Yes, I do go door to door to share Jesus with people! And yes, I do find it to still be a very good approach to getting the Gospel out to people! And yes, I do see lots and lots of positive responses from those I go to and many of them are giving their hearts and live over to Christ.
For the most part people, even those not interested, have been cordial and polite. It has only been on very rare occasions a person is rude and mean spirited.
But what I am going to share in this post is 12 things that I go door to door to share Jesus with people in my community. These are 11 things that I have found to be important reminders. I share this strategy with you because it can easily be done by any Christian in their own neighborhood where they live or with a Home Fellowship Group of churches that wish to be more missional.
1. Go In Teams Of Two Or More
Going in teams of two is a very Biblical approach. In Luke 10 when Jesus was sending out the 72 He sent them in teams of two. We see the Apostle Paul and Barnabas forming a missional team. We see Peter and John often together on missional activities.
Teams provide safety, encouragement, and accountability. If you have to go by yourself then I guess you have to but if you can find someone to go with you, even if its just there to pray while you talk, then that is more desirable.
2. DON'T WEAR SUNGLASSES
I know that sounds silly but the reality is that if people can't see your eyes they will be more suspicious of you. You will look intimidating and it will create an immediate wall of separation between you and the person you're talking to.
Your eyes communicate your sincerity and passion. Allowing people to see your eyes is part of the communication and connection you are wanting to establish with a person you're trying to share Jesus with.
3. KEEP YOUR HANDS OUT OF YOUR POCKET
Again, this is about creating trust and putting people at ease. The reality is that if you talk with a stranger while having your hands in your pocket the person will concentrating more on your hands and pockets than what you are saying to them.
When strangers see you with your in your pocket they are wondering if you have a knife, gun or some other thing they should be worried about. The solution is simple: Take your hands out of your pockets and fold them in front of you, so they are in plan sight.
4. INTRODUCE YOURSELF
This seems obvious but I have been amazed with the number of people who have gone door to door but never once shared their name or the name of the person that came with them. Here's what I usually say,
"Hi, my name is Jay Moore and this is my wife Linda."
The shorter the introduction the better. Once you share with a stranger your name psychologically you are no longer a stranger! Why? Because they now know you by name.
5. TELL THEM WHY YOUR THERE
This is important and needs to be share real quickly. The people you are visiting are wanting to know, so there's no need to have a chit chat session with them. After I introduce myself I will say something like this:
" ... we are going through the neighborhood sharing with people that God loves them, we care about them and because life is really tough for people these days we have come by to see if there's anything you need God to do for you, any miracle you need God to perform for you that we can pray about for you. Is there anything you need God to do for you?"
Many times after saying this many people have questions. They may ask, "Are you JW's" or "Are you with a church?" or they may not really understand what you said and they ask, "What are you here for?" After answer those clarifying question I'll always go back and say, "So, is there anything that I can pray for you about?"
6. PRAY WITH THEM FOR THEIR REQUEST
After they share their prayer request immediately pray for them about that specific need. Ask God to meet that need and do in such a way that the person knows it was God who did it. Believe me when I tell you that people are hungry for prayer - they need prayer - and very often accept offers for prayer.
Prayer communicates to the person you care about them. And communicating that you care is critical to preparing to share the Gospel. There's old saying,
"People don't care how much you know - until they know how much you care."
Praying for people communicates that you care a whole lot!
7. ASK PERMISSION TO TELL THEM A TRUE STORY FROM THE WORD OF GOD
Once you have prayed for them ask them if you can tell them a true story from the word. of God. This is important because the Bible teaches us that faith comes from hear and hearing the word of God. To share a Bible story about Jesus is a powerful way to initiate a spiritual conversation that will lead to a Gospel presentation. I would suggest the story of Jesus at the house of Simon the Pharisee' when the sinful came and began to cry on Jesus' feet.
Don't read the story - tell it in your own words but accurately. Don't add to the story but also don't leave anything out of it.
8. TRANSITION TO TELL YOUR PERSONAL TESTIMONY
After sharing a true story from the Bible immediately begin to share you personal testimony of coming to Christ. Don't ask permission. They already gave you permission to share a Bible story just continue to talk by sharing your story in Christ. Start your testimony off by saying, "Just like this person who was desperate to see Jesus and receive forgiveness of sin so I to had a time in my life when I wanted my sins forgiven. Then tell them your story. Share with them what you life was like before coming to Christ, how you came to Christ and what your new life in Christ is like now.
9. TRANSITION TO TELL A SIMPLE GOSPEL PRESENTATION
Once you have finished your testimony say something like this, "And the best part of my new life in Christ is that Jesus now has me going around telling people that just like the person in the story was forgiven of their sins and just like I was forgiven of my sins, so now they too can experience Jesus' forgiveness for their sins. And then share with them a simple Gospel presentation.
10. ASK THEM THE QUESTION
Once you finished sharing the Gospel ask them the million dollar question! Ask them, "Would you too like to experience Jesus' forgiveness of sin?" If they say, "yes" then lead them in a sinners prayer of commitment. A good fisherman knows that they need to reel in the line if they will ever catch a fish; likewise a good disciple maker knows they need to ask the question to receive Christ.
11. CELEBRATE THEIR DECISION
Once you're done praying get excited and let it be known how amazing a decision they just made. Let them know and experience your excitement for their decision to follow Christ.
12. SET UP AN APPOINTMENT TO COME BACK IN A FEW DAYS
Before you leave make sure you set up a time to meet within the next few days to begin learn more about Christ and what he has commanded. This is when you begin to disciple them to be obedient followers or Christ.
