Witnessing tips

[Kris777]

Does anyone have any witnessing tips for me.  I would love to talk to people about Jesus more then what I already do, but is there a way of going about it.  What I do is pray for the person or just pray a head of time.  Then I want to try to get the person to tell me what they believe and why.  Then I tell them what I believe.  I pray for my friends that aren't saved.  I wish that God would bring more people to me so that I could talk to them.

How can I improve witnessing skills?  I know that it might not be my spiritual gift, but all Christians have to witness and I believe that I could always improve my skills.  So could you guys give me tips or just tell me what you do?

[Soldier4Christ]

I have taken some lessons from politicians .....  

I listen to certain things that a person says or does and try to figure a way to twist the conversation around to God. There is always a way to do so. i.e. Some neighbors were over and were talking about events on the news. I related it to verses in the Bible that talks about such events and then led the conversation from there into the Gospel.

Sometimes the direct approach is better especially if there is no conversation already started. This works when visiting a home for the elderly, those in the hospital or going door to door.

[nChrist]

Hello Kris777,

I'm very happy to see this topic, and I hope that many Christians join in this discussion.

First, I think that you have already mentioned the most important thing: Prayer. Prayer for your friends and others that are lost is one of the most powerful things you can do for them. Ask that God softens their heart and makes them receptive to hearing the GOOD NEWS. There are obviously many other things you could pray for (i.e. that they pick up that dusty Bible at home, that they attend church, etc.).

Second, I am convinced that the Holy Spirit will help you in witnessing, so I think that prayer for yourself in having the right words and methods for the right moments is very important. I honestly believe that witnessing is more about praying for the opportunity than skill. Every lost person is different, and I really  think that eloquence and other attributes associated with skill have little to do with touching a person's life and pointing them to Christ. It may be very simple words that finally break through that hard outer shell and touches the heart of a lost person. Again, I am convinced that the Holy Spirit will lay those words on your heart, especially if witnessing is a matter of prayer.

I was just thinking about two of many ways to witness, and I hope that others will mention more. Many Christians carry Bible Tracts on various subjects, Salvation being the most important. They don't have to be big, fancy, or expensive. In fact, you can make your own on your computer or use numerous resources for suggestions. I like the American Tract Society because of their excellent and Biblical material. Unless things have changed, the use of their tracts are free. They just require the message be kept complete and their tiny bit of copyright information at the bottom. It:

American Tract Society
http://www.atstracts.org/

It's easy to find a good excuse to hand someone a Bible Tract. You can also add the address for your church and other contact information for additional help. Professionally done Bible Tracts are not very much money, and the cost goes down when quantity goes up. However, money is a big issue for many people, so doing them on your own computer reduces the cost to almost nothing except paper, ink, and time. It's surprising that Bible Tracts lead to many conversations, some positive and some negative. Both can be used, and that's the time that the Holy Spirit will lay the words on your heart.

The second thing I was thinking about is the wearing of a pin or button that says something like:  ASK ME ABOUT JESUS! or any number of other wordings that would accomplish the same purpose. You can get something like that already made if you have a good Christian Book Store near you. If not, there are many resources on the Internet. There are many people who wear the sign of the "Fish" - the "Fisher of Men". Those come in bumper stickers, lapel pins, and all kinds of other ways. Many people do either recognize that sign, or they might be curious and ask about it. Again, this sign might lead to positive and negative conversations that you can rely on the Holy Spirit to help with the words to use.

In conclusion, I think the most important point I want to make is to stop thinking that skill or professional qualities are needed to witness. In my opinion, it really boils down to:

1 - Pray that God softens the hearts of the lost to hear the GOOD NEWS.

2 - Pray that God gives you the opportunity to witness.

3 - Pray that God sends HIS Holy Spirit to help you and lay the words to use on your heart while you are witnessing.

4 - Get beyond the fear, shyness, or anything else that might be holding you back. Your confidence will increase each time, especially after you know that the Holy Spirit will lead you.

Sister, I'm hoping this helps some. I would really enjoy reading the ideas and suggestions of many others here.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Psalms 139:9-10 NASB  If I take the wings of the dawn, If I dwell in the remotest part of the sea, Even there Your hand will lead me, And Your right hand will lay hold of me.

[Soldier4Christ]

Amen Brother,

There are no special talents required. God gives what we need to say as we need it.

