“Therefore, go and make disciples of all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, and teaching them to obey everything I have commanded you. And surely, I am with you always, to the very end of the age” (Matthew 28:19-20).
I get very excited each time I think I am able to make an impact on someone while discussing Jesus Christ. Often, I tell friends or fellow churchgoers how the situation actually came about. In sharing my conversation with a total stranger about Christ, I am often asked, “How do you witness?”
For me, it’s simple. But I realize some people might be shy or reluctant to speak to people they don’t know. I do, however, caution you with Matthew 10:16: “Behold, I send you forth as sheep into the midst of wolves. Be therefore wise as serpents and harmless as doves.”
You should always be alert as well as cautious with people you do not know well.
Neighbors
The best place to start is in your own neighborhood. You see your neighbors in person from time to time. Ask them if they need help with anything or if they need prayer for something troubling them.
You don’t have to be preachy or the “church lady.” Just be a good neighbor available to help. While talking to your neighbors, ask if they go to church, or tell them about some event your church is having, such as a Christmas pageant or a special speaker of some sort.
Delivery drivers
Now that we get groceries delivered or brought to our cars at curbside, there is an opportunity to share with the delivery person. Give them some information about your church or a salvation tract. Remember, some people may never have been exposed to the gospel and really have no idea who Christ is or what Christians believe.
Who doesn’t get delivery to their door by UPS, Amazon, or Federal Express? This is a perfect time to do two things.
We make up little snack bags with three or four items, such as cookies, candy, and beef jerky to hand out when delivery drivers bring stuff to our door.
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We always ask them if we can pray for their day and have never yet had any of them refuse us. Some of them have told us no one has ever prayed for them in their lives. How sad is this?
Service people, such as plumbers, landscape people, and television repair people, are fertile ground.
Salvation tracts
Salvation tracts can be bought at Christian bookstores, Christianbook.com, or Amazon. If you still mail payments, insert a tract along with your payment. You never know if the person opening the mail might just need to hear the salvation message of Christ that day.
I had a pastor tell me he had two elderly ladies who distributed salvation tracts in very unique ways. One went to adult bookstores and inserted a “God loves you” note into the men’s magazines. Another woman went to the airport and rolled them up inside the toilet tissue rolls in the lady’s bathroom. I have to admit, these are original.
Encouragement
Use your imagination and think up novel and unconventional methods of sharing God’s word.
Once you get started, it will just come naturally, and you will feel much better for your actions as a result.
You may save a life. I have had people tell me my speaking to them kept them from committing suicide that day.
Peary Perry is an author and husband, father, grandfather and great-grandfather. To learn more about him, you can visit www.pearyperry.com or email him confidentially at pperry@pearyperry.com. The views expressed in this resource article are those of the author.
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