12 FOUNDATION STONES—CLASS 10A THE SEVEN STEPS WITNESSING, PART 1.2 ------------------------------------- Section 3: Seven Steps of Witnessing ------------------------------------- We're going to look at seven steps, which covers from the start—finding someone to witness to—all the way through to establishing them in the faith. 1. Find someone to witness to! 2. Ask questions 3. Listen! 4. Give them God's answers 5. Get a decision 6. Take care of those you lead to the Lord 7. Pray for people ------------------------------- > 1. Find Someone to Witness to ------------------------------- We could divide the people you witness to into two categories: Firstly, there are people whom you encounter in your own surroundings and you don't have to go out of your way to meet—your relatives, your work or university colleagues, your friends, the clerk at the grocery store you visit daily, the gas station attendant, and so on. Secondly, there are people whom you don't know. If you will witness to them it will obviously be somewhat different than an ongoing witness to someone you see almost daily. A rule of thumb can be that those you see regularly you can go slow with, but those who you are unlikely to see again you should try to bring all the way to salvation if possible, or at least give them a salvation tract. The suggestions we will share with you now apply for both categories of people, but you'll see there will be obvious differences in approach. ------------------------------- > 2. Ask Questions ------------------------------- You need to show concern about them and interest in them, and the way you do that is by asking them questions about themselves and their lives.—And you will find there's nothing most people like to talk about more about than themselves! In other words, show you're interested in them. Ask them about their background. If you understand them better, you're much better able to witness to them and know what they need the most.—How are you going to find out who the person is, what he is, what he does, what his religion is, or anything about him at all unless you ask questions? Proverbs 18:13—He who answers a matter before he hears it, it is folly and shame to him. One of the best ways to start witnessing is just exactly the same way you get acquainted with anybody or any stranger: "Hi, how are you? Nice day, isn't it?" Talk about the weather or anything, everybody's interested in the weather. You can talk about issues of concern. Get into some interesting subject. And of course the most interesting subject to everybody is guess what? (Themselves.) The Lord can inspire you to use situations around you to help you initiate a conversation with someone. Remember that conversation is give and take. Although you want to ask questions to get to know them, don't interrogate them! You should also enter into the conversation and tell about yourself. *** The class "The Golden Rule, Part 1—Success with People" also had good tips about communication. > Ideas for conversation starters * Use current events and trends to arouse their interest Luke 13:1–5—There were present at that season some who told Him about the Galileans whose blood Pilate had mingled with their sacrifices. (2) Do you suppose that these Galileans were worse sinners than all other Galileans, because they suffered such things? (3) I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish. (4) Or those eighteen on whom the tower in Siloam fell and killed them, do you think that they were worse sinners than all other men who dwelt in Jerusalem? (5)I tell you, no; but unless you repent you will all likewise perish." In these verses, Jesus referred to current events—Pilate's cruelty, the tower of Siloam falling—to bring to life the points He wanted to teach. Current events and trends are interesting and can be a good way to get a conversation going. However, you will want to tread a little carefully as you may find yourself on the opposite side of an issue with the person you are talking to. If you do this, it is not going to help your witness. Remember, it is better to lose an argument and win a soul than vice versa. Current happenings such as holidays, new movies, and so on can also be good conversation starters, especially among younger people. You'll also find that one of the most interesting things to many people is the future, Bible prophecy. You start asking them, "Well, do you know what the Bible says about this? Do you know what the Bible says is going to happen next?" * Witness in a quiet place when possible The best places to witness are quiet ones—someplace quiet and private enough that the person you're witnessing to can talk with you without being embarrassed by others or distracted by anything else. Perhaps you'll want to invite them for coffee or go sit in a quiet corner of the park, if weather permits. If possible, the place also needs to have sufficient light so that they can read the things you're asking them to read. ------------------------------- > 3. Listen ------------------------------- Get them to speak their heart; listen to them Proverbs 20:5—Counsel in the heart of man is like deep water, but a man of understanding will draw it out. Matthew 12:34b—For out of the abundance of the heart the mouth speaks. James 