How do you witness?

[Angel]

This may sound simple, but one of the ways I witness is just by smiling at someone. It also gives me pleasure to meet the needs of others, like buying lunch for someone who's homeless. I have been homeless, and I basically lived off of panhandling. I ate like.. a candy bar a day. Honestly, I pray to God to give me great wealth just so that I can help others more. Whether he does or doesn't, I will still help when I can and I can pray anytime.

So, I am curious, how do you witness to others? This is not a contest so don't feel bad if you don't do as much as "others".

Maybe we can put our minds together and come up with ways we can witness in our day to day lives? In other words, "modern" ways to witness!

 

[stovebolts]

Angel,
Its good to see such a servants heart!

We all have a story how God has worked in our lives or how he's worked in the lives of others. I mostly witness by finding opportunities to tell a relevant story based on whatever somebody is talking to me about.

 

[Ryan]

The last two days I simply asked my clients if they believed in God. The fellow who just left my office began with a discussion about the loss of the bees in the world and I brought up Amos 8:11 http://www.christianforums.net/Fellowship/index.php?threads/bee-movie.48858/

Lead to an interesting discussion of the Feast days of the Lord, and the coming blood moons. As well various other scriptures about the signs of the times.

Yesterday, another client said he was getting into his native spirituality. I asked him if he believed in God, which he said yes, then asked if I did, so shared with him about Jesus and what he has done in my life and what he can do in his life, and in about 20 minutes he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour!!! Praise Adonai!

Witnessing can take many different avenues and directions, but the end point is always about Jesus.

 

[farouk]

This may sound simple, but one of the ways I witness is just by smiling at someone. It also gives me pleasure to meet the needs of others, like buying lunch for someone who's homeless. I have been homeless, and I basically lived off of panhandling. I ate like.. a candy bar a day. Honestly, I pray to God to give me great wealth just so that I can help others more. Whether he does or doesn't, I will still help when I can and I can pray anytime.

So, I am curious, how do you witness to others? This is not a contest so don't feel bad if you don't do as much as "others".

Maybe we can put our minds together and come up with ways we can witness in our day to day lives? In other words, "modern" ways to witness!

Angel:

I've mentioned on other threads that a faith based tattoo can be an effective means. The wearer does not have to say anything at first, and it's often the enquirer that speaks first, and gives a good opportunity to give 'a reason for the hope that is within you'.

(This doesn't need to become a tattoo thread.)

I think also if the person has it in his or her heart, then witness will come bubbling out eventually in one form or another.

Blessings.

 

[Angel]

I mostly witness by finding opportunities to tell a relevant story based on whatever somebody is talking to me about.

What do you mean by relevant story?

 

[Angel]

That is AWESOME Ryan!!!

 

[Angel]

Farouk,

I have a faith based tattoo that people ask to read all the time. I don't want to share (here) what it is for privacy reasons. I noticed that my generation has more people with tattoo's then my parents generation.

 

[farouk]

Farouk,

I have a faith based tattoo that people ask to read all the time. I don't want to share (here) what it is for privacy reasons. I noticed that my generation has more people with tattoo's then my parents generation.

Hi Angel:

Yes, what you say kind of proves the point that they are very effective in bringing about witness conversations. Maybe it was this consideration that partly motivated your original willingness to go to the parlor in order to be made into a person that bears this kind of needled ink testimony design.

Yes, indeed, you are right; a very large proportion of younger people do it. It could be fairly said that Christians may have added good reasons for wanting to participate in such way that is effective in witness conversations.

(If this makes sense?)

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

...
Maybe we can put our minds together and come up with ways we can witness in our day to day lives? In other words, "modern" ways to witness!

Angel: PS: Yes, I agree that there can be found modern and culturally appropriate ways of bearing testimony. As long as the truth content of what is being testified is faithful to God's Word.

Blessings.

 

[Christ_empowered]

I'm a Baby Christian, and I'm not really good about witnessing, lol. I've told a few closer friends about what Jesus has done for me, and they were nice enough, although it was still a friendlier version of the cold shoulder, really.

