VIII.   Preparing for Witnessing
                      Remember: The Holy Spirit is the Only One that Converts People

                         

      A. The Place of the Holy Spirit in Evangelism

      • "Without Me you can do nothing" - John 15:5 [ = parable of the Vine ]
      • "See! I have given Jericho into your hand" - Joshua 6:2
        [ = from Jericho to Ai ]
      • The Holy Spirit is the only one that converts / changes people
      • "Your disciples could not cast out the demon in my son."
        - Mark 9:14-29   DA 426
      • A prayer for those who have a problem understanding this

      B. Before you get started on a project ask for the gift of the Holy
                Spirit to:

        I.   Show you if this project is His plan for you now
        II.  If the answer is YES ask God to guide you from this moment on
        III. Get a few like-minded people on board

      C. Getting personally [ the group ] ready for witnessing

        I.   Ask the Lord to remove everything from you that will hinder the work
             of the Holy Spirit
             learn to abide in HIM [ = personal devotion ] becoming a man
             / women of the Book
        II.  Pray that the Lord will bring your group to "sing from the same page"
        III. How to start praying for the Holy Spirit to take control of your project

      D. Find out what the will of God is at this time, before you meet
                people

        I.   Bible study
        II.  Prayer session
        III. Spying out the area - prayer walk - Territorial Assignment [ 70s ]
        IV. Assign streets for each couple
        V.  Members pray while you are out working

      E. After the visitation [ = time to share ] !!!

        I.   Provide time for God's grace and thanksgiving
        II.  Report experiences of the day, positive or negative
        III. Compile a list of issues that need to be addressed before going out
             again
        IV. Christ's method

      F. Acquire knowledge on specific topics

        I.   How to protect yourself / your group from Satan
             regarding mental, physical, and spiritual health
        II.  How to hold Satan back from people and your church
        III. How to intercede for others
        VI. How to pray effectively = forms of prayer

      G. Have in place a follow-up program before you start!!!

        Most evangelistic campaigns fail or bring meager results
        because of not planning a follow-up program!!!

      Wolfhard Touchard, M. L. S. - Retired Reference & Database Librarian
      Andrews University - November 2015