Can I Tell You A Story

115 pages Surprise! Your congregation conducted a spiritual gifts assessment and hardly anyone has the gift of evangelism. It is no wonder that it has become the gift no one wants. Our current evangelistic model is often associated with high-pressure sales tactics, manipulation, debate skills, and logic traps. But is this really biblical evangelism? Steve Ridgell’s approach is refreshingly simple. He shows us just how easy and natural biblical evangelism can be. He weaves stories from his personal life and stories from the Bible to connect with the story of your life. This book is destined to reshape the church’s thinking about evangelism and spark kingdom growth. Author Information: Steve has been telling Jesus stories for as long as he can remember. His humor, enthusiasm, and energy make him a popular speaker at Lectureships, Seminars, and Retreats. He uses his love for the Lord and his love for people as a way to inspire others to join him in sharing our story. He currently serves as the Director of Ministry for Hope for Life, a Herald of Truth Ministry. He is the co-author of three books with Tim Archer: Letters From the Lamb, Hope for Life, and More Hope for Life. His wife Marsha has been part of his story for over 40 years. They have two children and five grandchildren they enjoy spending time with. Steve and Marsha worship at the Southern Hills church of Christ in Abilene, Texas, where Steve serves as one of the elders. Table of Contents Introduction STORIES WORK Chapter One: Why Stories Work Chapter Two: How Stories Work STORIES PREPARE HEARTS Chapter Three: Why Is This World a Mess? Chapter Four: I Don’t’ Need Your Religion Chapter Five: People Like Me Don’t Belong in the Church STORIES PLANT SEEDS ABOUT JESUS Chapter Six: One Thing I Know Chapter Seven: What Do You Want with Me? Chapter Eight: Who Is He? STORIES WATER AND CULTIVATE JESUS SEEDS Chapter Nine: It’s Not Too Good to Be True Chapter Ten: Can You Help? Chapter Eleven: There Is No “Good Enough” Chapter Twelve: So Then What Happens? Conclusion: Now What?