1:19a—So then, my beloved brethren, let every man be swift to hear, slow to speak. In witnessing, you're not the one who's supposed to do the talking at first. It's best to get them to talk first to see where they're at, where they stand, who they are, what they are, where they are, as well as where they're from, etc.. Then you'll know how to talk to them eventually. So ask questions, then listen to their answers until finally something is said that opens the door for you to witness. A lot of witnessers talk too much, quote too much Scripture, and all that, without listening to the person they're witnessing to. You have to show interest and concern in the person and their problems. Ask them questions, and listen to their answers. That may be the best thing you could do for them to start with—be somebody they can talk to, and pour out their hearts to. Even if you have to listen for a long time, keep trying to turn them in the right direction when you see what they need. Try to guide the conversation if you can by asking more questions: "Oh, is that so? What about this or what about that and what did you do then? Well, did you ever do so-and-so?" * When you are witnessing, you are soul doctors What does a doctor do? You come in, you've got problems. Does he immediately start writing out the prescription for you? You, as the spiritual doctor, know the prescription, you know the remedy, but they're going to think you're kind of crazy if you start giving them the remedy without even finding out what's wrong with them! How are you going to know what the prescription is—the prescription Scripture—unless you find out what their problem or their illness or their ailment is? So get them to talk, listen to what they have to say, and that way you'll find out what's wrong with them, what their problems are, what their background is. Almost everybody will talk if you show them a little human interest, a little love, a little concern, and ask them questions. ------------------------------- > 4. Give Them God's Answers ------------------------------- * Give them God's answers to their problems Once they've said their piece and given all their problems and proposed answers which they themselves don't even believe and know don't work, you start giving them God's answers: "Well, do you know what it says here in the Bible? Do you know what God said about it? Do you know what it really means? Do you know what you really need to do?" etc. Then is your time to start giving them God's answers: Telling them in your own words, and also showing them Scriptures (which we'll talk about more in a minute). The main answer, of course, is accepting the Lord. So after you listen to their answers, say, "Yes, but you know the Bible says so-and-so."—"Well, Jesus said that what you need to do is so-and-so, to be born again," and so on. * Give your own personal testimony—tell what the Lord has done for you! Your own personal testimony is just about the most effective thing you can tell them. Because then they've either got to say, "You're a liar and I don't believe you!," or, "It must be true, because you say so." The Apostle Paul was a great witness, and almost every single time he started his witness before kings and judges or whoever it was, he invariably started with his own personal testimony: "This is what happened to me!" When it was a new crowd, new people, new situation, he always said, "Well, this is what happened to me."—You can read examples in Acts 22:3–21 and Acts 26: 1–20. In the story of Jesus witnessing to the woman at the well in John chapter 4, she was so thrilled about her experience with this stranger named Jesus that she called the townspeople to meet Him: John 4:28–29—The woman then left her waterpot, went her way into the city, and said to the men, (29) "Come, see a Man who told me all things that I ever did. Could this be the Christ?" As a result of her personal testimony, many were saved: John 4:39—And many of the Samaritans of that city believed in Him because of the word of the woman who testified. Sometimes people will not listen to anything else.—They may refuse to listen to all your preaching.—You could even prophesy and they wouldn't listen! You could do all the teaching that you think they might need and they'll still never listen!—But when you start telling them your life story—"This is the way it happened to me and this is my testimony, this is my personal experience"—instantly you have their attention, they're fascinated!—People are interested in people! Everybody loves a story, and life stories are a much more effective witness than getting into theological arguments and preaching sermons on doctrine. The moment they confess that it's possible for it to happen to you, then they have to confess that it's possible for it to happen to others! If it's happened once, it's most likely to happen again, and it can happen to them! * Illustrate your points with stories Mark 4:2—He [Jesus] taught them many things by parables. Everybody loves a story! Jesus Himself knew that it is just human nature to want to hear stories about real experiences, so He often told parables to illustrate His messages. His stories and vivid examples were usually simple, but very powerful and effective in bringing spiritual principles down to earth, showing people how they could apply them in their everyday lives. Are stories effective?