Witnessing

[Steve_SandbachBaptist_UK]

Hi, I am looking for any tips on what would be the best ways to witness to non Christian friends... as I have never been very good at it. I am getting baptised on June 13th, and I'm not sure whether to invite some of my old school mates who are not Christians and don't know a great deal about God. You see, I have 2 little groups of friends - the Christians from my church and my old school mates who I mainly see in the pub (!) or playing football. I was thinking of inviting them but I've already got people coming from uni (christians) who will be meeting all my church mates and I've also got my parents coming who don't go to my church or know many people there, so I don't want to over-complicate things. Besides, I am worried that I might find it a bit weird and it would push them further away from God. Maybe it would be better for me to witness in my own time.

What does anyone think ?

 

[Blindfaith316]

Pray for them, that the Holy Spirit would soften their hearts and open their eyes and ears, and pray for yourself, that you wait on the Lord's timing and his words to speak through you... other than that, I dont have any advice!

 

[allieisme]

Yep, pray about it, but definitely I would bring my friends. You might turn them to the Lord, rather than away.. And if they do think your wierd or the things in the church are weird, do you want to continue to be their friends?

 

[Kehaar]

Hi there

Welcome to the forums!

Like yourself, I've several non-christian friends and family whom I am 'cautious' (if thats the right word!) about witnessing to because I feel its not something I'm particularly good at and I wouldn't wish to drive them away from God.

However most friends that I see regulary and family members have stated that they've seen changes (for the better) in my lifestyle, attitudes, personality etc. since I became a Christian.....perhaps your friends and family have done the same? My point, I guess, is that we can witness by our actions as well as by our words, so maybe you're doing more than you realise!

I would think it wouldn't do any harm to invite your old school friends to your baptism - if they find the idea 'wierd' or think they would feel uncomfortable then they don't need to attend. If they're open to the idea then I'm sure they'd come along. Either way, its their choice to make.

Lastly, like the previous two posts suggested - pray

Congratulations on your baptism! I hope you have a wonderful day!

Astral

 

[rainbowprism]

Let your own action serve as a positive witness. I believe God will put people in your path that would respond to the Gospel...you'll get a nudge when the timing is right (I like to call these 'divine appointments') ! I was concerned too about sharing the Gospel with someone when I first became a Christian, would they think I was weird, would they laugh at me? But when God feels you're ready, He'll let you know. Spend time praying and asking for God to give you such 'appointments'! Remember, He will never ask something from you that you don't have. Game on!

 

[jcfaith]

I listened to a Christian speaker the other day, and he talked about our fear of witnessing to non-believers. He said that we often use the excuse that we don't want to "drive them away". And his answer to that was "drive them away to what? Hell 2?".

If your friends don't know God there are only two ways for them to go. Towards God or they stay where they are which eventually lead to damnation.

Do not Fear. Pray, Trust and Believe.

"For God has not given us the spirit of fear; but of power and of love and of a sound mind" 1 Tim 1: 7

 

[rainbowprism]

Also, I would absolutley positvely invite them to your baptism!! That is a great oppurtunity to witness! I invited bout 20 people to my baptism and only two of them were believers. Remember it is not nessacarily your job to convert them, but at least give them the oppurtunity to hear the gospel. I like to compare sharing the gospel to fishing...you catch 'em and He'll clean 'em!

 

[Steve_SandbachBaptist_UK]

You may or may not be right but you do not know the climate of the situation and under it I think witnessing in my own time would be better... I don't think I would necessarily get anybody to come anyway.

Steve