There are many approaches used in witnessing. The approach depends on what kind of witnessing you are doing, such as door to door, open public places, neighborhood servant evangelism, witnessing preceding a special meeting or crusade, or using the survey approach or some other format.
     We are all different and the Spirit of God moves in different ways at different times. Jesus does not show any set format for witnessing approaches. What we do see in Jesus is this: An intimate communion with the Father, and flowing with however the Father is going, producing a variety of "approaches" to people. In fact, His "approach" was as varied as the people themselves.
     His “approach” was to be filled with love, faith, and compassion for the needs of the people, and be sensitive to the leadership of the Holy Spirit.
    He moved in a relaxed, every-case-is-different format, in which He drew from things and events going on around the people or in the people’s lives.
    He moved in the power and all the gifts of the Holy Spirit such as words of wisdom and knowledge, discernment of spirits, miracles, and healings.
     The main thing in witnessing is to be filled with the Holy Spirit and faith, so that you realize your authority in the spiritual realm, be relaxed, and be real with the people with whom you are sharing. Talk with them as your own personal family or close friends. Be genuinely interested in who they are and what they do. Ask relevant life questions. Be real. Then, with that, here are some ideas on approaching people in witnessing situations.

1. Offer a tract saying, “Excuse me, could I please share something with you that has been very helpful to me?” Their acceptance of the tract opens the door for sharing the gospel and your testimony. If they show interest and have time, you can walk them right on through the tract for the purpose of preaching Jesus to them and leading them into salvation.

2. Strike up a friendly conversation to warm up to them and soon get to the point of sharing Jesus to lead them to salvation.

3. More details in approaches:
Approach for door-to-door or any public place:
Good (morning, afternoon, evening)…, or, Excuse me, do you have a couple of minutes…, or simply, Excuse me…,or, Hi…

I’m _______and this is_______, and we are from ________, and we are just out sharing the message of the love of God and the good things He has for you in Jesus Christ. He has changed our lives in a wonderful way, giving us real inward joy and peace, along with many other blessings from God, and we would like to know if there is anything we could visit with you about or pray with you about so you can be blessed, too.
Yes? (Then go ahead and follow the flow. If in a public place, you might need to get a name, number, address, and time to get with them if you can’t get them aside right then.)

No? (Then offer a tract by holding it up to them so they can read the front, entitled, JESUS CHRIST DIED FOR YOUR SIN AND WAS RAISED FROM THE DEAD TO GIVE YOU THE GIFT OF ABUNDANT LIFE RIGHT NOW AND FOREVER.)

“Well then could we please leave this little pamphlet with you that tells some of the many wonderful benefits available to you through a personal relationship with Jesus Christ?

The Bible says in Romans 10. 9, 13, it is quoted right here in this little pamphlet (point it out), that if you call on the name of the Lord and confess with your mouth that Jesus is your Lord and believe in your heart that God has raised Him from the dead, you will be saved. I know you want to be saved, and not die in your sin and go to hell. We just want you to know that the direction of your life and eternal destiny can be changed right now by a simple prayer and confession before God.  Would you like to have a change in your life now?

No? Then perhaps you could go ahead and take this pamphlet and see some of the benefits of knowing Jesus, and then maybe you will desire to know Him. He loves you and desires to bless you beyond all that you might imagine. And that’s why we are here, just to let you know that God really loves you and really wants to bless you. He gave His very own Son, Jesus Christ, to bless you, but He will not force Himself on you; you are the only one who can allow Him to become a vital part of you life. Are you sure there’s nothing we can visit with you about or pray with you about?

No?
Well, we just want to thank you for allowing us to share Jesus with you. And if you ever want to know more about Him, we would love to share more of Him with you. There is a phone number and an email address on the back. Feel free to contact us anytime.

I just want to remind you that the most important question that you face is this: Where will you spend eternity? I just want to encourage you to get that question settled as soon as possible. Jesus is the Answer.

Have a nice day (evening, etc.).
 

Approach of Making A Friend:
Be warm, friendly, and free. Be real. Strike up a friendly conversation using the FORM guideline (Family, Occupation, Recreation, Mission—their goals in life). Show genuine interest to know this person in a long-term relationship. Get their name, number, occupation, and other pertinent information. Tell them about yourself and letting them know where you live and what you do, in a very informal way. Engage in this until you see an openness.

Once you’ve warmed up to them, offer them this information:

“----__________, could I share something that has really been helpful to me?”

“Sure, go ahead”.

Then, launch into a brief testimony, in which you clearly include the facts of the gospel.

End it with,

“__________,are you interested in getting more information about the benefits of living a life in close touch with Jesus Christ”?   Or,

“__________, anybody in their right mind is not going to willfully neglect their own soul and die and go to hell. Are you interested in more information about knowing Jesus Christ as your personal Lord and Saviour”?

Remember, your goal is having made a friend, to keep a friend. If you have their name and number, then you can follow up, starting at whatever level you get them to in this conversation. KEEP IT OPEN FOR FOLLOW UP!

When they say “Yes”, A simple prayer:
“Lord Jesus, I’m sorry for my sin. Thank you for shedding your blood for me to pay for my sin, and for being raised from the dead to give me eternal life. I now accept and receive your free gift of forgiveness and cleansing. Thank you I am now forever free from all the sin of my past. I believe you are the Son of God who died for me and was raised from the dead to give me eternal life today. I confess you as my Lord and Saviour, and I give you my life for you to be Lord of all. Thank you for saving me and giving me eternal life. Amen.”
 
