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Post by julienbakerfan on Dec 13, 2018 0:32:52 GMT -6
I've recently joined my church. On the "application," there was a section that asked about hobbies outside of work and church that bring me into contact with people who are unbelievers. The only two things I put down were playing Magic: The Gathering and going to concerts.
I am slightly involved in my local music scene; I'm pretty involved in a Facebook group, have played a show, and have gone to several other shows. I would go to more, but most are not in smoke-free venues. I'm usually polite to the other people in the scene (I don't have any close friends involved). I am nervous, however, because I have never witnessed to anyone and have lived most of my life in venues where people were in some way or another connected with evangelical Christianity, even if they weren't Christians or were very nominal. My tendency is to just stay back and not talk about serious stuff because it might offend people or start conflicts. I'm also just not a very "edgy" guy--I don't drink, smoke, or curse (much), I have a respectable 9-5, etc.
How do I go about being a good witness to these people I see at shows and occasionally talk with? I don't want to rush in and hand everyone a bunch of cheesy Bible tracts. At the same time, I don't want to just hang back and never talk about my beliefs. Your help is appreciated.
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Post by Deleted on Dec 13, 2018 11:04:23 GMT -6
What I would do is try to have intentional conversations with people that you know in the scene. Just start talking to them and pry into their lives a little bit and try to reach deeper topics than you normally would, and steer it towards the gospel. You don't need to be "edgy" or have tracts like you said, just be genuine.
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Post by Thomas Eversole on Dec 13, 2018 14:53:51 GMT -6
How do I go about being a good witness to these people I see at shows and occasionally talk with? I don't want to rush in and hand everyone a bunch of cheesy Bible tracts. At the same time, I don't want to just hang back and never talk about my beliefs. Your help is appreciated. Here's my take on evangelizing and witnessing to others, in any setting. For starters - no Christian has ever "got a person saved". We cannot supervise the hearts of others. All we can do is something similar to the dude with orange cones at the airport - point people in the right direction, and hope they follow said directions and apply them. You should not feel ANY pressure to "get them saved" because its not up to you. You should not feel like a failure because you pointed someone in the right direction, and their response was to extend a middle finger and walk the opposite direction. When 2 hopeless drunks in the 1930s figured out how God and applying certain concepts helped them maintain sobriety (Alcoholics Anonymous), for a brief period of time, they went about it by going into the bars and dragging people off their bar-stools, to "save" them. It did not work. At all. 0% success. I think every Christian would agree that everyone NEEDS to be saved, but you're only going to be able to reach those who WANT to be saved, or at least are open to ideas/discussion about being given "directions". In short, if they are found to be receptive, talk to them about it. If you push and they shy away, stop pushing. If they are not receptive, come back to it later. If they are REALLY not receptive, come back MUCH later. Approach is important. It is IMPOSSIBLE to not sound like an unstable freak when the very first words to another person who is unknown, are about "let me tell you about Jesus". I LOVE Jesus and it has freaked me out every time this has happened to me. Never assume, because the guy dressed in black with a pentagram tattoo on his face might actually (now) be a Christian with a very strong faith. Like @crimsonwarrior stated, a good time to bring it up, is when its someone you're already casually talking to. (if you're looking for where to start, then start with "just a friendly conversation" to someone else, making acquaintances and friends) I could see how "prying" for details or "steering" the conversation would be an effective approach to some people, but not others. It depends on how you do it, it depends on the person. From my experience, usually a discussion about ghosts or aliens (something supernatural/paranormal/the-great-unknown) means the conversation is headed in the right direction. That being said, it helps to have at least SOME knowledge of those "precursors" to keep the discussion going. Also regarding approach, God gave us 2 ears and 1 mouth. Listening is a much bigger priority, than talking. If you come across as chomping at the bit ala "I gotta tell you something", that can shy some people away. aka Let me help you (when they appear to need help) > I need another notch on my savin'-people belt Being a "living witness" is a good thing too. If you come across as nice, happy, like you've got yourself together, etc. people may be curious what you're doing that is working for you. Lastly, if you go to 200 places in 2 years and don't identify any witnessing opportunities, don't sweat it or put any time constraints on yourself. There's no "end of everything" currently in view, so, no sense in going about it like your hair is on fire. Be PATIENT. It could be 1 year of talking to a friend before there's an obvious opportunity. Just be aware, be ready, suit up and show up. If its meant to be, it will be.
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