QUESTION: Aside from making videos and posts such as this one calling for those to come to Christ, how do you or how have you revealed Christ or made a call to repent to someone one on one? I am curious to know for when there are those encounters one may have with someone who may know something about God or nothing at all. In those instances, what do you say or do? 🙂
RESPONSE: I have reached out to people one-on-one with the Gospel, but one-on-one is not my area of strength. Videos, posts and social media are more fruitful for me than one-on-one (I am naturally an introvert, soft-spoken and a peacemaker type who doesn’t like conflict).
However, it’s not about me, it’s about Christ. So, I keep trying. Here are some ways to share the gospel I have learned and am still working on through the power of the Holy Spirit:
- YOU MUST FOLLOW THE LEADING OF THE HOLY SPIRIT TO BE EFFECTIVE WITH ONE-ON-ONE. With that said, something is better than nothing. What if you try to talk to someone about the gospel and the Lord did not lead you to that person? A seed was still sown into their life, even if they reject you.
–Acts 1:8 – New King James Version -8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.”
–Luke 12:12 – New King James Version – 12 For the Holy Spirit will teach you in that very hour what you ought to say.”
- One-on-one witnessing requires BOLDNESS, not people-pleasing or peace-making, and the ability to handle rejection. If you are not naturally a person who is not bothered by rejection, PRAY FOR BOLDNESS DAILY. And fast and pray before going out to witness. Some people naturally have a “salesperson” personality–they are more focused on achieving their goals than rejection, so they’re successful because they keep trying. When sharing the gospel we have to be more concerned about sharing truth than offending the person. I have a handout I read before going out to witness one-on-one to encourage me because it is more difficult for me. It reminds me of how important it is to witness. Visit these links to read it–https://biblereasons.com/witnessing-to-others/ and https://biblereasons.com/witness/
- Ephesians 6:19 – Holman Christian Standard Bible – 19 Pray also for me, that the message may be given to me when I open my mouth to make known with boldness the mystery of the gospel.
- WAYS TO WITNESS BY YOURSELF.
a. PASS OUT CARDS/TRACTS. When you go about your daily errands, keep scripture cards or tracts to hand out to the sales clerk and/or other people you talk to while out. Sometimes it’s as simple as greeting them and handing them the card while you say: “Just wanted to remind you that Jesus loves you”. Or, “Stay close to the Lord, He is coming soon” and hand them the card. A good friend of mine gave me this template. The card has John 3:16 on one side and the prayer of salvation on the other side. One version I print on elegant biz cards with gold foil and the other is colorful and cheerful. I print and cut those by hand. Don’t worry about perfection. Just print and hand them out. If delivery people come to your house, give them one. You can also pass them out while taking a walk, etc. Click here to download these cards:
b. WEAR THE GOSPEL. Sport your t-shirts, caps and other gear that has scripture on it. People do notice and comment. It can be a good conversation starter. Then give them a card.
c. PUT UP A SIGN. This could be a scripture, cross or etc. in your yard, on your car or on your desk at work. (I have a friend who works in an office where people pass her desk daily. She puts up a new scripture or thought provoking saying every day on her desk). People stop and read it. She doesn’t have to say a word. NOTE: When you do this, make sure you are demonstrating God’s character because you are a living testimony. People will know you are a Christian and examine your behavior to see if you are living what you profess.
d. OFFER TO PRAY with people you run into if they tell you of a problem their facing. Pray a prayer of salvation before praying for any other concern.
Sample Prayer: Dear God, I’m a sinner. I’m sorry for my sins. I want to turn from my sins. I believe Jesus Christ is your Son. I believe He died for my sin and that You raised Him to life. I want to trust Him as my Savior and follow Him as Lord from this day forward. Jesus, I put my trust in You and I surrender my life to You. Please come into my life and fill me with Your Holy Spirit. I pray this in the name of Jesus. Amen.
e. ASK A SIMPLE QUESTION. After you ask someone how they are doing, then ask them: “How are you doing spiritually? IF YOU WERE TO DIE TODAY, WOULD YOU GO TO HEAVEN?” Listen and respond based on what they say. Every person is different. Give them the card or tract and tell them they can pray right now and be sure they are going to heaven. The prayer of salvation is on the card. Offer to pray with them. THIS IS VERY EFFECTIVE IF YOU ARE BOLD ENOUGH TO ASK THE QUESTION. Don’t worry about their faces. Some of the most tender-hearted people that are ready to receive the Gospel don’t show it on their faces.
- GO WITNESSING 2 BY 2 the way Jesus sent out His disciples. When I do outreach with one of my Christian friends from church, I tend to be more bold and fruitful. There really is strength in numbers. One of us prays and observes, while the other talks. We reverse roles. Rejection does not bother us when we witness together. Good places to reach out to people are outdoor shopping plazas and parks. You can also make signs and hold them up at busy intersections. Then, preach, pass out cards and pray with people. (This is better with at least two people or a group.)
–Mark 6:7 New King James Version – Sending Out the Twelve – 7 And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two, and gave them power over unclean spirits.
- START WITH YOUR FAMILY AND FRIENDS. Ask the Holy Spirit to tell you how to start the conversation. I sometimes ask this, “What has the Lord been speaking to you during your prayer time?” Their answer will let you know where they are and how to move them closer to Christ.
a. SHARING SCRIPTURE, SERMON EXCERPTS, GOSPEL SONGS/VIDEOS through text, email, social media are also good ways to plant a seed of faith. Then follow up with a phone call or in-person visit. This video “Hear the Good News in 6 minutes” is a good one to share. It explains the gospel and goes through the prayer of salvation at the end. Post this to your social accounts. Need to Know Jesus? WATCH – https://youtu.be/Bn4M7t69mB4 Have doubts? Visit – http://donotgotohell.com/have-doubts/
b. USE FAMILY GATHERINGS TO PRAY with people before a meal or before they leave. Tell them, “I have to pray with you before we go. Life is too short to take your soul for granted.”
- IDENTIFY YOUR STRENGTHS when witnessing and focus on that while you allow the Holy Spirit to develop you in other areas. But, ALWAYS OBEY the Holy Spirit. He will lead you out your comfort zone.
- BE STRONG IN THE LORD. When you start witnessing for Christ with more boldness, some people may distance themselves from you. Some friends and family may totally drop you. BUT CHRIST WILL TOTALLY LOVE YOU AND GIVE YOU STRENGTH AND JOY. God will also bring new friends into your life who are passionate about the Lord the way you are.
–Matthew 19:29-30 New King James Version – 29 And everyone who has left houses or brothers or sisters or father or mother or wife or children or lands, for My name’s sake, shall receive a hundredfold, and inherit eternal life. 30 But many who are first will be last, and the last first.
Thank you for your question. Preparing the answer was a good reminder for me to keep trying.
Blessings, your sister in Christ.
