These discussion questions come from chapter ONE of Ray Comfort’s book, “Anyone But Me.”
Special thank you to Susan Farnham for writing our questions this week.
Can fear of our circumstances coexist with faith in God?
35 While he was still speaking to her, messengers arrived from the home of Jairus, the leader of the synagogue. They told him, “Your daughter is dead. There’s no use troubling the Teacher now.”
Mark 5:35-43 NLT
36 But Jesus overheard them and said to Jairus, “Don’t be afraid. Just have faith.”
37 Then Jesus stopped the crowd and wouldn’t let anyone go with him except Peter, James, and John (the brother of James). 38 When they came to the home of the synagogue leader, Jesus saw much commotion and weeping and wailing. 39 He went inside and asked, “Why all this commotion and weeping? The child isn’t dead; she’s only asleep.”
40 The crowd laughed at him. But he made them all leave, and he took the girl’s father and mother and his three disciples into the room where the girl was lying. 41 Holding her hand, he said to her, “Talitha koum,” which means “Little girl, get up!” 42 And the girl, who was twelve years old, immediately stood up and walked around! They were overwhelmed and totally amazed. 43 Jesus gave them strict orders not to tell anyone what had happened, and then he told them to give her something to eat.
How do Jesus’ own words answer the above question?
What do you hope to gain from this study?
In chapter one, Ray Comfort asks several good questions. As you read each chapter, underline the questions and discuss them in your lifegroup.
Take a few minutes to discuss the times you have evangelized, whether to non-believers, friends, or neighbors.
Was there a consistent pattern of statements and questions that you heard? If so, what were the statements/questions? Did they include ‘burden of proof’ questions, ‘science vs religion’ questions, or perhaps statements concerning ‘subjective truth and moral relativism’ as opposed to God’s objective truth?
What have you learned from your encounters?
Did God expose some of your weaknesses to you?
Did God accentuate your strengths?
How have you sought to improve your outreach?
In Chapter one, the author gives examples of different circumstances in which he has evangelized, as well as the different kinds of personalities to whom he has evangelized in his outreach.
Were there any particular circumstances you could relate to, and if so, what methods and strategies did you use in your outreach?
What about those who responded with antagonism or outright hatred? How did you respond?
Mr Comfort provides several Scriptural references in regard to ‘good works’ and ‘doing good to all.’ He then states “When I do something nice for an unsaved person, I am saying ‘I love you,’ but I have another motive, too. I desperately want to bring you to the cross so that you will escape hell. That’s my deepest desire.”
Read what Paul writes about this in 1 Timothy…
The purpose of my instruction is that all believers would be filled with love that comes from a pure heart, a clear conscience, and genuine faith.
1 Timothy 1:5 NLT
I say, love your enemies! Do good to those who hate you. 28 Bless those who curse you. Pray for those who hurt you
-Jesus, Luke 6:27-28 NLT
How does Mr Comfort, by showing Christ’s love, deal with those whose worldview is steeped in self-righteousness and rooted in idolatry? Please reference scripture cited by the author, as well as any verses you find helpful when faced with the same circumstances.
Discuss the author’s concept of ‘evidential love,’ how he uses it in his witnessing, and the power that it has to immediately dissipate anger.
How can you use evidential love when witnessing?
“We preach Moses before we preach Jesus.” (p. 23)
Why?
How does this relate to the cross?
What does Mr Comfort say to do if you have a bad witnessing experience and why?
What is the basis for being both an effective evangelist and being effective in evangelism?