Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

How to Share Your Faith You have many spheres of influence. Daily you may relate to children, co-workers, friends, students, and others on a variety of levels. Training in how to share your faith will allow you to take fuller advantage of the unique position in which God has placed you. Having the right attitude, understanding the role of prayer, and considering the use of an evangelistic tool set the stage for successful witnessing. As with any skill, practice improves how well you do and how comfortable you are in doing it. The following guidelines are meant to encourage and equip you as you step out in faith, trusting God with the results. Having the Right Attitude And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20 For some of us, sharing our faith may cause us to feel afraid. Part of this fear may come from a lack of training, but part of it can also be a result of "misplaced faith." Our faith to witness cannot be in our ability to persuade, but rather, in the power of God, His word, and His work in the life of the unbeliever. We must remember that "successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God." {1} God is the initiator as well as the means of salvation in a person's heart. He is the One who gives her a desire for spiritual knowledge and draws her closer to the point of salvation. This process may take a few minutes or a lifetime, and your conversation with her may be the time of decision or merely a step along the way. Regardless, the goal of your sharing is to leave her with both a better understanding of the gospel and a positive impression of Christians so that she remains open to other opportunities in which God can work. On the other hand, do not allow fear to inhibit you from giving her an opportunity to make a decision to trust Christ if she is ready. In his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Mark McCloskey says, ". . . a proper balance will be maintained between the fact that salvation is crucial and urgent . . . and the reality that not everyone is ready for conversion at the same time, or has the same amount of insight into the personal implications of the gospel . . ." {2} Praying Before You Go Pray for opportunities to share and pray for specific people, asking God to give them a hunger for spiritual knowledge. When an opportunity presents itself, acknowledge your complete dependence on Him and praise Him for what He is about to do. Then, proceed with joy, knowing that He is in control of the situation. Using an Evangelistic Tool While conversation alone may work well, in one-on-one sharing many people find that the use of a visual aid helps in both understanding and retention. A Bible can be used, but may not always be available or may appear intimidating to the other person. An effective alternative is an evangelistic booklet such as Would You Like to Know God Personally?{3} This booklet has helped many people understand how to receive Christ. Tips for Using the Booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally? When using this booklet, hold it so the person can see and read it along with you. Be sure to read it in a friendly tone and make it more personal by using her name as you go through the booklet. You might want to use a pen as a pointer to focus attention on each part. Being familiar with the booklet will contribute to your confidence and ability to make eye contact. Be careful, though, not to become mechanical. Remember, this person may be hearing the plan of salvation for the first time. Once you begin sharing the booklet with a person, go slowly but steadily. As you are reading, ask, "Does this make sense?" As much as possible, follow the booklet word-for-word. If questions come up, say something like, "That's a good question. Let's see if it is answered later on. If not, we'll come back to it." Or, you might say, "Hold on to that thought and let's discuss it at the end." Be sure, then, to return to the question or any issues you feel need further clarification after you are finished sharing the booklet. Do not get into arguments or try to force the person into a decision. Stay focused on Jesus and the power of His Word. Certain words that we, as Christians, use often have a very different meaning or even no meaning at all to those who are unfamiliar with them. Taking time to explain what these words or ideas mean and asking a few simple questions will often help you to be certain that the person with whom you are sharing is understanding the message. Specifics to Keep in Mind . . . Page Three After reading John 3:16 on page three, ask, "Have you ever heard this verse before?" Many have, and being able to say yes gives them a chance to feel they are relating to you. If they have not, it tells you a little of their church background or lack thereof. The question "What prevents us from knowing God personally?" can be asked directly, or you can read it and say, "The second point answers that question." If asking the question directly, be sure you do not respond to her answer in a way that indicates she is "wrong." Pages Four and Five People do not like to think of themselves as "sinful." This is often due to the fact that we determine our "goodness" by comparing ourselves with other people rather than understanding what sin is. If someone does not see that she is a sinner, she will never see her need for Christ. When you finish reading the paragraph on page four you may want to explain sin further by explaining that the original Greek word for sin was used in reference to target practice. The distance from the bull's-eye (perfection) to the actual hit was called "sin." Therefore, sin is anything short of perfection. After reading Romans 6:23 you may want to explain that the word "wages" refers to what we earn or deserve. After you read the paragraph explaining the arrows illustration, you could explain it further by pointing out that the arrows in the diagram are different lengths. If several people were trying to jump across the Grand Canyon, some would get farther than others, but all would fail. Some people may be "less sinful" than others, but each one misses perfection in her own efforts. The word "religion" may be confusing. Explain that "religion" is man's efforts to reach God. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself to man through Jesus Christ. Pages Six and Seven Jesus is God's only provision. There are not many ways to God; there is one way. You need to communicate that this is not simply your opinion. It is Jesus' unique claim. You can explain this when you read John 14:6 on page seven. As you read it, underline the words "no one." After reading the paragraph explaining the diagram on page seven, ask, "What is different about the arrow in this diagram and the arrows in the diagram on page five?" She should notice or you can point out that the one on page seven points down (God's efforts to reach out to man), and that it reaches all the way across the gap. You can use this to point out that while we cannot reach God by any of our own efforts, He provided the one way for us to know Him through Christ's death and resurrection. Jesus' death was an acceptable, complete payment for the sin of mankind. He was God, offering Himself as a sacrifice. Pages Eight and Nine After reading through these two pages to the point just before the circle diagrams, you may want to explain further what it means to "receive Christ." You could explain that "receiving Christ" means accepting His offer of payment for her sin by His death on the cross. Jesus offers this as a free gift. As with any gift, it is not truly hers until she actually takes it. This is done by faith (trust). She is trusting Christ's death to be sufficient payment for her sins. Receiving Christ is like a marriage ceremony. Simply agreeing intellectually that this person is a good mate, or admitting deep emotional feelings, does not make them married. It is not until they say "I do" as an act of the will that they are truly married. The Circles Diagram The dots in the circles of the self-directed life and the Christ-centered life can be somewhat misleading. They are not intended to imply disordered vs. perfectly-ordered lives, but rather frustration vs. harmony with God's plan. The focus of the circles is whether or not Christ is in the life. The Questions Directly Following the Circles Do not be afraid to ask the questions that follow the circles illustration. While you want to be sensitive in your sharing, you also want to give her an opportunity to receive Christ. Question #1: Which circle best represents your life? (You are trying to determine if Christ is in her life or outside of her life.) If her response is, "The circle on the right," this could mean any of three things. She may have indeed received Christ at some point in her life. She may be saying this because she is confused in some way. For example, she may have grown up in church and think that alone means she has Christ in her life. Or, particularly in dealing with internationals, she may be saying what she thinks you want to hear. In any case, when she responds with "the circle on the right," say something positive, such as, "That's great. How long have you had Christ in your life?" Or, you could say, "I made this decision when I was in college. How did you come to make your decision?" In gaining more information, you may be able to tell whether she is truly a believer. If her response is, "The circle on the left," proceed to the next question. If her response is something such as, "I don't know; somewhere in between," ask, "Why do you say that?" Again, she may be confused as to how Christ comes into a life. If so, explain again the idea of receiving Christ by faith, as an act of the will. Question #2: Which circle would you like to have represent your life? If her response is, "The circle on the right," proceed with the booklet. If her response is, "The circle on the left," say something such as, "Someday you may change your mind and be interested in investigating further the claims of Christ. You might want to know what receiving Christ involves. Do you mind if I show you one last page?" (referring to page 10). If she is reluctant to go on, this might be a good time to give your own testimony{4} if you feel it is appropriate. If her response is, "I don't know," say something such as, "Could you tell me what you're unsure about?" Try to determine if she is confused or is unwilling to make the commitment. If the former, try to clear up any issues causing confusion. If the latter, encourage her to give it more thought. Ask, "What would you say is the one thing that is keeping you from inviting Christ into your life right now?" Make sure she understands how she could receive Christ by going on to the next page. Again, this would be a good place to relate to her by giving your testimony. Pages Ten and Eleven The Prayer Emphasize that the prayer in the booklet simply expresses an attitude, and that the words in themselves are no magic formula. If you sense a shyness in the person, explain that she can pray this prayer in the privacy of her own home. Encourage her to tell you or her pastor so that if she does pray the prayer, further information can be provided to help her learn more about her decision. How to Know that Christ is in Your Life If she does pray the prayer with you, as you read this paragraph have her go back and read Revelation 3:20 again (page 9). Ask if she understands that Christ is now in her life. After reading I John 5:11-13, emphasize "that you may know." John could have used other words instead of know such as think, wish, hope or feel. His intention was to communicate that we should be confident in knowing we have eternal life. It is not presumptuous to say that you can know that you have eternal life and that nothing can ever take that away. In Hebrews 13:5, God is placing the strongest possible emphasis on the fact that He will never leave you. Page Twelve Do Not Depend on Feelings This page helps people who say, "I asked Christ to come into my life, but I just don't feel any different." If, because of this, she says she has trusted Christ more than once, refer again to Revelation 3:20 and tell her, "If Christ said He will come in, we do not need to continue asking Him." Bringing Closure At the end of your conversation, if she received Christ, she should be able to answer these two questions taken from Evangelism Explosion by James Kennedy{5}: "If you were to die tonight do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?" "Suppose you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' What would you say?" Doing Follow-up Arrange to meet again if possible. If not, try to arrange for someone else to follow-up this person. At the very least, get her address and send follow-up material. Campus Crusade for Christ offers some helpful material.{6} In addition, encourage her to attend a church which honors Christ. Hopefully by "walking through" Would You Like to Know God Personally? you feel prepared in knowing how to share the gospel by using this booklet. Many people around the world have been introduced to Jesus Christ through the use of this evangelistic "tool." Our prayer is that you, too, will take the opportunity to share it with someone. Endnotes {1}Bill Bright, Witnessing Without Fear: How To Share Your Faith With Confidence, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1987, p. 67. {2}Mark McCloskey, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1985, p. 71. {3}Bill Bright, Would You Like to Know God Personally?, New Life Publications, 1988. {4}Sharing Your Story: Developing a Personal Testimony, Christian Leadership Ministries, 1997. Also, see 5 Clicks to Sharing Your Faith for help in preparing your personal testimony. {5}D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, Tyndale House Publishers, 1983. {6}For more information on Campus Crusade for Christ materials, contact Integrated Resources. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351. Return to Touching Your World Homepage © Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ. Copies of Touching Your World are available for $15.00 for U.S. addresses and $25.00 for international destinations. Include the appropriate payment and request Touching Your World from Lewis & Stanley Publishers P.O. Box 129 Addison, TX 75001 USA Phone: 972-713-7130

Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

How to Share Your Faith

You have many spheres of influence. Daily you may relate to children, co-workers, friends, students, and others on a variety of levels. Training in how to share your faith will allow you to take fuller advantage of the unique position in which God has placed you.
Having the right attitude, understanding the role of prayer, and considering the use of an evangelistic tool set the stage for successful witnessing. As with any skill, practice improves how well you do and how comfortable you are in doing it. The following guidelines are meant to encourage and equip you as you step out in faith, trusting God with the results.

Having the Right Attitude

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

For some of us, sharing our faith may cause us to feel afraid. Part of this fear may come from a lack of training, but part of it can also be a result of "misplaced faith." Our faith to witness cannot be in our ability to persuade, but rather, in the power of God, His word, and His work in the life of the unbeliever. We must remember that "successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God." {1}
God is the initiator as well as the means of salvation in a person's heart. He is the One who gives her a desire for spiritual knowledge and draws her closer to the point of salvation. This process may take a few minutes or a lifetime, and your conversation with her may be the time of decision or merely a step along the way. Regardless, the goal of your sharing is to leave her with both a better understanding of the gospel and a positive impression of Christians so that she remains open to other opportunities in which God can work.
On the other hand, do not allow fear to inhibit you from giving her an opportunity to make a decision to trust Christ if she is ready. In his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Mark McCloskey says, ". . . a proper balance will be maintained between the fact that salvation is crucial and urgent . . . and the reality that not everyone is ready for conversion at the same time, or has the same amount of insight into the personal implications of the gospel . . ." {2}

Praying Before You Go

Pray for opportunities to share and pray for specific people, asking God to give them a hunger for spiritual knowledge. When an opportunity presents itself, acknowledge your complete dependence on Him and praise Him for what He is about to do. Then, proceed with joy, knowing that He is in control of the situation.

Using an Evangelistic Tool

While conversation alone may work well, in one-on-one sharing many people find that the use of a visual aid helps in both understanding and retention. A Bible can be used, but may not always be available or may appear intimidating to the other person. An effective alternative is an evangelistic booklet such as Would You Like to Know God Personally?{3} This booklet has helped many people understand how to receive Christ.

Tips for Using the Booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally?

When using this booklet, hold it so the person can see and read it along with you. Be sure to read it in a friendly tone and make it more personal by using her name as you go through the booklet. You might want to use a pen as a pointer to focus attention on each part. Being familiar with the booklet will contribute to your confidence and ability to make eye contact. Be careful, though, not to become mechanical. Remember, this person may be hearing the plan of salvation for the first time.
Once you begin sharing the booklet with a person, go slowly but steadily. As you are reading, ask, "Does this make sense?" As much as possible, follow the booklet word-for-word. If questions come up, say something like, "That's a good question. Let's see if it is answered later on. If not, we'll come back to it." Or, you might say, "Hold on to that thought and let's discuss it at the end." Be sure, then, to return to the question or any issues you feel need further clarification after you are finished sharing the booklet. Do not get into arguments or try to force the person into a decision. Stay focused on Jesus and the power of His Word.
Certain words that we, as Christians, use often have a very different meaning or even no meaning at all to those who are unfamiliar with them. Taking time to explain what these words or ideas mean and asking a few simple questions will often help you to be certain that the person with whom you are sharing is understanding the message.

Specifics to Keep in Mind . . .

Page Three

After reading John 3:16 on page three, ask, "Have you ever heard this verse before?" Many have, and being able to say yes gives them a chance to feel they are relating to you. If they have not, it tells you a little of their church background or lack thereof.
The question "What prevents us from knowing God personally?" can be asked directly, or you can read it and say, "The second point answers that question." If asking the question directly, be sure you do not respond to her answer in a way that indicates she is "wrong."

Pages Four and Five

People do not like to think of themselves as "sinful." This is often due to the fact that we determine our "goodness" by comparing ourselves with other people rather than understanding what sin is. If someone does not see that she is a sinner, she will never see her need for Christ.
When you finish reading the paragraph on page four you may want to explain sin further by explaining that the original Greek word for sin was used in reference to target practice. The distance from the bull's-eye (perfection) to the actual hit was called "sin." Therefore, sin is anything short of perfection.
After reading Romans 6:23 you may want to explain that the word "wages" refers to what we earn or deserve.
After you read the paragraph explaining the arrows illustration, you could explain it further by pointing out that the arrows in the diagram are different lengths. If several people were trying to jump across the Grand Canyon, some would get farther than others, but all would fail. Some people may be "less sinful" than others, but each one misses perfection in her own efforts.
The word "religion" may be confusing. Explain that "religion" is man's efforts to reach God. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself to man through Jesus Christ.

Pages Six and Seven

Jesus is God's only provision. There are not many ways to God; there is one way. You need to communicate that this is not simply your opinion. It is Jesus' unique claim. You can explain this when you read John 14:6 on page seven. As you read it, underline the words "no one."
After reading the paragraph explaining the diagram on page seven, ask, "What is different about the arrow in this diagram and the arrows in the diagram on page five?" She should notice or you can point out that the one on page seven points down (God's efforts to reach out to man), and that it reaches all the way across the gap. You can use this to point out that while we cannot reach God by any of our own efforts, He provided the one way for us to know Him through Christ's death and resurrection.
Jesus' death was an acceptable, complete payment for the sin of mankind. He was God, offering Himself as a sacrifice.

