Whats your witnessing style?

Hi guys!

I was wondering how do you witness generally? Do you get to know the person first or do you just take the first opportunity you can get with anyone?

For me I have to be familiar with the person. Im not that extroverted (tho Im not a shy lil mouse by any means) and its hard for me to walk up to a person and talk to them, especially about such an important topic (which I realize is a lil messed up but hey).

So do you have a style? Or any tips that I could use?

I usually just witness to those around me. That happens to be people who are either friends, fellow students, and of course co-workers.

I have been talking to my co-worker about God the past month and it's been good so far. I also have a friend who now wants to go to Chruch with me so I am excited about that!

I basically just witness to everyone around me and anyone I feel that God wants me to talk to. I totally believe my co-worker and my friend are in my life (or maybe I am in theirs) because God is calling me to be a witness to them.

I could use some more tips too. I really don't have any other than just being kind to them and treating them as a friend. It takes a lot of time sometimes. Hang in there, heh.

I don't go up to people and start yapping. I will happily discuss theology, but I generally wait for people to ask questions; this seems to me to be the best way, because they're actually interested in what I'm saying then.

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I also do this...which should be a must for most Christians out there. If someone asks, lets all pray you can begin to "fire away", without scaring them off.

Also, I have been trying a few "Jesus Loves You" when talking to unsaved friends or even coworkers.

Sometimes I get a blank stare of disbelief, sometimes I get a "shut up" and sometimes I get questions. Which indeed is what you want.

Hi all

This forum is great! I hope it gets lots of activity.

Let's see... Well, I took a course recently at my church called "Becoming a Contagious Christian", based on the book by Bill Hybels. I highly recommend it. It's all about witnessing in a comfortable, casual, non-threatening way to your friends, family, co-workers, etc.

One of the great topics that came up was called "Strategic Consumerism". Basically, it involves a pattern of going to the same gas station, coffee shop, etc. and trying to develop a relationship with the same person. So you get in that person's line at the grocery store or sit at the same table at the diner to get that waiter/waitress. Our leader led a whole family to Christ just by going to the same gas station! It takes time, but I really liked this idea.

I have been known to say too much and turn people off. I don't mean to, but I was really over-zealous when I first became a Christian about 3 years ago. Now I've learned to slow down and not get in people's faces so much. I wasn't obnoxious, but I think I came on a little too strong.

My husband is currently not saved and I'm finding that I can talk till I'm blue in the face (LOL), but he's watching my actions a lot more than listening to my words. We really do have to walk the talk, not just talk the talk!

I've also realized (finally) that it's not about me or what I say. If the Holy Spirit isn't convicting them of their sinfulness and a need for Jesus, then nothing I do or say will make a difference. But God can use me to plant seeds!

In Christ,

WashedClean

Tip? Sure, find yourself a witnessing group and just go at it. Do everything, try everything and go everywhere. Hand out bible tracts in a public place and then go take some blankets to the homeless on a cold afternoon/evening. We even have a door to door witnessing ministry at my church in fact. Find a place where you can organize a free public Christian concert. Go to the beach, park or parking lot and sing worship music and just have fun, they see and hear. Opportunities are limitless.


LOL that totally reminded me of when I was on Hollywood Blvd with my buddy and we saw this incredible looking lady of the night standing near this filthy wall. My friend was like “did you see that?!?” (small town boy). LOL and I busted out with this most sincere “Jesus Loves you” at her and you should have seen all the jaws drop all around LOL even my friend was like “OMG I cant believe you said that”. Then her pimp came after me so we bolted.


Oh yeah it’s so true. Some people that have only been a Christian for just a few months show a lot of gusto, and that’s so cool. We get them in a group and they will just go for it with all they got showing no reservations to any dangers or what not. Get 100 people like that together on a Saturday afternoon and you will turn over a city leaving no stone unturned.

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LOL, puts a whole new perspective to the term "Pimpin' ain't easy".

At least not when you have Christians witnessing to prostitutes! You know pimps got it rough when they not only have to hide from the cops, but chase away Christians! Good for you, man. Good for you!

If the subject goes toward God (sometimes my fault, sometimes theirs) I make it clear at first that it's not my place or my job to convert people. It really depends on the other person's character - but sometimes I'll say that Christianity (from Christ, not from the Church) is big on free will. Sometimes I'll say that I really do care that they get saved.

One sounds like I don't care, the other sounds like it's life or death. Witnessing and evangelism are dependant on giving the right message at the right time. Some people NEED to hear that the conversation you're about to have is not meant to convert them. And it's not. People need to hear the WHOLE truth, not just that they're going to hell if they don't change. Everybody (especially in inner-cities) has heard THAT line before. With a better understanding of Jesus' Christianity, God can better work in their lives.

On the other hand, some people are READY to hear that you really do care, and they need to know that. One of my best friends is very depressed and often suicidal - If I only told her that it's not my place to make her change her mind, she'd hear that as, "I don't care what you do." She is a Christian, but along with feeling so worthless, she has a hard time understanding a loving God. She alo needs to hear the truth, but from a caring friend, not just from an evangelist who is intent on 'saving' her faith.

I still end up telling both that I can't give them the real truth. I think something we're missing in evangelism today is the realization that people have a God-given right to reject the truth. We should no more let people live without hearing the truth, than we should gloss over their right to reject it.

Just my thoughts - though I'm pretty sure it came out rather garbled. Basically we should accept people who are willing to reject God. We should be no more upset with them than we are with Christians who don't read their Bibles. God calls us to speak the truth - not to convert.

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That's interesting Deamiter, and so true. People do have a right to reject the Gospel, its just hard when YOU are the one trying to tell them. But try telling some of my friends that Im not trying to convert them when I talk about my faith! They stop me by "dont try and convert us". I think I am beginning to hate the word convert because to me it sounds like Im trying to rack up the numbers or something and dont care about them personally.

Francis of Assisi had a brilliant formula for evangelism:

"Preach the Gospel every day to everyone you meet. If necessary, use words."

Showing people who Christ is by exemplifying Him in what you do speaks far louder to them than any theology or homiletics you may espouse, or even the best-written tract you might distribute. Be a witness by what you are in your everyday life, and you'll lead people to Him by wanting to be like you.