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PRAY FIRST.
Study to know what to say. DO IT to perfect how to say it. |
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Research about learning proves:
WE LEARN BEST BY DOING! When it comes to witnessing, we learn best by doing it - whether you're just getting started or simply looking to improve. THE PROBLEM: Although many Christians know the importance of witnessing, most will go days (weeks) without thinking about sharing the Gospel and exposing someone to the Good News! God knows if your willing. And He knows if you are able. Why should He present opportunities if you are NOT WILLING or ABLE? But you are here because you CARE and WANT to serve Him in this way. GOD HAS UNIQUELY PLACED YOU IN THE CENTER OF A NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIPS - A "SPHERE OF INFLUENCE" FOR HIS PURPOSE. The BEST WAY TO LEARN, GAIN CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE is to DO IT! This doesn't mean forcing it to happen or "sharing with anything that moves". Rather it suggests being "watchful" and "being proactive" to place yourself in settings where you're more likely to have opportunities to share. Experience shows that 70-80% of what is learned about witnessing happens while "putting it into practice". Therefore, only about 30% is learning the content during personal or "classroom" training. WHAT YOU WILL GAIN:
Some plant, others water but God makes it grow. (1 Corinthians 3:6) BE INTENTIONAL - Discover SETTINGS where you'll have more opportunities to share When it comes to learning and training, it's EXTREMELY HELPFUL to get yourself into settings where you increase your chances to share...regularly. This would be an activity or ministry you INTENTIONALLY engage in ...consistently. The more witnessing "experience" you get, the more you will gain and grow! SUGGESTIONS FROM EXPERIENCE: The Holy Spirit often causes people to be more open to discuss spiritual things AFTER PRAYING FOR THEM while with them. Therefore, think about ways to ask people if there is anything you can pray about for them! Then take stop and pray for them. For example:
WHAT MINISTRIES DOES YOUR CHURCH HAVE in place serving people who don't know Jesus? Volunteer and look for opportunities to share after praying for them. Those who are coming to your ministries are more likely to give you permission to share. BIG COACHING TIP: The following works VERY WELL with those who are guests or participants of your Worship service or outreach and service activities. Say something like... "As a visitor (guest, participant) of our church, I'm sure you would be interested in what our church teaches about the Gospel. Would it be OK if I (we) took a little time to share that with you?" Consider how to use this with guests who come to your "Guest Information Centers", prayer rooms, parents of kids who participate in an outreach event, VBS, Sunday School, etc. GO WHERE THE "FISH ARE MORE RECEPTIVE" to listen:
The INTERNET They come to YOU! Today there are thousands of people EVERY DAY seeking spiritual answers ON THE INTERNET! VOLUNTEER TO:
OPPORTUNITIES: Billy Graham - Search for Jesus www.searchforjesus.net NEED HIM Global www.needhim.org/need-him-global Check them out. They help you get started... VOLUNTEER TODAY!! FINALLY, look for something that would seem to be a GOOD FIT FOR YOU:
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OUTREACH PLANNING TOOL
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