Norman Geisler and David Geisler, Conversational Evangelism: How to Listen and Speak So You Can Be Heard. Harvest House Publishers, 2009.
Referenced in: Approaches to Evangelism – Conversational/Relational
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
This is a strongly evangelical approach to evangelism that equips people for non-threatening conversations, or “pre-evangelism.” Pre-evangelism operates on the assumption that in the postmodern era most people are not predisposed to hear the gospel and indeed may be indifferent, skeptical, or even hostile. Their interest must be cultivated over time. The aim of the book is to train readers on how to approach others thoughtfully and listen deeply so as to understand where they are, especially in tailoring our conversations to the level of a person’s spiritual oppenness. The hope is that those who are closed will become more receptive.
Geisler’s approach is closely tied to an interest in classical apologetics, and comes highly recommeded by such notables as Ravi Zacharias and Josh McDowell. The primary author is David Geisler, son of the respected apologist and author, Norman Geisler.
There is considerable discussion in emergent and missional circles on evangelism as conversation. This book is not emergent (it is perhaps more accurately evaluating-emergent), but it does emphasize conversation. The difference is that these conversations are not regarded as evangelism per se, but as part of the process of pre-evangelism, that which prepares others for and precedes the proclamation of the gospel. Geisler says, “If evangelism is planting the seeds of the Gospel, then pre-evangelism is tilling the soil of people’s minds and hearts to help them be more willing to listen to the truth (1 Corinthians 3:6).” (22) This upholds the idea that evangelism is a process where each encounter brings others one step closer to trusting Christ. Contrary to the belief that true evangelism is a direct proclamation, Geisler redefines evangelism more indirectly as in
every day and in every way helping your nonbelieving friends to take one step closer to Jesus Christ. …We ask ourselves, ‘What do I need to do today to help my nonbelieving friends take one step closer to Jesus?’ …Our goal in evangelicistic encounters need not be to get the whole Gospel message out at one time (and possibly alienate those we are trying to reach). At times the Holy Spirit will prompt us to go further, but we need discernment to know how much a person can hear from us at one time without becoming defensive and pulling back from the conversation. Rather, we should take the long-term view and leave that person with the desire to continue the conversation. (23-24)
For those who see this approach as potentially removing the offense of the gospel, Geisler says,
Changing our style of evangelism doesn’t preclude the Holy Spirit from prompting us to say something to our friends that may be difficult for them to hear (and maybe for us to say). …But we must do all we can to make our manner of communicating the Gospel as inoffensive as possible even if the message of our Gospel may be offensive to some (1 Corinthians 1:23-24; 1 Peter 2:8). …We must remember that the Bible encourages us to walk in wisdom toward outsiders (Colossians 4:5) and also to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves (Matthew 10:16). That includes speaking the message of the Gospel in a way that it will receive the greatest possible acceptance. (24-25)
Geisler believes that the way to do this is through a
combined approach of asking questions, creating interest, and building bridges to the cross. It attempts to losen the soild of people’s minds and hearts by surfacing uncertainties in their beliefs and creating a desire to hear more about Jesus. If we buy into this approach, we will also need to consider the important role that Christian evidences should play in our evangelism, even as our worl and unfortunately some Christians move further from accepting any kind of objective truth.” (27)
He suggests this happens through four different types of conversastions. A chapter is devoted to each.
- Hearing Conversations, like a musician, listen more carefully and hear the sour notes people are singing to us.
- Illuminating Conversations, like an artist, paint a picture using questions to help others see themselves in a true light.
- Uncovering Conversations – like an archaeologist, dig up their history and find the real barriers that are chaining them down.
- Building Conversations – like a builder, build a bridge for the Gospel (33)
He also includes chapters on asking questions of people with different worldviews, answering objections while moving forward, and countering common misconceptions that affect evangelism. The appendices include further pre-evangelism conversation strategies and trainings, how to hear inconistencies in people’s beliefs, and a list of key questions to ask non-Christians. Each chapter is followed by sample dialogues, summary points, questions, and practical suggestions. The book is absolutely loaded with good information (perhaps too much).
Geisler has many strengths, but his greatest contribution is the skill of asking sensitive questions without intimidation. He says, “When we ask probing questions, we must do so in a way that will make them more open and curious to hear more about our Jesus or at least continue the conversation at a later date.” (82) He is also very good at explaining barriers to belief: “There are at least two kinds of general barriers that people have to the Gospel – barriers to their understanding of Christianity and barriers to their embracing of Christianity.” (138)
This book would be a valuable guide for anyone who takes evangelism seriously, especially among those who maintain strong convictions about absolute truth and apologetics, but want help in knowing how to uphold this in the new postmodern context.
From the Publisher
Witnessing used to involve laying out the truth and guiding a person to understand and accept it. But the awareness of basic Christian principles has changed and so have the needs of pre–believers. With a passion for people, authors David and Norman Geisler share an engaging, conversational approach to evangelism as they address:
- What makes old models of witnessing ineffective in today’s culture
- Why evangelism must start with relational pre–evangelism
- How to ask questions, listen attentively, and understand what someone believes
- Ways to identify the real barriers to belief in order to build a bridge to truth
- How to keep dialogue going with different personality types
This refreshing, practical resource is ideal for churches and individuals. Readers will discover how God uses their everyday encounters for great things when they switch from trying to witness effectively to effectively being a witness through communication and compassion.
About the Authors
David Geisler is a graduate of Dallas Theological Seminary and has been involved in Church and para-church College Ministry for over 20years. In 1994, he was hired by the graduate branch of Campus Crusade for Christ to help develop a national pilot program at U.T. Austin to reach skeptical graduate students. He discovered a real need for Christian ministries to understand how to do process evangelism, especially with those more skeptically minded. As a result, in 2000 he started Meekness and Truth™ Ministries. In 2002 in cooperation with his team he developed a new pre-evangelism paradigm that he has taught on College campuses throughout the U.S. and also in the East with College ministries, churches, seminaries, and mission organizations.
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