This blog we're going to go over:

1. Picking your age group
2. Picking your style
3. Rules of engagement

How you approach is up to you and your personal style. Find something that you are comfortable with and use it.

Some people are better with adults than they are teens; some people are better with kids than they are seniors.

I’ve discovered we most relate with those who are like us. These tend to be the people we’re most comfortable approaching.

We already know how they think, what they find funny, and how they might respond because we already think that way.

If I am a biker I fit into the culture of bikers more easily than I would bankers. Find your niche and become creative with how you reach them.

When in doubt, just go after those who are like you (not just those who like you).

If you stick with an approach method and an age group that you prefer then you won’t fear evangelism as much as you would with other groups.

I am willing to speak to most anyone, but I do recognize that teenagers tend to be an age group I am good at reaching.

When it comes to reaching out to teenagers I become animated, energetic, and passionate.

With them I have no fear, or rather, I have more energy. Yet when it comes to seniors I don’t tend to be as comfortable and therefore not as effective.

On any given day I will reach more teens than I will seniors because with seniors I must force myself to approach them, whereas with teens it’s automatic.

Remember we are the body of Christ. Wherever you are weak someone else is strong.

Don’t worry about sticking with only one type of person. Somebody else out there will get the others.

Whatever your preferences are and however many times you change your methods the message should always be the same: Christ died for your freedom from sin and rose from the dead to prove to you that you can trust in Him.

Knowing your strengths is going to help you determine what your methods should be and to what audience.

Strength Finder

• Are you a people person?
• Are you strong in technology or story telling? Are you interested in putting on classes to reach the community?
  

These are the sorts of questions that will point you in the right direction.

Ask yourself what your passions and talents are, and you will begin to discover the methods of evangelism you are likely going to be good at.

Some category examples:

Technology

• Cameras
• Audio recording
• Demonstrations such as robotics, fireworks, or laser shows

Story Telling

• Balloon animals
• Magic tricks
• Storytelling and drama

Face to Face

• Handing out food and gifts
• One on one conversations
• Apologetics and official debates

Art

• Music
• Street drama and plays
• Dance

Rules of Engagement

The rules of engagement are: Be relevant, be genuine, and be friendly. Listen to these rules and people will listen to you.

Be Relevant:

A major roadblock to evangelism is when someone starts speaking in a language the other person doesn’t speak.

I could be the most talented evangelist in the world but if I preach in English to a crowd that only speaks Chinese it doesn’t matter how talented I am, the people aren’t going to understand me.

This applies to the language of age, culture, and dynamics.

For example, if I approach a random group of people on the streets and I use words like “redemption,” “propitiation,” and “sanctification” they aren’t going to know what I’m talking about.

Christians might understand these words in church culture but the un-churched aren’t going to have a clue of what we are saying.

To them we might as well be speaking another language because the effect is going to be the same.

Refrain from using “church language” and speak the language and culture of who you are talking to.

If you are speaking to youth speak how they speak. Use their terms, slang, and social references.

For example, if you know a quote of a certain TV show, movie, music artist, or other figure that these youth are well associated with then using this in your conversation is going to build connections between you.

An example for young North Americans would be the word YOLO: You Only Live Once.

This word was coined by the famous rap artist Drake and almost every young adult would know the reference.

If you didn’t already know that however, I suggest that those who would understand this word are probably not your niche and you shouldn’t try and use it.

If you are speaking to an older businessman, using the language and words he uses at work is going to help you relate with him as a messenger.

Words like investment, dividends, and bankruptcy would play well with their vocabulary. (Those words could make for a cool salvation message yeah?)

But again, if you aren’t already naturally using these words, the business crowd is likely not your niche.

I’m not saying don’t approach them, I’m saying don’t try to use their words if it’s obvious you don’t naturally use those words.

You’ll sound fake or funny.

“But what about overseas?”

If it’s obvious you are a foreigner, there seems to be some grace upon you when they realize you are trying to connect with them.

For example, when I’m in Latin America and I use their slang phrases, they go ecstatic and congratulate me on “being one of them.”

It doesn’t matter if I say it wrong or with a terrible accent, the fact that I’m trying shows them I value them, and thus gives me a bit of influence in their lives.

The effect is even greater when I’m using it compared to a local missionary using the same phrase.

Trying to connect with other cultures when it’s obvious you’re not from around there shows a sign of respect.

How is this different than with people in your own country? I’m not sure; I’m just speaking from experience.

If you are speaking with a chief in Africa you better know what the culture of communication is or else, you might find yourself getting executed. (Coming from a story I heard Heidi Baker share).

We have to know how to speak to who we are speaking with in order to be relevant. Become who you are speaking with.

As Paul was saying in 1 Corinthians 9:20-23 “…I have become all things to all men that I might by all means save some.” Jesus Himself did this in all His parables.

He was preaching to a predominantly agricultural society so what were most of His pictures about? Planting seeds, harvesting, fishing, taking care of livestock, etc.

He spoke in a language the culture understood.

Be Genuine:

What Paul said was good and I might even say it a different way, “Be who you are speaking with.”

I don’t mean participating in whatever wrong they might be involved with. For example, if preaching to Bikers you become involved with drugs, strippers, and shoot outs just to fit in.

But rather that if you are preaching to Bikers, it would help that you were already one in some capacity; such as actually having a motorcycle and/or tattoos.

This is just a general rule: we like those who are like us. You don’t have to be a Biker or have tattoos to reach this crowd.

All I’m saying is that it would likely help and maybe become an advantage for you. If you’re a skater, go for the skaters. If you’re a musician, go for the musicians.

If you’re a single mom, go for the single moms. If you’re a jock, go for the jocks.

If you’re a computer guy, go for the computer guys. If you’re a sport-person, go take a shower.

