Pointers For The Witnessing Church - Part 3

HAPPY NEW YEAR!

As a witnessing church, we are called to proclaim the good news EVEN IN THE YEAR 2009. We will face opposition as we go forward this new year to witness for Christ, but we must continue to work for Him.

“Go to your neighbors one by one, and come close to them till their hearts are warmed by your unselfish interest and love. Sympathize with them, pray with them, watch for opportunities to do them good, and as you can, gather a few together and open the Word of God to their darkened minds.” RH 3/13/1888

HOW TO DEAL WITH VARIOUS PROBLEMS

1. The gospel is God's power unto salvation. Make that gospel message clear.
1 Cor. 15:3,4; Rom. 1:16

2. Show that salvation is God's planning and not our own.
1 Pet. 1:10,11,18,19; Eph. 1:4

3. Stress the necessity for a personal acceptance of Christ.
John 1:12; 3:16-18; 3:36; l John 5:11,12

4. Show that salvation cannot be merited.
Eph. 2:8,9; Is. 64:6; Tit. 3:5

The law cannot save.
Gal. 2:21; 3:21

The grace of God saves through faith.
Rom. 3:24; 5:1

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Pointers For The Witnessing Church - Part 2

“If you are in communion with Christ, you will place His estimate upon every human being. You will feel for others the same deep love that Christ has felt for you. Then you will be able to win, not drive, to attract, not repulse, those for whom He died. None would ever have been brought back to God if Christ had not made a personal effort for them; and it is by this personal work that we can rescue souls.” Christ Object Lessons pg 197

HINDERANCES TO THE WITNESSING CHURCH

1. Fear of Man
Gal. 2:10-16

2. Backsliding
Ps. 51

3. Self-centeredness
Phil. 2:4

WHY SHOULD THE WITNESSING CHURCH BE SOUL WINNERS?

1. We have been put in trust with the gospel
1 Thess. 2:4

2. We have a personal commission from God
Matt. 28:18-20


WITH WHOM ATTEMPT PERSONAL WORK


1. The Lost
Matt. 28:19
Jas. 5:20

2. The needy Chrisitan
Gal. 6:1,2

WHEN ATTEMPT PERSONAL WORK?

“The Lord desires that His word of grace shall be brought home to every soul. To a great degree this must be accomplished by personal labor. This was Christ's method. His work was largely made up of personal interviews. He had a faithful regard for the one-soul audience. Through that one soul the message was often extended to thousands. We are not to wait for souls to come to us; we must seek them out where they are. When the word has been preached in the pulpit, the work has but just begun. There are multitudes who will never be reached by the gospel unless it is carried to them.” Christ Object Lessons pg 229

In season and out of season. A member should be ready always with a testimony.

II Tim. 4:2; Eccl. 11:6; Acts 1:8

WHERE ATTEMPT PERSONAL WORK?



1. In public evaangelism
Acts 20:20

2. In personal contact
John 4:4,7

3. In house-to-house visitation
Acts 5:42; 20:20

“In large cities there are certain classes that cannot be reached by public meetings. These must be searched out as the shepherd searches for his lost sheep. Diligent, personal effort must be put forth in their behalf. When personal work is neglected, many precious opportunities are lost, which, were they improved, would advance the work decidedly.” Christian Service pg 113

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

How To Find Interest

In my years of training churches members and pastors alike always ask me where can we find these people we can witness to.

According to some studies, 75-90% of people have joined the church because of friends or relatives. This indicates that friends, families and neighbors is still valid. For example Matthew. As he walked along, he saw Levi son of Alphaeus sitting at the tax collector’s booth.‘Follow me,’ Jesus told him, and Levi got up and followed him.

While Jesus was having dinner at Levi’s house, many tax collectors and sinners were eating with him and his disciples, for there were many who followed him (Mark 2:14,15).

You will find also in Welfare Ministry, p.60 - “This was the way the Christian church was established. Christ first selected a few persons and bade them follow Him. They then went in search of their relatives and acquaintances, and brought them to Christ. This is the way we are to labor. A few souls brought out and fully es- tablished on the truth will, like the first disciples, be laborers for others”

Although this list is not exhaustive, I pray that this list will stimulate you to want to go out and reach your friends, family members, co-workers even strangers for Christ. If I can be of any assistance or you would like to share some insights on what is working in your area of the world, please let me know.

