Barna, George. Evangelism That Works: How to Reach Changing Generations with the
Unchanging Gospel. Ventura, Calif.: Gospel Light, Regal Books, 1995.
Dawson, Scott, editor. The Complete Evangelism Guidebook: Expert Advice on Reaching Others
for Christ. 2nd edition. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker Books, 2008.
Dillon, Christine. Telling the Gospel Through Story Evangelism That Keeps Hearers Wanting
More. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2012.
Crosetto, Bean. Beyond Awkward: When Talking About Jesus is Outside Our Comfort Zone.
Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2014.
Downs, Tim. Finding Common Ground: How to Communicate with Those Outside the Christian
Community while We Still Can. Chicago: Moody Press, 1999.
Eisenman, Tom L. Everyday Evangelism: Making the Most of Life’s Common Moments.
Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1987.
Fay, William. Share Jesus Without Fear. Nashville, Tenn.: B. & H., 1999.
Green, Michael. Evangelism Through the Local Church: A Comprehensive Guide to All Aspects
of Evangelism. Vancouver, BC: Regent College Publishing, 2012. (606 pages)
Hybels, Bill, and Mark Mittelberg. Becoming a Contagious Christian. Grand Rapids, Mich.:
Zondervan, 1994. See also six session Video series; Leader’s Guide; Participants’ guides.
Jacks, Bob, and Matthew R. Jacks, with Pam Mellskog. Divine Appointments. Colorado Springs,
Colo.: NavPress, 2002.
Lee, June, editor. Evangelism and Discipleship in African American Churches. Grand Rapids,
Mich.: Zondervan, 1999.
Little, Paul. How to Give Away Your Faith. Rev. ed. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press,
1988.
McNeill, Brenda Salter. A Credible Witness: Reflections on Power, Evangelism, and Race.
Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2008.
McRaney, Will. The Art of Personal Evangelism: Sharing Jesus in a Changing Culture.
Nashville, Tenn.: B. & H. publishing Group, 2003.
Newman, Randy. Bringing the Gospel Home: Witnessing to Your Family Members, Close
Friends, and Others Who Know You Well. Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 2011.
Newman, Randy. Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 2004.
Packer, J. I. Evangelism and the Sovereignty of God. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press,
1961.
Peace, Richard. Holy Conversation: Talking About God in Everyday Life. Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity Press, 2006. Small group study guide for 12 weekly sessions.
Pippert, Rebecca Manley. Out of the Saltshaker and Into the World: Evangelism as a Way of
Life. Revised and expanded edition. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1999.
See also- Pippert, Rebecca Manley, and Ruth Siemens. Evangelism: A Way of Life.
(LifeGuide Bible Studies series). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Pollard, Nick. Evangelism Made Slightly Less Difficult: How to Interest People Who Aren’t
Interested. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1997.
Posterski, Donald C. Reinventing Evangelism: New Strategies for Presenting Christ in Today’s
World. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1989.
Reid, Alvin. Evangelism Handbook: Biblical, Spiritual, Intentional, Missional. Nashville, Tenn.:
- & H., 2009.
Richardson, Rick. Evangelism Outside the Box: New Ways to Help People Experience the Good
News. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Richardson, Rick. Reimagining Evangelism: Inviting Friends on a Spiritual Journey. Downers
Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2006. This book can be used with the related DVD and
Participant’s guide to provide seven learning sessions on a new approach to evangelism.
Salter, Darius. American Evangelism: Its Theory and Practice. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Baker
Books, 1996.
Sjogren, Steve, Dave Ping, and Doug Pollock. Irresistible Evangelism: Natural Ways to Open
Others to Jesus. Loveland, Col.: Group Publishing, 2004.
Spurgeon, Charles H. The Soul Winner. New York: Fleming H. Revell Company, 1895. Full
view available online. Various reprints available in hardcopy. A classic.
Stiles, J. Mack. Speaking of Jesus: How to Tell Your Friends the Best News They Will Ever
Hear. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1995.
Teasdale, Mark R. Evangelism for Non-Evangelists: Sharing the Gospel Authentically. Downers
Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2016.
Understanding the Content of the Gospel
Gilbert, Gregory D. What Is the Gospel? Wheaton, Ill.: Crossway, 9 Marks, 2010.
Poe, Harry Lee. The Gospel and Its Meaning: A Theology for Evangelism and Church Growth.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1996.
Stott, John R. W. Basic Christianity. 3rd edition. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 2008.
