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WINNING SOULS
Winning Souls: Why Sharing Your Faith Matters!
Would you like to talk to someone? Click Here!I would rather win souls than be the greatest king or emperor on earth; I would rather win souls than be the greatest general that ever commanded an army; I would rather win souls than be the greatest poet, or novelist, or literary man who ever walked the earth. My one ambition in life is to win as many as possible. ~ R. A. Torrey
If you had the cure for cancer, wouldn’t you share it with others?
“Winning Souls: Why Sharing Your Faith Matters” explains why Christians are called to share the Gospel with love, wisdom, prayer, and respect. Using Scripture, practical analogies, and personal testimony, the page shows that winning souls isn’t about forcing faith on others, but about faithfully pointing people to Jesus while trusting the Holy Spirit to change hearts. We encourage believers to be prepared to explain their hope, pray for the lost, share their testimony, turn everyday conversations toward spiritual matters, and gently help others understand sin, salvation, and the new life found in Christ.
When I was a teenager, up to the time I was in my mid-twenties, I felt that I was heading for hell with the sinful, rebellious life I was living. My life was heading for a train wreck,but God put some people in my life to help me. Unfortunately, I was not ready to give up the sinful lifestyle I was living. I was a fool; I had little to no fear of God, yet the Holy Spirit reached out to me faithfully, and I could not resist the wonderful offer, so I became a Christian on June 25, 1986. (A day I will always be thankful for).
Psalm 66:16 Come and hear, all you who fear God; let me tell you what he has done for me.
Another analogy: if your neighbor’s house were on fire, wouldn’t you do something about it? I could think of many other analogies, but I am sure you get the idea. The only real problem with trying to tell others about Jesus who aren’t open or willing to hear (the solution/cure) is that, after you share the truth with the unbeliever, you need to step back and keep praying for them.
The Holy Spirit saves people, not us. We are just the messengers of the good news of the Gospel.God does not force himself on us, so we need not force ourselves on others. I can be frustrating, yet God is in control. I’m glad some people are trying to point me to Jesus, so I try to win souls through this website and in daily life. ~ Bill Greguska
1 Peter 3:15 – But in your hearts, revere Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to explain to anyone who asks the reason for your hope. But do this with gentleness and respect.
2. The Lord Jesus called His disciples to be “fishers of men.”
Mark 1:17-18 – “Come, follow me,” Jesus said, “and I will send you out to fish for people.” At once, they left their nets and followed him.
3. The early church example was on fire, winning souls to the Lord Jesus Christ.
Acts 5:42 – Day after day, in the temple courts and from house to house, they never stopped teaching and proclaiming the good news that Jesus is the Messiah.
4. The Apostle Paul set us an example.
Acts 20:20-21 – You know that I have not hesitated to preach anything that would be helpful to you, but have taught you publicly and from house to house. I have declared to both Jews and Greeks that they must repent and have faith in our Lord Jesus.
5. The soul winner is wise.
Proverbs 11:30 – The fruit of the righteous is a tree of life, and the wise one saves lives.
a. Wise because the soul winner is laboring with the world’s most priceless possession, the soul of a man (Mark 8:36-37). b. Wise because the only real peace in this world comes through Jesus Christ (Matthew 11:28). c. Wise because the soul winner gains eternal reward (John 4:36).
6. The soul winner glorifies God.
John 15:8 – This is to my Father’s glory, that you bear much fruit, showing yourselves to be my disciples.
7. The soul winner delivers souls from eternal Hell.
Ezekiel 3:17-18 – “Son of man, I have made you a watchman for the people of Israel; so hear the word I speak and give them warning from me. When I say to a wicked person, ‘You will surely die,’ and you do not warn them or speak out to dissuade them from their evil ways to save their life, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
8. The soul winner has confidence at the Judgment Seat of Christ.
Ezekiel 33:8 – When I say to the wicked, ‘You wicked person, you will surely die,’ and you do not speak out to dissuade them from their ways, that wicked person will die for their sin, and I will hold you accountable for their blood.
Chris Tomlin Shares His Testimony!
Requirement For Successful Soul Winning!