HOW TO FIND INTEREST

1. List visitor families from Vacation Bible School records.
2. Conduct an inside census.
3. Locate newcomers by calling all new listings in phone directory.
4. Update a former community survey.
5. Ask youth to survey blocks in which they live.
6. Subscribe to newcomer service for information on prospects.
7. Locate homebound by publishing lists and asking for update.
8. Use telephone directory to survey and entire telephone exchange.
9. Subscribe to local Legal News for information on new homeowners.
10. Canvass university dormitories for souls.
11. Survey apartments adjacent to campus for student prospects.
12. Check college admissions office for church preferences of students.
13. Confer with student housing office for names of students.
14. Check with workers at day care centers near colleges.
15. Confer with workers providing nurseries near colleges.
16. Confer with workers at college infirmaries.
17. Confer with workers at kindergartens provided near colleges.
18. Request information on prospects of mobile home park managers.
19. Request religious affiliation of students from college registrars.
20. Call college placement offices for newly employed.
21. Enlist the help of school guidance counselors.
22. Ask shift workers to identify colleagues who are prospects.
23. Gather information on those who work in hospitals.
24. Survey membership for those who are hotel and motel employees.
25. List church members who left the church.
26. Ask members to provide names of colleagues with whom they work.
27. Contact international clubs for information on foreign students.
28. Talk to labor unions for information on migrant workers.
29. Confer with military base chaplains for families.
30. Inquire of seamen’s service for information on internationals.
31. Secure cooperation of associational office on any prospects.
32. Use the door-to-door survey to locate people.
33. Request business people to identify associates who are interested.
34. Request church members to identify neighbors that don’t go to church.
35. Identify unenrolled parents of children enrolled in Sabbath School.
36. Find parents from day care centers enrolments.
37. Identify parents of children enrolled in church day schools.
38. Identify parents of children enrolled in church kindergarten.
39. Request mail response from radio audience.
40. Contact moving companies for newcomers.

“Present the gospel in its simplicity. Follow Christ’s example, and you will have the reward of seeing your students won to Him.”—Counsels to Teachers, p. 255

“Thousands of hearts can be reached in the most simple way. The most intellectual, those who are looked upon and praised as the world’s great and gifted men and women, are often refreshed by the most humble, simple words spoken by one who loves God, who can speak of that love as naturally as worldlings can speak of those things which their minds contemplate and feed upon. Words, even if well prepared and studied, have little influence, but the true, honest work of a son or a daughter of God in words, or in a service of little things, done in natural simplicity, will unbolt the door, which has long been locked, to many souls.”—Evangelism, p. 443

“Even the great men are more easily drawn by the simplicity of the gospel than by any effort made in human power.”—Evangelism, p. 443

“What you need is a living experience in the things of God and simplicity in presenting the love of Christ to the lost.”—Sons and Daughters of God, p. 266

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .

Guidelines for Team and Prayer Partner

1. Time: Be prompt! Must be on time for Bible study appointments. If crisis and you're going to be late, call if at all possible and explain. This is only being courteous and respectful. Remember our goal is to win their trust and confidence.

2. Social Time: At the beginning of the Bible Study there should be a short period of time to share and get to know each other better. (Approximately 5-10 min.) you the prayer partner may enter into this conversation.

3. Prayer Partner during Study Time: Once the Bible Study has started, you are to be only a prayer partner.

You MUST NOT enter into the conversation! You are greatly needed to pray for the Bible Presenter and for the Student.

Bring a simple Bible study, bring activity or coloring books, if children are in the home, tell them a story, etc to keep them busy so they don’t interrupt the study.

WARNING: YOU MUST NOT enter into Bible study with minor in the home without first seeking permission from the parent(s) and more importantly NEVER be in a separate room with a minor.

Things to Pray for:

For the Holy Spirit to speak through the speaker. To present just what the student needs.

For the Holy Spirit to open their understanding that they might comprehend the Scriptures. Luke 24:45

That they may learn to know God and Jesus Christ for this is eternal life. John 17:3

Help them to see what manner of love the Father has bestowed on us, that we should be called children of God. 1 John 3:1

Bind Satan and any distractions: such as phone calls, visitors, family interruptions, or dog barking.

4. Close with Prayer: Best to leave very quickly, leaving the student with the thought of the study. You can give words of farewell but don't engage in other conversation.

If you have any questions or want to make a comment please jot me a line and to help support our non-profit ministry, purchase a copy of my book from Amazon.com here you will find more resources for witnessing or visit our website at www.witnessingchurch.com .