How to deal with Gospel rejection :: Gospel Outreach Report: PORTSMOUTH

Sadly, in the UK, the majority of people respond to the Gospel with rejection. I hope to in some way here to suggest how to deal with this.

Today (Tuesday) a team of us (five) once again, ventured to do Gospel evangelism in Portsmouth. (an Open Air Mission outreach, headed up by Josh Williamson.)

"Being born again, not of corruptible seed, but of incorruptible, by the word of God" 1 Peter 1:23

"What would be good for me to read?"

A lady came to me as I set up our table, asking "What would be good for me to read?" - a rather open ended question, so I asked her a few questions to try and establish what she believed. After asking the question "Are you born again?", it was clear that she was uncertain. So I pointed her towards some very basic literature - introducing her to Christianity. I can't assume that she knows

anything about the Gospel if she is not born again. I handed her a copy of John Blanchard's "Why on earth did Jesus come?" Also, I gave her one of our free Gospel tracts "Are you born again?" by JC Ryle.

Gospel Rejection number one "I'm good thanks!"

When you offer someone a Gospel flyer, one of the most common rejections you’ll hear is, “I’m good, thanks!” This happened today!

Now, it’s easy to think they’re rejecting the Gospel itself. But that might not be the case at all. In fact, they may have no idea what you’re handing them. For all they know, you could just as well be trying to sell them double glazing!

How to deal with the Gospel rejection - Preaching!

Preaching the Gospel on the street could be a solution to the rejection. While some folks won't take a Gospel tract, they may still hear the Gospel preached. This is the way that pleases the Lord to save after all! "it pleased God by the foolishness of preaching to save them that believe." 1 Corinthians 1:21

This is why it is great to have more than one person at an outreach. A man to preach and others around to engage by what other means possible.

Of course, the person may still walk away, but you can't make people stop and listen! Check out other possible ideas below for those who won't stop.

Unbelieving parents "Can we have something for our children to learn the Bible?"

After Josh had finished preaching, he went over to a couple of parents who were there with their young children (they called him over). During the conversation, they asked him if he had any material that could help teach their children about the Bible. Unfortunately we did not. But it has inspired us to do something about it! They did however take a new testament for their child.

We also have some children's Gospel tracts that could be very useful to them (we gave them copies). You can buy some here if you need them for your own witnessing:

United Beach Mission have some (best to contact them directly about what they have)

Answers In Genesis

Living Waters Europe

The orthodox and the buddhist

I was approached by an orthodox gentleman (he was waiting for a friend) who asked me to tell him something good from the Bible. But as I started explaining the overall picture from the scriptures, somehow the subject changed to his homeland. So I took the opportunity to give him some literature to read. It's good to do this if it is hard to stay on subject and if the person does not have long to talk.

We were joined by his friend who also seemed very interested - he asked for the literature too. Then I offered him a free Bible. He said he was buddhist, but was interested in the Bible and very greatful for a free copy.

I encouraged the two friends to study the Bible together. Both of these men went on to have conversations with other members of the team.

Gospel Rejection number two "I'm a Christian, I don't need one!"

One man today, said he was a Christian while continuing to walk and not stop (so he was clearly rejecting what we had for him) - perhaps he needed to get somewhere. But experience tells us not to always believe someone is a Christian when they say they are. The lady at the beginning of this article for example.

How to deal with the Gospel rejection : Scripture

It is so important to surround your witnessing in prayer. We must ask the Lord for wisdom and the right words to speak to people - quoting His Word is one way to respond. "faith cometh by hearing, and hearing by the word of God." Romans 10:17

Sometimes you only get seconds to speak to someone and scripture is powerful. My response to this man was to quote scripture that might challenge him. The brief words he spoke, sounded like he believes he has always been a Christian.

I won't tell you what scripture I quoted. Can you guess? Comment below!

Why not read our article about "The importance of prayer in evangelism"

Gospel Rejection number three

People simply ignored us and gave us no time of day - on the surface, the worst type of rejection.

Believe it or not, it is possible for hundreds of Gospel flyers to be handed out in the space of an hour. Five productive conversations in an hour. Tens of people who hear the Gospel preached by the preacher at a time. But with the best will in the world, it's impossible to get the Gospel into the ears and eyes of everyone. So what more can be done?

How to deal with the Gospel rejection (several more ideas)

Scripture posters can be displayed - more people can read one poster than those who read one Gospel tract. Did you know we can send you a free poster for you to display? Click here to read our article: Five places to display (posters) To order free posters, click here

The humble letterbox: You can be sure that every person that walks past you has a letterbox (unless of course they are homeless). Why not take some intentional time in walking (part of an excercise routine?) and putting a tract through a certain number of different letterboxes - near your home, or places you visit - work, shopping and holiday. This both reaches people who may not take a Gospel flyer on the street and those who might never cross your path when you are doing street outreach. Click here to read our full article on letterbox witnessing.

Write a letter to people you know and don't know read our article about this very subject: Five Biblical reasons to write letters to people as a way of outreach. Write to your MP, your long distance family member, the shop keeper who is always helpful, that bus driver you often meet on your way somewhere. The list goes on.

Door to door witnessing Perhaps considered old fashioned today, but why not go door to door witnessing? It clearly has success with the door to door sales people and the cults. Read our article here: Five Biblical reasons to do door to door outreach.

Do you have any other ideas of how to fill the void of those who don't get reached with the Gospel on the streets? Comment below!

There were many conversations today, you can read more in another report from Josh Williamson by clicking here.

-Nigel, Printing Evangelism