Witnessing

Suggestions to help us bring our loved ones to Christ?

This summer, my family and I are going to be seeing family we don't see very often. Do you have any suggestions to help us bring our loved ones to Christ?

How I rejoice that you asked this question! Imagine what would happen if everyone had this heartfelt desire this summer? What a glorious summer we’d have!

I think witnessing to your family is one of the hardest challenges we face. They’ve seen your ups and your downs. They’ve seen the before and after. “But Jesus beheld them, and said unto them, ‘With men this is impossible; but with God all things are possible.’ ” (Matthew 19:26).

Here are six things I want to challenge you with for your summer vacations with family:

 1. Put yourself in their shoes. Perhaps they know your shortcomings. And perhaps you’ve not lived a changed life around them. Why not start a conversation with, “Will you please forgive me? I’ve given my heart to Jesus Christ and yet I haven’t lived the Christian life as I should have around you.”

2. Love them especially in the small things. Take the trash out. Make up the bed. Pick up their dishes. Run an errand. Give them a little present. Become a servant to them (Matthew 23:11).

3. Tell them how much you appreciate them. Every person has some good qualities. Find them and brag on them (read 1 Peter 2:17).

4. Be willing to suffer if necessary to bring them to Jesus (read 1 Peter 2:21). If you live for Jesus in an ungodly world, you’re going to suffer even when you are thoughtful and considerate of others.

5. Refuse to nag them about Jesus. You don’t leave them to themselves, but instead love them to Jesus (read 1 Peter 2:22-24).

6. Soak your unsaved loved ones in prayer. God will hear your prayers. Pray before you go. Pray while you’re with them. Pray after you leave. Pray continually (1 Thessalonians 5:17).

Now, let me tell you what is going to happen. A crisis is going to come. And they’re going to ask, “What makes you tick? Tell me about the hope that survives a crisis such as this?” Then, you’ll have the divine occasion of heaven to tell them about Jesus the greatest Love worth finding!

 What is appropriate in the workplace in witnessing?

I want my coworkers to become Christians. But, at the same time I want to make sure I don't cross the lines and get myself fired for witnessing when I should be working. Do you have any suggestions?

First, let me say that I’m thankful that you have this desire. Sadly, there are many who could care less. I think if everyone had a desire to see the lost saved at work, in their neighborhood, and elsewhere, that we could turn this world upside down for Jesus!

The Bible says, “Let your light shine.” It doesn’t say, “Make it shine.” It is to glow, not glare. Your coworkers are to see the light, not the candle. So, don’t brag about your walk with Jesus, let the light of His love shine in your actions.

Next, don’t nag. If you’re always thumping the Bible, handing out a tract, or preaching to somebody about an ill-chosen lifestyle, you aren’t going to win anyone to Jesus. Read Colossians 4:5-6. Ask the Lord to salt your speech and season it with His grace.

Third, don’t lag behind in your work. One of the greatest testimonies a Christian can give, it a job well done. It’s a sin for a believer to do less than his best. Read Ephesians 6:5-6 and Colossians 3:23. Don’t check to see if your boss is looking before you work hard.

Finally, don’t sag. Don’t get unhappy in your job. Stay full of joy and work with a thankful spirit. When you bathe yourself in the Lord with a quiet time each morning, you’ll be shining with the light of the Lord on your face while everyone else is bellyaching.

You know, I cannot reach the people you work with unless they come to church or I get to meet them. But, you can! They’re not so much interested in going to heaven or church on Sunday. They just want to hack it on Monday. And you can help them do that with your godly actions and words of encouragement

Basic factors for sharing our faith?

What are some basic factors with which we need to equip ourselves for sharing our faith?

1. An absolute assurance of your own faith. You can’t be an effective witness if you don’t have an assurance of your own salvation.

2. The joy of the Lord. Most people you meet today are not interested in going to heaven or hell, they just want to know how to “hack it” on Monday. They need to see you living in victory. Your joy in the midst of a struggle will be a great entrée to sharing your faith.

3. An understanding of the Gospel message. The Good News isn’t complicated, but very simple. The Gospel is simply glorious and gloriously simple. When presenting the Gospel, there are some tools which may help you: (a) “The Roman Road” which includes passages such as Romans 3:23, 6:23, 5:6-8; (b) Four Spiritual Laws; (c) Evangelism Explosion. The goal is not to have all the answers, but to point them to the One who does.

4. Your testimony. A Christian with a glowing testimony is worth a library full of arguments. The wonderful thing about sharing your own testimony is that you don’t have to know all the answers! Remember the story of the man born blind to whom Jesus gave him his sight? He was asked many questions, to which he responded, “I don’t know.” But there was one thing the scoffers couldn’t refute: “One thing I do know. I was blind but now I see!” (John 9:1-34).