The Way of the Master

[juan77]

Please visit and explore this website: www.wayofthemaster.com

Awesome tools for evangelism!

I've realised a few other things as well while exploring that website.

There is a song that goes something like this:

"God has a way of working things out,

Everything you're worried about.

So don't be discouraged and don't ever doubt,

'Cos God has a way of working it out!"

Case scenario: I want to buy a new car. I don't know if the bank will give me finance for it, but I try anyway. To my amazement the bank says, Yes, they will give me finance for a new car.

Out of excitement I jump up into the air and yell out 'YES, I've got it!'

What do I have? I don't have a new car yet. Just a promise from a man that finance will be approved for a new car.

If we react like this because of a promise of a man, why do we insult Almighty God with our disbelieve of His promises?

Why do we stress about our daily living e.g what am I going to wear, will I have money left for transport to work and back, etc etc etc...

When God says in Matthew 6 that we must not worry about anything! He's got it all covered! He commands that we must first of all seek His Kingdom, and all these things will be added unto us.

Edited June 27, 2006 by juan77

[Guest man]

Tread lightly...test the spirits.

[Brandli5]

Yes, God does keep his promises to us. We are to totally trust in him. Trust in his word, and obey them also.

[apothanein kerdos]

Since when did witnessing become a cookie cutter method? Are people not individuals? Does not God call them individually?

[Ovedya]

I've seen the show on 3BN (Or whatever it's called), and I've seen the website.

I think what Kirk Cameron and -- that other guy - are doing is really good. They're both preaching a no-nonsense gospel which I think we need in today's "politically correct" sphere. However, I also agree with apothanein kerdos. The Lord Jesus was never used a "cookie cutter" approach. He approached people, and met people's needs, as they needed. He filled particular needs at particular times, and tailored the truth according to what the person needed most. I think that people instictively know when something's been scripted. And even though I think that The Way of the Master is a good program, with an unapologetic way of preaching the truth, I also believe that people have individual needs and respond more to genuine care and nourishment.

[juan77]

Ovedya: I agree with you. God created each and everyone of us unique. I believe what Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort are doing is to the greater good of all. Most Christians are afraid of sharing their faith. Jesus commands us to go and tell the world, but we don't know how to, so we tend to just keep quiet. How many of us go out of our way to tell the world?

[Ovedya]

Ovedya: I agree with you. God created each and everyone of us unique. I believe what Kirk Cameron and Ray Comfort are doing is to the greater good of all. Most Christians are afraid of sharing their faith. Jesus commands us to go and tell the world, but we don't know how to, so we tend to just keep quiet. How many of us go out of our way to tell the world?

Yes. I agree also. I think that the motive is good - to want to help believers share their faith. And I think the way that their no-nonsense approach is what's needed. Especially considering the fact that, in Western societies, talking about Jesus is increasingly becoming verboten.

[apothanein kerdos]

Honestly, though I respect both of them, I keep comming back to the idea that it is still just another method. For a while, Evangelism Explosion was the big thing...until people realized it didn't have all the answers. Someone would ask, "How do you know God exists?" The ciriculum didn't really supply an answer other than, "Get them back onto the presentation."

I am heading off into my opinion here, but I do happen to think there is a lot of truth behind it. Often times these programs, though well intentioned, are nothing more than excuses for Christians to be lazy. The Bible instructs many things when it comes to being a Christian:

1) To have knowledge of God - this means to study the scriptures and get to know them. It doesn't mean we all have to pursue a Theology Doctrate, but it does mean that we are to explore the Bible via commentaries, books, written debates, etc. It means taking the Word and learning all we can about it.

2) To live out this knowledge - it isn't enough to just have a head knowledge, we have to act on what we know about Christ. If we do not act on it, then it is worthless

3) To rely on the Holy Spirit - we are called to rely on the Holy Spirit. The first two things mentioned are not possible without the Holy Spirit. I cannot gain proper knowledge and I cannot properly apply this knowledge unless He is active in my life. It doesn't mean I don't work (trust me, I have worked extremely hard in both aspects and still fallen short), it simply means we cannot do it in our own power.

In my opinion, method witnessing nullifies all three of these. It doesn't require an indepth knowledge of scripture, just an indepth knowledge of what the program is presenting. It doesn't require us to live out the knowledge...we can witness to a woman who is abused and still not help her in that situation. We can witness to someone who is an athiest and not provide adequate responses to what has been brought forth. It doesn't require us to rely on the Holy Spirit; it's a method, somethign that can be reproduced under a set of circumstances. Though this is good sometimes, when dealing with human beings who are individuals we cannot possibly do this.

It's nice to see Christians engaging in this way...but we'd do better if we taught theology in our churches, world religions and philosophies, helped the poor and distraught, and then built relationships with the lost in order to bring them to Christ.

[Kabowd]

My problem isn't so much in the method, but in the fact that methods tend to become fads. And once a fad takes hold, it is often held in such esteem that it gets more credit than God. Now, we have books, cd's, seminars, tv shows, bumper stickers, etc...all hailing a particular method. It happend with the "Prayer of Jabez", it happend with the "40 Days of Purpose", and it'll happen (if not already) with the "Way of the Master". It's one thing to say "this could be useful for some", and another to say "this is the best way for everyone" or "this is the only biblical model to use".

While there were occasions when Christ engaged people the way Ray Comfort does, there were other occasions when He was simply compassionate, relational and tender. The downside to the whole Way of the Master thing to me, seems to be that people tend to be heavy on the law and easy on the grace. Both need to be combined in order to truly be effective. We also need to remember that people aren't projects or goals. Getting people saved, while important, should not be our entire focus. No one comes to God unless He draws them first anyway. I think more time should be spent training believers to live lives that reflect the power of redemption. More time should be focused on redeeming our culture and reflecting the heart of God in our daily lives. If the lost world saw people who were truly changed, and living in the power God intended, perhaps "evangelism" (as it is known today) would be less needed.

[Guest BillR]

Since when did witnessing become a cookie cutter method? Are people not individuals? Does not God call them individually?

I think the problem is people wait because they don't know how to share there faith, so is it not better to use "the cookie cutter method" than just to stay in your comfort zone at church one day a week and not reach out to the public.

Bill.