Witnessing for Christ: How to Use Your Unique Style. Pastor Marty spoke about witnessing last week. I want to discuss this.
Witnessing for Christ: How to Use Your Unique Style
Over the many years that I’ve been a Christian, ministering in various ways, and leading a congregation, I’ve likely “witnessed” in as many ways as possible. I’ve assisted many to come to Christ. I do not have the “best way” to lead people to Christ. Also, I learned there are many ways to help people come into the kingdom. To help people understand this, I taught a series on this: Personalities Of Evangelism: How to Lead People to Christ.
What I’ve learned is that we all have different personalities, so each of us has a primary, distinct style that gives us confidence for reaching people with the message of Jesus. When we have confidence in what we are doing, we are more likely to utilize it. I want our discussion to help us be better at “witnessing.”
Another thing I learned is that reaching people for Christ is situational. For example, with some I’ve had a relationship, others asked me to pray for them, and some I bluntly said, “You are going to hell if you don’t receive Christ.” With some, I’ve found a way to serve them. I’ve invited people to church, and they received Christ. With some, I’ve shared my testimony. However, my most effective way has been intellectually. The Lord has given me a gift to help people understand His Scriptures and make them applicable.
Witnessing for Christ: How to Use Your Unique Style
Here is a list of various evangelism styles, each accompanied by a brief description. Please let us know which one you think best suits your style. Share your most effective method and describe an experience with us.
Relational – Like Levi, i.e., Matthew, people with a primary Relational style of evangelism have many friends. Some of their friends are sinners. However, some of their friends are very religious. Additionally, some of their friends are very affluent, while others are less fortunate. Those with this style enjoy gathering for meals, parties, or any other occasion. They were most likely “partygoers” before they came to Jesus and enjoyed entertaining.
Praying – Like Cornelius, who, through prayer, encountered the Lord, which led to his bringing Cornelius’ loved ones to Christ. How many of us honestly believe that someone praying had something to do with our coming into Christ? People with this style utilize the power of prayer to draw others to Christ. Of course, we should all use this style.
Witnessing for Christ: How to Use Your Unique Style
Confrontational – like Peter preaching in public, he told people to repent or face judgment. A person with a primary confrontational style of evangelism experiences something coming up inside them, and that something will quickly emerge from their mouth. It is a boldness that boils up from their spirit. This would be the guy on the corner yelling, “Repent!” or that person who, out of the blue, asks you if you know Jesus.
Serving – Like Tabitha (Dorcas), who was always doing good and helping the poor. This is a person with a primary serving style of evangelism who brings people to Christ by serving them, such as by providing meals, offering assistance in various ways, and finding ways to serve people. People far from God see their light through serving. They are so impressed by the person serving them that they come to Christ.
Invitation – Like the woman at the well who invited many from her town to see Jesus. Most of us have used the invitation evangelism style along our journey. Nothing energizes us more than having someone join us at church. Did we use the invitation to share what Jesus had done for us? We were probably so excited that someone was coming that we didn’t share our testimony. It was the testimony of the woman at the well that made her invitation all the more powerful.
Witnessing for Christ: How to Use Your Unique Style
Testimonial – like the man born blind who Jesus healed by restoring his sight. His testimony was, “One thing I do know. I was blind, but now I see!” We all have a testimony, but some people have a testimony so powerful that it profoundly affects others when they share it.
Intellectual – like Apostle Paul, who could debate the Scriptures with anyone. Paul was brilliant when it came to the Scriptures and applying them to everyday life. Some people are so well-equipped to make the Scriptures make sense that they convince others to come to Christ.
Share with us what you think.
Delbert
Witnessing for Christ: How to Use Your Unique Style
Other Related Articles:
Witnessing Voice Of God: How to Discern Spirit from Soul
Go – We Are To Go: How to Overcome Fear in Witnessing
The Prophet Gifting: How to Cultivate Your Gift
Good News to Everyone Everywhere: How to Reach People
Reality – Power – Holy Spirit – How to Live a Spirit-Empowered Life
When I’m around people, no matter what we are doing, eventually, people ask me something about the Bible. I think they feel like their supposed to ask me something about the Bible… LOL. I take that as the Holy Spirit opening a door. I answer their question and get around to asking them about their relationship with Christ. Often, they begin telling me about a negative experience they had at church, hypocrites, and so on. I let them talk, but bring it back to their relationship with Christ. After a discussion, I will ask if I can pray for them to become closer with the Lord. During the prayer, I will ask them to pray after me and say something like, “Father, I desire a closer relationship with you. I believe in Jesus Christ and confess him as Lord and Savior.
Anyway, my most efficient way to talk to people about Jesus is intellectually. People trust me there.
This is an excellent article. I remember that you shared it once before and it is very helpful. I like the fact that when you share your faith, it seems natural, not like a huge undertaking. I think I stress too much and try to “force” it instead of just letting the Holy Spirit lead. I would say I am a server and a prayer, with some relational aspects.
It’s hard to choose one but if I had to, I would say prayer. I do believe that inviting and serving are the other ways that I witness. I pray that God use me to do His work but I also pray for others. I constantly ask God to be present with people and to surround others with people who can guide them towards Christ. I may never know if those people ever come to God but I can say with certainty, prayer works…my whole family has walked towards God since I started praying. Yes, prayer is for sure my way!