My First Time Ever Open-Air Street Preaching!

Were you able to connect with any of the passers-by during the day? How many people stopped and talked with you? What kinds of conversations did you have?

I would not approach people in this way. It carries a, I am going to force my beliefs upon you whether you want to here them or not. I believe one on one with people, is the best method, in telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Good on you David. You are doing as God commanded.
You in no way were forcing your beliefs on people (I think that it is Satan working through people when that is said. It discourages speaking out aloud and that is what Satan wants.). Each person may share the Gospel differently to another person. But we are to go fourth in boldness. So, not to be cowards. The great commission says to preach the Gospel to all creation. And how will they hear without a preacher. God's word commands us to speak aloud to as many people as possible in love. Keep it up.
If you are criticised, take it that you are being persecuted for spreading the word of God. Let the persecution build you up and create a fire. (You may even be criticised by other believers. But take joy in it.)

i'm glad that you were able to share the Gospel with others

yep

d taylor said:

-​

I would not approach people in this way. It carries a, I am going to force my beliefs upon you whether you want to here them or not. I believe one on one with people, is the best method, in telling people how to receive God's free gift of Eternal Life.

Click to expand...

I agree. Maybe better to just start telling a story, like Jesus did. Stimulate thought rather then telling them what to think or what you think they need to do. OR give witness to changes in your own life....why you believe. These are people from all kinds of backgrounds and experiences.

Or maybe just make a great big prayer, blessings all who pass by.

I remember though back in college there would be a preacher or two on campus on a nice day. In between classes quite a few people would just sit and listen, engage maybe get a discussion going.

Stories, stimulating thought or giving changes in your own life are not the power of God. The Gospel is the power of God until salvation.
In saying this, we can tell stories, stimulate thought or giving changes in your own life alongside the Gospel. If we do tell a story that has happened to us, this can substantiate the reason for our faith.

Here is a story:
There once was a man named Jerimiah. God told him that he was to warn the people to leave their sin and turn to the one true God. If Jerimiah chose not to warn everyone, then, if one of the people were to die in their sin without hearing Gods warning, that person's blood would be on Jerimiah.
Now knowing this, here are some New Testament verses.
"For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God" Romans 3:23 (We have all sinned)
"For the wages of sin is death." Romans 6:23 (We all deserve death)
"Go into all the world and preach the gospel to all creation." Mark 16:15 (God has commanded us to go and tell as many as possible)
"The one who has My commandments and keeps them is the one who loves Me" John 14:21 (If we love Him, we will do as he has commanded. The one who chooses to disobey does not love Him as He should be loved.)
"But the cowardly, unbelieving, abominable, murderers, sexually immoral, sorcerers, idolaters, and all liars shall have their part in the lake which burns with fire and brimstone, which is the second death.” Those who are so afraid that they do not share the Gospel, are cowardly. Jesus commanded us to tell as many people as possible. If we truly love God, then we will do as he wills. So, what is God's will. He tells us in 2 Peter 3:9 and John 3:16.
"The Lord....not willing that any should perish" 2 Peter 3:9 (God does not want any to die in their sins as He has given them a way out.)
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16 (God showed us what he wants. His actions substantiated what he wants. He even gave His son so we would not perish)

So, do not take what Jesus commanded us to do lightly. If we love Him, it should be at the forefront of our thoughts and actions. Equip yourself and then speak to as many people as possible.

You'd be amazed at how many people listen - and most of them will never let you know they're listening either. Obviously, the ones who shout and look manic are generally laughed at, but if you can communicate a story with a calm and clear voice, you'll reach a lot of them. NOT all of them, but certainly enough to make it worth it.

I'm a more softer spoken, action-based Christian. I'm that guy who is labelled a "decent bloke" as just a personality type. No one actually knows I have a faith.

It takes all sorts to spread the word, so carry on I say.

of course charism is also involved. Some people are very gifted while other no so much. The best preachers i have hear had already thought deeply about what they would say. They were not just out there winging it. The best seem to take scripture and make it applicable to daily life issues.

Akita Suggagaki said:

You seem to have a pretty limited view of God's power.

Click to expand...

