What Does Practical Witnessing Look Like?
Hey y’all! Recently I
was texting with a sweet friend of mine, and we got into the topic of spiritual
growth and things we could do better in our pursuit of holiness. We both admitted that one of the biggest
struggles we have is in knowing how to boldly witness to others. What does this look like on a practical level
in our everyday lives?
We see a random person in passing at the grocery store and
feel the Holy Spirit prompting us to witness to them. We get the urge to share the gospel as our
mailman hands us the mail and prepares to drive away. We see a young pregnant waitress cleaning the
table across from us in a restaurant, and we wonder if she has experienced God’s
love and plans on showing the same to her unborn child.
We understand that these people are needy. We understand that God has called us to reach
out to them with the wonderful news of His saving grace and forgiveness.
But, how? How
do we do this?
I’d LOVE to chat in the comment section below and discuss
this deep topic with you. That’s why I’m
posting this.
No matter how qualified you may think you are/aren’t on this
topic, I’d love to hear from each one of you.
If you need some conversation starters, here are a couple questions:
- What fears keep you from witnessing?
- Do you have any ideas or suggestions for practical witnessing?
- How would you approach a stranger and start a conversation
about the gospel?
- Are there any blog posts, books, or additional resources you have found helpful on this subject?
Or, share a story on how you have witnessed in the past!
I literally cannot wait to hear from you -- please comment below
and start the discussion!!
There is tons I could say on this subject, but my absolute best suggestion is to read the book “One Thing You Can’t Do In Heaven” by Mark Cahill. WOW WOW WOW. You’ll never look at witnessing the same way again!!!!
ReplyDeleteThank you so much for the book recommendation! And please, please, PLEASE say more on this topic if you would like to! I'd absolutely love to hear anything and everything on your heart about this topic. I desperately want to improve this area of my life, and any thoughts or encouragement would be greatly appreciated!
DeleteI am so glad you wrote this post! :) This is definitely something I struggle with. Lately, God has been showing me that it is truly important to witness to others at all times. This is funny, I keep recommending this book--it is just SO GOOD!! There was a chapter about witnessing in "The Family Daughter" by Sarah L. Bryant. (http://kingsbloomingrose.com/) I learned that we have an opportunity to witness all the time through our speech, joy, actions, attitude, etc. Do you have any tips on witnessing? Thank you so much for writing this post. Your blog is so encouraging! :)
ReplyDeleteThank you for the book suggestion (again), Anna -- I have received KBR magazines in the past and greatly enjoyed them, but I have never read The Family Daughter. I shall have to add it to my reading list and get it sometime when I have a little more money... :)
DeleteI shared a couple tips for witnessing here on the blog, back in 2016. I'm not actually sure if anyone has seen this post :P I may re-post it sometime. Here is the link: http://sourcreamchipsgirl.blogspot.com/2016/01/be-light-for-christ.html
Do YOU have any tips for witnessing?
I just read your post about witnessing! :) Thank you so much for sharing the link! :) I especially liked your tip of being a "loud" Christian! I have never thought of that before! I love that idea! Thank you again! My tip would be to always strive to be a light for Christ at all times...even at the store, even at home, even when you are anywhere! We can be a witness by just having a joyful attitude, or helping others. I am still learning about how to be a witness, so I really appreciate all of the tips in your post! :)
DeleteI am glad you found my witnessing post helpful, Anna. Absolutely, being an example in our everyday life and actions is a biggie, although I don't believe it compensates for verbal witnessing. Both should be key. :) But especially if you are just starting on witnessing, being mindful of our little thoughts and actions is important. There is a sweet lady at my church who is just so Christlike in her words and actions. She is one of the most joyful, thoughtful, forward-thinking, hard working people I know. She is one of my highest role models, and I am constantly blown away and challenged by her testimony. Her every day life is not easy, and she faces a ton of pressures and health issues. Her testimony challenges believers and unbelievers alike, I'm sure!! She is a witness in both her words and her actions, and God has used her in great ways.
DeleteHey Grace!
ReplyDeleteI was going to talk to my brothers last night and see what they had to say, but our trip up to see Isaac didn't turn out so I didn't get a chance to. But I thought I'd throw in my two-cents worth (literally - if even that much) and see if it opened a little more discussion.
