SOUL WINNING INSTRUCTION
Proverbs 11:30 says: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
No matter where you are in your journey w/ God …
… it doesn’t mean that you can’t start the PROCESS of LEARNING how to PREACH the GOSPEL …
& even become VERY GOOD @ IT …
… because as SAINTS of GOD, you have a PERSONAL TESTIMONY & a WORKING KNOWLEDGE of the GOSPEL residing inside of you!
& It’s a little challenging teaching someone how to SOUL WIN …
… in the sense that the BEST LEARNING CURVE is actually going out there & doing the work …
There’s no BETTER TEACHER than EXPERIENCE.
… even if that means just going out @ first as a SILENT PARTNER …
… w/ somebody more experienced.
These SOUL WINNING MARATHONS are also a GREAT WAY to break into SOUL WINNING.
But there are some BASIC LESSONS that I can share w/ you …
& take you through a COMPLETE GOSPEL PRESENTATION …
& give you SOME BEARINGS …
… so that you’re not just going out there w/ out any guidance …
& some of this is going to be BASIC; this is intended to be BASIC SOUL WINNING INSTRUCTION.
FIRST, the BIBLE ITSELF & the KNOWLEDGE of the GOSPEL …
… is your MOST INDISPENSABLE TOOL or WEAPON.
Ephesians 6:17 says: “And take the helmet of salvation, and the sword of the Spirit, which is the word of God:”
The WORD OF GOD & the KNOWLEDGE of your salvation, coupled w/ a BASIC, WORKING knowledge of the GOSPEL …
… is the foundation of every great SOUL WINNER.
Each of you by now should know how to SHARE the BASICS of your FAITH.
& I’m talking about THE MILK OF THE WORD here …
because that’s what NON-BELIEVERS need to hear – The simplicity of the Gospel message!
… DOCTRINES such as that JESUS is GOD; He is WORD made FLESH …
That GOD loves you …
… that He took your sins upon Himself …
… DIED FOR YOU on the CROSS …
… & ROSE AGAIN on the 3RD DAY …
… thereby paying the PENALTY for your SINS.
These are the VERY BASICS that NON-BELIEVERS needs to hear (you don’t really need to go beyond these basic doctrines @ first).
… THAT FORGIVENESS OF TRANSGRESSIONS is AVAILABLE to ALL who BELIEVE …
… THAT SALVATION is a FREE GIFT obtained by GRACE THROUGH FAITH ALONE …
… & that once received freely …
… results in ETERNAL LIFE …
… LIFE EVERLASTING by the REGENERATIVE WORK …
… of the HOLY GHOST …
… through the ATONING BLOOD SACRIFICE of JESUS CHRIST.
JESUS said to NICODEMUS that: “… Except a man be born again, he cannot see the kingdom of God.” (John 3:3).
I like to tell people that they MUST BE BORN AGAIN …
& that you’re only BORN AGAIN when you put your FAITH & TRUST in the SAVIOR, JESUS CHRIST.
The MORE that you get these doctrines HAMMERED into your SOUL & your MIND …
… even though you may think it’s the most BASIC PORTIONS of the BIBLE …
… the EASIER SOUL WINNING will come to you naturally when you’re out there …
… such doctrines will become AUTOMATIC to you! so that you can explain them in your own words!
But it takes going out there & doing it repetitively in order to get good @ it!
THESE ARE THE BASIC TENETS of the GOSPEL …
… what we call the FUNDAMENTALS.
THE MORE YOU CAN become FAMILIAR w/ the FUNDAMENTALS of the FAITH …
… the MORE EFFECTIVE you’ll be as a SOUL WINNER.
You might go to CHURCH & THINK that oh …
… I’VE HEARD the DOCTRINE of SUBSTITUTIONARY BLOOD ATONEMENT or IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS or GRACE THROUGH FAITH or EVERLASTING LIFE …
… but can you EXPLAIN IT from the Bible?
You need to be able to explain the ELEMENTARY DOCTRINES of the FAITH …
… in a way that a NON-BELIEVER who may have never heard of ATONEMENT or SUBSTITUTION or IMPUTED RIGHTEOUSNESS can understand it.
