We all use different approaches. The primary methods of teaching are “expositional” and “topical.” My efforts in evangelism have been better with a topical approach.
Topical evangelism is where a word or concept becomes a foundation for the content of the lesson. In grammar school, topical teaching is the norm. There is a class on geography and another on history. Geography certainly affects history. It is after a person understands geography that the education expands to include studying how that geography has affected history. Topical teaching gives basic building blocks for learning.
The same concept has worked to evangelize people who have little understanding of God or the Bible.
My home Bible study What the Bible Says . . . includes seven basic building block type lessons. The seven topical lessons explain What the Bible Says . . . about the Word of God, salvation, repentance, baptism, the Holy Ghost, speaking in tongues, and the nature of God.
In a sense, Peter’s Acts 2 message is topical. He focused on the Messiahship of the Lord Jesus as the fulfillment of Old Testament prophecy. Peter used a wide range of Old Testament scripture to make his point. Most topical teaching, including What the Bible Says . . ., does the same thing.
One reason the topics of What the Bible Says . . . works is because it brings unasked questions onto the table. An example is found in the lesson on baptism. Acts 10 and Matthew 28 both have scriptures regarding baptism. How can we explain that the disciples did not repeat what Jesus said in Matthew 28? Addressing such questions is important.
Finally, topical teaching drives the stake deep. When a topic is thoroughly taught, the lesson is clear. In topical teaching, like What the Bible Says …, each lesson has a clear target.
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