- What fears keep you from witnessing?
The fear of making someone angry, or what people will think of me. But I've been praying about this lately. This isn't something that should have any bearing in our thoughts because 1. The benefits of sharing the gospel with a lost soul far outweighs the pain of being rejected and 2. We shouldn't be trying to win the approval of men - as Os Guinness put so well in his book "The Call", we're to be performing for the Audience of One.
- Do you have any ideas or suggestions for practical witnessing?
Not really... Just pray that God would open up the doors, that He would give you courage and keep you prepared to witness boldly, and that He would supply you with the words to say. And if you see an opportunity and have a way to start up the discussion, do it, and keep prayers running through your head the whole time. And remember that the Bible is our sword, not logic. Always refer to the Bible as the top authority on everything and treat it as if it stands without man's reasoning, because it does. As I've heard it put before, it's like two enemies meeting together. One wields a sword, and the other one says he doesn't believe the first has a sword. That first man can either set down his weapon (the Bible) and try to convince the man that he actually has a sword, or he can prick him with it!
- How would you approach a stranger and start a conversation about the gospel?
I don't know... I would ask the Lord to open up doors... But this is the area that I've been kind of lost in too. I have had doors open up though, I've just (sadly) not had the courage yet.
- Are there any blog posts, books, or additional resources you have found helpful on this subject?
Wretched Radio on Youtube has some good advice, and Os Guinness book (although not really on witnessing) is just a good book that does touch on the 'don't be afraid' aspect. But I wouldn't buy it specifically for witnessing just because it doesn't really have anything on practical witnessing. But it is a good book!!!
Alright, anyone else have anything to say??? ;)
Thank you so much for sharing your thoughts, Grace. I'm sorry dinner with your brother didn't work out last night :(
DeleteDefinitely, those fears are big ones. A main fear I have in witnessing is the fear of pulling someone farther away from God than to Him. By that I mean, I don't want to bring up the gospel and the person I'm witnessing to hardens their heart even further to the Lord. I've tried witnessing before to a man while I was canvassing, and he literally would not listen. He repeated "I'm not going to, no, I'm not going to; you're wasting your time" and kept shaking his head and turning away every time we (my brother and I) opened our mouths. How do you reach someone with a heart that is so full of rejection? How do you get through to them?
I love how you mentioned to always keep the Bible as the top authority. I once heard someone say that if someone asks you a question about God and you refer to the Bible and they laugh at you for having such a "silly" resource... your response? Without the Bible, you CAN'T defend your faith! It's just not possible. The Bible and your testimony are divinely linked.
Prayer is the most important aspect of witnessing and courage, for sure, but it's not difficult. Its an immense blessing that God is so faithful to bring you opportunities... but what then? Even if you have the courage, what do you SAY?
I went out to lunch with my grandma yesterday and our waitress had some issues. Let's just say, we could have complained, and she could have been fired. Halfway during our lunch, her boyfriend walked in, and that made things ten times worse. I knew that this was a woman I wanted to witness to, but I didn't because as I sat looking at her as she was chatting with my grandma, I had NO CLUE what to do. Looking back, I wish I had asked her at the very beginning if there was anything we could pray for her for... that could have opened up room for conversation. But I didn't, and now I was at a total lost of what to say. I wasted an opportunity. One that I wanted oh so much to seize, but I didn't because I didn't know how to start a conversation. Any ideas on how to start a conversation with someone like that? How would I start a conversation with the cashier at Kohls during the 1-2 minutes it takes me to check out?
If anyone would like to jump in and join the conversation of the Graces, you are more than welcome to. We'd love to hear your thoughts!
Yes everyone, do please join! It's a big topic!!!
DeleteI think asking people what you can pray for them for is a good way to start... Or even sometimes just asking how their day was and maybe if they just say good you can ask something like was it really? Or something if you see what I mean. But yeah, I think asking what you could pray about for them would be good. And I think different opportunities will present different options. And handing out tracts is probably a good idea too. I'll have to think about this a little more and let you know if I come up with any other conversation starters! And yeah, I think starting up a conversation right away is important. Take control of your conversation immediately - don't let them take the lead. If we're the ones who want to witness, no one else is gonna start for us so we need to start right away and push forward with it ourselves.
