Preparation
Before reaching out, spend time with the Lord asking Him to prepare you, the person and the circumstances. Ask Him to lead you in the correct approach and to give you sensitivity and wisdom. Remember that this opportunity is led by the Holy Spirit who knows everything about the person. Be ready to receive guidance from Him. He may even reveal to you a Word of Knowledge and will probably give a Word of Wisdom when needed.
Contact
Start a friendship.
Start chatting about anything in common. Adapt conversation to his apparent interests, work, etc. Be open and friendly; offer yourself and your friendship. Remember you love him. Show real interest in his life. You may become an important part of his life.
Then guide the conversation in a spiritual direction.
Use transition points to create curiosity and to prepare the person for the next step or Draw general circumstances through to God's role in it, i.e. weather, disasters, war etc. or Tell how God changed similar personal circumstances in your life or Use circumstances to change the topic and also for a transition point e.g. accidents etc.
A few transition points (following the creation of a friendship).
The purpose of the following is to get his attention and to let him wonder where you're headed.
Have you ever thought about your future? Just start to tell about your life and then challenge him. Ask "Have you met Jesus?" Did you know somebody loves you?" You look worried, is something bothering you?"
Be creative. The Holy Spirit will give appropriate transition points. Don’t reason, just follow.
Basic approach
This pattern can be followed casually, but it is essential to stick to the basic format and to memorise the questions, scriptures and basic plan of salvation.
Question 1:
“If you have to die now are you very sure that you would go to heaven?”
A. If answer on Q1 is no.... ask Q2
Question 2:
“Did you know that one can be sure?”
John 3:16: For God so loved the world, that he gave his only Son, that whoever believes in him should not perish but have eternal life.
1 John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God that you may know that you have eternal life.
Proclaim that you are sure and give your testimony. (See nature of testimony)
then
Explain the "Plan of Salvation"
B. If answer on Q1 is yes, ask Q3 - but
Do not take it for granted that he is saved! He may have a wrong idea and/or teaching of being a Christian. He may try and get rid of you easily. Remember your compassion for him.
Question 3:
“When you get to heaven and the Father asks you: ‘Why should I allow you into my heaven?’ What would your answer be?”
The right answer should be something like: I’m born again, I invited Jesus into my life, Jesus is my saviour, I’m a new creation, etc. Anything that glorifies Jesus and indicates a point of change in his life! You, the worker, will know. You can test him through questioning.
Examples of wrong answers:
Going to church Counter with John 14:6
Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me.
Doing good works Counter with Ephesians. 2:8, 9
For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - Not by works, so that no one can boast.
Believe in God Counter with James 2:19
You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
Always counter with scripture, memorise lots of relevant scripture (see list).
If his answer is right, ask him to tell you what happened in his life. You will be able, through the Holy Spirit's help, to discern what his relationship with Jesus is like. If in doubt about his salvation - give your testimony. Explain the plan of salvation. If his answer is wrong also do as abovementioned.
Plan of salvation (Tell it in story form)
Adam’s sin (disobedience) brought alienation between God and man (Isaiah 59:1-2). Man died spiritually (Genesis 2:17). Relationship with God broken (Genesis 3:10-24 – tell the story briefly in own words). All manhood involved (Romans 3:23, Romans 5:12).Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
The result is death – eternal separation from God (Romans 6:23).
· God is righteous and therefore must do what he promised - cannot go back on his word.
· Through the Law and the Prophets, with the help of men like Noah, Abraham, Isaac, Jacob, Joseph, Moses and the Judges God tried to deliver His people from Satan’s power and eternal damnation, which is the consequence of sin. He made available animal sacrifice and the shedding of blood to make atonement for sin. Man, however, keep on being disobedient and sinful.