 Pages Eight and Nine

After reading through these two pages to the point just before the circle diagrams, you may want to explain further what it means to "receive Christ." You could explain that "receiving Christ" means accepting His offer of payment for her sin by His death on the cross. Jesus offers this as a free gift. As with any gift, it is not truly hers until she actually takes it. This is done by faith (trust). She is trusting Christ's death to be sufficient payment for her sins.
Receiving Christ is like a marriage ceremony. Simply agreeing intellectually that this person is a good mate, or admitting deep emotional feelings, does not make them married. It is not until they say "I do" as an act of the will that they are truly married.

The Circles Diagram

The dots in the circles of the self-directed life and the Christ-centered life can be somewhat misleading. They are not intended to imply disordered vs. perfectly-ordered lives, but rather frustration vs. harmony with God's plan. The focus of the circles is whether or not Christ is in the life.

The Questions Directly Following the Circles

Do not be afraid to ask the questions that follow the circles illustration. While you want to be sensitive in your sharing, you also want to give her an opportunity to receive Christ.

 Question #1: Which circle best represents your life?

(You are trying to determine if Christ is in her life or outside of her life.)

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," this could mean any of three things.

0. She may have indeed received Christ at some point in her life.
1. She may be saying this because she is confused in some way. For example, she may have grown up in church and think that alone means she has Christ in her life.
2. Or, particularly in dealing with internationals, she may be saying what she thinks you want to hear. In any case, when she responds with "the circle on the right," say something positive, such as, "That's great. How long have you had Christ in your life?" Or, you could say, "I made this decision when I was in college. How did you come to make your decision?" In gaining more information, you may be able to tell whether she is truly a believer.

• If her response is, "The circle on the left," proceed to the next question.
• If her response is something such as, "I don't know; somewhere in between," ask, "Why do you say that?" Again, she may be confused as to how Christ comes into a life. If so, explain again the idea of receiving Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

Question #2: Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," proceed with the booklet.
• If her response is, "The circle on the left," say something such as, "Someday you may change your mind and be interested in investigating further the claims of Christ. You might want to know what receiving Christ involves. Do you mind if I show you one last page?" (referring to page 10). If she is reluctant to go on, this might be a good time to give your own testimony{4} if you feel it is appropriate.
• If her response is, "I don't know," say something such as, "Could you tell me what you're unsure about?" Try to determine if she is confused or is unwilling to make the commitment. If the former, try to clear up any issues causing confusion. If the latter, encourage her to give it more thought. Ask, "What would you say is the one thing that is keeping you from inviting Christ into your life right now?" Make sure she understands how she could receive Christ by going on to the next page. Again, this would be a good place to relate to her by giving your testimony.

Pages Ten and Eleven

The Prayer

Emphasize that the prayer in the booklet simply expresses an attitude, and that the words in themselves are no magic formula. If you sense a shyness in the person, explain that she can pray this prayer in the privacy of her own home. Encourage her to tell you or her pastor so that if she does pray the prayer, further information can be provided to help her learn more about her decision.

How to Know that Christ is in Your Life

If she does pray the prayer with you, as you read this paragraph have her go back and read Revelation 3:20 again (page 9). Ask if she understands that Christ is now in her life.
After reading I John 5:11-13, emphasize "that you may know." John could have used other words instead of know such as think, wish, hope or feel. His intention was to communicate that we should be confident in knowing we have eternal life. It is not presumptuous to say that you can know that you have eternal life and that nothing can ever take that away.
In Hebrews 13:5, God is placing the strongest possible emphasis on the fact that He will never leave you.

Page Twelve

Do Not Depend on Feelings

This page helps people who say, "I asked Christ to come into my life, but I just don't feel any different." If, because of this, she says she has trusted Christ more than once, refer again to Revelation 3:20 and tell her, "If Christ said He will come in, we do not need to continue asking Him."

Bringing Closure

At the end of your conversation, if she received Christ, she should be able to answer these two questions taken from Evangelism Explosion by James Kennedy{5}:

• "If you were to die tonight do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?"
• "Suppose you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' What would you say?"

Doing Follow-up

Arrange to meet again if possible. If not, try to arrange for someone else to follow-up this person. At the very least, get her address and send follow-up material. Campus Crusade for Christ offers some helpful material.{6} In addition, encourage her to attend a church which honors Christ.
Hopefully by "walking through" Would You Like to Know God Personally? you feel prepared in knowing how to share the gospel by using this booklet. Many people around the world have been introduced to Jesus Christ through the use of this evangelistic "tool." Our prayer is that you, too, will take the opportunity to share it with someone.

Endnotes

{1}Bill Bright, Witnessing Without Fear: How To Share Your Faith With Confidence, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1987, p. 67.
{2}Mark McCloskey, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1985, p. 71.
{3}Bill Bright, Would You Like to Know God Personally?, New Life Publications, 1988.
{4}Sharing Your Story: Developing a Personal Testimony, Christian Leadership Ministries, 1997. Also, see 5 Clicks to Sharing Your Faith for help in preparing your personal testimony.
{5}D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, Tyndale House Publishers, 1983.
{6}For more information on Campus Crusade for Christ materials, contact Integrated Resources. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351.

---

Return to Touching Your World Homepage

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© Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copies of Touching Your World are available for $15.00 for U.S. addresses and $25.00 for international destinations. Include the appropriate payment and request Touching Your World from
Lewis & Stanley Publishers
P.O. Box 129
Addison, TX   75001    USA
Phone: 972-713-7130

Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

How to Share Your Faith

You have many spheres of influence. Daily you may relate to children, co-workers, friends, students, and others on a variety of levels. Training in how to share your faith will allow you to take fuller advantage of the unique position in which God has placed you.
Having the right attitude, understanding the role of prayer, and considering the use of an evangelistic tool set the stage for successful witnessing. As with any skill, practice improves how well you do and how comfortable you are in doing it. The following guidelines are meant to encourage and equip you as you step out in faith, trusting God with the results.

Having the Right Attitude

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

For some of us, sharing our faith may cause us to feel afraid. Part of this fear may come from a lack of training, but part of it can also be a result of "misplaced faith." Our faith to witness cannot be in our ability to persuade, but rather, in the power of God, His word, and His work in the life of the unbeliever. We must remember that "successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God." {1}
God is the initiator as well as the means of salvation in a person's heart. He is the One who gives her a desire for spiritual knowledge and draws her closer to the point of salvation. This process may take a few minutes or a lifetime, and your conversation with her may be the time of decision or merely a step along the way. Regardless, the goal of your sharing is to leave her with both a better understanding of the gospel and a positive impression of Christians so that she remains open to other opportunities in which God can work.
On the other hand, do not allow fear to inhibit you from giving her an opportunity to make a decision to trust Christ if she is ready. In his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Mark McCloskey says, ". . . a proper balance will be maintained between the fact that salvation is crucial and urgent . . . and the reality that not everyone is ready for conversion at the same time, or has the same amount of insight into the personal implications of the gospel . . ." {2}

Praying Before You Go

Pray for opportunities to share and pray for specific people, asking God to give them a hunger for spiritual knowledge. When an opportunity presents itself, acknowledge your complete dependence on Him and praise Him for what He is about to do. Then, proceed with joy, knowing that He is in control of the situation.

Using an Evangelistic Tool

While conversation alone may work well, in one-on-one sharing many people find that the use of a visual aid helps in both understanding and retention. A Bible can be used, but may not always be available or may appear intimidating to the other person. An effective alternative is an evangelistic booklet such as Would You Like to Know God Personally?{3} This booklet has helped many people understand how to receive Christ.

Tips for Using the Booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally?

When using this booklet, hold it so the person can see and read it along with you. Be sure to read it in a friendly tone and make it more personal by using her name as you go through the booklet. You might want to use a pen as a pointer to focus attention on each part. Being familiar with the booklet will contribute to your confidence and ability to make eye contact. Be careful, though, not to become mechanical. Remember, this person may be hearing the plan of salvation for the first time.
Once you begin sharing the booklet with a person, go slowly but steadily. As you are reading, ask, "Does this make sense?" As much as possible, follow the booklet word-for-word. If questions come up, say something like, "That's a good question. Let's see if it is answered later on. If not, we'll come back to it." Or, you might say, "Hold on to that thought and let's discuss it at the end." Be sure, then, to return to the question or any issues you feel need further clarification after you are finished sharing the booklet. Do not get into arguments or try to force the person into a decision. Stay focused on Jesus and the power of His Word.
Certain words that we, as Christians, use often have a very different meaning or even no meaning at all to those who are unfamiliar with them. Taking time to explain what these words or ideas mean and asking a few simple questions will often help you to be certain that the person with whom you are sharing is understanding the message.

