Memorizing Scripture comes easily for some people. Being able to open the Bible and flip from verse to verse to lead someone through the Plan of Salvation using the Roman Road is an amazing gift to have. If you are like many people though, it can be overwhelming.
One way to make it easier is to put a simple bookmark on the page of the first verse you plan to start with (remember there are different versions of the Roman Road that you can use). If you don't mind writing in your Bible, you can highlight the first verse. Then in the margin, simple write the reference to the next verse (Romans 3:23, for example) so you know where to turn too. At the second verse, highlight it and then in the margin, write your next reference, etc.
If you don't want to write in your Bible, get a small piece of paper (business card or bookmark size) and write the verse reference in a list. Just put the paper in your Bible at the first verse you will use.
Spend some time studying the Roman Road method. Read the verse and think about why it is part of the Roman Road. Practice presenting it either in your mind or better yet, on a fellow believer.
How do you actually share the Roman Road with someone? I am not one who believes you can drag someone into heaven. The Holy Spirit convicts people of sin. We are here to present the Bible truths, let Him do His will in each situation. In each of the following scenarios, no matter the outcome of your conversation, pray for the person you are witnessing to after parting ways.
If you find yourself having a conversation with a stranger or casual acquaintance, you can say something like "God has been real good to me lately. I needed ..." and relate how God has been good to you. Then ask the person, "Has God been active in your life lately?" Then if he is a believer, he will probably share his own experience. If he is backslidden, he might acknowledge that he has been distant from God or that he used to go to church, etc. In that case, definitely encourage him to get back to Him by saying something like, "You know, God is still loves you just like He did when He saved you. Life can be so hard at times, I hope you'll make some time to pray this week. The Bible says if you draw near to God, He will draw near to you." Then let it go (unless the guy wants to keep talking about it) and let the Holy Spirit do His work. This plants a seed for him to get back into a right relationship with God.
If you share this conversation with someone who says something like "I am just as good as those people who go to church ...", acknowledge that absolutely, church attendance doesn't get anyone to heaven. Then you could ask, "Can I show you what the Bible says about the true way to get to heaven?" If they say no, then with a positive attitude say something like "Well, I hope you will look it up one day when you get time. I have a copy of the Book of John, if you want to take it with you." And then let it go and let the Holy Spirit do His work. Again this is a seed planting opportunity, not a harvest.
If he doesn't outright say no or says I don't know. Say, "It's pretty basic, look here..." and open up your Bible and show the verse to him. Don't just read it to him, point to the verses so he sees it himself. The Holy Spirit might move fast. Ask him, "Have you ever felt the need to ask God for forgiveness?" Yes? "Can I lead you through a prayer?" No? "If you ever do, God will be waiting for you." Then let it go.
Suppose this fellow answers you with something like, "I don't believe in that junk." You could say something like, "Is it that you don't believe it or you just haven't really had time to study it out?" If he responds that he doesn't believe it, that everybody thinks they know the truth (and he is lumping you in with that group ;) and he is being pretty clear that he doesn't want to have this conversation with you, you could say something like, "Well, I hope you won't let other people keep you from God" or "Well, if you ever feel like God IS trying to get your attention, I hope you'll read the Bible, at least the Book of John, for yourself. Hey, I have a copy if you want to take it with you" And again, let the Holy Spirit do His work.
If he gives you the indication that he really just doesn't know what it's all about, then you could ask, "Can I show you what the Bible says about the true way to get to heaven?" If they say no, then with a positive attitude say something like "Well, if you ever feel like God IS trying to get your attention, I hope you'll read the Bible, at least the Book of John, for yourself. Hey, I have a copy if you want to take it with you." And then let it go and let the Holy Spirit do His work. Again this would be a seed planting opportunity, not a harvest.
If he doesn't outright say no or says I don't know. Say, "It's pretty basic, look here..." and open up your Bible and show the verse to him. Don't just read it to him, point to the verses so he sees it himself. The Holy Spirit might move fast. Ask him, "Have you ever felt the need to ask God for forgiveness?" Yes? "Can I lead you through a prayer?" No? "If you ever do, God will be waiting for you." Then let it go.
I hope you are getting the picture. You aren't necessarily going to lead everyone to Christ down the Roman Road, but you can plant seeds while you're trying to get them to follow you.
Sunday, April 20, 2008
Need A Little Help Sharing The Gospel?