· God’s ideal solution: He sent his son, Jesus Christ, to the world to be the ultimate sacrifice once and for all and to become the leader of His new nation. Jesus came to:
Tell how God's children should live. Live the perfect life in all its facets, and to set an example (Hebrews 2:17, 18). Explain freely rather than quote exactly. Take our sin, sufferings and sickness on Him (Isaiah 53:5). Explain freely Overcome sin (Hebrews 4:14-16). Pay the wages of sin in order to set us free (Romans 6:23). Overcome Satan and principalities of darkness (Hebrews 2:14). Overcome death. He has risen! (Hebrews 2:14).
In Christ we have
Victory over sin and death (1 Corinthians 15:55-57). Victory over the devil (Romans 8:37). Eternal life (John 3:36).
What is my share?
I must count the cost and make the choice. I must believe what Jesus did on the cross for me (John 3:16). I must be born again (John. 3:3, 7)."You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again.’"
I must confess the name of Jesus (Romans 10:9, 10).
How can I become born again?
Explain to the person the sinner's prayer.
I admit that I am a sinner and that I am lost. I confess that I sin by following my own will. I accept what you did on the cross for me. I make you the master of my life.
1 John 1:9, Romans 10:9, 10, John 3:16.
Then: Ask him if he thinks he is ready to accept Jesus now, or would he rather like to think about it first.
If he wants to think –
Leave him with a tract. Put his name on your regular prayer list and leave him your telephone number (optional). Try and maintain some form of contact with him. Make it a point to regularly pray for his salvation (1 John 5:11-15, 1 Timothy 2:4). Make every effort to stay in touch and build a friendship.
If he wants to repent
Let him pray the sinner’s prayer based on the above explanation – it is often helpful to lead him in prayer, but usually more authentic or genuine if he prays his own repentance. I often just prompt him with some ideas whilst he prays. Then pray for him. Now ask him what he is (2 Corinthians 5:17). Remind him that his sins are forgiven (Psalm 103:12, Isaiah 1:18).Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Encourage him that the righteous shall live by faith. Tell him he is now a child of God (John.1:12, 13) if he’d meant what he’d prayed.
Immediate follow up is very important!!
Give a booklet to read or tell him to read gospel of John. Tell him to pray, read the Bible, testify, fellowship with Christians and serve. Keep contact.
Hints
Always make person aware that you care about his salvation - be real. Have the attitude of warning him that he is lost. He is lost, so you are doing him a favour. Adapt the point of contact and the conversation to the person's character, job, interests, etc. Also to circumstances such as an accident, illness, news incidents, world conditions, etc. While you’re talking, sense the person's attitude and adapt to it, i.e. stay in the Spirit continuously. Always keep tracts handy. Effort and love make an impression.
Problems How to overcome
Time Estimate beforehand how much time is available and plan accordingly.
Fear and Shyness Knowledge and experience eliminates fear and shyness
Self Make time to share the love of Jesus.
Be prepared for discomfort.
Don’ts
Stay away from talking church - keep to Jesus
doctrine
senseless arguments (2 Timothy 2:23-26)
compromise with the world.
Beware of
argumentative spirits false prophets forcing people
Always
Live out Jesus. Leave a tract and or telephone number. Be prepared to become involved in her life.
Remember
Results will encourage you. You sow seeds. Therefore do not necessarily expect immediate results. You may be the harvester at the time, or just one of the many contacts God uses to touch a soul on his way to salvation. Give the Holy Spirit liberty to guide you in any direction.
Nature of a testimony
Must be short and to the point. Must create in person the desire to have what you experienced. Must be given with joy and enthusiasm. Little of before, lots of after.
List of scripture to memorise (Examples)
Genesis 2:17: But you must not eat from the tree of the knowledge of good and evil, for when you eat of it you will surely die.
Psalm 103:12: As far as the east is from the west, so far has he removed our transgressions from us.
Isaiah 1:18: Come now, let us reason together," says the LORD. "Though your sins are like scarlet, they shall be as white as snow; though they are red as crimson, they shall be like wool.
