Tag: witnessing

Evangelism Don’ts – Christian Worker’s Handbook

The following “don’ts” from the Christian Worker’s Handbook are not hard-and-fast rules, never to be broken, but in general it is safe to observe them:
1. Don’t wait for impressions. Be “instant in season and out of season” (2 Tim. 4:2).
2. Don’t argue. If one is not in earnest, give him the word he needs and go to another (Mt. 7:6).
3. Don’t always attempt to prove spiritual things. The burden of proof rests upon the unbeliever. Simply declare truth and leave results with God (Isa. 55:10-11).
4. Don’t always try to explain spiritual things (1 Cor. 2:14). If one insists on this, ask him to explain electricity, radio waves and other material things he believes in.
5. Don’t give your own experience. Seekers might want a similar experience as evidence of salvation instead of looking to Jesus by faith. Use the Word to answer all problems (2 Tim. 2:15; 4:2).
6. Don’t exalt yourself (or act as though you were an angel and the seeker a lowly sinner). Become all things to all men to win them (1 Cor. 9:19-23).
7. Don’t overwork the personal pronoun “I.” John wrote his whole gospel without using it once. Exalt Christ (Jn. 16:13-16).
8. Don’t give Scriptures secondhand. Have a Bible ready. If the seeker disputes it, show him he makes God a liar (Rom. 3:4).
9. Don’t hurry over any Scripture. One or two is all that is necessary to prove a point (2 Cor. 13:1). Emphasize the part the seeker needs until he clearly understands.
10. Don’t raise unnecessary objections. Inquirers will bring up plenty for one to answer wisely and scripturally (2 Tim. 2:15).
11. Don’t condemn. Sinners are already condemned (Jn. 3:16-21).
12. Don’t refer to the sins and habits of a seeker. Get him saved and these things will take care of themselves (2 Cor. 5:17).
13. Don’t insist on going to an altar. Endeavor to get men saved where they are, or offer to go with them anywhere to pray. Insist on immediate surrender (2 Cor. 6:2).
14. Don’t give too many points. Find a verse that covers the excuse and stick with it. Going from verse to verse leads to other objections (Mt. 10:16).
15. Don’t permit a sinner to lead you from subject to subject. This shows a lack of conviction and reveals that his purpose is merely to argue (2 Tim. 2:25).
16. Don’t state your idea or belief. Others have these too, so explain what the Word says, and trust the Holy Spirit to convince of sin (Jn. 16:7-11).
17. Don’t act victorious or smart when you score a point. Give God the credit for helping you (Phil. 2:13).
18. Don’t be led to side issues. The sinner needs the new birth first (Jn. 3:3-5). He can learn about “Cain’s wife,” “Hell” and other doctrines later (1 Tim. 6:20; 2 Tim. 2:16).
19. Don’t practice telling sad stories. These things may cause tears, but not because of sin. Point the sinner to Christ (Jn. 3:16).
20. Don’t talk all the time. Let the inquirer do the talking after the conversation is started, then answer him wisely with the Word (1 Pet. 3:15).
21. Don’t cross a seeker. Agree with him when possible or say nothing (Pr. 11:30).
22. Don’t leave one case for another. This is the way to land fish. Land him and then catch another (Mk. 1:16-20).
23. Don’t talk too loudly or get excited. Be calm and prayerful in winning souls (Jn. 3).
24. Don’t be overzealous. Sometimes a worker who is overzealous and inexperienced will seek to force a sinner to get saved. This sometimes drives sinners away (Mt. 10:16).
25. Don’t be indifferent to those seeking God. This is no time to stand and talk and visit. If you are not working yourself, do not hinder others (1 Tim. 3:15).
26. Don’t be an intruder. Two workers talking to a soul at the same time often give opposite instructions. The seeker becomes confused (1 Cor. 14:33).
27. Don’t interrupt a worker dealing with a soul. Your conversation can wait. This might give the sinner a chance to change his mind and put off salvation (Rom. 13:10).
28. Don’t crowd around seekers. This may embarrass the seeker and confuse the worker (1 Cor. 14:40).

