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notdrinkingthekoolaid · 04-26-2012, 06:47 PM

(04-26-2012 04:07 PM)Mominator Wrote: I don't door knock either b/c it's not safe where I live and I don't feel it's right to neglect my kids and go spread the Gospel. I saw so many IFB kids neglected while their parent's where serving/going to church. They feel like being busy for God makes them more spiritual.

I was that kid. You don't get bonus points for being so "busy for Jesus" that you fail to watch out for the kids He's given you.

Sorry for the hijack...return to your thread!

04-26-2012, 07:57 PM

(04-26-2012 09:06 AM)beensetfree Wrote: I don't believe in compulsory evangelism(like Saturday Soulwinning) for every believer and yet when it's appropriate I do want to provide a biblically accurate explanation for Hoping in Jesus.

My prayer lately has been for the LORD to create those moments if that's what I need to do. I'm not ever going to shoehorn the Gospel into conversation. When I've done it before it always felt so contrived. I'm talking about discussing Jesus with family members and people I've known a long time. It's happened quite a lot since last year and without my prompting, it's almost surprising.

But anyway, several years ago as I began to understand Scripture better I realized the woefully inaccurate answers I wanted to avoid to "Why do you believe this to be true?" or "What does being a Christian mean?"
Mainly being, "Because Jesus lives in my heart and I believe."
or "I had an experience and was born again"
or "I used to be really bad but now I'm so much better."

None of those expose any biblical truth about Jesus and only point to me. Nor do I think those things save anyone and are bad representations.
Also, I'm running into more people who have a bad view of what Christianity is about BECAUSE they've heard these things. Like it's based on subjective truth or moralism not OBJECTIVE truth.

I've met several people who know enough biblical background that it's actually allowed discussion about the meta narrative. They grew up with Sunday School Jesus and moralism but didn't know what the Bible is all about. One friend was a nanny for some Jews in NY and wanted to know how Judaism related to Christianity.

Obviously the situations vary on how much you can say; I realize faith is a gift from God. I'm not talking about Amway techniques but how do you lift up the Gospel while avoiding equating your personal testimony with it. Obviously if someone's known you a long time and sees a dramatic change in character that's going to speak for itself, you won't even have to make it a point of discussion. Outside of what people know about you the private details about personal life change aren't very compelling.

Anyway, when you get opportunities to share the faith what do you say?

I was schooled in the "Roman's Road" philosophy shortly after I came to know the grace of God. And in Fundyville, the method that was prominent was to find someone among family, friends or neighbors who I could ask the proverbial "If you died tonight, are you 100% sure you would go to heaven?"

And I followed that course. It was portrayed as the only real way of witnessing. If you didn't present the 4 spiritual laws, or lead someone through the entire Roman's Road, it was not complete. So that was all that I tried to do. And it was VERY CONTRIVED!

I saw very little in the way of "success," according to their model. So, for years, I questioned it and tried different things. Different methods like the Master's Way, Discipleship 101, Friendship evangelism, etc.

When I finally left fundyville, I did this, read the New Testament looking for how often it spoke of someone doing personal evangelism in that way as opposed to how much it spoke to developing the Fruit of the Spirit and genuine Christian character. For example, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:5-17, Ephesians 4:21-32, James 1,2,3 and many more. My point is that much of the New Testament is concerned with us seeking to know Christ and letting him change us. Then what Peter said will probably happen much more often.

1 Peter 3:13-15
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

For example, lets say you really believed 1 Tim 6:9-10 and you made a personal decision to never ever take a job based solely on money. Then you interview for a position in your company that pays double your current pay. And you and your significant other pray and all the indicators seem to say no. So you turn it down. And everyone around you at work looks at you and say "Are you crazy?" which is 1 Peter 3:13-15 in modern language.

Ricardo · 04-26-2012, 10:39 PM

(04-26-2012 05:07 PM)Darrell Wrote: I don't have to try to go out of my way to witness to people. I just live my life and I find that strangely enough people ask me about Christianity all the time.

I've had more meaningful conversations and chances to share my beliefs since I quit making a big deal out of it than I ever did when cold calling and knocking on doors.

YMMV.

Other than not knowing what "YMMV" stands for, my experience has been the same.

Because of my own problems with Scripture and the fact that I'm actively visiting all kinds of churches these days, I've developed a pretty generic way of describing my Faith: "I've tried living life on my own, and have found that living with God on my side works better for me."

I am truly humbled at how trying to live ones life loving God and loving our neighbors generates so many requests for more information.

Lady Julian · 04-26-2012, 11:49 PM

Wow, good question.

Right now my employer is a Christian college. So I spend my days around a bunch of believers, or at least people who believe that they believe. For me, this means that I don't have loads of opportunities to share my faith with someone who is unfamiliar with it; instead, I make an effort to share the grace and mercy of God with students who are used to legalism. I am the "safe spot" for students to come share frustrations or concerns which do not necessarily fit inside a conservative box, and I try to remind my students that expressing emotions is healthy and biblical. My Literature students just finished reading a novel that underscored the dangers of religion without love. I encourage students to see the value, as Christians, of concerning themselves with issues of social justice, such as racial privilege or feminism.

This way of sharing my faith is important to me because, though I grew up in a Christian home, I did not truly understand the freedom in Christ until the last few years. It has been a beautiful experience to realize that there are no more laws, that there is only love for Christ and love for other people. I want to pass that on to other believers.