Isaiah 53:5: But he was pierced for our transgressions, he was crushed for our iniquities; the punishment that brought us peace was upon him, and by his wounds we are healed.
Isaiah 59:1-3: Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. 3 For your hands are stained with blood, your fingers with guilt. Your lips have spoken lies, and your tongue mutters wicked things.
Matthew 11:28: Come to me, all you who are weary and burdened, and I will give you rest.
John 1:12, 13: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God. 13 Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
John 1:29B: The next day John saw Jesus coming toward him and said, "Look, the Lamb of God, who takes away the sin of the world!
John 3:3-5: In reply Jesus declared, "I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again." 4 How can a man be born when he is old?" Nicodemus asked. "Surely he cannot enter a second time into his mother's womb to be born!" 5 Jesus answered, "I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit.
John 3:l6: "For God so loved the world that he gave his one and only Son, that whoever believes in him shall not perish but have eternal life.
John 3:36: Whoever believes in the Son has eternal life, but whoever rejects the Son will not see life, for God's wrath remains on him."
John 4:14: But whoever drinks the water I give him will never thirst. Indeed, the water I give him will become in him a spring of water welling up to eternal life."
John 5:24: "I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 6:37: All that the Father gives me will come to me, and whoever comes to me I will never drive away.
John 7:37B: On the last and greatest day of the Feast, Jesus stood and said in a loud voice, "If anyone is thirsty, let him come to me and drink”.
John 8:12: When Jesus spoke again to the people, he said, "I am the light of the world. Whoever follows me will never walk in darkness, but will have the light of life.
John 8:31, 32: To the Jews who had believed him, Jesus said, "If you hold to my teaching, you are really my disciples. Then you will know the truth, and the truth will set you free."
John 10:9, 10: I am the gate; whoever enters through me will be saved. He will come in and go out, and find pasture. The thief comes only to steal and kill and destroy; I have come that they may have life, and have it to the full.
John11:25, 26, 40: Jesus said to her, "I am the resurrection and the life. He who believes in me will live, even though he dies; And whoever lives and believes in me will never die. Do you believe this?" Then Jesus said, "Did I not tell you that if you believed, you would see the glory of God?"
John 12:25, 32: The man who loves his life will lose it, while the man who hates his life in this world will keep it for eternal life. But I, when I am lifted up from the earth, will draw all men to myself."
John 14:6, 14: Jesus answered, "I am the way and the truth and the life. No one comes to the Father except through me. 14 You may ask me for anything in my name, and I will do it.
John 17:3: Now this is eternal life: that they may know you, the only true God, and Jesus Christ, whom you have sent.
John 20:31: But these are written that you may believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God, and that by believing you may have life in his name.
Romans 3:23: For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.
Romans 3:24: And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Romans 5:8: But God demonstrates his own love for us in this: While we were still sinners, Christ died for us.
Romans 5:12: Therefore, just as sin entered the world through one man, and death through sin, and in this way death came to all men, because all sinned.
Romans 6:23: For the wages of sin is death, but the gift of God is eternal life in Christ Jesus our Lord.
Romans 8:37: No, in all these things we are more than conquerors through him who loved us.
Romans 10:9, 10: That if you confess with your mouth, "Jesus is Lord," and believe in your heart that God raised him from the dead, you will be saved. 10 For it is with your heart that you believe and are justified, and it is with your mouth that you confess and are saved.
Romans 10:13: For, “Everyone who calls on the name of the Lord will be saved”.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
1 Corinthians 15:55-57: "Where, O death, is your victory? Where, O death, is your sting?" 56 The sting of death is sin, and the power of sin is the law. 57 But thanks be to God! He gives us the victory through our Lord Jesus Christ.
Ephesians 2:8, 9: For it is by grace you have been saved, through faith--and this not from yourselves, it is the gift of God - 9 Not by works, so that no one can boast.
Ephesians 5:8: For you were once darkness, but now you are light in the Lord. Live as children of light.
