Proper Ways to Witnessing

JaKe_719 · 12-12-2011, 11:13 PM

Well before I felt as if I shouldn't witness because of my lack of knowledge. I am now more excited to witness but have one problem. I feel as if I sneak it in or bring it up to much. I'm not trying to annoy people but God is ruler and king and infinitely worthy. If you were to know me in real life, you would know I talk about God A LOT! Anybody have some tips on witnessing? Lately I've been praying that God will open doors.

***BillSPrestonEsq*** · 12-13-2011, 01:33 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by JaKe_719

Well before I felt as if I shouldn't witness because of my lack of knowledge. I am now more excited to witness but have one problem. I feel as if I sneak it in or bring it up to much. I'm not trying to annoy people but God is ruler and king and infinitely worthy. If you were to know me in real life, you would know I talk about God A LOT! Anybody have some tips on witnessing? Lately I've been praying that God will open doors.

Live a life where people ask you the questions. Don't hide your faith, but don't put on airs either.

athanatos · 12-13-2011, 07:34 AM

There's quite a bit out there on this subject matter. I find that evangelism and discipleship are not two separate categories or two radically different things. Witnessing is the first step in a journey of disciple-making.

Like Bill, I would encourage you to lead a life which departs from the expectations of society in matters of holiness, righteous attitude, and loving kindness. I don't mean by departing from the expectations that you need to wear a Christian wristband, have a Christian bumpersticker, have a Christian hoodie, wear a Christian symbol, listen to the dorkiest Christian music, get a Christian tattoo, or give up the vocabulary of the people around you.

I would mean, however, that you share your table with everyone and bed with no one; as surprised the culture, Christians would give generously and feed anyone, but they had a high, strong, serious sexual purity ethic. This means there's literally no hint of sexual impurity from among you; no one can make a justified claim that you're doing it. (this doesn't mean you can't be accused, but it means don't have a reason for them to do so)

I would go a step further in that I recommend you go to the main traffic areas where people have no problem stopping and talking for a little bit. Make sure it is your community, not some other town. Ask them spiritual questions, worldview questions, and bring them to the underlying ultimate: God. Who do they think he is? Give them Scripture, key passages that talk about the identity of God. What is their hesitation to love him? The passions of the world? The worries of life? The trusting of human knowledge? .... Most importantly, don't let them be a stranger. Whether they accept Christ then and there or not, you want to get to know them and have further ways to contact them. Most likely, especially when it is normal to hesitate to any obligation or commitment, you'll need to meet at least a dozen times. Expect that.

A word of confidence: you don't have to prove God's existence. They already know God exists, but suppress that truth in unrighteousness. The fact that the universe is made, and that they are image of God immediately and necessarily reveals that truth. Moreover, the wrath of God is being revealed against mankind... in that He gave them over to their sinful desires. So, don't be afraid you can't put on your philosopher hat and start talking about infinite regresses of causality, or about watches and an Intelligent Designer.

You may need to make a case that they can't trust the pop-atheists, like Dawkins or Hitchins; or you could try to help them with the Problem of Evil (one answer is Christ suffered for us, so God's not apathetic or impotent or ignorant) or whatever else they think disproves God's existence. More likely, they will be agnostic, and you can talk about the historical warrant, and what would count if God did speak. That said, don't forget your Bible. You want to give them a confident record of what Christ did and the interpretation God has given of that work.

Another word of confidence: You don't save people, the Holy Spirit does. Your call is to be obedient; success is having faith and sharing Scripture as God commanded. Your call is not to be a Billy Graham or (heaven forbid) a Gandhi; success is not an image to be had, or a movement to start, or a number you're trying to reach.

**slap_j** · 12-13-2011, 07:50 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by athanatos

So, don't be afraid you can't put on your philosopher hat and start talking about infinite regresses of causality, or about watches and an Intelligent Designer.

"I can tell you need an unmoved mover in your life."

