There are many books, articles and pamphlets written on witnessing. Of course, the best book on witnessing is the Bible itself. Paul, under the inspiration of the Holy Ghost, demonstrates examples of witnessing. Most of us became Christians as a result of Paul's work. This article’s instructions should not be used instead of what Paul taught us. It is merely one of many ways to witness effectively.
The “Kristin” tract is not unique in actual format. The emphasis is on a story about how and why one girl admitted her sinful state, believed on the Lord Jesus Christ, and confessed Him as Savior based on the shedding of His blood, and His death, burial and resurrection. The scriptures in the tract state clearly God's position on sin and his remedy. The sample prayer is just that, a sample. If that prayer expresses the desire of any individual to be saved, I believe it is appropriate strictly based not on words but the expressed, sincere desire of the individual soul. The “Kristin” tract has proven its effectiveness in several ways. It is effective by simply giving it to someone. It may be effective by leaving it in places where people might pick it up to read. It may also be effective as a personal witnessing tool. As a distribution piece, you may simply hand it to someone, anywhere, under almost any circumstances. Examples are; in line at checkout either to consumers or cashiers; on public transportation such as buses or planes or airports; at public events like ballgames, festivals, swap meets, garage sales; in stores or shopping centers or malls; at resorts or vacation venues. Any place where you cross paths with people is suitable for handing someone a tract. We have received correspondence by email from people who have trusted Christ, were moved to improve their fellowship, or sent words of encouragement and prayer, or just inspired. All of these decisions happened just by giving someone a tract. Actually, there is no need to even speak to the recipient. Just hold the tract in one hand showing them the picture on the front and most people will take it and won't throw it away. I don't like to tell them what's inside because I prefer that they read the story. The whole point of a Christian story is to lead them to the scriptures. The Holy Spirit will use his word to accomplish salvation. We are only the means of transportation of the gospel message. We have no power in the transaction. My friend, Jackie, was a letter carrier. She had no idea what was in the envelope. Even a postcard is delivered without reading it or explaining it to the recipient. That's a messenger. We are messengers when it comes to witnessing. God lets us get in on the blessing of reaching the lost for His glory. If, in fact you have an opportunity to actually present the message in the tract, there is a simple and effective way to do that without feeling inadequate or intimidated. Remember, we should keep ourselves out of the message as much as possible. People are not impressed with us hypocritical Christians. There is no such person as a Christian who is not a hypocrite. We are saved sinners, but sinners still. It's easy for a lost person to have little respect for Christians, but not for God and his word. When witnessing with the tract or any other literature, you should use something that has scripture that is pertinent to the salvation message. I try to allow time for them to read the story without my comments so they will be prepared to hear the gospel. They will sometimes comment on the story. They may comment that the story is a sad one. That gives me the opportunity to read the rest of the tract to them, slowly and deliberately. I just say “yes, it is sad, but it has a wonderful ending. I don't ask for their opinion on the scripture. That has no bearing on the task at hand. If they have a comment or have questions I simply nod and keep reading. When I get to the prayer, I ask them "Would God lie to you?" They always say no. Then I read the prayer slowly and deliberately, so that they can think about what I'm reading. At the end of reading I ask, "Does this prayer express the desire of your heart?" If they say yes, then I ask them to pray the prayer out loud, to God. When they do, I congratulate them and move to the last page of the tract for assurance verses. If at all possible and practical I like to invite them to church. Possibly, they will be brave and make their decision public. Hopefully they will attend church and grow in their Christian walk. If I am out of town, it may not be possible to recommend a church. I might ask for their email address so that I can send information on an appropriate church. I may even feel comfortable contacting someone at that church to follow up. If they live in my home town, of course it would be appropriate to invite them to my church. The “Kristin” tract holds no magical charm. There are many tracts that are very effective at gaining someone’s attention and holding it long enough to understand and receive the message of salvation. Although I have never met Paul, the apostle, I feel a real debt of gratitude for his willingness to spread the gospel even under the worst of circumstances. It could be that he witnessed to a prison guard who passed it along to me through many generations of faithful witnesses. I am eternally indebted to each one who didn’t fail to pass it on. I recently received correspondence from a young man in India named Jesse. His parents were visiting America and found a Bible in a Wal-Mart store. They took the Bible back to India and gave it to Jesse. He opened the pages to find a small yellow piece of paper tucked inside. Jesse wrote that as he read the Kristin tract, he was convicted of his sins and prayed to receive Christ. He found those same scriptures in his Bible and began his new journey with his new Bible. Jesse’s story reminds me that God still allows us to “get in” on His blessings by giving us witnessing opportunities.
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Have you considered being a Soulwinner? It's not really a title or an office, just something in which God places high value. After all God paid a high price for the salvation of the lost and He is well pleased when we lead someone to His Son.
Proverbs 11:30 says, "The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise." This verse in Proverbs makes a statement about wisdom. An emphasis on wisdom is highlighted in Proverbs and wisdom is also defined in Proverbs. "Wisdom is the principal thing; therefore get wisdom: and with all thy getting get understanding." Proverbs 4:7. God says that a soul winner is wise and wisdom is the principal thing for the believer. How does a Christian go about winning souls? You can't know who will be won to Christ because God still handles the hard part through the work of the Holy Spirit. True conviction of the lost condition of the recipient of the gospel is the work of the Holy Spirit, but God allows us the privilege of getting in on the process. In Ecclesiastes 11:1-6 we get an understanding of the process. "Cast thy bread upon the waters: for thou shalt find it after many days. Give a portion to seven, and also to eight; for thou knowest not what evil shall be upon the earth." You can't know the condition of the hearts of those you offer the gospel. Verse 3 says, "If the clouds be full of rain, they empty themselves upon the earth:" We have no lack of material to offer the lost. Verse 3 continues, "and if the tree fall toward the south, or toward the north, in the place where the tree falleth, there shall it be." Wherever the gospel lands, that's where it should be. Verse 4 says, " He that observeth the wind shall not sow; and he that regardeth the clouds shall not reap." If we consider circumstances when, where and how we sew the seed we can become paralyzed in analysis and won't act. Observing circumstances, peoples opinions or any other distraction keeps the Christian from soul winning. Verses 5,6 say, "As thou knowest what is the way of the spirit, nor how the bones do grow in the womb of her that is with child: even so thou knowest not the works of God who maketh all. In the morning sow thy seed, and in the evening withhold not thine hand: for thou knowest not whether shall prosper, either this or that, or whether both shall be alike good". Jesus Himself was a soul winner. His next to last act was to win a soul to Himself. Luke 23: 40-43 says, "But the other answering rebuked him, saying, Dost thou not fear God, seeing thou art in the same condemnation? And we indeed justly; for we receive the due reward of our own deeds: but this man hath done nothing amiss. And he said unto Jesus, Lord, remember me when thou comest into thy kingdom. And Jesus said unto him, Verily I say unto thee, To day thou shalt be with me in paradise," It was important to Jesus, even in the anguish and suffering, to win a soul to Himself. Soul winning is often inconvenient. It's often uncomfortable. You may be criticized by both the lost and the brethren. How you do it may be criticized. Why you do it may be questioned. But, all of that comes from the unwise. " he that winneth souls is wise". Daniel 12:3 says, "and they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever." |
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Kim MagdaleinKristin's Dad |
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