christians what do you think of this?

Question

Personal Witnessing—How Jesus Did It

How to address the sinner’s conscience and speak with someone who doesn’t believe in hell John chapter 4, verses 7–26 give us the Master’s example of how to share our faith. Notice that Jesus spoke to the woman at the well when she was alone. We will often find that people are more open and honest when they are alone. So, if possible, pick a person who is sitting by himself. From there, we can see four clear principles to follow:

First: Jesus began in the natural realm (v. 7). This woman was unregenerate, and the Bible tells us "the natural man receives not the things of the Spirit of God" (1 Corinthians 2:14). He therefore spoke of something she could relate to—water. Most of us can strike up a conversation with a stranger in the natural realm. It may be a friendly "How are you doing?" or a warm "Good morning!" If the person responds with a sense of warmth, we may then ask, "Do you live around here?" and from there develop a conversation.

Second: Jesus swung the conversation to the spiritual realm (v. 10). He simply mentioned the things of God. This will take courage. We may say something like, "Did you go to church on Sunday?" or "Did you see that Christian TV program last week?" If the person responds positively, the question "Do you have a Christian background?" will probe his background. He may answer, "I went to church when I was a child, but I drifted away from it." Another simple way to swing to the spiritual is to offer the person a gospel tract and ask, "Did you get one of these?" When he takes it, simply say, "It’s a gospel tract. Do you come from a Christian background?"

Third: Jesus brought conviction using the Law of God (vv. 16–18). Jesus gently spoke to her conscience by alluding to the fact that she had transgressed the Seventh of the Ten Commandments. He used the Law to bring "the knowledge of sin" (see Romans 3:19,20). We can do the same by asking, "Do you think that you have kept the Ten Commandments?" Most people think they have, so quickly follow with, "Have you ever told a lie?" This is confrontational, but if it’s asked in a spirit of love and gentleness, there won’t be any offense. Remember that the "work of the Law [is] written in their hearts" and that the conscience will bear "witness" (Romans 2:15). Jesus confronted the rich young ruler in Luke 18:18–21 with five of the Ten Commandments and there was no offense. Have confidence that the conscience will do its work and affirm the truth of each Commandment. Don’t be afraid to gently ask, "Have you ever stolen something, even if it’s small?" Learn how to open up the spirituality of the Law and show how God considers lust to be the same as adultery (Matthew 5:27,28) and hatred the same as murder (1 John 3:15). Make sure you get an admission of guilt. Ask the person, "If God judges you by the Ten Commandments on Judgment Day, do you think you will be innocent or guilty?" If he says he will be innocent, ask, "Why is that?" If he admits his guilt, ask, "Do you think you will go to heaven or hell?" From there the conversation may go one of three ways: 1. He may confidently say, "I don’t believe in hell." Gently respond, "That doesn’t matter. You still have to face God on Judgment Day whether you believe in it or not. If I step onto the freeway when a massive truck is heading for me and I say, ‘I don’t believe in trucks,’ my lack of belief isn’t going to change reality." Then tenderly tell him he has already admitted to you that he has lied, stolen, and committed adultery in his heart, and that God gave him a conscience so that he would know right from wrong. His conscience and the conviction of the Holy Spirit will do the rest. That’s why it is essential to draw out an admission of guilt before you mention Judgment Day or the existence of hell. 2. He may say that he’s guilty, but that he will go to heaven. This is usually because he thinks that God is "good," and that He will, therefore, overlook sin in his case. Point out that if a judge in a criminal case has a guilty murderer standing before him, the judge, if he is a good man, can’t just let him go. He must ensure that the guilty man is punished. If God is good, He must (by nature) punish murderers, rapists, thieves, liars, adulterers, fornicators, and those who have lived in rebellion to the inner light that God has given to every man. 3. He may admit that he is guilty and therefore going to hell. Ask him if that concerns him. Speak to him about how much he values his eyes and how much more therefore he should value the salvation of his soul. (For the biblical description of hell, see Revelation 1:18 footnote.) If possible, take the person through the linked verses in this Bible, beginning at the Matthew 5:21,22 footnote.