 

[Claudya]

When it comes to witnessing I'm really struggling with shyness. Most people here are agnostic or atheistic. They are fine with whatever you believe as long as you're not an extremist, and as long as you leave them alone. "Imposing" your religion on others is considered impolite, and religion is a strictly personal and private matter. It's easier to talk to a stranger about their sex life than about their faith life.

On the other hand our churches aren't really very inviting. The catholics are neck deep in their child abuse and money spending scandals. The protestant church in average is empty like a desert, but twice as dull and three times as dead. We are being persecuted here, and our persecutors are boredom and indifference from within.
Can't really blame people for not being interested in faith if the ones that officially represent that faith are untrustworthy or unappealing.

But for shy people like myself may be more "indirect" ways of witnessing to people. For example by just extending love and paying attention to people, listening to their stories and helping them when they are in need. That's not as bold as the stuff Ryan did, but it's still a huge challenge. If we can manage to be selfless, kind and loving people we will automatically be seen as standing appart from the world. From that point it may be an easier way letting people know that it's actually God who loves them and cares for them and we are only the instruments that implement His kindness.

 

[Angel]

I'm a Baby Christian, and I'm not really good about witnessing, lol. I've told a few closer friends about what Jesus has done for me, and they were nice enough, although it was still a friendlier version of the cold shoulder, really.

Good for you! Sometimes others don't appreciate our witness, but when you tell them your testimony it plants a seed in their hearts.

 

[Angel]

If we can manage to be selfless, kind and loving people we will automatically be seen as standing appart from the world. From that point it may be an easier way letting people know that it's actually God who loves them and cares for them and we are only the instruments that implement His kindness.

Amen!

 

[farouk]

Good for you! Sometimes others don't appreciate our witness, but when you tell them your testimony it plants a seed in their hearts.

Angel: Yes, and the seed of a word of testimony, appropriated presented in the Lord's prefect time, can later be taken up by the Spirit of God and used maybe as a link in a chain to the person's blessing, if they later exercise saving faith in the Lord Jesus.

Blessings.

 

[farouk]

...Maybe we can put our minds together and come up with ways we can witness in our day to day lives? In other words, "modern" ways to witness!

Angel: Well at any rate it sounds like you have already found a nice, modern, relevant way (among others): under the ink needle!

Though a nice smile, and a word of encouragement and challenge from the Bible about the Lord is timeless.

Blessings.

 

[Sparkey]

Good for you! Sometimes others don't appreciate our witness, but when you tell them your testimony it plants a seed in their hearts.

That "cold shoulder" is something that every Christian experiences. Jesus shows us a "take no hostages" style but few of us can life up to His (yet). What did Jesus mean when he told us to "hate our mother and father" in Luke 14:26 ? Jesus was about to teach us something. So he began the teaching with something called a hook, something that is difficult to understand at first pass. Since Jesus is rightly called "rabbi" (meaning 'teacher') he clarifies the statement, "If anyone comes to me and does not hate his father and mother, his wife and children, his brothers and sisters—yes, even his own life—he cannot be my disciple."

Even the Bible tells us that no man hates himself and that every man loves himself. So what does He mean?
1 Peter 4:8 “Above all, keep loving one another earnestly, since love covers a multitude of sins.”

Jesus, the Master Teacher, started with something difficult to understand at first pass. Then he clarified with a metaphor, "And whosoever doth not bear his cross and come after Me cannot be My disciple."

We are to "hate" ourselves and bear our own cross. Bear the instrument that will cause us to die to sin. Cause us to join into His suffering and His sacrifice. Why? So we can be more like our Father. The whole purpose is restoration. And when somebody gives the 'cold shoulder' we may rejoice because we are immediately identified with that man of Suffering who stood alone as every person he was about to die for --shunned him.

Let us Trust and continue to exercise our God-Trust. He knows where we are going and knows exactly how to get us there.

Luke 6:40
The student is not above the teacher, but everyone who is fully trained will be like their teacher.

John 15:20
Remember what I told you: 'A servant is not greater than his master.' If they persecuted me, they will persecute you also. If they obeyed my teaching, they will obey yours also.

