Non-Verbal Witnessing

Are you shy? Unable to speak before groups? Perhaps unable to speak to anyone of your love for God? Others seem so good at telling others of their faith, yet you choke up at the thought of telling others about Christ. You wish you could be a witness to others and yet you just can't.

There is a way. I've found it. I witness to others everyday, my thoughts are known by many people each time I shop, drive or go to church; yet I never say a word.

Its a wonderful feeling to know I too can share with others the glorious good news. I can show you how also.

"Witness at all times; if necessary use words."

St. Francis of Assizi

Witnessing to Your Children

The most important witnessing is right at home. You are the mirror the children see their reflection in, all the talk in the world will not amount to as much as your actions.

Witnessing to other children is great. But how about your own children or grandchildren.? Don't be pressured into buying a toy or music that you feel is bad for the little ones. Your Christian book store has excellent toys, music, and books that are suitable for Christian children. Ask you Church Music Director about the Christian tapes for teenagers. There are so many good contemporary Christian artists such as Amy Grant, Carmen, etc...there is no excuse for going to the mall music store and just buying any music which is popular. A good source for music is JCTV. Of all the people in the world to witness to, our loved ones should come first.

Clothing can witness for Christ. You may wear a T-shirt that says "You have a reservation in Eternity; would you like Smoking or Non-Smoking". Humorous sayings with a message. Popular with kids are shirts with slogans that look like popular ads but on closer inspection have a Christian message.. Please choose messages of love that are non-confrontational.

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Witnessing Through Correspondence

Your checkbook can say it all. Not only are we good witnesses and stewards and set a Christian example by balancing our check book; we can also witness to many others every tine we write a check. Simple. there are several reputable companies that print personalized checks with Bible verses. With each check several people will see the verse. The cashier, possibly someone called over for check approval and the people at your bank. My checks have 4 different Bible verses.

Little Christian envelope seals and stickers. I use them on letters and bills to help seal the back flap Some are Bible verses, some are pictures. Remember your letter passes through many hands at the Post Office before it reaches its destination.

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While Traveling

If you travel quite a bit, you are familiar with the Gideon Bible in hotel/motel rooms. Even if you have your own Bible with you, take the Gideon bible and read a few of your favorite verses. Then leave it open to a specific chapter as you leave your room. The maid will see the open Bible, may even be curious as to which verse you were reading.

As for the Gideon Bible you can really spread the word by contributing to the Gideon Society. For a small amount you may purchase a Bible in honor or in memory of someone. The Gideon Society will place the bible in a good place.

While I am not one for gaudy bumper stickers, a Christian can witness too many others with a simple Christian symbol. The fish, a sign of Christs followers, has been known for centuries. Just remember to drive with a Christian attitude when your bumper sticker says who your master is.

Public phone booths are a great place to leave a little bible tract. The next person may idly read it while on the phone or use it to jot down a number and carry it with him to be read later.

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Witnessing at Special Ocassions

Christmas

Drop Santa Claus and concentrate on the meaning of Christmas. Again your open Bible, opened to the Christmas story, surrounded by Poinsettias and candles. Nearby have the best nativity scene you can afford. I bought mine as fired greenware and painted the figures in soft pastel colors. Decorate the tree with ornaments that witness your faith.

The next time there is a Christmas "drive"for toys for children why not purchase a toy, book, tape or video from you Christian book store. Instead of a troll doll (considered a demon in most countries) you can purchase biblical character dolls such as Samson, complete with story.

Easter

Instead of the pagan celebration of Ishtar, complete with fertility symbols such as rabbits and eggs, a Christian can witness by decorating with Easter lilies and dogwood blossoms. If you don't have the courage to drop the Easter egg hunt at least decorate the eggs with Christian symbols. A beautiful centerpiece at Easter is a Bible opened to the Easter story of Christ's resurrection with a pot of lilies and white candles.

Thanksgiving

The original Thanksgiving Day was set aside to thank God for all he had done for the Pilgrams. Put the emphasis on thanking God for another beautiful year. This is not "Turkey Day" it is Thanksgiving Day.

Birthdays

Christian book stores carry religious birthday cards and some are very humorous. These can go to friends and relatives. For your friends who won't read a "Christian" book but who love novels, there are now Christian novels. For those who like mystery and suspense there is Frank Peretti; for the romantic buy Janet Oakes. For another gentle witnessing buy an inexpensive bookmark, that has a bible verse, inspiration or the persons name.

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Witnessing Through Politics

If you are shy about Christian witnessing you're probably also shy about your political views. Here is a way to support your Christian faith and politics:

The Rutherford Institute (legal defense for Christians)
CWA - Concerned Women of America
ACLJ - American Center of Law and Justice
Pro-life (local or national)
Christian Coalition

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Witnessing Through Volunteer Work

Consider volunteer work outside the church. After all we are to witness to the whole world, not just the congregation.

CASA Programs
Local Hospital
Red Cross
Salvation Army
Etc.

So many people are "put off" by Christian witnessing. They don't want to hear talk about Jesus, so the silent witness can be the most effective with these people. They have every right to say "Shut up, I don't want to hear that religious stuff." On the other hand they can have no quarrel with the things you do as a silent witness.

As you do your selfless work, your gentle Christianity is your best witness. As a volunteer you can't proselytize, but then there is your small gold cross, your tasteful T-shirt, your Christian attitude.

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Witnessing Through Dress

While we hope a Christian will dress tastefully and not wear gaudy jewelry, a small gold or silver chain with a Christian Cross is very thought provoking. In an age when the models and entertainment people have tried to cheapen the cross by wearing it as a piece of tacky costume jewelry, you can still show your love for Christ by the small cross you wear. Some how earrings in the design of the cross do not look well. Remember less is more.

A Christian does not have to dress dowdy and unattractively but dressing like Madonna leads one to wonder who that person is trying to please. Dressing deliberately ugly damages the Christian appeal to lost persons. Insisting women wear out of date, out of style hairdos and clothes is self defeating. Its just as useless as the opposite mistake of dressing too wordily. One can be modest and still be lovely and modern. Makeup does not have to look like Tammy Baker. There are product that enhance ones beauty instead of overwhelming it.

There is no biblical call for a woman to look dowdy and unstylish. I don't think the Christian women of Christ's time tried to dress differently than the other people of their time; yet some Christian's think a Christian woman of the nineties should dress like women did 30-40 years ago. I think this is a mistake and unkind to women.

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Witnessing in a Negative Way

At the same time we must remember that outward signs mean nothing if ones personal life is not in accord with Christian teaching. For instance a lovely woman with a small gold cross is not a good Christian witness at the supermarket, if she is screaming at her kids or letting them run wild.

We've all seen a car with a MADD sticker on the bumper driving very discourteously, maybe even dangerously and we think, "They may not drink and drive, but they can still kill you with their cars." Worse is the car with John 3:16 on the bumper sticker and the driver is definitely not a loving considerate driver.

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As you think about these things, you will come up with many more ideas. One woman says she takes her Christian magazines (after reading them) to work and adds them to the other magazines in the waiting room. Take a religious magazine to read while you wait for the doctor, dentist, photographer, hairdresser, mechanic, etc... and leave it for someone else to find and read. Thats witnessing!!!