Chapter Six

The Approach

Preparation

Approaching someone can oftentimes be the most important part of the witness. As Jesus Christ approached someone, He did not approach them with some great precision nor did He try to impress. He approached, however, with an overwhelming love and friendship to the person that He was approaching that they were overwhelmed with something they had never felt before. They experienced a supernatural expression of God being shared through Him. As we can see in the scripture below, Jesus has told us how He prepared Himself to share with others. He sanctified Himself so others may be sanctified. He prayed that others may believe in Him through the Word. He asked the Father to give others the same relationship He had. He shared His Glory and wanted all to have it. This is the attitude that we need when we approach someone. We want to present all that God is to them in the hope that they will commit all that they are to God. Yes, the approach begins with us as we spend time in prayer and sanctification. Prepare your heart and your life to allow the Holy Spirit to flow through you to others. Remember that your witness is an expression of your life and the life you experience in God. Be prepared to share by spending time in preparation.

John 17
17 Sanctify them through thy truth: thy word is truth.
18 As thou hast sent me into the world, even so have I also sent them into the world.
19 And for their sakes I sanctify myself, that they also might be sanctified through the truth.
20 Neither pray I for these alone, but for them also which shall believe on me through their word;
21 That they all may be one; as thou, Father, art in me, and I in thee, that they also may be one in us: that the world may believe that thou hast sent me.
22 And the glory which thou gavest me I have given them; that they may be one, even as we are one:
23 I in them, and thou in me, that they may be made perfect in one; and that the world may know that thou hast sent me, and hast loved them, as thou hast loved me.
24 Father, I will that they also, whom thou hast given me, be with me where I am; that they may behold my glory, which thou hast given me: for thou lovedst me before the foundation of the world.
25 O righteous Father, the world hath not known thee: but I have known thee, and these have known that thou hast sent me.
26 And I have declared unto them thy name, and will declare it: that the love wherewith thou hast loved me may be in them, and I in them.

Approaching in the Streets

Witnessing on the sidewalks and public places is my favorite method of witnessing. I am often amazed to see how quickly individuals receive Jesus Christ as their Lord right on a public sidewalk. When I approach someone, I have something in my hand to give them. If you try to stop them on the sidewalk by speaking to them it is difficult to get their attention. This is true especially in airport terminals and other busy public areas. People seem to be busy and will pass you by.

I have found it necessary to have a Christian sticker to give them. However, don't let material be a substitute for the witness of the Word of God. Remember that a tract or sticker is simply a means of contact. We are to be the witness and not to simply rely on material. If you use a tract, they are not as interested because of other groups such as cults and political advocates that are distributing literature. However, it seems that a sticker gets their attention. As they hold it in their hand they will begin to read it and stop to listen to what you have to say. In a busy area, the sticker can also serve as a way to identify the people you already have spoken with. You should have a sticker on your shirt to be an example of someone wearing one. I sometimes hand them a sticker with the paper off of it exposing the sticky part of the sticker. Now they have to deal with the sticker and it is easier for them to put it on rather than holding it or placing it in their pocket. Oftentimes, people in the streets begin to see the stickers and actually come to me to get one. Many times, they ultimately receive Jesus Christ as their Savior or rededicate their lives to Him after they come to get a sticker. I say to them as I offer a sticker, "Let me give you a Jesus sticker." I have seen those that I witnessed with ask, "Do you want a Jesus sticker?" When they ask if someone wants a sticker, people will usually say no. When you say, "Let me give you a sticker," people seem to extend their hand and receive the sticker. The words we choose to say in our approach are very important.

Now that I have them stopped by giving them a sticker or placing it on their shirt, I continue my approach. I may make general conversation about the day or their children if they do not appear to be in a hurry. I allow the Holy Spirit to direct me at this point to ensure He speaks to them what He would want to say. Truly, He knows their heart and will help you to share. Trust Him to lead you while you are speaking to them. It is very important to look directly in their eyes with a smile and introduce yourself and tell them why you are out on the sidewalks or knocking on their door. I say, "Hi, my name is Ricky and I am witnessing in the streets today. What is your name? Are you a Christian?" As I introduce myself, I have my hand extended and warmly shake their hand. Don't be surprised if at this moment they begin to cry because of the convicting power of God beginning to work within them. Time after time, I have witnessed the Holy Spirit prepare someone's heart in such a powerful way that they are immediately convicted. As I continue with my witness, I ask them the Question after I shake their hand. I say, "If you died tonight, would you know without a doubt that you would go to heaven?" Sometimes I ask the person, "Are you living for Him now?" This simple question produces effective results. Although the person may have first said they were a Christian, they are convicted when we ask them if they are living for Him now. It is at this point that we ask if they would like to come back to Christ. You will find many respond to this simple method of witness.

