Chicken Evangelism Makes Disciples

Chicken Evangelism Makes disciples

Chicken Evangelism makes disciples. It’s an adventure. It’s fun. It’s personal evangelism that crushes fear by “sharing Christ before you chicken out!”

What is Chicken Evangelism and Why Does It Work?

Chicken Evangelism (Share Christ before You Chicken Out) is based on Jesus’ words to His disciples in John 4:35, “Behold, I say to you, lift up your eyes and look on the fields, that they are white for harvest.” Christ maintains some folks are ready to receive Him as Savior right now. They just need to be shown how.

Chicken Evangelism—Get a Vision for the Lost

I have taken Christ at His word. He has helped me ask a crucial question of people, often on our first encounter. “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” The responses have amazed me and many others. Here’s the story of how a college age man received Christ as Savior a few minutes after we met.  Gas station attendant receives Christ.

Chicken Evangelism—Make Disciples

Chicken evangelism (Bring up Christ before you chicken out) is sometimes criticized by those who’ve never tried it for “making decisions, not disciples.” All I can say is, “Pardon me, your slip is showing!” Let’s examine this criticism under the microscope.

While it is true that chicken evangelism does not always lead to discipleship (and the same can be said of any form of evangelism), consider the case of Dave Kerr. The first or second time I met Dave I asked him, “Have you received Christ Jesus into your life?” He answered that he had a different way of looking at things. Yet as time progressed, Dave changed. He became the leader of our  group for men and served faithfully for many years.

Or consider Flynn Collier. When I first approached Flynn with the question, “Have you received Jesus Christ into your life?” He didn’t  want to talk and said so in no uncertain terms. But God used the question to stir his mind. Two weeks later Flynn showed up at church uninvited. He has rarely missed a Sunday since! He connected with Christ through the apostles creed, “I believe in Jesus Christ His only Son, our Lord.” Now Flynn hears God’s voice and is an example of obedience to God for all to see. We call him Flynn “Fantastic” Collier.

Then there’s the lady in our church who asked a sales clerk “Do you have Jesus in your heart?” She challenged him to receive Christ on the spot, but he didn’t want to pray on the job. Yet her question left an impact. He was stirred. Immediately after work he went out to his car and prayed a prayer of salvation. As soon as he got home he told his daughter what he had done and encouraged her to do the same. She prayed a prayer of salvation and received Jesus that same night. The following week she went out and enrolled in confirmation classes at the Lutheran Church. This is discipleship at its finest. Don’t tell me chicken evangelism doesn’t make disciples!

Chicken Evangelism  “As You’re Going”

Matthew 28:19 is often written, “Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations,” but is perhaps best translated, “as you are going make disciples.” Or as a footnote for the NASB  translates, “Having gone (into the world).” The thought in Jesus Great Commission is that we have already gone into the world where we live, work, and do our daily activities. The beauty of Chicken Evangelism is no one has to go out of his way to share good news. Rather, as we are going shopping, buying gas, paying bills, we meet people along the way. Some of these are ready to receive Christ. Consider the cell phone sales lady.

Chicken Evangelism—Get Filled with the Holy Spirit

“But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be My witnesses both in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and even to the remotest part of the earth” (Acts 1:8). Although people understand this verse in various ways, we can all agree with Jesus that the fullness of he Holy Spirit is intended to help us share our faith.

Chicken Evangelism—The Bible Way to Pray for the Lost

Here’s a radical idea, and it’s altogether Biblical. Instead of praying for the lost, pray that God will open the mouths of Christians to make the gospel clear.  Paul knew this secret and often asked people to pray for him to enable him to share the gospel (Eph 6:19 and 20). “And pray on my behalf, that utterance may be given to me in the opening of my mouth, to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel, for which I am an ambassador in chains; that in proclaiming it I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

Chicken Evangelism—Ask the God Question Before You Chicken Out!

When some people hear about chicken evangelism, they think I am bold, but I am not. Nor am I an evangelist. I overcome fear by asking the God question early. Here’s the story of a Texas State student who received Christ. I find I have about a five minute window when I meet a new person. If I don’t ask the question within the window, I chicken out! I’m for all forms of evangelism. I support relationship evangelism, friendship evangelism, and every form of outreach. Relationship evangelism may be the best form of all. The problem is I rarely see it happening.

Chicken Evangelism–Make the Gospel Clear

This is a crucial key! 1 Cor 15:1-6  has helped me so much because it makes the gospel clear. “Now I make known to you, brethren, the gospel: Jesus Christ died for our sins. Jesus Christ rose from the dead.” We must make the good news glorious and clear. Salvation is a free gift based on Jesus death and resurrection. As soon as I started making the gospel clear, people started getting saved! Without the gospel people don’t get saved.

Chicken Evangelism–Let the Holy Spirit Lead about Follow Up

I have always taught workers to follow up on people. Yet, study the Scriptures with me. Outside of the twelve and Mary, Martha, and Lazarus, how many times did Jesus follow up on those he ministered to? The answer may surprise you. Follow up is something that must be led by the Holy Spirit.

I Invite You  . . .

This post explains what Chicken Evangelism is (bring up Christ before you chicken out!) and adds a few aspects that make it work. Go ahead, try it out–you may be surprised at how many are ready to receive Christ! And if you want to talk about it, contact me.