16. Preparation Points to Salvation
People you meet can be won for Jesus.

In Your Bible Read This
nz07/z1Petr03.htm#8">1 Peter 3.8-22; vz27/zDanii12.htm#2">Daniel 12.2-4

Here Is Your Memory Verse
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you
to give the reason for the hope that you have. nz07/z1Petr03.htm#15">1 Peter 3.15

Meditate Word By Word On This Verse
nz23/z2Timo01.htm#7">2 Timothy 1.7

Spend a Minute to Change the World
Pray For Belgium - Operation World page 114
Nearly 10,000,000 Europeans, HQ of the European Union
Highly Industralized, wealthy, but just 0.32% evangelicals

Peter, the great apostle and beloved pastor, also does the work of the evangelist from time to time. But in nz07/z1Petr03.htm#1">1 Peter 3.1-8 he opens his heart as the pastor, and then in verse 13 he turns to encourage his congregation to win souls for Jesus. We are going to follow his good advice.

A. We Have To Overcome Our Fear.

In Spain there is a church of men and women who used to live on the streets, fearlessly robbing people, taking drugs and selling sex. Jesus has wonderfully saved hundreds of them. They used to rob banks but now when it came to telling people about Jesus amazingly they were a bit frightened, and said things like,

" People might laugh at me."

" People might think I am mad."

" Someone might hit me. "

" I don't like feeling rejected."

The Bible says that God does not give us a spirit of fear, but a spirit of power, of love and of self-discipline. nz23/z2Timo01.htm#7">2 Tim. 1.7.

Where Does The Fear Come From?
Who does not want us to tell people about Jesus? Satan. If we submit to God we can resist the devil he will flee from us. nz06/zIakov04.htm#7">James 4.7.

1. Drug dealers and bank robbers in Spain are cowards.
True / False.

2. God gives His children a spirit of self-discipline, not fear.
True / False.

3. After the Spanish criminals believed in Christ, they became strangely timid.
True / False.

4. The source of fear isn't Satan, but fear itself.
True / False.

B. Let's Get Our Heart Right!

...because in our hearts we must set apart Christ as Lord. Being under lordship means serving the Lord's interests and doing whatever He says because it is important for Him. So what is known about the interests of our Lord Jesus Christ?

• For the Son of Man came to seek and save what was lost. nz03/zLuka19.htm#10">Luke 19.10
• The Spirit of the Lord is on me, He has anointed Me to preach good news to the poor. nz03/zLuka04.htm#18">Luke 4.18
• Does he not leave the ninety nine in the open country and go after the lost sheep until he finds it? nz03/zLuka15.htm#4">Luke 15.4

Lost, confused people are important to Jesus. nz01/zMatfe09.htm#36">Matthew 9.36-38. It is true that a soul may be saved on a deathbed, but better still when a soul and a whole life are saved if a young person follows Christ. Who can tell how many they may later lead to Jesus?

5. Why should we get our heart right? Because...
(Only one of the following answers is correct:)
it is usually on the left.
it is looking for the ninety nine.
Christ's interests should become ours.

C. Peter Says Always!

We must be ready to talk about Jesus at any time of the day or night. You can be sure that God will specially arrange some inconvenience from time to time as a test of your sincerity.

In India after a hard day's work in the heat and dust a group of Christians were really exhausted. They sat down to eat in a food shop. Suddenly a Hindu waiter literally threw himself at their feet, said he knew who they were, and asked if anyone could lead him to Jesus. It was not convenient but what do you think they did? Always!

6. The Hindu waiter asked them to lead him to Jesus.
True / False.

D. Are You Prepared?

Peter says that we must be prepared before we go into battle or else risk being defeated. In what ways should we prepare ourselves? For example, be prepared ~

• Spiritually, drawn into prayer.
• Biblically, convinced of the passion of the heart of Father, Son and Spirit.
• Emotionally, we will hear some sad stories so we must be good listeners, unshockable but moveable to tears.
• Intellectually, because there are many ways to win different people. Do we know what they are?
• Practically, ready to go two by two, with good planning and organised follow-up, presenting a good appearance.

E. Peter Says The Word ~ Everyone!

We all find it easier to be with some people rather than others, but when it comes to winning souls we must put all prejudice and preference to death because to Jesus every soul is precious. Whether upper class, working class or low-caste God loves every soul equally.

F. Get Them To Ask You Questions!

Can you start a conversation that leads to someone asking you, for example, what you do, or where you go at weekends. That opens the door for you to say a few words about your faith or your church. The idea is to go fishing for men, and to catch a fish you must dangle a worm with a hook inside. See who you can catch with patience, perseverance and any eye open for God's opportunities.

Opportunities Can Be Unexpected
A pastor was on a train when a girl seated nearby had an attack of asthma. Everyone looked away but the pastor went across to calm the girl. He said he knew how she felt because he used to suffer with asthma. Then he returned to his seat. Later on the girl asked why he did not have asthma now. In a couple of minutes the pastor was able to explain his faith in God who also heals. The girl promised to come and visit him later.

G. Can You Explain The Hope You Have?

When you are talking to someone in the street and your conversation turns to faith in God, you probably have no more than two minutes to say what Jesus has done for you. Can you do that? Why not practice with friends, each one taking turns to speak or to watch the clock.

8. It is important to keep your initial testimony short, to generate curiousity.
True / False.

H. Watch Your Attitude.

Attitude and smiles may speak louder than words. Peter says we should always converse with gentleness and respect, which are rare qualities in this busy world.

9. How do you display a gentle, respectful attitude?
(Only one of the following answers is correct:)
By smiling and talking quietly and calmly.
By having a piercing look in your eyes.
By laughing and talking loudly.

I. Finally, Be Ready For Suffering

If it is God's will, Peter says, be ready to suffer for doing good. Some folks just will not listen to you. Don't worry if they laugh or insult you. It's all for Jesus, who died for sins once for all, the righteous for the unrighteous, to bring you to God.

Something To Do Before Next Time
Think about how the Lord led you to believe in him and how he helped you when you did. Write it all down, and then practice telling your friends until you can do it in a relaxed, non-religious way in less than two minutes.

10. How should you prepare your testimony?
(Only one of the following answers is correct:)
Make it long, talk fast and use lots of religious jargon.
Don't prepare anything, just say whatever comes out.
Prepare to give a concise, calm and respectful answer for your faith.

(If you want to shut down your computer now and come back later to do the written diploma work, click on the "Submit" button below; next, go into your email program's Outbox and double-click on the message. This will prevent it from being sent until you write your essay answer. When you've done your written diploma work, click "Send" on the message. You can also check your other answers there!)

Written Diploma Work
Write no more than two pages (six of these windows) on what the parable of the lost son tells you about lost people and God's heart for restoration.