 

The following is adapted from the book, “Share Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay.

I want to give you A Track To Run On to accomplish the task of reaching the world one-by-one. The basis of the following “track to run on”is (1)trusting in the power of the Holy Spirit that works with the Word of God and (2) working with the fact that faith comes by hearing the Word, especially when it comes out of one’s own mouth.

This is an excellent teaching method for witnessing or for sharing Biblical truths with other believers. Jesus used this technique of teaching when He dealt with the religious teacher who was testing Him in Luke 10: 25, 26. Jesus asked him, “What is written in the law? how readest thou?” In other words, He asked him, “What does that say to you?” And, the man answered him.

You can use FORM for casual conversation to warm up to the person:
Family. Occupation. Recreation. Mission (their goals). Use any part or all of this.

In casual conversation, as you are finding out about this person by showing interest in them, by listening and responding to them, and getting to know them, you can easily get to know them in another area. Since you are already asking questions about them, the door is wide open to ask them…

--What are your spiritual beliefs? (Just listen with “Humm.” Offer no confrontation, no correction, no beliefs of your own.) (You are locating them.)
--What’s your understanding of who Jesus Christ is? (“Humm”…)
--What are your beliefs about heaven and  hell? (“Humm”…)
--If you died right now, where would you go?( If heaven,) Why? (“Humm”…)
--(Ask) If what you are believing is not true, would you want to know?
--(Or ask) Could I share some scriptures that have been meaningful to me?

If yes, take your Bible out and turn to Romans 3.23. You have already highlighted it. Turn the Bible around, hold it for them to read,  and ask,
“Could you please read this out loud?” (Point to the verse. They read it.)
“What does that say to you?” (Lk. 10.26—the basis of this question)
If they give an accurate answer, showing they understand it, go to next scripture.
If they don’t give a good answer, ask them to read it again, and again, and again if necessary, asking the Holy Spirit to give them a good understanding.
(You have already written in the next reference on the top of your page upside down.)

Rom. 6.23. Ask to read aloud. Then, what does that say to you. “Humm.”
Jn. 3.3. Ask to read aloud. Q. Why did Jesus die? (This will let you know if they have put it all together yet. If a good answer, go to next. If not repeat.)
Jn. 14.6. Ask to read aloud. What does that say to you? “Humm.”
Rom. 10. 9-11. Same.
2 Cor. 5. 15. Same.                     (Short version of these seven scriptures is
Rev. 3. 20. Same.                         just using Rom. 3: 23; Rom. 6: 23 and Jn 3: 16)

Commitment Questions (to close the deal if the person has been open)
--Are you a sinner? (If not convinced, have them read Rom. 3.23 again)
--Do you want forgiveness of sins and the gift of eternal life? (…Rom. 6.23)
--Do you believe Jesus died on the cross for you and rose again? (…Jn.3.3; 14.6; Rom.10.9-11)
--Are you willing to surrender you life to Jesus Christ? (…2 Cor.5.15)
--Are you ready to invite Jesus into your life and into your heart right now? (…Rev.3.20)

At any point, if there is opposition, just have them go back and read the scriptures.

Learn to run on this track real good, real casual. Become an expert at being a non-confrontational fisher and trainer of men using the Word in this manner. Mt.4.19

Adapted from the book, “Share Jesus Without Fear” by William Fay, found at Lifeway Christian Stores, 10333 E. 71st S Tulsa, OK    Phone 918-461-1034    $9.99, or, call 1-800-458-2772. Orders by fax 615-251-5933. Email: customerservice@lifeway.com. Web site: www.lifeway.com
 
 

Goal--to sift through many, if necessary, to find that "ready" one who is hungry and receptive. At the same time, you are sowing seeds that will work to make them "ready". DO NOT spend time in religious controversy or a lot of religious chit chat. You are looking for hungry, thirsty, people. Give a testimony of Jesus to the controversial, then go on. THE GOAL IS TO GET PEOPLE SAVED, FILLED, AND HEALED.
    Once you have found the hungry, give to them. One changed life will have a ripple effect.
    Follow up and disciple that person/family in their home and in public meetings.
    Train that person/family to do the same as you are doing.
    CONSISTENT FOLLOW-UP is most important.

Door-to-door approach
Hello, we are _________________ working with with ____________________ Church, and we're just out sharing the good news of Jesus, and we would like to visit with you and pray with you for any spiritual or physical needs you might have. Is there anything we could visit with you about?

(If nothing, you might ask the following question. Remember, be friendly, relaxed. The following question could lead into further conversation, using the Track To Run On technique of sharing the Word. If they indicate absolutely no interest, close out the conversation, thanking them for their time.)

What are your spiritual beliefs?

Handling a money appeal
If they say:
"I need money." "Could you help buy some medicine for my sick baby." etc

You can say:
We ourselves are not in a position to give money, but we can show you some principles from the Word that can help you, and we can pray for your baby.

To conclude the ministry:
1. Ask when would be a good time for a follow up call.
2. Write down name, address, phone and any useful or needed information.
3. Leave a gospel flyer with your church information on it.