Living Proof: Sharing the Gospel Naturally [Paperback]

Jim Petersen (Author)

Book Description

Publication Date: December 1, 1988

Jim Petersen shares what he’s learned from over 25 years of working with the unchurched. He shows that, although many people don’t want to hear about our faith, they will talk about their own felt needs--needs that can only be met in Christ.

Learn how to develop relationships with the unreached, model the Christian message, and eventually present the Bible’s claims in a non-threatening manner.

Editorial Reviews

From the Back Cover

“MY MIND GOES BLANK, MY PALMS GET SWEATY, AND NOTHING I SAY SEEMS TO MAKE ANY SENSE.”-A Christian businessman describing what happens when he tries to share his faith Do you have a hard time sharing your faith with others? It’s no wonder. Our society is growing more secular, and most people don’t like to talk about spiritual things. But that doesn’t mean they’re beyond the reach of the gospel-it just means we must learn to communicate it in a way they can understand. “Simply verbalizing the message is not enough,” writes Jim Petersen. “We’ve got to make sure they understand what we’re saying, and that often means demonstrating it by living a natural, friendly, Bible-centered lifestyle in their midst. We then become living proof of our message.” In Living Proof (Evangelism as a Lifestyle and Evangelism for Our Generation combined and revised), Jim Petersen shares what he’s learned from over 25 years of working with the unchurched. He shows that, although many people don’t want to hear about our faith, they will talk about their own felt needs-needs that can only be met in Christ. Living Proof will show you how to develop relationships with the unreached, model the Christian message, and eventually present the Bible’s claims in a non-threatening manner. By outlining where secular society stands, and offering many practical guidelines for reaching out to the unchurched, Jim Petersen will help you learn to share your faith naturally, and as a result, more effectively.

About the Author

JIM PETERSEN is an associate to the general director of The Navigators. In 1963 the Petersen's pioneered The Navigator ministry in Brazil. They began with university students and then followed them as they started families and moved into their careers. This in time expended the ministry into a movement across Brazil. In 1973 Jim began to recruit and coach missionary teams for other Latin American countries. From 1986 to 2000 he served as a vice president on the International Executive Team of The Navigators. In those years he coached ministry teams in the Middle East Europe Asia Africa as well as in Latin America. Through living and ministering in many cultures Jim has acquired a wealth of experience in reaching and discipling people who are normally outside the Christian context. He shares what he has learned in his books Living Proof Church Without Walls Lifestyle Discipleship The Insider and Mor e Than Me. (all Navpress). Jim and his wife Marge have raised four children and live in Colorado Springs.

Product Details

• Paperback: 256 pages
• Publisher: NavPress (December 1, 1988)
• Language: English
• ISBN-10: 0891095616
• ISBN-13: 978-0891095613
• Product Dimensions: 8.9 x 5.9 x 0.8 inches
• Shipping Weight: 12.8 ounces (View shipping rates and policies)
• Average Customer Review: 4.8 out of 5 stars  See all reviews (6 customer reviews)
• Amazon Best Sellers Rank: #96,381 in Books (See Top 100 in Books)

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Customer Reviews

Most Helpful Customer Reviews

11 of 11 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening book about personal evagelism, January 14, 2002

By 

D. Keating (Bristow, VA United States) - See all my reviews
(VINE VOICE)    (REAL NAME)   

This review is from: Living Proof: Sharing the Gospel Naturally (Paperback)

Honest admission: this is the first evagelism book that I have read. Having said that, I am very glad that I started with this one. In it, Jim Petersen gives Christians a contemporary discussion about evagelism, based on a lot of research, analysis, and the author's years of experience in the field. I really enjoyed this book, and learned a lot about evagelism for numberous reasons.

First off, the book is well researched. The author does not just give his opinion on how Christians should try to share their faith. Instead, his recommendations are based on many surveys, studies, and his personal experiences over the past few decades. Some of the statistics that he sites in the book will really open your eyes about the challenge today's church faces when it comes to evagelism. Despite the existence of numerous "Mega-churches" across America, we are still failing to reach a majority of the population who have no idea what Christianity is all about.

Secondly, I liked the book, because the author sticks to the basics, and avoids denomination bias. He uses a simple formula when it comes to evagelism. We need to help others understand the Gospel, not the specifics of our denomination, but the fundamentals. Christ crucified for our salvation is our bottom line, and the Bible is our primary source.

Thirdly, the author takes a realistic approach to evagelism, so that everyday Christians (myself included) are not overwhelmed by our role in the great commission. Mr. Petersen makes it very clear that not everyone is ready to receive Christ as his or her personal savior. That the process of conversion may take some time, and our role when talking with others (and living our life before them) may be just to help them find the truth of the Gospel out for themselves.

Lastly, I liked the fact that this book is filled with practical advise. The author does not just talk about evagelism, but he offers many practical ways to get started in this area. Before reading this book, I always thought that eveagelism was better left in the hands of others. I did not feel like I had the skills required to help others understand the message of the Gospel. Having finished this book- I come away thinking that I can do this, and should get involved.

I highly recommend this book to any Christian who is trying to better understand what evagelism is all about. It is an easy read, and will help answer many questions you may have about how to help further the Kingdom of God.

5 of 5 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Eye-opening approach to doing what we've always wanted to do, May 8, 1998

By 

Steven A. Smith "Read-alot" (Atlanta, Georgia, US) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living Proof: Sharing the Gospel Naturally (Paperback)

If you're like me, you've always wanted to be part of moving someone to Christ. Also if you're like me, you've never done so. You've studied about, talked about, maybe even seen it done, but the whole "in your face" event always seemed something good, but something for someone else.

Jim Peterson aggrees! - the event probably is for someone else. That, however doesn't mean that we're not supposed to move people to Christ, nor does it excuse us from the process. His book, Living Proof, lays out a conceptual framework of a normal, part of your life, process of taking people from where ever they are to Jesus.

How? Read the book. I will tell you, however, that I've got a non-Christian couple in a John study with my wife and I, and a couple more of our friends moving in that direction. Check it out.

4 of 4 people found the following review helpful:

5.0 out of 5 stars Very Well Written!!!, July 8, 2003

By 

Gresford Thomas "spiritual pathfinder" (Flemington, NJ United States) - See all my reviews
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This review is from: Living Proof: Sharing the Gospel Naturally (Paperback)

I'm only half way through this book but I am ready to give it my full endorsement. Mr. Peterson uses relevant personal examples and very lucid Biblical explanations detailing how we can witness without feeling awkward or uncomfortable. His challenge to live a Christian life worthy of the Calling is both inspiring and eye-opening. Never have I seen such a perspective that is both doable and applicable to our postmodern generation. I would give this book 10 stars!!!