Why Door to Door?
Christ’s method
“Christ’s method alone will give true success in reaching the people.
The Saviour
- mingled with men
- as one who desired their good.
- He showed His sympathy for them,
- ministered to their needs,
- and won their confidence.
- Then He bade them, “Follow Me.” {MH 143.3}
Go door to door is mingling with men, desiring their good, showing sympathy, ministering to their needs…
Jesus sent people out two by two, door to door
Luke 10:1: After these things the Lord appointed other seventy also, and sent them two and two before his face into every city and place, whither he himself would come.
Luke 10:2: Therefore said he unto them, The harvest truly is great, but the labourers are few: pray ye therefore the Lord of the harvest, that he would send forth labourers into his harvest.
- In v. 5 we see that they went house to house.
- In v. 9, we see one of the things they did: Healing the sick.
“Among the members of our churches there should be more house-to-house labor, in giving Bible readings.–Testimonies, vol. 9, p. 127. {ChS 142.2}
“For years I have been shown that house-to-house labor is the work that will make the preaching of the Word a success.” {Ev 432.4}
“This house-to-house labor, searching for souls, hunting for the lost sheep, is the most essential work that can be done. Letter 137, 1898. {Ev 110.1}
Some people will only or best be reached in their homes. This is an essential work that we need to do in this important time of history.
Conducting the survey
The goal of doing surveys:
1. Meet people’s needs.
2. Get contacts, that you can follow up.
When going door to door, people want to know 3 things, very soon:
1. Who are you?
2. Why are you here?
3. How long will you stay?
“Hi, my name is ________and this is my friend ________.”
“We are volunteers for a youth organization called Empower Missions. We are here to see how we best can help and benefit the community and we are taking a very short survey to find out what we could offer. There are only a few short questions that will take just a couple minutes.”
If they seem positive or indifferent, go ahead with the first question.
You don’t need to follow the survey strictly. Look for opportunities to talk with them, and get a dialogue.
Remember Christ’s method … sympathize and minister to their hearts … win their confidence. Look for something that may be a felt need, something you have in common, or something in their yard or on the house that you can talk about with them.
If they say no: If it fits: try to emphasize that you are not selling anything and that you are here for them, and it is important to see how you best can help.
If they continue to say no, have a tract/material ready to give to them.
For those that say yes: Do the survey, offer them materials you have that might fit them, based on the conversation, or as the Holy Spirit impresses. You can tell them shortly about what you give them.
Ending the survey: Thank them for their time – thank you gift, shake their hand and wish them a nice day. Tell those who are interested that we will get in touch with them, as soon as we get a chance, if the interests will be offered in the area.
Addressing potential concerns
It doesn’t exist a clear list what you should do in all situations, but here are some things that might help you.
1. What church are you with?
- First share the group you are with, who you are. Then you can say: “We are protestant Christians.” If they continue to ask, tell them “I am personally an SDA”. You might add: “Most of us are SDA.” If they continue to ask you what the SDA is. Answer with the 4 C’s: Christ, Christ on the Cross, His Commandments, His Coming again.
- “These activities is for any person from any religion.”
- The reason for not saying you are an SDA right away is to avoid prejudice. PT: Man, got skeptic right away.
- “Behold, I send you forth as sheep in the midst of wolves: be ye therefore wise as serpents, and harmless as doves.” Matthew 10:16
- “In laboring in a new field, do not think it your duty to say at once to the people, We are Seventh-day Adventists; we believe that the seventh day is the Sabbath; we believe in the nonimmortality of the soul. This would often erect a formidable barrier between you and those you wish to reach.” Ev 200
2. If you meet skepticism regarding any of the offers, tell them that there are no obligations, and that they should try it out.
3. If people ask how the bible studies will be taught, tell them that we think it is important that everything that will be said, has the foundation of the whole Bible. We want you to see what the Bible really says regarding these topics.
Your ultimate goal is to make them a follower of Christ—not a follower of a church! In reality, if they are following Christ, He will lead them to His remnant church.
4. How much time do the studies take?
- Around 30-45 minutes. It may take longer if there are questions.
5. What do you think about The Sabbath/10 commandments/_______?
- This is a very good and important question. This is something that we would cover in the Bible studies. I believe the Bible will give us the best answer.
- “…every advantage should be taken to get acquainted with these men; not in a way to produce anything like prejudice. We must appear to them as trying to help others, working on the line of the Christian help work. As they see the good work we do on these lines, their prejudice will be removed in a large measure, and their hearts will be open for more. Then we should not present the Sabbath, but let us present Christ. What if they should begin to oppose you and say, Oh, that’s a Seventh-day Adventist?–Lift Christ up higher and still higher. It means a great deal to be wise as serpents and harmless as doves.” 5MR 67
6. “I’ll do the survey, but do I have to sign my name and put my contact information here?”
