Witnessing Methods 101

I suppose that we as an online community have many different methods when it comes to witnessing. (Yes, I understand that we must depend on the Spirit rather than a method but i'm sure that we all use SOME sort of approach when we speak to others about Jesus.....) Anyway, the methods that i'm familiar with are: evangelism explosion by d james kennedy, sharing jesus without fear by bill fay, the 4 spiritual laws by bill bright, and the way of the master by ray comfort. i'm sure there are many others. i, personally, prefer the way of the master. if you are familiar with this method, then you already know of its powerful potential. if you're not aware of this method, then i encourage you to get acquianted with this method thru doing a websearch. i don't think you'll be dissapointed. here's my problem. i signed up to go on my first mission trip several months ago. i've already paid for about 75% of the cost (so far). the mission trip is in october. tonight ,we had our first group meeting to meet one another and discuss our plans for the trip. i asked the group leader if it would be OK if i shared my faith with others using the way of the master method. he said NO. we can ONLY use the method that THEY have outlined. i'm not sure i'm 100% confident that i want to use their method as it could possibly lead to false conversions. so what should i do? i'm feeling a little discouraged about the whole thing. please pray for me. thanks dennis

Mat 23:23 Woe unto you, scribes and Pharisees, hypocrites! for ye pay tithe of mint and anise and cummin, and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faith: these ought ye to have done, and not to leave the other undone. The law brings the knowledge of sin.Judgement gives you understanding of why you need to repent.Mercy shows you can be forgiven.Faith is how you can be forgiven. I think a person needs to have understanding of all 4 aspects. For me to say that one 'form' is wrong I would have to know alittle about that 'form' or 'method'Regardless of the 'form' or 'method' I think they have to hit on those 4 things... thats my conviction. The good soil hearer had understanding......

I think that's really interesting...and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faithYet, compare Hebrews 6:1-3,"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so."Interestingly, the 4 weighty matters are covered as elementary teachings.In Christ,-Eli

Can I make a suggestion? Instead of looking at this as a setback for your plans, step back and realize that God may be desiring to use you to give more light to the leaders, and workers, on this trip. For instance, when I went to India, I had a feeling that there was a lot of man-centered modern Gospel. But, instead of just clamming up and rebuking error, I prayed and prayed. By the time my month was over, I had actually strongly influenced the leaders, so much so that they wanted me to write a new Gospel tract for them which included some of the things I had been saying! So, pray, and recognize that the Lord may want to use you to help others see the things He has shown you.Wouldn't that be wonderful?

thanks for your responses. i've had a day to think about the situation and i've "calmed down" now! i suppose i can probably use the evangelistic method that the mission group has outlined for me (do i have a choice?)...yet i believe i can still (somehow) incorporate the "law, judgement, mercy, and grace idea" into the presentation....i hope so at least!

Any method of evangelism will work—if God is in it. - Leonard Ravenhill After looking at numerous tracts I have come to the conclusion that the best way to witness is with the Word of God. I prefer being able to take someone down the Romans Road to Salvation.ROMANS 3:10 - The Natural State Of ManROMANS 3:23 - The ReasonROMANS 5:12 - The CauseROMANS 6:23 - The PenaltyROMANS 5:8 - The Love of GodROMANS 10:9-11 - The RemedyROMANS 10:13 - The Decision If there is no time I like giving them a copy of the New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs. The Gideon edition includes the Romans Road and others Scriptures leading to repentance of sin and salvation by faith in Jesus Christ. I was at the library today and I was prompted by the Holy Spirit to go witness to a young woman. I followed behind her as she was talking on her cell phone. She sensed I was behind her and jumped into her car still talking on the cell phone about her plans for the night. She pulled away before I could give her my last Gideons NT. So sad! Does anyone know where I can find some free, donated copies of a compact New Testament with Psalms and Proverbs? I contacted the Gideons local rep's in my area but they have yet to return my call. I will use these translations: NASB (Original & Updated), ESV and NKJV. Thank you and God bless, Des 11 But as for you, O man of God, flee these things. Pursue righteousness, godliness, faith, love, steadfastness, gentleness. 12 Fight the good fight of the faith. Take hold of the eternal life to which you were called and about which you made the good confession in the presence of many witnesses. - 1 Timothy 6:11-12, ESV

Eli_Barnabas wrote:I think that's really interesting...

and have omitted the weightier [matters] of the law, judgment, mercy, and faithYet, compare Hebrews 6:1-3,"Therefore let us leave the elementary teachings about Christ and go on to maturity, not laying again the foundation of repentance from acts that lead to death, and of faith in God, instruction about baptisms, the laying on of hands, the resurrection of the dead, and eternal judgment. And God permitting, we will do so."Interestingly, the 4 weighty matters are covered as elementary teachings.In Christ,-Eli

Jesus never had an evangelism technique. He approached everyone differently. He only told ONE person, "you must be born again". He told a rich man to sell everything. He met the people where THEY were at. No mention has yet been made about such simple gestures as "giving a cup of water" feeding the poor, performing healing miracles, casting out demons - all "methods" mentioned in scripture. Mans methods are merely formulas controlled by man. They can be like offering a drop of water with a fire hose - indiscriminant and with far too much intensity at once. An unbeliever needs time to grasp God's truths. ex: the consept of a supernatural deity, the reality of his sin etc... yet in a few minutes we expect someone to trust their entire lives to this being/concept. We are to be living letters. That means that people read us and see Christ through us. But that may need to happen over the space of time and through relationship, not through one evangelistic service or merely by a tract. I suspect that the Spirit is using you to expose the limitations of man's methods. Perhaps part of your ministry is to minsiter to the leaders and help them find freedom in the Spirit. When you're out there among the sinners, God can still use you in spite of the boxes that humans create. Hasn't it always been that in church history. Diane