Understanding Contemporary Culture and the Unchurched
Barna, George. Grow Your Church from the Outside In. Ventura, Calif.: Gospel Light, Regal
Books, 2002.
Barna uses research to “understand the unchurched and how to reach them.”
Newbigin, Lesslie. The Gospel in a Pluralist Society. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Eerdmans, 1989.
Rainer, Thom S. Surprising Insights from the Unchurched and Proven Ways to Reach Them.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2001.
Strobel, Lee. Inside the Mind of Unchurched Harry and Mary: How to Reach Friends and
Family Who Avoid God and the Church. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 1993.
Wilkens, Steven, and Mark Sanford. Hidden Worldviews: Eight Cultural Stories that Shape Our
Lives. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2009.
Answering skeptics’ questions
Although some questions require full length books to adequately present answers or alternative solutions, the relatively brief answers in the following books can provide helpful summaries and starting points in addressing questions. Before reading the following books, consider the approach Randy Newman suggests in his book:
Newman, Randy. Questioning Evangelism: Engaging People’s Hearts the Way Jesus Did.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Kregel Publications, 2004.]
He suggests a thoughtful listening to questions followed by probing questions
rather than embarking immediately on trying to answer tough, complex questions.
_____________________________________________________________________________
Geisler, Norman, and Peter Bocchino. Unshakeable Foundations; Contemporary Answers to
Crucial Questions About the Christian Faith. Minneapolis, Minn.: Bethany House
Publishers, 2001.
Keller, Timothy. The Reason for God: Belief in an Age of Skepticism. New York: Dutton, The
Penguin Group, 2008.
Knechtle, Cliffe. Give Me an Answer that Satisfies My Heart and Mind: Answers to Your
Toughest Questions About Christianity. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1986.
Kreeft, Peter, and Ronald K. Tacelli. Handbook of Christian Apologetics: Hundreds of Answers
to Crucial Questions. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1994.
Polkinghorne, John, and Nicholas Beale. Questions of Truth: Fifty-one Responses to Questions
about God, Science, and Belief. Louisville, Ken.: Westminster John Knox Press, 2009.
The Alpha Course
The Alpha course covers the basics of Christianity. It answers questions like: Who is Jesus? and Why did he die? The Alpha course usually lasts 10 weeks, with a day or weekend getaway in the middle. Each week, guests gather for about two hours. They share an informal meal, sing a few songs, listen to a talk on how Christianity approaches the question at hand, then gather into small groups for discussion. The talks each week act as a springboard for small group discussions. Alpha courses have been created or adapted for youth and ESOL groups. Also, Alpha is available in 81 languages, including Spanish, French, Chinese, Korean, Vietnamese, Russian, Arabic and Portuguese. College campuses have also found Alpha to be useful for outreach.
Alpha New England website: http://www.alphausa.org/Groups/1000045884/New_England.aspx
Alpha U.S. website: www.alphausa.org
Evangelistic Small Groups
Peace, Richard. Small Group Evangelism: A Training Program for Reaching Out with the
Gospel. Pasadena, Calif.: Fuller Seminary Press, 2005.
Poole, Gary D. Seeker Small Groups: Engaging Spiritual Seekers in Life-Changing Discussions.
Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2003.
Study Guides for Christians about Evangelism
Meyer, Daniel. Witness Essentials: Evangelism that Makes Disciples. Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity Press, 2012.
Peace, Richard. Holy Conversation: Talking About God in Everyday Life. Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity Press, 2006. Small group study guide for 12 weekly sessions.
Pippert, Rebecca Manley, and Ruth Siemens. Evangelism: A Way of Life.
(LifeGuide Bible Studies series). Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 2000.
Study Guides for Seekers
Connelly, Douglas. Encountering Jesus. (LifeGuide Bible Study series). Downers Grove, Ill.:
InterVarsity Press, 2002.
Strobel, Lee, and Gary D. Poole. The Case for Christ Study Guide: Investigating the Evidence
for Jesus. Rev. ed. Grand Rapids, Mich.: Zondervan, 2013.
Resources for New Christians
InterVarsity Staff. Quiet Time. Downers Grove, Ill.: InterVarsity Press, 1947. A little classic.
Laurie, Greg. New Believer’s Guide to Effective Christian Living. Carol Stream, Ill.: Tyndale
House Publishers, 2002.
Navigators. Growing in Christ: A Thirteen-Week Course for New and Growing Christians.
Colorado City, Colo.: NavPress, 2007.