Help Witnessing

Hello, Andy! First, I would say to you that it's important to remember that it is the Lord who convicts people and opens their eyes. So don't feel like it's all up to you! Maybe that will make you less nervous.

I would also say build relationships with lost people you really like. Don't just see them as someone you can witness to - see them as a person and notice what you can appreciate about them.

Third, I would ask these unsaved people questions about what they believe. Ask them about their background - if they say "Christian" ask them what they mean by that (some may say "Christian" bu their background might be Mormon or JW). If it was Christian, ask them why they chose to reject Christianity. At this point, if this happens, you will easily be able to share the truth with them because a lot of them may not know the gospel. They may say they rejected Christianity because it was just following rules, or that God seemed mean, or that they were hurt by some Christians. You can then point out why Jesus really came and what He did.

You can also ask people who they think God is (if they believe in one) and who they think Jesus is. This opens more doors for dialogue.

Be prepared to be firm on hell. If someone asks you about this, like "Do you think I'm going to hell if I don't believe in Jesus?" you can say, "It's not what I think that matters; it's what Jesus said. He said the was the way, the truth, and the life, and so he is the only way to God. God is righteous and has to judge sin - he cannot accept sin."

Don't argue with people. And first, last, and foremost -- pray! Pray for the Lord to prepare you and that the HS would give you the right words. Pray that you would be able to share the truth in love! Read Col. 4:5,6

I commend you for your desire to witness and for being willing to ask for advice. I am sure the Lord will use you! God bless!

 

Hi, Andy.

Marcia has given you good advice, and I'm sure you will carefully consider it.

I know exactly how you feel. I have a hard time even now in opening and witnessing to people. And the Lord made me a missionary in spite of it!

I would like to add my two yen worth here.

First yen: Start out easy, by giving to someone you know your testimony of how you got saved. You know this story well, and it will be the easiest way to witness. It's how I started, and it is what the Lord Jesus told the "Maniac of Gadara" who He healed to do in Luke 8:38-39, "Now the man out of whom the devils were departed besought him that he might be with him: but Jesus sent him away, saying, 'Return to thine own house, and shew how great things God hath done unto thee.' And he went his way, and published throughout the whole city how great things Jesus had done unto him."

Second yen: As Marcia has said, pray! I would add one thing to the prayer list she mentioned. Pray for God to give you power to do this work. It is not something we can do well in our own power, but if you pray daily until the Lord fills you with power through the Holy Spirit, you will see success in witnessing for Christ! Every mention of the Holy Spirit's power in the NT is for the purpose of serving God.

God bless from Asahikawa on the island of Hokkaido, Japan.

John

 

Wise advice from both John of J and Marcia. Your own salvation is a powerful witness.

So what if that witness is basically rejected? Then stop. You've done all that God expects at that point. And remember, the Holy Spirit is not just a potted plant in this process.

Pray, not only for those who are lost, but ask God to send them to you so you can witness to them. Don't be surprised if they come out of the woodwork. That's the Holy Spirit at work.

 

Andy.
Have you ever heard of The Way of the Master?

They have programs and lessons for witnessing.

http://www.wayofthemaster.com/

Also Evangelism Explosion:

http://www.freegift77.com/evangeli.htm

You should also get some good Gospel tracts.

http://www.menorah.org/eetract.html

 

Amen--exactly right!

 

Sometimes beginning the conversation, or steering it toward spiritual things, isn't easy, and you don't want to to appear contrived, or that you've been waiting for the right time to bring it up.

One pretty neutral question is "Where are you spiritually right now?" The responses can be revealing and help you know where to take the conversation.

Another good question is, "what would you say is necessary for one to have a right relationship with God?

Try not to ask, Are you a Christian? Or, are you saved? If the answer is yes, be careful, because those terms mean different things to different people. If they describe themselves as Christian, or saved, you can ask them what they are basing their salvation on. Again, answers will reveal a lot.

These are non-threatening questions and should not put anybody on the defensive.