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GUARDING

PROPER
APPROACHES
EVANGELISM, CHAPTER 39
GUARDING APPROACHES IN
EVANGELISM
1. Jesus Studied the Natural Train of Thought
2. Study the Community Needs Before Choosing Subjects
3. Preparing the Soil for the Good Seed
4. Caution in Presenting Opening Subjects
5. Do not Arouse Controversy and Opposition
6. Do not Drive People From the Truth
7. Sound Methods for Meeting Prejudices
8. Considering Pastors of Other Denominations
9. Avoid Unnecessary Barriers
Jesus Studied the Natural
Train of Thought
He disturbed as little as possible their accustomed train of thought,
by abrupt actions or prescribed rules. He honored man with His
confidence, and thus placed him on his honor. He introduced old
truths in a new and precious light. Thus, when only twelve years old,
He astonished the doctors of the law by His questions in the temple.
Jesus assumed humanity, that He might meet humanity. He brings
men under the transforming power of truth by meeting them where
they are. He gains access to the heart by securing sympathy and
confidence, making all feel that His identification with their nature
and interest is complete. The truth came from His lips beautiful in its
simplicity, yet clothed with dignity and power. What a teacher was
our Lord Jesus Christ! How tenderly did He treat every honest
enquirer after truth, that He might gain admission to the sympathies,
and find a home in the heart.—Manuscript 44, 1894.
Study the Community Needs
Before Choosing Subjects

Become acquainted with the people in their homes. Test the


spiritual pulse and carry war into the camp. Create an interest.
Pray and believe, and you will gain an experience which will be
of value to you. Do not take up subjects which are so deep that
they require mind struggles to comprehend. Pray and believe
as you work. Awaken the people to do something. In the name
of the Lord work with persevering intensity.—Letter 189, 1899.
Preparing the Soil for the Good
Seed
Remember that great care is to be exercised in
regard to the presentation of truth. Carry the minds
along guardedly. Dwell upon practical godliness,
weaving the same into doctrinal discourses. The
teachings and love of Christ will soften and subdue
the soil of the heart for the good seed of truth.—Letter
14, 1887.
Caution in Presenting Opening
Subjects
The greatest care is needed in dealing with these souls. Be always
on guard. Do not at the outset press before the people the most
objectionable features of our faith, lest you close the ears of those to
whom these things come as a new revelation.
Let such portions of truth be dealt out to them as they may be able
to grasp and appreciate; though it should appear strange and
startling, many will recognize with joy that new light is shed on the
Word of God. Whereas if truth were presented in so large a measure
that they could not receive it, some would go away and never come
again. More than this, they would misrepresent the truth, and in their
explanation of what was said they would so wrest the Scriptures as
to confuse other minds. We must take advantage of circumstances
now. Present the truth as it is in Jesus. There must be no combative
or controversial spirit in the advocacy of truth.—Manuscript 44,
1894.
Do Not Arouse Controversy
and Opposition
Learn to meet the people where they are. Do not
present subjects that will arouse controversy. Let not
your instruction be of a character to perplex the
mind.—Testimonies For The Church 6:58 (1900).
Do not arouse opposition before the people have had
opportunity to hear the truth and know what they are
opposing.—Testimonies For The Church 6:36 (1900).
Do Not Drive People From the
Truth
Upon us there rests the solemn responsibility of presenting
the truth to unbelievers in the most forcible manner. How
careful we should be not to present the truth in a way that
will drive men and women from it. Religious teachers stand
where they can do great good or great evil....
The Lord calls upon us to come to the banquet of truth, and
then go out into the highways and hedges, and compel
souls to come in, by presenting the great and wonderful
offering that Christ has made to the world. We are to present
the truth in the way that Christ told His disciples to present
it—in simplicity and love.—Letter 177, 1903.
Sound Methods when Meeting
Prejudice
When you are laboring in a place where souls are just
beginning to get the scales from their eyes, and to see men
as trees walking, be very careful not to present the truth in
such a way as to arouse prejudice, and to close the door of
the heart to the truth. Agree with the people on every point
where you can consistently do so. Let them see that you
love their souls, and want to be in harmony with them so far
as possible. If the love of Christ is revealed in all your
efforts, you will be able to sow the seed of truth in some
hearts; God will water the seed sown, and the truth will
spring up and bear fruit to His glory. –Historical Sketches,
121, 122 (1886).
Considering Pastors of Other
Denominations
Our laborers should be very careful not to give the
impression that they are wolves stealing in to get the
sheep, but should let the ministers understand their
position and the object of their mission—to call the
attention of the people to the truths of God's Word. There
are many of these which are dear to all Christians. Here is
common ground, upon which we can meet people of
other denominations; and in becoming acquainted with
them we should dwell mostly upon topics in which all feel
an interest, and which will not lead directly and pointedly
to the subjects of disagreement.—The Review and
Herald, June 13, 1912.
Avoid Unnecessary Barriers

We should not, upon entering a place, build up


unnecessary barriers between us and other
denominations, especially the Catholics, so that they
think we are their avowed enemies. We should not
create a prejudice in their minds unnecessarily, by
making a raid upon them. There are many among the
Catholics who live up to the light they have far better
than many who claim to believe present truth, and
God will just as surely test and prove them as He has
tested and proved us.—Manuscript 14, 1887.

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