John 13:15
I have set you an example that you should do as I have done for you.
​

Matthew 12:46-50
New International Version (NIV)

Jesus’ Mother and Brothers
While Jesus was still talking to the crowd, his mother and brothers stood outside, wanting to speak to him. Someone told him, “Your mother and brothers are standing outside, wanting to speak to you.”

He replied to him, “Who is my mother, and who are my brothers?” Pointing to his disciples, he said, “Here are my mother and my brothers. For whoever does the will of my Father in heaven is my brother and sister and mother.”

 

[stovebolts]

When it comes to witnessing I'm really struggling with shyness. Most people here are agnostic or atheistic. They are fine with whatever you believe as long as you're not an extremist, and as long as you leave them alone. "Imposing" your religion on others is considered impolite, and religion is a strictly personal and private matter. It's easier to talk to a stranger about their sex life than about their faith life.

On the other hand our churches aren't really very inviting. The catholics are neck deep in their child abuse and money spending scandals. The protestant church in average is empty like a desert, but twice as dull and three times as dead. We are being persecuted here, and our persecutors are boredom and indifference from within.
Can't really blame people for not being interested in faith if the ones that officially represent that faith are untrustworthy or unappealing.

But for shy people like myself may be more "indirect" ways of witnessing to people. For example by just extending love and paying attention to people, listening to their stories and helping them when they are in need. That's not as bold as the stuff Ryan did, but it's still a huge challenge. If we can manage to be selfless, kind and loving people we will automatically be seen as standing appart from the world. From that point it may be an easier way letting people know that it's actually God who loves them and cares for them and we are only the instruments that implement His kindness.

I understand that all too well. It's tough.

I spent my weekend with 13 other fellow's from our small church and we went to a conference in Louisville Ky at a mega church with over 20,000 members. http://www.southeastchristian.org/
Needless to say, it was all on creating disciples. I learned so much this weekend it's just exciting!

I generally don't promote much, but I think this is worth promoting.
http://www.walkingasjesus.com/WalkingAsJesus_Preview.pdf

That's the first chapter of a book I bought, but I've got like 6 hours behind this guy in lectures while he taught. It's absolutely amazing and he models his approach directly on the life of Jesus. He's a super nice, real person and it was fun listening to his stories as he teaches us how Jesus did it. I'd recommend his material!

Here is one of his sites where you can watch him on video.
http://www.walkingasjesus.com

I hope you and everyone enjoys this!

 

[farouk]

This may sound simple, but one of the ways I witness is just by smiling at someone. ...

Angel: PS: There is a lot to be said about the positive attitude behind a nice smile!

If someone's confidence is gained, then they may be more open to the truth of Scripture.

Blessings.

 

[Deborah13]

The last two days I simply asked my clients if they believed in God. The fellow who just left my office began with a discussion about the loss of the bees in the world and I brought up Amos 8:11 http://www.christianforums.net/Fellowship/index.php?threads/bee-movie.48858/

Lead to an interesting discussion of the Feast days of the Lord, and the coming blood moons. As well various other scriptures about the signs of the times.

Yesterday, another client said he was getting into his native spirituality. I asked him if he believed in God, which he said yes, then asked if I did, so shared with him about Jesus and what he has done in my life and what he can do in his life, and in about 20 minutes he accepted Jesus Christ as his Lord and Saviour!!! Praise Adonai!

Witnessing can take many different avenues and directions, but the end point is always about Jesus.

Praise the Lord and the angels sing.

 

[Deborah13]

I'm a Baby Christian, and I'm not really good about witnessing, lol. I've told a few closer friends about what Jesus has done for me, and they were nice enough, although it was still a friendlier version of the cold shoulder, really.

Don't give up, sometimes baby Christians are the best witnesses. They are excited and radiate that newness of faith that is very appealing. Young folks are wonderful witnesses.

My only suggestion is that you say a quick prayer, (Jesus help!). He'll give you the words to say. The danger of being young and zealous is in going off on our own and getting shot down and then becoming discourage.
Tell the Lord your desire to be a witness, when you are ready I think He will be pleased to satisfy that hunger.
Blessings