I would not say that. But I do understand that the too many believers think that they are sharing the Good News simply by saying nice things, being nice or living morally. They put more faith in the power of the stories they say or their good deeds, than they do in sharing the Gospel. This is why most churches put friendship evangelism above sharing the Gospel.
I do agree that we can say stories and do good deeds. These things can substantiate our faith. They can show that what we say we believe in, we do truly believe. But overall, the most important thing is to tell everyone how they have fallen short of Gods standards and that God has given them a way out. So, once again, the Gospel is the power of God unto salvation.
Romans 10:14 "How then are they to call on Him in whom they have not believed? How are they to believe in Him whom they have not heard? And how are they to hear without a preacher?" They need to hear of Him and the salvation He brings.

How long have you been preaching, 1Tonne?

David Hunter said:

It's official... I open-air street preached for the first time ever!!

I was at the NCAA March Madness Men's Basketball tournament in Columbus, Ohio on Sunday, March 19th, 2023 just outside the Nationwide Arena with a great group of God-honoring men and woman! I'll introduce the video, then show you the 5-6 minutes of me open-air street preaching and then I'll share some thoughts and tips that I learned to encourage you to get out there and open-air street preach and pass out Gospel tracts. Just remember, the harvest is plentiful but the workers are few. All to the glory of God for the advancement of His kingdom!

Please let me know your thoughts, tips, etc.!​

Click to expand...

David, I hear joy and excitement in your preaching.

Akita Suggagaki said:

How long have you been preaching, 1Tonne?

Click to expand...

I have been doing it for only about 6 months now. I try to go to the parks a couple of times a week. I do not preach out aloud like David does. Instead, I do one to one (often I am speaking to a group though). But what David is doing takes a lot of love God and for the lost and a lot of courage.

Unfortunately, I have been a Christian for 29 years, but I never bothered to learn how to share the Gospel. I did it like everyone else. I was everybody's friend and hoped that they would see Christ in me when I said nice things or done good deeds. But I never told the Good News.
Then, a year ago, God gave me a wakeup call. He showed me my sin for what it really was. Ever since then, I have had a much stronger love for God. Afterall, why would I not love him with all of my heart. He gave His son for my sin.
The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul and mind. So, since I love Him, I will do as He wishes. As He has commanded.
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as you love yourself. Now, we love ourselves so much that we would not want to be condemned. And if we truly love our neighbour, then we should be warning them of this condemnation too.
I don't think that everyone needs to be a street preacher or a park preacher, but I do believe that those who love God with all of their heart will have more of a desire to do so. Also, a love for your neighbour will drive you to learn how to share and maybe, one day, you may go to the park and preach. Love overcomes fear. Love gives you boldness.

I am sorry Akita if this feels like an attack. I do not mean it that way. I do however not like it when people will discourage other believers from doing the good they ought to do. We know that we are to tell as many people as possible. That is the right thing to do. It is what Jesus commanded. James 4:17 says, "So for one who knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, for him it is sin." So, we are sinning by not obeying the command He gave us to share the Gospel.
Jesus also said, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." So, what is Gods will? That "none should perish" 2 Peter 3:9

1Tonne said:

I have been doing it for only about 6 months now. I try to go to the parks a couple of times a week. I do not preach out aloud like David does. Instead, I do one to one (often I am speaking to a group though). But what David is doing takes a lot of love God and for the lost and a lot of courage.

Unfortunately, I have been a Christian for 29 years, but I never bothered to learn how to share the Gospel. I did it like everyone else. I was everybody's friend and hoped that they would see Christ in me when I said nice things or done good deeds. But I never told the Good News.
Then, a year ago, God gave me a wakeup call. He showed me my sin for what it really was. Ever since then, I have had a much stronger love for God. Afterall, why would I not love him with all of my heart. He gave His son for my sin.
The greatest commandment is to love the Lord your God with all you heart, soul and mind. So, since I love Him, I will do as He wishes. As He has commanded.
The second greatest commandment is to love your neighbour as you love yourself. Now, we love ourselves so much that we would not want to be condemned. And if we truly love our neighbour, then we should be warning them of this condemnation too.
I don't think that everyone needs to be a street preacher or a park preacher, but I do believe that those who love God with all of their heart will have more of a desire to do so. Also, a love for your neighbour will drive you to learn how to share and maybe, one day, you may go to the park and preach. Love overcomes fear. Love gives you boldness.