- No, however if we don’t have your address it will make it impossible for us to notify you of the events of interest to you.
7. “I’m too busy”
- That’s okay. We can offer you these drop off/studies or correspondence course studies, and you can fill them in when you have time. I think you might find them interesting!
8. “I study at my own church!”
- That’s good. I’m glad to hear about people who study the Word of God. Have you studied the prophecies of Daniel and Revelation lately? Have you learned what the Bible teaches about the end times? We will cover part of this in our studies.
9. If people are not treating you well, you can reply:
- “You seem like you might have had a hurtful experience at some time or another.” You can try to have them share it with you, and LISTEN. Show sympathy: “I’m sorry, that sounds terrible.”
Luke 10:3: Go your ways: behold, I send you forth as lambs among wolves.
Luke 10:4: Carry neither purse, nor scrip, nor shoes: and salute no man by the way.
People don’t care how much you know, until they know how much you care.
Additional tips for Outreach
- Dress appropriately
Women – Dresses or dress pants/no sleeveless shirts
Men – Slacks (no jeans) collard shirts (no tee-shirts)
No thongs or flip-flops. Socks are to be worn
- Do a prayer walk through the outreach territory before you even begin working there, claiming souls for God. (Jericho Ride)
- When working with a partner, always decide ahead of time who the spokesperson and silent prayer partner. Take turns, for example: 3 open doors.
Things to pray for…
- Holy Spirit speaking through the speaker
- Interest in the survey
- Interest in Bible studies
- Bind Satan and any distractions
- Pray as you walk between houses! You never know what divine appointment God has for you at the next house.
- Show respect, and try not to walk through big lawns, etc
- Never park in front of the house of the one you are visiting for prayer or organizational duties. People quickly become suspicious or begin to think that you have an agenda. Park around the corner and pray before driving up to the home.
- If there are children let them know that we do have a set of children lessons. Encourage the parents to study with you and let your prayer partner study with the children.
- When you become discouraged, stop for 5 minutes to pray and share a Bible promise with your partner. Don’t complain or murmur; it only worsens the situation, makes the devil successful, and prevents God’s blessing.
Excuses and encouragement
- “I’m too young”
David was young when he conquered Goliat, and later became king.
Daniel was sent to Babylon, where he ministered greatly for God. - “I don’t have the gift of speaking”
Moses was called to Egypt, to talk to Pharao and deliver God’s people:
Exodus 3:11: ¶And Moses said unto God, Who am I, that I should go unto Pharaoh, and that I should bring forth the children of Israel out of Egypt?
Exodus 4:10: ¶And Moses said unto the LORD, O my Lord, I am not eloquent, neither heretofore, nor since thou hast spoken unto thy servant: but I am slow of speech, and of a slow tongue.
Exodus 4:11: And the LORD said unto him, Who hath made man’s mouth? or who maketh the dumb, or deaf, or the seeing, or the blind? have not I the LORD? - “I’m too old”
Moses was 80 years old when he talked with Pharao in Egypt. - “The people here is interested.”
“Our greatest need is faith in God. When we look on the dark side, we lose our hold on the Lord of Israel. As the heart is opened to fears and conjectures, the path of progress is hedged up by unbelief. Let us never feel that God has forsaken his work… Go forward in faith; trust the Lord to prepare the way for his work. Then you will find rest in Christ. As you cultivate faith, and place yourselves in right relation to God, and by earnest prayer brace yourselves to do your duty, you will be worked by the Holy Spirit.” -EGW
Value each door! - “I’m scared of dogs”
God is with us.
Joshua 1:9: Have not I commanded thee? Be strong and of a good courage; be not afraid, neither be thou dismayed: for the LORD thy God is with thee whithersoever thou goest.When Jesus gave us the great commission, he said:
Matthew 28:20:…lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world. Amen.
Door to door works!
I’ve done it in:
Romania – 20st 4 days, a couple of hours = 100 bible study contacts.
Austria, France, Ireland, Norway (more than 50 interests in 2014), Sweden, USA…
“O that thousands more of our people had a realization of the time in which we are living, and of the work to be done in field service, in house-to-house labor. There are many, many who know not the truth. They need to hear the call to come to Jesus. The sorrowing are to be cheered, the weak strengthened, the mourners comforted. The poor are to have the gospel preached to them. {CEv 32.2}
“The youth have many difficult lessons to learn before they are prepared for usefulness. In order to be fitted to fill positions of trust, they must submit to the stern teaching of rebuff and disappointment. Days of suffering are necessary to teach wisdom.” Youth’s Instructor, June 5, 1902 par. 5
