The Master Plan of Evangelism

This is something that no organization or class can ever do. Children are not raised by proxy.

The example of Jesus would teach us that it can be done only by persons staying close to those whom they seek to lead. God wanted all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. To that end Jesus gave himself to provide a salvation from all sin for all men. In that he died for one, he died for all.

Contrary to our superficial thinking, there never was a distinction in his mind between home and foreign missions. To Jesus it was all world evangelism. That is to say, if we do not make the journey from theories and ideals to concrete situations, then the concrete situations will be lost under a smog of words.

Fairly basic stuff, but I think that's the point. If you aren't doing this basic stuff in favor of something more gimmicky, you probably should get back to this. Mar 27, Bob rated it really liked it. This is a great little book that has been around for almost 50 years. I agree with Coleman and I genuinely appreciate his conclusions. I wonder though, why a book that has had at least sixty-six printings has not seemed to influence the American church much. I have never seen so many endorsements on a book as much as this one, yet who is actually practicing what it says?

Coleman says that most of our evangelistic efforts are directed to the multitudes because of our emphasis on numbers of converts rather than a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of those that are reached. We must begin to intentionally disciple believers if we are to achieve lasting growth. This will be a slow, tedious, and painful process that will probably go unnoticed by people at first, but the result will be glorious.

Most of today's "discipling" methods consist primarily of guiding either individuals or groups through a set curriculum. They begin with cognitive knowledge and assume that cognitive knowledge leads to behavioral change. That was not Jesus' approach. The author identifies eight principles that Jesus embodied in his disciple-making: Selection, Association, Consecration, Impartation, Demonstration, Delegation, Supervision, and Reproduction--and devotes a chapter to each. It is a good read, and should be applied, and I will add that even if loosely applied one will see great benefits in the lives of those we are trying to reach.

Jun 01, Josiah Hawkins rated it really liked it Shelves: In the modern worldview, and certainly in modern evangelism strategies, reaching out to people is not all that different from sales; you approach the person, engage in some light discussion, get out the main points, and then invite them out to church or some other gathering. The Master Plan of Evangelism is a book that should probably be titled something closer to Creating Quality Disciples. There are plenty of books that one can read that give information on how to effectively do both, but this is not one of them.

There are two key terms when it comes to making new Christians: Evangelism is outreach, it's speaking to people and inviting them to learn more, but discipleship is where you take that person and help them mature spiritually both into their conversion and their conviction after their baptism. Discipleship, on the other hand, is not something that everyone can do. In many ways it's like being a parent, Paul certainly describes the process using a lot of the same words one would use when talking about raising a child.

You have to take someone who, in most cases, knows nothing about Christ, the Bible, salvation or anything spiritual and lift them up, do what it takes to make them mature. A lot of time within the faith is spent listening to and thinking about what it is that Jesus said, and if you ask any committed Christian if they study the doctrine that Jesus espoused you would probably end up with at least ninety percent answering in the affirmative. How did he break down concepts to his disciples? How can I do the same in my own life? Paramount above all, however, is how practical the application is.

With almost each major point Mr. Coleman retells the information within the bounds of a modern context without the tie to its Biblical origin. It's this repetition that very convincingly shows the reader how they can apply the same method of teaching within their own congregation. Effectively what Jesus did was surround himself with a small number of people that he could trust to apply the teaching he would give them.

At several stages in their relationship, an assignment would be given that was intended to give his students a chance to apply what they had or had not learned. The information relayed in the pages of this small volume is simple buts it's far too overlooked for just how big of an impact it could have on the Christian worldview. From what I understand The Master Plan of Evangelism was quite popular when it first released, even garnering a pull quote from Billy Graham.

I fear, however, that it was a book that was only read and never applied. The high standard of teaching and mentorship that is examined here is not the standard within most of evangelical Christianity. All of Christianity could learn a thing or two from this book. This is a good book.

The title to me is a bit misleading, it should be called "The master Plan for building believers. Impacts in the Christian life don't happen in mass operations, maturity happens in small ways, where mature believers disciple young believers with the intent to reproduce. As a small group leader at heart I was really encouraged by this. I love the authors emphasis on the Holy Spirit and not on mans ta This is a good book. I love the authors emphasis on the Holy Spirit and not on mans tactics. We need to get back to reliance on the Holy Spirit and the example of Christ. I give this book a 3 because I just couldn't connect to how this author writes.

I do plan on reading him more. I just couldn't find a thread to follow in this book. Even though this book is considered a classic by many. May 01, Adam rated it it was amazing. I often feel inadequate when reading scripture because I lack the ability to derive a great depth of knowledge or applicability. This book highlighted some very critical aspects of Jesus' ministry that are within the Gospels and shows the way in which Jesus intended for me to disciple other young men.

It is scripture-based and not his conjecture on some lofty ideas which is why I highly recommend it.

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Great insight into Jesus' example of spreading the Gospel to fulfill the Great Commission. Jan 12, Scott rated it really liked it. In some ways, I didn't really need to read this book--it's in my blood--which in many ways is exactly what Coleman wants. This book is the manifesto whereby our church perceives of leadership and disciple-making.

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It is biblical, practical, and short, which are three things that all work really well for a book like this one. I imagine I'll go back to this book for reminder and inspiration until I'm dead. Jul 23, Mona Randall rated it really liked it. It was worth reading twice.

This was a very helpful book, particularly demonstrating the ministry values of Jesus in evangelism and discipleship. The question must always be ask: Is it worth doing? We must know how a course of action fits into the overall plan God has for our lives if it is to thrill our souls with a sense of destiny. There was nothing haphazard about his life - no wasted energy, not an idle word.