29. Don’t tell seekers to think it over. Bring them to a decision at once if possible. They may never get this close to surrender again (Mt. 13:19).
30. Don’t have bad breath or a noticeable body order. Keep yourself and your clothing clean (1 Cor. 6:19-20).
31. Don’t be a hypocrite. We have too many of them already. Get saved first before you save others (Rom. 2:21-24).
32. Don’t hurry the seeker. Let him pray as long as he desires and then help in whatever way you can (Lk. 13:1-5; 18:13-14).
33. Don’t tell persons they are saved. Let the Spirit reveal this to them. If they are doubtful give them Scripture that assures them of salvation and then let them believe and be satisfied (Rom. 8:16; 1 Jn. 1:9).
34. Don’t insist on keeping sinners on their knees. Some knees are more tender than the heart. Men can be saved in any position (Lk. 18:9-14).
35. Don’t let a sinner go away unsatisfied. If he has prayed and he still is doubtful because he does not feel anything, show him that his faith must rest upon the Word of God, not on feelings and experiences of others (Eph. 2:8-9).
36. Don’t insist that a sinner get saved like you did. Circumstances and dispositions may be different in his case (Jn. 3:16).
37. Don’t emphasize emotions. Remind a seeker that facts come first; feelings and emotions last (Eph. 2:8-9; 1 Jn. 1:9).
38. Don’t lean on sinners. Their sins are heavy enough to bear without having to bear your weight. Let him think of his sins and not you (Jn. 16:8).
39. Don’t pray long or loud prayers. Pray right to the point and along the line you have been directing him. Confess sins and pray with him as if you were also a sinner (Dan. 9:20).
40. Don’t be discouraged. Your business is to witness and leave results with God. Jesus or none of His apostles won everyone they talked with. Faithfulness, not success is required. Never give up a case. Stick to it as long as Satan does (1 Pet. 5:8-9).
41. Don’t look upon any case as being hard. Remember Paul, the chief of sinners got saved (1 Tim. 1:15).
42. Don’t discuss church conditions or Christian failures with sinners. They know too much about these things already. Get them to see Jesus as the example (1 Pet. 2:21).
43. Don’t act too familiar with the opposite sex. In general, men should work with men and women with women. Avoid all appearance of evil (1 Thess. 5:22).
44. Don’t act indifferent to any human need. Sinners are quick to discern any lack of interest or earnestness in workers (Rom. 12:11).
45. Don’t be discourteous. Some workers talk to sinners as though they were the untouchables. Really love and care for the lowest of sinners. This will be like Jesus (Mt. 11:19).
46. Don’t try to force anyone to accept truth or read the Bible. If he does not want truth let him alone (Mt. 7:6).
47. Don’t lose patience. Sinners will be quick to detect any anger or impatience and you will lose your chance to win them. Keep self-control and consider lost souls first, not your feelings (Gal. 5:22-23).
48. Don’t be careless or half-hearted in dealing with a soul. Realize that an eternal soul is at stake and this maybe his last chance to escape hell. Be thorough and in dead earnest to rescue every man for whom Christ died (Lk. 19:10).
49. Don’t lose sight of the value of a soul. Jesus died that each man should be saved. Each soul is worth more than the whole world and the greatest price that Heaven could afford was paid for everyone (Mk. 8:32; 1 Cor. 6:20; Jn. 3:16).
50. Don’t fail to instruct new converts on how to live a Christian life.

Christian Worker’s Handbook.

The Christian Worker’s Handbook is only available in the Dake Reference Library Software.

The Basis for Christian Work

“And he said unto them, Go ye into all the world, and preach the gospel to every creature. He that believeth and is baptized shall be saved; but he that believeth not shall be damned. And these signs shall follow them that believe; In my name shall they cast out devils; they shall speak with new tongues; They shall take up serpents; and if they drink any deadly thing, it shall not hurt them; they shall lay hands on the sick, and they shall recover.

So then after the Lord had spoken unto them, he was received up into heaven, and sat on the right hand of God. And they went forth, and preached every where, the Lord working with them, and confirming the word with signs following. Amen” (Mk. 16:15-20).

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost: Teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you: and, lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen” (Mt. 28:19-20).

“And said unto them, Thus it is written, and thus it behoved Christ to suffer, and to rise from the dead the third day: And that repentance and remission of sins should be preached in his name among all nations, beginning at Jerusalem. And ye are witnesses of these things.

