Pray for those who don't believe!! Share updates on unbeliever transformations? Witnessing tips?

Hi all! Mary Jo here! I have been on Yahoo! Answers lately trying to answer to Christ-related questions as a means of witness. It is great to have a forum where you just fellowship with fellow body members, but we are called to go where it is hardest and preach the Word. I have noticed so many people who tease God, mock Christ, make fun of the body, and just don't belief in God at all. This thread is completely dedicated to reminding everyone of the importance of PREACHING and PRAYING for those are don't believe. Eternal life is real and serious. We are called to love our neighbors and doing that means pointing them to Christ and praying that their hearts are softened. Don't hesitate to share progress on someone who is coming to Christ, share tips on witnessing techniques that you find most effective, or simply request prayer for someone without Christ. This is our job, family! God bless everyone. I hope we all can fellowship through this matter.

Hello Mary Jo (@maryjohanna), this is a great idea for a thread

Outside of mentioning most/all of the verses and passages below in my signature line as useful to consider/keep in mind while witnessing, I'd also like to recommend this book (as a help to anyone who wants to be more involved in witnessing/evangelism/apologetics, but has trouble knowing how to go about it/what to do).

Tactics, 10th Anniversary Edition: A Game Plan for Discussing Your Christian Convictions by Gregory Koukl




God bless you!

~Deut
p.s. - this quote is my favorite evangelistic admonishment/encouragement:

Wow - I have never read of this Spurgeon quote. I love it! Thank you for sharing, brother. Sometimes, I come across questions that stump me. I would be interested to even have conversation through this thread mentioning popular questions from unbelievers and what the best responses are!

Everyone, I think it would be great to discuss popular questions we have faced while witnessing. What are some questions that have stumped you? What are the best responses and ways to answer certain questions?

This subject is often over complicated.
I'd suggest spend less time trying to figure out tricks and tips and tactics. To me that feels dishonest and manipulative.
First and foremost be a friend. While your long term goal may be to hope to see them saved, don't treat them as projects you're working on. They're people. Connect with them. Listen to them. Help them.
Second, learn what you believe and why. How can you expect to convince or change others minds when your lack of knowledge prevents you from supporting what you claim to believe?

Hello again Mary Jo, I've been talking to a couple of Mormon missionaries this week and could use a little help. They not only believe that there are MANY Gods out there, they, in fact, hope to become One themselves someday

So I shared this passage with them.


Their response was:


Of course, they shoot themselves in the foot with their argument about Genesis 1:1's use of Elohim (more on that later), but what Biblical arguments can be made to show that YHWH is not the God of this world and these heavens ~alone~, but of every world and every heaven, of "All Eternity"/of EVERYTHING/EVERYBODY that exists EVERYWHERE

The only argument that I've come up with so far is from Moses' Psalm 90:1-2, where YHWH is spoken of as being from and to everlasting, but I think that would hardly be enough to get a Mormon missionary's attention. There is also John 1:3, but I believe they'd use the very same argument to counter that verse too.

Any other ideas anyone

Thanks!

~Deut
p.s. - here's another evangelism quote that is a favorite of mine. Though it has nothing to do with my points and questions above, I thought it an important matter to consider.

First, I am not trying to be dishonest or manipulate anybody. I am trying to encourage discussion pertaining to witnessing whether its a testimony or giving one another advice on how we communicate on certain questions/issues. It isn't so much about learning tactics and tricks; its about building one another up so we can all preach the Gospel the best we can.
Second, I don't treat anyone like a project. At all. And that is not what I meant to have happen through this forum. I agree everyone else are human beings, and they should be treated as such. I do believe, though, that we have a project to do and that is witness to people and bring them to Christ. I don't think it can hurt for the body of Christ to have edifying and informative conversations on what are the best, most approachable ways to do so, so that we can properly welcome people into Christ's family.
Third, I don't understand why my knowledge of the faith is being questioned, with all due respect. I know what it is I believe. But, any Christian would be lying if they said they knew every single thing and every perfect way to answer every question in the book. It is okay to have questions ourselves and be unsure of how to respond. It seems like you are implying that if there are questions I cannot answer, I don't know the faith or what I believe?
I say this all in love and respect. I apologize if my thread came off the wrong way. I think you are misinterpreting what I am trying to share.

I feel like Isaiah is the right place to start with this. Some that I feel like you could possibly use in regard to their belief of many gods...
~ Isaiah 44:6, 8 // "Thus says the Lord, the King of Israel and his Redeemer, the Lord of hosts: 'I am the first and I am the last; besides me there is no god'" [v. 6] + "Is there a God besides me? There is no Rock; I know not any."
~ Isaiah 45:18 // "For thus says the Lord, who created the HEAVENS (He is God!), who formed the earth and made it (he established it; he did not create it empty, he formed it to be inhabited!), 'I am the Lord, and there is NO other."
~ Colossians 1:16 // "For by him ALL things were created, in HEAVEN and on earth, visible and invisible, whether thrones or dominions or rulers or authorities - all things were created through him and for him."