1. Personal knowledge of Jesus Christ as Savior
John 1:12 Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believe in his name, he gave the right to become children of God.
2. Assurance of salvation
1 John 5:13 I write these things to you who believe in the name of the Son of God so that you may know that you have eternal life.
3. Purity of life
II Timothy 2:21 – Those who cleanse themselves from the latter will be instruments for special purposes, made holy, useful to the Master, and prepared to do any good work.
4. Yieldedness of life
Romans 12:1 – Therefore, I urge you, brothers and sisters, in view of God’s mercy, to offer your bodies as a living sacrifice, holy and pleasing to God—this is your true and proper worship.
5. Burden of lost souls
Matthew 9:36 – When he saw the crowds, he had compassion on them because they were harassed and helpless, like sheep without a shepherd.
6. A prayer burden for the unsaved – Paul had such a burden.
Romans 10:1 – Brothers and sisters, my heart’s desire and prayer to God for the Israelites is that they may be saved.
7. A practical knowledge of the Bible
As a person develops in soul-winning, he needs to learn more and more about the Word of God. But you do not need excellent knowledge of the Bible to start soul-winning work. In John 9, the blind man had just been healed when the unsaved Jewish leaders asked him to give his testimony. His witness was simple yet powerful. He said, “One thing I know: whereas I was blind, now I see” (v. 25).
8. Boldness without being ashamed
This man in John 9 was bold for the Lord and gave forth a clear-cut witness.
Romans 1:16 – For I am not ashamed of the gospel, because it is the power of God that brings salvation to everyone who believes: first to the Jew, then to the Gentile.
Try to Win Souls: How to Lead Someone to Christ?
1. Show them the fact of sin.
Romans 3:23 – “For all have sinned and come short of the glory of God.” The first truth one must see to be saved is that he is a sinner. If a person does not know that he has sinned against God, he will not realize he needs a Savior. Joe Henry Hankins said, “You must get a person lost before you can get him saved.”
2. Show them the penalty for sin.
Romans 6:23 – for all have sinned and fall short of the glory of God
Tell Others What Christ Did!
3. Show them that Christ paid the penalty for their sin.
1 Peter 3:18 – For Christ also suffered once for sins, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God. He was put to death in the body but made alive in the Spirit.
4. Show them that salvation comes by receiving Christ.
John 1:12 – Yet to all who did receive him, to those who believed in his name, he gave the right to become children of God— The word “power” in John 1:12 means “right” or “authority.” Those who receive Christ have the right, or authority, to be called sons of God. Receiving Christ means believing in Him.
I committed my life to Jesus Christ on June 25, 1986. Praise to God! That was the beginning of the end and the start of better days to come. It was the last time I used drugs or alcohol. Many things led up to that life-changing decision. I didn’t see fireworks or anything like that, but I knew in my heart and mind that Jesus Christ was the answer to my life. The Lord returned my life, so I decided it was only fitting. I began to live my life for him. With all the help and encouragement that Ron and Sue Sauer gave me, I was inspired to start NeedEncouragement.com in 2007 to encourage others as I was encouraged.
Walking With The Lord!
My relationship with Jesus Christ matters to me because of all God has taught me and saved me from. I have developed the good habit of starting each day in God’s Word and journaling, and I have also stayed active in Bible study and church for many years. I don’t believe God wants us to memorize the Bible (even though it is essential). Instead, God wants a relationship with us, and that is what I have, and I am very thankful for it. My life is still nowhere near perfect, but I am far past where I used to be and striving toward where God wants me to be, more and more each day.
2 Corinthians 5:17 Therefore, if anyone is in Christ, the new creation has come: The old has gone, the new is here!
People seem to like to talk about spiritual matters. If someone starts a conversation with you about God, faith, or religion, be ready to share something that sheds light on the gospel. Their bringing up the Gospel topic gives you the freedom to share. Be sure you listen to what they say first. Listening is essential.If, on the other hand, you bring up God, faith, or religion, be more careful, but still honest and loving.
Turn Any Conversation Into A Spiritual One!
