The Highway Forums General Discussion Open Forum How do you share your faith?

Do you use tracts or other means of sharing the gospel, or do you just share what you know without any aids. I want to share my faith more and have been convicted by the lack of commitment on my part to help reach the lost.
What is the best way to share the truth of Christ with those who do not have a relationship with Him and don't know that they are lost and undone without God and have no hope outside of Christ? As Calvinist, is it alright to use tracts (Not Chick) or other witnessing tools to help convey the message of the gospel? Any ideas or recomendations would be most helpful. thank you.

God
bless

Personally, I prefer to be "unarmed" and simply speak the truth as God provides the opportunity to do so. If the person I have the privilege to speak to lives close by, then after a few further conversations, I normally print off one or two relevant articles from the infamous The Highway website and give them to the individual who can then read them in their own privacy and when they have time. I do tell them that I would be happy to answer any questions which they might have after reading the material and thus try to keep things going.

About the only time I use tracts is with snail mail. I'll slip one in the envelope along with the letter. But I never distribute tracts to strangers; a little too impersonal for my liking. Your mileage may vary. <img src="/forum/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

In His Grace,

One of my biggest problems is starting a conversation with someone I don't know very well. I used to think that you had to run them down Roman Road after two minutes after you said "Hi" and if you didn't, then you were not being a good witness of Jesus. lol
Of course, I my self never did that but I have seen others do it back when i was young, scared and naive. Lot of old baggage from my early years as a new convert. Now that I am reformed in theology, I am not quite sure of the best way of speaking to others about Christ. Where I live, Christianity is more of a cultural thing than any thing else. Say a prayer, get dipped, that's it. Most around here haven't got a clue about what sin is or why Christ had to die to pay a debt we owe to God. Most if not all have the idea that if they just lie right, no smoking, drinking, cussing etc,etc, then all is well and Jesus will let them in
heaven when they die.



Blessings.

I have always thought approaching strangers as a bit forward. During my charismatic days I attempted this a few times but it was very awkward. Most people I associate with know I'm working toward seminary and this often times leads to short conversations that allows me to ask questions and invite people to worship. Since my education is theologically oriented people sometimes pick my brain for answers on questions as well. I try to live a proper lifestyle and just be a witness this way also. Charitable acts, small ones, can be a great way to create common ground and may open up other possibilities as well. I have never used tracts.

Another aspect of this is that I grew up in a couple different cults. I consider those who claim to be christian but are truly errant to be prime grounds for missionary work also. I often engage Pentecostals in theological discussions, and although it has been a good while, I don't pass up an opportunity to invite the Mormon missionaries over when I see them. After a short discussion on why I left the Mormon church I then offer them the gospel.

Various ways I suppose, depending on the situation.


God bless,

william

There are as many ways to share the Gospel as there are ways to communicate. I think it's a real blessing when people come up to you and ask why you are the way you are. After all we should talk and act a little differently than an unconverted person don't you think? Think about it. Do we? Or are we always apologizing for our inconsistancy? You know what they say... actions speak louder than words. Is there evidence that our lives are being transformed? If they are, hopefully, this will give us an opportunity to share the hope that is in us by the grace of God.

We should also pray that the Holy Spirit will help us to be ambassadors for Christ every day. If we are praying for God to make us a witness for Him we should also be getting ready for the opportunities He's going to give us. Are we looking for them? Do we have the confidence to share our personal testimony? Is it real, is it personal, or is it manufactured? Do we give testimony part-time or all the time?

Each of our lives should give testimony to what we believe. It was said of the early disciples by the Jews that they could see these men had been with Jesus. (see Acts 4:13) Can and do people see that in your life and in mine? Whether we use tracts, tapes, books, videos, letters, songs, or any other method of communicating is secondary to the true witness of the Holy Spirit in us and through us. We need to pray that He will use us.

Another way that gives powerful testimony to the Gospel is by going to someone you've offended to ask their forgiveness. Ask the Holy Spirit to bring to your memory any one you have offended in your entire life and then ask Him to give you an opportunity to seek their forgiveness. You'll be surprised how the Lord will answer this prayer. A truly humble attitude, taking responsibility for your actions, and sincerely asking for forgiveness because Jesus has forgiven your sins will give powerful testimony to the Gospel and possibly restore your credibility to your neighbor. The key is love for God and our neighbor. If we have this, we'll find a way to share the most important event in our lives and in the history of the world.


Wes