He was on business for God. He lived, he died, and he rose again according to schedule. Like a general plotting his course of battle, the Son of God calculated to win. He could not aff Poignant Quotes: He could not afford to take a chance. Weighing every alternative and variable factor in human experience, he conceived a plan that would not fail. His concern was not with programs to reach the multitudes, but with men whom the multitudes would follow.

His men had to be teachable. What is perhaps most significant about them was their sincere yearning for God and the realities of his life. Jesus can use anyone who wants to be used. A few people so dedicated in time will shake the world for God. Victory is never won by the multitudes. Any of the world to be greatly used in the Kingdom of God. Anyone who is willing to follow Chris can become a mighty influence on the world providing, of course this person has the proper training.

Here is where we must begin like Jesus. It will be slow, tedious, painful, and probably unnoticed by people at first, but the end result will be glorious, even if we don't live to see it. Having called his men, Jesus made a practice of being with them. This was the essence of his training program - just letting his disciple follow him. Knowledge was gained by association before it was understood by explanation. Jesus spent more time with His disciples as His life was coming to an end. Preaching to the masses, although necessary, will never suffice in the work of preparing leaders for evangelism.

One living sermon is worth a hundred explanations After all, if Jesus, the Son of God, found it necessary to stay almost constantly with his few disciples for three years, and even one of them was lost, how can a church expect to do this job on an assembly line basis a few days out of the year? This means that some system must be found whereby every convert is given a Christian friend to follow until such time as he or she can lead another.

Jesus expected the men he was with to obey him. They were not required to be smart, but they had to be loyal. He was training leaders for the Kingdom, and if they were going to be fit vessels of service, they were going to have to pay the price. Jesus did not have the time nor the desire to scatter himself on those who wanted to make their own terms of discipleship. Their capacity to receive revelation would grow provided the continued to practice what truth they did understand. Absolute obedience to the will of God, of course, was the controlling principle of the Master's life.

Obedience to Christ thus was the very means by which those in his company learned more truth. It is only the Spirit of God who enables one to carry on the redemptive mission of evangelism Unless they grasped the meaning of prayer, and learned how to practice it with consistency, not much would ever come from their lives.

He did not have to work up teaching situations, but merely took advantage of those about him, and thus his teaching seemed perfectly realistic. He did not ask anyone to do or be anything which first he had not demonstrated in his own life, thereby not only proving its workability, but also its relevance to his mission in life.

And this he was able to do because he was constantly with his disciples. The principle of establishing a beachhead in a new place of labor by connecting with a potentially key follow-up leader is not be minimized Luke 9 He never asked anyone to do something which he was unwilling to do. Evangelism is not an optional accessory to our life. It is the heartbeat of all that we are called to be and do. But it is not enough to make this an ideal. It must be given tangible expression by those who are following the Savior.

The best way to be sure that this is done is to give practical work assignments and expect them to be carried out. As he reviewed some experience which the disciples had he would bring out some practical application of it to their lives. He would to let them rest in success or in failure.

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No matter what they did, there was always more to do and to learn. He rejoiced in their success, but nothing less than world conquest was his goal, and to that end he always superintended their efforts. He did not expect more from his disciples than they could do, but he did expect their best, and this he expected always to be improved as they grew in knowledge and grace. His plan of teaching, by example, assignment, and constant checkup, was calculated to bring out the best that was in them.

We must always remember, too, that the goal is world conquest. We dare not let a lesser concern capture our strategy of the moment. We have not been called to hold the fort, but to storm the heights. A good start does not mean a good finish. By this strategy the conquest of the world was only a matter of time and their faithfulness to his plan. This was the way his church was to win - through the dedicated lives of those who knew the Savior so well that his Spirit and method constrained them to tell others. As simple as it may seem, this was the way the gospel would conquer.

He had no other plan. The only hope for the world is for laborers to go to them with the gospel of salvation, and having won them to the Savior, not to leave them, but to work with them faithfully, patiently, painstakingly, until they become fruitful Christians savoring the world about them with the Redeemer's love. What really counts in the ultimate perpetuation of our work is the faithfulness with which our converts go out and make leaders out of their converts, not just followers.

The Master Plan of Evangelism, Chapter 1: Selection

It is not better methods, but better men and women who know their redeemer from personal experience - men and women who see his vision and feel his passion for the world - men and women who are willing to be nothing so that he might be everything - men and women who want only for Christ to produce his life in and through them according to his won good pleasure.

A person unwilling to fail in the determination to find some way to get the job done will never get started, nor will the one afraid to try and try again make much progress. Better to give a year or so to one or two people who learn what it means to conquer for Christ than to spend a lifetime with a congregation just keeping the program going.

The only realistic way to effect this is by being together. If our followers are to see through us what they are to become, we must be with them. This is the essence of the plan - to let them see us in action so as to feel our vision and to know how it relates to daily experience. Thus the time it takes to be together need not be overwhelming. They must be given some way to express the things which they have learned. The times we come apart from the world are not a release from the conflict, but only a strategic maneuver to gain more strength for the attack.

It might be wise in respect to our human memory to set up for ourselves a schedule of things to cover in the course of their training, and then to keep a record somewhere of their progress to be sure nothing is left out. As long as they are honestly seeking to know the truth, and are willing to follow it, they will someday grow to maturity in Christ.

As their guardian and adviser we are responsible for teaching our spiritual children how to live for the Master.

The Master Plan of Evangelism

It does not matter how many people we enlist for the cause, but how many they conquer for Christ. That is why all along our emphasis must be on quality of life. If we get the right quality of leadership, the rest will follow; if we do not get it, the rest have nothing worth following. Log In to sync your basket across devices. About Meet the Author. Robert E Coleman Robert E.

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