Specifics to Keep in Mind . . .

Page Three

After reading John 3:16 on page three, ask, "Have you ever heard this verse before?" Many have, and being able to say yes gives them a chance to feel they are relating to you. If they have not, it tells you a little of their church background or lack thereof.
The question "What prevents us from knowing God personally?" can be asked directly, or you can read it and say, "The second point answers that question." If asking the question directly, be sure you do not respond to her answer in a way that indicates she is "wrong."

Pages Four and Five

People do not like to think of themselves as "sinful." This is often due to the fact that we determine our "goodness" by comparing ourselves with other people rather than understanding what sin is. If someone does not see that she is a sinner, she will never see her need for Christ.
When you finish reading the paragraph on page four you may want to explain sin further by explaining that the original Greek word for sin was used in reference to target practice. The distance from the bull's-eye (perfection) to the actual hit was called "sin." Therefore, sin is anything short of perfection.
After reading Romans 6:23 you may want to explain that the word "wages" refers to what we earn or deserve.
After you read the paragraph explaining the arrows illustration, you could explain it further by pointing out that the arrows in the diagram are different lengths. If several people were trying to jump across the Grand Canyon, some would get farther than others, but all would fail. Some people may be "less sinful" than others, but each one misses perfection in her own efforts.
The word "religion" may be confusing. Explain that "religion" is man's efforts to reach God. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself to man through Jesus Christ.

Pages Six and Seven

Jesus is God's only provision. There are not many ways to God; there is one way. You need to communicate that this is not simply your opinion. It is Jesus' unique claim. You can explain this when you read John 14:6 on page seven. As you read it, underline the words "no one."
After reading the paragraph explaining the diagram on page seven, ask, "What is different about the arrow in this diagram and the arrows in the diagram on page five?" She should notice or you can point out that the one on page seven points down (God's efforts to reach out to man), and that it reaches all the way across the gap. You can use this to point out that while we cannot reach God by any of our own efforts, He provided the one way for us to know Him through Christ's death and resurrection.
Jesus' death was an acceptable, complete payment for the sin of mankind. He was God, offering Himself as a sacrifice.

 Pages Eight and Nine

After reading through these two pages to the point just before the circle diagrams, you may want to explain further what it means to "receive Christ." You could explain that "receiving Christ" means accepting His offer of payment for her sin by His death on the cross. Jesus offers this as a free gift. As with any gift, it is not truly hers until she actually takes it. This is done by faith (trust). She is trusting Christ's death to be sufficient payment for her sins.
Receiving Christ is like a marriage ceremony. Simply agreeing intellectually that this person is a good mate, or admitting deep emotional feelings, does not make them married. It is not until they say "I do" as an act of the will that they are truly married.

The Circles Diagram

The dots in the circles of the self-directed life and the Christ-centered life can be somewhat misleading. They are not intended to imply disordered vs. perfectly-ordered lives, but rather frustration vs. harmony with God's plan. The focus of the circles is whether or not Christ is in the life.

The Questions Directly Following the Circles

Do not be afraid to ask the questions that follow the circles illustration. While you want to be sensitive in your sharing, you also want to give her an opportunity to receive Christ.

 Question #1: Which circle best represents your life?

(You are trying to determine if Christ is in her life or outside of her life.)

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," this could mean any of three things.

0. She may have indeed received Christ at some point in her life.
1. She may be saying this because she is confused in some way. For example, she may have grown up in church and think that alone means she has Christ in her life.
2. Or, particularly in dealing with internationals, she may be saying what she thinks you want to hear. In any case, when she responds with "the circle on the right," say something positive, such as, "That's great. How long have you had Christ in your life?" Or, you could say, "I made this decision when I was in college. How did you come to make your decision?" In gaining more information, you may be able to tell whether she is truly a believer.

• If her response is, "The circle on the left," proceed to the next question.
• If her response is something such as, "I don't know; somewhere in between," ask, "Why do you say that?" Again, she may be confused as to how Christ comes into a life. If so, explain again the idea of receiving Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

Question #2: Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," proceed with the booklet.
• If her response is, "The circle on the left," say something such as, "Someday you may change your mind and be interested in investigating further the claims of Christ. You might want to know what receiving Christ involves. Do you mind if I show you one last page?" (referring to page 10). If she is reluctant to go on, this might be a good time to give your own testimony{4} if you feel it is appropriate.
• If her response is, "I don't know," say something such as, "Could you tell me what you're unsure about?" Try to determine if she is confused or is unwilling to make the commitment. If the former, try to clear up any issues causing confusion. If the latter, encourage her to give it more thought. Ask, "What would you say is the one thing that is keeping you from inviting Christ into your life right now?" Make sure she understands how she could receive Christ by going on to the next page. Again, this would be a good place to relate to her by giving your testimony.

Pages Ten and Eleven

The Prayer

Emphasize that the prayer in the booklet simply expresses an attitude, and that the words in themselves are no magic formula. If you sense a shyness in the person, explain that she can pray this prayer in the privacy of her own home. Encourage her to tell you or her pastor so that if she does pray the prayer, further information can be provided to help her learn more about her decision.

How to Know that Christ is in Your Life

If she does pray the prayer with you, as you read this paragraph have her go back and read Revelation 3:20 again (page 9). Ask if she understands that Christ is now in her life.
After reading I John 5:11-13, emphasize "that you may know." John could have used other words instead of know such as think, wish, hope or feel. His intention was to communicate that we should be confident in knowing we have eternal life. It is not presumptuous to say that you can know that you have eternal life and that nothing can ever take that away.
In Hebrews 13:5, God is placing the strongest possible emphasis on the fact that He will never leave you.

Page Twelve

Do Not Depend on Feelings

This page helps people who say, "I asked Christ to come into my life, but I just don't feel any different." If, because of this, she says she has trusted Christ more than once, refer again to Revelation 3:20 and tell her, "If Christ said He will come in, we do not need to continue asking Him."

Bringing Closure

At the end of your conversation, if she received Christ, she should be able to answer these two questions taken from Evangelism Explosion by James Kennedy{5}:

• "If you were to die tonight do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?"
• "Suppose you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' What would you say?"

Doing Follow-up

Arrange to meet again if possible. If not, try to arrange for someone else to follow-up this person. At the very least, get her address and send follow-up material. Campus Crusade for Christ offers some helpful material.{6} In addition, encourage her to attend a church which honors Christ.
Hopefully by "walking through" Would You Like to Know God Personally? you feel prepared in knowing how to share the gospel by using this booklet. Many people around the world have been introduced to Jesus Christ through the use of this evangelistic "tool." Our prayer is that you, too, will take the opportunity to share it with someone.

Endnotes

{1}Bill Bright, Witnessing Without Fear: How To Share Your Faith With Confidence, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1987, p. 67.
{2}Mark McCloskey, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1985, p. 71.
{3}Bill Bright, Would You Like to Know God Personally?, New Life Publications, 1988.
{4}Sharing Your Story: Developing a Personal Testimony, Christian Leadership Ministries, 1997. Also, see 5 Clicks to Sharing Your Faith for help in preparing your personal testimony.
{5}D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, Tyndale House Publishers, 1983.
{6}For more information on Campus Crusade for Christ materials, contact Integrated Resources. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351.

---

Return to Touching Your World Homepage

---

© Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copies of Touching Your World are available for $15.00 for U.S. addresses and $25.00 for international destinations. Include the appropriate payment and request Touching Your World from
Lewis & Stanley Publishers
P.O. Box 129
Addison, TX   75001    USA
Phone: 972-713-7130

Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

How to Share Your Faith

You have many spheres of influence. Daily you may relate to children, co-workers, friends, students, and others on a variety of levels. Training in how to share your faith will allow you to take fuller advantage of the unique position in which God has placed you.
Having the right attitude, understanding the role of prayer, and considering the use of an evangelistic tool set the stage for successful witnessing. As with any skill, practice improves how well you do and how comfortable you are in doing it. The following guidelines are meant to encourage and equip you as you step out in faith, trusting God with the results.

