which style most accurately describes you. Once you’re aware of how you’ve been wired, look for ways to be unleashed in evangelism!

2. It’s likely that you will use a combination of approaches depending on the situation. Each person you talk to is different and may respond better to a blended approach.

3. Remember that no style is better than another. Resist the urge to judge others who witness differently than you do. Be gracious with those who utilize a different style.

4. You will need to rely on others to help you. We are not designed to do it alone. That’s the beauty of the Friendship Banquet – together we can focus on “cultivating” and “planting.” Make sure to invite your friends this week!

5. Each style has some inherent weaknesses and blind spots. It’s important to recognize your inadequacies, rely on the Holy Spirit, and be willing to change.

The Confrontational Style of Peter

In 1993, a former prison convict took the podium to deliver an address before a prestigious crowd of people from various religious backgrounds. Just prior to his message, a Buddhist priest had offered a chant. When he was done, a Muslim got up and said a prayer.

Here’s an excerpt of what this courageous Christ-follower said:

“I speak as one transformed by Jesus Christ, the living God. He is the Way, the Truth, and the Life. He has lived in me for twenty years. His presence is the sole explanation for whatever is praiseworthy in my work…that is more than a statement about myself. It is a claim to truth. It is a claim that may contradict your own…the God of Abraham, Isaac, and Jacob reigns. His plan and purpose rob the future of its fears. By the cross He offers hope, by the resurrection He assures triumph. This cannot be resisted or delayed. Mankind’s only choice is to recognize Him now or in the moment of ultimate judgment. Our only choice is to welcome His rule or to fear it…”

Cutting through our cultural cloud of confusion, Charles Colson delivered one of the most effective gospel presentations ever given in our generation. Colson’s approach and style was very similar to Peter’s presentation in Acts 2 as he stood before the religious crowd of lost people in Jerusalem just weeks after the crucifixion.

Let’s take a look at how God used Peter’s personality and giftedness to confront people with the reality of their sins, the sufficiency of the death of Christ, and the truth of the resurrection. Whatever Peter did, he did it with full force. When Jesus asked the disciples in Matthew 16:15 who they thought He was, Peter boldly declared that Jesus was the Messiah. And yet, a few verses later we read that he challenged Jesus’ stated mission head on.