Effective witnessing and what drives you crazy? Christian and NonChristian.?

Question

What are the most effective ways that you have found to share the gospel with someone, or how has someone totally turned you off of religion because they witnessed to you in a ineffective way? Just getting an idea for personal application. Thanks

Answer 1

The most effective way? shutting my mouth until the Lord tells me to open it! and letting the walk of the fruits of the spirit testify for me.

I left Christianity for several years, because of people filled with religion telling me that I was going to hell, and not worth anything.

One day, I woke up and Jesus said clearly to me... "today"! I went to a church, which wasn't needed I could have accepted at home or wherever, and got saved. Haven't looked back since.

MY biggest turn offs? Door knockers, and Sunday morning Christians that go out to eat and leave me a dollar, and a tract.( I am a server). I have seen more servers tell me that Christians are the meanest cheapest most demanding, people they have ever waited on. What a witness. (not all of course).

Answer 2

I think the most effective ways to witness and evangelize (they are two different, but related, activities) are the most simple.

Sometimes, words aren't required: leave meaningful tracts in places where people gather and/or pause, such as toilet stalls, benches at bus stops, lunch tables at school, libraries, etc.

Another important way to witness is by ensuring you "walk the walk" and don't just "talk the talk:" be loving, courteous and compassionate to everyone, not just to friends and aquaintances. I've noticed that, on many occasions, people I help notice the cross around my neck, and I'm sure they put "two and two" together.

Whenever someone askes you about your faith, be ready to succinctly explain what we believe. A 20-minute dissertation isn't necessary; people like to talk, so give them enough time to ask questions and make comments.

Evangelizing doesn't have to be any different. Most folks think of evangelists as bold, brash men holding signs that read "The End is Near!" Even though the end IS near, we don't have to project that sort of image.

Go about evangelizing in the same way Jesus did: strike up a conversation FIRST. Let the person see you're not some lunatic that's going to demand their wallet! When Jesus encountered the Samaritan woman at the well, He didn't immediately jump into the Gospel schpiel -- He related to her FIRST by asking for a drink. This started a discussion between them because He is a Jew and the Samaritan woman was puzzled, because Jews didn't drink from containers used by pagans. Jesus used the metaphor of water to explain the message of salvation, THEN revealed who He truly is to her. So learn from the Master Himself and realize you must strike up a conversation first.

Another vital aspect of effective evangelization is using the Law, specifically the 10 Commandments, to show the person his or her need for a savior. We know that perfect observance of the Law is impossible for all human beings (except, of course, Jesus). All the Law has ever done is prove to the person they cannot possibly meet God's standard of righteousness. In order to effectively use this method, I HIGHLY recommend you purchase the book, "The Way of the Master" at www.livingwaters.com This is a ministry run by Ray Comfort and Kirk Cameron that trains Christians to evangelize. Believe me, IT WORKS!

So what "drives me crazy" about some of my brethren? I completely dislike aggressive "evangelists" who fail to show the love of Christ when they speak. Our goal is to show Jesus' love to the unsaved, not to judge them -- which is Christ's job. We are ALL sinners, even those of us who are Born Again, and we cannot and should not talk down to the unsaved.

I hope this is helpful. Peace.

Answer 3

I am a Christian, but I've learned that it's usually best not to go around "sharing the gospel" with people. I think the best form of witnessing is to live your life following God to your best ability, and He will work through you a lot more effectively than any tract-passing or preaching on garbage cans could possibly do. As they say, actions speak louder than words!

Answer 4

I'm an street Evangelist you got to show the sinner that he is a sinner ! for example use the 10 commandment, ask them should God let you in heaven ? (of course they r going to say yes) Then go through the 10 commandment ask them "have you ever committed adultery" if they say no, show them the scripture that Jesus said if you lust after a women you have committed adultery in your heart ! Then ask them have lied ? if they say no, you come back with "you just lied" (because every person has lied)
when you get them 2 admit their sins show them James 2:10 (committed 1 sin you've committed all) for more info on witnessing go to way of the master site you can down load & burn messages Dvd's for free .

Dont be discourged if you don't get a response i have been preach'n on the streets for about 10 years & found out we are not in control God is, if you plant the seed, in God's time it will germinate.you goto use discernment if they don't want to hear it just let them go, 2 many christians give christianity a bad name by force'n the gospel & doing crazy stuff ! living the life (fruits of the spirit) is a must as people watch. i have been spat on, water thrown on me, knive held at me, punched,grabed around the neck & chocked, threats of violence & death, chased by angry muslim's, none of this will stop me from preaching the gospel.
http://www.wayofthemaster.com.au

Answer 5

Couple of things I've learned:

1. Always win the person to yourself. If you hit it off the wrong way with someone they're not going to want to listen to you.

2. Don't push/shove/force the gospel. After all, Paul said some plant, some water, but God gives the increase. You can usually tell if someone wants to listen to you or not.

3. Don't get church involved. That comes later. Focus on purely what the Bible says, not anything else.

4. Don't argue, though it can be hard sometimes.

5. If they reject you, at least try to get a tract in their hands. And try not to feel too glum when they turn you down; just remember they're really turning God down.

Answer 6

From a non-Christian:

The best witness I have ever seen has been over the past year, when I've taken some trips down to the Katrina-affected area to help rebuild houses. Every time I have gone with a church. Their concerns were not to preach, but instead to help--to really *live* what Jesus said. This impressed me beyond words; now, when people say "Christian", the image in my mind is of our project's leader, a contractor who could have been getting paid big bucks to do this same work but instead choosing to work for free to help those who couldn't afford it, talking to the people who owned the half-destroyed house we were working on and cutting lumber to put up walls.

As for ineffective, it is undoubtedly tracts. A pastor I'm friends with calls them "drive-by witnessing"; it's like the person's not really involved with trying to help *you*, but...it's vaguely generic-feeling.

Answer 7

The most effective way for me to witness personally is in my actions and my walk with Lord. The only Bible some people read are us. Before I was a Christian there was a girl in a youth group at a retail store parking lot that came up to me and bluntly asked are you saved? The girl was very aggressive..I didn't care for her methods.

Answer 8

Anything that is uninvited is a turn off. You come knocking on my door, we have a problem as soon as I answer it. You actively approach me on the street, you are being rude so I will be rude back. If I didn't ask for the discussion, it is only going to piss me off.

Forums like this are your best bet. People are here to hear other points of view. But you know, just quoting a bunch of scripture isn't convincing.

Answer 9

People meet me and my family. They may have no idea that we go to Church, or are Christians. They witness what we do, our close family relationship, how we don't try to keep up materially with the neighbors, our volunteer work, our good but normal kids, how we handle conflict or disappointments in our lives, how we help our neighbors. Why we remain strong in times of tragedy. When the ask about our "secret formula" we're happy to simply state our beliefs, who to give credit to, how strong our faith is. This is how we witness.

Answer 10

Well, I can talk from the atheist point of view. I generally only talk about religion with people when the topic is being discussed. I don't start such conversations myself, and I get annoyed when people keep trying to push their religion on me.

Forums like this are useful as an ongoing discussion about religion.