The thing I like the most about those last two examples is the clear separation between the heavens and the earth. When Mormons say that He is just the God of the earth and "the heavens that surround it"...? What else is there? There are two separate entities that are identified in Scripture: the heavens and the earth, the heavens being ALL that is beyond us.

Verse 12 of Isaiah 45 states that God made the earth and the humans on it, but it was by HIS hands the heavens were stretched out and expanded. Nowhere does it say any other "gods" were set upon any other location in the heavens. Isaiah 45:5-7 really hits on this too (check it out!).

I have read that 1 Cor. 8:5 is a passage that they commonly use to support their argument of there being many gods:
"For although there may be so-called gods in heaven or on earth—as indeed there are many 'gods' and many 'lords'..."
If they use this, you could point out to them the passage that follows directly after it:
"yet for us there is one God, the Father, from whom are ALL things and for whom we exist, and one Lord, Jesus Christ, through whom are ALL things and through whom we exist."

To me, I think it is ironic that these verses actually touch on the matter altogether; notice the phrase "so-called" is used. I believe, from the Holy Spirit, that it is implying that there are gods that exist in the minds of others, but they are strictly false. We cannot deny that there are many [fake] gods and many [fake] lords that are created by man. I believe the statement is proof of the "fake" aspect bc the passage ends with one statement: the Father being the ONE and ONLY God that has created all things.

I am sorry for the long response!! I hope this helps.

Also, what is the deal with the usage of Elohim?

Hello Subhumanoidal, while I do not disagree with anything that you just said in particular, I believe that what you are talking is only applicable to someone who you will be able to see/talk to at least semi-regularly. I believe the term that is used for this kind of witnessing is, "Friendship Evangelism".

But what if it is a chance meeting that may never happen again? Such a one-time witnessing opportunity would have to be approached a little bit differently, yes?

As for the idea that tricks/tips/tactics having no place in our witnessing (because they may end up feeling dishonest or manipulative), I get what you're saying, but I'm not sure that it necessarily has to be the case. In fact, I believe that one of the reasons that our JW and Mormon friends are so good at witnessing (compared to many/most Christians) is because they have been trained extensively (and quite frankly, I don't remember any of the many presentations of theirs that I've sat through ever feeling anything but honest and from the heart).

The other thing that I've found is this, many Christians are so intimidated by the idea of witnessing that they don't even try to witness. At best, they just "act" like Christians are supposed to act and hope that being nice and helpful to someone (w/o ever saying a word or asking a leading question about Jesus and/or the Gospel) will somehow lead a non-Christian to consider becoming a Christian. But according to the Apostle Paul, that simply will not do. For instance:


A book like Tactics can help, not only with our more complicated witnessing situations, but with the basics, by giving people tips, tools and techniques to help them know how to break the ice (so to speak), as well what to do afterwards (and also to help those who are shy begin to feel more comfortable about getting out there and doing so ).

God bless you!

~Deut

You asked a question, I responded with an answer. Then you took that answer and made it about you. Did you consider it wasn't personal against you and that maybe it was an answer to the question you created a thread to ask others for answers? So I believe it is you who sre misinterpreting.
Christians tend to ask other Christians how to deal with non-Christians. Why not ask non-Christians? The advice I gave comes more from what I've heard non-Christians say that Christians do wrong. But for some reason Christians dismiss it quickly.

Well i think witnessing to someone familiar will be most common, unless one chooses to go out with the intent to witness to random people.
But I believe it can apply either way.
I iften think of this story told by a non-Christian about an experience he had with a Christian trying to witness to him. After going back and forth a bit and the Christian not able to convince the NC, the Christian said "well you're young. You'll get it when you're older" and walked off. The NC found this very offensive, condescending and arrogant and was further turned off from God.
And that is my point. Both in my own experiences, and that of others I've heard about, Christians are so entrenched in the idea they are right, that everything else goes out the window.
So therefore when dealing with strangers the notion of approaching people with a game plan of how to win, backfires. Being prepared is only half of it. Being able to connect with people is vital either way, whether you know them or not.
If one tries to show reasons to follow a personal, connected, caring God how is that possible while being disconnected and focused on giving all the right answers?
Even Jesus connected with people, not try to win them over with a well rehearsed presentation of facts.

I truly didn't mean to get defensive, I apologize. I just wanted to communicate that those were never my intentions in starting this thread. If I misinterpreted, please forgive me. I think that is a really good perspective to look at it from. I have engaged in conversations with many nonbelievers on Yahoo, and they haven't hesitated to share what their issues and doubts are. It is nice to hear from their side where we are maybe lacking. I just figured that this is a good place for people to share with each other knowledge and information; you may know something or have an approach to a question that I didn't think of or see before. Having this thread could maybe help us all to see/learn things in ways we didnt before.

