Evangelism Musings (Upcoming Black Friday)

Black Friday is just around the corner--an evangelistic opportunity in our backyards. For a couple years now, a friend and I have put together some bags, arisen in the dark of the morning, and went to the masses standing in line to get into the stores. I'm posting this at the early part of the week because it's not too late to do something. Feel free to use this idea or come up with another one. Many, many gospel opportunities exist within that day.

Here's what we do:
We assemble small plastic baggies that contain:

• a gospel tract (the good news of Jesus Christ)
• a treat (sustenance for the weary shopper)
• our church business card (should God call them unto Him and regeneration occur in their hearts, they'll need a good church to attend)
• a personal message

I have two messages that I've written and use in my "Christmas packs" during this season. I'm posting them both here for your consideration. Use them, change them, ignore them as you wish. 

Message A

Christmas is the season of giving! Today, you stand in line waiting on the generosity of others. Today, we visit you because of the generosity of someone else. We celebrate Christmas because over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ showed great generosity toward all mankind when He (fully God ) came to this earth and took on human form (fully man). It is a gift beyond comprehension. The Bible speaks of this gift in the book of Philippians. “Have this mind among yourselves, which is yours in Christ Jesus, who, though He was in the form of God, did not count equality a thing to be grasped, but made Himself nothing, taking the form of a servant, being born in the likeness of men. And being found in human form, He humbled Himself by becoming obedient to the point of death, even death on a cross. Therefore God has highly exalted Him and bestowed on Him the name that is above every name, so that at the name of Jesus every knee should bow, in heaven and on earth and under the earth and every tongue confess that Jesus Christ is Lord, to the glory of God the Father.” Philippians 2:5-10

We have provided for you today two things:

 • A treat (to enjoy while you’re out and about starting your Christmas shopping)
 • A gospel tract (our hope is that you will read the message in the tract and spend some time considering it today).

 Merry Christmas and enjoy your day! 

Message B

“Peace on earth. Goodwill to men.” That’s a popular phrase this time of year. Do you know where it comes from? It comes from the Bible. Many people think of peace as the absence of conflict or the absence of fighting, but the peace spoken of in the Bible is much greater than that. “Peace on earth. Goodwill to men” refers to peace between you and God. It’s the message the angels brought to the shepherds in the field the night Jesus was born on this earth. “Glory to God in the highest, and on earth, peace, goodwill toward men!.” Luke 2:14 . It’s the message we proclaim when we sing that classic Christmas carol Hark the Herald Angels Sing (“Peace on earth and mercy mild. God and sinners reconciled). Over 2,000 years ago, Jesus Christ was born on this earth. He came here to provide us with the peace of reconciliation with God. That is why we celebrate Christmas.

I have provided two things for you today:

 • A treat (Merry Christmas! Enjoy!)
 • A gospel tract (my hope is that you will read the message in the tract and spend some time considering it today).

 Merry Christmas and enjoy your day!

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I'll report later about the day. Please feel free to share your ideas with me. May God be glorified through our gospel efforts and, if it pleases Him to do so, may hearts be regenerated and lives changed, and may Jesus Christ receive the full honor due His name.