Contemporary Evangelism

Course Syllabus

EVAN 525
Contemporary Evangelism

Course Description
A study of the evangelistic imperative and various methods of personal witnessing. Particular emphasis is given to follow-up, discipleship, and memorizing key Bible verses.

Rationale
Because of the importance of every student being fully prepared in the areas of evangelism and discipleship, EVAN 525 is required for each degree program the seminary offers.

I. Prerequisites
None

II. Required Resource Purchases
Earley, David and David Wheeler. Evangelism Is–How to Share Jesus with Passion and Confidence. Nashville, TN: B&H Publishing Group, 2010. ISBN: 9780805449594.
Fay, William. Share Jesus Without Fear. Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 1999. ISBN: 0805418383.
McRaney, William. The Art of Personal Evangelism, Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 2003. ISBN: 0805426248.
Pipes, Jerry and Victor Lee. Family to Family, Families Making a Difference. Lawrenceville, GA: Jerry Pipes Productions, 1999. ISBN: 0840085109.
Reid, Alvin and David Wheeler. Servant Evangelism Manual. Alpharetta, GA: North American Mission Board, 2013. ISBN: 9781490964324.
Spread Truth Ministries. The Story. Spread Truth Ministries, 2011. ISBN: 9781612260006.
Whaley, Vernon and David Wheeler. The Great Commission to Worship. Nashville, TN: B and H Publishing Group, 2011. ISBN: 9781433672378.
Whaley, Vernon and David Wheeler. Worship and Witness Workbook. Nashville, TN: LifeWay Press, 2012. ISBN: 9781415848562.
Disclaimer: The above resources provide information consistent with the latest research regarding the subject area. Liberty University does not necessarily endorse specific personal, religious, philosophical, or political positions found in these resources.

III. Additional Materials for Learning
A. Computer with basic audio/video output equipment
B. Internet access (broadband recommended)
C. Microsoft Word
(Microsoft Office is available at a special discount to Liberty University students.)

IV. Measurable Learning Outcomes
Upon successful completion of this course, the student will be able to:
A. Explain the biblical perspective of evangelism.
B. Identify the characteristics of an evangelistic, servant leader.
C. Implement the process of sharing ones faith consistently while in seminary, in ministry, and in life.
D. Compare and contrast contemporary culture with the Gospel message.
E. Explain their testimony and recovery testimony as a basis for evangelism.
F. Develop an evangelistic plan that could be implemented in a variety of ministry contexts (i.e. church, parachurch, or home).

V. Course Requirements and Assignments
A. Textbook readings and lecture presentations/notes
B. Course Requirements Checklist
After reading the Syllabus and Student Expectations, the student will complete the related checklist found in Module/Week 1.
C. Discussion Board Forums (3)
For each forum assignment, the student will address the discussion topic in a new thread. The thread must be a minimum of 450 words, supported by course resources. The student will then reply to at least 2 other classmate’s threads. Each reply must be a minimum of 250 words. (Syllabus Outcomes: A, B, D)
D. Conversion Testimony Paper
The student will write a 2-page testimony paper summarizing the story of his/her conversion. The purpose of this paper is to help the student develop a personal testimony which he/she will use as a bridge from one’s personal testimony to sharing the Gospel of Christ. (Syllabus Outcome: E)
E. Recovery Testimony
The student will write a 2-page testimony paper summarizing a problem the student has overcome. The purpose of this paper is to help the student understand the power of being transparent, as a way of communicating the Gospel message. (Syllabus Outcome: E)

F. 4MAT Book Reviews (3)
During this course, the student must write 3 book reviews. For each book the student will write a book review consisting of 4 parts: a 1-page abstract summarizing the book, a 1-page response section relating the book to personal experience, a 1-page reflection section that critically reviews the books, and a 2– 3-page action plan outlining how the student will alter his/her approach to evangelism based on what he/she has read and learned. Each report must be 5–7 pages. (Syllabus Outcome: B, D)
G. Servant Evangelism Reports (2)
During this course, the student must plan and participate in 2 servant evangelism opportunities (at least 1 in his/her own neighborhood). The student will write a 1–2-page report on each evangelism opportunity according to criteria given in the course. (Syllabus Outcome: A, E, F)
H. Witnessing Reports (3)
During this course, the student is required to share the Gospel 3 times, with 3 different people during the 8-week course. At least 2 of the 3 encounters must be completed in the student’s neighborhood. The student will write a 1-page report on each witnessing encounter. (Syllabus Outcomes: A, C,E,F)
I. Evangelism Vision Paper
After working through required course materials, the student will develop an 8–10-page, current Turabian-style paper centered on the vision and challenge of what God is doing in his/her life in the area of evangelism. The paper will address questions provided in the course. (Syllabus Outcomes: A, C, F)
J. Midterm Exam
The Midterm Exam will cover the Servant Evangelism Manual and the Worship and Witness Workbook material for Modules/Weeks 1–4. The Midterm Exam will be open-book/open-notes, contain 30 multiple answer questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (Syllabus Outcomes: B, D)
K. Final Exam
The Final Exam will cover the Worship and Witness Workbook material for Modules/Weeks 1–8 as well as the Story Tracts found in the found in the course. The Final Exam will be open-book/open-notes, contain 30 multiple-choice and true/false questions, and have a 1-hour time limit. (Syllabus Outcomes B, D)

VI. Course Grading and Policies
A. Points
Course Requirements Checklist
10
Discussion Board Forums (3 at 50 pts ea)
150
Conversion Testimony
50
Recovery Testimony
50
4MAT Book Reviews (3 at 60 pts ea)
180
Servant Evangelism Report (2 at 70 pts ea)
140
Witnessing Report (3 at 70 pts ea)
210
Evangelism Vision Paper
100
Midterm Exam
60
Final Exam
60
Total
1010
B. Scale
A = 940–1010 A- = 920–939 B+ = 900–919 B = 860–899 B- = 840–859
C+ = 820–839 C = 780–819 C- = 760–779 D+ = 740–759 D = 700–739
D- = 680–699 F = 0–679
C. Late Assignment Policy
If the student is unable to complete an assignment on time, then he or she must contact the instructor immediately by email.
Assignments that are submitted after the due date without prior approval from the instructor will receive the following deductions:
1. Late assignments submitted within one week of the due date will receive a 10% deduction.
2. Assignments submitted more than one week late will receive a 20% deduction.
3. Assignments submitted two weeks late or after the final date of the course will not be accepted.
4. Late Discussion Board threads or replies will not be accepted.
Special circumstances (e.g. death in the family, personal health issues) will be reviewed by the instructor on a case-by-case basis.
E. Style Guidelines
All assignments for this course are to be formatted in accordance with the LBTS Writing Guide and the latest edition of the Turabian style manual (A Manual for Writers of Research Papers, Theses, and Dissertations). Discussion assignments and essay examinations may use the parenthetical citation style. All other written assignments should use the footnote citation style. Supplemental writing aids are available via the Online Writing Center.

F. Extra Credit
No additional “for credit” assignments will be permitted beyond those given in the course requirements stated above.
G. Course Changes
Course requirements are subject to change by the administration of the University at any time with appropriate notice.
H. Disability Assistance
Students with a documented disability may contact Liberty University Online’s Office of Disability Academic Support [e-mail] to make arrangements for academic accommodations. Further information can be found at www.liberty.edu/disabilitysupport.