Soul Winning 101: How to Witness Effectively
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Romans 1:16 For I am not ashamed of the gospel of Christ; for it is the power of God unto salvation to everyone who believeth; to the Jew first and also the Greek.
What is the color of a man s soul?
Paul witnessed to all races, creeds, and nationalities, so should we.
This past week, while waiting on my car at the auto shop, one of the regular employees didn t show up for work. A job that should have taken thirty minutes took over two hours. I m not a very patient person, so like other impatient folks, there was an agitation settling within my spirit. One of the young men who was at the counter, seemed very hard in his emotions, the harsh words and bitterness told all that he had an attitude. I asked the Lord, why does this always happen to me? Others who came in later were already on their way. It seemed there was black cloud hovering above me to purposely cause my temper to rise. Along with these frustrations, this guy made the waiting room seem cold.
From within came the unmistakable voice of the Holy Spirit, "Go and share your faith with this young man." No, it wasn t audible, it was the voice the prophet heard in I Kings 19:12, that still small voice. After watching the Lord save many people using regular people like you and me and knowing God makes no mistakes, I walked up to the counter and began talking to the young man. He said something that gave me a clue to his background. "How long were you in the military? " the young man was asked. I ll call the young man Ray (not his real name), he was from Detroit. He told me about his years in the Marine Corps.
Drawing upon military experience he was told about my favorite Marines (Brother Dave Upton, head of Christian Servicemen s Centers of America, a Marine named Bob Bahr who chose us to be Godparents). The young man was encouraged to talk, to share feelings about the Marines, how he felt, the Gulf War, where he was from, what he liked and disliked. As doors and windows of opportunity occurred some of my personal history was shared with him. He was intrigued by my military stories, the places I d been. He began to realize that he was cared about as a person. He was given full attention, his stories were interesting, he was a fine young man.
WITNESSING HELP : God is not willing that any should perish, but that all should come to repentance. God desires to save souls!
Knowing that God has already declared His love (John 3:16) should propel a born again Christian to tell others. The woman at the well in John 4, after being saved, immediately told others. Don t be silent!
I showed genuine interest in him as a person, as a Marine, as a neighbor. We talked about the woes of enlisted men, the fine life officers enjoy, before long he was smiling and enjoying the conversation. We talked about high school, cars, a customer needed help in a car bulb replacement, we were interrupted many times. In between customers, the conversation resumed, we talked about waiting in lines, the weather, the car business.
Then I told him my salvation story, how the Good Lord saved me from alcohol, tobacco, a sailor s mouth, how the Bible had been a mystery book until God opened it up, how the Good Lord had marvelously become real and genuine to me.
WITNESSING HELP : Your body language says a lot!
If you do not genuinely love people and want them to go to Heaven, your body language will tell them, your witness will be motivated by the wrong reasons.
Some boast of numbers, God cares for individuals!
Ray was told about the jail ministry and how many people in dire straits had their lives changed for all eternity. I asked Ray questions, to see what his religious background was and realized that he had never really heard the gospel story. Next, Ray was told the gospel in a nutshell, John 3:16 For God so loved the world that he gave his only begotten Son, Jesus Christ that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish but have everlasting life. Ray asked some questions, I had heard them before, he made excuses, I had heard them before, gently he was led to the Cross of Calvary. It was amazing that no one had ever simply explained the gospel in common terms to him. I prayed silently, "Give me the correct words to say, O Lord."
Ray was told about how my little daughter had an accident many years ago, how my neighbor paged me at work, how I rushed to emergency room, how I felt love and compassion for my little girl. How I would have gladly changed places with my daughter. How that is exactly what Jesus Christ had done for His children, although I couldn t pay the price for my daughter, Jesus Christ had done so for you and me and the whole world. I told how much God loves him by quoting John 3:16.
WITNESSING HELP : Interruptions are common when witnessing!
Work around interruptions, especially when praying. Refocus: Restart: Don t Quit or give up!
Ray was told about glorious place called Heaven where there are no more tears and no sorrow, no death nor dying, no more parting over there, and a horrible place called Hell. Ray was told about the Lambs Book of Life, how all who were going to Heaven had their name in that book. Ray, was asked, "Is your name in the Book of Life?" Ray said, "I hope so."
Ray was asked, "Do you know you live in Georgia? Do you know you were in the Marine Corps? Do you know your birthday?" Ray mumbled yes. "Don t you believe God would want you to know whether or not you are going to Heaven?"
Ray was quoted some verses, especially the basic Romans Road to Heaven. I didn t worry about doctrine or big words, common words for common men. He was told about the penalty for sin, how Jesus Christ paid for all of them.
WITNESSING HELP : Questions open doors to the heart.
Use probing questions to determine the recipients understanding of the simplicity of the Gospel.
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About the Book
Written by a common man for ordinary people who would like extraordinary results. For lay ministers and even evangelists, this book is filled with practical helps and insights. For those who have attempted witnessing and become discouraged or filled with despair, and decided God didn't call them for this activity, the author implores DON'T GIVE UP! The true stories and Helps will assist you in your daily witnessing endeavors. The steps of Christians are ordered by the Lord, so those you meet are on a divine appointment. Remember, to change Disappointment to His-appointment requires HIM, Jesus Christ. The book is suited for individuals, church groups, Sunday School classes, and soul winning classes and for all who would like to glean insights for witnessing. In other words, this book is for all the children of God. Pastors, teachers, evangelists, and seasoned Christians will benefit from the book and the down to earth style of the presentation. All should find it a practical guide to be referenced again and again. If you are ahead of God, you are too early, if behind God, you are too late, however, if you walk with God, He will truly amaze you!
About the Author
Just a sinner saved by grace. After a miraculous conversion, the author knew he needed to share the gospel. For years he was ineffective and discouraged. One day, he just followed the Holy Spirit and gave up on formulas and rote scripts. The result: A saved soul. Steve Wright is a lay preacher who has worked in Children's Church, Sunday School, Church Visitation, Hospital Visitation, and as a volunteer Jail Chaplain. He works a full time secular job and the name of his ministry is 'Jesus is Returning Soon Ministries.' He has seen miraculous works of God. He has witnessed around the country and in Puerto Rico and Canada. He never ceases to be amazed at the power of God to convert a sinner. He received his BA from Northwestern College, St. Paul, MN, in Inter-Cultural Ministry. He has seen many saved through the Word of God, the power of Jesus Christ, and the ability of God to use a willing vessel. He was disappointed with the current materials available to a lay persons and churches who want a realistic guide to witnessing. Too many church programs are based on secular sales programs and leave out the power of God. If you are willing, God is able. It is his prayer that God will use Soul Winning 101 to encourage the children of God to become avid participants in God's Plan with witnessing and soul winning. With the power of the Holy Spirit, the Word of God, and Jesus Christ our Lord and Savior, we cannot be defeated. In fact we have already won! For God has never known defeat or retreat. Our armor is for offense and not defense (Ephesians Chapter 6). If you are ahead of God, you are too early, if behind God, you are too late, however, if you walk with God, He will truly amaze you!