Biblical Example:  Peter in Acts 2

Theme Verse:  2 Timothy 4:2
Preach the Word; be prepared in season and out of season; correct, rebuke and encourage---with great patience and careful instruction. 

Traits

• Confident
• Bold
• Assertive
• Skips small talk, gets right to the point
• Has strong opinions and convictions

Cautions

• Be sure to seek God's wisdom so you will be appropriately sensitive and tactful.
• Allow the Holy Spirit to restrain your desire to come on strong.
• Avoid judging or laying guilt trips on others who approach evangelism with a different style. 

Suggestions for Using and Developing This Style

• Ask friends for feedback on whether or not you have the right balance of boldness and gentleness.  Keep in mind Paul's phrase in Ephesians 4, "speaking the truth in love."  Both truth and love are essential. 
• Prepare yourself for situations where you will stand alone (read about Peter in Acts 2 and other Scripture).  The nonbeliever you confront with the truth will sometimes feel uncomfortable.  Even nonconfrontational Christians who are with you will sometimes feel that discomfort.  That's okay.  Under God's guidance, challenge people to trust and follow Christ, and he will use it.
• It is critical that you listen and value what others say before telling them what you think they need to hear.
• Team up with friends who have other styles that may be better matched to the personality of the person you hope to reach. 

Peter's Direct Approach

It's no secret that Peter was a "Ready-Fire-Aim" kind of guy.  Whatever he did, he did it unhesitantly and with full force.  When Jesus asked the disciples in Matthew 16:15 who they thought He was, Peter didn't mince words; he declared flat-out that Jesus was the Messiah.  Then a few verses later he challenged Jesus' stated mission head on.  Can you imagine trying to correct the Son of God?  You might, if you have the direct style yourself!

When Peter was in the fishing boat and wanted to be with Jesus, he didn't hesitate to do whatever it took to get close to Him, even if it meant trying to walk on water.  And when their enemies came to take Jesus away, Peter was ready to cut off their heads. 

All Peter needed was to be convinced he was right, and there was almost no stopping him.  He was confident, he was bold, and he was right to the point. 

Is it any wonder God chose him as his spokesman on the day of Pentecost in Acts 2?  It was a perfect fit!  God needed someone unafraid to take a stand, right there in Jerusalem, the city where Jesus had been crucified a few weeks ealier.  He wanted to let the thousands of people who were there know in no uncertain terms that they'd crucified the Messiah, and that they needed to call on Him for His mercy and forgiveness. 

Peter's personality was custon-designed to fill the bill.  With the empowerment of the Holy Spirit, he stood quite naturally and confronted the people with the facts.  And God miraculously used his efforts: three thousand people trusted Christ and were baptized that same day. 

As exciting as that historical event was, we need to turn our focus to today.  Do you realize that there are a lot of people in your world who won't come to Christ until someone like Peter holds their feet to the fire? 

I have a friend who for years played church and pretended to be a Christian.  He'd heard lots of good teaching, knew the gospel message inside and out, and could quote numerous Bible verses.  The only thing he lacked was a direct-style evangelist who could get in his face about his need to start living the truth he knew.  Then one day God sent one.  This man looked my friend in the eye and told him he was a hypocrite. 

That made him angry, but it made him think.  And within a week's time he'd committed his life to Christ, a decision that has transformed his life over the last twenty years. 

Some people are just waiting for a contagious Christian who won't beat around the bush, but who'll clarify the truth of Christ and challenge them to do something about it.  Could that Christian be you?  Do you resonate with Peter's approach, or are you ready to move on to the other five options? 

If you think this approach is for you, ask the Holy Spirit to guide you to know how, when, and where to direct your words and challenges, as well as the wisdom you'll need to do it with an appropriate mix of grace and truth. 

This information is adapted from the book and Participant's Guide, "Becoming A Contagious Christian", by Lee Strobel, Mark Mittelberg and Bill Hybels