What does the tract contain?
The specifics of how to know Jesus personally is what
I like to share. I can't think of another reason to
be out there.
God promised to honor his Word. Is his Word in the
tract?
What do you want to communicate?
I say, "This is a booklet that explains how you can
have a personal relationship with Jesus Christ."
It is gentle and direct enough for the Holy Spirit to
honor and indicates no presumptions about the
person.
I have no problem saying it because it is true.
People seem to understand it right away.
Is it in a form that you feel comfortable
with?
Some people love cartoon-like tracts. Some people
like tracts with numbered lists of items, or stories,
or poems.
What do you like? Will it be attractive to your
target audience? It's not wrong to experiment within
reason.
What would you like to have someone communicate
to you?
Would you like it if someone handed this tract to you?
How would you feel?
Did you know very few people throw them away? If they
do, go pick them up.
If they are in good condition, give them out to
someone else later. If not, take them home to remind
you to pray for those persons.
If someone rejects the tract, put in on the bottom of
the pile and put a new tract in your hand.
Why? People don't like things other people reject.
It's human nature.
How are you delivering the tract?
I don't like windshields on cars in parking lots
because it's too easy for a person to imagine
the worst about the person leaving it. I like to give
it in person. That way a person can look me over.
Finding nothing strange he or she may give more
attention to the tract.
What do you want to accomplish?
Decide ahead of time what your goal is and what is
possible and proper for the setting.
You may want to go over the full Four Spiritual Laws
with a person, but do they have the time
and thus the attention to focus? Would you have the
time?
At one time I went through the Four Spiritual Laws
completely with each person. Then I was fortunate
to explain briefly what was inside before the person
had to catch up with others. Now if I can just point
to the website and the toll free number on the back
side, explain what they are,
turn it over and say, "This is something for you to
take a look at in a quiet moment," I feel fortunate.
It's no one's fault that we're all so busy. People
appreciate that you are letting them go right away.
They don't feel cornered or trapped and usually say,
"Thank you!"
Who are you there for?
You should be out there to share something wonderful
with others who don't know, just as you didn't
know.
If you are out there to make your views known or to
gain acceptance with God, skip it.
We are to make Jesus known, to lift him up, so that he
may draw people to himself. We do that out of
gratitude
for what he has done for us.
Are you purposed in your heart to do
this?
Are you doing it because you think it's a good idea,
someone else told you to, or you feel inside of you
that you want to do it? This is not a deep question,
just answer yes or no, you purpose to do it in your
heart.
I generally find that every time I reach out, I'm very
glad I did it. Since I know this, it doesn't take
too much for me to purpose in my heart to hand out
tracts.
There have only been a couple times when I felt the
Lord telling me not to.
Once was in Turkey where there was an argument because
we'd been waiting in line to get on a ferry
and they let others get on the ferry ahead of us. I
think the fact that there had been an argument was
the reason not to witness. There was strife, not
unity. The moment we got on the next ferry, I was free
to share again.
I stopped myself finally from handing out tracts in
Salt Lake City during the Olympics.
The newspapers had done such a job educating the
readers who they thought we were, that there was
open mocking on the streets. I stopped because the
intended goal was not being reached.
There was a singer who sang on a balcony and the Holy
Spirit was working, softening hearts,
so I handed out more tracts but she left. It got so
bad that I stopped again because I didn't want
people to have this memory of rejecting the Word of
God and I didn't want the Lord to hold the way
they treated me against them. I went up to the Temple
area and held up a sign with my website on it,
JesusIsLord.org, as the church officials were leaving
for the weekend. They looked but said nothing,
no scowls, and I said nothing also. A man came and
stood next to me and said, "Don't worry, your website
is easy to remember."
Are you ready not to get into meaningless
discussions?
I may seem weak, but I don't answer everything.
Someone may come and tell me the real day that we
should worship. This is not why I'm out there, so I
listen
intently and say nothing.
