{"id":12835,"date":"2012-10-15T10:15:51","date_gmt":"2012-10-15T17:15:51","guid":{"rendered":"https:\/\/redeeminggod.com\/?p=12835"},"modified":"2013-05-31T18:30:53","modified_gmt":"2013-06-01T02:30:53","slug":"door-to-door-evangelism-success","status":"publish","type":"post","link":"https:\/\/redeeminggod.com\/door-to-door-evangelism-success\/","title":{"rendered":"Door-to-Door Evangelism Success"},"content":{"rendered":"

As a follow-up to my post about some door-to-door evangelists<\/a> that came to our house, Sam Riviera wrote this fantastic guest post. As with everything Sam writes, I think that this approach to door-to-door evangelism is loving and kind, and helps us represent Jesus to those who come to our door trying to convert us to their religion.<\/p>\n

\n

Visits from Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses, Mormons, and others can be an opportunity to show them the love of Jesus.<\/p>\n

Many years ago I was in the grocery store.\u00a0A woman approached me.<\/p>\n

“Remember me?”\u00a0she asked.<\/p>\n

“You look very familiar, but I haven’t seen you recently, have I?”<\/p>\n

“No, you haven’t.\u00a0I was one of the Jehovah\u2019s Witnesses who came to your door several times.\u00a0I remember you because you were the only Christian I met who was nice to me.\u00a0I’m not a Jehovah’s Witness anymore and want nothing to do with religion, especially Christians.\u00a0They were mean to me.\u00a0I won’t even talk to them.”<\/p>\n

“You’re talking to me.”<\/p>\n

“Yes, I’ll talk to you.\u00a0You were nice to me and talked to me about me and my family.”<\/p>\n

We continued talking for about fifteen minutes, and then parted ways.<\/p>\n

Showing the Love of Jesus<\/h2>\n

\"doorI grew up next door to a Kingdom Hall.\u00a0I know that many people cycle through the JW movement, and many end up burned on religion, both the JW religion and especially the Christian religion (mostly because of the reception they received when they knocked on the door of people who said they were Christians).\u00a0I view having these folks show up at my front door as an opportunity to show the love of Jesus to someone who is showing me that they are searching for answers.<\/p>\n

There are techniques that usually work in dealing with these folks, both the “newbies” and the “dyed-in-the wool” fanatics, techniques which allow us to show them Jesus’ love.\u00a0I usually find these folks easier to deal with than some “Christians” who are extremely certain of (their understanding of\/their “version” of) Christianity and the Bible.<\/p>\n

Talk to People<\/h2>\n

When \u201cevangelists\u201d for any religion show up unannounced at my door, I never invite them into my home.\u00a0Having worked in law enforcement, I know that some people are not who they claim to be and are not associated with the group of which they claim they are a part.\u00a0However, I have seating on my porch, and a table and chairs on the patio by my front door where I can talk to people I do not know.<\/p>\n

Most door-to-door evangelists follow a \u201cscript.\u201d\u00a0They have been trained in exactly what to say and ask.\u00a0They attempt to get the people with whom they talk to follow along with their script.\u00a0I respond by showing interest in them rather than in their agenda.<\/p>\n

When they say they\u2019d like to talk with me about heaven or Jesus, or ask\u00a0 if I want to go to heaven, I say \u201cI don\u2019t believe I know you.\u00a0What\u2019s your name?\u201d<\/p>\n

They usually tell me their name and then return to their preplanned presentation.\u00a0I reply, \u201cGlad to meet you, Jim.\u00a0What group do you represent?\u00a0The Mormons?\u201d (Or whatever group I think they\u2019re not<\/em> really part of, so they\u2019ll correct what I said.)<\/p>\n

When they correct me and tell me the group they\u2019re really part of, then ask me another question, I tell them that I grew up next door to a Kingdom Hall.\u00a0 Then I ask them what attracted them to the JWs (or whatever group they represent).<\/p>\n

They usually answer the question and I compliment them on what they said.\u00a0I follow that by asking them if that means they follow Jesus and what that looks like for them.<\/p>\n

Some will answer my questions.\u00a0Some insist on sticking with their script and try to begin a discussion on a Bible passage, always a passage from the New Testament.<\/p>\n

I ask them to wait a moment while I get something that is just around the corner.\u00a0A few seconds later I return with a Greek New Testament and ask them again which passage they mentioned and I turn to that passage.<\/p>\n

They ask me what kind of Bible I\u2019m using and I say \u201cGreek, the language in which the passage was written.\u00a0There are hundreds of translations, and they don\u2019t always say the same things, so I prefer to use the original language.\u00a0Don\u2019t you?\u201d<\/p>\n

JWs have very few Greek scholars.\u00a0I have never met a JW (or any other door-to-door evangelist) who could use a Greek New Testament.\u00a0I have offered to sit down with them on my front patio with lexicons and other translation tools and show them how to translate from the original language.\u00a0So far no one has been interested.<\/p>\n

The Greek New Testament is not part of their script, and its appearance usually stymies their presentation.\u00a0Occasionally, they attempt to quote something from a book from their religion.\u00a0I tell them that I\u2019m not familiar with that writing, but as a follower of Jesus, I prefer to use the Bible.\u00a0Once again I turn the conversation to Jesus.<\/p>\n

Admittedly, the more experienced JWs (or Mormons or whatever) repeatedly attempt to return the conversation to their pre-planned presentation.\u00a0I won\u2019t follow the script, but try to be kind and loving and talk about them and Jesus.<\/p>\n

Am I trying to convert anyone?\u00a0Of course not.\u00a0I try to love a searching soul with the love of Jesus and hope that they see and experience that love in me.<\/p>\n

I love to meet someone who follows Jesus and shows me in what they do and say that they love Jesus and me.\u00a0I don\u2019t really want to know about their political opinions or what kind of building they sit in on Sunday.\u00a0I don\u2019t want to read their literature.\u00a0I want to meet a genuine, loving, caring follower of Jesus.\u00a0Don\u2019t you?\u00a0I try to be that kind of person to the people who show up at my front door.<\/p>\n

\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"

Here is a loving and kind way to respond to door-to-door evangelists. When they come to your door, you can show them the love of Jesus. I love to meet someone who follows Jesus and shows me in what they do and say that they love Jesus and me. I don\u2019t really want to know about their political opinions or what kind of building they sit in on Sunday. I don\u2019t want to read their literature. I want to meet a genuine, loving, caring follower of Jesus. Don\u2019t you? <\/p>\n","protected":false},"author":1,"featured_media":12838,"comment_status":"open","ping_status":"open","sticky":false,"template":"","format":"standard","meta":{"_bbp_topic_count":0,"_bbp_reply_count":0,"_bbp_total_topic_count":0,"_bbp_total_reply_count":0,"_bbp_voice_count":0,"_bbp_anonymous_reply_count":0,"_bbp_topic_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_reply_count_hidden":0,"_bbp_forum_subforum_count":0,"_genesis_hide_title":false,"_genesis_hide_breadcrumbs":false,"_genesis_hide_singular_image":false,"_genesis_hide_footer_widgets":false,"_genesis_custom_body_class":"","_genesis_custom_post_class":"","_genesis_layout":"","footnotes":""},"categories":[],"tags":[19],"class_list":{"0":"post-12835","1":"post","2":"type-post","3":"status-publish","4":"format-standard","5":"has-post-thumbnail","7":"tag-discipleship","8":"entry"},"yoast_head":"\nDoor-to-Door Evangelism Success<\/title>\n<meta name=\"description\" content=\"Here is a loving and kind way to respond to door-to-door evangelists. 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