Fourth: Jesus revealed Himself to her (v. 26). Once the Law has humbled the person, he is ready for grace. Remember, the Bible says that God resists the proud and gives grace to the humble (James 4:6). The gospel is for the humble (see Luke 4:18 footnote). Only the sick need a physician, and only those who will admit that they have the disease of sin will truly embrace the cure of the gospel. Learn how to present the work of the cross —that God sent His Son to suffer and die in our place. Tell the sinner of the love of God in Christ; that Jesus rose from the dead and defeated death. Take him back to civil law and say, "It’s as simple as this: We broke God’s Law, and Jesus paid our fine. If you will repent and trust in the Savior, God will forgive your sins and dismiss your case." Ask him if he understands what you have told him. If he is willing to confess and forsake his sins, and trust the Savior with his eternal salvation, have him pray and ask God to forgive him. Then pray for him. Get him a Bible. Instruct him to read it daily and obey what he reads, and encourage him to get into a Bible-believing, Christ preaching church.

i would like to apoligise i thought i was asking christians not atheists

Answer 1

well said...the perfect model

Answer 2

I prefer to keep things simple. We are called to preach the Gospel of grace to all whom God brings our way. We preach or speak of a totally sovereign God and His sovereign grace. We do not try to talk someone into believing, nor argue someone into the kingdom. God sends prepared people to a prepared person. If someone is of the called, he will respond, he is of the fold, one of Christ's people. He will want more "food". If he be not of the elect, he will reject it, you then walk away, leaving him to God. If we are prepared to share the really good news, that God is totally sovereign and will save them without them doing anything to try to earn, or gain salvation, then God will send people our way. God first must do a work in the heart of an unbeliever before he can truly have faith and believe. He must be brought to life from his dead spiritual state. That is the work of the Holy Spirit. Then he is prepared to take in the gospel of grace.

I think this is the model we should employ in sharing the Gospel:

1Pe 3:15 But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give an answer to everyone asking you a reason concerning the hope in you, with meekness and fear.

Answer 3

Most people, when confronted by this type of proselytizing in this kind of situation, just wonder what you'd sound like as you hit the bottom of the well.
By the way, if you're going to write a tome as a question, at least throw in a good recipe, or a joke.

Answer 4

It might work on some people, but it won't work on everyone. Besides, I don't go around proselytizing to everyone I meet. They usually say something to ME instead of vice versa. I almost always wear a cross necklace, and I'm always kind to people. SO I get asked all the time if I'm a Christian, and THAT'S when I'm willing to talk about it.
I'd rather have people recognize that I'm a Christian by the way I act, rather than whether I can convert them by words or not.

Answer 5

they are not Jews because of the fact Jew's don't have self assurance the messiah has come yet. they don't have self assurance Jesus so believing in Jesus and saying your Jewish needless to say contradicts one yet another.... that is unhappy that there are those Evangelist Christians that decision themselves "Jews". end this custom now, your disgracing the two Judaism and Christianity.

Answer 6

How about this. I accept Jesus as my Savior... yet I do not believe in hell. I don't believe in hell because a person has a less than 50/50 % chance of growing up with a faith in Jesus Christ (with all of the other religions and Agnostics/Atheists out there). Why would any God give us life to begin with, knowing full well that most of us would burn for etenity in a lake of fire?? He wouldn't. Its not fair, and its not moral. God would not allow for such a horrible thing to occur. So... if someone tried one of your conversion tactics on me... I would give them (YOU) a big, fat "GO F@CK YOURSELF!". Peace be with you and have a great day!

Answer 7

People take different paths to God, so they'll probably try to lead them the way they know. But it isn't surprising to learn that Jesus shows us the perfect way to do it.

Answer 8

Sounds Like Sales 101 to me.

Hi, whats your name?

Great weather we are having?

What do you do for a living?

Have you ever thought about starting your own business?

I make over 200 dollars per month part time.

Want to join me as a distributor of Amway?

Same basic principals

Answer 9

The fact people won't take the time to read.....shows flat up people base their decisions and thoughts on short clips....not the full story.

so that means.....what people believe is true.....is but a small % of the real story. Should take the time to read everything, no matter what it is, for without knowledge, one is not wise.

Answer 10

First of there's a lot of evidence that there's trucks, no evidence there is a hell, nor a judgement day so your analogies are wh-whi-wack.

Second, how convienent that I'm born into sin and have no choice but to ask Jesus for forgiveness. THAT'S NOT FREE WILL! The Bible is false, get over it and move on please.

Answer 11

I've got news for you :
People who don't believe in hell use better logic and reason than you do. They aren't going to fall for your superstition, myth, and fairy tales no matter how you dress it up, market it, or try to slide it in while they're not paying attention.

Look, you believe these superstitious beliefs are going to bring you some kind of heavenly afterlife -- fine, whatever. But none of us do, and we don't want to hear you go on and on about how wonderful it will be when there's NO EVIDENCE of any kind that it's real. NOT REAL -- get it?
Just live in your delusion if it makes you happy...leave the rest of us alone. We're perfectly happy, healthy, and living wonderful lives without your myths...and we're smarter than you are. :)

Peace.