& so EQUIPPED w/ the FUNDAMENTALS of the FAITH & a BASIC WORKING KNOWLEDGE of the GOSPEL …
… in ADDITION to your OWN PERSONAL TESTIMONY …
… you’re READY to SHARE your FAITH w/ the LOST!
AS SAINTS OF GOD you already know more about the BIBLE …
… than the VAST MAJORITY of the ENTIRE POPULATION of the EARTH.
So don’t feel like you have to know everything before you can preach!
YOU HAVE the SIMPLICITY of the GOSPEL in your HEART …
… you have RIGHT DOCTRINE in YOUR MIND …
… & you have the WORD OF GOD abiding inside of you …
… so be CONFIDENT in your PREACHING!
PAUL SAID in EPHESIANS 6:18-20:
18 Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit, and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints;
19 And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel,
20 For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.
In Acts 4:31 it says that: “And when they had prayed, the place was shaken where they were assembled together; and they were all filled with the Holy Ghost, and they spake the word of God with boldness.”
Every time that the PREACHING of the GOSPEL is mentioned in the BIBLE …
… it’s said that we should PREACH w/ BOLDNESS & w/ CONFIDENCE.
Acts 4:13 says: “Now when they saw the boldness of Peter and John, and perceived that they were unlearned and ignorant men, they marvelled; and they took knowledge of them, that they had been with Jesus.”
Just the FACT that WE KNOW JESUS personally & have been BORN AGAIN …
… that we have HIS WORD dwelling INSIDE OF US through His SPIRIT …
… that the GOD of the UNIVERSE is OUR CREATOR, OUR FATHER, OUR TEACHER, OUR MASTER & OUR FRIEND …
… should embolden us to the PREACH the TRUTH of the GOSEPL w/ CLARITY & w/ CONFIDENCE.
BUT w/ CONFIDENCE don’t forget CHARITY.
I sometimes see SOUL WINNERS …
… who become ARROGANT …
… & they PREACH like it’s A SALES PITCH …
… & their goal is to RACK UP #s …
… so that they can BOAST to their PASTOR & to OTHER MEMBERS of their CHURCHES …
… & basically the BIBLE says that people like that HAVE THEIR REWARD HERE & NOW.
… THE REASON that we PREACH the GOSPEL is because we LOVE PEOPLE …
… We don’t want them to go to HELL …
… We wantthem to get SAVED …
… & to ESCAPE the ETERNAL PUNISHMENT which awaits them in the LAKE OF FIRE, if they don’t receive Christ as their SAVIOR!
We also preach out of OBEDIENCE to GOD’S WORD …
… GOD has given the CHURCH the GREAT COMMISSION in MATTHEW 28 …
… & the GREAT COMMISSION should be @ the FOREFRONT of EVERY GREAT MINISTRY.
So: “Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man” (Colossians 4:6).
The verse before, Colossians 4:5 says: “Walk in wisdom toward them that are without, redeeming the time.”
We have a LIMITED AMOUNT OF TIME to PREACH THE GOSPEL & TO SAVE SOULS, especially as we see the END approaching!
2 Timothy 2:24-26 says:
24 And the servant of the Lord must not strive; but be gentle unto all men, apt to teach, patient,
25 In meekness instructing those that oppose themselves; if God peradventure will give them repentance to the acknowledging of the truth;
26 And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are taken captive by him at his will.
Paul says in 1 Corinthians 13:1-2:
1 Though I speak with the tongues of men and of angels, and have not charity, I am become as sounding brass, or a tinkling cymbal.
2 And though I have the gift of prophecy, and understand all mysteries, and all knowledge; and though I have all faith, so that I could remove mountains, and have not charity, I am nothing.
OK, but what are some PRACTICAL TIPS & VERSES that we use, when we go out soul winning?
You want to have — as a starting point — a set # of BIBLE PASSAGES that you normally go to …
& the BEST PLACE to START …
… for the FOUNDATION of your GOSPEL PRESENTATION …
… is the ROMANS ROAD method!
