the current burden of witnessing....

[pistache]

I don't know about everyone else, but I feel rather overwhelmed at the process of witnessing these days.

Its no longer explaining :
*the christian story,
*laying out the gospel,
*repentance of sins,
*accepting Christ,
*and finding a church and growing in their new faith

Now, you now have to add on explaining :
*how to find a good church,
*why 98% of churches are corrupt,
*the apostasy of the age
*how to spot a heretical preacher
*why tv evangelists are wrong
*why PDL is wrong
*why you shouldn't be attracted to the churches that self-promote themselves shamelessly

It's like a 5-step witnessing process has been turned into 20 steps... because there is so much evil masquerading as Christian. What do you say when even YOU can't find a church for yourself?

When do you bring up all these current matters... after they've accepted the Lord, during? Where does one even begin?

I know encouraging them to read the Bible and pray is KEY, but its still overwhelming. Even my most faithful Christian friends have slipped into the trappings of things like Rob Bell's nooma.

I know it shouldn't stop me from witnessing to those I know need the Lord, but it intimidates me, as there is so much a new Christian needs to be aware of, so as not to slip into the grips of the foe.

[Theresa]

I understand what you are saying, and I agree. I have never been good at witnessing - it is not my strength and I come across as either defensive or combative. According to my mom, I seem angry when I try. Therefore, I don't do it - I certainly don't need to give the impression that I'm angry - I'm not, I'm just serious. I've always had a hard time with this kind of thing.

I taught Sunday School for 13 years, and that filled the hole. I am no longer teaching SS (not quite sure what happened there ) and am planning on leaving my church - perhaps all churches, at this point. I want to find a good Bible study series to do with my daughters, as I am most concerned with them at this point.

I certainly have no advice to give you, but I understand what you mean. I have family members who think I am loopy and have gone over the edge with what I believe. I don't worry too much about that and I pray for them, as I know that I am safe in Jesus' shadow.

[Ort]

I understand what you are saying, and I agree. I have never been good at witnessing - it is not my strength and I come across as either defensive or combative. According to my mom, I seem angry when I try. Therefore, I don't do it - I certainly don't need to give the impression that I'm angry - I'm not, I'm just serious. I've always had a hard time with this kind of thing.

I taught Sunday School for 13 years, and that filled the hole. I am no longer teaching SS (not quite sure what happened there ) and am planning on leaving my church - perhaps all churches, at this point. I want to find a good Bible study series to do with my daughters, as I am most concerned with them at this point.

I certainly have no advice to give you, but I understand what you mean. I have family members who think I am loopy and have gone over the edge with what I believe. I don't worry too much about that and I pray for them, as I know that I am safe in Jesus' shadow.

Me too!!! I have been asked by somebody I was witnessing to "why are you so angry?" I truly wasn't angry and I was trying SO hard to keep my tone pleasant and non-combative. I can't win for losing!
So, I mostly don't do it anymore face to face. I tend to do so on the computer, via the written word. That way I can use smilies and such and people can't accuse me of being mean or angry. I guess I just don't have it. Whatever "it" is.

[jacee92]

Sometimes the best way to witness is in how you live in your day to day life, how you act in situations, what you are willing or unwilling to do. Whether we realize it or not the love we have for Jesus will shine through.

[WhisperWisdom]

Totally understand. Right now, I'm trying to "witness" for my pals through my xanga blog online, and I try to have a daily Bible quote on the side of my posts every time I do an entry. You can try this approach instead and see how it goes.

I'm not good at explaining things, and I find that I fumble a lot when I try to do this in person. Like Jacee92 said, the best example of all is by our own actions and our own walk in this world. If we preach the Word, but our actions says differently, then no one is really going to take us seriously.

[light4mypath]

Sometimes the best way to witness is in how you live in your day to day life, how you act in situations, what you are willing or unwilling to do. Whether we realize it or not the love we have for Jesus will shine through.

:iagree

[Adopted Son]

Try not to judge the effects of your witnessing. Just do as the Holy Spirit moves you. You don't need all the answers, because God has them and will impart them as He sees fit. When we fill the immediate need, God will take it from there.

We sometimes force the issue, and that can be very frustrating.

[readytogo]

I know it shouldn't stop me from witnessing to those I know need the Lord, but it intimidates me,

And therein lies the crux of the matter! The enemy has convinced you that you have to do EVERYTHING and that, if you can't finish the process, that you shouldn't start. We are told to share the gospel. We are not told to ram it down people's throat's. It's their choice. Although, it's nice when we can disciple new believers, it doesn't mean that the same person who shared the gospel with them is the same person who should disciple them. You can't be all things to all people! And there is also the work of the Holy Spirit that you discount. He will send them discernment in finding their place in "the body". You don't have to do everything or be everything to them!

As far as not being able to find a good church before witnessing to someone, that's not easy to do these days. But you can witness through you life by displaying the "fruit of the Spirit"--love, joy, peace, patience, kindness, goodness, faithfulness, gentleness, self-control--notice that church attendance is not on the list. Although we are advised to be members of a local body, it's getting harder and harder to find that these days. (Speaking of staying in your present church, ask yourself if it's one that you would suggest that a new believer attend or would you feel that you would have to continually warn them about what has been said or done there. If you feel that you wouldn't invite a friend there, why would you stay?)

Sorry, I need to get off of my soapbox again! 2:

[Carl]

Each person posting on this thread has brought up a good point. Witnessing must be done. How it is done varies.

Life style evangelism: Isn't that what the Christian in a mixed marriage suppose to do?

Worried about good churches: Have a small list of churches that you know are good, or have a small tract that explains what to look for.

The bible says to witness inseason and out of season. Always be ready to tell of the hope within you.

When I consider that nothing happens in my life that God hasn't allowed it opens up new vistas, opportunities. I guess each day pray that you be open to whatever God wants you to do.

[pistache]

Right on... I hear all your thoughts. They're so encouraging.

Yeah, I think that it comes down to the seeds of doubt planted in our minds by the foe. I forget that we don't save people, God saves people, and we just talk about it, and demonstrate it.

Jacee, you're so right that just living our lives is a testimony... amen! I'm just mindful of those that don't even know I'm a Christian, or what that even really means.... along with this sense of urgency that comes in the final days... But I hear you sister! :)

At any rate, glad I'm not alone!

(Speaking of staying in your present church, ask yourself if it's one that you would suggest that a new believer attend or would you feel that you would have to continually warn them about what has been said or done there. If you feel that you wouldn't invite a friend there, why would you stay?)

Your point is not lost on me. 2:

[Geyatahi]

I know how you all feel,I was like that also but the Lord led me to a great Bible beliving true word of God Church for I was persistant in prayer so on Easter Sunday my family and I joined the church and my Soninlaw accepted the Lord and joined and the church helps with their gas back and forth cos its so far for them to come and like ya'll there isnt any good churches around their area.last night at chgurch the pastor had a teaching on sin of silence and its about what all of you are talking about witnessing and if I may share what he spoke of, he got a book from lifeways.com and its called "Share Jesus Without Fear".and it explained how to use questions that determine where God is working then let the Bible speak like ask them to read certain passages to you them close with key questions.I got the book and its real good and he explains how we share the word of salvation anfd the Holy spirit does the rest.The pastor is very worried about how people arent witnessing anymore.

Just a thought.
Geyatahi

[Miss Bobbie]

"Share Jesus Without Fear" in paperback
http://www.lifeway.com/e2/shop/?R=780442