Help? Anyone?

[Mr. Armenian]

Hey All,

Need some advice. My Pastor is challenging me to get out there and go street witnessing. Talk to people about Christ and all of that fun stuff.

Now, I've gone twice (with others) - and it is essential that we do it to spread God's word. But does anyone have any advice?

The basic formula people have is they start smalltalk with someone, then ask them if they can help answer a few questions.....(the process goes from there)

Here's the problem. To a total stranger, I'm a complete introvert. My ability for small talk is horrendous. In short, I'm totally inept. On top of all of this, I suffer from real bad anxiety.

Why am I so frightened to do this? What is stopping me? Does anyone have any tips?:lightbulb

God Bless.

 

[Coconut]

It sounds like your Pastor is challenging you to use a talent you have`nt been given...

My experience is, if you let the Spirit lead you to do what He wants you to do...when He wants you to do it...theres no if tellin you`ll be on a 'street' witnessing...but there`s no doubt you`ll be helping someone to find their way...mowing a disabled persons lawn, going to the grocery store for an elderly neighbor, changing a flat, helping a new mom, sitting and listening to a 'beggar', offering the neighborhood children some cold popsicles on a hot day...etc etc etc is just as much a witness of Christ in you...as shoutin His name from the side of a street...personally I`d say more of a witness...but thats just the way I think

Peter do you love me?
Yes Lord.
Feed my sheep.

I was hungry and you fed me,
I was naked and you clothed me
I was infirm and you visited me...

Well you get the idea.

Everyones got talents...in order to use them, all you do is be available...it is God decides what job is on the angenda for today...it may or may not involve 'talking'...but His work always has His sign on it (the true witness)

You see those signs a contractor puts on a house lawn when Hes building a house? God does that too....look for the signs :secret:

k...goin on here lol...

 

[pafindr]

When witnessing, I get extremely nervous when I approach people I don't know. BUT I do it anyway and the feeling soon dissapates after talking for a couple of minutes.
The guys at Way Of The Master have a great technique for witnessing and the president of Way Of The Master, Ray Comfort, also suffers from anxiety. Or at less he used too.

I think that one of the issues we have is that we fear that people will think we are crackpots for being "too religious" by sharing our faith. But whats the worst they will do?

Mat 10:26 Therefore do not fear them, for there is nothing covered that shall not be revealed, and nothing hidden which shall not be known.
Mat 10:27 What I tell you in darkness, speak in the light; and what you hear, proclaim on the housetops.
Mat 10:28 And do not fear those who kill the body, but are not able to kill the soul. But rather fear Him who can destroy both soul and body in hell.
Mat 10:29 Are not two sparrows sold for an assarion? And one of them shall not fall on the ground without your Father.
Mat 10:30 But even the hairs of your head are all numbered.
Mat 10:31 Therefore do not fear, you are of more value than many sparrows.
Mat 10:32 Then everyone who shall confess Me before men, I will confess him before My Father who is in Heaven.
Mat 10:33 But whoever shall deny Me before men, I will also deny him before My Father in Heaven.
Mat 10:34 Do not think that I have come to bring peace on earth. I did not come to send peace, but a sword.

I hope this helps
God bless
pafindr

 

[Mr. Armenian]

Hey Pafindr - great post.

Hey Coconut - I've often thought this, maybe I'm not ready. Or maybe that's what the ENEMY wants me to think...

When my Pastor suggested that I come out and try it, I didn't want to. Heck, I just wanted to go home and veg on the couch. But then I had a thought. (I presume Christ put this thought in my head).....God has given me everything in life, including salvation. God gives me all this, but I can't even try to go downtown to talk to people for a couple of hours? How selfish am I. I was ashamed of myself for not even trying for God. So, I did...and it went suprisingly well.


So, I've had this other reoccuring thought. Maybe God is using me to speak to these people. They NEED Christ. If I don't go - then who will?

When you Peeps do it, what is your approach or formula?

 

[pafindr]

I use the approach the guys on Way of The Master use.
First preach the Law (The Ten Commandments) and then Grace (The Gospel)
You preach the Law first so people see themselves as they truly are. Most people think they are pretty good but the Bible tells us a different story. It says that there are none that are good no not one. People tend to judge themselves based on "bad" people, like Hitler, but they should be judging themselves based on God.
So you ask a few questions:

Have you ever looked at someone to lust after them?
Jesus said if you ever looked with lust you have committed adultery
with them in your heart. You shall not commit adultery is the seventh Commandment

Have you ever stolen anything even if its small? (The eighth commandment)
If they say yes then you can ask what do you call someone that steals.
A Thief
They Bible says that thieves shall not inherit the kingdom of God.

If they are willing to consed that they are not good then you give them Grace. But if you give Grace to soon to a proud person they will throw it in your face.
Mat 7:6 Do not give that which is holy to the dogs; nor cast your pearls before swine, lest they trample them under their feet and turn again and tear you.
The WOTM guys have a saying "Law to the proud and Grace to the humble".

James 4:6 But He gives more grace. Therefore He says, God resists the proud, but He gives grace to the humble.

I highly recommend listening to the guys at Way of the Master and Way of the Master Radio. You can do a Google search for them.

I hope this helps
God Bless
pafindr

 

[stephen]

Mr Armenian, Hello.

I would say regarding your post, in the first instance humility is the first step, and there is nothing wrong with your humility. Such a spirit causes men to trust in God alone. This is what leads on to greatness, and success in Jesus.

You mention your friends, and I would suggest maybe that you stay with them at this time. But trust in God to help you. The fact that you have mentioned your Minister's thought in this regard to you, tells me that he believes you can.

Have you been baptised in the Holy Spirit?

I ask such because when I am in town, with others expressing Jesus, I often look for someone with a need. Then I will ask if they would like me to pray for their healing.......This can produce dramatic results.......This as I see it, is front-line gospel ministry in life today.

God Bless You

Jesus said "Ask and you will receive, Knock and the door will be opened, Seel and you will find, for everyone............" in Jesus