Yes, I've had the fear that I might push someone farther away from Christ too! But we still need to do our best. Technically they still can't get any farther, and if God wants to save them, he will, and if possible, I want to be part of the process! And if they aren't going to accept the gospel in the end, there's nothing we could have done to have helped anyways, so TECHNICALLY we couldn't have been any harm, see what I mean?
I'm going to think about this a little more and try to comment again on this before you post again... Haha! We'll see. Worse comes to worse you'll post again when I have something to say and I'll come back and comment again anyways! Haha!
Okay I thought about it a little (and I googled it! Haha!) and here's some ideas for conversation starters:
Delete1. Do you know where you're going when you die?
2. Do you go to church?
3. Can I pray for you?
I also read that starting with small talk, moving to more friendly talk, and THEN trying to present the gospel is a good approach.
Here's a quote I stumbled across when I was researching that was really neat:
"Stand still? NEVER! Not while the promises of revival are still unknown for this generation. Not while Christ is still a stranger to countless lost and dying souls around the world. Not while there is still one blind and stubborn heart that refuses to give praise and honor to our King Jesus!"
— David Smithers
Oh and "Do you think you're a good person" is a good one! If you look up Wretched Radio on youtube I know there's several videos of the guy who does the channel witnessing to strangers using this question.
DeleteIf anyone disagrees with anything I've said, I hope you'll tell me. We're all sisters in Christ; we can afford to be open with eachother!
Oh Grace, that all was so helpful!! Thank you for sharing! You just made everything so clear when you mentioned how technically people can't get farther from Christ. They're either saved or they aren't. Thank you for making it all so clear! I see now that it's a huge fear I've bought into for no reason at all! That gives me some extra courage :)
DeleteI think that the concept of starting with small talk, adding friendly talk, and proceeding with presenting the gospel sounds like it could work, although I would be very careful using that method as your main go-to method. I've heard countless missionaries say, "Right now we're working hard at building relationships. That's very important." It is, to be sure, but the funny thing is, every. single. missionary says that... and I never hear about missionaries that have actually graduated the "building relationship" stage and have proceeded to present the gospel to the people they are getting to know. Relationship. Relationship. Relationship. Yes, relationships can be good. But you can't stay there. We don't know when that person will pass away; it could be at any time. We've got to be faithful to proactively share the gospel.
Of course, building relationships over time is on a very different level than a single conversation that includes small talk + friendly talk + gospel presentation in quick succession, but they're similar in some ways. Does the parallel make sense?
But this also presents a problem: cashiers, mailmen, waitresses... they don't have all the extra time in the world to carry on a conversation with you. I mean, if they REALLY understand their need and want to know more, than they'll make the time and risk being fired or getting people angry at them or whatever. But most of them... you're on a timer. You've got to be quick and make the most of your opportunity.
If more people don't jump in and join our conversation, I think I might start calling people out in my comments :) Hehe. Just kidding! But PLEASE, if you're reading this and have thoughts, SHARE THEM!! Pretty pleeeeeaasseee?? :)
I recently read the book Will Our Generation Speak? by Grace Mally, and it was very good and encouraged me. Miss Mally says things along the lines of what you're saying here, that when you try to have a relationship (or friendship) with someone, it often turns into more "friend time" than "witnessing time". :)
ReplyDeleteMy dad has a pastor friend who is very outgoing and often begins conversations with people by simply saying, "How can I pray for you today?" It works very well for him. :)
Answering your question about the cashier at Kohls, I think having an interesting tract to hand out would be good. In Will Our Generation Speak? there are some great ideas for tracts. One that I thought sounded good was the Million Dollar Bill tract (it has the "Million Dollar Question" on the back). I personally haven't used that tract, but it sounds very good. Handing something to someone, and just saying, "Here's something for you to read on your break!" is what I've done in the past (one time; I'm just now learning more about witnessing ;). :)
Leona,
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts! I have heard much about Grace Mally's book but have yet to read it. It sounds like it would be very helpful!