ROMANS ROAD consists usually of passages in ROMANS 3, 5, 6, & 10.
& most SOUL WINNERS use some type of modified form of ROMANS ROAD as their FOUNDATION …
… & then add complimentary verses to create a more comprehensive presentation …
… & CATER IT to what WORKS in each given situation …
But I HAVE A ROADMAP here in my BIBLE …
… & this is something that you can do as well …
So I’d like to SHARE w/ you the COMPLETE PRESENTATION of the GOSPEL …
… but realize that this is the IDEAL SITUATION …
So you begin w/ your 1ST VERSE …
… which in the ROMANS ROAD method is usually:
ROMANS 3:10: “As it is written, There is none righteous, no, not one:” & ROMANS 3:23 which is like it: “For all have sinned, and come short of the glory of God;”
That is the 1ST REAL STEP in understanding that you need a SAVIOR.
That all of us have inherited the SIN NATURE of our 1st PARENTS, ADAM & EVE …
*** GIVE GOSPEL PRESENATATION ***
BUT as some of you know, RARELY do we get to give a neat, orderly, & complete presentation of the GOSPEL …
Sometimes you might have an opportunity to just share 2 or 3 verses …
I’ve found that on average about 1 out of 20 people are closed off to even hearing the GOSPEL …
… before you get 1 person who is willing to at least listen.
Those are the GENERAL STATS, at least in our area & from what I’ve experienced.
So don’t let that GET YOU DOWN …
… because that 1 OPEN DOOR that you get after 20 CLOSED DOORS …
… makes it all worthwhile!
Jesus said in Luke 15:7 that: “… joy shall be in heaven over one sinner that repenteth, more than over ninety and nine just persons, which need no repentance.”
Remember, Jesus said in Matthew 7:14 that: “… strait is the gate, and narrow is the way, which leadeth unto life, and few there be that find it.”
So don’t be discouraged if you exert a lot of LABOR for little fruit.
Because that’s what the BIBLE said would happen.
& I’ve noticed that as we’re nearing the END TIMES, people’s HEARTS are WAXING COLD.
Jesus said in Matthew 24:12: “And because iniquity shall abound, the love of many shall wax cold.”
But we’re not told to STOP PREACHING THE GOSPEL, because people REJECT IT.
We’re told to PREACH THE GOSPEL to: “EVERY CREATURE” (Mark 16:15) … “Preach the word; be instant in season, out of season … “ (2 Timothy 4:2).
OUR RESPONSIBILITY is to PREACH THE GOSPEL w/ ALL LONGSUFFERING & CHARITY …
& let God take care of the rest.
BUT 1 of the HARDEST PARTS of SOUL WINNING is that INITIAL APPROACH or ENGAGEMENT.
How do you BREAK THE ICE?
That’s the CHALLENGE & most people are just closed off when they hear you’re preaching the GOSPEL.
I like to go to PUBLIC AREAS, like UNIVERSITIES, PARKS, etc.
… because people are a little more engaging when they’re already in a SOCIAL ENVIRONMENT …
… but we also can’t neglect KNOCKING ON DOORS.
JESUS said in Luke 14:23 says: “And the lord said unto the servant, Go out into the highways and hedges, and compel them to come in, that my house may be filled.”
& 1 of the TYPICAL QUESTIONS that SOUL WINNERS sometimes ask to get the CONVERSATION STARTED …
is: “If you were to DIE TODAY, are you 100% SURE that you would go to HEAVEN?”
Now, this is a GREAT QUESTION because it gets people thinking about the AFTERLIFE & HEAVEN & HELL …
& The way that they respond to this QUESTION is VERY TELLING.
I use this question as a type of LITMUS TEST.
If someone says that they’re not sure if they’re going to go to heaven …
… then I know they’re probably not saved …
… & I respond w/ something like: “Well, the Bible teaches how we can be 100% sure. Would you like to know how?”
But If someone says that they ARE SURE that they’re going to go to HEAVEN …
… Well, then I ask them what do you BASE that BELIEF on?