I will be finishing up "Witnessing 101" soon, but I wanted to go ahead and give a little help to those new to witnessing and to those that would feel more comfortable with some guidance. After all, besides talking to people and sharing what God is doing in your life, you need to be able to share what the Bible says. There are different methods that can help you cover the bases in a logical way.
Ok, let's look at the famous Roman Road. This has been around for a long time. It is a way to share verses out of the book of Romans to show the lost person that he is lost and how to get into a saving relationship with Christ. Here is one example. Another example is found Here. You can do an internet search and find a few variations of the Roman Road. The main points are to show a person that God is God (most people really believe in God, but feel too guilty to believe that He loves them), that we are all sinners, that the wages of sin is death, that Jesus paid those wages for each of us, that we need to confess that truth, that we must ask Jesus into our heart and then trust that He is now our Savior. See more about "How To Use The Roman Road" for more details on how to use this technique.
Another easy method to share the Gospel is with the ABCs. Admit, Believe, Confess. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin. Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This has been used by the Southern Baptist in their Vacation Bible School for years. It was meant to be so simple that a child can understand. Of course, that means it is simple enough for an adult too!
F.A.I.T.H. Evangelism Strategy is another Southern Baptist method of outreach. Each letter guides you through a way to share the Gospel. You can check it out Here. This one isn't as easy for me to use, but some people are really good at it. Sometimes when sharing the F.A.I.T.H. message, this picture is given to the person you are sharing with, helping them to see themselves.
Ok, let's look at the famous Roman Road. This has been around for a long time. It is a way to share verses out of the book of Romans to show the lost person that he is lost and how to get into a saving relationship with Christ. Here is one example. Another example is found Here. You can do an internet search and find a few variations of the Roman Road. The main points are to show a person that God is God (most people really believe in God, but feel too guilty to believe that He loves them), that we are all sinners, that the wages of sin is death, that Jesus paid those wages for each of us, that we need to confess that truth, that we must ask Jesus into our heart and then trust that He is now our Savior. See more about "How To Use The Roman Road" for more details on how to use this technique.
Another easy method to share the Gospel is with the ABCs. Admit, Believe, Confess. Admit that you are a sinner. Believe that Jesus is the Son of God and accept God's gift of forgiveness from sin. Confess your faith in Jesus Christ as Savior and Lord. This has been used by the Southern Baptist in their Vacation Bible School for years. It was meant to be so simple that a child can understand. Of course, that means it is simple enough for an adult too!
F.A.I.T.H. Evangelism Strategy is another Southern Baptist method of outreach. Each letter guides you through a way to share the Gospel. You can check it out Here. This one isn't as easy for me to use, but some people are really good at it. Sometimes when sharing the F.A.I.T.H. message, this picture is given to the person you are sharing with, helping them to see themselves.
Tuesday, April 15, 2008
River City Thunder Rally, April 19th - Decatur
Short notice on this one, just saw it in the paper today.
3rd Annual
RIVER CITY THUNDER RALLY Saturday April 19, 2008
Start & Finish at the Decatur Elks Lodge
2625 Centron Dr., Decatur, Al.
To Benefit the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center Featuring The O.C.C. Liberty Bike
On Display Free To The Public At The Decatur Elks Lodge
Rally Events Include Poker Run through Bankhead Forest
50/50 Drawing / Door Prizes
Silent Auction / Venders / BBQ
$20.00 per Bike / $10.00 for Additional Rider
First Bike out at 9:00 am / Last bike in at 1:00 pm
Start & Finish at Decatur Elks Lodge
Each paid rider gets free T-shirt, 1 poker hand & 10 door prize tickets
1st 100 registered riders guaranteed T-shirt
3rd Annual
RIVER CITY THUNDER RALLY Saturday April 19, 2008
Start & Finish at the Decatur Elks Lodge
2625 Centron Dr., Decatur, Al.
To Benefit the Morgan County Child Advocacy Center Featuring The O.C.C. Liberty Bike
On Display Free To The Public At The Decatur Elks Lodge
Rally Events Include Poker Run through Bankhead Forest
50/50 Drawing / Door Prizes
Silent Auction / Venders / BBQ
$20.00 per Bike / $10.00 for Additional Rider
First Bike out at 9:00 am / Last bike in at 1:00 pm
Start & Finish at Decatur Elks Lodge
Each paid rider gets free T-shirt, 1 poker hand & 10 door prize tickets
1st 100 registered riders guaranteed T-shirt
Sunday, April 13, 2008
Witnessing 101- Part A
Witnessing is what it's all about! Jesus said "Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all that I commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."
