Soul Winning Course

LESSON TWO
PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING
OUTLINE

I. INTRODUCTION
A. TO BE AN EFFECTIVE SOUL WINNER, THE CHRISTIAN MUST BE PREPARED ON THREE
LEVELS: THE PHYSICAL LEVEL, THE PERSONALITY LEVEL, AND THE SPIRITUAL LEVEL.

II. PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

A. BE CLEAN
B. BE NEAT
C. BE WELL SUPPLIED
D. YOUR SOUL WINNING NEW TESTAMENT

III. PERSONALITY PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

A. BE FRIENDLY AND CHEERFUL
B. BE ENTHUSIASTIC
C. BE POLITE
D. BE TACTFUL
E. BE COURAGEOUS
F. BE SYMPATHETIC

IV. SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

A. A CLEAN LIFE
B. A SURRENDERED LIFE
C. A COMPASSIONATE LIFE
D. A PERSEVERING LIFE
E. A PRAYING LIFE
F. A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

V. HOW TO PRAY FOR THE LOST

A. PRAY REALIZING THAT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE
B. PRAY BESEECHING GOD TO AWAKEN THEM
C. PRAY CLAIMING THAT SOUL WHICH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST HAS PURCHASED
D. PRAY PERSEVERINGLY

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LESSON TWO
PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

I. INTRODUCTION

To be an effective soul winner, the Christian must be prepared on three levels: the Physical
level, the Personality level, and the Spiritual level:

1. At the physical level, we should present a good image since we are representing
ourselves, our church, and most importantly, the Lord Jesus Christ. The cults presents
present a good image of themselves, how much more we who have the truth of the
Gospel of Jesus Christ. 2 Cor. 5:20 “Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though
God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ's stead, be ye reconciled to God.”

2. In trying to reach people for Christ we want to display a pleasant personality. A grouchy
disposition can close the door to winning them. We may not always be feeling on top of
the world when we go door knocking, but we should be careful not to allow our feelings
to hinder a lost soul from coming to Christ. We are not trying to be hypocrites, we are
only asking the Holy Spirit to enable the new man in us to shine forth, in spite of how the
old man may be feeling. The Bible says in Proverbs 15:13 “A merry heart maketh a
cheerful countenance: but by sorrow of the heart the spirit is broken.”

3. Spiritual preparation is absolutely essential. We are in a spiritual battle and we need to

engage the enemy on a spiritual level. The flesh can never win a spiritual battle. We
need the power of the Holy Spirit in our lives to work through us to win souls to Christ.
Ephes. 6:12-13 “For we wrestle not against flesh and blood, but against principalities,
against powers, against the rulers of the darkness of this world, against spiritual
wickedness in high places. [13] Wherefore take unto you the whole armour of God, that
ye may be able to withstand in the evil day, and having done all, to stand.”

4. Spiritual preparation involves prayer. In Ephesians 6, Paul exhorts the Ephesians to

engage in spiritual warfare through prayer, and to pray that he would be a bold witness
for Jesus. Ephes. 6:18-20 “Praying always with all prayer and supplication in the Spirit,
and watching thereunto with all perseverance and supplication for all saints; [19] And for
me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make
known the mystery of the gospel, [20] For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that
therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.”

II. PHYSICAL PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

A. BE CLEAN

1. Avoid bad breath. Carry mints with you.

2. Don't chew gum while talking to the person at the door.

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3. Avoid having body odor.

B. BE NEAT

1. Hair combed.
2. Clothes pressed and clean.
3. Shoes shined.
4. Well groomed and nails cleaned.

C. BE WELL SUPPLIED

1. Have plenty of good gospel tracts in good condition (including Spanish and "How to
be saved" booklets).
2. A New Testament or Bible.
3. A pen or pencil.
4. Paper to write down follow-up information. 3x5 Cards work well, or Church-
supplied follow-up forms.
5. Paper (or church-supplied form) to keep a record of doors knocked, personal
invitations, salvation plans presented, and souls won.