Hebrews 2:14, 15: Since the children have flesh and blood, he too shared in their humanity so that by his death he might destroy him who holds the power of death--that is, the devil - 15 And free those who all their lives were held in slavery by their fear of death.
Hebrews 2:17, 18: For this reason he had to be made like his brothers in every way, in order that he might become a merciful and faithful high priest in service to God, and that he might make atonement for the sins of the people. Because he himself suffered when he was tempted, he is able to help those who are being tempted.
Hebrews 4:14-16: Therefore, since we have a great high priest who has gone through the heavens, Jesus the Son of God, let us hold firmly to the faith we profess. 15 For we do not have a high priest who is unable to sympathize with our weaknesses, but we have one who has been tempted in every way, just as we are--yet was without sin. 16 Let us then approach the throne of grace with confidence, so that we may receive mercy and find grace to help us in our time of need.
James 2:19: You believe that there is one God. Good! Even the demons believe that--and shudder.
1 Peter 2:24: He himself bore our sins in his body on the tree, so that we might die to sins and live for righteousness; by his wounds you have been healed.
1 John 1:7: But if we walk in the light, as he is in the light, we have fellowship with one another, and the blood of Jesus, his Son, purifies us from all sin.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
1 John 5:11, 12: And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
1John 5:13: I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
1 John 3:1: How great is the love the Father has lavished on us, that we should be called children of God! And that is what we are! The reason the world does not know us is that it did not know him.
Revelation 3:20: Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me.
Revelation 3:21: To him who overcomes, I will give the right to sit with me on my throne, just as I overcame and sat down with my Father on his throne.
Here is a tract:
When you are born again, Jesus lives in you through the Holy Spirit. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,’” (Acts 2:38).
With Him come peace, strength, and power. In the past, you had anxiety with no hope, a life without purpose. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and are filled with the Holy Spirit, you suddenly know where you are going. Nothing in life is in vain anymore, because your desires were brought in line with God’s desires. You suddenly are fulfilled and have zeal for God. You understand the Word of the Lord much better. It is as if a whole new life has opened for you. All these are because, at the moment of rebirth, the Lord has done a miracle in you. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me,’” (Revelation 3:20).
Do you want it? Simply pray, “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I have sinned by following my own desires. I am sorry. I invite you to come in and live with me. Give me rebirth and make me a new creation. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can have the power and love to be your witness.”
If you have prayed this, you are born again. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
All you need to do now is to exercise your faith. If you want to keep fit as an athlete, you need to exercise. Exercising your faith means that you need to fill yourself with knowledge from the Word, read the Bible daily, pray constantly, and serve within a Bible-preaching church. Telling your family and friends about what happened to you will help your faith grow.
1 Timothy 2:4-6: [God] Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 Who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time.
Isaiah 59:1, 2: Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear.
Romans 3:21-24: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus.
Hebrews 9:27: ...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment...
2 Corinthians 5:15: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again.
1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness.
John 5:24: I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life.
John 1:12, 13: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God.
1 Peter 1:23: For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God.
1 John 4:7: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God.
1 John 5:4: For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith.
1 John 5:11-12: And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life.
2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
Here is a tract:
How Can I be Born Again
Are you sure that when you die, you will go to heaven? Jesus said: “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7). Maybe you have a void within you that you can’t fill. You have tried many things: sports, adventure, success, good works, money, religion, or shopping, but nothing brings fulfillment. You still lack something. Maybe you grew up in Christian surroundings and consider yourself a Christian because of birth and background, but you still have that void. The question is, what is that void?
Only one person can fill it, and He is Jesus. You need to be born again. “In reply Jesus declared, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can see the kingdom of God unless he is born again,’” (John 3:3). “Jesus answered, ‘I tell you the truth, no one can enter the kingdom of God unless he is born of water and the Spirit,’” (John 3:5). Are you sure that when you die, you will go to heaven? Jesus said: “You should not be surprised at my saying, ‘You must be born again’” (John 3:7). Maybe you have a void within you that you can’t fill. You have tried many things: sports, adventure, success, good works, money, religion, or shopping, but nothing brings fulfillment. You still lack something. Maybe you grew up in Christian surroundings and consider yourself a Christian because of birth and background, but you still have that void. The question is, what is that void?
