Don't be so hard on yourself

I mentioned previously about great way to evangelize.  Rather than think like a salesman think like a friend.  I think that was pretty good advice so now I want to screw up a good thing and tell you my opinion or more of my opinion.  Here is what I believe the Bible tells me to do in evangelism...

Tell people your story!

That is basically it.  You see going back to the salesman analogy I don't believe we have a quota that we have to reach each month or each year in how many converts we "close the deal on".  For one thing how do you know?  Just because you heard them say a prayer?  Not!  I have heard many people sound more like a sales manager for a shady product than people who represent the ONE TRUE GOD. 

So I don't believe the Bible has a 4 step plan that will work every time and I don't believe that the Bible says, thou shalt "close" on 3 new converts a week, if thou preachest to 5 people a day and from those 35 approacheth the point of realization of their sin with 15 and then thouest will by Friday have 10 of those people invited to church on Sunday and of those 10 most likely 5 will show up of which 3 should pray the sinners prayer.

From what I can read in this good book I don't have any such requirements.  My one and only requirement is to share with people the difference God has made in my life.  That's it.  The Bible does say that somehow "magically" if I do that God's spirit will convict people.  I don't have much at all to do with it.  Most likely it has been a series of events that person has gone through that will bring them to the point where they are ready.  If I am fortunate I am at the end of that process if not I am at the beginning of their process.  Either way my responsibility is to let them know what it all means for me and to be a friend no matter what they decide to do with that.

The beauty of this program is I don't have to win theological debates with people on the Bible.  It is somewhat likely they know more about it than me.  I am only sharing my story and they can't argue that at all.  They can ask a question and I can say I don't know the answer but my life was radically changed...Period.  Cool Huh?

Takes the pressure off doesn't it?  No you can just go out there be yourself and start making friends.  Don't hide who you are or pretend to be somebody else.