Questioning the Great Commission:
The Use of Questions in the Communication of the Gospel

1. The Model
   1. Our LORD Himself is our model for this approach. Please note: this stems from a genuine interest/concern for people and is not just a "technique."
2. The Benefits
1. The Use of Questions:
2. It helps to take the burden off of us—at least the burden we put on ourselves—thinking that it is our job, our responsibility to "save people."
3. It helps us to relax. People will be talking about things they are interested in, that they want to discuss. It helps us to not be or feel so self-conscious, etc.
4. You’re just asking questions.
3. It's Not up to You!
   1. Trust God!
   2. Relax!
   3. The work or "burden" is not yours or on you.
   4. You cannot do it!
   5. You’re not closing a sales deal!
   6. You’re not a salesperson closing a sale or deal, or having to meet your quota or else (or God will be upset with you if you don’t "produce").
   7. Again, relax and enjoy!
   8. Start with and share what you do know about the gospel.
   9. Enjoy, it’s a blast, a responsibility too, yes, but a privilege as well. It’s fun sensing and seeing God working through us.
   10. God is pleased with you that you are sharing the gospel in the first place, period!
4. Only the Holy Spirit can enable a person to believe in or trust in Jesus Christ as Lord and Savior!
   1. God draws them to Himself!
   2. The Holy Spirit, working through the word of God, draws or leads people to a saving faith in Jesus.
   3. See, e.g., John 1:13; 6:44, 65; Romans 9:16; 1 Corinthians 2:14; Ephesians 2:8-10.
   4. It’s not our job and we cannot do it anyway! It’s not our job to try to convict or convince anyone, but to simply present the message (Matt. 28:19; John 16:8-10; Rom. 10:14-15; 2 Cor. 5:19-20).
   5. Thus, do not give up or despair. God loves them (even more than we do)!
5. The Situation: Our Society
   1. Multiculturalism, Pluralism, Postmodernism, Relativism: E.G., the Denial of Truth—Objective Truth, Objective Knowledge, Logic, Etc.
   2. "Post-Christian America"
   3. "Christ"
      1. JW
      2. Mormon
      3. Christian Scientist
      4. New Ager
      5. Course in Miracles
      6. Liberal Apostate Theology
      7. Others….
   4. "The Atonement"
      1. JW
      2. Mormonism
      3. Christian Science
      4. Other New Agers
      5. Liberal Apostate Theology
      6. Others….
   5. There are a bewildering variety of cults, occultic groups, ideologies, philosophies, religions, etc.
   6. How can we keep up on all of them?
   7. How can we be ready to witness to them?
      1. E.g., "Christs," "the atonement"
   8. By the Use of Questions!
   9. Like a good doctor: ask questions first, get their medical (spiritual) health and history first!
   10. Good doctors do not just start cutting on someone, but first obtain the necessary information.
6. Ask Questions
   1. Two parties to address your questions to:
      1. God (James 1:5)
   2. Ask God:
      1. What should I say to them?
      2. What shouldn’t I say to them?
      3. Relative to the Law/Gospel continuum, where are they?
      4. God, what passages or scriptural truths will have the most impact on them?
      5. What are their issues that I need to address the most?
      6. E.g., they are afraid what there family will think.
      7. See Matthew 10:24-40; Luke 12:4-10; 14:25-26.
   3. God, where are they coming from?
      1. Others…
      2. Ask Them:
7. Why do you believe (or not believe) this?
   1. How long have you believed or done this?
   2. What do you like about it?
   3. What do you not like about it?
8. What do you derive from it or what need do you believe that it fulfills for you?
1. Other Types of Questions to Ask Them:
   1. What do you mean by (a term or phrase)…?
   2. E.g., Define Your Terms
   3. E.g., who is Christ, who or what do you mean by that term?
   4. What do you or your group mean by that term?
   5. Would you please explain it for me?
      1. Why do you…?
      2. Why should…?
      3. What if anything would it take to prove, disprove, show you…?
      4. What, if anything, would constitute evidence for you that x was true or false (as the case may be)?
      5. Would anything convince you, or is your mind already made up?
      6. Why should I believe…that?
      7. Are you stating a mere opinion or preference, or are you making some kind of truth claim?
      8. How do you know this is true or right?
      9. What do you do when…(self-refuting e.g.s)?
      10. E.g., Stealing from New Ager
      11. C.G. Jung: "everything human is relative."
      12. "All truth is relative"
      13. Joseph Campbell: "The person who thinks he as found the ultimate truth is wrong" (The Power of Myth, 55).
      14. "Since truth is relative we should be open and tolerant to all views."
      15. "Tolerance"
      16. "Open-minded"
      17. Christian Scientists: (this one takes a little perquisite knowledge)
      18. They want you to take and read a book that will tell you that the book is not there in the first place. But you have to first read the book for it to inform you that it is not there—not real or really real.
9. Rely on the Holy Spirit
   1. John 16:8-11
   2. Relax! Trust God!
   3. Philemon 1:6