I don’t often talk about my witnessing encounters, but this one is might be helpful.  Please keep in mind two things on the front end.  First, I had about 30 people praying specifically for this encounter.  Second, I’m not smart enough to come up with things I say… it’s the Holy Spirit that guides.

The person I talked to I have known since I was 9 years old.  I have respected and been involved with them for the greatest majority of my life.  This person was one of those that I needed a certain amount of confidence from the Lord because it seems like the better you know people (And they know you), the harder it is to witness to them.  Anyway…

I began with three questions: 1) Who is Jesus? {Answer: “Uh… Jesus… I don’t know.”)  2) What did he do? {Answer: “I don’t know. Die I guess.”}  3) Why does that matter? NOTE: Didn’t get to this question for trying to explain 1 & 2.

From the moment I began talking about Jesus, I was given questions and comments…

What about the dinosaurs?  Where are they in the Bible?

He’s been dead 2,000 years… when is Jesus coming back?

Why are there so many different denominations?

Where’s Jesus coming back from?  Up there… over here… down there?

I’ve listened to a bunch of religious people argue over the Bible and I don’t care for that.

Why do you care what happens to anyone?

I’m not this smart, I believe the Spirit helped me at this point.  Instead of being sidetracked with each question I kept saying… “That’s not important right now.  The only thing that matters is what you believe about Jesus.”  Every time an off point question or statement was given, I came back with… “That doesn’t matter right now.  The only thing that matters is Jesus.”

After going back and forth for a while, I asked… “So what will happen to you after you die?”  This person said, “I want you to do my funeral.”  My response, “And I want to be able to tell everyone that you knew Jesus as your Lord and Savior!”  The reply was, “Oh… okay.”

I was then given the freedom to stop at that time.  The last thing this person said was… “If I come hear you, you won’t put pressure on me and the rest of people there will you?”  I told this individual that it wasn’t pressure, but pleading for people to be saved through Jesus.

Point: Don’t get off point when you are witnessing.  Keep the discussion centered on Jesus’ life, death, resurrection, and their relationship to Him.  Jesus is the only thing that matters.  Do NOT get sidetracked!  (Tomorrow is a closing thought.  GW)