Witnessing: Joe Gibbs Style
Witnessing: Joe Gibbs Style
I always liked Joe Gibbs. Even though I was not a Washington Red Skins football fan, there was something about their head coach that gave the impression that he was a class act. And he definitely was one of the top coaches in the sport, winning three Super Bowls.
And when Gibbs switched careers to start a NASCAR race team in 1991, I liked him even more. Joe Gibbs used the same people skills he used in football, and again proved that hard work and honest encouragement is the way to get the best out of people, and achieve success. Joe Gibbs Racing has won 5 NASCAR Nextel Cup championships so far.
Another reason I like Joe Gibbs is that he never hides the fact that he is a devout Christian. In his book, “Racing to Win”, Joe talks a lot about some of the choices he has made over the course of his life. He is very open and honest about mistakes he made, and how he finally turned his life completely over to God. I think this is a great way to reach sports fans who may not know the Lord Jesus as their personal savior.
And I think it is a great example for us believers as we go about fulfilling God’s command to spread the Gospel, because Joe Gibbs used a tool in his book that is available to all Christians. His Witness. But you don’t have to write a book to use yours.
Often, when talking about “the Great Commission” with believers, I hear all the time how hard it can be to try to share the Gospel with someone. Christians often feel they sound awkward, and even self righteous. But instead of preaching at people, we really need to just tell them what God has done in our life. Every person who confesses Jesus as their Lord has a story, a witness, about how God led them from darkness, or helped them through a difficult time, or have blessed them. A listener who might glaze over with having Scripture repeated at them, will become very interested as you tell them about some hard situation in your life, and how you got through it. Or how you were blessed with a small amount, were faithful, and now you are blessed abundantly. People can relate to another person’s experience. Christians themselves gain comfort and understanding in reading and hearing the Godly experiences of the blind who were healed, of the compassion for the women at the well, and the forgiveness of the thief on the cross.
And you don’t have to worry about sounding self righteous when telling how you were saved. I never heard anyone give a witness who didn’t sound humbled. And when you confide your story with someone, it’s the humbling parts that let them know you’re sincere.
Not everyone can preach on a street corner, but you can pray to be used by God. And then when His timing is right, the opportunities will start to present themselves, with coworkers, friends, and family. Then be faithful and tell them about the hope and blessing you have in your life because of your personal relationship with God.
Be a winner for God.
