Duane has been visiting since Wednesday. We have been out on the streets every day preaching the Gospel. Today at lunch we meet one other friend at the mall where I have been training him to share the Gospel. The mall is an interesting place to share the Gospel because many of the rules from the street do not apply. For example, where we might hand out 100 tracts in an hour and 1000 tracts in an afternoon at the DART station, at the mall, we may only hand out a few tracts. Why? Well, most malls have rules against distribution of material within the mall Therefore, when we are in the mall, we are primarily focused on striking up conversations in the natural, swinging to the spiritual and then sharing the Law and Gospel. This is primarily done one on one. So rather than walking around handing out tracts (which the security can have you removed from the mall for) we simply walk around the mall and strike up conversations. Once we have had a conversation with someone, we will generally offer them a tract afterward.
So this environment is also different from the streets because we are not open air preaching. But, does that have to be the case? At Living Waters Ambassadors Academy, I’ve learned how to open air preach in the mall over the phone by either making or receiving a phone call and then sharing the Gospel over the phone talking loud enough to be heard by those around you.
Today we tried something different. While walking around the mall, I merely, asked Duane in a loud voice, “so do you think you will go to heaven when you die” while we were walking past a man that was walking. What ensued was a 5-10 minute dialog as we walked that covered the Law, the Gospel, the crucifixion and the person of Jesus Christ. This one man heard the whole thing. As we walked, a group of four came out of a store in front of us. So to get them caught up in the conversation, I said, “so, what you are saying is …” and reiterated some of the points of the message.
It was a great experience. One that I am sure to try again. As far as I know there is no Law against talking to your friend while you are walking around the mall. At least not yet!
Carl you continue to teach me! Thank you so much. I used this advice on the plane ride from Amsterdam to Entebbe.
I had a great conversation about the gospel and while speaking I noticed the muslim people sitting around us were listening with great attenton. So I spoke louder. I guess you could call it open-air on a plane :).
People love to evesdrop! Let's give them something worth listening to!!