Having the Right Attitude

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

For some of us, sharing our faith may cause us to feel afraid. Part of this fear may come from a lack of training, but part of it can also be a result of "misplaced faith." Our faith to witness cannot be in our ability to persuade, but rather, in the power of God, His word, and His work in the life of the unbeliever. We must remember that "successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God." {1}
God is the initiator as well as the means of salvation in a person's heart. He is the One who gives her a desire for spiritual knowledge and draws her closer to the point of salvation. This process may take a few minutes or a lifetime, and your conversation with her may be the time of decision or merely a step along the way. Regardless, the goal of your sharing is to leave her with both a better understanding of the gospel and a positive impression of Christians so that she remains open to other opportunities in which God can work.
On the other hand, do not allow fear to inhibit you from giving her an opportunity to make a decision to trust Christ if she is ready. In his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Mark McCloskey says, ". . . a proper balance will be maintained between the fact that salvation is crucial and urgent . . . and the reality that not everyone is ready for conversion at the same time, or has the same amount of insight into the personal implications of the gospel . . ." {2}

Praying Before You Go

Pray for opportunities to share and pray for specific people, asking God to give them a hunger for spiritual knowledge. When an opportunity presents itself, acknowledge your complete dependence on Him and praise Him for what He is about to do. Then, proceed with joy, knowing that He is in control of the situation.

Using an Evangelistic Tool

While conversation alone may work well, in one-on-one sharing many people find that the use of a visual aid helps in both understanding and retention. A Bible can be used, but may not always be available or may appear intimidating to the other person. An effective alternative is an evangelistic booklet such as Would You Like to Know God Personally?{3} This booklet has helped many people understand how to receive Christ.

Tips for Using the Booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally?

When using this booklet, hold it so the person can see and read it along with you. Be sure to read it in a friendly tone and make it more personal by using her name as you go through the booklet. You might want to use a pen as a pointer to focus attention on each part. Being familiar with the booklet will contribute to your confidence and ability to make eye contact. Be careful, though, not to become mechanical. Remember, this person may be hearing the plan of salvation for the first time.
Once you begin sharing the booklet with a person, go slowly but steadily. As you are reading, ask, "Does this make sense?" As much as possible, follow the booklet word-for-word. If questions come up, say something like, "That's a good question. Let's see if it is answered later on. If not, we'll come back to it." Or, you might say, "Hold on to that thought and let's discuss it at the end." Be sure, then, to return to the question or any issues you feel need further clarification after you are finished sharing the booklet. Do not get into arguments or try to force the person into a decision. Stay focused on Jesus and the power of His Word.
Certain words that we, as Christians, use often have a very different meaning or even no meaning at all to those who are unfamiliar with them. Taking time to explain what these words or ideas mean and asking a few simple questions will often help you to be certain that the person with whom you are sharing is understanding the message.

Specifics to Keep in Mind . . .

Page Three

After reading John 3:16 on page three, ask, "Have you ever heard this verse before?" Many have, and being able to say yes gives them a chance to feel they are relating to you. If they have not, it tells you a little of their church background or lack thereof.
The question "What prevents us from knowing God personally?" can be asked directly, or you can read it and say, "The second point answers that question." If asking the question directly, be sure you do not respond to her answer in a way that indicates she is "wrong."

Pages Four and Five

People do not like to think of themselves as "sinful." This is often due to the fact that we determine our "goodness" by comparing ourselves with other people rather than understanding what sin is. If someone does not see that she is a sinner, she will never see her need for Christ.
When you finish reading the paragraph on page four you may want to explain sin further by explaining that the original Greek word for sin was used in reference to target practice. The distance from the bull's-eye (perfection) to the actual hit was called "sin." Therefore, sin is anything short of perfection.
After reading Romans 6:23 you may want to explain that the word "wages" refers to what we earn or deserve.
After you read the paragraph explaining the arrows illustration, you could explain it further by pointing out that the arrows in the diagram are different lengths. If several people were trying to jump across the Grand Canyon, some would get farther than others, but all would fail. Some people may be "less sinful" than others, but each one misses perfection in her own efforts.
The word "religion" may be confusing. Explain that "religion" is man's efforts to reach God. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself to man through Jesus Christ.

Pages Six and Seven

Jesus is God's only provision. There are not many ways to God; there is one way. You need to communicate that this is not simply your opinion. It is Jesus' unique claim. You can explain this when you read John 14:6 on page seven. As you read it, underline the words "no one."
After reading the paragraph explaining the diagram on page seven, ask, "What is different about the arrow in this diagram and the arrows in the diagram on page five?" She should notice or you can point out that the one on page seven points down (God's efforts to reach out to man), and that it reaches all the way across the gap. You can use this to point out that while we cannot reach God by any of our own efforts, He provided the one way for us to know Him through Christ's death and resurrection.
Jesus' death was an acceptable, complete payment for the sin of mankind. He was God, offering Himself as a sacrifice.

 Pages Eight and Nine

After reading through these two pages to the point just before the circle diagrams, you may want to explain further what it means to "receive Christ." You could explain that "receiving Christ" means accepting His offer of payment for her sin by His death on the cross. Jesus offers this as a free gift. As with any gift, it is not truly hers until she actually takes it. This is done by faith (trust). She is trusting Christ's death to be sufficient payment for her sins.
Receiving Christ is like a marriage ceremony. Simply agreeing intellectually that this person is a good mate, or admitting deep emotional feelings, does not make them married. It is not until they say "I do" as an act of the will that they are truly married.

The Circles Diagram

The dots in the circles of the self-directed life and the Christ-centered life can be somewhat misleading. They are not intended to imply disordered vs. perfectly-ordered lives, but rather frustration vs. harmony with God's plan. The focus of the circles is whether or not Christ is in the life.

The Questions Directly Following the Circles

Do not be afraid to ask the questions that follow the circles illustration. While you want to be sensitive in your sharing, you also want to give her an opportunity to receive Christ.

 Question #1: Which circle best represents your life?

(You are trying to determine if Christ is in her life or outside of her life.)

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," this could mean any of three things.

0. She may have indeed received Christ at some point in her life.
1. She may be saying this because she is confused in some way. For example, she may have grown up in church and think that alone means she has Christ in her life.
2. Or, particularly in dealing with internationals, she may be saying what she thinks you want to hear. In any case, when she responds with "the circle on the right," say something positive, such as, "That's great. How long have you had Christ in your life?" Or, you could say, "I made this decision when I was in college. How did you come to make your decision?" In gaining more information, you may be able to tell whether she is truly a believer.

• If her response is, "The circle on the left," proceed to the next question.
• If her response is something such as, "I don't know; somewhere in between," ask, "Why do you say that?" Again, she may be confused as to how Christ comes into a life. If so, explain again the idea of receiving Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

Question #2: Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," proceed with the booklet.
• If her response is, "The circle on the left," say something such as, "Someday you may change your mind and be interested in investigating further the claims of Christ. You might want to know what receiving Christ involves. Do you mind if I show you one last page?" (referring to page 10). If she is reluctant to go on, this might be a good time to give your own testimony{4} if you feel it is appropriate.
• If her response is, "I don't know," say something such as, "Could you tell me what you're unsure about?" Try to determine if she is confused or is unwilling to make the commitment. If the former, try to clear up any issues causing confusion. If the latter, encourage her to give it more thought. Ask, "What would you say is the one thing that is keeping you from inviting Christ into your life right now?" Make sure she understands how she could receive Christ by going on to the next page. Again, this would be a good place to relate to her by giving your testimony.

Pages Ten and Eleven

The Prayer

Emphasize that the prayer in the booklet simply expresses an attitude, and that the words in themselves are no magic formula. If you sense a shyness in the person, explain that she can pray this prayer in the privacy of her own home. Encourage her to tell you or her pastor so that if she does pray the prayer, further information can be provided to help her learn more about her decision.

