It used to be that providing clear evidence for the resurrection of Jesus or the reliability of the Bible was a pretty effective way to reach people with the Good News. But today, many folks think all truth is relative, even our historical and scientific data about Christianity. So how can we reach them?

We need new ways of telling people the old, old story. We need to look again at our usual mental habits if we want to reach people who have a brand new mindset of their own. We need toget outside the box of ideas and practices that are sacred to us but are not sacred to God. That's what Rick Richardson's book is all about.

Here are fresh perspectives on relying on the Holy Spirit, awakening spiritual interest in others, appealing to what they value (instead of what we think they should value) and leading them into a transforming experience with God. Also included is Richardson's Circles of Belonging, a new, straightforward presentation of the message of Jesus (yes, it can even be sketched out on a napkin!) that is true to Scripture and true to the new way people live and think.

As an experienced evangelist and leader of evangelism programs, Richardson offers in this helpful book the principles and practices that will help us all grow in love for--and communicate effectively with—people who need Jesus.



Rick Richardson is director of the Billy Graham Center Institute and its Church Evangelism Initiative, and professor of evangelism and leadership at Wheaton College Graduate School. He previously served as evangelism and discipleship pastor at Church of the Resurrection in Wheaton, Illinois, and helped launch Willow Creek Community Church's first multisite campus. His books include Reimagining Evangelism and Evangelism Outside the Box.



Acknowledgements

Introduction

1. What's Our Box?

2. Understanding Today's Questions

3. Responding to Today's Questions

4. A Theology Strategy for Reaching People Today

5. The Power of Team

6. Friendship Prayer

7. A Biblical Model for Awakening Souls

8. Awakening Souls by Connecting to the Culture

9. Awakening Souls by Challenging Pre-Christian People

10. Developing Genuine Christian Community

11. Drawing Pre-Christians into SeekingCommunity

12. Conversion for Pre-Christian People Today

13. Inviting People into the Circle of Belonging

14. Transformation: Getting Growing a True Christian Identity

15. Getting Staying Outside the Box

Afterword: To Pastors and Leaders of Churches Ministries

Appendix 1: The Rise Fall of the Modern World

Appendix 2: Leading a GIG

Appendix 3: GIG Studies from the Biographies of Jesus

Appendix 4: The Alpha Course

Appendix 5: A Sample Seeker Retreat

Appendix 6: Circles of Belonging Training Sheet

Sources Cited