How would you reach these people?

[Bro. James]

Real evangelism is a one on one encounter, where ever the lost may be.

The Lord will lead us to these encounters--usually in a ditch.

A kind word and a question usually breaks the ice. Questions: Have you heard the Good News? Where will you be in 100 years? Are you sure?

Let the Holy Spirit do the convincing. The Word does not return void. Be prepared for a lot of negative responses. Many are called, few are chosen. The world is filled with religion--most of it false. Now what?

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

 

[Don]

Whats your question?

How would you reach these people?

 

[evangelist6589]

How would you reach these people?

The money tracts are the most popular. Many take them and like them. I even have met people that collected the various versions of them.

 

[evangelist6589]

Real evangelism is a one on one encounter, where ever the lost may be.

The Lord will lead us to these encounters--usually in a ditch.

A kind word and a question usually breaks the ice. Questions: Have you heard the Good News? Where will you be in 100 years? Are you sure?

Let the Holy Spirit do the convincing. The Word does not return void. Be prepared for a lot of negative responses. Many are called, few are chosen. The world is filled with religion--most of it false. Now what?

Even so, come, Lord Jesus.

Bro. James

Have you ever done street evangelism or attended a large event? Its not always possible to have a one on one encounter with someone.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Have you ever done street evangelism or attended a large event? Its not always possible to have a one on one encounter with someone.

I have done evangelism at large events on a number of occasions - much of it at the beach on holidays near where I grew up in an environment that was anything but godly. All of my significant encounters were one-on-one.

What is preventing you from meaningful one-on-one encounters? Do you not know how to talk to people like human beings that deserve some respect and consideration?

And no, I didn't use tracts. I knew the scriptures and had some small New Testaments - and occasionally, Gospels of John - available for those with whom I had a meaningful contact.

 

[evangelist6589]

I have done evangelism at large events on a number of occasions - much of it at the beach on holidays near where I grew up in an environment that was anything but godly. All of my significant encounters were one-on-one.

What is preventing you from meaningful one-on-one encounters? Do you not know how to talk to people like human beings that deserve some respect and consideration?

Listen pal I have had many many many one on one encounters with people on the streets. But not every time do people want to talk.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Listen pal I have had many many many one on one encounters with people on the streets. But not every time do people want to talk.

So then you don't talk with them. Bless them and continue. Be careful not to cast pearls before swine. If they immediately reject the message, don't give them the scripture to reject while they are in that same state. That only hardens them to God.

So you do have a significant number of people talk to you one-on-one?

 

[evangelist6589]

So then you don't talk with them. Bless them and continue. Be careful not to cast pearls before swine. If they immediately reject the message, don't give them the scripture to reject while they are in that same state. That only hardens them to God.

So you do have a significant number of people talk to you one-on-one?

Yes in smaller contexts and in environments where people want to talk. But in an environment where people are everywhere and running to and fro all that is possible is just a gospel tract.

 

[evangelist6589]

Also another problem as I have mentioned before is my present church does not do evangelism in this manor. My present church is an excellent church in teaching and doctrine but very weak in evangelism. If we had a booth it would be far easier to talk with people. So what do I do just venture out on my own or disobey Mark 16:15 and neglect my calling?

 

[Baptist Believer]

Yes in smaller contexts and in environments where people want to talk. But in an environment where people are everywhere and running to and fro all that is possible is just a gospel tract.

That's good, but like many of us have pointed out - if you are going to use tracts, you need to be very careful about both the approach of the tract (does it use deception?) and the content. There also needs to be a way for the person to contact you or a local church to follow up on questions or desire for discipleship.

 

[evangelist6589]

That's good, but like many of us have pointed out - if you are going to use tracts, you need to be very careful about both the approach of the tract (does it use deception?) and the content. There also needs to be a way for the person to contact you or a local church to follow up on questions or desire for discipleship.

I stamp my contact info on the back of booklet type tracts such as Chic Tracts and WOTM booklets and also Grace To You tracts. However with money tracts and business card type tracts this is not possible. Business card and money tracts are cheaper than booklets.

But I will also add that it's harder to witness in Denver than it was in the south where people had a biblical foundation. It's also easier to witness to Catholics and Mormons as I just love it when I run into them.

 

[evangelist6589]

That's good, but like many of us have pointed out - if you are going to use tracts, you need to be very careful about both the approach of the tract (does it use deception?) and the content. There also needs to be a way for the person to contact you or a local church to follow up on questions or desire for discipleship.

I love tracts. Ray Comfort has passed out more than 40,000 and I have a long way to go to match his record.

 

[Baptist Believer]

Also another problem as I have mentioned before is my present church does not do evangelism in this manor. My present church is an excellent church in teaching and doctrine but very weak in evangelism.

A church that is good in teaching will not be weak in evangelism. Of course, unintentional and intentional evangelism is a natural part of the lives of people who are disciples of Jesus. Too many times evangelism is presented as a sales technique, and people don't feel comfortable with that. Real evangelism happens with or without a technique.