Sometimes a few tools like tracts are very helpful in "breaking the ice". I have several different ones that I use. One of those that I have are designed specifically for Veterans and active duty Military as I see many of them each day. One side of the card says "Thank you for your service. Because of your service I am free to worship God." The other side is a mini-tract that the message varies from one card to the next.

[Butterflies]

I am finding that the best method for witnessing is just telling my own testimony in a very simple way.  People want to know what Jesus has done for us, before they decide if He is for them too.  After sharing, then we "earn" the right to share the gospel.  

Luke 10 is our guide:  Go to someone and declare peace.  Fellowship with them.  Tell them about the kingdom of God.  

In His love...

[Shammu]

I am finding that the best method for witnessing is just telling my own testimony in a very simple way.  People want to know what Jesus has done for us, before they decide if He is for them too.  After sharing, then we "earn" the right to share the gospel.  

Luke 10 is our guide:  Go to someone and declare peace.  Fellowship with them.  Tell them about the kingdom of God.  

In His love...

 Yes i have found that to work the best for me.

Hello Butterflies, I see this is your first post. Welcome to Christians Unite forum. I look forwards to reading some of your posts.

Resting in the arms, of the Lord.
Bob

Exodus 22:5 If a man causes a field or vineyard to be grazed over or lets his beast loose and it feeds in another man's field, he shall make restitution of the best of his own field or his own vineyard.

[Kris777]

I know that sharing testomonies are very important.  I have been saved since I was about 5 years old.  I don't remember not having God.  I can testify about how he has continued to change me. Hmmm.... Some things in my life I would love to share that God has done for me, but I can't go into detail because I think that the cercumstances of my past situations might make people judge me.  I just have to be careful.

Question for you guys: Have you ever felt that you just can't get enough of God.  I think that I am totally obsessed. No matter how much I learn it is never enough.  The Bible I find facinating and I want to share Jesus to everyone.  I feel that I'm hungery for more and just not satisfied with standing still.  I have to keep moving.  

What is frustrating though is I think that I might need to find another church.  I know that I need to get into a Bible study.  

[Shammu]

Question for you guys: Have you ever felt that you just can't get enough of God.  

Yes!

No matter how much I learn it is never enough.  The Bible I find facinating and I want to share Jesus to everyone.  I feel that I'm hungery for more and just not satisfied with standing still.

Then there are other times, I feel overwhelmed, I can feel God, backing off a little bit. <--- I don't know if I said this right, or not. It's hard to explain, the feeling.

[Kris777]

I know how you feel DW.  Paul also felt this way.  I read about it in Romans.  God draws you close to him and then after awile he slowly backs away to see how you handle things.  I didn't like the feeling.  I could feel God getting further away.  But just know that it is a test.  Maybe I can find the verse for you.

[airIam2worship]

Hi Kris, I'm a newbie at the forum. Did you know that the best way to witness to anyone is by who you are, how you walk, how you act? Example. My mother in law passed away on June 12, 2005, 2 weeks after that on June 25, 2005 my nephew drowned, days after that I got shingles (PAIN), just thinking of them makes me feel pain. During the time we were out of town for one of the funerals, a tree fell in our yard, broke the fence, and thank God Almighty, the children next door were mot outside, the tree fell on the playset, exactly 15 days ago today my husband had a terrible car accident, he was not hurt, praise God, but our car is still in the shop, it won't be ready till the 23rd. NOW. Just acouple of weeks ago I was in the supermarket singing quietly as I was shopping, I was singing WHEN I THINK ABOUT THE LORD. I was totally unaware of anything or anyone around me. Suddenly a woman touched my shoulder and asked me what do I do to look and feel so happy. WHAT A BLESSING! I began to witness to this dear woman, and she began to cry and tell me she had lost her husband in June, my natural instinct was to put my arms around her, and pray for her peace right there and then, of course quietly. The lady was so impressed that she wanted to know more I ended up giving her all my information and although I have not heard from her yet, I still pray for her because she has a receptive heart. By the way I didn't even buy what I went into the store to get, in fact I couldn't even remember what I went to buy in that particular isle. So you see, of course feeding your spirit man with God's Word, praying, and praising are extremely vital. We must also remember Who our God is and learn to represent Him, He will draw others to Him through us. I hope this will help. Let me know, one more thing never be afraid of being rejected, it's not you who is being rejected, but He Who sent you.  