I think both of the ideas you shared are wonderful. I wish there was a way to be more straightforward and personal than just passing out tracts, but for a cashier, that's probably one of the best options.
Thank you again for commenting here! I'd love to know how you found out about my blog -- it is always interesting to see how my readers get here! :)
I love that you started this discussion about witnessing! :) A book I recommend is "Will Our Generation Speak" by Grace Mally as Leona shared above :) I can't think of any others off the top of my head. I have some friend who have found Ray Comfort's materials to be very encouraging and helping on this topic but I haven't actually used or read anything by Ray Comfort. Although I have met him! ;)
ReplyDeleteOne of the biggest practical suggestions I have for witnessing is to LIVE your faith! Sometimes we can get a little too caught up in speaking with our mouth about the gospel (which, don't get me wrong, this is SO important), that we forget to speak with our actions the truth and transforming power of the gospel. You may never get the chance to share the gospel with words to the cashier at Walmart, but you can certainly share the power of the gospel with her through your attitude and Christ-like love. :)
Some other practical ideas I had are to always be ready--how this has played out in my life is memorizing important Scriptures. You may not always have your Bible with you at the time when you need to share a verse with someone or share the gospel with them. If you hide those important verses in your heart, you will always be prepared to give an answer for the hope that you have to anyone who asks!
Thank you for sharing your thoughts, Bella! I've been hoping you would jump in ;) I especially love how you mentioned about memorizing scripture. That's a step I think we neglect way too much, but it is SO important! At Good News Club, we were told at the beginning meeting to chose a verse that spoke of sacrifice, salvation, and result all in one. That way, it would help us to explain the gospel as clear and concise as possible. Then we take it apart and explain what it means into greater detail. We of course use John 3:16 a lot, because it talks about sacrifice (He gave His only begotten Son), salvation (that whosoever believeth in him), and result (should not perish, but have everlasting life). Its definitely a good starting place, but memorizing even more scripture is also very important!
DeleteHello ladies,
ReplyDeleteThank you all for the wonderful thoughts that you have shared on this important subject! And thank you, Grace, for starting this discussion! :) I have to admit, that I have yet to become someone who feels comfortable with walking up to a stranger and start witnessing to them vocally. I know of people who can start such conversations, but oh I am so weak! :(
But, one method that I like to use - which I know has already mentioned, but maybe I can expound upon it - is giving out tracts. While this may not be exactly the same as simply having a verbal discussion, it has been a huge blessing for me! As I mentioned I am normally not bold in witnessing conversations with strangers. Thusly having a good tract in my purse is a way that I can still share, even if I don't come right out and say it! I thought I could share which tracts that my sister and I have used (or one in particular that I have seen before, but not used). They are from The Tract League and Christian Light Publication.
-What Jesus Did For Me (https://www.clp.org/products/what_jesus_did_for_me_pack_of_50_139) - one of my FAVORITES!!! It tells 14 different things about Jesus/what He did, and then gives the result of that. For example, He was rejected, that I might be welcomed - and gives verses to go along with each.
-Looking for Jesus (http://tractleague.com/tracts/looking-for-jesus/) - this tract tells the story of Mary who came to the tomb where Jesus was lain and found Him missing. It challenges us, are we seeking Jesus wit the same passion?
-Now Showing Too (http://tractleague.com/tracts/now-showing-too/) - gives excuses that we might come up with, like "too busy to think about God," "too tired to think about God"...but the last one (once one has finished their life on this earth, and it is too late to change their life) is "too late to think about God." It then encourages them to come to God, for He loves them (John 3:16, Isaiah 55:6,7)
There are also some other tracts to give such as for encouragement (http://tractleague.com/tracts/strength-for-the-day/), Jeremiah 29:11-13 (http://tractleague.com/tracts/jeremiah-2911-13/), a little activity pamphlet for children (https://www.clp.org/products/do_right_pack_of_50_82), and even one bringing to light to sadness and fallacy of abortion (https://www.clp.org/products/thursday_at_5_00_p_m_pack_of_50_132).
