Thine actions speak louder than words do!

• Help!  As the old saying goes "Actions speak louder than words". God is Love, and we're children of the Father of Love.   We talk about how we love people, yet we often fail to show God's love in practical ways. 

• Here's some ideas:   Share some kewl URL's, help people create web sites or even show them where to find the latest technology on the net.  

• Click here for some URL ideas and technologies to share.

Thou shalt ask open ended questions!

• One key to sharing Christ with someone is to build a relationship with the people we meet online.  Whether you are quiet and not very talkative or the person you're talking to is that way, we can open up the communication channels by asking open questions.

• For example, don't ask yes/no questions if at all possible.   Asking them if they had a good day will  get you a yes or no answer.  Instead, ask them to tell you about their day.  Or, ask them their feelings about a given subject.  Using this approach will often loose their lips and the end result is that you'll get to know this person. 

• We need to be careful to not just give yes/no answers to questions asked of us.  Make every effort to elaborate on your answers without monopolizing the conversation.  Look for things that you have in common....soon you'll find yourself building a lasting relationship!  

• Proverbs 18:24  -  "A man that has friends must show himself friendly: and there is a friend that sticks closer than a brother."

Thou shalt be patient!

• "I don't understand it...I told them everything they needed to know about Christ and they still won't say the sinners prayer!"

• We can have all our ducks in a row and even quote a slew of scriptures to our new friend and yet they are still unwilling to commit to Christ.   Did you accept Christ the very first time you heard about Him?  Most people would have to answer that question "No." 

• Just remember that we will seldom see results over night.  Take the time to develop a long term relationship with our new friends.  In the end, our job is to be witnesses of  God's Love.  It's God who deals with the heart.

• Colossians 1:11 - "We pray that you will be strengthened with His glorious power that you will have all the patience and endurance you need."

Thou shalt not judge!

• We're not called to judge people for the way they live their lives. True, we might not agree with everything they say or do. But we should never put them on the defense by judging them by our standards. Rather look at this time as an opportunity to live by Christ's example.  Walk the walk. 

• We can share our point of view, but be careful to do so out of a sense of love and gentleness not condemnation.

• Matthew 7:1-2  - "Stop judging others, and you will not be judged.  For others will treat you as you treat them."

Thou shalt not use Christian Speak!

• Grace, mercy, saved, and born again are a few words that will confuse people who were not raised in the church.  Often these words mean nothing to non believers and in other cases these words will have complete different meanings to other religious beliefs. 

• Some examples of this is how other religions see Christ, God, atonement, and born again.  If you're not careful, you will think that you are talking about the same thing with your friend, only to find out later that you're talking about a different Christ. 

• Take your time to think before you speak...and explain everything!

• 1 Corinthians 14:9 - "If you talk in a language they don't understand, how will they know what you mean?  You might as well be talking to an empty room."

Thou shalt shake the dust off thy feet!

• In Matthew 10:14  Jesus sent out His disciples and told them not to hang around that town if they didn't accept the good news. He told them they should shake the dust from their feet and move on.

• Does this mean we need to just hit and run?  No.  Rather, we need to learn from this example and make sure we don't become distracted by people who don't have a genuine interest in the gospel.  Give them a fair chance to respond to the love of Christ.  If after that they still seem uninterested or even hostile, then it may be time to consider moving on.  Keep praying!

• Matthew 10:14 - If a village doesn't welcome you or listen to you, shake off the dust of that place from your feet as you leave.

 Thou shalt set realistic goals!

• Enthusiasm is great but we need to have balance to our goals.  It's easy to become overwhelmed with building friendships with too many people at once.  Start with one at a time until you are ready to add to your list. Be careful not to over commit your online time. Jesus set the example as He was careful to pull away at times to get alone with the Father.

Thou shalt have right motives!

• It is imperative when sharing your faith online to make sure you come to it with the right motivation.  Be genuine as you take an interest in peoples lives. Your primary purpose should be to build a friendship that is sincere. If you are not really interested in those you talk to and don't really desire to know them it will be obvious that you are only out to convert them.

Thou shalt be honest!

• When sharing your faith, remember the old saying “honesty is the best policy”. When asked a question that you do not have an answer to don’t feel the need to make things up. Rather acknowledge that you don’t know and then endeavor to find out. Don't be tempted to tell a tale in order to impress your new friend.  Save face and be totally honest!

Thou shalt follow up!

• How do you follow-up?

  Many have asked, "What about following up and discipling an individual who makes a decision for Christ? If they live clear across the country or the world, how do you help them grow?"

  There is much talk today about "cyber-churches" on the Internet.  One or two people is all it takes to run many of these virtual churches.  Using high quality web sites, they can communicate with and affect thousands of people worldwide.  The participants receive hundreds of messages and prayer requests during a year and a growing number of these participants are making the virtual church their only church.

  This is not our concept of follow up and discipleship.  While the Internet world can be extremely personal, nothing can replace real human touch, a handshake, and a proper hug.  Nothing can replace a face-to-face encounter with a fellow believer whose gentle caring voice says, "How are you…really?"

  Thus our training materials focus on how you can help an individual locate and get involved in a Bible-believing church in their local area.  There are plenty of good materials you will want to send them to help them get started, but the sooner they get involved in a local church the sooner they can become an active member of God's family and become fully equipped to use their spiritual gifts for service in that local body of believers.

   

• Thou Shalt See Evangelism Tips For ICQ!

• Thou Shalt find out how to seek contacts

• Hints & Tips part 2 - Lots of great links!