Concentric Circles of Concern
Overview
In this re-issue of W. Oscar Thompson's classic book on evangelism, Thompson shows Christians how to spread the love and good news of Christ by building and repairing personal relationships. Evangelism today often emphasizes preaching to strangers, anonymous crowds, and in foreign countries. This book hits readers where they live, teaching them that the most effective way to witness is through a simple plan of meeting the needs of close family first, then friends, and then all others. This book is a living testament of the brilliance of Oscar Thompson and his innovative seven stages for making disciples.
Top Highlights
“A person can never lead another closer to the Lord than he or she already is. Evangelism must flow from a life that is deeply in love with the Lord. It is not something you can learn in a textbook, take tests on, or make A’s on to be assured of success. When you get out into the world, you will flunk the course if you do not have the right lifestyle. Your lifestyle should reveal what and who you really are.” (Page 15)
“An ambassador is someone who represents someone other than himself at the court of another.” (Page 28)
“The essence of the walk in Jesus Christ is God’s desire to produce his character within the Christian. If you are a Christian, you have a ministry, and that ministry will be wherever you are. As you go through life, God wants to reach the world around you. He wants to love your world through you and to draw it to him. If you let barriers hinder you from doing this, little else that you accomplish in life matters. Your life will be desperately empty.” (Page 16)
“If we could get our churches to see that we are to love without discrimination and that we are to give the Holy Spirit liberty to love everybody in sight through us, then we would have revival on our hands! The world would turn aside to see the ‘burning bush.’” (Page 78)
“We are going to bear this fruit of love, but we cannot produce it. Only he can produce this kind of love. We are only the channel of his love. God has never told us he loved us without meeting our needs.” (Page 77)
- Title: Concentric Circles of Concern
- Authors: W. Oscar Thompson, Jr. and Carolyn Thompson Ritzmann
- Publisher: Broadman and Holman
- Publication Date: 1999
- Pages: 213
W. Oscar Thompson was a pastor for twenty years before joining the faculty of Southwestern Baptist Theological Seminary in the area of evangelism. He served as president of the Oscar Thompson Evangelistic Association; as pastoral consultant of Cancer Counseling and Research Foundation; and pastoral consultant and board member of the Trinity Valley Hospice Association, Inc.
Claude King is a consultant of the Office of Prayer and Spiritual Awakening. He is the co-author of the best-selling Experiencing God. He is also a discipleship training leader and the author of numerous interactive learning programs.