Preparing to Witness: Knowing who you are talking to

As you prepare for witness, you can learn to detect the person’s. degree of receptivity. Then you can tailor your witness ing to the person’s specific needs. The following categories give you a biblical way to evaluate attitudes that create barriers to the gospel. Read Matthew 13:3-9, 18-23.

This parable shows you what to expect when you approach lost persons with the gospel. When the gospel seed is sown, lost persons will respond in different ways. The degrees of receptivity may be described in the following ways.

Good soil. Very receptive.

Rocky Soil. Gives the gospel only a shallow hearing and has accepted only a part. Depends on good works to attempt to earn salvation.

Thorny Soil. Either does not accept the lordship of Jesus. Rates his or her spiritual need by health, wealth, success, and peer acceptance (prosperity)

Hard soil. Thinks that a person cannot know for certain that God exists. Feels no need for God or religion.

******************************************************************

You Can Test The soil by asking questions. What do you currently believe? Your thought about God, Jesus, Holy Ghost, Religion, Church, Death Good people v. Salvation, Heaven

Attitude towards spiritual need. This refers to his or her realization for God and openness to spiritual counsel.

Attitude toward church and religion. This refers to the person’s degree of willingness to attend church and the preceived credibility of church leaders.

Attitude toward the witness. This attitude is based on trust in the messenger and determines in whom the lost person will confide.

Attitude toward testing the soil. This describes the person’s response to the witnessing approach and determines how far you were able to progress.

**********************************************

The stages of development in a disciple’s life, describes what happens in each stage.

(MasterLife, The Disciples Mission pg 123- 127)

Spiritually Dead - do not know Christ

Spiritual Child- receptive and growing

Spiritual Disciple - mature

Disciple Maker - helping others to become disciples (Matt 28:19-20)

Collaborator in Ministry - with others continues to reach the lost and make disciples