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MAKING THE MOST OF TIME
Turning 70 had a strange effect on me. All of a sudden I “felt old.” It was all in my head, of course, but I thought things like, “I wonder how many years I have left? 5? 10? 15?” My conclusion was, “I’d better get busy with the things that count while I still am able!”
An activity God has privileged me to be involved with (on and off since 1974) is evangelism. To me it is the ultimate “big game hunt.” My problem is that my usual social involvement is with people at church (especially since retirement). I know that friendship evangelism is deemed the most effective. Thus far I’ve gotten into too few situations that would permit that (i.e. since I’ve retired).
In the passage in which Jesus gives the great commission, He indicates that his disciples should be “impacting others for God” wherever they go, as they go (Mt. 28:18-20). Unless I find myself in friendship situation with non-believers, I take the following approaches. The places I frequent the most are to stores and restaurants. What I do is quite nominal yet it has born pleasing results. I either hand the person a tract or try to take a spiritual survey. If the place is quite busy, I give the clerk or waiter a tract saying, “Here’s something for you to read, if you like.”
TRACTS
* Some of the time, you are simply sowing a seed by giving a tract.
* At other times you can inspect the results.
If you can see that person again (especially within a week or so), you can ask, “Did you take the opportunity to read that tract I gave you?”
* If yes, “What did you think?” (or something of that nature). Interact with them and see if you can pursue it further with information, follow-up tracts or a personal appointment.
* If no, often it’s a not yet. Encourage them somehow and take the opportunity to ask them again after another period of time (hopefully within a week or so).
* If their answer is an emphatic NO, take courage and ask, “Why?” Use that same one word question as many times as is fruitful. Plus, interact with them in positive ways as is possible.
If you don’t see that person again for a longer period of time, pull out another tract and ask, “Have I given you one of these?” If the person remembers, inspect the results (see above); otherwise, give him (or her) another copy and try to start the inspection process again.
SURVEYS
If the store or restaurant seems to be in a lull time, I try to take a spiritual survey. This requires several things:
- First, that you have a survey on hand (or have memorized it). There are different surveys available for your use.
- Second, that you know how to present the gospel when taking the survey brings about a show of interest (from the one surveyed). There are very simple and easy ways to present the gospel and if you need help in that area, I would be glad to help you.
The survey is a very powerful tool. Pastor Ray trained a number of us how to use them. You can start by saying, “Our church has asked to take a survey. Would you care to assist me by answering a few questions?” If the answer is yes, proceed with your survey. It is always well to follow each answer by repeated their answer back to them. Repeat their answer and then say, “Am I understanding your answer correctly?
If you get through the survey, there will be the opportunity to ask if him if he would like to hear your gospel presentation. How you present the gospel, will dictate the question you ask. I.e., a person utilizing the Evangelism Explosion would say. When I heard your answers to the first few questions, I thought I might have some good news. Then when, I heard the rest of your answers, I knew that I have the best news you have ever heard. May I share that news with you? A person utilizing “The Four Spiritual Laws would say, “Would you like to hear about God’s wonderful plan for your life?
With his “yes” answer, you proceed to share the gospel and then determine his interest in receiving Christ. I will not provide all the details of the follow-up of doing this, but would be glad to answer your questions in person.
Use of the survey is quite adaptable. I have used surveys with the “worker bees” who come to our house to do various tasks. I have been pleased with the results. I am certain you would find other applications as well. One “slower” technique with an acquaintance (you see often), is to ask the survey questions one at a time over a period of time (and not necessarily in the order the survey is normally taken).
BENEFITS
Some of the benefits of tracts and surveys are:
* They provide an avenue for obedience to God
* They keep you “on your toes” evangelistically speaking. I.e. Once I get over my threshold of discomfort to take a survey, the next opportunity comes far easier – even after a few months. Plus I am far more apt to talk to others of spiritual matters.
* Reaching out to the lost gives me great joy.
* When I ask others to pray for those I’ve shared with, I believe it prompts them to do likewise.
PREPARATIONS
Here are some preparations I make for being consistent in my evangelistic efforts:
* Assure I have tracts (both English and Spanish) in my cars. I buy them in bulk on-line because stores tend to have single packets only and I tend to be stingy in giving them out if I only have a few on hand.
* Assure I have a New Testament and follow-up materials in my cars.
* Pray daily for the Holy Spirits filling and guidance.
* Pray for those I might encounter.
FINAL THOUGHTS
I’m certain your situations vary from mine in many ways. Whatever the case, if you have an interest and wish for help in getting started, please contact me. I can provide materials, training and ideas. I hope many of you are already doing this type of thing and are willing to share that with me or the other elders at the church.
Pray Colossians 4: 2-6 for yourself as you consider doing this!
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