Witnessing ideas

[light310]

Hey. I've been reading and thinking about ways to witness, and it occurred to me that a witnessing methods thread would be good. Please share any creative ways of witnessing that you have heard of/thought of/done.

I'll start.

1) Leave tracts in the pop/candy machines in public places. That little slot where the pop can or food package falls down into is perfect for leaving someone a little extra surprise.

2) Go into a grocery store and slip tracts down into the beer packs (the boxes with the beer cans inside). At first, this seems a little crazy, but just think about it: who needs to find God more than someone who is looking to drown their sorrows? {Thanks to Mark Cahill, in his book "One Thing You Can't Do In Heaven," for this idea}.

3) When going through some sort of toll-booth (for example, a turnpike), pay for the person behind you. It usually doesn't cost that much, and while it doesn't give them the gospel message, it does show them that they are loved.

[Now You See HIM]

A few more tract-related things that I've done (although I wouldn't consider them to be terribly creative)...

Enclose a tract when mailing in a bill (phone, credit card, etc.) or making an ATM deposit. (I think I actually learned that from Merrill [Watching57] here.)

Put tracts in the "vending machines" for newspapers and other publications--especially the free ones (apartment guides, etc.). I live in a downtown area, so there are plenty of banks of 10 or so (and that just covers those freebies).

[stephanne909]

I also put things in my bills...tracts...I always use christian stickers on my envelopes

I leave tracts at hospital,doctor,dentist offices where the book and magazines are

leave them when you tip at a restaurant(but dont forget to tip)

bumber stickers on your car

drop them off at peoples doors....in your neighborhood

make a list of all friends, neighbors and relatives and send them in the mail to them

tack some up on bulletin boards in grocery stores

[BHiles]

Here's an oldie but a goodie

Go out two by two into the city, highways and hedges knocking on doors talking with people and finding out their spiritual status. Teaching them how they can know for sure that they are going to heaven through the Bible and following up with them in discipleship. If they refuse to hear you shake the dust from your feet for their condemnation is upon them and move to the next city.















Believe it or not the old New Testament way still works. My dad was saved this way in 1960 and hundreds every week are saved and walk the aisle at our church after accepting Christ as saviour in this manner.

[purplelinny]

Good idea for a thread :thumb

Something I have done is... talking to strangers. I know that doesn't sound like a flash plan, but here's what happened one time. I had gone for a drive to 'get some space' and parked up in beauty spot to admire the view (this was in England). A car pulled up next to me and an older guy was obviously doing the same thing. It was a lovely day and we had our windows down and very quickly exchanged hellos. This led to a general chat and him telling me how he was lonely since his wife died some years previous. I was a very new Christian at the time and saw it as an ideal opportunity to tell someone about my new found faith and how much peace and happiness the Lord had given me. He listened and even liked the idea of going to church. I explained this was a way to build some friendships as well as to find the Lord.

I never saw the guy again, don't know if he ever went to church or what happened. But a seed was sown.

A few weeks ago, I saw a biker looking dude profusely witnessing to a young guy in the aisles in Wal-Mart. That made me smile - I'm not that brave!!
--
Lynda

[purplelinny]

Ooh, here's another one - but I haven't done it... You know these beggars that you see at intersections with their cardboard signs that say, "Single mum"... "I just need a little help"... and stuff like that? Well, while I usually have little sympathy for them as I don't always believe they have genuine cases and are probably looking for booze or drug money, I think it is an opportunity to witness.

Yesterday, on the way back from a bible study where it was my groups turn to provide the food, I had some ham and cheese rolls left over that I was bringing home. There is one particular intersection near my village where there is usually always one of these beggars and I had decided that I was going to hand them the left over food and tell them it was "with love in the name of Jesus". It was raining and typically, there was no one there!

In this scenario, I guess you could use tracts as well.
--
Lynda

[Wileyzmuse]

Awesome thread!

I don't give out many tracts, but when I do I'll pray over each one before I leave it somewhere, that the right person will get ahold of it and it will change their life.

I also read my Bible when out at a restaurant, sitting in an airport, on a plane, etc. It is amazing how many people will comment or want to speak about your faith just by seeing you silently reading God's Word. Almost every plane trip where I do this, I get to talk with someone about God.

I pray for strangers as God leads me to. Should do this more often.

Light 310 that is an interesting idea about putting tracts in beer cases...hmmm...now ya got me thinking.

