Boldness to share comes from instant obedience to the leading and prompting of the Holy Spirit.
The church is all about "witnessing" to people, but the traditional methods are not really witnessing IMHO.
We are called to be a witness every day, but we share when we are led to by the Holy Spirit.
I really understand what you're saying about the prompting of the Holy Spirit. I have had those kind of moments.
But I also think that there must be a desire, and a thinking ahead of prayer and preparation and having purpose as we engage the world.
For instance if I'm going to study the word, I don't wait around for the Holy Spirit to tell me to go and study the word. If I'm going to pray, I don't wait around for the Holy Spirit to tell me to pray. If I'm going to go to a church service I don't wait around for the Holy Spirit to tell me to go.
I guess what I'm thinking here is that we'll be led by the Spirit as we intentionally get out there in the world with the calling and purpose of sharing Jesus with others.
Because it's part of the great commission, it's something we do in obedience to the Lord and the Holy Spirit will lead and guide us as we move out in faith in obedience.
For example, I'm led by the Spirit when I intentionally study my bible as I pray for illumination. So why not intentionally share Jesus as I walk the mall or as I shop at Walmart or Albertson's, or as I'm at the post office or bank or wherever. Kind of like pray before I leave the house for divine appointments.
After I read the book, I'll probably revisit this thread with more to share.
It might be as something simple as asking someone, Hey, is there something I can pray with you about.
The best place to practice this is in a restaurant with the server. Now, do not just take the prayer request, ask to pray with them right there on the spot. If they refuse so what, a seed was planted.
One of my pastors would do this all the time. Not pray with them, but engage them and ask them questions leading to talking about the Lord.
One of the things the guy on the radio said was to not use a lot of work time. Ask a few questions and then get a phone # if there interested in hearing more. He mentioned about not using the employers time to share the gospel saying it's a bad witness to do that.
Rejection is easily overcome when you come to terms with the simple fact that they are rejecting Jesus and not you.
That said, I really do not call going up to complete strangers and telling them they are going to hell unless they get Jesus has ever been an effective method, nor is is sharing or witnessing, it is being ruled by the flesh. So is handing out tracts to people and forcing them to listen. The Holy Spirit is a gentlemen and will draw people to you to share with. If you violate this, you are sharing in your flesh. Sharing is not about you at all.
Yeah, that's not the type of evangelizing he's talking about. I'll share more when I've heard more. He mentioned asking a question and had 5 of them as examples. He said you'll know after asking them if you can continue to the next stage. He didn't mention handing our tracts.
But if you have one to hand out with your testimony of how you came to Jesus, I don't see anything wrong with that. Because some do it distastefully doesn't mean everyone does. But I do understand that it looks like your peddling Jesus instead of engaging people because you care.
There's a BBQ vehicle parked in a drug store parking lot here and they pass out a piece of paper inviting people to come to know the Lord. There's scriptures on it and they list the trinity separately and tell a little about them. I thought that was a great way of sharing Jesus with others. Then if they have questions and want to know more, they know where to find this couple.
The best way to share the Gospel are at times we hardly think about it. When you are standing in line to get the pizza you ordered to go and it is taking too long. Sharing the world your peace and gentleness in that simple situation tell people something. The fruit of the spirit should be on display at all times. People today are looking for them and will be more inclined to speak to you if you demonstrate the fruit.
I agree, but if it's not something we look for intentionally, we probably miss many opportunities of share the Lord with others. I have had experiences this way. But when I was, it was because I was praying for divine appointments and looking for those opportunities. Kind of like there are times when we are turned off like a switch or we're turned on seeking with our antenna at the ready.
But I also agree that our person, the new creation that walks in faith and exudes the fruit of the Spirit is a draw all in itself. So maybe both ways are what God desires.
My wife and I were waiting to check in at the airline and it was taking a very long time. People were getting upset, using profanity, all sorts of things, because the gate agents were very slow and people were having to run to catch their flights. Once we got to the agent she was very rude. I simply disarmed her with kindness and gentleness and goodness and joy. We got our boarding passes and and a couple walked up to us and said, WOW, we just got off the mission field and it was such a blessing to watch you demonstrate the fruit of the Spirit, we thought most "Christians" back home were hearers only, it is nice see a few doers. They blessed us with getting us a cart ride to our gate, the man's bother worked for the airline and we made our flight.
Thanks, Megiddo for sharing that with me. I love hearing how God works in our lives when we're just being who we are in Him. What a blessing!!!
Likewise the people we boarded the plane with asked us on the whole flight how we kept our cool, to which I said, let me introduce you to the calmest, coolest man on the planet, his name was Jesus and he actually knew how to calm the storms of chaos wee all experienced just now in the check in line and he also............
This is exactly what the radio program was about. You used something he said to engage him in a conversation about our Savior who calms the storms of life. Perfect example!!!
Sharing and being a witness are 2 very different things and the fact is we have taught many the wrong way to share Jesus. If you are a witness, people will know it and see the light and become thirsty for the truth, because of your salt and then the Holy Spirit will led you to share.
Perfect love casts out all fear.
That was also discussed on the program; a caller called in and asked about the old ways of witnessing and how they sounded like a used car salesman, but I was running errands and missed much of the discussion and so I didn't hear his answer.
Genuineness needs to be a part of sharing Jesus with others. If it's not, if we really don't care about the other person it will be evident and we might as well close our mouths. I'm so glad you responded and shared your experiences.