Initially, it seemed to be difficult for me to approach a large group of people. I was concerned that I might be embarrassed by their reaction. However, after I have spent so much time in the streets I have seen the Holy Spirit save several people at one time. Don't let fear have an effect on your witness. When I feel the Holy Spirit say that it is time I say, "Let's take hands now. I'll lead you in prayer to receive Jesus Christ as Lord." I continue to say, "Be bold and do it right now!" as I take their hand. I have seen even those in a gang take my hand to receive Christ. Don't expect a negative reaction. Also, as you approach, don't distinguish someone's dress or actions. If we let the way people look affect how we witness to them, then we are trying to do the works within ourselves rather than with the Person of the Holy Spirit. Allow Jesus Christ to have compassion on this world and speak through you to the homeless, the poor, and all that come across your path. As you allow this love of God to stir your heart, you too will be blessed. God loves all people and wants to use you to share with them.

John 3
16 For God so loved the world, that He gave His only begotten Son, that whosoever believeth in Him should not perish, but have everlasting life.

After spending time in the streets I am comfortable talking to anyone. I am not moved by rejection or rudeness. I simply continue on down the road to the next person in expectation that at least one person will come to know Him. It is so wonderful to see the one come to know Jesus Christ. Yes, I have seen gang members come to know Him, along with drug users, homeless people, those just released from prison, doctors, business men, and young people.

Matthew 25
35 For I was an hungred, and ye gave me meat: I was thirsty, and ye gave me drink: I was a stranger, and ye took me in:
36 Naked, and ye clothed me: I was sick, and ye visited me: I was in prison, and ye came unto me.
37 Then shall the righteous answer him, saying, Lord, when saw we thee an hungred, and fed thee? or thirsty, and gave thee drink?
38 When saw we thee a stranger, and took thee in? or naked, and clothed thee?
39 Or when saw we thee sick, or in prison, and came unto thee?
40 And the King shall answer and say unto them, Verily I say unto you, Inasmuch as ye have done it unto one of the least of these my brethren, ye have done it unto me.

Remember not to approach young children without their parents present. You should approach the parents of young children, and ask permission to give their children a sticker. This is very important to remember in today's society. Your actions could be quickly misinterpreted by parents or others watching.

Approach people in the streets with boldness and with mercy for everyone. Allow the Holy Spirit to use you to lead others to the Lord Jesus Christ. If you approach others by first spending time in prayer and preparation, your results in the streets will produce many changed lives.

Going Door To Door

The church should be focused on door to door evangelism. The church in the book of Acts witnessed in the streets as we can see in the scripture below.

Acts 5
42 And daily in the temple, and in every house, they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.

We should remember that those that we witness to by going door to door may never have attended a conventional church. Others may have once attended a church and have been hurt and plan to never return. Some may have never even had an opportunity to receive Jesus Christ as their Lord. With all this in mind, we need to witness with an attitude of understanding as we approach someone's door and be prepared for whatever the reaction is. Oftentimes, I receive strong reactions when going door to door. I have seen entire families come to the Lord as I am invited into a home, while other times I have a door slammed in my face. Your efforts will produce results and many will be saved if you knock on enough doors.

I approach door to door evangelism first as a way to make friends that I have never met before. I simply walk down the street or sidewalks praying silently and ask the Holy Spirit to go before me. I go to a door and ring the bell. Then I step back a few steps so those inside can see me through the glass in the door. Stepping away from the door makes the person opening the door less fearful. If you stand too close to the door, you will produce fear instead of a witness for Jesus. When they come to the door, tell them why you are there. I would say, "Hello, my name is Ricky and I am with a local church, and I am visiting everyone in our community. Let me give you a sticker. If you have any children may I give you more stickers?" I often notice if there are children in the home by the bicycles, playground equipment, stickers on the children's windows, and sounds in the home. Notice when I said the name of my church that I did not say the denomination. Saying the denomination of the church immediately may cut off your witness with the person. When handed a sticker they will take it and look at it. While they are looking at the sticker, ask them if they attend church. Pay close attention here. When you hear any delays in their response or reaction, you will quickly know the condition of their heart. Sometimes people tell me they attend a certain church, but in actuality they may have attended the church many years ago. You can discover this by asking if they are currently attending. Sometimes they will tell you the name of a church, and yet they are as lost as anyone you will ever meet. After discussing what church they attend, I will then ask them the Question. I say, "If you died tonight, would you know without a doubt that you would go to heaven?" Be prepared to lead them to the Lord as the Holy Spirit prepares their heart.