YSIC,
Patricia

[Leah4Jesus]

I was visiting a church a couple of weeks ago and I parked next to this car in the car park. The car was covered in professionally painted on Scripture quotes! Down both sides of the car, the roof, the bonnet, the bumper bar, on the boot lid.... everywhere! That was one way-out awesome car! Imagine pulling up at a set of lights! You'd have so many eyes on you, straining to read what it said. Great way to get people to read God's Word.

[sunshine4jesus]

Neat thread.

The twos thing is really good. You draw strength from each other.

On a single basis, tracts at laundromats. You will almost always see the Awake and Watchtower mags there, so leave the gospel message. The great Deceiver has lots of help with his cloudy versions, so take tips from watching them work.

My Rapture Ready bumper sticker gets read a lot. I do not know how many find this website from it, but I hope lots do.

Carry your Bible. That is one of the best. It is an open invitation to people. I keep tracts stuck in my Bible.

To paraphrase something" Ask 100% of everyone you meet if they know Jesus as their Savior.. Offer 100% of the ones that say no the gospel message. If there is a 1% return on the investment for the glory of God, it is worth it."

I am not that zealous yet. I do talk to people. I am by nature a friendly person. And if I have the opportunity, I witness. Even if only to say that I thank God for a beautiful sunset, etc.


I pray that I will be a better witness .

[light310]

Another idea:

When witnessing to someone, tell a story, draw a picture, or better yet: tell a story and draw a picture to illustrate what you mean.

[Mailman Dan]

Get GOOD tracks.

http://www.thewayofthemaster.com/

http://www.livingwaters.com/

Both have good, funny and true tracks. Some are made for people afraid to talk with someone, like the wallets you just toss on the ground.

I like the million dollar bill tracks. I leave them at ATM cash returns and people pick them up thinking they got someones else's money. They they see on the back where it ask if they've ever stole anything.:pound

Dan~~~>started using them alot

[toadblossom]

I've seen the tracts that Dan mentioned... several kids from our
youth group are using them at the local high school to open doors to witness to their friends. From what they are saying it works.

I also took some time last night to follow the link to thewayofthemaster site off of one of Dan's posts. I listened to the soundly saved audio, it was a very cool presentation of how to witness to someone as Jesus would have done it. I highly recommend listening to it.

Julie <~~~ caught in the act of agreeing with Dan

[Godpleaser]

Speaking of ATM"s...

How about including a small gospel tract or personal testimony (a short one that can be read within 60 seconds) in the same envelope as your deposit.

The bank official that opens it may get a laugh or read it and come to Jesus and imagine the exposure...they may pass it around the office and then the word will be multiplied..

Remember the scripture i cant remember where it is) "Cast your bread upon the waters....", etc.

Keep the ideas coming, who knows, it may break out in revival...Amen.

Godpleaser

[upanddown]

I take the postage paid envelopes from credit card companies and send them back with only a track in them only. This is pretty nice considering it seems that you get at least one of these credit card offers daily in the mail.

To get more of them I have asked people that I work with to bring in just the pre-paid envelopes for me to send out.

[Mailman Dan]

Ha..sorry Julie, you won't make a habbit of it.

I would love for people to put a link to that in their sigs. The more people that hear it, the better. We are giving out the audio lessons in Tulsa this year at the RR table.

It's very powerful. A number of people here started using it. I got to talk to this mormon the other day using the way of the Master. He left his faith in 8 minutes.

The Law must be taught before the gospel, so that the gospel becomes good news. I plan to write a post on it soon.

Christians hold something more important than the cure for cancer, but no one takes a cure without knowing they have the sickness. Using the Law this way will make the Good News, Really, really Good news.

Dan~~~>started giving out tracks at work

[daveleau]

Awesome thread!

Set up a table outside of a busy store (with the owner's/ manager's permission) with some of the youth of your church and hand out bottled water. Attached to the bottle would be an invitation to church and a tract.

[unclaudia90]

Originally posted by daveleau
Awesome thread!

Set up a table outside of a busy store (with the owner's/ manager's permission) with some of the youth of your church and hand out bottled water. Attached to the bottle would be an invitation to church and a tract.

You can make your own labels on the computer by adapting shipping labels with whatever you want on them. Verses. Testimony. No need to get fancy, a nice font and border is eye-catching enough. Slap those directly on the water bottle.

