Imagine how much the Catholic Church would grow if each of us shared the Gospel with another person. Today, Jeff encourages us to embrace the challenge of evangelization and offers specific steps to share the Gospel in an engaging way. You don’t have to be an expert in theology to evangelize. Christ can use you in marvelous ways if you simply give him the chance.
Snippet from the Show
“Connection is more important than perfection.”
Shownotes
It is our experience with the Lord that leads to evangelization, do not fear talking to people.
Shownotes
Seven Elements of the Kerygma:
1. God loves you and has a plan for your life
2. Sin will destroy you
3. Christ Jesus died to save you
4. Repent and believe in the Gospel, radically reorient your life to Christ!
5. Be baptized and receive the Holy Spirit
6. Abide in Christ and in his body the Church
7. Go make disciples
CCC 1431- “Interior repentance is a radical reorientation of our whole life, a return, a conversion to God with all our heart, an end of sin, a turning away from evil, with repugnance toward the evil actions we have committed. At the same time it entails the desire and resolution to change one’s life, with hope in God’s mercy and trust in the help of his grace. This conversion of heart is accompanied by a salutary pain and sadness which the Fathers called animi cruciatus (affliction of spirit) and compunctio cordis (repentance of heart).”
Matt 28:19-20- “Go therefore and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, to the close of the age.”
1 Peter 3:15- “Always be prepared to make a defense to any one who calls you to account for the hope that is in you.”
1 Cor 15:3-8- “For I delivered to you as of first importance what I also received, that Christ died for our sins in accordance with the scriptures, that he was buried, that he was raised on the third day in accordance with the scriptures, and that he appeared to Cephas, then to the twelve. Then he appeared to more than five hundred brethren at one time, most of whom are still alive, though some have fallen asleep. Then he appeared to James, then to all the apostles. Last of all, as to one untimely born, he appeared also to me.”
1 Corinthians 4:16 – St. Paul’s words to the Corinthians: “I beg you, be imitators of me” as I am of Christ
Do not fear talking to people! Matthew 10:19 – “When they deliver you up, do not be anxious how you are to speak or what you are to say; for what you are to say will be given to you in that hour”
Resources
- Email us at tjcs@ascensionpress.com
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- The Great Adventure Catholic Bible
- Ascension is pleased that our Catholic Community is starting to come Together Again — at our parishes, with Jesus in the Eucharist, or in small group settings where you can share and live in Christ. We invite you to explore our many resources and programs to help us all come together again.
Meet Your Host: Jeff Cavins
Jeff Cavins is passionate about helping people understand Scripture and become disciples of Jesus Christ. Though he was born Catholic, Jeff went to Bible school and served as a protestant minister for twelve years before reverting to the Catholic Faith. Jeff then received his MA in Theology from Franciscan University of Steubenville. Since then, he has become a leading Catholic evangelist and author.
Jeff created The Bible Timeline learning system, which revolutionized Catholic Bible Study for millions of Catholics. Since its introduction, Jeff has developed The Great Adventure series of Bible studies to help people better understand Sacred Scripture and its meaning for their lives.
If the Catholic church adopts a direct evangelization method they are going to have a hard time. The Catholic church has historically in America grown in two ways 1. By integrating new immigrants and 2. through active members having children who themselves become Catholic. Without children being indoctrinated early into the church it’s a hard religion to sell to an adult. Americans having less children, and the decline of immigration into this country I don’t see how growing the church is likely.
All of the points made were, of course, valid and necessary to the individual. But, the topic was how the Catholic Church will double in five years. Omitted from the discussion was the human element. The Boy Scouts of America thrived for many years because we all truly enjoyed the comradery. We felt welcome and more importantly “wanted.” That welcome smile, that how have you been, that sit by us while I slide over to make room for you, has never been. Once while wishing a person a “Good Morning,” I was to shhh, your in church. I have visited other denominations where you are greeted with a hello smile even if they never have seen you before. Maybe they have learned something.