—Obviously, yes! Just look at Jesus' example! Matthew 13:34—All these things Jesus spoke to the multitude in parables; and without a parable He did not speak to them. The more you can paint a word-picture and help others to visualize the truth you are trying to tell them with a story which illustrates the point, the better they will understand it. The famous preacher, Spurgeon, once said that illustrations are like windows, letting the light stream in! The soap illustration Never state a fact if you can bring the fact to life with an illustration. Here's an example: A soap manufacturer, who was an unbeliever, walked along the road one day with a preacher of the Gospel. Said the soap manufacturer: "The Gospel you preach has not done much good, for there is still a lot of wickedness in the world and a lot of wicked people too." The preacher made no reply until they passed a dirty little child, making mud pies in the gutter. Seizing his opportunity, the preacher said, "Soap has not done much good in the world, I see; for there is still much dirt and many dirty people about." "Oh, well," said the manufacturer, "soap is only useful when it is applied." "Exactly!" said the preacher, "so it is with the Gospel that we proclaim." * Use the Word in your witnessing The Word of God is powerful and convinces people: 2 Chronicles 17:9—So they taught in Judah, and had the Book of the Law of the Lord with them; they went throughout all the cities of Judah and taught the people. John 20:31—But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that believing you may have life in His name. Acts 17:2–3—Then Paul, as his custom was, went in to them, and for three Sabbaths reasoned with them from the Scriptures, (3) explaining and demonstrating that the Christ had to suffer and rise again from the dead, and saying, "This Jesus whom I preach to you is the Christ." Acts 18:28—For he vigorously refuted the Jews publicly, showing from the Scriptures that Jesus is the Christ. Titus 1:9—Holding fast the faithful Word as he has been taught, that he may be able, by sound doctrine, both to exhort and convict those who contradict. Most of the world knows about the Bible, even the unbelievers, and they know it's a holy book. People have a certain amount of respect and reverence for holy books. They'll probably be interested in what it has to say, especially on these subjects you're talking about, to prove that this holy book that millions and millions, in fact billions have received, says these things. You've got a lot more weight and authority if you'll use the Bible. Scripture memorization is important for witnessing, so you can find the verses you want to show: Psalm 119:42—So shall I have an answer for him who reproaches me, for I trust in Your Word. 1 Peter 3:15—But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts, and always be ready to give a defense to everyone who asks you a reason for the hope that is in you, with meekness and fear. * Have them read the Word No one can hear the Word of God without being influenced and affected in some way. Don't just quote it to them, or just read it to them, but also let them read it themselves. You remember about 80% of what you see, but only about 40% of what you hear—which means reading it is twice as effective! * Keep their attention: "Look, read this! Oh, it says that here, read this!" Don't you read it to them; most of them can read. You just keep that Bible in front of them and keep them interested. Even while you're talking and flipping pages, keep them interested so that you won't lose their attention. It's good to be able to find Scriptures with your Bible upside-down. If you turn the Bible around and start hunting for something, they're going to start looking at the top of your head and thinking about other things. You may like to have tabs cut or marked in your Bible to mark different books or parts of the Bible. You can put these marks there so that when you flip through the Bible, you can find things easier. You'll do a lot better in your witnessing if you'll get them to respond each time by reading a Scripture. "And do you know what's going to happen next? Here, read it! You know what's going to happen after that? Here, read it!" That's the best way to keep their attention and the best way to get them to remember it and really never forget. They may not memorize the verse completely, but they'll never forget that they read that right in the Bible, that's really what it said, that's really what's going to happen. Of course, in some situations you can't always exactly bring out a Bible.—Sometimes you might, but in a public place like a café, the person you are witnessing to might be embarrassed if you read to him out of the Bible or have him read from the Bible. Usually you can only do that in private personal witnessing. * Keep your witness simple 1 Corinthians 1:17—For Christ did not send me [Paul] to baptize, but to preach the gospel, not with wisdom of words, lest the cross of Christ should be made of no effect. 1 Corinthians 2:1–2—And I, brethren, when I came to you, did not come with excellence of speech or of wisdom declaring to you the testimony of God. (2) For I determined not to know anything among you except Jesus Christ and Him crucified. 