I also make witness/contact cards on my computer. 150 blank business cards cost maybe $4 and you can adapt these with whatever Scripture, graphics and testimony you want.

[Mailman Dan]

I left some tracts at the mall the other day. Some are created so you don't have to talk to anyone, but they will read it, like the fake money tract. I saw some people fighting over who's it was.:pound I left some fake 100 dollar bills with the ten commandments message on the back, and one guy walked up to the other people looking at it and said it was his.





Dan~~~>bumping the thread back up

[faline]

If you have a secular website, put up on "vanity" page, telling a little about yourself...and Jesus.

[daveleau]

:bump :popcorn

[Medic911]

What NOT to do:

My wife was a waitress, and would sometimes excitedly find 'clever' Christians had left her a $20 tip, which would turn out to be a tract. (often with no tip!)

She would literally cry.

Fortunately, she's a Christian, but if she weren't, it would've likely made her despise Christians.

What are people thinking?!

This is cruel and insensitive, and I'm embarrased that a Christian would do it. At the time, she was earning less than $3 an hour, and raising two kids, while I was in college. There was nothing cute about leaving fake money for her as a tip, and whatever message was on the reverse side, would've been impossible to read through the tears.

[Mailman Dan]

Leave one with a real big tip. I'd bet the odds of reading it would go way up.

BTW...they got those wallets back in at the living waters site.


Dan~~~>thinks they have a good selection:nod

[His Sparrow]

When the waitress brings your food, tell her that you are going to pray over the food and ask if there is anything she would like you to pray for her. Leave a nice tip whatever her response.

There are usually a lot of homeless that hang around the university where I work. I usually give them my change and ask if I can pray with them.

Go where the homeless are living...usually in the woods behind grocery stores, Walmarts, etc. Bring food and eat with them. Share your love of the Lord. I've never seen them not grateful, astonished you would eat with them, and they always are accepting of what we have to tell them about the Lord.

[sunshine4jesus]

Start up conversations with people, starting with"I m practicing telling others about Jesus. Will you help me by listening for a minute?"

[blitzkreig]

The leaving of tracts everywhere one goes must be an American cultural thing. You folks all seem to do it... But I just don't get it... I never see it here in Canada except someone must do it in one public restroom in the mall by the barbershop where I get my hair cut.

But I'm not altogether sure that leaving a slip of paper with a note on it by the urinal in the mens lou would befitting of an "ambassador for Christ"...

2Co 5:20
(20) Therefore, we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God were making an appeal through us; we beg you on behalf of Christ, be reconciled to God.

What is there about leaving tracts that you folks would think might convict a person to seek God? No offence intended folks. I just don't see a tract as a particularly powerful medium.

[sunshine4jesus]

It is powerful. Think of it as a directional sign. Any tract I leave has out church's info on it. So if they want more detailed directions, they know where to start.:):

[Crescendo]

Originally posted by blitzkreig
The leaving of tracts everywhere one goes must be an American cultural thing. You folks all seem to do it...

It appears that many here do, Blitz. However, I really don't see that many when I'm out and about and I've never done that myself. I kind of see it the way you do. I suppose we never know what someone might find useful or how God might put it to use. Of course, it certainly appears to be beneficial to the companies that print the tracts ;):

I've heard of waitresses getting jipped by receiving a tract for their work instead of pay. Hairs could be split on that, I suppose, as which has more value but, as its been said, how will she feed kids with the pamphlet?

I do know there are a few large Christian conferences near the town I live in each year. A couple restaurants my wife and I frequent regularly have staff we've gotten to know. They HATE it when those conferences are going on - they say that the Christians are by far the WORST tippers of any meeting through the year. This is not the best impression those people are leaving in their wake. And these are the Christian "leaders"! That always blows my mind when I hear it - and its from multiple sources so...

[Whosoever]

Every time I start to doubt if tracts work, I hear another story from someone who was saved after reading one. Don't forget, God can use anything for His purpose, and tracts can sometimes touch people in a way that talking to them just won't reach. It's also a good opportunity for those who are shy about talking to strangers, allowing them to witness through the tracts and benefit from God's blessing.