D. YOUR SOUL WINNING NEW TESTAMENT

1. Have a designated New Testament that you're familiar with.

2. Make sure the New Testament's words are visible at arms length.
3. Highlight only the Plan of Salvation.
4. Have a marker set in your New Testament at the location of your first verse.
5. Place tabs in your New Testament so you can turn to the next verse quickly.
6. Make sure the New Testament is easily accessible.

III. PERSONALITY PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

A. BE FRIENDLY AND CHEERFUL

Proverbs 18:24 "A man that hath friends must shew himself friendly..." Demonstrate
what you want to give them. A friendly attitude will warm a cold heart. A smile can
open a closed door. A smile usually demands attention and respect from strangers. We
all can smile if we want to.

B. BE ENTHUSIASTIC

1 Peter 2:9 “But ye are a chosen generation, a royal priesthood, an holy nation, a peculiar
people; that ye should shew forth the praises of him who hath called you out of darkness
into his marvellous light:” We are God’s people, saved, washed in His precious blood,
citizens of Heaven, on the narrow road that leads to Glory, with our names written down
in the Lamb’s Book of Life. Surely we can show some enthusiasm. No one appreciates a
deadpan visiting him or her or a “dead fish” handshake. Perk up and come alive.

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C. BE POLITE

1 Cor. 9:19-20 "For though I be free from all men, yet have I made myself servant unto
all, that I might gain the more. [20] And unto the Jews I became as a Jew, that I might
gain the Jews; to them that are under the law, as under the law, that I might gain them that
are under the law;" It is important that we are courteous, kind and gentle in our dealings
with the unsaved.

D. BE TACTFUL

James 3:17 “But the wisdom that is from above is first pure, then peaceable, gentle, and
easy to be intreated, full of mercy and good fruits, without partiality, and without
hypocrisy.” Tact is the wisdom or skill of saying or doing the right thing at the right time.
It has been defined as “spiritual intelligence.” Pray for tact. The opposite of tact is
crudeness which is defined as lacking in grace or not refined.

E. BE COURAGEOUS

In Joshua 1:7 we are told, "Only be thou strong and very courageous,..." The Apostle
Paul reminds us in Romans 8:31, "...If God be for us, who can be against us?" And
Proverbs 29:25 says, “The fear of man bringeth a snare: but whoso putteth his trust in the
Lord shall be safe.”

F. BE SYMPATHETIC

Hebrews 4:15 "For we have not an high priest which cannot be touched with the feeling
of our infirmities; but was in all points tempted like as we are, yet without sin." The
word sympathetic means "showing interest." It is entering into the feelings of others.
This does not mean to sit for hours listening to someone's life history. However, if there
is a problem he wishes to share, should listen. In so doing we win their confidence and
win them to Christ.

IV. SPIRITUAL PREPARATION FOR SOUL WINNING

A. A CLEAN LIFE

2 Tim. 2:21 "If a man therefore purge himself from these, he shall be a vessel unto
honour, sanctified, and meet for the master's use, and prepared unto every good work."
To have God's blessing upon our soul winning effort we need to be clean outwardly and
inwardly. All the secret sins, especially the thought life, should be brought under
subjection to the Lord Jesus. Sin in your life will deteriorate your soul winning zeal in
time.

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B. A SURRENDERED LIFE

Romans 12:1 "I beseech you therefore, brethren, by the mercies of God, that ye present
your bodies a living sacrifice, holy, acceptable unto God, which is your reasonable
service." It is one thing to be clean; it is another thing to be surrendered to the Lord. The
Apostle Paul said, "For to me to live is Christ,..." (Phil. 1:21). Being submissive to the
call and will of God is vital in the matter of soul winning. The young boy brought his
five loaves and two fishes to Jesus. Have you brought your all to Christ?

