Too often I hear people separating evangelism and discipleship as though they are separable, with evangelism as some lesser activity of faith that comes after one becomes mature to some level. Paul destroys the notion of separation in Philemon 6 (only contains one chapter). Paul indicates that sharing our faith with others (evangelism) gives us a fuller understanding of our own faith. The deduction from that is that a lack of sharing our faith inhibits our own personal growth in Christ.
When we evangelize, we are confronted with questions, objections, persecution, etc. that extend our head learning, but also our experience with Christ. Some of these can not be learned any other way. Evangelism also affects our prayer life - we know only God can change minds - this improves our dependence on God.
Paul was the evangelist's evangelist, yet even he asked for prayer - Colossians 4:3-4 And pray for us, too, that God may open a door for our message, so that we may proclaim the mystery of Christ, for which I am in chains. Pray that I may proclaim it clearly, as I should.
If Paul knew how much he needed prayer, may we know likewise.
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