The Master Plan of Evangelism

I was not expecting an abridged version! Additional insult, it is discounted $.30 from new! This abridged version has a list price of $4.99, I paid $4.69

Coleman begins his book with a preface titled "The Master and His Plan." He begins his discussion with the problem in evangelistic methods. He lists objective and relevance as the crucial issues of our work. The question must be asked: Is it worth doing? And, does it get the job done? We must have a well thought through strategy for fulfilling the Great Commission. For this Coleman offers his book as a study in principles. He follows Jesus' method as the model for the principles he sets forth in his book. Chapter one is titled "Selection." Coleman begins with the observation that men were Jesus' method. Jesus focused on training a few men who were willing to learn, without neglecting ministering to the masses. Jesus concentrated on a few men because he knew that he needed quality leaders to carry on the work of the kingdom in his absence. Coleman observes that this is seldom the practice in churches today. He says most evangelistic efforts are directed to the multitudes because of our emphasis on numbers of converts rather than a genuine concern for the spiritual welfare of those that are reached. But we must begin to intentionally disciple believers if we are to achieve lasting growth. This will be a slow, tedious, and painful process that will probably go unnoticed by people at first, but the result will be glorious. Chapter two is titled "Association." Coleman says that Jesus had a very informal teaching method. The essence of his training program was just letting his disciples follow him, just to be with him. They were able to observe, discuss, ask questions, and listen to Jesus' teaching. His method was himself. Coleman points out what our problem is today. He says that our methods of preaching to the masses, occasional prayer meetings, and training classes cannot do the job. He says that the example of Jesus would teach us that preparing leaders can be done only by persons staying close to those whom they seek to lead. Coleman says the church has failed tragically at this point because this type of training involves the sacrifice of personal indulgence. Coleman says the church must have as its basis a personal guardian concern for those entrusted to its care. Chapter three is titled "Consecration." Jesus requires obedience of his followers. We must count the cost and decide to take up our crosses. We cannot lead others if we ourselves have not first learned to be a follower, and the one we follow is Jesus. Chapter four is titled "Impartation." In this chapter Coleman discusses the fact that Jesus gave himself to his disciples in love. Jesus modeled a self-giving life. Coleman also discusses the role of the Holy Spirit in the life of believers, and that Jesus imparted knowledge and teaching to his disciples that was not made available to those on the outside. Coleman states that if we are to follow this example of Jesus it means that we cannot give away something that we do not ourselves possess. We must possess the life and love of G

They titled this book wrong. This isn't the Master Plan of Evangelism; this should have been the Master Plan of Discipleship. But that's about the only thing I can say wrong about the book. It's almost as if Coleman takes apart Jesus' life and ministry on Earth and puts it back together with chapter titles, isolating the principles that drove him to do the things he did. This book is almost essential reading for an understanding of how to raise up Christians who will seriously follow God and strive to know Him. If you desire to make disciples as Jesus called us to do, you will do yourself well to read through this book.

I grew up hearing a lot of teaching and preaching in church about what the gospel was. It consisted, I was told, mostly of what Jesus taught.One day when I was in college, a guest speaker came to our youth ministry class and uttered a sentence that would open an entirely new dimension to my understanding of the gospel. "Jesus' methods," the speaker said, "are just as much a part of the gospel as his message." Wow!This book takes a simple, yet profoundly insightful, look at Jesus' methods--how he made disciples, how he equipped his disciples to carry out his mission. If we want to know how best to make disciples, doesn't it make sense to ask how the greatest disciple-maker of all time did it? That's what Coleman does in this book that has become a classic.Many of today's "discipling" methods consist primarily of guiding either individuals or groups through a curriculum. They begin with cognitive knowledge and assume that cognitive knowlege leads to behavioral change. Sometimes it works. Often it doesn't.That was not Jesus' approach. Coleman identifies eight principles that Jesus embodied in his disciple-making: Selection, Association, Consecration, Impartation, Demonstration, Delegation, Supervision, and Reproduction--and devotes a chapter to each. A few excerpts:"Most of the evangelistic efforts of the church begin with the multitudes under the assumption that the church is qualified to preserve what good is done. The result is our spectacular emphasis on numbers of converts, candidates for baptism, and more members for the church, with little or no genuine concern manifested toward the establishment of these souls in the love and power of God, let alone the preservation and continuation of the work.""This was the essence of his training program--just letting his disciples follow him." "Knowledge was gained by association before it was understood by explanation."If you're wanting to get a biblical perspective on how to do evangelism or how to make disciples, apart from the Scripture on which this book is based, it would be harder to find a better starting point than this book.

As a Christian, we are commanded to make disciples of all nations. This book reveals the key to accomplish this task. It is not the "normal" way most of us Christians perceive how evangelism should be accomplished. Coleman looks at Jesus Christ's life on earth and applies it to our lives, and shows us the way Jesus wants us to evangelize. A real eye opener. A Must read!

This is a truly insightful work that gives a strong, biblically-based challenge to much of the church's quick-fix, low-involvement evangelistic efforts so prevalent in Christendom today. The author takes a careful look at the life and ministry of Jesus Christ Himself and examines His priorities and methods. His findings are, indeed, profound, and they bear careful consideration as we, the church, endeavor to be effective in ministry in the 21st century.This is a must read for anyone who is involved in Christian ministry of any kind. I rank it as one of the top 5 books that should be on the bookshelf of every devoted Christian.