It has been very rewarding to hand out tracts to people in stores, cashiers, etc. There is one lady at a grocery store who really enjoys them, and has even asked me of I have one (pamphlets as she calls them)!! :) Apparently she likes to read them on her lunch break! You can also leave tracts on the table at a restaurant for the waiter.
Also, when you just have a quick interaction with someone - such as an order taker on the phone, your mail man/lady, or even a cashier - if you don't take the time to get into a deep conversation with them, you can at least try saying "have a blessed day!" "God bless you!" or "Remember, God loves you!" Even just a little thought like that may be better than nothing!
As I mentioned I am so weak! Sometimes I don't even take the opportunity to hand out a tract to someone when I am prompted to. But, I hope that these thoughts have been some sort of encouragement or thought starter. Keep pressing onward, dear sisters, and thank you so much for the thoughts that you shared! I would love to hear more. :)
2 Corinthians 2:14 says, "Now thanks be to God who always leads us in triumph in Christ, and through us diffuses the fragrance of His knowledge in every place." Let us pray that God will work through us and make us a sweet smelling aroma, that we would continually show and tell forth Christ's love and light to others!
In Christ Alone,
~Martha Joy
One more thought - while you may all be aware of this already, I thought that I might suggest Grace Mally's blog (guess what - it's called Grace Notes too! :)! The Mallys are an amazing example of boldly witnessing for Jesus, so you might be encouraged by some of their stories! http://tomorrowsforefathers.com/gracenotes/
ReplyDeleteMartha Joy,
DeleteThank you so much for sharing your thoughts and taking the time to share all the links and verse references in your comment. Definitely some helpful thoughts and information in there. I have never heard of Grace Mally's blog before -- thank you for mentioning it! I will most definitely take a look into it. And how cool that her blog's name is the same as mine! :)
I have a question, Martha Joy, since handing out tracts aren't something I do like I should -- how do people usually respond to you giving them tracts? Do they usually just say something short like, "Oh, thanks," and that's it, or have you been able to start meaningful conversations with some?
Here's something to think about when it comes to giving tracts to waiters/waitresses. My grandma has a friend whose daughter worked at a restaurant, and she said that there will be groups that come in and leave tracts for them, either with a very small tip or no tip at all. It disgusts her that professing Christians -- people who are supposed to be generous and thoughtful -- don't even "walk what they talk." Just a little food for though (not that we shouldn't give tracts to waitresses or anything). Let's make sure that we are acting like Christians and being good testimonies of our Lord Jesus Christ even in how we treat those who are serving our food!
Grace,
DeleteThank you for sharing your thoughts! I hope that you will enjoy Grace Mally's blog! The Mally family is am amazing example of boldly witnessing for Christ!
As far as people's responses when I give them tracts - it does vary! A lot of times it will simply be "Thank you!" or something like that. I have had some rejections (one quite difficult for me) and someone tell me that I shouldn't give things out without permission in that store. It's so sad in such cases though to think, that really they are just rejecting the Lord and the message that I am trying to bring to them! :( But I have also had some precious interactions between (obvious) believers when they were so excited by it! Some people will ask where you go to church, some people ask what the tract is, etc. One lady gave me a hug, and another lady came and searched me out later to give me a hug! :)
I am often still not as bold as I should be even when giving out a tract - - this is making me think more that maybe I should be more open and available to *talk* to people. Sometimes I simply say, "Ma'am, I'd like to give this to you. Have a good day!" or something like that, but we also need to "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." (1 Peter 3:15) So sometimes bold, verbal witnessing might should follow the giving of a tract! :)
Thank you for sharing about the waitress! That is something thing to remember, that we need to be witnessing to them by setting an example too, and not just leaving a tract as our witness! Sadly, I'm sure that waiters/waitresses are sometimes treated very rudely, and we need to try to bring the Light to their day, and not just a distasteful outlook on Christians! :( Thank you for sharing!
Talk about setting an example to others -- before I've noticed someone in a store who gets upset at their spouse or someone with them. That really sets a sad example of that person -- to think that that is the memory that you have of that person! But, what memory am I leaving in others' minds? What example am I setting? To realize that people around ARE watching, we need to make sure to set a good example for them! Watch what we say, how we act, what we do. But, really we need to be doing that *every* day with our family and friends, seeking to glorify the Lord!