C. A COMPASSIONATE LIFE

Matthew 9:36 "But when he saw the multitudes, he was moved with compassion on
them, because they fainted, and were scattered abroad, as sheep having no shepherd." We
are talking here about genuine love flowing from within because of the Christ nature. If
we are filled with God's love, the result will be an untiring effort in soul winning. How
do we get love? The fruit of the Spirit is love. Therefore, we need to be filled with the
Spirit.

D. A PERSEVERING LIFE

1 Cor. 2:2 "For I determined not to know any thing among you, save Jesus Christ, and
him crucified." R. A. Torrey said, "Anyone who wished to win souls at the rate of one
every fifteen minutes had better go into some other business." Soul winners need
patience. Sometimes it takes weeks or months or even years of sowing and watering and
fertilizing before we see that soul accept Christ as Saviour.

E. A PRAYING LIFE

Jeremiah 33:3 "Call unto me, and I will answer thee, and shew thee great and mighty
things, which thou knowest not." God is a prayer-answering God. When we pray over
souls, we will see things happen. God bids us to call unto Him and He will do great
things.

F. A SPIRIT-FILLED LIFE

Acts 1:8 "But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you: and ye
shall be witnesses unto me both in Jerusalem, and in all Judaea, and in Samaria, and unto
the uttermost part of the earth." How much more effective is the Christian who takes
time to wait upon God for the anointing of the Holy Spirit. Zech. 4:6 says, "...Not by
might, nor by power, but by my spirit, saith the LORD of hosts." Ask God to fill you
with the Holy Spirit and believe that he will do it. Claim the Spirit's fullness.

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V. HOW TO PRAY FOR THE LOST

We can win anyone for whom God gives us a burden. If God burdens our heart for a soul it
is evident that He intends to save that soul. It is also evident that He desires to work through
us as the human vessel since He gave us the burden. Many times the soul is actually won in
prayer. It is one thing to pray, it is another thing to "pray right." Here are some pointers for
praying for the lost to be saved:

A. PRAY REALIZING THAT WITH GOD ALL THINGS ARE POSSIBLE

Mark 10:27 "And Jesus looking upon them saith, With men it is impossible, but not with
God: for with God all things are possible." Recognize God in the picture, for nothing is
too hard for God. In our praying most of us never get beyond human limitations and
boundaries. We reduce God down to our own size and power.

B. PRAY BESEECHING GOD TO AWAKEN THEM

Matthew 13:13,15 "Therefore speak I to them in parables: because they seeing see not;
and hearing they hear not, neither do they understand. [15] For this people's heart is
waxed gross, and their ears are dull of hearing, and their eyes they have closed; lest at
any time they should see with their eyes, and hear with their ears, and should understand
with their heart, and should be converted, and I should heal them." Every sinner needs
the Holy Spirit to reveal his sinful condition. Then Christ will be revealed to the heart.
We should pray that the Holy Spirit would "quicken" their conscience, plow up their
heart, and bring conviction in their soul. We should pray that God would give them
"hearing ears" and "believing hearts." Pray that God shall open their understanding.

C. PRAY CLAIMING THAT SOUL WHICH THE BLOOD OF CHRIST HAS PURCHASED

2 Tim. 2:26 "And that they may recover themselves out of the snare of the devil, who are
taken captive by him at his will." In one sense every soul is God's purchased possession,
though still held by Satan through unbelief. We must through prayer claim and take for
God that which is rightfully His. This is praying on the ground of redemption.

D. PRAY PERSEVERINGLY

Luke 18:7 "And shall not God avenge his own elect, which cry day and night unto him,
though he bear long with them?" Perseverance is "not giving up." We persevere not to
persuade God, but because of the enemy. In persistent intercession we are pushing back
the forces of evil. We are getting the devil off God's territory. Daniel prayed for three
weeks before he received his answer from God, though the Scripture says that God
answered his prayer on the first day. Daniel spent three weeks wrestling with the forces
of evil and hanging on to God in order that he might receive his answer.

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