When a football team has moved the ball down the field so that it is inside the opponents’ 20-yard line, close to the goal, it is described as being in the red zone. Every football team develops specific strategies or plays for the red zone so that they are effective in getting the ball across the goal line.
In evangelism, it is essential that believers have a specific game plan for seekers who are in the red zone. Seekers often have to travel a long spiritual journey before they come to Christ. Often they have objections, fears, hurts, bad experiences, or anger that they need to work through. When they finally come to a place where they are open to God, sense that something is missing in their lives, and wonder if Christ can help them, they have entered the “red zone” of their spiritual journey.
It’s Time for Some Red Zone Evangelism
Whenever a seeker is in the “red zone,” believers must avoid certain mistakes that might hinder the seeker from finding Christ. Here are some things to AVOID.
1. Being Unaware of the Red Zone
Effective play calling is determined by such factors as what down it is and where the ball is on the field. Do they have 80 yards to go or 50 or 30? Or are they in the “red zone?” Being aware of these factors will determine what plays are called.
In the same way, as we interact with people, it is essential to find out where they are spiritually. God is always at work in the lives of those around you.
Are they angry, uninterested, confused, or open to God? Where are they at this point in their journey? A question I have found helpful in determining someone’s degree of spiritual openness is, “What is your church background?” By asking this question, I am giving them the opportunity to tell me about their spiritual journey. My goal is to draw them out, to get to know them, and, in the process, find out if they are spiritually responsive. God wants us to find out where they are on their spiritual journey so we can cooperate with Him and endeavor to encourage the seeker toward Christ.
2. Being Unprepared for the Red Zone
Football teams work hard on special plays just for the “red zone” so that they can be effective in getting the ball across the goal line. We need to know what to do to help a seeker cross the line of faith. Many Christians are not sure of what to do or say at this point. In the How to Share Your Faith training, we teach that there are four “plays” believers need to know how to execute in the “red zone”:
- How to present the gospel in a simple and clear way
- How to help the seekers receive Christ and cross the line of faith
- How to respond in a positive way if they are not yet ready
- How to respond well to questions, even if we don’t have the answer
If we know how to execute these four “plays” with confidence, we are in the best position to help seekers in the “red zone” cross the line of faith.
RELATED: Reimagining Evangelism in the Age of Despair
3. Not Listening to the Coach.
The coach is always involved in the game by sending in signals and giving direction to the players on the field. As we move through life, we encounter people with a wide variety of attitudes toward God. Some of them have been quietly turning toward God in their hearts. God knows who they are and will prompt you as you move among them. Remember when Philip saw the court official from Ethiopia? “The Spirit said to Philip, ‘Go up and join this chariot.'” (Acts 8:29) God knew what was going on in the Ethiopian’s heart and guided Philip to him. In the same way, God knows what is going on in the hearts of those around you, and He wants you to be sensitive to His promptings. He will quietly nudge you toward those who are responding to Him.