How to Know that Christ is in Your Life

If she does pray the prayer with you, as you read this paragraph have her go back and read Revelation 3:20 again (page 9). Ask if she understands that Christ is now in her life.
After reading I John 5:11-13, emphasize "that you may know." John could have used other words instead of know such as think, wish, hope or feel. His intention was to communicate that we should be confident in knowing we have eternal life. It is not presumptuous to say that you can know that you have eternal life and that nothing can ever take that away.
In Hebrews 13:5, God is placing the strongest possible emphasis on the fact that He will never leave you.

Page Twelve

Do Not Depend on Feelings

This page helps people who say, "I asked Christ to come into my life, but I just don't feel any different." If, because of this, she says she has trusted Christ more than once, refer again to Revelation 3:20 and tell her, "If Christ said He will come in, we do not need to continue asking Him."

Bringing Closure

At the end of your conversation, if she received Christ, she should be able to answer these two questions taken from Evangelism Explosion by James Kennedy{5}:

• "If you were to die tonight do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?"
• "Suppose you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' What would you say?"

Doing Follow-up

Arrange to meet again if possible. If not, try to arrange for someone else to follow-up this person. At the very least, get her address and send follow-up material. Campus Crusade for Christ offers some helpful material.{6} In addition, encourage her to attend a church which honors Christ.
Hopefully by "walking through" Would You Like to Know God Personally? you feel prepared in knowing how to share the gospel by using this booklet. Many people around the world have been introduced to Jesus Christ through the use of this evangelistic "tool." Our prayer is that you, too, will take the opportunity to share it with someone.

Endnotes

{1}Bill Bright, Witnessing Without Fear: How To Share Your Faith With Confidence, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1987, p. 67.
{2}Mark McCloskey, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1985, p. 71.
{3}Bill Bright, Would You Like to Know God Personally?, New Life Publications, 1988.
{4}Sharing Your Story: Developing a Personal Testimony, Christian Leadership Ministries, 1997. Also, see 5 Clicks to Sharing Your Faith for help in preparing your personal testimony.
{5}D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, Tyndale House Publishers, 1983.
{6}For more information on Campus Crusade for Christ materials, contact Integrated Resources. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351.

---

Return to Touching Your World Homepage

---

© Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copies of Touching Your World are available for $15.00 for U.S. addresses and $25.00 for international destinations. Include the appropriate payment and request Touching Your World from
Lewis & Stanley Publishers
P.O. Box 129
Addison, TX   75001    USA
Phone: 972-713-7130

Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

How to Share Your Faith

You have many spheres of influence. Daily you may relate to children, co-workers, friends, students, and others on a variety of levels. Training in how to share your faith will allow you to take fuller advantage of the unique position in which God has placed you.
Having the right attitude, understanding the role of prayer, and considering the use of an evangelistic tool set the stage for successful witnessing. As with any skill, practice improves how well you do and how comfortable you are in doing it. The following guidelines are meant to encourage and equip you as you step out in faith, trusting God with the results.

Having the Right Attitude

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

For some of us, sharing our faith may cause us to feel afraid. Part of this fear may come from a lack of training, but part of it can also be a result of "misplaced faith." Our faith to witness cannot be in our ability to persuade, but rather, in the power of God, His word, and His work in the life of the unbeliever. We must remember that "successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God." {1}
God is the initiator as well as the means of salvation in a person's heart. He is the One who gives her a desire for spiritual knowledge and draws her closer to the point of salvation. This process may take a few minutes or a lifetime, and your conversation with her may be the time of decision or merely a step along the way. Regardless, the goal of your sharing is to leave her with both a better understanding of the gospel and a positive impression of Christians so that she remains open to other opportunities in which God can work.
On the other hand, do not allow fear to inhibit you from giving her an opportunity to make a decision to trust Christ if she is ready. In his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Mark McCloskey says, ". . . a proper balance will be maintained between the fact that salvation is crucial and urgent . . . and the reality that not everyone is ready for conversion at the same time, or has the same amount of insight into the personal implications of the gospel . . ." {2}

Praying Before You Go

Pray for opportunities to share and pray for specific people, asking God to give them a hunger for spiritual knowledge. When an opportunity presents itself, acknowledge your complete dependence on Him and praise Him for what He is about to do. Then, proceed with joy, knowing that He is in control of the situation.

Using an Evangelistic Tool

While conversation alone may work well, in one-on-one sharing many people find that the use of a visual aid helps in both understanding and retention. A Bible can be used, but may not always be available or may appear intimidating to the other person. An effective alternative is an evangelistic booklet such as Would You Like to Know God Personally?{3} This booklet has helped many people understand how to receive Christ.

Tips for Using the Booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally?

When using this booklet, hold it so the person can see and read it along with you. Be sure to read it in a friendly tone and make it more personal by using her name as you go through the booklet. You might want to use a pen as a pointer to focus attention on each part. Being familiar with the booklet will contribute to your confidence and ability to make eye contact. Be careful, though, not to become mechanical. Remember, this person may be hearing the plan of salvation for the first time.
Once you begin sharing the booklet with a person, go slowly but steadily. As you are reading, ask, "Does this make sense?" As much as possible, follow the booklet word-for-word. If questions come up, say something like, "That's a good question. Let's see if it is answered later on. If not, we'll come back to it." Or, you might say, "Hold on to that thought and let's discuss it at the end." Be sure, then, to return to the question or any issues you feel need further clarification after you are finished sharing the booklet. Do not get into arguments or try to force the person into a decision. Stay focused on Jesus and the power of His Word.
Certain words that we, as Christians, use often have a very different meaning or even no meaning at all to those who are unfamiliar with them. Taking time to explain what these words or ideas mean and asking a few simple questions will often help you to be certain that the person with whom you are sharing is understanding the message.

Specifics to Keep in Mind . . .

Page Three

After reading John 3:16 on page three, ask, "Have you ever heard this verse before?" Many have, and being able to say yes gives them a chance to feel they are relating to you. If they have not, it tells you a little of their church background or lack thereof.
The question "What prevents us from knowing God personally?" can be asked directly, or you can read it and say, "The second point answers that question." If asking the question directly, be sure you do not respond to her answer in a way that indicates she is "wrong."

Pages Four and Five

People do not like to think of themselves as "sinful." This is often due to the fact that we determine our "goodness" by comparing ourselves with other people rather than understanding what sin is. If someone does not see that she is a sinner, she will never see her need for Christ.
When you finish reading the paragraph on page four you may want to explain sin further by explaining that the original Greek word for sin was used in reference to target practice. The distance from the bull's-eye (perfection) to the actual hit was called "sin." Therefore, sin is anything short of perfection.
After reading Romans 6:23 you may want to explain that the word "wages" refers to what we earn or deserve.
After you read the paragraph explaining the arrows illustration, you could explain it further by pointing out that the arrows in the diagram are different lengths. If several people were trying to jump across the Grand Canyon, some would get farther than others, but all would fail. Some people may be "less sinful" than others, but each one misses perfection in her own efforts.
The word "religion" may be confusing. Explain that "religion" is man's efforts to reach God. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself to man through Jesus Christ.

Pages Six and Seven

Jesus is God's only provision. There are not many ways to God; there is one way. You need to communicate that this is not simply your opinion. It is Jesus' unique claim. You can explain this when you read John 14:6 on page seven. As you read it, underline the words "no one."
After reading the paragraph explaining the diagram on page seven, ask, "What is different about the arrow in this diagram and the arrows in the diagram on page five?" She should notice or you can point out that the one on page seven points down (God's efforts to reach out to man), and that it reaches all the way across the gap. You can use this to point out that while we cannot reach God by any of our own efforts, He provided the one way for us to know Him through Christ's death and resurrection.
Jesus' death was an acceptable, complete payment for the sin of mankind. He was God, offering Himself as a sacrifice.

 Pages Eight and Nine

After reading through these two pages to the point just before the circle diagrams, you may want to explain further what it means to "receive Christ." You could explain that "receiving Christ" means accepting His offer of payment for her sin by His death on the cross. Jesus offers this as a free gift. As with any gift, it is not truly hers until she actually takes it. This is done by faith (trust). She is trusting Christ's death to be sufficient payment for her sins.
Receiving Christ is like a marriage ceremony. Simply agreeing intellectually that this person is a good mate, or admitting deep emotional feelings, does not make them married. It is not until they say "I do" as an act of the will that they are truly married.