[nChrist]

Amen airIam2worship!

Our testimony before others is extremely important. We should definitely be the happiest people in the world because of the hope within us. It should be and is a matter of joy to share our joy, and our joy is JESUS. Our testimony will lead to witnessing opportunities if our living testimony is strong enough. May God give us the wisdom and courage to take advantage of every witnessing opportunity God gives us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Ephesians 2:19-22 NASB  So then you are no longer strangers and aliens, but you are fellow citizens with the saints, and are of God's household, having been built on the foundation of the apostles and prophets, Christ Jesus Himself being the corner stone, in whom the whole building, being fitted together, is growing into a holy temple in the Lord, in whom you also are being built together into a dwelling of God in the Spirit.

[airIam2worship]

  For all of us, (including myself) who sometimes feel that GOD seems so far away from us after feeling such a close walk with Him, let us keep one very important PROMISE in mind. That promise is found in in Hebrews 13:5, where Paul quotes Jesus as saying "I will never leave thee nor forsake thee." (KJV) anyone who has an Amplified Bible can get an even clearer vision, if you will, of that promise. Those are not just a bunch of words put there to fill up space, those are very powerful words coming from our Lord Himself. We have to have the faith, to believe every single word in God's Word, regardless of how we feel. We should also always keep in mind  that we are still living in our fleshly body, we are prone to weaknesses and doubts. Of course the devil will always try to make us think GOD no longer cares for us, that He left us, but we must be steadfast, even in the darkest hour, GOD is always there. The only thing satan can do to keep us from witnessing to others is to intimidate us and make us think we have been abandoned by God. The Bible clearly teaches us that he came to kill steal and destroy, he knows he is doomed, and outnumbered, he cannot take us out collectively, so he tries to plant thoughts into our heads. Fellow Christians, let us continue the race, we will not let any thoughts stop us from filling the earth with the GOOD NEWS of the GOSPEL. Where would we all be right now if someone had not witnessed to us? Think on these things, Phillipians 4:8-9. Please read these verses in your own Bible, once you have done so, take a moment to meditate on our Awesome God, thank Him, and praise Him. After having done that let us go forth and do what Jesus told us to do. Spread the Word, remember before the end the world as Jesus said the good news of the Gospel should have reached all the corners of the earth. I believe there is still A LOT of work for us to do. We shall be held accountable for those that we should have witnessed to and did not. Let's not lose the faith, we are so close, our time is getting shorter.

[nChrist]

Amen airIam2worship!

I love the description Paul uses when talking about what God's children should be doing: fight a good fight and run a good race. As a Christian, that's what our short life here on earth should be like. There is no irony that when we try, our Joy is JESUS becomes more full. AND, the more we try and yield to HIS Will, the more HE will help us and equip us for the work HE wants us to do. Our labor is in JOY and appreciation for what HE has already done for us. I give thanks that many Christians have experienced the fullness of Joy that is possible when we simply yield and let GOD work in us and through us.

Love In Christ,
Tom

Isaiah 55:10-11 NASB  "For as the rain and the snow come down from heaven, And do not return there without watering the earth And making it bear and sprout, And furnishing seed to the sower and bread to the eater; So will My word be which goes forth from My mouth; It will not return to Me empty, Without accomplishing what I desire, And without succeeding in the matter for which I sent it.

[airIam2worship]

  AMEN to that and GOD will see to it that we keep running the race and fighting the good fight as long as our hearts are for Him.

[Kris777]

Hi airIam2worship. Welcome and thanks for the post.  Sorry I took awhile in replying.  I've been busy with school and work, so I can't be on the computer as much as I want anymore. I have a day off from work today though so  .  I need lemonade and to sit on the couch and relax.

I have a question for you guys.  Some of you might now the thread that I started about Jesus being God.  Well I got to use it!! Jehovah Witness's came to the door.  My dad and I talked to them.  They said that they had to go study some more and come back.  Then today they came back, it's been a week and talked to us some more.  I had alot of verses for them.  

My question is, what make's them a cult?  They believe in Jesus from what I understand for salvation but don't believe Jesus is God.  They also don't believe in the Trinity?  This makes them a cult, doesn't it?  Anyway, can someone be saved but don't think that Jesus is God?  Is there bible verses that you guys know of that would show them further that he is indeed God?