Sometimes people say they know I am a woman pastor. I
say, "Nope." They persist because if I say I am,
they will then discuss that with me, usually in the
negative. I am really not a pastor. If I say anything,
I say, "I'm out here because I was baptised and
commanded to witness and make disciples (Matthew
28:19-20).
Luke 14:22-23 emphasizes that there is still room so
we are commanded to go out into the highways and along
the
hedges to make the invitation known.
Are you ready not to know answers?
One time a man asked me if dogs go to heaven. I
thought about it, I thought about major themes like
creation,
the fall, redemption. I could not think of dogs being
included or excluded specifically.
So I answered, "I'm not sure scripture addresses that,
I don't know." I thought he would be upset but
he went away happy.
The circuit-riding Methodist preachers in America
inspired by John Wesley would take new converts on
horseback
to the next town, instructing them along the way.
The new convert would preach in the next town.
Who was Cain's wife? I have no idea. But I do know
Jesus died for me and I do know he died for you.
That's the
simple message I came out here to proclaim.
Are you ready for ridicule?
Ah ridicule! It is probably just a question. And the
question is, "Are you for real? Will you reject me?
Do you have what it takes to deal with me?"
If you can hold on and not feel personally threatened,
a person might pour their heart out to you
shortly.
The meanest person I ever met was angry just because
he saw me. He gave me all his angry questions,
"If there really is a God, why is there all this
evil?" He wasn't going to stick around to discuss
them,
he just wanted to lay them on me.
As he left I said, "Keep asking, God loves your
questions, and he has answers."
I could only think that maybe it might help him ask
someone without walking away.
Is it OK with you to not know what's going
on?
You might pass out tracts your whole life and not know
the outcome of any of them. Are you content to be
faithful in sowing?
It's fine with me if tracts go home and sit on a shelf
and gather dust.
I know at the right moment the right person will pick
it up and the Holy Spirit will go right into
action honoring God's Word.
Is it OK with you that people act very
strangely?
My rules are that each person sets the communication
level. I say hello once. If they don't respond,
I just sit or stand quietly. If they are loud and
abusive, I let them. I only care that we are
interacting,
that they are taking whatever step they feel
comfortable with. Being loud and mocking while asking
questions
and looking at the material to me means they are
moving a step towards God. They may just want to feel
safe
and make you keep a distance while they are doing it.
A man came one evening and picked up the
Hebrew Four Laws.
He read a page, looked around, read another page.
When he was done, he stood there a while and then
left.
I think he was tailing someone. I think he spoke
Hebrew and just learned about what Jesus has to offer
while
doing his job. Then he left. Did it bother me that he
ignored me? Not in the slightest! He was the only
person I ever saw read the entire Four Spriritual Laws
in Hebrew in front of me!
Some mechanics of handing out tracts:
Jews for Jesus have "broadsides." Their goal is that
every one who passes on the street take one.
You stand on the side walk and make eye contact with
each person while handing them a broadside,
never taking your hand or eye away until they take
it. The broadside is usually a cartoon presentation
of a timely event such as one at tax return time. The
theme quickly turns to the spiritual
and makes one simple point. A contact name, address
and phone number is provided. They are really
wanting to reach fellow Jews, but they realize they
will also minister to Gentiles (you and me).
They aim to make Jesus the "unavoidable issue" for
Jews around the world. That's why they hand out as
many as they can.
Some people put tracts in bills (it might take longer
for them to process, so mail early!).
I put them in with other documents offered to the
public such as sweepstakes entry forms.
I put them anywhere I think someone will eventually
find them.
In magazines in waiting rooms, in furniture where
small ones crawl around, by phones, on top of
lockers.
If I have a tract with a movie theme, I will leave it
on the towel rack in the movie theater rest
room.
Sometimes I ask the person next to me on a bus which
tract they like and they select one. I've never had
anyone say, "None!" If they did I would answer, "I'll
have to carry more and more variety in the
future."
In Atlanta at the Olympics, I asked the person next to
me, "Do you operate a jack hammer for a living?"