1. Many people talk about believing in God. What does believing in God mean to you?
2. If you had to say, do you view God positively or negatively?
3. Have you noticed that people spend tons of time and energy on their careers, physical bodies, and personal relationships but often disregard the spiritual part of their lives? How do you actively pursue spiritual growth?
4. We have known each other for quite some time, but I have never really talked with you about the essential things in my life. May I take a moment to do so?
5. Do you sometimes think much about spiritual things? This can lead to a conversation about what “spiritual” means, which can open the door to the topic of religion versus a relationship with God.
6. Do you find that faith and spiritual values play a role in your work, day, marriage, and perspective on life?
7. When you sleep at night, does anxiety or stress steal your sleep? Do you know how I overcame my fear after I became a Christian?
8. How have your personal growth experiences affected your thoughts about God?
9. If you happen to die tonight, are you sure you will go to heaven? Has anyone ever explained how you can know for sure?
10. Do you go to church? Why or why not?
11. We have never had an opportunity to discuss your religious background. How would you describe your spiritual journey with God?
12. I Would Like To Tell You How I Established A Personal Relationship With God.
(Tell your testimony of how you became a Christian. Please keep it to three minutes, using the following outline: before I characterized my life; before I trusted Christ; how I came to trust Christ; and after—how I am different now. After—how I am different now.)
13. Before I knew Christ personally, I used to think that God was a vague concept that I could not relate to. How would you describe your view of God? Jesus? Is he real to you, or is he more of a fuzzy picture?
14. If you could be sure there is a God, would you want to know him? Or if you could know God personally, would you like to?
15. Have you ever had a moment in your life when you trusted Jesus Christ as your personal Savior and Lord, or do you think you are not ready for that yet but hope to be someday? May I share with you how I came to trust in Jesus?
16. Would you be interested in hearing my thoughts about church, or would you be willing to tell me your thoughts about the church in general?
17. Bring a friend to your church or a Christian event, then ask: What did you think of church today? Did what the pastor said make sense to you? Have you discovered that you know God personally, or would you like to?
18. I would not like you to come to my church and not understand what it’s all about. Would you like to get together to discuss what we believe?
19. Would you be interested if I shared what I’ve found most important to being a Christian?
20. What do you think someone has to do to become a Christian?
Share Your Story, As Danielle Did!
Some Suggestions:
I suggest discussing these questions with another Christian first, so you know where the conversation might go and feel confident sharing with others. Next, I pray together with you for the will and boldness to ask some of your unbelieving friends these thought-provoking questions. This way, you avoid stumbling over your words and appearing to not know what you are talking about.
What To Keep In Mind When Sharing Your Testimony?
When sharing personal testimonies (or, in other words, your story), I suggest you outline it on paper and review it yourself or with someone you know before sharing it. Here is my testimony about how I lived before I met Christ, how I met Christ, and what Christ did in my life.
Be sure that you are somewhat organized, that your story is familiar to you, and that you understand and follow who you plan to share it with.
How did things used to be?
What personally made the difference in your life?
What changed in your life?
Whatever Helps You Share Your Testimony!
Share it as if you’re talking to someone, and avoid sounding like you’re reading from a piece of paper. If you need to, that will work, too.
Remember that your story is yours, and nobody can argue with what you say because it happened to you, which is why it is your testimony. You will not influence the person(s) you are speaking to, but the Holy Spirit will do the work.
Some Specific Scriptures To Encourage You:
Job 12:12 ESV
Wisdom is with older people, and understanding comes with the length of days.
Psalm 60:3 ESV
You have made your people see hard things; you have given us wine to drink that made us stagger.
Proverbs 7:7 ESV
And I have seen among the simple; I have perceived among the youths a young man lacking sense,
Ephesians 5:1 ESV
Therefore, be imitators of God as beloved children.
In 2007, my pastor Ron Sauer and his wife Sue saw how depressed I was due to my wife giving up on our marriage. Ron and Sue encouraged me to encourage others. They were wise to know that if I reached out to help others, my problems would be put into perspective. I took their advice and it really helped! I trust you will find the encouragement you need here on our website. You can also call Need Him Phone Ministry 800-633-3446 or the Billy Graham prayer line 877-772-4559. God bless you! Bill Greguska
