Soul winner by C.H. Spurgeon (available from Amazon or free on the internet, here for example)
(i) be witnesses;
(ii) be pleaders;
(iii) be examples;
(iv) have helpers around us;
(v) work hard at preaching;
(vi) have tracts ready;
(vii) make visits to the lost;
(viii) write letters to the lost.
Spurgeon's advice about how to be a good witness was helpful: 'I have sometimes wondered what I should do if I were put into the witness-box to be examined and cross-examined. I think I should simply stand up, and tell the truth as far as I knew it, and should not make an attempt to display my wit, or my language, or my judgment. If I simply gave straightforward answers to his questions, I should beat any lawyer under heaven. But the difficulty is, that so often when a witness is put into the box, he is more conscious of himself than of what he has to say; therefore, he is soon worried, teased, and bored, and, by losing his temper, he fails to be a good witness for the cause. Now, you men in the open-air are often bamboozled; the devil's barristers are sure to come to you, he has a great number of them constantly retained in his service. The one thing you have to do is to bear witness to the truth. If you enquire in your own mind, "How shall I answer this man cleverly, so as to get a victory over him?" you will not be wise. A witty answer is often a very proper thing; at the same time, a gracious answer is better. Try to say to yourself: "It does not, after all, matter whether that man proves me to be a fool or not, for I know that already I am content to be thought a fool for Christ's sake, and not to care about my reputation. I have to bear witness to what I know, and by the help of God I will do so right boldly. If the interrupter questions me about other things, I shall tell him that I do not come to bear witness about other matters, but this one thing I do. To one point I will speak, and to no other."'
Spurgeon is right. So often when we witness we want those listening to think well of us, particularly how clever we are. But that is not our job. Our job is to convey the truth.
Next week's reading
Now it's your turn
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