He was quite surprized and said yes. I gave him one of
an earthquake saying he's used to being all shook up.
He thanked me and assured me he would read it at
home. I think the Lord helped me on that one.
If I see a store clerk I say, "Do you speak xxx
language?" If they say yes, I come back on another day
with a
tract in that language. I say the language name and
they say yes and I hand it to them and leave. If they
act nervous and trapped, I leave right away as if
that's all I wanted was to give it to them. If I have
anything else to give them, I hand that over right
away. A baseball cap in their language is hard
to refuse. If I have it, it's theirs!
When telemarkers call, if I've been nice, I say, "I
have a website!" They usually get a pencil and ask me
what
it is.
I called the IRS to order tax forms and the man said,
"The number of the first form?" I read it to him.
"The number of the next form?" And on we went. When I
had gotten all my forms and he said,
"The number of the next form?" I answered, "My website
is JesusIsLord.org!" He burst out laughing and said
he'd look at it.
I've also had dry answers, "Is there anything else I
may do for you today?" as if they want me to go
away.
A word about the unseen...
You have an enemy. He is the one who wanted to become
like God. (Isaiah 14:12-15)
You remind him of God, and you are trying to lead
others to God, so he hates you.
He will interfere if he can. He will play on your
emotions, short comings, and other people's feelings
(maybe you
remind a person you meet of someone else not much
liked). He has one goal and that is to get you to STOP
LIFTING UP JESUS!
Like an announcer at a boxing match, now hear the
words, "And in the Other Corner, is God, all his
angels,
and the saints of God who see what you are doing and
are praying for you, thanking God for you!"
I have a word from God for you..."you never have to
stop!"
I was feeling very nervous at Valley Fair Mall due to
several unsettling things happening close together in
time. I did not know it, but in Westgate Mall a young
man was handing out tracts and God told him to
go to Valley Fair Mall. He quickly found me and saw I
was upset. He told me the Lord had sent him over and
he prayed with me and I calmed down. He said he saw a
very big angel standing behind me. On another night
I felt just the touch of a hand on my hair as I sat in
the Mall. I have come to understand angels are with
me because
I am on Kingdom business.
I also ask God when I start, "God, help me to start,
make the first person really easy." Almost always
someone
says, "Jesus Is Lord! That's so wonderful, honey."
Then I'm all set and I know God is with me. He is
with you.
You are not out there selling ice cream. You are an
ambassador for the King of Kings!
Don't assume people in authority are against you. I
asked a military type once, "Is there a better place
to stand than this?"
He answered, "No, all the cars have to come past you
here." It seemed to delight him. If they don't agree
with you,
there are laws. I like to check it all out first so I
can say names, job titles, dates, conversations,
agreements, if necessary.
A word about the promise of God
I have a promise on my life. That promise is, "For
every one who rejects you, one hundred will
listen."
I don't see any reason why you can't ask God for that
to be true for you.
My best suggestion is, be
friendly,
listen to what people say and really respond to it and
what is in the heart behind it. The world can be a
cold place. Be the bright spot in someone's day, then
be the bright spot in the next person's day. Be the
nicest tract hander-outer you can be and don't worry.
You're doing just fine.
Be safe
Determine what to you is moving in safety. We've all
seen pictures of beekeepers covered with bees. To me
that is not
moving in safety although the evidence exists that it
is safe for some people to be covered with bees. What
is safe for
you?
Do you have the faith to go under bridges at night to
reach the homeless? If you don't, go with someone who
does or
don't go under bridges at night to reach the homeless
until you do. There are times and places to reach
out.
If you just came out of a situation that was
detrimental to you, don't go back into that same
situation right away!
Go where you have absolutely no temptation. For
instance, if alcohol was a problem to you and some of
your social
life revolved around drinking with other people,
possibly in bars, take a time out. The last thing I
want to do is
to lay down a law, but stay safe in your reaching out.
