Robert Coleman, The Master Plan of Evangelism. Revell, 2006.
Companion volume: Coleman, The Heart of The Gospel
Referenced in: Approaches to Evangelism, Modern Classics
LifeandLeadership.com Summary
In evangelical circles, this is arguably one the most influential book on the subject of evangelism. Most books on evangelism refer to it, quote it, or at the very least reflect knowledge of it. There are over three-million copies in print. This is an updated edition that includes a study guide for individual and group use. The Heart of the Gospel is a sequel that describes Coleman’s theological orientation.
The basic premise is that the best way to do evangelism may be derived from looking at the relationship between Jesus and the twelve as revealed in the Gospel accounts. He describes an eight-stage process in their relationship, with a chapter devoted to each subject.
- Selection – Jesus selected a few men who are willing to learn
- Association – Jesus taught by allowing his disciples to follow him day-by-day. In this context, they could observe, ask questions, and listen to Jesus’ teaching. His method was himself.
- Consecration – Jesus required his followers to take up his cross.
- Impartation – Jesus related to his disciples in self-giving love.
- Demonstration – Jesus modeled or demonstrated how to evangelize using prayer, Scripture, teaching, etc.
- Delegation – Jesus gave his disciples assignments, sending them out to villages to evangelize, allowing them to learn by experience.
- Supervision – Jesus required his disciples to maintain an accountable relationship with him.
- Reproduction – Jesus helped the disciples to reproduce themselves by using the same approach he used with them.
Any church leader who tries to do evangelism and train others in evangelism will inevitably refer to the way of Jesus and his disciples. Even if one does not look to the informal style of Jesus’ interactions in the same patternistic way Coleman presents, experience shows that most approaches to training, coaching, and mentoring others in evangelism and other endeavors follow essentially the same sequence. Whether we regard it as right because Jesus did it, or that Jesus did it because it was right, one can only benefit from looking at his special developmental relationship with the twelve. Coleman is still the recognized popular-level standard on this subject. The book was written over forty years ago, so one should not expect it to address current culture or
From the Publisher
For more than forty years this classic study has challenged and instructed more than 1.5 million readers in reaching the world for Christ. With a foreword by Billy Graham and now repackaged for a new generation of readers, The Master Plan of Evangelism will show every Christian how to minister to the people God brings into their lives. Instead of drawing on the latest popular fad or the newest selling technique, Robert E. Coleman looks to the Bible to find the answer to the question, What was Christ’s strategy for evangelism? Through a thorough examination of the gospel accounts, Coleman points out unchanging, simple, yet profound biblical principles of how to emulate Christ to others.
About the Author
Robert E. Coleman is Distinguished Professor of Evangelism and Discipleship at Gordon-Conwell Theological Seminary. He also served as dean of the Billy Graham International Schools of Evangelism as well as director of the Billy Graham Center Institute of Evangelism at Wheaton College.
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