[This is a part of the Evangelization Basics Series. Have you read the other parts?]
Whatever level of catechetical ministry you’re in, you’ll have to evangelize and convert your students if you want to be effective. That is key!
The crucial starting point for evangelization is establishing a trusting relationship with your students. Trust gets you heard.
But how do you go about gaining your student’s trust so they’ll listen to what you have to say?
Thankfully, St. Paul left a tutorial! In 1 Thessalonians, he writes about his first encounters with the believers in Thessalonica, and in the process clues all of us into his evangelization strategies.
Here are five examples of St. Paul’s methodology from 1 Thessalonians 1 and 2 and the passages that illustrate them.
1. He Become An Example By His Life and Actions
“You know what kind of men we proved to be among you for your sake. And you became imitators of us and of the Lord…” (1 Thess 1:6).
What does it mean that Paul and his companions “proved” themselves for the sake of the Thessalonians? It means they sort of put themselves on probation! Their actions had to back up what they were saying or their message meant nothing. So, their lives became a living witness of the gospel.
The result? The Thessalonians began imitating them. Paul showed them the beauty of God’s way of living and they followed his example.
2. He Was Open, Honest and Transparent
“For our appeal does not spring from error or uncleanness, nor is it made with guile…” (2:3).
In other words, he was honest with them. He didn’t try to trick them or make false claims to get them to believe. He was open and transparent because he preached “not to please men, but to please God who tests our hearts” (2:4).
3. He Was Sincere and His Motives Were Pure
“For we never used either words of flattery, as you know, or a cloak of greed, as God is our witness; nor did we seek glory from men…” (2:5).
Paul didn’t butter them up with insincere compliments or disguise his intentions in order to get something for himself. He wasn’t seeking “glory from men” but the glory of God.
We have to check our motives and our pride to make sure we’re working for God’s glory and not our own.
4. He Was Gentle
“But we were gentle among you, like a nurse taking care of her children” (2:7).
This is the most important part. Paul’s attitude toward them was like a nurse (or nursing mother) gently coddling her baby.
How do you handle infant children? You treat them with kindness, patience and extreme gentleness. You give them carefully prepared food that can be easily digested. You lovingly shelter them and protect them. You put yourself out to see to their needs.
5. He Was A Close Friend
“So, being affectionately desirous of you, we were ready to share with you not only the gospel of God but also our own selves, because you had become very dear to us” (2:8).
This is the second most important part. It’s almost as if he’s saying he wasn’t ready to share the gospel with them until he was affectionately desirous of them! And not only that, he shared himself with them as well. And that in turn helped him share the gospel more fully.
This is not a fake kind of kissing up to get what he wants. He’s genuinely interested in these people. He likes them and calls them his friends.
Paul developed deep relationships with the people he met on his journeys. The accounts in Acts make it look like he breezed into town, went to the synagogue and started arguing. But when you read his letters, especially the references to his friends, you see the level of affection he had for those he ministered to.
What Happened? They Converted!
How did they react? Go back to chapter one and you’ll see Paul says the Thessalonians “turned to God from idols, to serve a living and true God.” They turned…converted! They had a metanoia! They went beyond their old way of idolatrous thinking and embraced God’s way of thinking.
These are five examples of how St. Paul worked to build trusting relationships in order to share the gospel with others. Can you think of any other? Do you have any favorite passages from Paul’s letters that illustrate this principle? Tell me about them in the comments.
[This is a part of the Evangelization Basics Series. Have you read the other parts?]
This is a good list to remember when encountering fellow Catholics and non-Catholics alike. Thanks for sharing these evangelization strategies from the life of St. Paul!
Yes, I think these would work for both groups.
I’ve been reading your blog for a while now, and I thought I’d comment. = )
Wonderful post, Marc! Hm. In answer to your question, I’d say that Paul was in the trenches with people. He didn’t set himself apart in a prideful way, but he was fighting the good fight right there with his fellow Christians. He was (is!) honest about what it means to follow Christ, how it is difficult but highly rewarding (it’s everything). He didn’t preach the easy, happy, profitable life, but a gritty, earthy faith.
Love Paul. Happy feast day!
Thanks for commenting Veronica! I’m so glad you did!
I think you’re absolutely right. Paul was in there with people and not apart from them. He knew them and so gave them what they needed. It wasn’t theory, it was personal!
Happy feast day to you too!
Another great post brother. Never thought of St. Paul as “gentle” before–gotta tell ya, but that scripture passage is interesting. Paul is so fascinating. I don’t think I’ll ever get tired of studying about him and reading his letters.
Yeah, that’s interesting huh? I never hear anyone refer to Paul as gentle. But take another look at how he refers to his friends and the deep distress he feels over their suffering. It shows a different side with deep compassion and affection. Yet, he could also mix it up with the best of them!
He’s quite a hero! Definitely one of a kind! Well, actually maybe not. You see the same mix of strength, compassion, tenacity, savvy and depth of emotion in Jesus as well. Maybe Paul is just imitating him.
Thanks for the comments Roy!
Terrific post! I love that St. Paul is never lukewarm – he reminds me of Augustine that way. I suppose none of our saints were milquetoasts when it came to what really matters.
Yeah, that’s a great way to put it. He’s never lukewarm. If he’s with you, he’s with you all the way in affectionate friendship. If he’s against you, you get both barrels!