1 Corinthians 2:4—And my speech and my preaching were not with persuasive words of human wisdom, but in demonstration of the Spirit and of power. 2 Corinthians 1:12—For our boasting is this: the testimony of our conscience that we conducted ourselves in the world in simplicity and godly sincerity, not with fleshly wisdom but by the grace of God, and more abundantly toward you. Keep your witness simple Some cynics asked John Wesley [1703–1791, founder of the Methodist Church], "Dr. Wesley, when you have both children and learned doctors of the law in your audience, to whom do you direct your message? You couldn't possibly be able to talk to both." He said, "I talk to the children, of course, and then the learned doctors will understand." That's what Jesus did! He talked very simply to the common uneducated people and He very rarely directed any complicated remarks to the learned lawyers, the scribes and pharisees and chief priests. In fact, He tried to avoid them. Martin Luther said: "When I preach, I regard neither doctors nor magistrates, of whom I have above forty in my congregation. My eyes are on the servant maids and the children." * Just a few verses You shouldn't try to cram the whole Bible into the person you're witnessing to. Just keep on going over a verse or two until he can't forget them; otherwise, you'll just confuse him. Keep things simple! By grace A fellow who had been a Catholic priest, yet had never really known the Lord, was in the hospital. An old lady came by and quoted him the verses Ephesians 2:8–9. She just kept talking to him and quoting those same verses over and over to him, "For by grace you have been saved" and so on. He said it just burned itself into his mind until he couldn't get rid of it! And it finally woke him up to the fact that he didn't have to work his way to Heaven!—And as a result, he was saved! * Give them literature to take with them The literature will keep speaking to them even after you are gone! Literature is also good for busy people on occasions where you can't say too much yourself. You can give them something to read and think over afterward. * John 3:16 is all you really need to know to win souls! You can win a lot of people to the Lord with only John 3:16. Let's look at how to use this verse in your witnessing. "For God so loved the world"—the world includes you, let me put your name in here. "that He gave His only begotten Son"—that's Jesus. "that whoever believes in Him,"—do you believe? "should not perish, but have everlasting life."—then you are going to live forever in Heaven! > Lift Up Jesus Acts 5:42—And daily in the temple, and in every house, they did not cease teaching and preaching Jesus as the Christ. Acts 13:38—Therefore let it be known to you, brethren, that through this Man [Jesus] is preached to you the forgiveness of sins. Acts 20:21—Testifying to Jews, and also to Greeks, repentance toward God and faith toward our Lord Jesus Christ. 1 Corinthians 1:23—But we preach Christ crucified, to the Jews a stumbling block and to the Greeks foolishness. 2 Corinthians 4:5—For we do not preach ourselves, but Christ Jesus the Lord, and ourselves your bondservants for Jesus' sake. 1 Timothy 1:15—This is a faithful saying and worthy of all acceptance, that Christ Jesus came into the world to save sinners, of whom I am chief. John 12:32—And I, [Jesus] if I am lifted up ... will draw all peoples unto Myself. 1 Corinthians 2:2—I determined not to know anything among you, save Jesus Christ. Don't forget to mention Jesus! Two businessmen were friends for a long time. Joe was a Christian and Mike, the other, wasn't. Finally Mike went to a Gospel meeting. He heard the message of salvation and prayed to receive the Lord. Later Mike told his friend what had happened. Joe said, "Wonderful! That's tremendous! I'm a Christian, too." Mike, the newly-saved Christian, was stunned. "Do you know why it took so long for me to receive the Lord?" he asked. "You, Joe, never told me you were a Christian and never said anything about it, so I thought, ‘Wow! If somebody can be that good and upright without knowing the Lord, then what need is there for Jesus?'" * Find points of agreement. Lovingly win others. Don't argue. 1 Corinthians 9:19–22—For though I am free from all men, I have made myself a servant to all, that I might win the more; (20) and to the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might win Jews; to those who are under the law, as under the law, that I might win those who are under the law; (21) to those who are without law, as without law (not being without law toward God, but under law toward Christ), that I might win those who are without law; (22) to the weak I became as weak, that I might win the weak. I have become all things to all men, that I might by all means save some. 1 Thessalonians 2:7–8—But we were gentle among you, just as a nursing mother cherishes her own children. (8) So, affectionately longing for you, we were well pleased to impart to you not only the gospel of God, but also our own lives, because you had become dear to us. 2 Timothy 2:23–24—But avoid foolish and ignorant disputes, knowing that they generate strife. (24) And