Witnessing

No isolated time.

Colossians 4 says to pray without ceasing so that you might be ready to respond to EACH person with the right words "seasoned as it were with salt".

Ephesians 6 instructs us to "pray for an open door for the word that we might speak bodly as God would have us to do".

Bascially - God is the "Evangelist" -- Convicting the World of Sin and Righteousness and Judgement - we are the servants in His employ and it is through STARTING the day in prayer claiming the promises above - that the "assignments are handed out".

So instead of our opening a slot in our own schedule where God can have a shot at witnessing to others through us (which I know is not what you are suggesting) - the model I see is one of starting out by asking your employer for the day's assignment.

In Christ,

Bob

 

Bob,

I agree that we should take every opportunity to witness for the Lord and we should seek to witness on a daily basis.

However most Churches where I live have one evening per week set aside for outreach work. This involves a team of volunteers knocking doors in the local area.

I am also involved in tract distribution work on saturday afternoons, I try to keep this time free specifically to do this work.

Obviously these times for outreach work are preceded by prayer and the work/workers are prayed for in the Church prayer meeting.

Are you suggesting that it is wrong for us to set these special times aside for witnessing?

God Bless

Enda

 

Great topic. I agree with the above two posters that witnessing ought to be a way of life.
I know that the Lord may have someone for me to witness at any time and any place I go. I always carry tracts in my wallet and I have a Bible in my van.

Sometimes I specifically pray before going somewhere, (like shopping,) for the Lord to give me a witness opportunity and I ask for Him to fill me with His Spirit and that I may have the right words to say to that person.

Personally I have found that God uses me in spite of myself, though. It seems the times I least want to witness or have not prayed about it someone will approach me.

 

Sister Sherrie,

I find the best particular time to witness is any time--just be ready! Think about it and when the occasion comes up--be ready and jump on the situation. I was at the Cracker Barrel with a bunch of preachers not long ago--we had a table there and as always I(your buddy) was "cuttin' up!"--Well, the Holy Spirit was gettin' me ready to witness to the little waitress--she kept comin' by fillin' up my coffee cup--perfect opportunity--Bingo!--Just be ready "in season and out" I've went and sat down on those little benches inside Wal-Mart--see someone else sittin there--and strike up a conversation--not much, just a "How's the weather!" type stuff to get things goin' and then let the blessed Holy Spirit guide on down the line!

PS--I know you'll take those opportunities!! God bless your heart, Sister!

Your Southern Baptist preachin' buddy!
Blackbird

 

I think it is great that your church provides weekly organized functions for outreach.

There are others that schedule focused outreach "organized functions" such as revivals and evangelistic meetings where special topics are mailed out to the community and people are invited in to learn about some topic that appeals to the unchurched.

As it turns out - the Seventh-day Adventist church has been rated as the leader in reaching the unchurched in America and one of the key ways they do that is through prophecy seminars on Daniel and Revelation.

Not that SDAs wrote those books - but there does seem to be a lot of interest in them among the unchurched.

In Christ,

Bob

 

Bob Ryan,

Can you witness without eventually referring to or inviting association
within the SDA?

Being unchurched, I don't have the hangup of explaining what
"church" I attend.....therefore being unbiased in my promotion
of Jesus Christ.

Our duty is to "Go and Tell" and let the Holy Spirit do the leading after
the fact.

I'm not concerned that those seeking the rest that the Lord
promised are in need of any denominational gesturing. As
you see, that is the hangup of the content on this board and
all other forums. It is also the hangup of the real unity in
Jesus Christ.

"Whosoever believes in Me............." does not have a sign on his front lawn.

Singer

 

Bump

 

Bob Ryan,

Can you at least take a stab at answering this:

Can you witness without eventually referring to or inviting association
within the SDA?

 

Do you set a paticular time aside for just witnessing?
No. I figure the Holy Spirit will let me know when it's time.

...how do you witness in this paticular time?
I'm lousy at witnessing with my words. But I'm good at witnessing by my actions.

Do you use tools in your witness?
I like to think that how I live my life is an effective tool, but I suppose that's up to God to decide how to use my imperfect abilities.