NavTools
Getting Out of Your Witnessing Box
#1: Go for a prayer walk
A prayer walk involves just walking through our neighborhoods, our workplaces, or our schools, and praying—for households, co-workers, or classmates.
#2 Create a safe zone for questions
People need a place where they can discuss faith, where no question is labeled silly and no one is expected to have previous biblical knowledge. Creating save zones might mean inviting unchurched friends to our homes to view the Jesus film or to visitor-oriented church activities. Then we create the safe zone by following up these activities with an opportunity to ask questions on anything said or done that the visitor didn’t understand.
#3 Bring your hope to the funeral home
If a friend loses a loved one, make an effort to go to the wake or the funeral. It will reveal how he or she views death and build a connection you can follow up with later.
#4 Practice hands-on involvement
Outside observers who seldom care about doctrinal issues view caring, compassionate acts of service as authentic Christian faith.
#5 Join something
Permeate your culture. Coach soccer. Join the PTA. Run for school council. Get involved in the gardening club. Become a volunteer. Offer to pray with the police. Host a neighborhood open house.
#6 Perform an integrity test
Ask your non-Christian friends to evaluate your life as a follower of Christ. Ask, “If I’m supposed to be salt, is there anything about my life that makes you thirsty to know God?” or “Am I a good advertisement for following Jesus?”
#7 Address felt needs
Instead of addressing the Gospel to what we think they need, why not start with what they feel they need? Have your church host a seminar on investments, handling conflict at work, or managing stress.
Adapted from Stop Witnessing and Start Loving by Paul Borthwick published by NavPress (2003), www.navpress.com. Used with permission.