I am sorry Akita if this feels like an attack. I do not mean it that way. I do however not like it when people will discourage other believers from doing the good they ought to do. We know that we are to tell as many people as possible. That is the right thing to do. It is what Jesus commanded. James 4:17 says, "So for one who knows the good they ought to do and does not do it, for him it is sin." So, we are sinning by not obeying the command He gave us to share the Gospel.
Jesus also said, "Not everyone who says to Me, ‘Lord, Lord,’ will enter the kingdom of heaven, but the one who does the will of My Father who is in heaven will enter." So, what is Gods will? That "none should perish" 2 Peter 3:9

Click to expand...

Thanks for sharing. I am inspired by the story of St Francis of Assisi. As a young man he was a wealthy party boy. He has a conversion which involved a great deal of introspection and suffering. He eventually becomes an itinerant preacher. He preaches in such a way that people gather in large crowds. Some even follow him and want to live like him. Now this is in 12-13 century Italy. Christianity is well established. Everyone has already heard the Gospel and heard of Jesus. But, of course, they are not quite getting it. What is different about Francis's preaching? I can only imagine that it must be his authentic joy, peace and love. Everyone hears the Word every Sunday.

So in our day and time it also does not matter that "Christianity" is wide spread and just about everyone has heard about Jesus and his Gospel. I think preaching is about helping people connect the dots so that what they have heard a thousand times finally hits home. I have not street preached though there was a time when I thought about it. My preaching has bene at different churches and other faith events. The thing about those is that it is like "preaching to the choir". It is important because it supports people who already believe but it does not often reach out beyond them, unless there are people present who in darkness. And that is quit possible.

I am a hospital chaplain. That gives me opportunity to have one-on one discussions with anyone. At least I offer the invitation. And I must say that the number of "Nones" is predominant. The majority of people say they have a belief but are not involved with any faith community at all. I am not judging them but often ask them how they live their faith out and what it means to them. When I ask them if they would like prayer sometimes they will say, "it doesn't matter." or "If you want to." To me that is an open door to ask the Holy Spirit to come down upon them and change their lives. So rather than pointing out their sinfulness to them and telling them what they need, I give them the opportunity to reflect for themselves and recognize their own need and desire for salvation. Many times though, old habits are not changed and the person would rather not be interested. It is hard to respect that but always their choice.

Akita Suggagaki said:

So in our day and time it also does not matter that "Christianity" is wide spread and just about everyone has heard about Jesus and his Gospel.

Click to expand...

That is the problem. Not everyone has heard it. I have spoken to many people in the parks and many of them barely know anything about Jesus. They say, "Didn't he die on a cross?" As they say it, you can see that they do not have and understanding of it. Many people have not heard of the 10 commandments either.
About 3 months ago, I was speaking to a teenager in the park who went to a Christian school. I asked him who Jesus was and he said he died on a cross. I then asked him why, and he responded saying "For our sins." His responses seemed very automated as though he had been told something but did not understand. I then showed him that they had sinned, that he had lied, stolen, blasphemed and lusted. After this, I explained why Jesus died for our sin. He then jumped in his seat in shock and said "Wow" (He literally jumped in his seat). I then said to him, "You understand now don't you." He said "Yes" excitedly. He then went on to say how he has heard that Jesus died on the cross for our sins many times, after all he goes to a Christian school and they say it there, but he never really cared about it. By showing him that he fell short of Gods standards and explaining the cross fully he then understood.
So even those who have heard the Gospel need it told to them because often, it is not explained fully.
Also, us Christians tend to associate with other Christians. And this makes it seem as though everyone knows the Gospel.

Akita Suggagaki said:

I think preaching is about helping people connect the dots so that what they have heard a thousand times finally hits home.

Click to expand...

Fully agree. This can be done 1 to 1 as I do it but it can also be done by speaking aloud to a group on the street

Akita Suggagaki said:

To me that is an open door to ask the Holy Spirit to come down upon them and change their lives.

Click to expand...

The question he is, "How does the Holy Spirit change their lives?"
When showing someone that they have sinned and that they fall under Gods judgement, the Holy Spirit then works through the conscience to bring conviction. Then once they see their sin, they will see their need for a saviour. Also, once they see their sin and the consequences of it, they will then leave their sin. So, the Holy Spirit works through the conscience helping them to leave their sin. If they are truly sorry for their sin, then they will be changed and no longer want to sin. 2 Corinthians 7:10 "For Godly sorrow produces repentance leading to salvation."