Witnessing

I will usually try to steer a conversation toward religion in general, and then to Christ in particular. I try to get a feel for what a person believes, and why. That gives me a better take on the best way to approach the subject.

 

I don't tailor my convesations to individuals, but if God or religion is brought up, I try to use it to witness.
I don't have alot of contact with anyone, but my husbands family and my daughter.
I have explained different beliefs and have discussed things with them, when they were opened to it. I don't push or lecture.
That reminds me too much of my childhood and being made to follow people around and bug them in public places. It was called "soul winning", we were made to do it once a week.
When I did do this, we had a guideline to follow. We also had tracks that we basically followed. We were told not to give up, unless the person got mad.
When I have discussed OSAS with my husband, I have followed those verses, because they do make the point well. Acts, Romans, John.
Christine

 

When I look at the Bible, I see that the Holy Spirit only told Phillip to walk alongside the Ethiopian. Find out what was going on first.

So I try to follow that example. I try to simply be there and be a dependable friend to the people God puts in my life. Then, when they ask questions, I do my best to make sure I am ready to give an answer for the hope I have.

My first witness is my life. My second is what I say.

 

We are a walking, talking witness every moment of our lives. People are always watching you. Sometimes they are waiting for you to break, so they can say, "See, they are no different."

The hardest thing for a minister to do is witness. People expect us to be religious. They anticipate that we will say religious things, and behave according to religious principles. Sometimes I think they turn off when we speak.

This leaves the onus of witness to the men, women and children in the pews. Do you feel the burden of responsibility?

On the other hand, ministers who have failed have done more damage to witness than any other person. Harshness, legalism and lack of openness to understand people brings disdain on the gospel, and we all ought to be aware of these traps, set by humanity.

I like that Roman Catholic saysing, "It is better to light one candle than to curse the darkness." It is better to be a light in the world, than to curse it. It is better to befriend, than to belittle. It is better to be available, than aloof. May the Lord make us to shine brightly in this dark, dark world, so that He is lifted above all.

Cheers,

Jim

 

I'm a lousy verbal witness. I like to think that my actions in life serve as my witness.

 

Wot is that gem? I can't hear wot you are saying, your life speaks so loudly.

Cheers,

Jim

 

Amen! We witness in our actions and our words.

Yup. Every day, even if I don’t get to present an explicit gospel message in words.

It all depends on the situation… I try to be creative when I tell the good news and use whatever situation is at hand. When the person I’ve conversing with brings up a religious or philosophical question (it happens all the time when you build solid friendships), I always respond according to the truth of scripture. I make no bones about my answers coming from a Christian perspective.

At work I try to be the best employee possible – extremely scrupulous about being productive on company time and making sure my timesheet is extremely accurate. I also make sure I’m a team player in every group project and operate with an extremely high ethical standard. If I make a mistake that affects others or the projects, I go immediately to my supervisor and report it and make suggestions on how I plan to rectify the situation. I also help my teammates complete their projects when they are on deadline – including staying late when necessary – and doing the “grunt work” when necessary to help them speed things along. When you genuinely present a positive witness with your life, your words have weight when you speak them.

I used to rely on the methods of Evangelism Explosion and Continuous Witness Training (the SBC-packaged clone of EE), but I’ve stepped away from those programs over the last decade or so. The call of Jesus in the gospels is to follow Him or as Bonhoffer said, “Come and die.” So many of the tracts and programs emphasize the “deal making” door-to-door sales distortion of the gospel that may short-circuit the process of a believer coming to saving faith in Christ.

Since no one can come to Christ without the Father, through the Spirit, calling him (John 6:44), I don’t worry about “closing the deal” as much as telling the good news. If someone is responsive to the truth of God, they will go on to the next step of placing their faith in Christ. If someone is interested in following Jesus, I am more than happy to counsel them and pray with them to commit their lives in discipleship to Christ and service in His church.

 

I took the F.A.I.T.H. class last year and wasn't really excited about it. The class taught you to, word for word, ask "In YOUR personal opinion, what does it take for a person to go to heaven?"

I had a very hard time with that question. I think 40 plus years of asking, "If you died today do you know for sure you'd go to heaven?" and using the Roman Road was so ingrained in me that it didn't want to be replaced.

How do I witness? A lot like Helen said. First, listen! Then I tailor my witnessing to what that particular person is telling me about their life and their need. The Holy Spirit will provide the Bible verse from memory to fit their need!

Good topic, Sherrie!
Diane

 

Always Ready, Willing and Able to Witness. I have deliberatley steered a conversation to what happened in church on the weekend, that makes for a good way to talk about God.

Our church is having a Witnessing table at a local market soon. We will be passing out as many evangelical tracts as we can find and will be taking surveys to get people talking about God. I hope that all churches have a means for the Evangalists in the Church to Evangalise.

 

I witness online in a Stargate SG-1, Harry Potter, Lord of the Rings, and a Legend of Zelda message board forum. On the HP forum, I already have one convert!

 

I find it hard not to tslk sbout the Lord of my life and my walk with him. My best friend is not saved and I have invited her to church, and she has gone with me a few times, but we can't agree on a basic level to the point that I feel I can be an effective witness to her. What I mean by that is she does not believe scripture is the infallible, inspired word of God, and she is not sure that the (and I quote here) "Judeo-Christian God" is the only God. What would you do about this situation (I am still praying every day about this)?

 

I have witnessed to someone on a Harry Potter forum. She accepted Christ on 4-9-03. Her name is Kelly. Other than that, I don't witness much. That isn't my main focus of ministry.

 

Sounds like you already agree with her on a “basic” level or she would not be your friend. Demonstrate a living relationship with Christ (warts and all) through the good and bad experiences together and you will be an effective witness.

Your friend is simply expressing the common philosophical biases of the age. Remember that you will not win her to Christ through an argument or through a rational process. No one comes to the faith in God through Christ except by the initial prompting (drawing) of the Father (John 6:44). Certainly discussing issues like the reliability of scripture are important, but remember that belief in the reliability of scripture is something different and separate from her coming to Christ. The call of Jesus in the gospels is to “follow Him”, not the usual Baptist attendant externals of praying a prayer, walking an aisle or being baptized.

You are doing the right thing already. Keep her in prayer and ask God to make you sensitive to the appropriate teachable moments in her life. Ask God to give you the words that will pierce her heart at the appropriate time. Make sure that she knows you are her friend whether she comes to Christ or not.

It sounds like the Spirit of God is already at work in her if you are so involved in her life and are praying for her like you are. Remember to focus on what’s important, helping her connect to God through Christ, and then worry about helping her with the other elements of discipleship as they come.