Helps For Witnessing To Jews
Helps For Witnessing To Jews
For he mightily convinced the Jews, and that publickly, shewing by the scriptures that Jesus was Christ. Acts 18:28
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Introduction
Why Jewish Evangelism Seems So Difficult
Be Sensitive
Share Jesus With Your Jewish Friends
We’ll Help You Get Started
Introduction
By reading this page, you are indicating an interest in knowing how to better share the Gospel with Jewish people! Perhaps by reading exploring my web site you have realized the responsibility God has giving EVERY Christian to evangelize Jews. Maybe you have a Jewish friend or coworker. Maybe you have a Jewish neighbor or classmate. Maybe you even have a Jewish relative! Maybe you just want to be prepared for the next time you have the opportunity to witness to a Jewish person. There are some things you should know that will help you to be a more effective witness.
While not exhaustive, this page contains some helpful hints. The application of these guidelines will, no doubt, depend upon the kind of relationship you have with the person to whom you seek to witness. We hope that these hints will encourage you to share the Gospel with the Jewish people you know and those you meet. May the Holy Spirit give you enough boldness and sensitivity to effectively be His representative.
Why Jewish Evangelism Seems So Difficult
Jewish people inherit a negative commitment to Christ. II Corinthians 3:13-15 speaks of the vail of Moses being upon their hearts. This causes them to be blinded to Christ. This does not mean that they think ill of Him. Often they view Him as a nice man, a prophet or perhaps a teacher. For any loyal Jew to think any more of Him, however, would often be considered spiritual treason.
Christians sometimes fear creating an unpleasant situation or losing the friendship of a Jewish person. We are commanded to tell others about salvation–that is the Great Commission. It is God’s responsibility to draw and convince the recipient of that good news, not ours. Scripture says that not everyone will respond favorably. We cannot take a negative reaction personally. A person who rejects the gospel is rejecting Jesus. In reality, most Jewish people to whom we witness will probably respond with indifference. Remember to keep praying–God does answer prayer!
Be Sensitive
Salesmanship does not substitute for a Spirit-led ministry (Zechariah 4:6).
We can’t turn off someone whom the Holy Spirit is “turning on.”
Don’t interpret God’s moving in a person’s life as a license for insensitivity.
Be prepared to witness, don’t presume upon God.
Don’t presume your Jewish friend has a working knowledge of Scripture. For example, messianic prophecy is generally unknown.
It is important to show as well as tell Jewish people that you love them. Of course, sharing the gospel is the most loving act one person can do for another.
Share Jesus With Your Jewish Friends
Be a real friend. Keep in focus the fact that the person needs to hear the life-changing gospel you share. Yet your friendship should not only be based upon his or her acceptance or rejection of the Gospel.
Ask leading questions about how your Jewish friend feels about various social issues. This may sound unusual, but it is a good way to engage someone in conversation. Often Jewish people are not used to talking about God. In some ways, He is a stranger to them.
Find a way to give a brief personal testimony. You can tell your friend how God answers prayer in your life. The person and work of Christ must be introduced at some point in the conversation.
Your Jewish friend may not respond to your testimony. He or she may be interested but not ready to admit it. In any case, remember to pray and wait for another appropriate opportunity to share a testimony.
If your Jewish friend responds, don’t interact hastily but defer until you feel that the time, place and structure are appropriate for the interaction.
Use Scripture to answer questions, objections and statements. If necessary, don’t be afraid to ask for time to gather information and check your answers. You could say, “Can we talk about this another time when I’m better prepared?”
Offer to pray for your friend. Often your Jewish friend will not receive your witness but will receive your offer of prayer. Be sure to follow up to see what happened.
When possible, arrange for your Jewish friend to meet with a responsible Jewish Christian.
Ask them to accept Christ . Often a person doesn’t accept the Lord because we don’t ask him or her to. A sample proposal could be, “Have you ever prayed and asked Jesus to be your Lord and Savior? Is there any reason you can think of for not doing it right now?” DO NOT give them a “1-2-3 repeat after me” prayer and tell them they are going to heaven. More souls will bust Hell wide open thinking they were Heaven bound because they repeated what some preacher told them to say. Let the Holy Spirit show them who Christ is as you share the Word. When God gets them lost, they’ll have no problem knowing what to say.
We are here to train other Christian’s to evangelize Jews through their local church. We will gladly assist you in any way we can. If you have any questions that arise as you seek to win Jews to Christ, please ask us. That’s what we’re here for.
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