You can exhibit your concern by talking to the Lord
about what
you'd like to do and would he please give you wisdom
as to what to do and where to go.
People who say they love Jesus may tell you to stop
handing out tracts, that it's bad because you don't
know the person
and other people have hurt that person while handing
out tracts. I even heard it said that people have
marks on their bodies
because of all the tracts they've been hit with. I'm
strong but I feel the power of their humiliation of
who I am.
So I ask the Lord what is his answer to this advice?
I believe his counsel is that it is he who empowers me
to witness
without making a mark of insensitivity and hurt. It is
he who caused Jeremiah to record "Is not My word like
fire?" declares
the Lord, "and like a hammer which shatters a rock?"
(Jeremiah 23:29, New American Standard Version). God
can get through
to those through his word and maybe he wants to leave
a mark, the shattering of a hard and stoney heart into
one who knows
him through the Great Physician's hammer of love.
Tracts may be paper pages stapled together, but the
Word is from God
and he means the most wonderful business in the world
with it. And if I meet strangers well and love them
and help make
a proper introduction to the One who loves them so,
why should I stop?
This is a quote from the Jesus Film Project bulletin
mailed to donors following Dr. Bill Bright's death in
July, 2003:
"Many years ago Dr. Bright was in his office reveiwing
the summary of 10,000 National Collegiate Religious
surveys. One
of the questions was, "In your opinion, how does one
become a Christian?" He was stunned when he saw that
95% did not
know how, and that the same percentage wanted to
increase their faith. He put his head down on the
desk and with
increasing emotion said, 'They don't know how. They
don't know how! The don't know how!!' He sobbed for
many
minutes. I felt like I was standing on 'holy
ground'...and I was." All his Christian life his
heart for the lost
never waivered." This was written by Paul Eshleman of
the Jesus Film Project about the man who wrote the
Four Spritual
Laws, the tract that very clearly shows how to
personally come to know Jesus Christ.
What are your suggestions?
Do you love to leave tracts on windshields? Why?
Add to this page, disagree with me, let's have some
variety!
I tried handing tracts out on the water. Then I
realized people would just worry about their boat
getting dinged up.
Once I encouraged someone to hand tracts to firemen.
Oops! Paper burns, they couldn't have them! You
learn!
I think we should try just about anything. That's
what inventors do!
I need tracts right now! (You can send the URL,
the http://www.URL.xxx, via email if the tracts are
online)
Bilingual Four Spiritual Laws to read with a friend in that person's heart language http://www.greatcom.org/laws/default/bilingual.html
Children's Four Spiritual Laws in English for that special young person in your life http://www.ccci.org/good-news
Davids DigiTracts http://www.digitracts.com/mydt/default.asp?site_id=659
English flash version http://www.greatcom.org/laws/english/flash
Four Spiritual Laws in languages http://www.greatcom.org/laws/languages.html
Ray Comfort, Free downloadable tracts http://www.raycomfort.com
World Missionary Press http://www.wmpress.org
Gospel Tract Society http://www.gospeltractsociety.org/
Gospel Tract Society P.O. Box 1118,
Independence, MO
- send a donation (or not), ask for tract samples.
Spanish tracts are available. Here is a sample tract
that arrived November 2003.
Please note I have stamped this tract so you can see where I put the web site name although JesusIsLord.org did not create or produce the tract; the tract has been stamped using an Office Max stamp after ordering it from Gospel Tract Society.
It seems that most people believe they are going to heaven although their reasons differ. When I give a person this tract after getting to know them, they usually read the whole tract right away since it is so short. I've told them this is my web site. They usually ask me, "Where is the web site?" So I show them. They usually say, "Thanks!" and put it in their wallet (it is just slightly larger than a credit card). When they get a chance they can look up the site and continue although I may never see them again. They now have a place to go investigate the claims of Jesus Christ and can make a commitment when they are ready (which sometimes is right away!)
Last updated 07/30/2007
Background music is: ShoutsOfJoyMedley[1].mid