Now, obviously I don't agree with leaving a tract instead of a tip; I've always believed a Christian should take care of a person's physical needs first, then say that it was Yeshua who really helped them, thereby opening the lines of communication to tell that person about Him. I can't imagine being remembered as a Christian because I tipped poorly--that can't be a good testimony. :doh

[D'Light]

Medic, that is so sad about the waitress. If a tract is left with a waitress, I feel that even an extra amount of money should be left for her also, just to show you care. As the saying goes that I picked up from a Christian song.....

"I don't care how much you know, if you don't show how much you care."

This phrase really sticks with me in alot of areas of my life as a Christian.


:nod


Alot of people don't understand having Christian bumper stickers. I have a little cowboy/cowgirl kneeling at a cross, on my back window. Now if you do nice gestures or stop and help someone and they can see your bumper sticker, it sends a message to them about what a Christian is.(or suppose to be).

Now if you do not set a good example in public or you have road rage...'do not put a Christian bumper sticker on you car or truck!!'
That will set a bad example for Christians. :laugh

[blitzkreig]

Originally posted by Whosoever
I've always believed a Christian should take care of a person's physical needs first, then say that it was Yeshua who really helped them, thereby opening the lines of communication to tell that person about Him. Now there is a program I can get behind. I agree.

I have never done the door-to-door thing. I don't leave tracts. I don't see them as a bad thing... just not very powerful. I don't suppose there is a person alive in North America today who hasn't heard the Salvation message at least in its most simplified version... "Jesus Saves". So I can't see a slip of paper being much more than iterative. Stating the simple message one more time...

But on the other hand our family makes a concerted effort to being seen as honest, ernest, kind, generous, friendly, forgiving and most importantly consoling and generous to all of our friends, those who's circles we travel through and of course our neighbours... in any of their times of any kind of need... So I hope we are "Ambassadors"...

We invite their kids to camp. We drive their kids to Church programs. Everything and anything to influence the kids,... and ultimately their parents. I know we are making an impact on the kids as we see that first hand. And if God chooses to "move" any of their parents hearts we will be there in any way the Lord gives us strength.

[Gods Trombone]

I feel that it's important to make a personal contact, not just leave tracts. I love the "Evangecube." I bought several of them at a "Flea Market" some time ago, and then ordered more online recently.

Kids particularly are fascinated by these "cubes." If you are not familiar with "Evangecube" see them online at:

www.evangecube.org

I carry one in my pickup truck and even when I am cycling or bicycling. Wonderful conversation starter.

[Mailman Dan]

Of course, it certainly appears to be beneficial to the companies that print the tracts

The ones at livingwaters are 100 for about 3 bucks. I don't think they are making a big profit.

They are intended for those who never get past pride and don't speak with people. I'd rather talk to someone, but tracts are good too.


But do leave a good tip if leaving one on a table..


Dan~~~>soon going to be leaving RR pens again too!

[Jeanne]

Here is a place that I order tracts from, and they are free.

Just click on "Tract List/Order Form," and then click on "English" (or whatever language you prefer) :): Fill out the order Form and click send and you will recieve them in the mail in no time.

Free Tracts (http://www.fellowshiptractleague.org/index.html)

edit to add that you can give a donation to them if you like.

[blitzkreig]

Originally posted by Mailman Dan
The ones at livingwaters are 100 for about 3 bucks. I don't think they are making a big profit. OK so about 3 cents each. Now Mel could have taken his $25 Million and instead of wasting it on a movie could have bought 833 thousand tracts but let's round that up to a billion of them.... cause he likely would have gotten a discount.

Now if he dropped them billion tracts from an airplane while flying over the USA how would that work?

Well there are 3,537,441 square miles of territory in the USA. Now you take them billion tracts and divide it up spreading them tracts all about the USA all fair and square you only get 282 tracts per square mile... and there is the litter problem to boot.

I think Mel made more of an impact globally doing the movie thing...

My point is if you want to make an impact... contribute to a Global Missions fund and so with the cumulative sums of thousands or perhaps even millions of very small contributions there can be projects sponsored which create a much bigger splash... than a 3 cent tract.

[Mailman Dan]

Whoa dude, where do you get that idea? My thoughts were that tracts are a cheap way to witness, not that Mel should have bought tracts over making the Passion.:confused

I'd rather talk to someone, one to one, but most people won't get past their pride to do it. Less than 2% of believers share their faith in any way at all.


Dan~~~>thinks faith does not spread by tract alone

[Ynott]

You know, I like this thread. I just recently bought my first tracts and will take my children with me through our neighborhood to distribute them. I want to teach them how to evangelize....in one way... a way that most folks can do, even if they are shy or retiring.