The Circles Diagram

The dots in the circles of the self-directed life and the Christ-centered life can be somewhat misleading. They are not intended to imply disordered vs. perfectly-ordered lives, but rather frustration vs. harmony with God's plan. The focus of the circles is whether or not Christ is in the life.

The Questions Directly Following the Circles

Do not be afraid to ask the questions that follow the circles illustration. While you want to be sensitive in your sharing, you also want to give her an opportunity to receive Christ.

 Question #1: Which circle best represents your life?

(You are trying to determine if Christ is in her life or outside of her life.)

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," this could mean any of three things.

0. She may have indeed received Christ at some point in her life.
1. She may be saying this because she is confused in some way. For example, she may have grown up in church and think that alone means she has Christ in her life.
2. Or, particularly in dealing with internationals, she may be saying what she thinks you want to hear. In any case, when she responds with "the circle on the right," say something positive, such as, "That's great. How long have you had Christ in your life?" Or, you could say, "I made this decision when I was in college. How did you come to make your decision?" In gaining more information, you may be able to tell whether she is truly a believer.

• If her response is, "The circle on the left," proceed to the next question.
• If her response is something such as, "I don't know; somewhere in between," ask, "Why do you say that?" Again, she may be confused as to how Christ comes into a life. If so, explain again the idea of receiving Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

Question #2: Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," proceed with the booklet.
• If her response is, "The circle on the left," say something such as, "Someday you may change your mind and be interested in investigating further the claims of Christ. You might want to know what receiving Christ involves. Do you mind if I show you one last page?" (referring to page 10). If she is reluctant to go on, this might be a good time to give your own testimony{4} if you feel it is appropriate.
• If her response is, "I don't know," say something such as, "Could you tell me what you're unsure about?" Try to determine if she is confused or is unwilling to make the commitment. If the former, try to clear up any issues causing confusion. If the latter, encourage her to give it more thought. Ask, "What would you say is the one thing that is keeping you from inviting Christ into your life right now?" Make sure she understands how she could receive Christ by going on to the next page. Again, this would be a good place to relate to her by giving your testimony.

Pages Ten and Eleven

The Prayer

Emphasize that the prayer in the booklet simply expresses an attitude, and that the words in themselves are no magic formula. If you sense a shyness in the person, explain that she can pray this prayer in the privacy of her own home. Encourage her to tell you or her pastor so that if she does pray the prayer, further information can be provided to help her learn more about her decision.

How to Know that Christ is in Your Life

If she does pray the prayer with you, as you read this paragraph have her go back and read Revelation 3:20 again (page 9). Ask if she understands that Christ is now in her life.
After reading I John 5:11-13, emphasize "that you may know." John could have used other words instead of know such as think, wish, hope or feel. His intention was to communicate that we should be confident in knowing we have eternal life. It is not presumptuous to say that you can know that you have eternal life and that nothing can ever take that away.
In Hebrews 13:5, God is placing the strongest possible emphasis on the fact that He will never leave you.

Page Twelve

Do Not Depend on Feelings

This page helps people who say, "I asked Christ to come into my life, but I just don't feel any different." If, because of this, she says she has trusted Christ more than once, refer again to Revelation 3:20 and tell her, "If Christ said He will come in, we do not need to continue asking Him."

Bringing Closure

At the end of your conversation, if she received Christ, she should be able to answer these two questions taken from Evangelism Explosion by James Kennedy{5}:

• "If you were to die tonight do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?"
• "Suppose you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' What would you say?"

Doing Follow-up

Arrange to meet again if possible. If not, try to arrange for someone else to follow-up this person. At the very least, get her address and send follow-up material. Campus Crusade for Christ offers some helpful material.{6} In addition, encourage her to attend a church which honors Christ.
Hopefully by "walking through" Would You Like to Know God Personally? you feel prepared in knowing how to share the gospel by using this booklet. Many people around the world have been introduced to Jesus Christ through the use of this evangelistic "tool." Our prayer is that you, too, will take the opportunity to share it with someone.

Endnotes

{1}Bill Bright, Witnessing Without Fear: How To Share Your Faith With Confidence, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1987, p. 67.
{2}Mark McCloskey, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1985, p. 71.
{3}Bill Bright, Would You Like to Know God Personally?, New Life Publications, 1988.
{4}Sharing Your Story: Developing a Personal Testimony, Christian Leadership Ministries, 1997. Also, see 5 Clicks to Sharing Your Faith for help in preparing your personal testimony.
{5}D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, Tyndale House Publishers, 1983.
{6}For more information on Campus Crusade for Christ materials, contact Integrated Resources. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351.

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Return to Touching Your World Homepage

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© Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copies of Touching Your World are available for $15.00 for U.S. addresses and $25.00 for international destinations. Include the appropriate payment and request Touching Your World from
Lewis & Stanley Publishers
P.O. Box 129
Addison, TX   75001    USA
Phone: 972-713-7130

Connaitre Dieu Personnellement

How to Share Your Faith

You have many spheres of influence. Daily you may relate to children, co-workers, friends, students, and others on a variety of levels. Training in how to share your faith will allow you to take fuller advantage of the unique position in which God has placed you.
Having the right attitude, understanding the role of prayer, and considering the use of an evangelistic tool set the stage for successful witnessing. As with any skill, practice improves how well you do and how comfortable you are in doing it. The following guidelines are meant to encourage and equip you as you step out in faith, trusting God with the results.

Having the Right Attitude

And Jesus came up and spoke to them, saying, "All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age." Matthew 28:18-20

For some of us, sharing our faith may cause us to feel afraid. Part of this fear may come from a lack of training, but part of it can also be a result of "misplaced faith." Our faith to witness cannot be in our ability to persuade, but rather, in the power of God, His word, and His work in the life of the unbeliever. We must remember that "successful witnessing is simply taking the initiative to share Christ in the power of the Holy Spirit and leaving the results to God." {1}
God is the initiator as well as the means of salvation in a person's heart. He is the One who gives her a desire for spiritual knowledge and draws her closer to the point of salvation. This process may take a few minutes or a lifetime, and your conversation with her may be the time of decision or merely a step along the way. Regardless, the goal of your sharing is to leave her with both a better understanding of the gospel and a positive impression of Christians so that she remains open to other opportunities in which God can work.
On the other hand, do not allow fear to inhibit you from giving her an opportunity to make a decision to trust Christ if she is ready. In his book, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Mark McCloskey says, ". . . a proper balance will be maintained between the fact that salvation is crucial and urgent . . . and the reality that not everyone is ready for conversion at the same time, or has the same amount of insight into the personal implications of the gospel . . ." {2}

Praying Before You Go

Pray for opportunities to share and pray for specific people, asking God to give them a hunger for spiritual knowledge. When an opportunity presents itself, acknowledge your complete dependence on Him and praise Him for what He is about to do. Then, proceed with joy, knowing that He is in control of the situation.

Using an Evangelistic Tool

While conversation alone may work well, in one-on-one sharing many people find that the use of a visual aid helps in both understanding and retention. A Bible can be used, but may not always be available or may appear intimidating to the other person. An effective alternative is an evangelistic booklet such as Would You Like to Know God Personally?{3} This booklet has helped many people understand how to receive Christ.

Tips for Using the Booklet Would You Like to Know God Personally?

When using this booklet, hold it so the person can see and read it along with you. Be sure to read it in a friendly tone and make it more personal by using her name as you go through the booklet. You might want to use a pen as a pointer to focus attention on each part. Being familiar with the booklet will contribute to your confidence and ability to make eye contact. Be careful, though, not to become mechanical. Remember, this person may be hearing the plan of salvation for the first time.
Once you begin sharing the booklet with a person, go slowly but steadily. As you are reading, ask, "Does this make sense?" As much as possible, follow the booklet word-for-word. If questions come up, say something like, "That's a good question. Let's see if it is answered later on. If not, we'll come back to it." Or, you might say, "Hold on to that thought and let's discuss it at the end." Be sure, then, to return to the question or any issues you feel need further clarification after you are finished sharing the booklet. Do not get into arguments or try to force the person into a decision. Stay focused on Jesus and the power of His Word.
Certain words that we, as Christians, use often have a very different meaning or even no meaning at all to those who are unfamiliar with them. Taking time to explain what these words or ideas mean and asking a few simple questions will often help you to be certain that the person with whom you are sharing is understanding the message.

