This session is the continuation of Session 8 – I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue.
Assuming that the group has prepared some questions and answers after the last session, now is the time to test the fruits of their labours.
Over to you – I’ll have a ‘P’ please Bob
Be prepared during the role playing to help anyone who gets seriously unstuck or heretical. Don’t let them brow beat each other by showing off knowledge and learning etc. The exercises are to be carried out with a loving attitude! Our aim in evangelism is never to simply win arguments!
Firstly, find a volunteer who has an answer prepared for a question. Having got your volunteer find the person who has the same question and wrote the argument against it. Allow the second person to start off the role play by asking the question as written.
The first person should then reply. The conversation may not last long or it may go on and on and on. Don’t let them go on too long as the rest of the group may get bored.
When either they have finished or you have called time discuss the conversation with the whole group. Ask the following types of questions.
- Whose side would you come down on and why?
- How would you have argued for/against any particular point raised?
- What new ideas or insights did you pick up from the conversation?
Make sure that the discussion time isn’t used for any personal criticism. It should be used to build up the role players, not tear them down. The “If you can’t say something nice…” rule applies. Keep the discussion fast and short. then move onto the next pair.
Pulling it together
By the end of the session the group will hopefully have got through 4 or 5 different conversations. Encourage them on a job well done and highlight any particularly good comments or phrases that you heard during the course of the session.
The Web Evangelism Guide gives some sensible guidelines for talking to people in an “apologetics” type situation:In closing remind the group that it doesn’t matter how many clever answers we may have to people’s questions, how we tell them and what we are like the rest of the time we are with that person has an impact too. It does no harm to say “I don’t know” or “I’m sorry, I haven’t a clue… but I’ll try and find out” sometimes.
- Start from where they are, and empathize with them.
- Never ridicule another person’s opinion even if it is nonsense. You want to win the person, not the argument.
- Don’t get aggressive and argumentative.
- Stay in contact as long as they want to – few people come to faith quickly.
- Pray, both for what to say, and the person you are contacting.
* Italicised portion above: Copyright © Tony Whittaker.