Is this the only or the best way? I dunno. Some folks are just as shy about hearing the word and this way reaches them. I know this. I've heard this from others.

Some of us talk to folks. I like to go to coffee bars/shops and study my Bible. Many is the time I've been asked, "What are you reading?" which has led to great witnessing and conversation. Remember to listen to them as well.

Movies are wonderful tools that can be "replayed" if you own them. Consider buying Christian movies and donating them to your community libraries, church libraries, shelters (if they have the facilities), etc. I send them to friends at Christmas.

Books are great witnessing tools as well. Todd has a great one out there. You could accomplish two things! Encourage a great writer and buy the books to place again in libraries, churches, shelters, etc.

Message Boards are good. We can encourage one another and be great online witnesses and friends. Don't underestimate the power of this venue.

E-mails and on-line bible studies for families and friends encourages and edifies them. I've done this for my unsaved family, including believers and friends as well. It was wonderful! I thought I'd get slammed, but most were either silent (trashing the mail? could be.) or encouraging. I heard from most in an encouraging or inquisitive way. Seeds were sown.

I've struck up conversations in laundromats (lots of time just waiting for your clothes to wash), standing in line, etc. You never know who you'll meet or the opportunities laid in your path.

Yes! bumper stickers. Yes! T-shirts! (Rapture Ready has BOTH). Yes! soap. Great reminders in your drawers (I use mine as sachets).

Left Behind letters on your computer, in your Bible and in your Will and elsewhere.

Gosh, God can use ALL of these ways and so many more! If God can use even an evil deed to reveal Himself, just think how much more He can use an active participant!

Start small, use every opportunity. But START!

Our time is growing shorter. You never know which medium will reach which person.

Why I had a door to door salesman come to my door. That's popular still here in the U.K. Young people with disabilities earning money sell you things at your front door. I always buy "something" if they will take a bible with them. I ask them in, feed them, talk to them and encourage them. Seeds are planted.

Buy lots of seed in heaven. Plant them here on earth. Water them well with your prayers, your presence, your gifts and your service. Feed them often and weed them well. You will store up your treasure in heaven and bring in a plentiful harvest for our Father.

God bless you all and keep those ideas flowing!

:thumb :thumb :thumb

[Monk]

I buy Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" or sometimes "The Case for Faith" in mass-market packs of 6, which you can get for about $25. I have mailing labels that I printed with:

Complimentary Copy
Free Free Free
Take One

I place one of these labels on the cover of each book and leave them anywhere that I think people will take them. Waiting rooms, MAC machines, cafeterias, the possibilities are endless. I have been totally amazed at how often someone takes the book before I even leave the area where I left it.

[light310]

I buy Lee Strobel's "The Case for Christ" or sometimes "The Case for Faith" in mass-market packs of 6, which you can get for about $25. I have mailing labels that I printed with:

Complimentary Copy
Free Free Free
Take One

I place one of these labels on the cover of each book and leave them anywhere that I think people will take them. Waiting roooms, MAC machines, cafeterias, the possibilities are endless. I have been totally amazed at how often someone takes the book before I even leave the area where I left it.



Excellent idea!

[light310]

I don't leave tracts. I don't see them as a bad thing... just not very powerful.

Don't underestimate what God can do even with a $.03 piece of paper.

One of my friends was not a Christian. He and I have been friends for years, but I could never work up the nerve to speak to him about God.

One day, I handed him a tract and asked him to read it. Later that day, I talked with him about it, and I shared the gospel with him.

He did not turn to Christ that day, but God was speaking to him... and about a week later, he did accept Christ!

Sometimes tracts will lead someone to the Lord. Even if they do not, they can be a way to open the door.

[4Christ@44]

I also leave the Lee Strobel books and the Left Behind books in different places. I carry/read my bible lots of places and it does generate conversation.

My newest thing is this really big, bright pen with "He is Risen" and scripture on it that I whip out to write checks with!!

My 15 year old wears Christian t'shirts to school and is known as "that Christian girl who wears those t'shirts". She is an incredible evangelist... whatever works for you!! We all have different gifts!!

[D'Light]

I agree, do no underestimate the use of anything, that God can use.

Some tracts also help with people that 'think' they are Christian but, may not be.