a servant of the Lord must not quarrel but be gentle to all, able to teach, patient. When you're witnessing to someone, you should try as much as possible to find points of agreement. Don't dwell on your disagreements, on things that you know they're going to disagree with. You've got to win the person over to yourself first, really, before you can win their heart, before they're going to believe what you've got to say about Jesus and the Bible and getting saved. So don't start off hitting them between the eyes with something you know they don't believe and wouldn't agree with! Love the person, even if you don't like his point of view! This is true of all your witnessing! Dwell on the positive, not the negative. Discuss the things you have in common, not your differences. Emphasize the things you agree on, not argue about, and try to establish as many points in common as possible, instead of picking out the flaws! You've got to remember to make a differentiation between the sin and the sinner, to hate the sin but not the sinner. Avoid getting drawn into arguments. There is a saying "a man convinced against his will is of the same opinion still." There is little point in pursuing a line of conversation if the other person is just trying to argue about it. * Avoid confrontation When witnessing to someone from a different religious background, try to avoid confrontations. Stick to the simple love of Jesus and how much He cares for them and wants to help them. Find things that you have in common; stay attentive, and as you talk with them and get to know them, you'll doubtless find plenty of things that you can agree on. The Holy Spirit will speak to your heart, bringing to mind passages you've read in the Word or things that you have experienced that they will be able to relate to. God will show you how to "turn their key" and spark a desire within them to know Him like you do. Emphasizing common ground, rather than arguing doctrinal details, will help you in many cases to reach and win those who would be turned off and unwilling to listen if you were to let your conversation turn to dogmatic preaching, or get stuck on matters that aren't essential to salvation. Patiently explain. Speak with sincere love. 1 Corinthians 13:1—Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, but have not love, I have become sounding brass or a clanging cymbal. Speak in love, or it's just empty words like sounding brass (a noisy gong) or a clanging cymbal. Kindness has converted more people than zeal, eloquence or learning. Show the joy of the Lord! On the appropriate occasions, your cheerfulness is part of your witness. At a mission hall in London, a lady who was unfortunately deaf also took part in the work. On one occasion a celebrated preacher said to her, "And what part do you take in this noble work?" "Oh," she answered quietly, "I smile them in, and I smile them out again." Soon after this the preacher saw the good results of her sympathy as a crowd of working men entered the hall and looked delighted to get a smile from her. The Bread of Life cannot be recommended to people by those who look as if that bread disagreed with them. ------------------------------- > 5. Get a Decision ------------------------------- * Help them realize their need for Jesus, but that they can't be too bad for Him! Luke 5:31–32—Those who are well have no need of a physician, but those who are sick. (32) I [Jesus] have not come to call the righteous, but sinners, to repentance. It's helpful for people to realize that they're "sinners" in order for them to realize that they need a Savior.—Just like people need to realize they're sick before they will accept the doctor's advice and prescription. Unlike a physical illness, however, sometimes it's hard for people to realize that their hearts or spirits are "sick" and in need. Or, they may realize that they have problems, but place the blame for their problems on others, or on circumstances. Well, it's not essential for someone to admit they've "sinned" or done wrong in order to receive Jesus and His salvation. It's enough if they admit that they can't solve their problems on their own and need help. But admitting that they've made mistakes sure helps them to realize why they need Jesus! Most people are aware that they aren't all that great. Many try to be good and do good, but find it difficult. Many want to be kind, generous and caring, but find it difficult. In your witnessing, without being accusatory or pointing fingers, bring out how nearly all of us have failed to live up to our expectations for ourselves. Not only that, but we've all done things that are wrong, sinful, that have hurt others, and that would be worthy of punishment if God so saw fit. But rather than giving us our due punishment, God chose to forgive us if we accept that forgiveness. That's why Jesus came to Earth—to take our punishment, to suffer for our sins, so that we didn't have to! * Bring them to a decision 1 Kings 18:21a—How long will you falter between two opinions? Matthew 22:42a—Saying, "What do you think about the Christ?" 