And then go for the other sportsers, nobody likes a stinky preacher. The point I am trying to make is this: what are your thoughts about the person you know is being fake or awkward towards you?

Whatever your answer is apply that to the other person’s mind if you are caught faking anything towards them.

If you’re not a Biker and it’s obvious you’re trying to be a Biker to fit in with the Bikers, you’re going to be found out.

This is not going to work for you. But listen, you don’t have to be a Biker in order for them to feel loved and accepted by you.

If you feel called to share with Bikers then go for it. The same goes for how you share. It will either sound like you believe the message, or it won’t. Just be authentically you

while you go.

Finding Your Approach

The most important part about evangelism is that you are sharing something you truly believe and love, and not just trying to earn your way into God’s favor.

Now, you might have to force yourself to share because you’re naturally intimidated by doing this.

But you shouldn’t be doing this out of a sense of religious condemnation. We are sharing the Good News because it’s affected our lives and it really is GOOD NEWS!

And if you’re not actually living the Good News, what exactly are you trying to share or convince others to join?

If you haven’t been personally transformed by Jesus and aren’t enjoying the Christian life (i.e., fellowship with God), what makes you think your life will convince others they will enjoy it too? People want authenticity.

They want to see it first in you. They don’t want a religious version of some sort of network marketing group where people get spiritual points for signing others up underneath them.

This also applies to those who feel they must act “spiritual” to evangelize.

It’s as if one moment they are normal and the second they start talking about God they get all somber and “holy” and they can’t make any facial expressions whatsoever.

Or maybe they go the other way and their face continually looks like they are in pain as they walk around with their hands in the air shouting “Hallelujah” with an emphasis on “JAH!” Acting spiritual is weird, awkward, and unnecessary.

People are not drawn towards hyper religion but rather the opposite. They are repelled by it.

I remember a night in a country overseas when a mentor of mine Terry Lewis with CEO Ministries was preaching in an open field.

There was a large crowd of people gathered around laughing at the stories and enjoying the message.

Because he didn’t speak the language, he passed the closing of the message to a local pastor.

At once the pastor began shouting and yelling and using all the religious power words he knew. It was at that point the crowd started to walk away.

Before that moment this pastor was tranquil and normal. But as soon as he was handed the microphone he turned into “a Holy Ghost filled preacher” calling down “fire.”

Don’t do that. Holy Spirit is not weird and won’t make you behave like a crazy person. Jesus wasn’t weird and didn’t repel people by how He preached.

You can be you and still see the dead raised.

Power doesn’t come from acting weird, yelling loudly, or using religious “power words” like “Hallelujah”, “Amen,” or “Send your fire.”

Power comes from Jesus and it is released through you when you know who you are in Him.

The degree of power that is released through you is determined by the degree you have your mind renewed to this fact.

Be yourself, love people, and get busy.

Who you want to approach

Let’s now make an action plan of who you’re going to approach. We’ll do this first by asking a few questions:

Which people group or culture/subculture do you relate with the most

• Sports
• Business
• Tech
• Music
• Science fiction
  

Which style of person do you relate with the most or feel you can connect with the most

• The innocent: usually naive dreamers with a positive outlook on life.
• The orphan: sometimes negative, but always looking for belonging in the world. May join many groups and communities to find a place they fit in.
• The hero: thrives on being strong and standing up for others. Feels a calling in life and will stand up against “evil”
• The caregiver: full of empathy and compassion. Usually taken advantage of by others because of their goodness. Find it hard to say no to others.
• The explorer: never happy unless experiencing new things. Love traveling, can’t sit still, always need to have something new happening.
• The rebel: always sees something wrong with the world and tends to do things differently than everyone else because of that. Can lead others to following them into rebelling against the norms
• The lover: seeks harmony in everything they do. Find it hard to stand up for their own ideas and beliefs.
• The creator: born to invent something. Prefer making their own entertainment. Often are musicians or artists.
• The Jester: loves to liven up a party with humor and tricks. Want to make others happy and can often use humor to change people’s perceptions.
• The sage: values ideas above all else. They’re good listeners. Always trying to understand the world and teach others about it.
• The magician: the charismatic person. Love sharing their ideas with others.
• The ruler: those who always want to be in control. Have a clear vision of the situation and know what to do. At least they say they do.

How old are they?

• Seeds (10 and under)
• Grass (11-20)
• Saplings (21-30)
• Fruit givers (31-50)
• Shade givers (50 and beyond)
  

What category do you feel you are most comfortable with

• Art
• Tech
• Story telling
• Business
• Etc.
  

With knowing who you are most like, who you want to connect with, the category you feel most comfortable in, how do you feel you could get involved in those circles that encompass all the above?

• Join a club/team?
• Start a club/team?
• Go one on one?
• Go for family?
• Go for friends?
• At work?
• Etc.
  

What do you need to start or get involved?

• Tools
• Subscriptions
• Materials
• Etc.
  

When can you participate?

• Weekdays
• Weekends
• Everyday
• Once a week
• Once a month
• Etc.
  

This is sort of like finding your target audience or client demographics for a business.

Once you know who you want to reach, you can better formulate the message you want to bring to them. I.e., you’re figuring out your language.

If you don’t feel you can connect with senior citizens, don’t feel obligated to go after them.

If you feel you can’t relate with little kids, don’t go after them.

Find your niche, formulate the message, and then start hanging out with those who could receive it the best.

What are your thoughts?

Comment below what's been working or not working for you when starting conversations with people? Or which one of the tools above did you relate with the most? We totally want to hear!

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List of more subculture ideas:

https://en.wikipedia.org/wiki/List_of_subcultures

https://www.learning-mind.com/12-archetypes/