Some tracts helpt hose that are backslidden Christians.
Some Christians think they do not have to be concerned about those that are already saved, but if they need growth or an uplift, they will become another Christian out there passing tracts or spreading the Gospel.

I bought a book from an estates sale. It was biblical poems. ( a 1939 book) I found a tract stuck in it, it looked to be (by the pictures) about a 40's or early 50's tract. I read it, and it inspired me in an area I really needed uplifted in!

Sometimes it just takes something so small, and the Lord can make it so big! :nod

[Willo]

Last night, our youth had a outing we went Ice Skating, so as the leader of the evangelism team, in our youth group, I got the team together, and we were armed with some chick tracts, (The Execution), we only had a limited number, so we were wondering what impact, these few tracts would have.

The youth pastor, told us that we should probably not do it at a youth outing, as some people may get offended. But he told me, it was my call, as the team leader.

I discussed this with the team, and we decided to go ahead, we only had 45 tracts, but with those 45 tracts we could impact at least 45 people with the Gospel.

So we went about handing out these "Free Comic Books" :D:, Now after awhile, this group of really tough looking teens, came up, it was clearly a gang, these blokes were rough, tatoo;s up and down their arms, on their face etc. My first thought was 'great, I am going to get the living daylights beaten out of me,' But when this group got closer, I could see their leader, who had scars from stab marks on his arm, crying, and the rest of the gang was crying.

They had read the tract, and got convicted of sin, they asked me what it was all about, so I explained it to them, at the end I asked them if they wish to make a decison for Jesus, they all said 'Not yet,' as they needed to think about it.

Just before they left, they asked what church, I went to, I told them and gave them a small church invite card. They told me they would see me tomorrow.

You should have seen the look, on the old folks faces when this rough groups of teens walked into Church:pound

So don't ever under estimate the power of 1 tract, and what it can do.

The things we do, and say, not only affect the people around us now, but the actions, and words we say echo into eternity.

God Bless

Willo

[Ynott]

AMEN! God can use ANYTHING and ANYONE.

Make yourself available and just see what happens.... :D: ;):

[chris_h]

I'm with Dan on this one.

Originally posted by blitzkreig
I don't leave tracts. I don't see them as a bad thing... just not very powerful. From my study Bible, The Evidence Bible...

Mark 4:14 Sowing the seed of the gospel. A student at Jacksonville University in Florida was given a tract. The student crumpled the pamphlet up and tossed it into a trash bin in his dorm. Later, his dorm mate picked it out of the trash, read it, and was soundly saved. He is now a pastor of a church in Florida.

“A Christian I met in a home group said his job was raking litter off the Avon River. It was dull, boring work and he often wondered what life was all about. One day he raked a soggy piece of paper off the water and decided it was interesting enough to keep, so he carefully placed it in his bag and took it home. That evening he dried the paper in front of a heater and carefully unfolded it, then he read it . . . it was a gospel tract. He became a Christian that evening.” Richard Gunther

“Nothing surpasses a tract for sowing the seed of the Good News.” Billy Graham

See next page for ideas on where to distribute tracts. See also 1 Corinthians 9:22 and Revelation 22:2 footnotes. Where to Leave Tracts

At pay phones
In shopping carts
In clothes pockets in stores
In letters to loved ones
With a generous tip
On seats in restaurant lobbies
With fast-food employees, cashiers, flight attendants, cab drivers, and gas station workers
In restrooms
At rest areas
On ATM machines and bank counters
In envelopes with bill payments
In elevators
On hotel dressers for the maid
On ice machines
On newspaper racks
In waiting rooms of doctors’ offices and hospitals
On seats at airports, subways, and bus stations
In plane seat pockets
Inside magazines
In cabs
In laundromats 1 Corinthians 9:22 Gospel tracts—how to use them. If Paul meant “by all means,” he no doubt would have used gospel tracts as a means to reach the lost. A Christian book relates the true story of a diver who saw a piece of paper clutched in the shell of an oyster. The man grabbed it, found that it was a gospel tract and said, “I can’t hold out any longer. His mercy is so great that He has caused His
Word to follow me even to the bottom of the ocean.” God used a tract to save the man.

