Photo Credit: Jamie Harris

Q: Hey Melissa,

You go door to door as a family? I am curious about this. Would love to see an article about what you do and any tips you have some time!

A: Michelle, witnessing as a family can really instill a love for others in your children. As you may know, my husband is a pastor and we are always working to spread the good news! Evangelism is a big deal in our household. I love it when my little ones say, “Mom, we should go pass out literature today.”

Now, my youngest two children are really, really shy, but they love being involved in the door to door process: carrying magazines, books, etc. and just being present while the love of Christ is shared. They don’t want to be the ones to talk, but that is okay.

Sometimes, since there are six of us (my son is in college now) we will split up into groups (we have teenagers now, too) and do every other house. We take invitations to seminars or evangelistic meetings (if we have some starting). We’ll take books or magazines out to give away.

Always pray before starting out. Ask for the Holy Spirit and the angels to be with you. Ask for the words to say.

It’s also a good idea to decide what you are going to say before you get to the door. If it’s your first time out, or your kids first time out, knowing what to say before you go out really helps.

For instance:

Hi, my name is Melissa and this is Hannah and Laura. We’re out in the neighborhood today sharing the love of Jesus with folks. Would you like a magazine? It talks about… (open up magazine and show them a pretty picture, etc.)

You can ask them if they have anything they would like you to pray with them about. Once you get started talking conversation naturally flows. Sometimes people are rude. I have had people say, “I already have a church.” and shut the door in my face or something to that effect. That’s okay. It’s not me they are rejecting. I happen to believe that loving Christians should treat those who come to their door spreading the gospel a little kinder.

“And He called the twelve to Himself, and began to send them out two by two… And whoever will not receive you nor hear you, when you depart from there, shake off the dust under your feet as a testimony against them. Assuredly, I say to you, it will be more tolerable for Sodom and Gomorrah in the day of judgment than for that city!’ So they went out and preached that people should repent.” Mark 6:7-12 NKJV

I think it would be fun to make miniature loaves of bread and take door to door in your neighborhood along with a good book or magazine or tract. You could decorate the loaves with a Bible verse like, “I am the bread of life.” John 6:48. You could also bake cookies, make cards, make bookmarks with Bible verses, etc.

There are lots of way you and your children can share the Good News with those in your community who are starving for the bread of life! In Harlan County where we live, statistically 1 out of every 3 people are unchurched (or have no church home). So in Harlan County, where there are roughly 30,000 people living, 10,000 people don’t go to church! And we live in an area that is religious! That is a lot of people who need to be touched.

“And Jesus came and spoke to them, saying, “All authority has been given to Me in heaven and on earth. Go therefore and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, teaching them to observe all things that I have commanded you; and lo, I am with you always, even to the end of the age.” Amen.” Matthew 28:18-20 NKJV

We are all called to witness to a dying world in His name. Teaching your children to do so in love will be a blessing to your entire family.