Specifics to Keep in Mind . . .

Page Three

After reading John 3:16 on page three, ask, "Have you ever heard this verse before?" Many have, and being able to say yes gives them a chance to feel they are relating to you. If they have not, it tells you a little of their church background or lack thereof.
The question "What prevents us from knowing God personally?" can be asked directly, or you can read it and say, "The second point answers that question." If asking the question directly, be sure you do not respond to her answer in a way that indicates she is "wrong."

Pages Four and Five

People do not like to think of themselves as "sinful." This is often due to the fact that we determine our "goodness" by comparing ourselves with other people rather than understanding what sin is. If someone does not see that she is a sinner, she will never see her need for Christ.
When you finish reading the paragraph on page four you may want to explain sin further by explaining that the original Greek word for sin was used in reference to target practice. The distance from the bull's-eye (perfection) to the actual hit was called "sin." Therefore, sin is anything short of perfection.
After reading Romans 6:23 you may want to explain that the word "wages" refers to what we earn or deserve.
After you read the paragraph explaining the arrows illustration, you could explain it further by pointing out that the arrows in the diagram are different lengths. If several people were trying to jump across the Grand Canyon, some would get farther than others, but all would fail. Some people may be "less sinful" than others, but each one misses perfection in her own efforts.
The word "religion" may be confusing. Explain that "religion" is man's efforts to reach God. Christianity is God's revelation of Himself to man through Jesus Christ.

Pages Six and Seven

Jesus is God's only provision. There are not many ways to God; there is one way. You need to communicate that this is not simply your opinion. It is Jesus' unique claim. You can explain this when you read John 14:6 on page seven. As you read it, underline the words "no one."
After reading the paragraph explaining the diagram on page seven, ask, "What is different about the arrow in this diagram and the arrows in the diagram on page five?" She should notice or you can point out that the one on page seven points down (God's efforts to reach out to man), and that it reaches all the way across the gap. You can use this to point out that while we cannot reach God by any of our own efforts, He provided the one way for us to know Him through Christ's death and resurrection.
Jesus' death was an acceptable, complete payment for the sin of mankind. He was God, offering Himself as a sacrifice.

 Pages Eight and Nine

After reading through these two pages to the point just before the circle diagrams, you may want to explain further what it means to "receive Christ." You could explain that "receiving Christ" means accepting His offer of payment for her sin by His death on the cross. Jesus offers this as a free gift. As with any gift, it is not truly hers until she actually takes it. This is done by faith (trust). She is trusting Christ's death to be sufficient payment for her sins.
Receiving Christ is like a marriage ceremony. Simply agreeing intellectually that this person is a good mate, or admitting deep emotional feelings, does not make them married. It is not until they say "I do" as an act of the will that they are truly married.

The Circles Diagram

The dots in the circles of the self-directed life and the Christ-centered life can be somewhat misleading. They are not intended to imply disordered vs. perfectly-ordered lives, but rather frustration vs. harmony with God's plan. The focus of the circles is whether or not Christ is in the life.

The Questions Directly Following the Circles

Do not be afraid to ask the questions that follow the circles illustration. While you want to be sensitive in your sharing, you also want to give her an opportunity to receive Christ.

 Question #1: Which circle best represents your life?

(You are trying to determine if Christ is in her life or outside of her life.)

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," this could mean any of three things.

0. She may have indeed received Christ at some point in her life.
1. She may be saying this because she is confused in some way. For example, she may have grown up in church and think that alone means she has Christ in her life.
2. Or, particularly in dealing with internationals, she may be saying what she thinks you want to hear. In any case, when she responds with "the circle on the right," say something positive, such as, "That's great. How long have you had Christ in your life?" Or, you could say, "I made this decision when I was in college. How did you come to make your decision?" In gaining more information, you may be able to tell whether she is truly a believer.

• If her response is, "The circle on the left," proceed to the next question.
• If her response is something such as, "I don't know; somewhere in between," ask, "Why do you say that?" Again, she may be confused as to how Christ comes into a life. If so, explain again the idea of receiving Christ by faith, as an act of the will.

Question #2: Which circle would you like to have represent your life?

• If her response is, "The circle on the right," proceed with the booklet.
• If her response is, "The circle on the left," say something such as, "Someday you may change your mind and be interested in investigating further the claims of Christ. You might want to know what receiving Christ involves. Do you mind if I show you one last page?" (referring to page 10). If she is reluctant to go on, this might be a good time to give your own testimony{4} if you feel it is appropriate.
• If her response is, "I don't know," say something such as, "Could you tell me what you're unsure about?" Try to determine if she is confused or is unwilling to make the commitment. If the former, try to clear up any issues causing confusion. If the latter, encourage her to give it more thought. Ask, "What would you say is the one thing that is keeping you from inviting Christ into your life right now?" Make sure she understands how she could receive Christ by going on to the next page. Again, this would be a good place to relate to her by giving your testimony.

Pages Ten and Eleven

The Prayer

Emphasize that the prayer in the booklet simply expresses an attitude, and that the words in themselves are no magic formula. If you sense a shyness in the person, explain that she can pray this prayer in the privacy of her own home. Encourage her to tell you or her pastor so that if she does pray the prayer, further information can be provided to help her learn more about her decision.

How to Know that Christ is in Your Life

If she does pray the prayer with you, as you read this paragraph have her go back and read Revelation 3:20 again (page 9). Ask if she understands that Christ is now in her life.
After reading I John 5:11-13, emphasize "that you may know." John could have used other words instead of know such as think, wish, hope or feel. His intention was to communicate that we should be confident in knowing we have eternal life. It is not presumptuous to say that you can know that you have eternal life and that nothing can ever take that away.
In Hebrews 13:5, God is placing the strongest possible emphasis on the fact that He will never leave you.

Page Twelve

Do Not Depend on Feelings

This page helps people who say, "I asked Christ to come into my life, but I just don't feel any different." If, because of this, she says she has trusted Christ more than once, refer again to Revelation 3:20 and tell her, "If Christ said He will come in, we do not need to continue asking Him."

Bringing Closure

At the end of your conversation, if she received Christ, she should be able to answer these two questions taken from Evangelism Explosion by James Kennedy{5}:

• "If you were to die tonight do you know for sure that you would go to heaven?"
• "Suppose you were to die tonight and you were to stand before God and He were to say to you, 'Why should I let you into my heaven?' What would you say?"

Doing Follow-up

Arrange to meet again if possible. If not, try to arrange for someone else to follow-up this person. At the very least, get her address and send follow-up material. Campus Crusade for Christ offers some helpful material.{6} In addition, encourage her to attend a church which honors Christ.
Hopefully by "walking through" Would You Like to Know God Personally? you feel prepared in knowing how to share the gospel by using this booklet. Many people around the world have been introduced to Jesus Christ through the use of this evangelistic "tool." Our prayer is that you, too, will take the opportunity to share it with someone.

Endnotes

{1}Bill Bright, Witnessing Without Fear: How To Share Your Faith With Confidence, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1987, p. 67.
{2}Mark McCloskey, Tell It Often, Tell It Well, Here's Life Publishers, Inc., 1985, p. 71.
{3}Bill Bright, Would You Like to Know God Personally?, New Life Publications, 1988.
{4}Sharing Your Story: Developing a Personal Testimony, Christian Leadership Ministries, 1997. Also, see 5 Clicks to Sharing Your Faith for help in preparing your personal testimony.
{5}D. James Kennedy, Evangelism Explosion, Tyndale House Publishers, 1983.
{6}For more information on Campus Crusade for Christ materials, contact Integrated Resources. Telephone: 1-800-729-4351.

---

Return to Touching Your World Homepage

---

© Copyright 1996, Campus Crusade for Christ.
Copies of Touching Your World are available for $15.00 for U.S. addresses and $25.00 for international destinations. Include the appropriate payment and request Touching Your World from
Lewis & Stanley Publishers
P.O. Box 129
Addison, TX   75001    USA
Phone: 972-713-7130