Tips For Witnessing At Christmas
Submitted by Pastor Dennis Leatherman
December 18, 2024
Lu 2:10 And the angel said unto them, Fear not: for, behold, I bring you good tidings of great joy, which shall be to all people.
Lu 2:17 And when they had seen it, they made known abroad the saying which was told them concerning this child.
Christmas is a unique time to share the Gospel of Jesus Christ.
1. Resolve to Spend Time in Earnest Prayer. Jas 5:16 ...The effectual fervent prayer of a righteous man availeth much. I do not think it is a good idea to enter a Christmas gather of family and friends with our "Gospel guns" blazing and declaring that everyone that doesn't get saved here and now will burn in the Devil's Hell for all eternity.
2. Retain a Faithful Testimony. Our family and friends are watching us to see if our faith is real and if our life matches our lips. The closer my relationship is with a person, the more important it is that my testimony is genuine and consistent.
3. Rely Upon Christmas Services and Special Programs. Most Independent Baptist Churches will have various evangelistic Christmas programs and outreaches. Take advantage of these with friendly invitations for friends and family.
4. Recognize Opportunities to Share the Gospel. Listen carefully in conversations for the right time to introduce the Gospel. Anticipate opportunities to share your faith and the plan of salvation. We can initiate opportunities by placing Gospel tracts in Christmas cards and gifts, hosting neighborhood Christmas dinners and sharing the Gospel or inviting your preacher to present the plan of salvation, giving Gospel books as gifts, or writing out your testimony and putting it in Christmas cards.
5. Remember to Keep Things Simple. Don't overcomplicate the message of salvation. Don't get theological. Don't get sidetracked with "religious trivia." If nothing else, a simple Gospel witness, may "put a stone in their shoe" and give them something to think about in the coming days.
6. Release Them to Walk Away if Not Interested. Most of the time, witnessing to family and close friends is a long-term endeavor. If they are finished listening to you, let them go. Stay calm, and don't get angry if they do not respond like you would want them to. Confidence is calm. Faith is calm. Listen to them and be patient.
Consider – Christmas is the most wonderful time of the year to share our faith and to introduce others to the Saviour, the Lord Jesus Christ.