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Tract I've been working on

Discussion in 'Evangelism, Missions & Witnessing' started by IronWill, Jun 12, 2006.

  1. IronWill

    IronWill New Member

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    The following tract/handout is designed to spark discussion between Pagans/Wiccans and Christians. I'd like to get some feedback on it if I could.

    Copyright © 2005 William C. Rogers II. All Rights Reserved.

    This tract is based on Paul's message in Acts 17:22-31
     
  2. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    I had a couple thoughts.....

    First, when its on paper is it broken down into smaller paragraphs? People tend to skim over larger blocks of text.

    Second, we aren't actually all children of God. The Bible says that the unsaved are of their father the Devil. I'm not necessarily suggesting that you say that they are a child of the Devil, but you do say we are all children of God, and that's not Biblically accurate. And when you say that you give the impression that they are then alright with God, why worry when the person is God's child already? It defeats the purpose of your tract.

    I think you should answer the question of why we deserve punishment. What has made us incapable of knowing God?

    Otherwise, I thought you did well to bring a little bit of a quote from history....but is there a reason you don't use Bible verses?
     
    #2 bapmom, Jun 12, 2006
    Last edited: Jun 12, 2006
  3. IronWill

    IronWill New Member

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    Most of this is taken from Paul's sermon in Acts 17.
    And yes, it is broken down into smaller paragraphs when on paper.
    The main reason I didn't use direct quotes from scripture, is that when you give a tract like that to a Pagan or Wiccan, they tend to toss it out as they don't regard the Bible as being authoritative. I'll add onto the tract the references that are relevant to the tract, but I don't plan to do alot of quoting. Primarily because this is designed to spark discussion, rather than be a primary instrument of bringing someone to Christ. God created us, all of us, which is the primary reason for bringing up that we are his offspring, but only in that sense. It's not about spiritual fathership, but the fact that we are created by God. Which is why I said we are all his offspring in a sense. I do plan to create a Christian guide for using this tract.
     
  4. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    That would be good. I did think that your use of Paul's sermon about the unknown god was very good.
     
  5. IronWill

    IronWill New Member

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    Thank you. I'll look at rewording the section about being the offspring of God and see what I can come up with.
     
  6. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Hi, IronWill.

    I think you have done a great job, and the tract will be effective. I am impressed that you have included the resurrection of Christ. It is part of the Gospel, but so many Gospel presentations leave it out.

    Bapmom has given some good suggestions and you are humbly listening. I would add, don't underestimate the power of the Word of God. Maybe you could put in a couple of quotes without giving away the source being the Bible: "A man named Paul said hundreds of years ago in the city of Athens...."

    Also, if it were me, I would beef up the invitation segment a little more, making it more immediate. Something like: "You can have your sins forgiven by Christ. Won't you trust Him, right now, to cleanse your heart, ?"

    Keep up the good work and God bless! :thumbs:
     
  7. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    I know we all have our favorites. I think Paul's sermon on Mars Hill is the greatest sermon in the New Testament.

    To use an overworked slogan, "that'll preach."

    Since you're basing your tract on that sermon, have you thought about paraphrasing Paul's exhortation at the end? This God I've been telling you about, the one who created the universe and us, and needs nothing from us, but provides all that we have, commands you to repent of your sins and turn from them. Call on Him for mercy and trust this Jesus whom He raised from the dead.

    Paul doesn't mince words. He delivers a command, not an invitation.

    Just a thought.

    I like the tract.
     
  8. IronWill

    IronWill New Member

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    A Revised Version:

    Are you religious? Have you heard of the Unknown God? Who do you think this God is? Perhaps you have examined various gods and goddess of all religions. Perhaps you don't believe in any god. Let me tell you of the Unknown God. Two thousand years ago, the people of Athens worshipped many gods. So many in fact, that they erected an altar with an inscription that read "To The Unkown God." So who is this God? This is the God that created the world and all the things that are contained on the world. This God does not live on earth. He does not live in any residence created by human hands. As God who created the heavens and the earth, He rules over heaven and earth. Tell me, can a God like this be worshipped merely by the works of men? Does He need us or our works? He made all things, all men, and all languages.
    This God has determined the ages that different empires will rule the earth and how much of the earth they would rule. But this God has not left us here alone without a witness of Himself. The earth, the sky, nature itself bears witness to this God. He left us this witness so that if we seek after Him, we could find Him. For God is not far from any of us, but is nearby us all so that if we turn to seek after Him we will find Him. It is in the power of this God that we are able to live and move. This God has created us with the ability to choose to follow Him or not to follow after Him. Over three hundred years before this altar was erected in Athens, a poet named Aratus wrote that we as humans are the offspring of deity. And in a sense, he is right. Deity created us, and therefore, we are his offspring. We are the children of God in that sense. Since we are the children of God by creation, we ought not think that we can create our own deities, or fashion ourselves images of deity that fit our own thoughts and desires of what deity should be. In this time, God has commanded all men everywhere to change their ways and turn to Him as their hope for the future. God has determined that worshipping others is against Him.
    God has appointed a day when He will judge all those who have lived on the world of their sin.He will judge by the One whom He hath raised from the dead. For He has given a sacrifice for our sin, that we would not have to bear it. Christ Jesus is the One who has risen from the dead, and it is in Him that we will be judged. So what gives this God the right to command us to turn to Him? Well, as said before, God created the world and all that is within, and we are His children. God created us, and wants us to be in a relationship with Him. Does not the Deity that created the world and us deserve to be worshipped? But beyond that, there is a relationship with God that transcends that of any other deity. When one dies, they are welcomed into everlasting reward, or everlasting punishment. Our everlasting reward is dwelling forever with Deity--God. But everlasting punishment is the destruction of the soul in hell for eternity. God gives you the opportunity to come to Him. This God I've told you about, the one who raised Christ from the dead, commands you to repent and turn from your sin. Won't you do so today?
    If you have any questions regarding what you have read here, ask a trusted Christian friend, or visit http://www.exwitch.org
    Taken from Acts 17:22-31
     
  9. John of Japan

    John of Japan Well-Known Member
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    Amen!

    Good job, IronWill. You are humble enough to take suggestions and rewrite. I trust this tract will be used to bring many of your target audience to Jesus Christ, and influence others towards the truth.:thumbs:
     
  10. bapmom

    bapmom New Member

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    I like it, IronWIll. I think it will serve your purposes well.
    :thumbs:
     
  11. Tentmaker

    Tentmaker <img src=/tentmaker.gif>
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    Great tract Ironwill. I don't want to sound nit picky, but as an English major, "repent and turn from your sin. " is redundant. Repent and turn from your sin are the same. lol

    Why not just say, "turn from your sin."

    Keep up the great work.
     
  12. Tom Butler

    Tom Butler New Member

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    Tentmaker, you are correct that repent and turn from your sins is redundant. I'm an English major as well, and should have known that if another one was around, I'd never get away with it.

    Although "repent" does mean a change of direction (away from your sin and toward God), it also carries the idea of Godly sorrow for sin. Since lost people are rarely Bible students, I felt couching the line as I did would help the sinner understand exactly what God requires of him.

    How about this alternative: "God commands you to turn from your sin and confess Christ as Lord." Or, "God commands you to turn from your sin, confess Christ as Lord, and trust Him for your salvation."

    BTW, God bless your missionary work in Korea.
     
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