Friendship Evangelism is one of many approaches to witnessing to others about Christ. This approach aims to befriend someone first and then slowly working your way to telling them about Christ. While this approach seems innocent in and of itself, in reality, it doesn't make sense and I'll show you how.
One of the main problems with Friendship Evangelism, if not thee main problem, is timing. Matthew 24:36 says, "But of that day and hour knoweth no [man], no, not the angels of heaven, but my Father only." If we wait around trying to make a friend out of that person we are trying to reach, how do we know if Christ doesn't come back before then? What if that person has an accident and dies? It just doesn't make sense.
Another problem with this approach is assuming a friendship. If you try your hardest to befriend someone and they have no desire to be your friend, you have wasted all that time and energy.
What is the best way to witness to others? First and foremost, spend time in prayer asking for God to give you an opportunity to share the Gospel with someone. Sometimes, it's easy to just start talking to someone but if we don't seek guidance from the Holy Spirit, it could end up in a mess. Besides, why would you not ask for guidance when trying to lead someone to the Lord? Secondly, spend time in the scriptures so you will be ready to answer questions that someone might have about God. I Peter 3:15 says, "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." Lastly, JUMP! After you spend time in prayer and in God's Word, go out there and get busy! You will be nervous, but rest assured, if the Holy Spirit resides in you, you will have a boldness that only comes from Heaven above. Below are some scriptures to help you when sharing the Gospel:
"That if you confess with your mouth the Lord Jesus and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved." Romans 10:9
"Nor is there salvation in any other, for there is no other name under heaven given among men by which we must be saved.” Acts 4:12
"For God so loved the world that He gave His only begotten Son, that whoever believes in Him should not perish but have everlasting life." John 3:16
Finally, why should you witness? Charles Spurgeon said it best when he said, "Every Christian is either a missionary or an imposter." Is he saying that we need to go to a foreign country, as a missionary, on a mission trip? No. From the biblical point-of-view, if we are His, our primary responsibility is to tell others about Christ. Below are some verses to read and keep in your heart.
"And He said to them, “Go into all the world and preach the gospel to every creature. He who believes and is baptized will be saved; but he who does not believe will be condemned." Mark 16:15-16
"But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you; and you shall be witnesses to Me in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the end of the earth.” Acts 1:8
There are tons of scripture to help you in your earthly duty as a Christian. We are called to share the hope we have with the lost for the sake of trying to keep them from going to a devil's Hell. Whether they accept what you say or not, your effort will be rewarded in Heaven. I have seen people get spit on, abused, and slandered for sharing the cross with the lost. Why? Satan is alive and well. This is his territory. This earth belongs to him and God has given it to him to roam about, but praise God, we don't reside here permanently. Share this good news with a stranger or loved one before it's too late, beloved. May the Holy Spirit give you peace on your journey.
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