Thank you for all of your thoughts, Grace! I hope that this conversation can continue! :)
Lots of love to you,
~Martha Joy
Thank you for sharing further about your experiences with handing out tracts and the different responses you get! I love 1 Peter 3:15 -- something that we should definitely keep in mind and strive to be able to do!
DeleteI did check out the Mally's blog, by the way, and I loved some of the ideas I read about. Thank you for suggesting the blog to me!
Agreed. Our behavior and actions should be noticeably different from the rest of the world. My mom was walking through a store one time and heard a young lady down the aisle from her snapping meanly to her brother. My mom recognized the voice and was surprised and saddened to find that we knew the young lady and her brother very well. They went to our church. What a reminder that people all around us are watching us -- and sometimes we might just be around someone we know, without being aware of it!
I could comment here, but I'm putting together a series of blog posts on this topic and I'm not sure that I want to write everything twice...lol! Lots of good thoughts, girls! I'll comment here when I publish my first post on the topic so you all can read my thoughts =)
DeleteThat's awesome, Alyssa! I look forward to reading your series and hearing your thoughts!
Deletehttps://hereisloveblog.wordpress.com/2018/03/15/practical-witnessing-preparation/
DeleteFirst one is up =) Hope it can be of help to you girls!
Thank you Alyssa!!
DeleteI loved reading through this discussion! A lot of food for thought that I was blessed to be able to read after being directed here by Alyssa's wonderful post! Witnessing is something I long to do more. I have done tracks before and am sure to point to Christ if someone asks why I do (or maybe don't do) something most people don't. But I don't seek out opportunities like I should. Well, let me rephrase that. I don't often get up the courage to follow through after I do. I have a hard time even offering a verbal compliment to someone I know without effort, let alone strangers, and so by the time I work up the courage to say something, I no longer even have time for a real conversation, so it seems pointless. It's a sin issue, really. It's selfish (their eternity weighs in the balance!), and fearful, and disobedient. I have been working on it this year, as I make a point to trust and rest in the Lord, but like all sin issues, it is not fixed in a day. Our flesh fights against us, and for those of us who are more timid, our personality as well as our sin. There is nothing wrong with bring a gentler, quieter, slower, or less "outspoken" person. What IS wrong, is letting those things control us instead of Christ. It's something I think we all struggle with, some more than others, but it is a command that I hope to work towards fulfilling more and more through the Savior's grace with you all ❤.
ReplyDeleteAlso, yes, the Mally's ministry! They put out so many good resources! (And when Alyssa first mentioned a Grace Notes blog, that was the one I checked, and was slightly confused for a minute, because it didn't include what she was talking about 😂 (your backwards to do list post)).
Blessings in Christ,
Bri from forget-not-his-benefits.blogspot.com
Thank you so much for visiting the blog, leaving a comment, introducing yourself, and sharing a little of your heart with us, Bri! I hope what you read above was both encouraging and convicting to you, as I know it has been for me. I have already learned much from the thoughts of the other girls and I so hope this conversation will continue!
DeleteI understand a lot of how you feel when it comes to witnessing. I can be so much like that, too. I especially have a hard time beginning conversations. It takes me so much time to muster up enough courage to walk over and say hi to someone. Recently at a concert, I wanted to meet a young lady and I waited several minutes before going up to her, trying to gather enough courage and figure out what to say and all. I was so glad when I finally did, and I loved meeting her and chatting, but we then only had a little time left. I was so disappointed -- there was SO much I wanted to say! I wasted valuable time. I tend to be like that with almost everyone. Courage is definitely an area I need to work on. Courage is not the absence of fear. It is the choice to do something even though you are afraid. As a sweet friend says, "Do it afraid!" :)
Oh my, that is so funny!! I actually had no clue that the Mally's had a blog, and that it was called Grace Notes, until Martha Joy mentioned it above (thank you, dear Martha Joy!). ;) Oh, I do hope the backwards to-do list was helpful for you! And if wasn't... well, we all learn and need help in different ways, which is awesome because it clearly shows how creative our Father is! :)
Thank you again for commenting, Bri! I hope to see you around here more often!!