If your witness results in someone saying that they are not interested, then say, "Let me give you this tract, please." You may ask if you can return some other time. It is always better to at least get gospel material into their home or have an opportunity to return rather than simply getting a negative response. Be sure to point out the service times on the tract and invite them to attend your church. Some people may feel more comfortable coming to your church rather than praying with you at the door. I do not leave gospel material at the home if no one comes to the door. I always want to place it directly in someone's hand.

If you are invited into a home and the person is of the opposite sex, be sure someone else is home before you accept an invitation to enter. Being invited in a home most often results in someone or many being saved. Don't stay past your welcome and be sure to invite them to know Jesus Christ soon after you are welcomed in the home. Oftentimes, if you wait too long a distraction will appear and your opportunity to witness will be lost. If the entire family is there, ask everyone the Question at the same time. You may be surprised to see all come to the Lord. When you are in the home, if they smoke or if the television or radio is on, ignore it. Witness in the environment presented. You will never have a perfect opportunity to witness, and your efforts to create one will make people angry or disturbed with you.

Fast Food Drive Ins

Have you ever seen anyone come to the Lord in 10 seconds? You will when you witness at a fast food restaurant. You will have to move quickly because you do not have long to present the gospel. Prayer and being led by the Holy Spirit is really the key to leading someone to the Lord at a fast food drive-in. I once witnessed to a young girl at a drive-in as she stood across the island and handed me my food. I asked her if she went to church as I was getting ready to leave. I notice she hesitated for a moment with her answer. I said with a really big smile, "Come over here." She walked around the island and to my driver door. I extended my hand and said, "Just take my hand and receive Christ right now." She did it and in a few seconds she was saved. My efforts were the answer to her mother's prayers. I had asked her if she had a church to attend, and she told me that her mother had been inviting her for a long time and she will attend the next service. She was so excited to receive Christ. An evangelist was with us in the van and as she watched she could not believe how easy it was to lead someone to the Lord. Weeks later we visited the young lady, and she was still going to her mother's church.

It is exciting to give Jesus stickers to someone at a drive-in window and ask them to hand others stickers. Although they have never witnessed before, they will sticker everyone they work with in the restaurant. Surely Christians can be as enthusiastic as a waiter or waitress in a restaurant. If the drive-in has two windows, then you have two opportunities to witness.

When witnessing inside a restaurant you should not create any disturbances. If you witness with stickers or tracts you will be able to move from table to table without much disturbance if you are non-confrontational and move quickly. Placing tracts inside menus at your table and leaving them beside the salt and pepper shakers will sometimes be a witness for someone that finds the material.

Pay Phone Witness
Late one night I was witnessing with our team in Fort. Smith, Arkansas on the parking lot of a convenience store. I had met so many people on this parking lot over the years and have seen so many of them saved as we shared Christ with them. I walked up to a group of pay phones as I had done so often and handed out a Jesus sticker. What I did not know was that something interesting was about to happen. Every few weeks we see the manifested presence of the Holy Spirit upon the lives of those we witness to.

I handed a young lady a Jesus sticker as she was talking on the phone. I smiled and said, "God bless you." As I was about to walk away, I saw her begin to cry and she was distracted from the phone call by the emotion that had suddenly gripped her. She immediately hung up the phone and just stood there crying. She seemed to be standing in the convicting power of God. I said to her, "How long has it been since you walked away from Christ." She said, "It has been too long." I said, "Then take my hand and follow me in a prayer to know Christ." She prayed and seemed to find a new relationship with Christ. She said that as she received the sticker that she felt the Lord showing her the lostness of her life. She said that she was talking to her mother in New York about all the problems in her life and was wanting to find comfort. She now found comfort in knowing that the Lord touched her life.

Many times in the streets we see the Lord directing us to lives that are hurting. I participated little in the witness of this young lady, and yet I saw the Lord so powerfully touch her soul. To see the Lord convict a soul with an outward expression as we saw reminds me Who is changing hearts in the streets. All the Lord needed that night was an outstretched hand and a voice to lead her in prayer.

"It seems that much of witnessing is not as much our ability but our availability." Arthur Blessitt

Street University Lesson Six

Group Discussion

1. Discuss how to approach different types of people with your witness. A homeless person and a business person on the street are approached differently. Simulate the different approaches.
   
   
2. Share your testimony with others describing what happened in your life when you came to know Christ.

Bible Study

1. Make a list of scriptures that you can use in your witness.
   Romans 10:8-10, John 3:16, Romans 6:23, Romans 3:23, Romans 5:8, Romans 10:13, Revelations 3:20

Optional Assignment

1. Witness with someone by going door to door in your neighborhood or witness with someone on a sidewalk in your city.