#1 Tip - BE INTENTIONAL

WE LEARN BEST BY DOING!
When it comes to witnessing, you learn best by doing whether you're just getting started or experienced and 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!

YET GOD HAS UNIQUELY PLACED YOU IN THE CENTER OF A NETWORK OF RELATIONSHIPS - A "SPHERE OF INFLUENCE" FOR HIS PURPOSE.

The BEST WAY TO GAIN CONFIDENCE AND COMPETENCE is to DO IT!
This doesn't mean forcing it to happen or...

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"sharing with anything that moves". Rather it suggests being "watchful" and "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, roughly 30% is learning content during personal or "classroom" training. 
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WHAT YOU WILL GAIN:​

• You will retain much more of what you've studied
• You will experience the Holy Spirit "bringing to mind" what you've studied
• HE will teach you better "spiritual" listening skills
• You will gain discernment to help you know WHAT to say and HOW to say it
• You will overcome "paralyzing fear" of witnessing
• You will grow in trusting the Holy Spirit with the situation and the results

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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 regularly.

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 in their presence. Therefore, think about ways to ask people if there is anything you can pray about for them! Then stop and pray for them.

For example:

• Crisis situations
• Visiting those who are ill or in the hospital (waiting areas)
• Waitresses or waiters
• Prayer room
• Food or clothing bank
• ​Pregnancy Centers
• Anywhere people are coming for physical, emotional or spiritual help
• Consider ways to make this happen with the new people God is sending to your church

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:
Here is something that 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 using 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:

• Outreach to children (most Christians come to Christ before age 17)
• Outreach to the less affluent
• Outreach to those with a need
• Outreach to those seeking answers
• Those who visit your church or activities

​The INTERNET:
THEY COME TO YOU!

Today there are thousand of people EVERY DAY seeking spiritual answers ON THE INTERNET! You can volunteer and talk to them about the Lord.
VOLUNTEER TO:

• Chat
• Email
• Talk by phone
• Disciple or "Coach"

​YOU CAN LITERALLY "SHARE THE GOSPEL" WITHOUT LEAVING YOUR HOUSE; ANYTIME 24/7!

   OPPORTUNITIES:​
   Billy Graham - Search for Jesus        
   www.searchforjesus.net
​ 
   NEED HIM Global       
   www.needhim.org/need-him-global

Check them out. They will get you started... VOLUNTEER TODAY!!


FINALLY, look for something that would seem to be a GOOD FIT FOR YOU:

• ​Pregnancy Center
• Food Bank
• Health Care services
• Sr. Citizens
• Children
• Youth
• Single moms
• Disabled
• Internet 
• Juvenile Detention
• Sewing/clothing services
• Jail or prison
• etc.

Other Practical Steps You Can Take:

1. Pray for those who don't know Christ
2. Pray using scripture relating to sharing your faith
3. Teach others what you're learning about witnessing
4. Fellowship with other Christians who have a passion for sharing the Gospel

Helpful Outreach Ministry Planning Handbook (free): TURN PASSION INTO MISSION