Evangelism: An Attitude
Evangelism is an attitude, a mindset. When we wake up in the morning, we need to say to God, "I'm Yours today to use in whatever way possible." When we make ourselves available to God, He will bring people to us. Here are some things we can do to help us reach people for Christ:
Keep a Prayer List
Make a list of people for whom you will pray. Pray daily for the salvation of each person. There is a direct correlation between the amount of time we invest in prayer and the results of our evangelism.
Record Evangelistic Contacts
Keep a record of the people you are trying to reach. With whom have you talked? With whom do you need to talk? With whom do you need to follow up?
Set Personal Goals
A goal might be to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to one person every week. It is our responsibility to be faithful in sowing the seed, and it is the Holy Spirit who will bring the results.
Look for Opportunities
Consider your circles of influence: Your family, your friends, your business or school associates. Think about people with whom you have some affinity. Nurture those relationships and look for the open door to present the Gospel.
Be Persistent
Some Christians will talk with someone about Christ once or twice and conclude that the person is not interested. One company found that 90 percent of its salespeople did not return to a potential customer after the third contact, but 80 percent of the sales were made after the fifth contact. Many of us give up too easily.
Use Gospel Tracts
Use Gospel tracts and go through the material with the person. Ask, "Is this something that you've been thinking about? Would you like to pray this sample prayer, inviting Christ into your life?" I've seen more people respond in faith to Christ when I've used a tract than when I've used anything else.
Consider Your Setting
When you are in a relaxed atmosphere, you will be more effective in bonding and in building relationships. Neutral settings, such as parks, ball fields, restaurants, or golf courses, are good places to talk.
Ask About Needs
Visit your neighbors and ask them if they have any special needs that you can pray for. Say, "I believe that God answers prayer. Do you have a need that I can pray about?" A couple of weeks later visit your neighbor again. Get an update on the situation and ask if there are additional needs for which to pray. Give your neighbor contact information so that he or she can get in touch with you.
Depend on the Holy Spirit
When I have witnessed to Jesus Christ or knocked on a neighbor's door, I have always been at least a little anxious and nervous. God has taught me that this keeps me in utter dependence on the Holy Spirit.
from the July 2002 issue of "Decision" magazine
Evangelism is an attitude, a mindset. When we wake up in the morning, we need to say to God, "I'm Yours today to use in whatever way possible." When we make ourselves available to God, He will bring people to us. Here are some things we can do to help us reach people for Christ:
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DonateMake a list of people for whom you will pray. Pray daily for the salvation of each person. There is a direct correlation between the amount of time we invest in prayer and the results of our evangelism.
Record Evangelistic Contacts
Keep a record of the people you are trying to reach. With whom have you talked? With whom do you need to talk? With whom do you need to follow up?
Set Personal Goals
A goal might be to present the Gospel of Jesus Christ to one person every week. It is our responsibility to be faithful in sowing the seed, and it is the Holy Spirit who will bring the results.
Look for Opportunities
Consider your circles of influence: Your family, your friends, your business or school associates. Think about people with whom you have some affinity. Nurture those relationships and look for the open door to present the Gospel.
Be Persistent
Some Christians will talk with someone about Christ once or twice and conclude that the person is not interested. One company found that 90 percent of its salespeople did not return to a potential customer after the third contact, but 80 percent of the sales were made after the fifth contact. Many of us give up too easily.
Use Gospel Tracts
Use Gospel tracts and go through the material with the person. Ask, "Is this something that you've been thinking about? Would you like to pray this sample prayer, inviting Christ into your life?" I've seen more people respond in faith to Christ when I've used a tract than when I've used anything else.
Consider Your Setting
When you are in a relaxed atmosphere, you will be more effective in bonding and in building relationships. Neutral settings, such as parks, ball fields, restaurants, or golf courses, are good places to talk.
Ask About Needs
Visit your neighbors and ask them if they have any special needs that you can pray for. Say, "I believe that God answers prayer. Do you have a need that I can pray about?" A couple of weeks later visit your neighbor again. Get an update on the situation and ask if there are additional needs for which to pray. Give your neighbor contact information so that he or she can get in touch with you.
Depend on the Holy Spirit
When I have witnessed to Jesus Christ or knocked on a neighbor's door, I have always been at least a little anxious and nervous. God has taught me that this keeps me in utter dependence on the Holy Spirit.
Richard H. Harris
Richard H. Harris, D. Min., is vice president of the church planting group of the North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Nancy, are parents of two grown sons and live in Alpharetta, Ga., where they attend First Baptist Church Woodstock (Southern Baptist Convention), in Woodstock.
This article is taken by permission from "Training Your People to Be Inviters," by Richard H. Harris, at the Billy Graham School of Evangelism, in Toronto, Ontario, June, 2000. ©2002 Richard H. Harris.Richard H. Harris, D. Min., is vice president of the church planting group of the North American Mission Board, Southern Baptist Convention. He and his wife, Nancy, are parents of two grown sons and live in Alpharetta, Ga., where they attend First Baptist Church Woodstock (Southern Baptist Convention), in Woodstock.
from the July 2002 issue of "Decision" magazine
