Thursday, April 19, 2012

So....as per my last post, I'm taking a class on evangelism.  This class has led to projects for evangelizing people, including just plain witnessing.  My current assignment is one that I'm struggling with.  The assignment is this:  witness to someone and bring to the point of a decision for Christ.  I'm scared out of my mind.  I haven't been strong enough to let go and let God do the work here.  There's also the idea of doing this without building a relationship with that person first.  That is also scary.

Down to the point....based on a book we've read by William Fay, there's a down and dirty witnessing idea that I want to put past you all and see what you think about it.  I welcome and encourage all comments.  Once again, these are ideas from Bill Fay, not myself.  As you read down, this is the sequence....


Conversation Joggers:
  1. May I ask you a question?
  2. What are the biggest problems women face today?
  3. What’s your favorite sport?  How much money would it take for a man’s life to be perfect?
  4. Do you go to church anywhere?
  5. May I give you a five question survey?
  6. You know about my spiritual beliefs, but I don’t know about yours.  What are they?
  7. Do you ever feel uncertain about what you are depending on spiritually for hope in your life?
  8. Has anyone ever told you the difference between religion and a relationship with Jesus Christ?
  9. May I have your permission to share seven Scriptures that have changed my life?
  10. How many people would it take flipping a quarter before one person hits heads thirty times in a row?  One reason I believe the Bible is true is because of the thirty recorded prophecies of the birth, the death, and the resurrection of Jesus that have come true.  That’s a lot like landing heads thirty times in a row.
  11. Does truth matter to you?
  12. Has anyone ever explained Christianity to you?
  13. I need to ask you forgiveness.  I have not told you about the most important thing in my life.  I have not shared how you can have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ, and I want you to know I’m so sorry.
  14. You know, I’ve had many problems as well, but I’ve found a solution for my pain.
The Five Share Jesus Questions:
  1. Do you have any kind of spiritual beliefs?
  2. To you, who is Jesus Christ?
  3. Do you think there is heaven or hell?
  4. If you died, where would you go?  If heaven, why?
  5. If what you are believing is not true, would you want to know?
You might ask at this point if you could share some scripture.  If they say yes, continue, otherwise do nothing.  You have not failed because you have been obedient to sharing the gospel and the results belong to God, not us.
The Share Jesus Scriptures:
  1. Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.”
  2. Romans 6:23 – “For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.”
  3. John 3:3 – “I tell you the truth, unless a man is born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.”
  4. John 14:6 – “I am the way and the truth and the life.  No one comes to the Father except through me.”
  5. Romans 10:9-11 – “That if you confess with your mouth, ‘Jesus is Lord,’ and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved.  For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.  As the Scripture says, ‘Anyone who trusts in Him will never be put to shame.’”
  6. 2 Corinthians 5:15 – “And He died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.”
  7. Revelation 3:20 – “Here I am!  I stand at the door and knock.  If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he will hear me.”
The Five Commitment Questions
  1. Are you a sinner?
  2. Do you want forgiveness of sins?
  3. Do you believe Jesus Christ died on the cross for you and rose again?
  4. Are you willing to surrender your life to Jesus Christ?
  5. Are you ready to invite Jesus Christ into your life and into your heart?
Sinner’s Prayer
            Heavenly Father, I have sinned against you.  I want forgiveness for all my sins.  I believe that Jesus died on the cross for me and rose again.  Father, I give you my life to do with as you wish.  I want Jesus Christ to come into my life and into my heart.  This I ask in Jesus’ name.  Amen.
The Why Principle
If someone says no, ask why until they have no explanation.
New Believer Questions and Directions
  1. How many sins has Christ paid for?
  2. How many of your sins does Christ remember?
  3. Where does Christ live?
  4. Let’s pray. (New believe should say what’s on his/her heart)
  5. Who has been praying for you?
  6. Do  you know where your friend goes to church?
  7. Do you know your friend’s phone number?  Let’s call that person now!
  8. May I take you to church with me?
  9. Read the Gospel of John.
  10. I will call you tomorrow to see if the Word became different. 
Thoughts?  Comments?