& if they say, Because I KNOW JESUS & He’s my SAVIOR & I’ve born again …
… it’s just by the BLOOD, it’s just by GRACE.
… I know that there’s a STRONG POSSIBILITY that this PERSON is SAVED …
… But you can ASK a FEW FOLLOW-UP QUESTIONS to be sure …
… because there are a lot of FALSE CONVERTS out there, who are really relying on their works …
… or people who are just confused that you can help correct.
& one of those QUESTIONS is:
Is there ANYTHING that you can DO to LOSE your SALVATION?
For example, If you were to go out & GET DRUNK today & FORNICATE & just start living for the WORLD for the rest of your life …
… would you lose your SALVATION?
& we’ve talked about CHASTISEMENT & THE LOSS OF POTENTIAL ETERNAL REWARDS …
But that’s not the point …
… the point is how they answer will determine if they are RESTING in CHRIST …
… or if they are trying to WORK & to MAINTAIN their OWN SALVATION …
Now some people may be confused & you can help correct them on this …
… it doesn’t necessarily mean that they’re not saved …
… but it should raise a MAJOR RED FLAG in your mind if a professing CHRISTIAN …
… doesn’t believe in ONCE SAVED ALWAYS SAVED.
BUT there are a COUPLE PROBLEMS with this QUESTION & w/ this APPROACH …
… as effective & telling as it is …
… it’s a little bit difficult when you just WALK UP to SOMEONE’S DOOR …
… that you’d don’t know …
… you’re a complete stranger to them that’s shown up @ their door …
… & you’re suggesting to them that they might die today.
So starting w/ that QUESTION can be a little AKWARD …
& It can seem disingenuine or like you’re going off a script or being a SALESMAN.
… So what I’ve been doing lately …
… is simply coming up, introducing myself & my soul winning partner …
& saying something like: “Hi, my name is Afshin & this is DARYL & we’re out SHARING the GOSPEL today w/ people & talking with them about the Bible.”
& that way you’re being straightforward.
But I try to work in that question after a get a little RAPPORT going.
NOW WHAT ABOUT THE SILENT PARTNER CONCEPT?
JESUS SENT the DISCIPLES out 2 x 2 to PREACH the GOSPEL.
Mark 6:7 says: “And he called unto him the twelve, and began to send them forth by two and two …”
We see this also in Luke 10:1, which says: “After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.”
We also have examples of PAUL & BARNABAS preaching together in ACTS 13 …
… as well as PAUL & SILAS in ACTS 16 …
& also PETER & JOHN in ACTS 3 …
Interestingly, the account in MATTHEW 10 lists the APOSTLES & groups them together by TWOs also.
Matthew 10:1-4 says:
1 And when he had called unto him his twelve disciples, he gave them power against unclean spirits, to cast them out, and to heal all manner of sickness and all manner of disease.
2 Now the names of the twelve apostles are these; The first, Simon, who is called Peter, and Andrew his brother; James the son of Zebedee, and John his brother;
3 Philip, and Bartholomew; Thomas, and Matthew the publican; James the son of Alphaeus, and Lebbaeus, whose surname was Thaddaeus;
4 Simon the Canaanite, and Judas Iscariot, who also betrayed him.
Does that mean that we can’t ever go out in GROUPS of 3 or even go out by OURSELVES?
Now, I don’t like to go out by MYSELF.
I like having the BACK-UP & the FELLOWSHIP of a SOUL WINNING PARTNER w/ me.
& it is the BIBLICAL EXAMPLE.
But it isn’t the LAW, it’s a GUIDE & as a BIBLICAL EXAMPLE – it’s the IDEAL to go out 2 x 2!
& this might surprise you or be CONTROVERSIAL to some …
… but the CONCEPT of the SILENT PARTNER is not found ANYWHERE in SCRIPTURE!
I believe that when the 2 WENT OUT …
… both of them PREACHED TOGETHER!
Now that doesn’t mean that you INTERRUPT 1 ANOTHER …
You need to be sensitive to that if someone is preaching the GOSPEL …
… to give them the TIME & SPACE to finish their PRESENTATION.
