Pre-evangelism refers to preparing people’s hearts and minds to receive the message of the gospel before directly sharing the gospel with them. It aims to build relationships, understand perspectives, answer questions, and remove obstacles that may hinder someone from being open to hearing about Jesus. Here is an overview of what the Bible teaches about principles related to pre-evangelism:
Developing Relationships
Pre-evangelism often starts with building genuine friendships and demonstrating Christ’s love. Jesus modeled this relational approach, spending time with people and meeting felt needs before ever preaching to crowds (Luke 5:27-32; John 4). The apostles did the same, going house to house and developing relationships within the community (Acts 2:46; 5:42).
Paul writes, “Walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the best use of the time. Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6). Wise and gracious speech requires understanding each person. Peter encourages believers to always be prepared to give a reason for their hope, but to do so “with gentleness and respect” (1 Peter 3:15). Relational investment enables sharing the gospel wisely, appropriately, and contextually.
Asking Good Questions & Active Listening
Pre-evangelism involves asking good questions to discern perspectives, objections, and roadblocks to faith. Jesus often responded to questions with more questions, prompting deeper reflection (Luke 10:25-37). Philip asked the Ethiopian eunuch, “Do you understand what you are reading?” which created a gospel opportunity (Acts 8:30-31).
Paul writes, “Walk in wisdom…Let your speech always be gracious, seasoned with salt, so that you may know how you ought to answer each person” (Colossians 4:5-6). Asking thoughtful questions is key to understanding how to answer. Proverbs 20:5 says, “The purposes of a man’s heart are deep waters, but a man of understanding will draw them out.” Skillful questioning draws out true motives and needs.
James instructs believers to be “quick to hear, slow to speak” (James 1:19). Active listening demonstrates respect and care when engaging in spiritual dialogue. It builds trust and rapport. Non-believers often have sincere questions and concerns about God that need to be heard. As 1 Peter 3:15 says, respond “with gentleness and respect.”
Discerning Background and Worldview
Pre-evangelism involves seeking to understand where someone is coming from – their worldview, background, questions, and assumptions about God. Jesus engaged people according to their unique starting point and position – whether they were a Samaritan woman (John 4), a rich young ruler (Mark 10:17-22), or a Pharisee like Nicodemus (John 3). The theological categories and approaches used to communicate the gospel should be adapted accordingly.
Paul writes, “To the weak I became weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all people, that by all means I might save some” (1 Cor 9:22). Meeting people where they are demonstrates empathy, builds common ground, and helps remove unnecessary obstacles to the gospel. As believers, we need to understand perspectives in order to effectively contextualize and communicate biblical truth. This requires active listening and thoughtful questions.
Apologetics – Answering Sincere Questions
Pre-evangelism will often involve some degree of apologetics – providing reasoned responses to sincere questions or objections people have about faith. 1 Peter 3:15 encourages believers to always be prepared to give a defense (an apologia) for our hope. Paul “reasoned” and “persuaded” nonbelievers throughout Acts 17-19. Jesus Himself responded to questions and objections (Matt 22).
Answering questions thoughtfully helps remove intellectual barriers standing in the way of believing the gospel. Romans 1:20 says that aspects of God’s truth and power can be discerned through creation, so people are without excuse. But they may still have sincere questions or objections that need to be compassionately addressed. Doing so can help open minds and hearts to receive the seed of the gospel.
Exposing Sin Gently
Pre-evangelism may involve discussing sin, especially when ministering to those without a church background. Jesus exposed people’s sin indirectly by telling parables that led hearers to make moral assessments on their own. Nathan the prophet directly exposed King David’s sin through a fictional story. Paul reasoned and debated publicly to lay bare sin and false religion (Acts 17:16-34).
The law is a tutor pointing to our need for Christ (Gal 3:24). But exposing sin should be done with great tact, empathy, and care – the “kindness of God” leads to repentance (Rom 2:4). Tactless moralizing pushes people away. But gently uncovering blind spots can prompt self-reflection creating openness to the gospel. As Timothy Keller says, we must ‘critique culture carefully.’
Praying Continually
None of the above will be very effective without prayer, which lies at the heart of pre-evangelism. Only God can change hearts and remove spiritual blindness (2 Cor 4:4-6). Believers should continually ask God to act in nonbelievers’ lives drawing them to Himself. Jesus told His disciples to “pray earnestly to the Lord of the harvest to send out laborers” (Matt 9:38), knowing prayer precedes fruitful gospel ministry.
Pray for wisdom and discernment (Col 1:9). For boldness and clarity (Col 4:4). For receptive hearts and opened doors (Col 4:3). And for the Spirit to empower the message (1 Thess 1:5). Our role is to faithfully plant and water gospel seeds through relationships, apologetics, questions, etc. But it is God alone who makes the seed of His Word grow in a person’s heart (1 Cor 3:6). Thus pre-evangelism relies on continual prayer.
