I dont like being caught off guard. Especially when unexpected guests show up and the house looks like a strong wind just blew through it. Even worse are days like the other day, when the doorbell rang and I was in my frumpy blue housecoat, hair flat against one side of my head and face devoid of color. I considered pretending I wasnt home, but after a few seconds of contemplation I answered the door.

A Jehovahs Witness stood before me, with her protg not far behind. Uh oh. I was face-to-face with my dread of being caught off guard.

It wasnt the first time. In fact, it was probably the twentieth. And my track record is dismal. My mind always races: What should I say? Am I prepared to explain my faith? What if they ask questions I cant answer? Typically I let them talk, then engage in a varied debate-at-the-door approach thats sometimes polite and other times more passionate. But I inevitably end up with the same sinking feeling: I blew it again.

I stumbled over tenants of faith, tripped on my tongue and fell flat on my theology. However (as usual), I soon regained my balance. Within minutes of their departure I was pondering clever points that would have kept those ladies up all night. Bible verses flew into my mind. I wanted to go outside and holler, Come back! Come back! But they were now at my neighbors door. Opportunity walked awayagain.

Witnesses of good news
The North American Mission Board Interfaith Evangelism Team has developed resources to help on mission Christians respond to members of cult religions. According to their website (www.namb.net/interfaith), they seek to convey factual and reliable information about American religions and to equip Southern Baptists to be effective witnesses of the gospel to all people. 

Rudy Gonzalez, director of NAMBs Interfaith Evangelism team, gave me insight into this cult. Jehovahs Witnesses take pride in being representatives of Jehovah and look forward to bringing to people the good news of the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society, which they believe is Jehovahs earthly organization founded in 1914 and based in New York. In his experience, most dont feel afraid or intimidatedeven when people are rude or shut the door on them.

He says Jehovahs Witnesses prepare constantly. Every week they attend intensive training in the Theocratic Ministry School where theyre coached on content and delivery of their good news presentation, practicing memorization drills and role-playing to anticipate possible scenarios.

Their version of the good news is that Jehovah has created an organization on earth through which they can earn their place in restored earthly paradise through obedience to the organization.

I asked Rudy what he does when a cult member rings his doorbell. I always invite them in and tell them I am a sincere student of the Bible, he says. After letting them talk for a while, I ask, What do Jehovahs Witnesses say a person must do to be saved?  They have no simple answer to this question. They maintain that salvation is available only to those who give unquestioning obedience to the Watchtower Bible and Tract Society.

Rudy then presents the biblical plan of salvation, emphasizing that Christ died to redeem all from sin. He tells them they can be saved by grace through faith in Jesus Christ as their Lord and Savior, regardless of organizational membership. Rudy explains that Gods plan is for a personal relationship, not organizational affiliation.

Jehovahs Witnesses are prepared when they arrive on our doorsteps, ready to share their version of the good news. How ready are we to reveal the real Good News?

Dont be naive
Its important for Christians to have knowledge about cults. Satan uses them as deceptive traps to snare vulnerable people, destroying many lives in the process. Not everyone can be an expert, but we need to learn the enemys tactics.

1 Peter 5:8 says, Be self-controlled and alert. Your enemy the devil prowls around like a roaring lion looking for someone to devour.

Also, in Ephesians 6:11, Put on the full armor of God so that you can take your stand against the devils schemes. God wants us to take an active role in defeating Satan.

Love requires that we care about the unsuspecting people who hear and believe lies. It also requires that we tell the truth.

Practice telling your story
One way to share the truth is to use our lives as examples. How did Christ captivate my cold heart? What was I like before I met Him? How did He redeem me? 1 Peter 3:15 says, But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord. Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this with gentleness and respect

In other words, I shouldnt quickly slam the door, treating a Jehovahs Witness as an intrusion to my otherwise perfect day. While I have a captive audience, I have an opportunity to tell how I came to know my Savior. 

Does God really want us to do that? Of course. I dont know about you, but I have work to do. Writing (and practicing) my testimony would be a good start. No need to be elaborate: just include the basics of my life before I met Christ, how He became my Savior and what life is like now.

The next step is to share it. Salvation is not a secret to keep, but a story to tell.  

I also need to study my Bible, becoming familiar with verses that explain salvation. Some Christians are like meuncomfortable describing my beliefs and not sure where to find the relevant scriptures.

God wants us to learn more about Him and proclaim the Truth to friend and foe.

Its like the piano. If were going to be good at sharing the Good News, it takes practice, practice and more practice.

Depend on the spirit
1 Corinthians 2:4-5 says, My message and my preaching were not with wise and persuasive words, but with a demonstration of the Spirits power, so that your faith might not rest on mens wisdom, but on Gods power. Our limited knowledge doesnt suffice. Even if we speak brilliant words in eloquent ways, people will still stuff fingers in their ears. They may pretend to listen while politely ignoring us. However, thats when the Holy Spirit gets busy unplugging ears and opening eyes.

Consequently, its vital to ask Him to be behind, before, above, below and especially inside us. I work to keep my own ears free of fingers, listening for His voice that brings spiritual discernment to situations. Ive learned that its an incredible experience to cooperate with the Spirit and a lot more productive. 

Jesus told His followers in Acts 1:8, But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth. He didnt give the option of opting out. Jesus said we will be His witnesses. We represent Christ to the world. Our mission field has no fences. It includes our jobs, schools, stores, streets and neighbors across the backyard and across the sea. Opportunities to witness are always knockingthey even ring doorbells.

Marla Kohmetscher is a writer living in Axtell, Nebraska.