Evangelism Games
and He said to them, “Follow me, . . .” Matthew 4:19
Follow – Although this passage about fishers of men is used frequently, it contains a few gems that aren’t usually uncovered. A closer look reveals God’s evangelism games.
First, the Greek verb used here is really two words, deute opiso. Literally, this means “come behind me.” So, the first game of God’s evangelism is Follow the Leader. Put your feet where I have put my feet. You want to walk out of the mind field of life. Step into my tracks. You want to experience the blessings God has in mind. Take the path I am traveling.
Notice that God does not play Tag. That’s a game where I run up to you, touch you momentarily and then run away, shouting, “You’re it!” The object of Tag is to make you responsible by passing “it” to you and then try to get as far from you as I can. It reminds me of evangelism techniques that do nothing more than pass something to the poor victim, making them responsible for life without a step-by-step guide. The question, “If you died today, where would you go?” as an introduction of evangelism is like Tag. “I got you! Now you’re on the spot.” How different it is to invite someone to come behind me. I must first be willing to go in front and I must clearly mark the way to travel.
There’s another game in deute opiso. It’s very Hebrew. It’s called Simon Says. The object of Simon Says is to have everyone who follows the leader do exactly what the leader instructs them to do as long as the code “Simon says” precedes the instruction. “Simon says touch your nose.” You touch your nose. But if you don’t hear the words, “Simon says,” you are supposed to do nothing. What great practice for learning to listen and obey only what the external word of the leader commands. This is the other evangelism game. Not only do I put my steps in the steps of the leader, I must also be trained to listen to him and do only what he commands. The Hebrew culture calls this discipleship.
Both games have this in common. There is a direct, immediate and continuing relationship between the leader and the follower. The follower is expected to look carefully at every action of the leader, to listen attentively to every word of the leader and follow suit. In other words, biblical evangelism is based on the “copy me” principle of life. I copy you. You copy Timothy. Timothy copies Paul. Paul copies Yeshua. We walk the same way and do the same things. We are all followers.
Oh yes, there’s one other thing about this verse that is hidden behind the translation. The actual Greek text doesn’t read, “. . . and He said to them.” It reads, “. . . and He says to them.” The verb is present tense. This is a linguistic device to emphasize the immediacy of the moment. It’s as if this scene is occurring right now, in front of you.
Is this your style of evangelism? Are you following someone and, at the same time, leading another? Have you invited someone to look at your every move and copy you? Is your life an example worthy of copying? Or is your evangelism more like Tag – just out to get someone. The church complains about the lack of transformation in the lives of the congregation. Humm? Maybe the congregation is just copying what they really see.
Topical Index: evangelism, follow, deute opiso, games, Matthew 4:19
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This is the fun part.. It is!- It is happening right now in front of me and in front of you. This “follow me”. Consider three Bible names and three Bible stories. The names are familiar. Abraham, Moses and Noah. These three have their names written in the Lamb’s book of life. We have heard their stories and know their names. Their names are different and their stories are different and yet they all know, serve and love the very same G-d. It reminds me of something I’ve picked up in my (limited) travels. “Remember, you are unique.. just like everyone else!” -G-d not only loves all of us, but more importantly, He loves each of us. Today, G-d is working on the Skip Moen story and He is working on the Carl Roberts story. I like the line from the movie “Chicken Run” where the chickens were facing the possiblity of being turned into a chicken pie, and one of them said..”I saw my whole life pass before my eyes”…”it was very boring”.. , or another line from “A Bug’s Life”… from the ant-queen Phyllis Diller- speaking of the ants gruesome assignment to gather grain for the evil grasshoppers.., “it’s our lot in life”.. it’s not alot but it’s our life”. Our lives, and the moments of our lives move in one direction and that is toward the finish line or the door marked “exit.” Yeshua stated in His book, “I am come that you might have life and have it more abundantly”. (John 10.10) Life to the full and overflowing. You and I have an unfair advantage. We know the Savior and we know His name. We are on His pathway leading to a glorious end, an adventure all the way to the end of our breathing. I today am intentionally listening to G-d’s words and to anyone who speaks His words. “bring him to me” is written in the book. He is (alone) is our Source of healing and of help. I know Someone who is able to deliver from darkness, confusion, shame and fear. I know His name. I know He is a G-d of compassion, forgiveness and mercy. I know He hung naked on an execution stake on my behalf. I know He arose and stepped out of a borrowed tomb holding the keys of death and of hell, triumphing openly over death and HaSatan. I know He lives today in the hearts of men everwhere who have made (and are making) the decision to follow Him. He is still today, at work in us, both to will and to do of His good pleasure. I read His living and pulsating words today.. “To open their eyes, and to turn them from darkness to light, and from the power of Satan unto God, that they may receive forgiveness of sins, and inheritance among them which are sanctified by faith that is in me.” We have an assignment, – all of us who are followers of the Way. ..”bring him to Me”. Do you know Him? Do you belong to the Shepherd? and yes.. -may you be covered in the dust of your “Rabbi!” (lol!). (John 14.26)
This is so true. Especially as the (former) wife of a minister of a large congregation, I was ‘playing the wrong games’ for so many years.