Why should a Christian use tracts? Simply because God uses them. He used a tract to save the great missionary Hudson Taylor, as well as innumerable others. That fact alone should be enough incentive for a Christian to always use tracts to reach the lost, but there are even more reasons why we should use them. Here are a few:
Tracts can provide an opening for us to share our faith. We can watch people’s reaction as we give them a tract, and see if they are open to listening to spiritual things.
They can do the witnessing for us. If we are too timid to speak to someone about the things of God, we can at least give them a tract, or leave it lying around so that someone will pick it up.
They speak to the individuals when they are ready—they don’t read it until they want to.
They can find their way into people’s homes when we can’t.
They don’t get into arguments; they just state their case.
Dr. Oswald J. Smith said, “The only way to carry out the Great Commission will be by the means of the printed page.” Charles Spurgeon stated, “When preaching and private talk are not
available, you need to have a tract ready . . . Get good striking tracts, or none at all. But a touching gospel tract may be the seed of eternal life. Therefore, do not go out without your tracts.”

If you want people to accept your literature, try to greet them before offering them a tract. If you can get them to respond to a warm “Good morning,” or “How are you doing?” that will almost
always break the ice and they will take it. After the greeting, don’t ask, “Would you like this?” They will probably respond, “What is it?” Instead, say, “Did you get one of these?” That question has a twofold effect. You stir their curiosity and make them ask, “One of what?” That’s when you hand it to them. It also makes them feel as though they are missing out on something. So they are. Revelation 22:2 Charles Spurgeon on Tracts:

“I well remember distributing them in a town in England where tracts had never been distributed before, and going from house to house, and telling in humble language the things of the kingdom of God. I might have done nothing, if I had not been encouraged by finding myself able to do something...[Tracts are] adapted to those persons who have but little power and little ability, but nevertheless, wish to do something for Christ. They have not the tongue of the eloquent, but they may have the hand of the diligent. They cannot stand and preach, but they can stand and distribute here and there these silent preachers . . . They may buy their thousand tracts, and these they can distribute
broadcast.

“I look upon the giving away of a religious tract as only the first step for action not to be compared with many another deed done for Christ; but were it not for the first step we might never reach to the second, but that first attained, we are encouraged to take another, and so at the last . . . There is a real service of Christ in the distribution of the gospel in its printed form, a service the result of which heaven alone shall disclose, and the judgment day alone discover. How many thousands have been carried to heaven instrumentally upon the wings of these tracts, none can
tell.

“I might say, if it were right to quote such a Scripture, ‘The leaves were for the healing of the nations’—verily they are so. Scattered where the whole tree could scarcely be carried, the very leaves have had a medicinal and a healing virtue in them and the real word of truth, the simple statement of a Savior crucified and of a sinner who shall be saved by simply trusting in the Savior, has been greatly blessed, and many thousand souls have been led into the kingdom of heaven by this simple means. Let each one of us, if we have done nothing for Christ, begin to do something Now. The distribution of tracts is the first thing.” Taken from The Evidence Bible, Bridge-Logos

I don't suppose there is a person alive in North America today who hasn't heard the Salvation message at least in its most simplified version... "Jesus Saves". Trust me, you would be very surprised. A Presbyterian friend I have doesn't even know who Billy Graham is, and I thought everyone knew him. What about those that have grown up in surrounded by Jewish, Muslim, JW, Mormon, etc., influences?

[lighthouse]

So Send I You
1. So send I you to labor unrewarded
To serve unpaid, unloved, unsought, unknown
To bear rebuke, to suffer scorn and scoffing
So send I you to toil for Me alone.

2. So send I you to bind the bruised and broken
O'er wand'ring souls to work, to weep, to wake
To bear the burdens of a world a-weary
So send I you to suffer for My sake

3. So send I you to loneliness and longing
With heart a-hung'ring for the loved and known
Forsaking home and kindred, friend and dear one
So send I you to know my love alone

4. So send I you to leave your life's ambition
To die to dear desire, self-will resign
To labor long and love where men revile you
So send I you to lose your life in Mine.

5. So send I you to hearts made hard by hatred
To eyes made blind because they will not see
To spend - tho it be blood - to spend and spare not
So send I you to taste of Calvary

"As the Father hath sent me, so send I you."

E. Margaret Clarkson






~So Send I You


The text of So Send I You, sometimes called the finest missionary hymn of the twentieth century, was written by 22-year-old E. Margaret Clarkson.

Born in Saskatchewan, Margaret Clarkson grew up in Toronto. Jobs were so scarce that she had to spend seven years in the far north of Ontario, first in a lumber camp, then in a gold-mining area, before returning to teach for 31 years in Toronto, retiring in 1973.