JaKe_719 · 12-13-2011, 08:46 AM

Thanks athanatos, that helps. I guess before I would try to witness, I wasn't being bold. It always haunted me because sometimes I would feel almost like I was ashamed. But now I am starting to witness but I don't want to approach this in the wrong way.

athanatos · 12-15-2011, 08:49 PM

You're welcome. Boldness is hard to come by. It is easy to put all the pressure on ourselves; "Did I say it right? Was I loving enough? Did I give him a bad flavor in his mouth? What if he never wants to hear the gospel again because of me? I wish I were more eloquent. I need someone to do the lead in, because I can't start conversation."

"For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God for the salvation of everyone who believes -- first for the Jew, then for the Gentile." Rom 1:16

Rom 10:
14 "How, then, can they call on the one they have not believed in? And how can they believe in the one of whom they have not heard? And how can they hear without someone preaching to them?
15 And how can anyone preach unless they are sent? As it is written: “How beautiful are the feet of those who bring good news!”
17 Consequently, faith comes from hearing the message, and the message is heard through the word about Christ

Since it is the Holy Spirit who quickens the dead heart of man, our confidence is not in our ability. Instead, we are confident because we already have God's blessing to go.

Milisha · 12-19-2011, 01:40 AM

Jake, it's fantastic that you're stepping out in Faith. You're well on your way.

In line with what athanatos wrote:
- Try to live a lifestyle pleasing to Jesus, and turn away from any sin and walk in purity. This doesn't mean avoiding the lost people in the world though - just don't live as the world does.
- Seek the Lord, and He will draw near to you.
- Seek to be filled with the Holy Spirit, and walk in the Spirit.

Initially yes, it's frightening to step out in faith as you have. Let the Holy Spirit lead you - sharing through the Holy Spirit will bear far more fruit than trying to do so out of your own strength. And as you get close to the Lord you will be made bold just as Peter was in acts.

Personally I try to avoid philosophy and canned apologetics: I just share with others my own life story. Most people have their own testimony, about how you came to faith, or another amazing story of the Lord working in your life. Since you're speaking from the heart even most atheists will hear you out, and you'll hear sincere questions rather than arguments. All I'm doing is testifying from my own life the things Jesus has done. Showing He is alive today. Afterall, if the risen Lord is alive today (and He definitely is) then whether He walked the earth and rose again to life 2000 years ago is a moot point.

I know my way isn't the only way; A couple of years ago I met a Chinese gentleman, who by that stage was blind, but was renowned for his evangelism. He said he'd sit next to people waiting at the shopping center. He would give them some bible verses - that everyone has fallen short and is guilty of sin. And the wages (consequences) or sin is death. He would explain that nearly a third of the world believes that the Bible is true - an overwhelming number of people. Now if it's true (and he'll testify it is) - he asks if they're saved. And if they're not, he'll tell them about Jesus on the cross, and lead them in the sinners prayer. He'd then invite them along to church.

nanou912 · 12-27-2011, 02:57 PM

I will only say what have been written before.
At first, don't forget your Bible ! God may transform yourself by His Word.
Like it has been told before, the Holy Spirit is the first actor. By His action you become more and more like Jesus.
It means that you have to prie. Prie make you meet God, become so close to Him...
In your daily act, love is the most important (read for exemple Jn 13 !). Love your neighbour and your enemies, prie for those who persecute you... (cf Mt 5, 43-44 !)

At last I'll add that none of us is God. So, none of us can have the good answer, we are pilgrims on the earth and we walk to God. We would like take always the good Way, and we know that Jesus is the Way, but it's hard to be always on the Way. Jesus is the Truth, He is the Life. None of us can pretend he is like Him, but all of us have to trie every day to become like Him...

acrossthesirion · 12-28-2011, 10:46 AM

The over-used quote attributed to St. Francis is still the best advice I've ever heard:
Preach the Gospel to all the world, if necessary, use words.

The fundamental truth is that witnessing isn't something different from being a Christian. It's not a specialized science that some people do and others don't.

Think about the word choice here: "witnessing." Witness doesn't mean "trying to convert people." Being a witness requires you to be a witness to something. As Christians, we bear witness to God's work.