But when I go out, I like to be a little more ORGANIC about it.
There might be times when I’m preaching & I’ve said all that I can say …
… or perhaps there’s something that WARD can offer that I hadn’t thought of @ that time …
… Am I going to let my EGO get in the way & be like, “Hey, it’s my turn to preach …”
… or are we more concerned about SAVING the SOUL that’s in front of us?
I don’t care WHO DOES the PRESENTATION as long as that PERSON gets saved!
It’s not about US – it’s about saving the LOST!
But if you’re BRAND NEW @ it …
… it’s not a BAD IDEA to OBSERVE the 1st or 2nd time that you go out …
… & just get COMFORTABLE & FAMILIAR w/ the process.
But ideally, when you’re going HOUSE TO HOUSE …
… you generally take turns & let 1 PERSON LEAD …
… while the OTHER PERSON is the BACK-UP & the PRAYER WARRIOR.
The one who’s the SILENT PARTNER @ that given moment, should be in prayer.
& if 1 of you gets stuck, the OTHER PERSON has your back.
That’s what the PARTNER is for …
Think of it like 2 COPS on the BEAT …
… you’re there to BACK 1 ANOTHER UP.
& there are some FRINGE BENEFITS to having a SOUL WINNING PARTNER.
1st of all, It’s a GREAT TIME of 1 on 1 FELLOWSHIP w/ other members of your church.
… because you’re actually out there doing something … & sharing that experience together …
It’s also GREAT EXERCISE …
… & while that’s not why we preach the GOSPEL …
… I LOVE just being out there walking around for a few hours …
… while you talk w/ your brother or sister in the LORD.
So it can be A LOT OF FUN & it has its benefits here & now …
… & you always meet interesting people & come away w/ GREAT STORIES.
1 of my FUNNIEST STORIES of SOUL WINNING …
… is that when I first started …
I might see a SIGN @ someone’s DOOR or a FLAG or A STICKER on their WINDOW …
… or find something that I could relate to …
… & use that as an OPENER to get the CONVERSATION going … (sort of as an ice breaker)
& there was this 1 time …
… when I saw this guy had an NRA & a 2ND AMENDMENT STICKER on his WINDOW …
… & I thought … I’m just gonna tell him that I’m a SUPPORTER of the 2ND AMENDMENT …
… & we’re both conservatives … & we’ll connected on that & then I can just go into the GOSPEL …
… & so when I tell him that I love the 2nd Amendment …
…. he gives me a SOUR LOOK & is like THIS ISN’T MY HOUSE …
… & it just started going SOUTH from there … (I guess he was a LIBERAL).
… & then he asks me, ARE YOU GUYS MORMONS or something?
& I’m like PHHH, NO!
We’re CHRISTIANS! (we’re definitely not Mormons) & I just start laughing.
& he’s LIKE, “WELL, I AM!”
& sometimes no matter what you do, it just doesn’t WORK OUT …
But as we were leaving, a RELATIVE of HIS shows up …
& we start preaching the GOSPEL to him on the sidewalk …
… & he believes!
ANOTHER GREAT STORY is …
we showed up once @ SOMEONE’S DOOR @ the SAME TIME that a GROUP of MORMON MISSIONARIES were pulling up to the SAME HOUSE …
… & the OWNER of the HOUSE says, well let’s take turns … & invites us in.
& we spent over an HOUR w/ this woman …
PREACHING the GOSPEL to her & also WARNING HER about the DANGERS of the MORMONISM!
We explain many of the FALSE TEACHINGS about MORMONISM …
… including that they believe that JESUS is LUCIFER’S BROTHER …
… including that they believe that GOD the FATHER was once a NORMAL HUMAN BEING who attained to GODHOOD …
… including that they once & even secretly today PRACTICE POLYGAMY …
& including that they believe that we each get our own PLANETS which we can then POPULATE w/ our MANY WIVES & CHILDREN …
& the WOMAN was in ABSOLUTE SHOCK & tears over this …
… & she said that there’s NO WAY that MORMONS believe that … (because of course they don’t share that w/ new converts) …
… & she said that if what we’re saying it true, that she will NOT get BAPTIZED into the MORMON church!