When you are born again, Jesus lives in you through the Holy Spirit. “Peter replied, ‘Repent and be baptized, every one of you, in the name of Jesus Christ for the forgiveness of your sins. And you will receive the gift of the Holy Spirit,’” (Acts 2:38).
With Him come peace, strength, and power. In the past, you had anxiety with no hope, a life without purpose. If you have accepted Jesus as your Savior and are filled with the Holy Spirit, you suddenly know where you are going. Nothing in life is in vain anymore, because your desires were brought in line with God’s desires. You suddenly are fulfilled and have zeal for God. You understand the Word of the Lord much better. It is as if a whole new life has opened for you. All these are because, at the moment of rebirth, the Lord has done a miracle in you. “Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!” (2 Corinthians 5:17).
“‘Here I am! I stand at the door and knock. If anyone hears my voice and opens the door, I will come in and eat with him, and he with me,’” (Revelation 3:20).
Do you want it? Simply pray, “Lord Jesus, I am a sinner. I have sinned by following my own desires. I am sorry. I invite you to come in and live with me. Give me rebirth and make me a new creation. Please fill me with the Holy Spirit so that I can have the power and love to be your witness.”
If you have prayed this, you are born again. “I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life” (1 John 5:13).
All you need to do now is to exercise your faith. If you want to keep fit as an athlete, you need to exercise. Exercising your faith means that you need to fill yourself with knowledge from the Word, read the Bible daily, pray constantly, and serve within a Bible-preaching church. Telling your family and friends about what happened to you will help your faith grow.
If you have anything to discuss concerning the decision you just made, please feel free to e-mail us at discipleliving@gmail.com.
More passages to help you understand the need to be born again.
1 Timothy 2:4-6: [God] Who wants all men to be saved and to come to a knowledge of the truth. 5 For there is one God and one mediator between God and men, the man Christ Jesus, 6 Who gave himself as a ransom for all men--the testimony given in its proper time. Isaiah 59:1, 2: Surely the arm of the LORD is not too short to save, nor his ear too dull to hear. 2 But your iniquities have separated you from your God; your sins have hidden his face from you, so that he will not hear. Romans 3:21-24: But now a righteousness from God, apart from law, has been made known, to which the Law and the Prophets testify. 22 This righteousness from God comes through faith in Jesus Christ to all who believe. There is no difference, 23 For all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God, 24 And are justified freely by his grace through the redemption that came by Christ Jesus. Hebrews 9:27: ...man is destined to die once, and after that to face judgment... 2 Corinthians 5:15: And he died for all, that those who live should no longer live for themselves but for him who died for them and was raised again. 1 John 1:9: If we confess our sins, he is faithful and just and will forgive us our sins and purify us from all unrighteousness. John 5:24: I tell you the truth, whoever hears my word and believes him who sent me has eternal life and will not be condemned; he has crossed over from death to life. John 1:12, 13: Yet to all who received him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God – 13 Children born not of natural descent, nor of human decision or a husband's will, but born of God. 1 Peter 1:23: For you have been born again, not of perishable seed, but of imperishable, through the living and enduring word of God. 1 John 4:7: Dear friends, let us love one another, for love comes from God. Everyone who loves has been born of God and knows God. 1 John 5:4: For everyone born of God overcomes the world. This is the victory that has overcome the world, even our faith. 1 John 5:11-12: And this is the testimony: God has given us eternal life, and this life is in his Son. 12 He who has the Son has life; he who does not have the Son of God does not have life. 2 Corinthians 5:17: Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, he is a new creation; the old has gone, the new has come!
