When A Listener is Not Ready

.... So far in this evangelism module we’ve discussed the ideal scenario for leading someone to the Lord, in which a positive response to the gospel is anticipated. But in real life, different listeners will be at different stages of readiness. Some will not quite be ready to commit them- selves (Acts 26:28). Others will think they’re ready, but they really haven't thought it through (Luke 9:57-62). Still others may be offended to hear you preaching at all (John 3:19). So how would you respond to those scenarios?

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.... When it seems that someone has not really thought it through, or if you feel the Lord telling you to do this, try talking to them about the sacrifice involved. In accepting Christ through the gospel, they are making a life-long, total commitment to God known as a covenant. This is something that will not change with circumstances, will have no limits, and will never expire. And it is much more than an agreement or a contract: it is a committment of life itself and all this includes. Just as Jesus gave His very life for us all and it was really a permanent step, we are responding in a similar way.

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.... But in saying this, you may also emphasize that the covenant works both ways. For God is faithful to us in every area of our lives, and He has promised to never leave us nor forsake us:

.... "teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age."

(Matthew 28:20)

.... Sometimes this is enough to settle your listerner's heart in the matter and they may proceed with committing themselves to the Lord. If they still hesitate but still seem interested, they may simply need encouragement. Try exhorting them sincerely. But if they still hesitate after that, it might be better to let them go for now and ask them to please think about it some more, and to count the cost involved. (Ecclesiastes 5:4-6).

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.... If this seems the best route to take, you might also tell them about the "Sinner’s prayer". That way when they do decide they’re ready, they’ll know what to do next. And try to give them some Scripture to take with them - perhaps a Bible portion or a pocket New Testament - and maybe tell them about this blog site, where they can 'hide out' and learn some more until they're ready.

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.... Finally, in the aftermath of your discussion, you should take the whole situation to the Lord in prayer and ask Him to follow up with them as well. In fact, before you even start to share the gospel with them, if you see the situation coming, you should anticipate the whole thing by praying for them in advance:

.... "Therefore I exhort first of all that supplications, prayers, intercessions, and giving of thanks be made for all men . . . For this is good and acceptable in the sight of God our Savior, who desires all men to be saved and to come to the knowledge of the truth."

(1 Timothy 2:1-4)

.... Never forget that the Lord is your senior partner in evangelism, and He has expressed His own, sincere interest in seeing each one of us saved (1 Timothy 2:4; 2 Peter 3:9). So after you've talked with your friend, God will always follow up in their lives if their interest has been sincere. But you need to pray for them anyway because the adversary, too, will try to follow up, to snatch away the seed that was sown in their hearts (Matthew 13:19), and therefore we must prepare against him (Ephesians 6:18-19).

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Daily Bible Reading: Luke 3