2 Timothy 4:2—Preach the Word! Be ready in season and out of season. Convince, rebuke, exhort, with all longsuffering and teaching. Try to bring the person to whom you witness to a decision. The ideal decision, of course, is to get them to ask Jesus into their heart then and there. Some, however, will not be ready for this. In that case, try to get them to at least promise to think about it and consider it further; if possible try to arrange to talk more with them—and the sooner the better. "Strike while the iron is hot," as the old saying goes. Your goal is not necessarily to fully persuade them that everything you have said is true, and that everything Jesus has to offer will come to pass in their life if they receive Him. Rather, try to persuade them to just try Him! They don't have to be as convinced as you are about Jesus' power in order to take the step of receiving Him. Some people need to see things for themselves. They do have to have a little bit of faith, even just to ask Jesus to come into their lives; yet even the smallest step toward Him will be honored, and every sincere prayer answered. Of course, there is more to being a Christian than saying a simple prayer and wanting to receive what Jesus has to give. Yet every journey starts with a single step, and unless that first step is made, the rest of the path will surely not be traveled. The salesman who doesn't sell A Methodist layman visited a great city church in Ohio during a business trip. After the service he congratulated the minister on his service and sermon. "But," said the manufacturer, "if you were my salesman I'd discharge you. You got my attention by your appearance, voice, and manner; your prayer, reading, and logical discourse aroused my interest; you warmed my heart with a desire for what you preached; and then—and then you stopped, without asking me to do something about it! In business, the important thing is to get them to sign on the dotted line." * It has to be their decision—you can't force them to decide There is an old saying: "You can lead a horse to water, but you can't make him drink!" Well, that's true of people too. You can lead them to the truth, but you can't make them drink it! If they don't want it, you can't drink it for them. To make the decision to receive Jesus is their job, not yours. You can win their hearts, but only the Spirit of God can really win their souls, their spirits. The Lord didn't say, "Go ye into all the world and save everybody!" That's something you can't do! Their salvation in that respect depends on them and their decision. You can't make them make it. That's their individual choice. > Show them the Word to bring them to a decision Our job is to witness and to show them the Word! When you show them Revelation 3:20 and they see that He's promised to come in if they ask Him to come in, God by His Spirit can quicken their faith to believe it so that He will come in, because the Word is the foundation of faith. Give them the Word! Romans 10:17—So then faith comes by hearing, and hearing by the Word of God. Once you've given them the Word, they can then choose whatever they want to choose. Don't feel you need to keep on trying to convince them endlessly! You're offering them a marvelous opportunity, a marvelous privilege, a marvelous gift, the greatest in the world: Free salvation, eternal life! If you were offering a million dollars, you wouldn't be begging for the person to take it! You'd say, "Here, do you want a million dollars? You can have it if you want it. Just reach out and take it. It's your choice!" You can't force people to choose! Just give them the answers in the Scriptures, and if they don't accept it, that is their choice. This doesn't mean that you shouldn't be persistent, this doesn't mean you shouldn't keep praying and talking with them and doing what you can, but try to have a little common sense! Don't try to force it on people. Don't try to convince people who don't want to be convinced! > Pray with them to receive the Lord For those who answer yes, and want to get saved, lead them in prayer. You can pray a prayer and have them repeat each phrase. You can encourage them that they don't have to go down to an altar, they don't have to stand up, sit down, turn over, stand on their hands, it has nothing to do with the position of their body or eyes or head!—It's all in how you position your heart! If your heart is humble before God, you know you need His help, all you have to do is take Jesus. Jesus promises, Revelation 3:20—Behold, I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears My voice and opens the door, I will come in to him and dine with him, and he with Me. * Here is an example of a salvation prayer: Dear Jesus, I ask You to come into my heart. Please forgive me for all the wrongs I've done, and give me Your gift of everlasting life. Help me to love You, and help me to share Your love and truth with others. Amen. * Praying with or for those who are unsure: With those who are not completely receptive but are not outright rejecting the Lord, you can take several approaches. 1) The unsure: If, after all your witnessing, they still claim that they don't believe in God or the Bible, you can suggest to them, "Why don't you say, ‘God, if there is a God out there somewhere, show me, reveal Yourself!'"—Even if they don't believe the Bible and they're not convinced about Jesus, if they really want to know, God's Word says if they seek Him they'll find Him! He says, Matthew 5:6—Blessed are those who hunger and thirst for righteousness, for they shall be filled. 