The Lord spoke to me that, in the past, what I was trying to do for Him was to PERFROM, which is really just acting, and is not real. He told me I was also trying to CONFORM, which is really just an imiitation, and, of course, also not real. He said that what was going to happen to me is that HE was going to TRANSFORM me – a complete reversal of all my attempts.
And that is REAL!
And it’s happening!
And it’s liberating…
Carol,
What an exciting and inspiring testimony of God’s grace! Thanks you for sharing your life with us.
Continue abiding in the True Vine, dear Sister. He is our Portion, our Great Reward!
Carol,
You mentioned you are the former wife of a minister. Are you divorced or did your husband pass on? I was thinking perhaps you divorced him because of the ‘wrong games being played’. Just trying to understand your statement more.
Thanks,
Carolyn
This is really great!
Who’s your Paul and who’s your Timothy?!
Your question is the REAL question. Who do you follow? Following means walking in the steps of someone who is Torah-observant and (here’s the key) has invited you to follow. The rabbinic method is at the choice of the rabbi. The student doesn’t decide who to follow. The rabbi decides who to invite.
Second, as a follower, I am also called to be a leader. So, I must also choose someone to follow me. That person is invited to look into my life and see how I’m doing, what I’m doing and how I live – and to hold me accountable to Torah.
Please download and listen to my lecture “The Hebrew View of Education” from skipmoen.com/products
I agree Skip from a traditional Hebraic view of education and discipleship. This is exactly what it means to bring unity to the Body Of Mashiach. It does not mean transferring theology but rather applying The Gospel Message in a very tactical and transparent manner.
From a Hebraic perspective the relationship between parents and children, teachers and students, communities and individuals are all part of the equation. Standards, expectations and transparency are fundamental to the success of the community since the consequences of failure affect much more than an individual!
As it pertains to spreading the kingdom …. it would seem key, from a Biblical perspective, that obedience to the standards of Torah be a pre-requisite for the evangelist, the teacher and parents …. do you agree Skip?
Walking the walk of the Way. That’s the message. The Way isn’t what Christianity today preaches. The Way is what Paul and others refer to as something called a “sect” of Judaism, but is actually the true Hebraic understanding of Elohim YHWH. So, if we are called to be like Yeshua, we are ipso facto called to walk like Yeshua. And the one we follow (at invitation) should be following in the Way.
Now, with that said, let me add one other element. The goal is to get there TOGETHER. God is not interested in you arriving ahead of the pack. He wants to know who you brought with you. So, Sha’ul exhorts the stronger to BEND and CARRY the weaker. That’s the model. Just because you or I see it correctly doesn’t mean we are exempt from lifting others. We carry if we have to. We forego our clearer perspective in order to hold the hands of those who are a bit blind. We slow the pace so they are not left behind. Strength must be converted into SERVICE for others.
We all have our “mentors” in our walk. Somebody, somewhere, introduced us and told us about the Christ. As a young child of ten I was introduced to Jesus. However.. forty six years later things I can honestly say.. “you’ve come a long way pilgrim!” wow!- what a journey! Excellent testimony sister Carol, I know you too have seen many “changes”. When our Bible says His mercies are new every morning that is exactly so. Every day is a new day and a new adventure promises to spring forth, especially as we strive to live ‘by faith”. Don’t we serve a patient Savior? Once we get the pattern and learn to depend upon His leading and really listen to His words (and put them into practice), we find a new perspective for living in the common round of our lives. We begin to experience life as was originally intended back in the garden, where we can have peace with G-d and friendship with one another. It is a beautiful way to live- this “Jesus” way. John 14.26 says, But the Counselor, the Holy Spirit, whom the Father will send in my name, will teach you all things and will remind you of everything I have said to you. It has been said (and I believe rightly so)- when the student is ready- the teacher will show up. We (daily) are in the process of transformation and are being renewed and remade- conformed into the image of the Son. We have His promise- the LORD will perform this. Amen.
Skip, I reposted your comments to my facebook page with a copy of your link. Is the one that begins “Walking the walk of the way…” Oct 5, 2009.
This is truly how Yah commanded us to love.
Thank you.