witnessing to strangers

janny108 · #1 11th January 2008, 07:31 PM

How do you witness to strangers? Such as in a laundromat or other settings.
Jan

Jayangel81 · #2 12th January 2008, 04:32 PM

Hmm to me since im Stupidly shy and dont know how to even start a conversation with another human being (at times its quite pathetic) I print out Gospel tracts to get it started. You could say something like..

"How you doing" "Do you have a Christian background?"

When you hand out Gospel tracts ive noticed at times people will have some sort of "reaction" take it from there

Key thing is to Pray and let God give you the words to use

hopeinGod · #3 14th January 2008, 10:49 AM

I'm not shy at all about approaching strangers. To get their attention in a laundromat, I might ask just about any question that will start a conversation. It could be something like, "Gee, the Bucs played so badly Sunday. Did you watch the game?"

If they say no, and show absolutely no interest in sports, I might say, "So, what do you enjoy doing on your time off?" If they avoid my questions, I know they don't want to be bothered, but if they nicely start to share a conversation, I can talk about any topic with them: the weather, their family, where they live, what they do for a living, etc.

Within your sharing of your life, this can be the most perfect time to interject your salvation experience. You can say, "The central focus of my life is Jesus Christ. About three years ago, I had a wonderful experience......."

If they freak out as if they are being attacked by some kind of holy-roller, you could say, "Oh, that offends you. I didn't realize it. Maybe it would be better if you tell me about your faith. What do you believe?"

There are so many directions any discussion can take. Knowing how to nonchalantly move it toward Christ takes practice, which sometimes leads to a lack of words or answers to questions, or a challenge in regard to your knowledge of the Word, but it all adds up to your growth as a witness. No need to get embarrassed or condemn yourself. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, not yours.

Oh, there's so much I could write, but it would fill a book. The best I can say is begin anyway you know how. Learn a few conversation starters and take it from there. If you fall, you won't be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds you with His hands, and will fill in those blanks as you keep at it.

Dave

tansy · #4 14th January 2008, 10:29 PM

I agree with HopeinGod--Ive also found that because I like reading I often take a book to read with whilst waiting in a laundromat or at a bus-stop or whatever and it's often a Christian book (or magazine). Then sometimes someone wikll ask what the book is, so that can lead into a conversation

janny108 · #5 15th January 2008, 11:08 AM

Originally Posted by hopeinGod

I'm not shy at all about approaching strangers. To get their attention in a laundromat, I might ask just about any question that will start a conversation. It could be something like, "Gee, the Bucs played so badly Sunday. Did you watch the game?"

If they say no, and show absolutely no interest in sports, I might say, "So, what do you enjoy doing on your time off?" If they avoid my questions, I know they don't want to be bothered, but if they nicely start to share a conversation, I can talk about any topic with them: the weather, their family, where they live, what they do for a living, etc.

Within your sharing of your life, this can be the most perfect time to interject your salvation experience. You can say, "The central focus of my life is Jesus Christ. About three years ago, I had a wonderful experience......."

If they freak out as if they are being attacked by some kind of holy-roller, you could say, "Oh, that offends you. I didn't realize it. Maybe it would be better if you tell me about your faith. What do you believe?"

There are so many directions any discussion can take. Knowing how to nonchalantly move it toward Christ takes practice, which sometimes leads to a lack of words or answers to questions, or a challenge in regard to your knowledge of the Word, but it all adds up to your growth as a witness. No need to get embarrassed or condemn yourself. Be strong in the Lord and the power of His might, not yours.

Oh, there's so much I could write, but it would fill a book. The best I can say is begin anyway you know how. Learn a few conversation starters and take it from there. If you fall, you won't be utterly cast down, for the Lord upholds you with His hands, and will fill in those blanks as you keep at it.

Dave

I'm thinking there is not a lot of time involved esp in stores and laundromats. But yesterday I had the chance not once but twice to share a little bit, enough to make someone think...One lady in the laundromat I saw she had a college sweatshirt and I am attending that college. She eventually did acknowledge prayer, and I'd shared my college experience of how God helped me. Then she said she was a pastor's daughter, southern baptist at that! I told her where I went to church, which is a southern baptist church.

Another lady was in my class at school. I noticed a cross around her neck, and I asked her if she went to church here in town(some people come to college from other small towns nearby). She said she was spiritual, not religious. Whaaa? Have heard that before. How would you respond to that?

Jan

tansy · #6 16th January 2008, 12:51 PM

In reply to question about religion and spirituality---I think there is a difference between true religion, false religion and dead religion.
In a sense we are all spiritual beings.Don't want to go into all the ins and outs of that just now , would take too long----but maybe next time you get into a conversation of that sort, you could ask them exactly what they mean by being spiritual and not being religious. (A lot of people for example say they don't need to go to church or even believe in God, 'cos as long as they'e being kind and nice and not harming anyone that's all they need to do)
You could also ask them what their view of life and death etc. etc.----see what their responses to these things are and take it from there. Find out maybe who they think Jesus is. (Usually they think He's merely a very good man who set a good example.

TexasSky · #7 16th January 2008, 12:55 PM

I always try to show a stranger the love of Christ before I try to tell him about the love of Christ.

But first, pray before you do anything or say anything.

If they are sad, I'll mention something like, "You see a little down today. I don't know what is wrong, but I wanted to know if I can help in any way, and I wanted to let you know that I'll pray for you, whatever is wrong."

In other situations, I may offer to help them with something. Like folding clothing. If they thank me, I tell them, "Oh, I enjoyed it, and it was what Christ would have wanted me to do."

Take a bible with you, and READ it. Sometimes people will ask you about it.

Sariebeth · #8 28th January 2008, 01:00 PM

okay i'd like to respond both to how to witness and the spiritual, religion thing.

I use to believe that i had to get to know a person and bulid a relationship with that person before i could bring up anything about my faith.. i was way wrong, there are many different ways to witness but just starting a converstaion with them and leading up to asking them what they believe. i wish i could say that witness is easy for me but i would be lying its hard and nerveracking for me because i'm a shy person the way it is, but i make it a challange for me this year to get out of my comfortzone and tell the nations about Christ with his help.

to the spiritual, religion thing: I personally dont like Being told i'm relgious lol i have a perosnal relationship with Jesus christ, i'm a Christian yes, and alot of people might get that confused and be like but isnt that a religion what they dont relize is that Religion is manmade word and that Religion is dead and Jesus is alive... so therefore i have a Relationship with Jesus christ.