If we had a booth it would be far easier to talk with people.

Maybe, maybe not. Booths have their own issues. Acting like a compassionate human being who is a friend of Jesus is much more effective than a booth that may send the wrong message.

So what do I do just venture out on my own or disobey Mark 16:15 and neglect my calling?

You simply engage in intentional and unintentional evangelism as part of the larger life of a disciple of Jesus, living and moving in the power of the Holy Spirit. You don't have to target events or do churchy looking things. One of the most effective things I've even done when I was doing intentional evangelism is to take a boomerang out to a local park and throw it for awhile. Unlike a frisbee, you don't need a partner for it. A crowd always gathers and people want to know how to throw it. Show them how and start a conversation. Make friends. Maybe write up a little flyer about what happens when life "goes in circles" and you always "end up where you started," and then have your testimony and contact information on there. It is a low-confrontation approach that is memorable and has a built-in visual aid.

A friend of mine decided to do intentional evangelism in the doughnut shop about two blocks from my home. Every Saturday morning, he would go over there and sit at the same table and do Bible study. He became a fixture there. As customers went in and out, he would pray for them and greet them as they began to recognize him every week. Soon, conversations began and he had many people sit with him on Saturday morning talking about spiritual things. The doughnut shop owners (Korean Christians) were happy to have him there and would sometimes drop off a basket of doughnut holes for him to share with people who would sit with him. He saw dozens converted over the course of his three-year study at the local seminary. It only ended when he moved to Oklahoma to take the pastorate of a church.

There's all kinds of ways to evangelize, and most of them do not require much of anything to do. Tracts are so canned and impersonal, I'm not sure they make the impact you think.

 

[Baptist Believer]

I love tracts. Ray Comfort has passed out more than 40,000 and I have a long way to go to match his record.

The command is to make disciples, not pass out tracts. That's a terrible way to measure ministry.

 

[Reynolds]

I guess it all boils down to whether a method works or it does not work. How can we really know for sure? It may plant a seed that many years later sprouts and brings forth fruit.

 

[Baptist Believer]

But I will also add that it's harder to witness in Denver than it was in the south where people had a biblical foundation.

Most of the people I witness to have very little in the way of a church background or biblical foundation. Sometimes prior church experience is more of a hindrance than a help.

 

[evangelist6589]

A church that is good in teaching will not be weak in evangelism. Of course, unintentional and intentional evangelism is a natural part of the lives of people who are disciples of Jesus. Too many times evangelism is presented as a sales technique, and people don't feel comfortable with that. Real evangelism happens with or without a technique.


Maybe, maybe not. Booths have their own issues. Acting like a compassionate human being who is a friend of Jesus is much more effective than a booth that may send the wrong message.


You simply engage in intentional and unintentional evangelism as part of the larger life of a disciple of Jesus, living and moving in the power of the Holy Spirit. You don't have to target events or do churchy looking things. One of the most effective things I've even done when I was doing intentional evangelism is to take a boomerang out to a local park and throw it for awhile. Unlike a frisbee, you don't need a partner for it. A crowd always gathers and people want to know how to throw it. Show them how and start a conversation. Make friends. Maybe write up a little flyer about what happens when life "goes in circles" and you always "end up where you started," and then have your testimony and contact information on there. It is a low-confrontation approach that is memorable and has a built-in visual aid.

A friend of mine decided to do intentional evangelism in the doughnut shop about two blocks from my home. Every Saturday morning, he would go over there and sit at the same table and do Bible study. He became a fixture there. As customers went in and out, he would pray for them and greet them as they began to recognize him every week. Soon, conversations began and he had many people sit with him on Saturday morning talking about spiritual things. The doughnut shop owners (Korean Christians) were happy to have him there and would sometimes drop off a basket of doughnut holes for him to share with people who would sit with him. He saw dozens converted over the course of his three-year study at the local seminary. It only ended when he moved to Oklahoma to take the pastorate of a church.

There's all kinds of ways to evangelize, and most of them do not require much of anything to do. Tracts are so canned and impersonal, I'm not sure they make the impact you think.

I need to do more open air preaching this summer. I usually always get a response and a conversation.

 

[evangelist6589]

The command is to make disciples, not pass out tracts. That's a terrible way to measure ministry.

The command is also to preach to every creature. As a former pastor put it some have the gift of discipleship and some have the calling to evangelism.

 

[Reynolds]

Most of the people I witness to have very little in the way of a church background or biblical foundation. Sometimes prior church experience is more of a hindrance than a help.

Definitely a hindrance. Most people who have church background are bitter about mistreatment(real or perceived) they received when they were in church.

 

[evangelist6589]

I guess it all boils down to whether a method works or it does not work. How can we really know for sure? It may plant a seed that many years later sprouts and brings forth fruit.

Pragmatism? Sorry I am not. What matters is that it's biblical. Much support for open Air can be found in scripture and in church history. Yet in today's day it may not get much results. But interesting that the method of evangelism God chooses to win the lost in the last days will be open air preaching. Take for example the two witnesses.