In the north, she says, I experienced deep loneliness of every kind—mental, cultural and particularly, spiritual—I found no Bible-teaching church fellowship, and only one or two isolated Christians, in those years.

Studying the Word one night and thinking of the loneliness of my situation, I came to John 20, and the words ‘So send I you.’ Because of a physical disability I could never go to the mission field, and this was where He had sent me. I had written verse all my life, so it was natural for me to express my thoughts in a poem.

Some years later I realized that the poem was really very one-sided; it told only of the sorrows and privations of the missionary call and none of its triumphs. I wrote another song in the same rhythm so that verses could be used interchangeably, setting forth the glory and the hope of the missionary calling. This was published in 1963. Above all I wish to be a biblical writer, and the second hymn is the more biblical one.



++++++++++

So Send I You


(1) So send I you- by grace made strong to triumph

O'er hosts of hell, o'er darkness, death and sin,

My name to bear, and in that name to conquer-

So end I you, my victory to win.



(2) So send I you- to take to souls in bondage

The word of truth that sets the captive free,

To break the bonds of sin, to loos death's fetters-

So send I you, to bring the lost to me.



(3) So send I you- My strength to know in weakness,

My joy in grief, My perfect peace in pain,

To prove My power, My grace, My promised presence-

So send I you, eternal fruit to gain.



(4) So send I you- to bear My cross with patience,

And then one day with joy to lay it down,

To hear My voice, "Well done, My faithful servant-

Come, share My throne, my kingdom and My crown!"

"As the Father hath sent Me, So send I you."


http://www.tanbible.com/tol_sng/sosendiyou.htm


__________________

[Believer]

Great posts all!!! Keep up the work for the kingdom!!!

[LadyArwen]

I have left tracts in library books,usually by leaving them in books people may flip through anyway.

I have used a copy of Left Behind as a tool and have left tracts in ladies restrooms at the movie theater and karaoke club

[Pooch]

Some things I'll remember till I die (and never wanted to):
1. There's always a garage sale around the third corner from my house
2. "If your reading this, your too close"
3. Caution: Men at work
4. Watch for low flying planes
5. Bridge height 12'6"
6. Wet Paint
7. The county fair is August 16-19th

Why will I remembe these? Because I see them all the time, everywhere. Tracts are a simple way to get people accustomed to God's word. People tend to shy away from something unfamiliar to them. By making God's word freely available and at every corner, it gives a person reading them the boldness to question the validity of the statements to those handing them out. Learning by repetition.

I'm kind of glad it's an 'American' thing, and only wish that more countries would do this. It also represents, in a way, America's right to free speech. Some countries, you could be jailed for placing tracts about Jesus. Tracts don't replace witnessing, only supplement it. It is just another way of reaching people, planting seeds.

BTW: Don't forget to hand-write a testimonial of how you became saved, and place it in the drawer of the next hotel your in, along with the Gideon bible thats there.

Pooch

[Joyfull]

Last year, I composed & printed out my own tracts (basing them on a paragraph I had seen in a Billy Graham magazine). Then, I went to one of those huge book stores and put the tracts between the pages of books on witchcraft, astrology, New Age, etc. Then I went into a couple of department stores and slipped some into the pockets of jackets, jeans, skirts, etc. I, too, think it is good to pray over the tracts before distributing them. It's kind of risky (well, ok, very risky), but I have put tracts on the windshields of cars in parking lots. I guess I was lucky I didn't set off someone's burglar alarm!

[LadyArwen]

I have left tracts in vending machines and in restrooms before

[Pooch]

Joyfull,
It's kind of risky (well, ok, very risky), but I have put tracts on the windshields of cars in parking lots. I guess I was lucky I didn't set off someone's burglar alarm!
This has nothing to do with the thread, but I had to comment on this. It made me laugh. Why? We have a truck and a car, both with security alarms. I have (while alarms activated) loaded up the truck, slammed the back door closed, worked under the hood, filled up the trunk of the car with groceries, you name it..and have never set off the alarms. Come to think of it, maybe they ripped me off? hehe..sorry..I was just thinking about why my alarm didn't go off the other day loading up bales of straw in the back of the truck.
The only time I hear my alarm is when I accidently hit the 'panic' button.

In other words, go for it, I don't think you'll set any alarms off from the wiper movement.
:B:
Pooch