So we set up a MEETING that same day for all us to meet together & to discuss.
& those MORMONS LITERALLY tried to STOP us in the DRIVEWAY & said that WE ARE NOT WELCOME in her house!
(& they were very aggressive about it).
But we went in, & they had brought one of THEIR LEADERS, an elderly man, who was their PASTOR or something …
& so we sat down & over about an HOUR …
… I asked all the PENETRATING TOUGH QUESTIONS …
… & @ first like the MORMONS do …
… they LIED & tried to AVOID the QUESTIONS & deflect it to the SURFACE DOCTRINES that they present the public w/!
But I was PERSISTENT & I asked DIRECTLY:
Is JESUS LUCIFER’S BROTHER?
Was GOD the FATHER once HUMAN?
Do the FAITHFUL get their OWN PLANETS?
Do you believe in POLYGAMY?
& you could tell THEY WERE ANGRY!
But they finally broke down & said YES! We believe ALL OF THAT
& I got them to ADMIT it from their own mouth!
So I got it DIRECTLY from the SOURCE!
But the SHOCKING PART is that …
After they left, we talked w/ the LADY, thinking that her EYES MUST HAVE BEEN OPENED!
But she started to EXCUSE everything that she had just heard w/ her own ears!
& started making excuses.
How do we know that JESUS isn’t LUCIFER’S BROTHER? (maybe they have a point there).
& that was that …
she was listening to the VOICE of ANOTHER SHEPHERD!
& sadly, they got her soul!
There are so many stories like that …
… many POSITIVE STORIES that I didn’t go into today, where souls were miraculously won!
… but those STORIES are sometimes FEW & FAR in BETWEEN!
You still have to PUT IN the LABOR …
… with the MANY …
… in order to get the FEW saved!
Matthew 9:35-38 says:
35 And Jesus went about all the cities and villages, teaching in their synagogues, and preaching the gospel of the kingdom, and healing every sickness and every disease among the people.
36 But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd.
37 Then saith he unto his disciples, The harvest truly is plenteous, but the labourers are few;
38 Pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he will send forth labourers into his harvest.
The last TIP & ADMONISHMENT that I’ll leave you w/ today …
… is that it’s VITAL to SOUL WINNING to PRAY the DAYS or WEEKS leading up to when you’re going out!
PRAY for GOD to PREPARE the HEARTS & MINDS …
PRAY that GOD’S SPIRIT goes forth & PREPARES the WAY before you …
… PRAY that He lays it on your heart which STREETS & which NEIGHBORHOODS to go to …
… There might be times when GOD wants you to go to a SPECIFIC PERSON that He’s prepared to HEAR THE GOSPEL …
& He only needs a LABORER to go out into the FIELD & to REAP the HARVEST!
There are times when I’m going THAT WAY >
& we’re SYSTEMATICALLY going through a NEIGHBORHOOD.
& GOD says NO, GO THAT WAY <
& we do & we show up @ SOMEONE’S DOOR who BREAKS down CRYING …
& says I’ve been PRAYING for GOD to send me a SIGN or to SEND SOMEONE to TELL ME how to GET SAVED!
It happens! I’ve experienced it many times! & we’ve seen a good number of souls saved!
So in about 3 weeks, what I’d like to do …
… is to prepare just a SHORT SERMON on the CONTROVERSY surrounding THE SINNER’S PRAYER …
&
… & then I’d like to OPEN it up to Q&A WORKSHOP.
… so if there’s something I haven’t covered or there’s something that you want to know about …
… over the new few weeks, think of a few questions …
… & we’ll also have a SOUL-WINNING WORKSHOP, where you can practice presenting the Gospel to one another!
I started w/ Proverbs 11:30, which says: “The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life; and he that winneth souls is wise.”
& Daniel 12:3 is a companion to this, which says: “And they that be wise shall shine as the brightness of the firmament; and they that turn many to righteousness as the stars for ever and ever.”