Being Ready In Season and Out
2 Timothy 4:2 instructs believers to be ready to speak God’s truth to people whether it seems convenient or not. The Greek word for “ready” means being prepared to seize opportunities whenever they arise. Wise application of the principles above enables readiness.
Building relationships, asking questions, listening, understanding background, addressing objections, tactfully exposing sin, and praying prepare us to share the gospel as God orchestrates divine encounters. Believers should walk in wisdom toward outsiders, making the most of every gospel opportunity even if it seems ill-timed from a human perspective (Col 4:5-6). Trust God’s sovereign timing.
Learning to Discern Different Responses
People will respond differently to pre-evangelism efforts based on their spiritual state. Jesus told the disciples to shake the dust off their feet if people refused to hear their message (Matt 10:14). At Athens, some mocked, some wanted to hear Paul further, and some believed (Acts 17:32-34).
Wise application of the principles mentioned above can help believers learn to discern responses and determine proper next steps. Keep engaging those sincerely seeking truth. Shake the dust if the unrepentant become abusive. Follow the Spirit’s leading, recalling only God grants the growth (1 Cor 3:7).
Cultivating Virtues: Love, Patience, Courage
In addition to methodology, believers need Christ-like character to effectively do pre-evangelism. Without love, the most persuasive arguments are just noise (1 Cor 13:1-3). Love builds bridges to share truth. Patience is required, bearing with people’s weaknesses and questions (Eph 4:2; Col 4:5-6). Courage overcomes the temptation of silent complicity when God prompts us to speak (2 Tim 1:7-8).
Above all, Christ’s love reflected in our attitudes is foundational. The hope is not just to persuade minds but to “make the gospel attractive” through God’s work in us (1 Thess 1:5). As Christians embody attitudes of love, patience, courage, and wisdom, the message becomes plausible and compelling to hear. Lives overflowing with God’s grace facilitate speaking truth gracefully to others.
Dependence on the Spirit’s Guidance
Ultimately, effectiveness in pre-evangelism relies on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit. Jesus told His disciples not to worry how they would speak when opposed, promising the Spirit would give them words (Matt 10:19-20). We are incapable of opening blind eyes on our own. Zechariah 4:6 declares, ‘“Not by might, nor by power, but by My Spirit” says the Lord.’
Thus believers should continually ask the Spirit for guidance, wisdom, discernment, and power when seeking to reach the lost. The Spirit knows the deep realities of each person and best how to reach them. Pray for open doors and boldness to speak truth (Col 4:2-4). And trust that it is God’s Spirit who ultimately convinces and converts the soul (1 Thess 1:5, Rom 15:18-19).
The Primacy of Gospel Proclamation
Pre-evangelism aims to break up hard soil and prepare fertile ground to receive the seed of God’s Word. But the gospel must still be proclaimed. God promises His Word never returns void but accomplishes His purposes (Isa 55:11). Faith comes by hearing the message about Christ (Rom 10:17). No pre-evangelism effort is complete until the gospel is shared.
“How beautiful are the feet of those who preach the good news!” (Rom 10:15). The Spirit uses faithful proclamation of Christ to soften hearts (Acts 16:14) and bring new birth (1 Pet 1:23). Proclaiming the Word should always be central. The components of pre-evangelism simply help plow the soil beforehand.
Trusting God with the Results
After faithfully seeking to prepare hearts for the gospel and share Christ, believers must trust God with the results. The Spiritblows wherever He pleases (John 3:8). Our role is to plant gospel seeds through relationships, questions, understanding, prayer, etc. But only God makes it grow (1 Cor 3:6-7).
Continue engaging those interested in ongoing spiritual dialogue. But avoid arguing once you’ve shared Christ. “The Lord’s servant must not be quarrelsome” (2 Tim 2:24). Shake the dust if people become abusive. Remember, your responsibility is faithfulness not results. “One plants, another waters, but God gives the growth” (1 Cor 3:6-7). The rest depends on His grace.
Summary Principles
In summary, here are key biblical principles for pre-evangelism:
– Developing genuine relationships and demonstrating Christ’s love
– Asking thoughtful questions and actively listening
– Discerning backgrounds, worldviews, and assumptions
– Providing reasoned responses to objections and questions
– Exposing and addressing sin with wisdom and grace
– Praying continually for lost people to come to faith
– Being ready to share the gospel in season and out
– Discerning different responses and adjusting approaches accordingly
– Cultivating love, patience, courage, and other Christ-like virtues
– Depending on the guidance and power of the Holy Spirit
– Keeping gospel proclamation central
– Trusting God with the results and growth
The Bible emphasizes that believers should be ready to share the hope within them. The principles of pre-evangelism aim to prepare hearts to receive that life-changing hope. With gracious attitudes, thoughtful methodology, prayerful dependence on the Spirit, and steadfast gospel proclamation, seeds can be planted for God to grow.