GOD BLESS!

No worries. It happens.

But in my experience Christians tend to think they can do no wrong and however they choose to witness is the right way. A lack of fruit doesn't seem to deter them.
I've tried sharing my views on this subject multiple times on this site, and am always shot down.
Besides very few people on this site are here to learn. They're too busy telling everyone the "right" way.

As I've sifted through the threads, I have noticed this going on for sure. I am open to hearing your view on this topic and this is exactly why I started the thread in the first place. Thank you for being willing to share your thoughts!

witnessing tips.
well from my experience and having done a missions course a few years ago... and also Bibles in schools I find that a persons heart must first be prepared to receive. If not they will not listen and the seed will fall on stony ground...such is the parable of the sower.

So while each and every one of us has the words to say about Jesus, the groundwork must first be prepared for reception. It is no use having a lot of words to say or the gospel on the tip of your tongue but scattering the seed on hard clay or concrete! It will not grow, unless there is somehow a crack and some moisture (thats where baptism comes in)

So while I have had the privelige to witness to some very receptive hearts who are open to Jesus straight away, I also have those whom the seed may lay dormant for many years. It takes a some time to prepare soil as anyone whos ever gardened on hard clay will attest.

I wouldnt call it ice breaking but I suppose you can use that analogy if witnessing in....Canada.
More like ice-melting....

Hello again Subhumanoidal, there's no question that some who chose to witness end up sounding like noisy gongs and clanging cymbals to those they are witnessing to .. e.g. 1 Corinthians 13:1, and what a shame it is whenever that happens

Fortunately, this is not always the case, as more than a few of God's children actually act out of love for Him and in humility towards others because they do, and it is from their hearts that they speak (so much so, in fact, that they often end up focused exclusively on the loving others part ... because they are afraid of offending someone with the truth ... w/o realizing that being "loving" towards others REQUIRES that we speak the truth to them, because they so desperately need to hear it .. e.g. Romans 10:17; 1 Corinthians 13:6).

In the end, both scenarios are crying out for the very same thing (IMHO), preparation and training.

All of our successful missions organizations, from the Navigators, to Campus Crusade for Christ, to Wycliffe Bible Translators, etc., put their missionaries through very extensive preparation and training before they'd ever consider sending them out in the field, and many (most?) of our missionaries have Bible College and even Seminary backgrounds to boot, and so it should be, at least in small part, for all of our lay parishioners/congregants who are heading out to meet the world as representatives of Jesus Christ. They need to have at least a basic understanding of the Bible and the Gospel, of what they will be facing as witnesses/evangelists/apologists, as well an understanding of how to handle common problems when they arise, yes

While I've seen what you are describing play itself out nearly every day out here in online Christendom, in my own experience (both online and face to face), Christians are far more likely to act in a loving manner towards others without ever sharing the truth with them, than they are to deliver the truth to them in an unloving manner (especially face to face).

So again, it seems to me that the answer to both problem scenarios is preparation and training.

God bless you!

~Deut
p.s. - as St. Peter admonishes us, we must always be prepared to speak the truth, but we must always do so with patience and kindness towards those we are speaking the truth to (even when they are not being kind to us ).

I have a story about an unbelieving friend (I knew from school) who came to believe because her neighbours who were christians and lived next door to them for many years witnessed to her and her sister one night on their doorstep. apaprently they had some domestic troubles with boyfriends etc. and the neighbours had heard and they must have been praying for their souls a long time before that. So they decided or sensed they needed the gospel that night after some dispute that was probably loud enough for them to hear. They might have even rung them for help at some point.

Anyway they became christians as they prayed with them right on their doorstep as they told them the truth about God cos if they had kept going down that route it would get worse.
the only thing was satan did not want to let go of my friend that easily once she became a christian and really tested her so she had a tragic end, but that ending changed the lives of many all over the nation as in her last moments she was stranded and relied on God for help when everyone she ever knew failed her, boyfriends, parents, police, and strangers. Her sister said to me she was so glad she was saved 5 days before she passed because without Jesus she would have been lost eternally. She has kept the faith as far as I know.

I think on it because no matter who you reach out to, it can only be for good if they hear the gospel no matter how bad things can get. Of course many of us think if we witness to people they are suddenly going to turn into instant good christians and never be tempted and make any mistakes or bad choices at all. but that is not true though we may stumble and fall we believers have a helping hand to lift us up if we cry out to Him He will hear.

Witnessing tips?
Many times I will start with the Exodus. God proclaims He is the true and living God and then proves it. Furthermore, for those who are confused about which religion is the true religion, starting with Exodus erases all doubt!

Lately I have been using that prophecy as a launch point for my preaching endeavors. Just yesterday in fact. And this is the prophetic profile that I have been using lately to good effect:

http://www.watchmanbiblestudy.com/BibleStudies/HIStoryOurFuture/Ezekiels430Days.html