Journal: Central Bible Quarterly
Volume: CENQ 07:3 (Fall 1964)
Article: Button-Hole Evangelism And Friendship Evangelism
Author: Anonymous

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Button-Hole Evangelism And Friendship Evangelism

Button-hole evangelism is that type which presents the Gospel on a personal approach to strangers. Friendship evangelism is that type which presents the Gospel very gradually to individuals who have become friends. The likeness between these two types is the personal approach of the soul-winner to the unsaved. The difference between these two types of evangelism is that button-hole evangelism seeks to present the Gospel on first contact with an individual, while friendship evangelism seeks to present the Gospel after a friendship has been established. Therefore, button-hole evangelism is designed to reach many people, while friendship evangelism is designed to concentrate on a few.

Both types are good and should be practiced by all Christians. The danger comes from many Christians who cast disparaging remarks against button-hole evangelism as if only the ignorant, impolite, uncultered Christians would use such a method of personal evangelism. However, we support the use of button-hole evangelism by all Christian people whatever their social status.

Three suggested approaches of button-hole evangelism are given to scotch the idea that it must be crude and impolite when put into action.

1. X-ray questions

a. Are you interested in spiritual things?

b. Have you ever thought of becoming a Christian?

c. What would you say if someone were to ask you, “What is a Christian?”

2. May I ask you a personal question?

a. Have you ever heard of being “born again”?

b. Jesus says a man must be “born again” to go to heaven.

c. Give your own personal testimony of being “born again.”

d. Have you ever desired to be a member of God’s family?

e. Would you permit me to show you four Scripture passages which tell you how to be “born” into God’s family?

3. May I ask you a personal question?

a. Are you on your way to heaven?

b. You can know it right now if you are!

c. May I show you one verse? (I John 5:13)

Five reasons why some kind of button-hole evangelism must be used: (1) It is a Scriptural method (John 3, 4; Acts 8); (2) It can be done anywhere (Acts 1:8); (3) It spreads the Gospel quickly (Acts 19:10); (4) It enables us to talk to friends and foes (Acts 20:20, 2...

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