Eventually I'd like to move to a more secularized circle, as I think it's healthier in the long run. When I do that, I will have no idea how to share my faith. I am much better at a sort of "don't-ask-don't-tell" policy in secular situations. I am uncomfortable with sharing my faith with unbelievers, because I just cringe when other Christians decide that witnessing to someone is a better idea than respecting a thought-out belief or simply caring for someone's needs.

**beensetfree** · (This post was last modified: 04-27-2012 04:18 AM by beensetfree.)

(04-26-2012 07:57 PM)Bob M Wrote: When I finally left fundyville, I did this, read the New Testament looking for how often it spoke of someone doing personal evangelism in that way as opposed to how much it spoke to developing the Fruit of the Spirit and genuine Christian character. For example, Galatians 5:22-23, Colossians 3:5-17, Ephesians 4:21-32, James 1,2,3 and many more. My point is that much of the New Testament is concerned with us seeking to know Christ and letting him change us. Then what Peter said will probably happen much more often.

1 Peter 3:13-15
Now who is there to harm you if you are zealous for what is good? But even if you should suffer for righteousness' sake, you will be blessed. Have no fear of them, nor be troubled, but in your hearts honor Christ the Lord as holy, always being prepared to make a defense to anyone who asks you for a reason for the hope that is in you; yet do it with gentleness and respect

For example, lets say you really believed 1 Tim 6:9-10 and you made a personal decision to never ever take a job based solely on money. Then you interview for a position in your company that pays double your current pay. And you and your significant other pray and all the indicators seem to say no. So you turn it down. And everyone around you at work looks at you and say "Are you crazy?" which is 1 Peter 3:13-15 in modern language.

Enjoyed your entire response Bob M.

I began rethinking "witnessing" out of guilt and condemnation. In many Christian circles, not just fundy, there is a doctrine about personal evangelism. To them it's combining the Great Commission and I Peter 3:15 and making you feel guilty for not doing it often enough and with results.

I've heard it said that a fruitful Christian is "reproducing" good fruit in others by sharing the Gospel and discipleship. (Sermon downloaded last week). I read a similar idea in an IFB devotional for women that my friend gave me.
"When there is no fruit it's a sign that something is missing; something is wrong. I long for evidence of spiritual health in my life, and God does too. The most obvious way in which we bear fruit is to reproduce spiritual life through winning other souls to Christ and the question we should ask ourselves is, "When last did I bloom?" But soul winning isn't the only way to bear fruit, as Galations 5:22 reminds us..."

Where exactly is that taught in Scripture?
That causes guilt if those opportunities don't happen often for you. As a mom the only real time I have is to disciple my daughter, is that enough bloom right now?

I emigrated to a new country and am learning Spanish. I was really excited that a local friend offered to practice my homework with me. I told a woman at church and she said,"Sounds like God's giving you some real witnessing opportunities." She didn't say congrats on the class or anything, just that. Also, what a tall order on top of my stress; it made me sad. This woman meant well I think but she had to emphasize her bottom line. Of course she's here to evangelize and doesn't really make friends outside of that context so maybe that's why?

I started wondering what all this looked like in Scripture.
When Paul was giving his "testimony" it was in a very specific context and to prove his Apostleship. He always sought to preach Christ crucified and risen, not himself. His life bore witness to his beliefs.
When I began reading Scripture I didn't see it at all spelled out they way they were teaching it, I saw what you did and realized my error.

That's why I began to pray for the LORD to make opportunities. I still have much to learn and unlearn from years of church. I'm not looking for a way to somehow shift conversations to Jesus. I'm just living in light of the Gospel and those opportunities now come more naturally or as Darrell put it:

(04-26-2012 05:07 PM)Darrell Wrote: I don't have to try to go out of my way to witness to people. I just live my life and I find that strangely enough people ask me about Christianity all the time.

**laurat99** · 04-27-2012, 05:29 AM

YMMV: Your milage may vary

Thanks, Google!

bean · 04-27-2012, 06:50 AM

Here's a quote, forgive me if it was posted earlier.
"Witness often. Use words if necessary."

Gandhi also spoke to this. Our words and writings do nothing, essentially. People want to see it lived authentically! Can't remember the quote. I'd google it but breakfast is calling Smile

**beensetfree** · (This post was last modified: 04-27-2012 07:46 AM by beensetfree.)

(04-27-2012 06:50 AM)bean Wrote: Here's a quote, forgive me if it was posted earlier.
"Witness often. Use words if necessary."

Gandhi also spoke to this. Our words and writings do nothing, essentially. People want to see it lived authentically! Can't remember the quote. I'd google it but breakfast is calling

St. Francis of Assisi: "Preach the Gospel at all times and when necessary use words."

I'd say at some point words will become necessary but it's getting to the heart of things.

elizabethn · 04-27-2012, 05:12 PM

I am reminded of the saying attributed to Francis of Assisi, "Preach the Gospel at all times; when necessary, use words."

Many people find themselves polarized by that sentence. On one side we have the folks who insist that without words there is no Gospel, and on the other hand we have the people who insist that without works there is no Gospel.

I don't think that's what this sentence means, though. I believe--but incredibly seldom live up to the idea--that if I am genuinely walking in the love of God and living it out, then the Holy Spirit will be seen in me and the opportunities for "using words" will come.

Then comes the question of which words to use! I have a serious antipathy for the four spiritual laws or the romans road approach, preferring instead to purposely use as little "Christianese" as possible when talking about coming into a relationship with God.