2) Maybe already saved: With someone who thinks he has already accepted Jesus but doesn't know for sure, you can say, "If you're not sure, why don't we just make sure right now? Let's pray." And then let him follow you in a salvation prayer. 3) For someone who isn't so convinced they need Jesus: You can ask them something along these lines: "Do you want to get everything straightened out in your life and make everything right and have everything go well, and have a peaceful and good life? Jesus is the Spirit of goodness and light and love, and He'll bring solutions to all of your problems, if you just ask Him to come into your heart!" Here's an appropriate prayer for someone like this: Dear Jesus, I need help and I've heard You can help me! There is so much happening in my life that is beyond my control. I've heard You're the good Spirit of love and light and power. Please come into my heart and life and sort things out for me. 4) Someone who is too shy to pray: If someone is uncomfortable praying with you, you could give them a written prayer to read silently, or suggest they pray alone later on. ------------------------------- > 6. Take care of those you lead to the Lord ------------------------------- Once someone has made a decision to accept Jesus into their heart, they are a spiritual "baby." They've been "born" into the world of the spirit, and they're spiritually alive. However, there's still a lot of growing for them to do. In order to grow, a physical baby needs to be fed. The spiritual nourishment for the new Christian comes from the Word. Babies also need to be nurtured.—They need the tenderness and affection of their parents. Likewise, "babies" in the spiritual realm need the warmth of a loving example from their "parents" in the Lord, the ones who led them to Jesus. You may feel like somewhat of a babe yourself spiritually, or at least a young child—or maybe a teenager at best! Yet when you take on the job of witnessing and ministering to others, in a way it forces you to "mature" into a spiritual "adult" more quickly; because they now depend on you to at least get them started in developing their spiritual skills, and learning how and where to find their own nourishment. Take your new "baby" through the steps of growth that you followed when you were new in the Lord yourself. Teach your newfound little brother or sister what you do know, and as for what you don't, refer them to the ones who are helping and counseling you spiritually. 2 Timothy 2:2—And the things that you have heard from me among many witnesses, commit these to faithful men who will be able to teach others also. Encourage the new believer to hook up to God's Word and to develop their personal connection with the Lord. You don't have to take all the burden of their care and growth upon yourself, but you should take the responsibility of seeing to it that they can find what they're looking for in the sense of being fed from God's Word, as well as be someone that they can go to for fellowship in the faith and moral support. Even if someone is in a situation where there's no one around who they can lean on for counsel or instruction, if they have a Bible and/or Bible-based publications and a desire to read and study and apply what they learn from the Word, they can make steady and even sometimes rapid progress. * More practical tips If it is someone you don't know personally, see if they would be willing to meet again for classes and further teaching. Ask for their address and phone number so that you can meet again and/or send literature through the mail. If the Activated magazines are available in a language the new believer understands, then encourage them to sign up for a subscription! When you have finished and graduated from the 12 Foundation Stones course, you may teach it to others. We will discuss this more at the end of the course. For more on this subject, read One Heart at a Time (Get Activated! book), chapter: "Taking Care of the Baby." ------------------------------- > 7. Pray For People ------------------------------- Don't neglect the power of prayer for the people you meet and witness to! Whether they receive the Lord with you or not, you should pray for them. If they didn't pray with you—perhaps because you didn't have the opportunity to go so far in your witness, or because they were not ready to make the decision—keep praying for them, that the seeds that have been sown in their hearts through your witness will eventually bear fruit. Caring enough to pray Thomas Johannes Bach, well-known statesman and pioneer missionary in South America, and for almost twenty years the general director of The Evangelical Alliance Mission, whose Godly life profoundly influenced thousands around the world, often recalled that first "chance" encounter on the streets of Copenhagen, Denmark. How irritated he was at the nerve of the slightly built Danish lad who offered him a Gospel tract. "Will you please take this little leaflet? It has a message for you." "Message indeed! Why do you bother other people with your religion? I'm quite able to take care of myself." Such a show of temper from this