Witnessing Survey: Help Please!

[psykon99]

Okay, Mods, I know there's a poll forum, but I really need this in a high traffic area. Leniency please?

Okay. This October I will be preaching again. This time I will be preaching on witnessing. In order to prepare, I need to do an informal survey and I would like your participation please. :)

Please note, this is not a debate thread. Thanks.

Okay here it is:

What are the three primary reasons that you do not witness, or fear witnessing, or what makes you nervous witnessing, or keeps you from witnessing? Or anything along those lines. Also, what do you think keeps others from the same?

I will be compiling the results and using them in my message.

Thanks for your help.

-Dave

[elredcrow]

While I don't fear witnessing, I fear that I will not recognize the opportunities that come before me.

Also, I find it hardest to witness to those closest to me. I guess because I risk making them angry or turning them away if they are not receptive. You have so much baggage along with you when you are witnessing to them. With strangers or acquaintances, you don't have a history.

But... I pray that you will be bold in your preaching and discerning of all that God would have you to do and say!

[seeker42]

I think one of the reasons why many Christians do not witness is because they do not know what to say to the questions that others ask. Those Christians would need to know both how to give answers to the top 50 questions that they may be asked, and also know and learn how to give answers when they Don't know how to give the specific answer which was asked of them.

I think more of them would be at ease...if they would break the classes (at church) down into groups of 3 to5 and practice role playing.

I wonder if some of them also need to learn to know how to pray BEFORE they witness, that God would bring to them those who not only will hear the words (through witnessing)...but that God would bring to them those that have a ready heart to hear and accept what the Lord would have the witnesser share.

Many of those who have never witnessed think that there is something wrong with them if they have fear. The fact is that most who witness Still have fear, but this does diminish both with time and experience, and with relying on the Lord.

Then, it would be good for the witnessers to remember that they are there to proclaim truth in Love, but that the result is not up to them. It is the Fact of witnessing which is obedience to God, not whether or not the person who hears the message responds instantly by being saved.

And once they have helped someone truly find Jesus Christ, then it would be their responsibility to help that newbie Christian grow in the Lord.

witnessing and then helping someone become saved - only to throw them into the church is a formula for a disaster (especially these days). It is the job of the person who brings them to Christ to shepherd that newbie into a Mature relationship with the Lord, and encourage and help them ...until they reach that point in their new life and faith.

The better prepared those witnessers are, the more impact they will have an opportunity to experience (though all of our actions are only our effort(s) and the Lord ultimately controls the results).

Maybe also have a time of prayer and support after the witnessing time (or witnessing event) if that is appropriate, or a way that those who witness and find hostile responses can have a place and time where they can discuss it.

Some of those things...would be a start.


Witnessing is a good key for personal growth, and a stronger relationship with Jesus.


Seeker

[HeIsEnough]

What are the three primary reasons that you do not witness, or fear witnessing, or what makes you nervous witnessing, or keeps you from witnessing? Or anything along those lines. Also, what do you think keeps others from the same?
Hey Preacher man, here it is.

you do not witness

I do, but only when led to, which seemingly works out to be compelled to when it happens.

or fear witnessing

I don't fear it, when it is meant to be. I do have a fear to say something to someone who is like unto a dog, who will only ridicule what I say or mean. Then I fear I may want to not be so nice, and that is not so good.

makes you nervous witnessing

hmmm, this one is tough, I don't really know. That I can't get what is in my heart to my tongue, perhaps says it best. I better express myself in writing, I do not know why, it just is. There is also some element of rejection involved I suppose, because we present not only the truth, but our heart when we share these things. When someone wholesale rejects what your saying, it can reflect on you, if you let it. Knowing what God says beforehand helps, like they rejected Him, so they will reject you. I'm reminded, and have been reading all things John lately. The gospel of John is powerful in showing Jesus asking "Why don't you believe I am who I say?" And the letters of John are chock full of "Little children, if you have the Son, you have the Father." Anyway, a little of rambling of course, but there ya go, best I can say at 5 am. :D:

[Mailman Dan]

www.wayofthemaster.com

Go here and listen to the two free audio lessons on witnessing. It will give you a LOT of fact on witnessing, with scripture to boot. I didn't know untill hearing "Hell's Best Kept Secret" that only 2% of believers share their faith.


Dan~~~>has got alot of use out of their tools as well

[Gitana]

Okay here it is:

What are the three primary reasons that you do not witness, or fear witnessing, or what makes you nervous witnessing, or keeps you from witnessing? Or anything along those lines. Also, what do you think keeps others from the same?

I will be compiling the results and using them in my message.

Thanks for your help.

-Dave

Hi Dave,

1) I do not actively go "out" to witness as in door to door. I do try to live a Christian life and let that be my witness.
I am a nurse and a lot of the time when I'm just talking with my patients and stuff they usually ask me if I believe in Jesus or am a Christian. I tell them yes and then they say, " I could tell by the way you were talking" or something to that effect.

2)Fear of rejection or questions being thrown at me that I can't answer. I guess not knowing my verses well enough.

Love,
Gitana

[psykon99]

BUMP!

Thanks for the responses so far!

[cenimo]

psykon99

While I'll leave tracts and such and Gospel of John booklets at the VA, as for person to person witnessing

I'm not a people person, I'm extremely shy
(being forward enough to approach strangers is a gift I know I don't have)

To be brutally honest, even if I could overcome the above, I know most people
don't want to hear it

I personally feel people should show a little initaitive when it comes to matters of faith...

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I've always wondered about this, the Orthodox have a statement about their evangelism committee is their front door, people have to show at least that much interest on their own....

As a sidenote, I've seen a lot of churches use a lot of ploys to try and 'evangelize' when the real goal is church growth....that's fine, but be honest about it.

A local church told this guy they'd heard about what a great shortstop he was and asked him to join their softball team.....they weren't really interested in his playing ability at all, just figured if he joined the team he'd join the church.... isn't it sad when even a church isn't being up front about something?