Techniques
Text: 1 Corinthians 9:19-23.
Devotional Reading: Subject: Tactful Method of Mars’ Hill, Acts 17:22-34.
Aim: To point up effective methods of soul-winning, with various approaches and appeals.
Home Readings:
Monday: Preaching Christ, Acts 8:5-8
Tuesday: Teaching and Preaching, Acts 5:40-42; 28:30,31.
Wednesday: Testimony and Bringing, John 1:40-42.
Thursday: Giving Personal Experience, Acts 26:9-20.
Friday: Use of Parable, Luke 18:9-14.
Saturday: Types and Figures, John 1:29; 4:10; 6:51; 8:12; 10:11
Sunday: “All Things to All Men,” 1 Corinthians 9:16-23.
INTRODUCTION. – Many books are available on the art of soul winning. Some are good. Some are not. One thing the personal worker will learn is no book can teach him as much as personal experience. Books usually give one confidence in methods. The personal worker’s confidence should be in Christ and the Bible. “And this is the confidence that we have in him, that, if we ask any thing according to his will, he heareth us:” (1 John 5:14).
1. The Wisdom.
“Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves..” (Matthew 10:16). What the soul-winner says and how he says it could determine the eternal destiny of a soul. Therefore, each personal worker should pray for wisdom in dealing with lost people. “If any of you lack wisdom, let him ask of God, that giveth to all men liberally, and upbraideth not; and it shall be given him.” (James 1:5).
It is always wise to extend Christian courtesy, but it is essential when a believer is a guest in the home of a lost person. People often say, “Make yourself at home.” However, one should never really do that. The guest who acts as though he owns another’s person’s home is deplorable. For the personal worker it is not wise. It is inexcusable. The courteous personal worker will always find an audience. Others will only be tolerated by the lost. Many personal workers would be better off if they took a course in salesmanship. At least, they ought to brush up on the golden rule (Matthew 7:12).
It is wise for believers to look for opportunities to be a witness for Christ. There are many stories of sinners rushing into the pastor’s study inquiring about salvation. There are probably more stories than people who have actually done it. The entire Bible relates one lone example of a sinner rushing to ask, “What must I do to be saved?” (Acts 16:30). There certainly aren’t many examples of it today either; therefore one is wise to look for opportunities to witness for Christ.
2. The Approach.
Many mistakes have been made and always will be made in approaching the sinner, unless one uses wisdom. The first rule is the personal worker must depend on God. Otherwise the approach will lack the spiritual conviction it needs. With God’s help one can plan the best approach in presenting the Gospel of Christ.
One may approach a prospect by the printed word. Some have witnessed by personal letters. Others have written books and periodicals. Still others have used tracts effectively to witness for Christ.
However, there is nothing quite like the personal witness of talking with people face-to-face. In beginning a conversation, it is usually best to avoid abruptly introducing spiritual matters. It is wise to try to avoid being critical, argumentative, and antagonistic. Read 2 Timothy 2:24-26.
The Lord always approached His prospects with love and compassion. “Then Jesus beholding him loved him…” (Mark 10:21). Following this example, one will find such an approach enables a lost person to know the believer has a genuine interest in him.
The Lord dealt with people on the basis of their personal lives. For example, He spoke to the Samaritan woman concerning water and her husband (John 4). Soul-winners should patiently get acquainted with their prospects as they determine how best to approach them.
One trait which helps God’s people in approaching the lost is the ability to listen attentively. This is especially true at the outset of the conversation. Patient, attentive listening enables one to learn about his prospect, and it obligates the prospect to listen patiently and attentively to the witness of Christ.
3. The Witness.
When one gets to the matter of witnessing, he should stick with it until the hearer has received or rejected the Lord Jesus. With patience, sincerity, persistency, and determination one should present Christ. One should not give up easily. Neither should a prospect be pressured to the point of over-persuasion. When the rich young ruler turned sadly away from the Lord, Jesus let him go (Matthew 19:22) At the same time, delay in one of the Devil’s favorite tactics. Paul implored Agrippa not to delay being saved (Acts 26:27-29.
One simple method of witnessing uses only five verses of Scripture from the book of Romans. First, Romans 3:10, 23 show the person he is a sinner. Second, Romans 5:12; 6:23 show spiritual death as a result of sin and indicate God’s offer of eternal life through Christ. Third, Romans 5:8 shows God offers eternal life on the basis of Christ’s death. The sinner should read these passages. And, as the witness patiently explains the fundamentals involved in the passages, God’s Spirit will use the Word to being conviction. Then, the personal worker should encourage the sinner to receive Christ in his heart by faith. Prayer is a good vehicle to help the sinner receive Christ. The personal worker should pray first. Then, the sinner should be encouraged to turn his case over to the Lord. Prayer does not save, but it enables a sinner to approach the Lord in faith for salvation (Luke 18:13; Romans 10:13).Another simple method of witnessing has for steps which one may adapt to his own selection of Scriptures. First, show the prospect he is a lost sinner. Second, show him he cannot save himself. Third, show him Christ can save him. Fourth, show him Christ has save him on two evidences, repentance and faith.
4. The Harvest.
When one has witnessed for God and moves to lead a soul to receive Christ personally, both the personal worker and the sinner are standing on holy ground. If the person receives Christ, he has “passed from death unto life” (John 5:24). If he does not, he is in danger of perishing without Christ (Luke 13:3, 5). Therefore, the believer must not fail to bring the sinner to his moment of truth, wisely and scripturally (Psalm 126:6)
When a person makes a profession of faith, the personal worker is not through with him. A new believer needs assurance of his salvation, because Satan will challenge his profession of faith many times. Such passages as John 3:16, 18, 36; 5:24; 6:37 are excellent in giving assurance.Also, a new born believer needs to grow spiritually. He will need to cultivate a life of Bible study, prayer, worship, and witness. The only institution God has designated to mature such babes as they grow is a local New Testament church. Therefore, a true soul winner tells the new believer of his duty to Christ and His church (Ephesians 3:21).
Now in a case of the sinner who does not receive Christ, the personal worker should leave the door open for another visit. Perhaps he may be more responsive on another occasion (Galatians 6:9). Moreover, the believer must conduct himself in such a way as to be welcome on another occasion. And, even in failing to lead a person to Christ, one may still get a commitment to receive Christ later.
5. The False Beliefs.
One should not be let astray in the work of witnessing. However, there are times when one meets with resistance from false beliefs. If possible, such resistance should not deter the believer, but sometimes there is no alternative. A soul winner should always be courteous and fair with those of false beliefs. He should be tolerant and kind, but he must never compromise the truth. With Christian love he must stand firmly on God’s Word.
Near every one knows Missionary Baptists believes in the eternal security of the believer. Consequently, many object to a Baptist witness. One must always impress on prospects Baptists are people of the Book, and the Book teaches security of the believer (John 10:27-29).One of the main false beliefs the Missionary Baptist faces is baptismal salvation. The Word repeatedly states one receives salvation at the point of faith in Christ (Acts 10:43; 13:39:15:9: Romans 5:1; Galatians 3:26; Ephesians 2:8: 1 John 5:1). The same passages expose the falsehood of other variations of the “good works for salvation” idea.
In order to deal with particular sects, cults, denominations and isms one should study their beliefs intently to discern which beliefs are scriptural and which ones are not.
