I am not a huge fan of Gospel tracts. I don’t feel that they really work most of the time, but I don’t think that is exactly the fault of the concept.
I am talking through witnessing with my Young Adult’s class. I am giving them a series of challenges each week and then we are talking about how those challenges went. What was effective, what wasn’t, and why? I am more interested is teaching a lifestyle of living the Gospel. A life of prayer for the lost and action on that prayer.
This week the challenge revolves around Gospel tracts. Everyone was given 3 sets of two different tracts. They were challenged to leave one set in two different locations or complete a hand off to a total stranger with the tract in some way with no follow through. I feel that most people handle tracts like that. Every tract I’ve ever been given has been someone I’ve never met handing my some folded bit of paper as they walk away. This is exactly why I don’t like tracts.
They were also challenged to go through the remaining tracts with people. One set with two people they have a pretty good relationship with. Possibly family, friend, coworker … the kind of person you might talk to on a regular basis. The other set with two people that they don’t really know well. Could be a stranger or could be someone they have a very superficial relationship with.
I think in the right circumstance a tract can be used as a tool for witnessing. I don’t think it is the all to end all of witnessing but I am very interested the conversations on how this went for everyone.
Have you been given a tract? How did that go? Have you handed out tracts? What was your method. Have you ever been involved in a situation where a tract helped lead someone to Christ?
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I’m not a big fan of them either for the same reason. I think they have their place, but I think they are more effective as a tool “for more information” after some sort of personal contact. I also think they are better when they include information regarding a church they could go to for help with a phone number or something.
I’m really looking forward to the discussion, I’m hoping that doing then talking will help to push this concept.
This is a good post. I wrote one last month.
http://nicodemusatnite.blogspot.com/2010/03/snap-judgments-on-handing-out-tracks.html
For me I think tracts are like drive by witnessing. We need to build relationships with people rather than the former.
nicodemusatnite.blogspot.com
“Drive by witnessing” I couldn’t put it better myself.
I don’t think just handing them out and walking away works that well. I feel that (to someone who doesn’t believe) it is just leaving them clueless or confused. I like the idea of giving it to them and trying to talk to them further. Tho I must admit, talking to a stranger is gunna be the tough one. But I’m excited to talk about what happend when everyone else tried it and to see if they had the same responses.
I really hope you and everyone else actually follow through with this.