And, behold, I send the promise of my Father upon you: but tarry ye in the city of Jerusalem, until ye be endued with power from on high.

And he led them out as far as to Bethany, and he lifted up his hands, and blessed them. And it came to pass, while he blessed them, he was parted from them, and carried up into heaven. And they worshipped him, and returned to Jerusalem with great joy: And were continually in the temple, praising and blessing God. Amen” (Lk. 24:46-53).

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto the uttermost part of the earth” (Acts 1:8).

“Therefore they that were scattered abroad went every where preaching the word” (Acts 8:4).

“Study to shew thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the Word of Truth” (2 Tim. 2:15).

“But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear” (1 Pet. 3:15).

“I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable service. And be not conformed to this world: but be ye transformed by the renewing of your mind, that ye may prove what is that good, and acceptable, and perfect, will of God.

For I say, through the grace given unto me, to every man that is among you, not to think of himself more highly than he ought to think; but to think soberly, according as God hath dealt to every man the measure of faith. For as we have many members in one body, and all members have not the same office: So we, being many, are one body in Christ, and every one members one of another. Having then gifts differing according to the grace that is given to us, whether prophecy, let us prophesy according to the proportion of faith; Or ministry, let us wait on our ministering: or he that teacheth, on teaching; Or he that exhorteth, on exhortation: he that giveth, let him do it with simplicity; he that ruleth, with diligence; he that sheweth mercy, with cheerfulness” (Rom. 12:1-8).

“I therefore, the prisoner of the Lord, beseech you that ye walk worthy of the vocation wherewith ye are called, With all lowliness and meekness, with longsuffering, forbearing one another in love; Endeavouring to keep the unity of the Spirit in the bond of peace. There is one body, and one Spirit, even as ye are called in one hope of your calling; One Lord, one faith, one baptism, One God and Father of all, who is above all, and through all, and in you all. But unto every one of us is given grace according to the measure of the gift of Christ. Wherefore he saith, When he ascended up on high, he led captivity captive, and gave gifts unto men. (Now that he ascended, what is it but that he also descended first into the lower parts of the earth? He that descended is the same also that ascended up far above all heavens, that he might fill all things.) And he gave some, apostles; and some, prophets; and some, evangelists; and some, pastors and teachers; For the perfecting of the saints, for the work of the ministry, for the edifying of the body of Christ: Till we all come in the unity of the faith, and of the knowledge of the Son of God, unto a perfect man, unto the measure of the stature of the fulness of Christ” (Eph. 4:1-13).

“Preach the Word; be instant in season, out of season; reprove, rebuke, exhort with all longsuffering and doctrine” (2 Tim. 4:2).

“For as the rain cometh down, and the snow from heaven, and returneth not thither, but watereth the earth, and maketh it bring forth and bud, that it may give seed to the sower, and bread to the eater: So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it” (Isa. 55:10-11).

“When any one heareth the word of the kingdom, and understandeth it not, then cometh the wicked one, and catcheth away that which was sown in his heart. This is he which received seed by the way side. But he that received the seed into stony places, the same is he that heareth the word, and anon with joy receiveth it; Yet hath he not root in himself, but dureth for a while: for when tribulation or persecution ariseth because of the word, by and by he is offended. He also that received seed among the thorns is he that heareth the word; and the care of this world, and the deceitfulness of riches, choke the word, and he becometh unfruitful. But he that received seed into the good ground is he that heareth the word, and understandeth it; which also beareth fruit, and bringeth forth, some an hundredfold, some sixty, some thirty” (Mt. 13:19-23).

“For the word of God is quick, and powerful, and sharper than any twoedged sword, piercing even to the dividing asunder of soul and spirit, and of the joints and marrow, and is a discerner of the thoughts and intents of the heart” (Heb. 4:12).

“The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise” (Pr. 11:30).

“And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever” (Dan. 12:3).

“They that sow in tears shall reap in joy. He that goeth forth and weepeth, bearing precious seed, shall doubtless come again with rejoicing, bringing his sheaves with him” (Ps. 126:5-6).

Christian Worker’s Handbook.

The Christian Worker’s Handbook is only available in the Dake Reference Library Software.