Have you Used Bible Tracts to Witness for Jesus?

[righteousdude2]

I couldn't help but notice how many of you made some very righteous comments about Bible tracts, and, which once was the best. There were also some of you who made straight forward comments to the OP about tracts and why you didn't use them!

In my many years as a Christian, I have used tracts at times to open a conversation with another person I just met, and other times I was obedient to the Holy Ghost in just confronting them straight on, with Scripture and the message of salvation!

Personally, I have no strong opinion one way of another, so long as the Word is being manifested and shared with the lost. Whatsoever method you use to reach another is purely up to you and God, and above all else, your obedience to the prompting of the Holy Ghost!

So, with that said, I just wondered, and decided to post this poll to see how many of you use tracts, versus not using tracts, to reach the lost and witness in Jesus's name?

 

[Baptist Believer]

I used to use tracts with some frequency when I didn't have time to have a proper conversation but someone who professed not to be a Christian was talking to me about faith issues. I've probably passed out 200-300 tracts in my life, most of which were between 1986-1989. I do not know for certain if any of them were effective, but I had NNE contact me to let me know that they were interested in following up afterward - I always had my name and contact information on the tract.

During roughly the same period, approximately 1986-1990, I successfully and directly witnessed to hundreds, if not more than a thousand people, and had the privilege to be present when more than 40 persons made that step from death into life.

For myself, I found that I just needed to make time to speak to people instead of living by the clock. I could change my plans for a divine appointment. Moreover, since I came to realize that the Holy Spirit is guiding the process, I do not have to worry about whether or not someone is going to get the opportunity they need if they do not get the "full presentation" all at once. Often, they need to process what they did get in preparation for the rest. Since every tract I found presented an atonement-based message instead of a gospel-based message ("Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand"), I decided I was doing more harm than good by passing out tracts. I was replacing the call of Jesus to "Follow Me" with a proof-texted so-called plan so that one could go to heaven when they died. The gospel is not fire insurance (although that is a natural part of it), but rather, life with Jesus in the present and eternal Kingdom of God that is lived NOW and forever.

 

[Earth Wind and Fire]

I used to use tracts with some frequency when I didn't have time to have a proper conversation but someone who professed not to be a Christian was talking to me about faith issues. I've probably passed out 200-300 tracts in my life, most of which were between 1986-1989. I do not know for certain if any of them were effective, but I had NNE contact me to let me know that they were interested in following up afterward - I always had my name and contact information on the tract.

During roughly the same period, approximately 1986-1990, I successfully and directly witnessed to hundreds, if not more than a thousand people, and had the privilege to be present when more than 40 persons made that step from death into life.

For myself, I found that I just needed to make time to speak to people instead of living by the clock. I could change my plans for a divine appointment. Moreover, since I came to realize that the Holy Spirit is guiding the process, I do not have to worry about whether or not someone is going to get the opportunity they need if they do not get the "full presentation" all at once. Often, they need to process what they did get in preparation for the rest. Since every tract I found presented an atonement-based message instead of a gospel-based message ("Repent, for the Kingdom of God is at hand"), I decided I was doing more harm than good by passing out tracts. I was replacing the call of Jesus to "Follow Me" with a proof-texted so-called plan so that one could go to heaven when they died. The gospel is not fire insurance (although that is a natural part of it), but rather, life with Jesus in the present and eternal Kingdom of God that is lived NOW and forever.

Right & Right!:thumbsup:

 

[blessedwife318]

Most of the mission trips I have been on have involved handing out tracts. But I would always try to talk to the people I was handing tracts to because I think that is an important aspect of witnessing to people. That has given me the opportunity to have some unique and some good conversations with people. Even if that meant I only handed out 3 or 4 tracts in the time we were handing them out, the conversation was the important thing.
I think we are being too pragmatic and "success" oriented when we talk about how many numbers of tracts you can hand to people in the same time it takes to talk to one or 2 people.
I am reminded of something my Personal Evangelism professor taught in Bible College. He liked tracts as conversation starters. Every day he would take 5 tracts with him and his goal was to talk to 5 people and then give them the tract after he had gone through it with them and explained the Gospel to them. I think that is an effective way to use tracts. Handing them out in mass I think is just trying to be pragmatic without actually getting involved in the nitty gritty of witnessing to people.
Just my 2 cents.

 

[JonC]

Right & Right!:thumbsup:

I have taken Bibles, marked specific passages, and left the Bible with people after our discussion. I have not used tracts.

 

[JohnDeereFan]

I couldn't help but notice how many of you made some very righteous comments about Bible tracts, and, which once was the best. There were also some of you who made straight forward comments to the OP about tracts and why you didn't use them!

In my many years as a Christian, I have used tracts at times to open a conversation with another person I just met, and other times I was obedient to the Holy Ghost in just confronting them straight on, with Scripture and the message of salvation!

Personally, I have no strong opinion one way of another, so long as the Word is being manifested and shared with the lost. Whatsoever method you use to reach another is purely up to you and God, and above all else, your obedience to the prompting of the Holy Ghost!

So, with that said, I just wondered, and decided to post this poll to see how many of you use tracts, versus not using tracts, to reach the lost and witness in Jesus's name?

They're not my primary source of evangelism, but they're helpful.

They're good to give to somebody if they're just passing by or you only have a minute with them. One on one time to explain the law and the Gospel is better, but if they can't stop, then a tract is a good way to extend that encounter.