Witnessing!

by Lydia Rule, RTF Staff Writer

A missionary from Africa came to our church and began to tell us about his ministry. His sermon was focused on witnessing to others in our community.

“No big deal, I thought. “Standard sermon. It’s a great topic, but you hear it a lot. Of course, it’s amazing to hear about the people in Africa and about how hungry they are for God’s word…”

Towards the end of his sermon, the missionary stopped and began asking older members in the congregation if they had ever regretted giving their lives to the Lord.

“I don’t regret it,” said one man, his voice unwavering.

Finally, the missionary asked an elderly gentleman who was sitting a few rows ahead of me.

“Are you saved sir?” the missionary asked.

The old man whispered no.

It took me back… I didn’t know the man well, but I knew he came to church frequently. Plus, I figured he had been a Christian for many years. But I was wrong.

In fact, I was dead wrong.

The sermon I labeled as “standard” had taught me a powerful lesson about witnessing: it doesn’t matter who the person is, tell them about Christ! Talk to them! Don’t keep quiet! It doesn’t matter if it’s the elderly lady who has attended church for years or the person behind the register at the checkout line; you need to talk to them about Jesus Christ!

I want to encourage you to step up, and let the world know about what our God has done in your life! Don’t assume that people know about God or that they have been saved. Be a witness who can’t keep quiet about God’s salvation plan!

Witnessing Tips:

1) Pass out tracts! Take them to the mall and give them to cashiers you meet along the way. Wrap the tip for your waiter in a tract! Leave one out in the open for someone to find.

Note from Suzie: I interrupt this great devo from Lydia to share something that many waiters or waitresses have shared with me. A tract means nothing if you leave it and you’ve shown disrespect or rudeness. It isn’t in place of a tip, and your attitude and kindness are the first indication that you’ve got something called real faith. 

2) Be ready to show someone the Gospel Plan. Write the Roman’s Road verses down in your Bible.
-Romans 3:23
-Romans 5:8
-Romans 6:23
-Romans 10:9-13

3) Pray for witnessing opportunities and look for small ways to talk to your friends about your faith!

4) Chick Tracts are really fun to pass out since they are cartoon tracts! You can find them at your local Christian bookstore or online.

5) Talk to your pastor about ways to get involved in your church’s witness/outreach programs.

Bio: Lydia Rule is an avid writer, author, geode collector, ping pong enthusiast, and tennis fan who can’t play the game very well at all (despite her many attempts).J She is also planning on raiding her church’s tract rack. Check out her blog: www.lydiarule.blogspot.com