I believe we are seeing this spiritual renaissance because God Himself
is planting a spiritual hunger in people and they are searching for
understanding and fulfillment. We need a paradigm shift if we want to
continue to reach people with God’s love.

It is not too difficult to notice a new spiritual hunger in people. The media is overflowing with TV shows
and movies related to spirituality. Psychics and palm readers that once
only operated in carnival sideshows now occupy plush offices and mall
kiosks. With this increase in occult and spiritual interest one can not
help wondering if dark spiritual forces have invaded society. I believe
we are seeing this spiritual renaissance because God Himself is
planting a spiritual hunger in people and they are searching for
understanding and fulfillment.

In Acts 2:17-18 God says in the last days
He is going to pour out His Spirit on everyone and they will begin to
prophesy, see visions, and have dreams. As the Holy Spirit touches
people they are suddenly aware of their emptiness, need for purpose,
and direction in life.

We are now faced with millions of new
spiritual seekers and our traditional evangelistic methods are not
working. Acts 2:17-18 indicates that ministry in the last days will
involve prophecy, dreams, and visions. People are being drawn to the
supernatural and as Christians we need only to ask God to point them
out to us. As we begin to hear God for others we can get ready for many
divine -encounters designed to bring people to Jesus Christ.

Unfortunately, many of us come with
evangelistic baggage from the past. We were trained that we must close
the deal or turn every conversation to Jesus or we are compromising the
Gospel. Our society is rapidly changing and people are becoming immune
to our approaches. We are in need of a paradigm shift if we want to
continue to reach people for Jesus. I would like to share a few things
I have found helpful in making this shift into what many are
considering as a “new wineskin” for evangelism.

Opening their eyes
In Acts
26:17-18 Saul encounters Jesus on the road to Damascus. Jesus said, …I
am sending you to them [Gentiles] to open their eyes and turn them from
darkness to light, and from the power of Satan to God, so that they may
receive forgiveness of sins…

We must first open a persons eyes
spiritually in order for them to turn from darkness. This involves
demonstrating Gods love and power to them. A quick study of the first 7
chapters of the Gospel of John will give you an overview of how Jesus
used words of knowledge, prophecy, and miracles to draw seekers.

Understanding the process
We
must recognize that people tend to realize their need for God through a
process of circumstances and events in their lives. In Matthew 13,
Jesus talks about Gods Word being spread like seed that fell in various
places. One point of this parable is that seed must grow - which
indicates that it involves a process. Being forceful in trying to get
people to pray the prayer of salvation is not effective. People value
friendships and like to consider themselves on their own journeys. In
other words, they like to be given time to think about things.

Speaking relevantly
One of the
hardest things about trying to reach people is learning to communicate
in a way that is understood by those without a religious background.
Many Christians have developed an insider language that people outside
the church may not understand. One of the biggest barriers for sharing
Gods love is our own communication style. In Colossians 4:3-6, the
Apostle Paul warned Christians that they must be clear in the way they
speak with those outside the church. People are more likely to bring
down their walls of defense and talk openly when we are careful not to
use religious words or Bible references that they might not understand.

As we change our approach to be
culturally relevant, God will use us to draw people to Jesus Christ. We
can be naturally supernatural and find that evangelism is actually fun,
easy to do, and much more accepted by those around us.