The first part is GO. "Going" might include going about your ordinary day, going to work, stopping at the gas station, going out to dinner. You can witness to people in the course of your ordinary day. But it also means to purposefully go. Going out of your way to specifically share the Gospel. The goal of a motorcycle ministry is to build relationships and share the Gospel with a lost and dying world. The "going" will involve putting yourself out there, going on the poker runs, showing up at the bike shows, checking out the swap meets, etc.
The second part is "Make Disciples". Witnessing ideally isn't just a one shot deal. Now, the Word of God will not return void and if you share the Good News with someone you will never encounter again, trust it is part of God's plan for that person.
The ideal thing is to meet people and make new friends. Let people see what you're about. They will see something is different about you. Then when you share the Word, they will see that it is true in your life. Of course, this is why you have to stay grounded in the Word yourself, so that you are living a Christ-like life. Nobody is perfect, but you don't want to blow your witness and show yourself to be a hypocrit to the lost person who won't understand that Grace covers our sins even after salvation.
The first part is GO. "Going" might include going about your ordinary day, going to work, stopping at the gas station, going out to dinner. You can witness to people in the course of your ordinary day. But it also means to purposefully go. Going out of your way to specifically share the Gospel. The goal of a motorcycle ministry is to build relationships and share the Gospel with a lost and dying world. The "going" will involve putting yourself out there, going on the poker runs, showing up at the bike shows, checking out the swap meets, etc.
The second part is "Make Disciples". Witnessing ideally isn't just a one shot deal. Now, the Word of God will not return void and if you share the Good News with someone you will never encounter again, trust it is part of God's plan for that person.
The ideal thing is to meet people and make new friends. Let people see what you're about. They will see something is different about you. Then when you share the Word, they will see that it is true in your life. Of course, this is why you have to stay grounded in the Word yourself, so that you are living a Christ-like life. Nobody is perfect, but you don't want to blow your witness and show yourself to be a hypocrit to the lost person who won't understand that Grace covers our sins even after salvation.
BACA 100 Mile Poker Run
Bikers Against Child Abuse, Sipsey River Chapter is hosting the "100 Mile Poker Run" on Saturday, April 26, 2008. The following info is from the flyer that I picked up at Iron Horse in Decatur.
All out at 12:00, All in at 3:00. Run will leave from the BACA office located at the corner of County Road 327 and County Road 460 (old Hwy 24) and will end at Captain Dave's Steak and Seafood in Moulton. Discounts will be in place for wings and steaks. $10 a hand, $15 with patch. Door Prizes 50/50. More info: Call Tattoo at 565-2513
Saturday, April 12, 2008
Fallen Officer's Memorial Motorcycle Run
May 10, 2008 Huntsville, Alabama
Fallen Officer's Memorial Motorcycle Run
Sponsored by Elks Lodge 1648
Ride starts at Elks Lodge 164, 8725 Franklin Street in Huntsville. Registration begins at 9:00 am and the first bike goes out at 10:00 am. Ride fee is $15.00 for the rider and $10.00 for a passenger. The ride ends with prizes, 50/50 drawing, prizes for best hand, worst hand, oldest rider, most club members, farthest distance traveled. All funds raised will be donated to the Huntville Police Foundation For more information call (256) 503-3454, or (256) 539-2520.
Fallen Officer's Memorial Motorcycle Run
Sponsored by Elks Lodge 1648
Ride starts at Elks Lodge 164, 8725 Franklin Street in Huntsville. Registration begins at 9:00 am and the first bike goes out at 10:00 am. Ride fee is $15.00 for the rider and $10.00 for a passenger. The ride ends with prizes, 50/50 drawing, prizes for best hand, worst hand, oldest rider, most club members, farthest distance traveled. All funds raised will be donated to the Huntville Police Foundation For more information call (256) 503-3454, or (256) 539-2520.
Forgiven Child Of God Motorcycle Ministry
Here is the official website for Forgiven Child of God Motorcycle Ministry. Right now, I am going it alone up here in North Alabama. I hope that I will be able to connect with some fellow riders and have an active ministry. I know there are a lot of bikers up here and God loves them all, even if they don't know it.
I hope to put together a calendar of North Alabama motorcycle events and show up to as many as my time allows. Check back soon to see what's up in North Alabama.
I hope to put together a calendar of North Alabama motorcycle events and show up to as many as my time allows. Check back soon to see what's up in North Alabama.
Jesus would have been a biker - Open Me - Shawn McDonald
Check out this video. Forgiven Child of God is just one of many motorcycle ministries that exist to share the love of Christ.
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