fiery, redheaded engineering student did not deter the young lad who continued to hold the piece of paper before him. Johannes snatched the Gospel tract, deliberately ripped it, crumpled it up, and put it in his pocket. Bach, still angry and yet surprised that the young man said nothing, could not help watching him to see what he would do. He saw something he would never forget. The young Danish lad stepped into a nearby doorway, folded his hands, closed his eyes, and began to pray. Johannes was astonished to see tears on his cheek. Fifty-nine years later in Copenhagen, the seventy-six-year-old missionary, author, and teacher stood on the very spot where he had received that piece of paper and thanked God for the young Danish lad who had cared about his soul. > You should also regularly pray for your loved ones to get saved. The Lord will answer your prayers! You may not see the answer right away, but keep praying. You can appropriate the promise below that Paul made to his jailer. Acts 16:31—Believe on the Lord Jesus Christ, and you will be saved, you and your household. Pray for your loved ones For many years the mother of Tom Carter prayed that God would save her boy and make a preacher out of him. Her boy was a criminal. He landed in prison, but the mother still prayed for him, believing that God would answer her prayers. One day she received a telegram from the prison, saying that her son was dead. The mother was stunned for a few minutes. Then she went to her room. There she prayed with her open Bible before her. She said to the Lord, "O God, I have believed the promises Thou didst give me in Thy Word. I have believed that I would live to see Tom saved and preaching the Gospel. Now, a telegram says he is dead. Lord, which is true, this telegram or Thy Word?" She rose from her knees and wired the prison: "There must be some mistake. My boy is not dead." And there was a mistake. Tom Carter was alive! Not long afterward he was saved. When he was released from prison, he became a mighty soul-winner and preacher. As for those who received the Lord with you, keep praying for them, that the Lord will work in their lives, bringing them closer to Him; that He will increase their faith; that they will take the steps they need in order to grow in their faith. Pray also for their specific needs. Remembering them in prayer is something you can and should do, whether you're able to keep meeting them or not. ------------------------------- Praying for new believers—Early Church samples Colossians 1:9–12—For this reason we also, since the day we heard it, do not cease to pray for you, and to ask that you may be filled with the knowledge of His will in all wisdom and spiritual understanding; that you may have a walk worthy of the Lord, fully pleasing Him, being fruitful in every good work and increasing in the knowledge of God; strengthened with all might, according to His glorious power, for all patience and longsuffering with joy; giving thanks to the Father who has qualified us to be partakers of the inheritance of the saints in the light. 2 Thessalonians 1:11–12—Therefore we also pray always for you that our God would count you worthy of this calling, and fulfill all the good pleasure of His goodness and the work of faith with power, that the name of our Lord Jesus Christ may be glorified in you, and you in Him, according to the grace of our God and the Lord Jesus Christ. 3 John 1:2—Beloved, I pray that you may prosper in all things and be in health, just as your soul prospers. ------------------------------- > Review of the Seven Steps of witnessing ------------------------------- 1. Find Someone to Witness to! There are differences in approach for people you know and those who are strangers. 2. Ask Questions Show concern by asking them questions about themselves and their lives. Use current events, happenings and trends to arouse their interest. Witness in a quiet place when possible. 3. Listen! Encourage them to speak their heart; listen to them and hear them out. When you are witnessing, you are soul doctors. Listen and find out what their problems are. 4. Give Them God's Answers Tell them God's answers in your own words and also by showing Scriptures. Give your own personal testimony—tell what the Lord has done for you! Illustrate your points with stories. Use the Word in your witnessing. Have them read from the Bible. You need to know your Bible well enough to find the verses they need. Keep your witness simple. John 3:16 is all you really need to know to win souls! Lift up Jesus! Find points of agreement. Lovingly win others. Don't argue. Avoid confrontation. 5. Get a Decision They should realize their need for Jesus. Bring them to a decision. It has to be their decision—you can't force them to decide. Pray with them to receive the Lord. For those who are unsure, you can pray for them or with them, with a different approach. 6. Take Care of Those You Lead to the Lord Encourage new believers to read the Word so that they will grow in faith. Help them find the spiritual counsel and leadership they need. 7. Pray for People! Pray for those who are not yet saved to receive the Lord. Pray for your loved ones to receive the Lord. Keep on praying for those you lead to the Lord to grow closer to Him. (End)