How do you wake another person up from his slumber of stupidity? How do you get another to begin questioning his purpose in life? How do you encourage someone to seek the Lord, to submit his life to Him, and to walk in Godly obedience forevermore? These are important parts of evangelism or witnessing. Many people are in bad situations and are not handling them well. The Lord can help them, but He allows us the freedom to choose. This means it may take some appropriate nudges to get him to seek the Lord's way.

What follows are some ideas for nudging other people from their complacency. These are not universally applicable but need to be tailored or individually chosen based upon personalities, situations, and more. Some people respond to the street-corner evangelist. Others will respond to a television one. Some will only react to close friends who carefully, tactfully, and quietly whisper, "There's a better way." Not all tactics work all the time, and there's no magic formula. Listening to the Lord's counsel is the best way to know how to proceed, and recognizing one's own gifts is valuable, too.

When I was in school, there was always a preacher standing in the middle of campus speaking very loudly about damnation and salvation. He'd point at passing students and yell, "Are you saved?" I remember wondering just who would respond to such an approach. Many did, in fact. For some, this is the wake-up call they need to begin questioning their existence and their goals. Just because this approach doesn't work for you doesn't mean it won't work for others. As one who disciples, remain open to the Spirit's lead; He just might call you to stand in the middle of campus yelling at passing students.

Some people only respond to the "long" witness, a lifetime of Godly obedience and exhibiting the fruit of the Spirit. When they see a friend who has always remained faithful, persevered through thick and thin, and always seems to find purpose, meaning, and comfort, only then may they begin to wonder about "this Christianity thing".

Still others--though likely few today--must see how the faith is consistent with science and the natural world. These need to know that faith is not blind but reasonable. Since Christianity is not a religion but actual truth, we can easily offer witness to this end, too. Faith is reasonable and not blind. No leap need be taken at all. Just look at the evidence with a reasonably unprejudiced mind, and God's Truth will speak loudly and clearly. For our witness to be effective to such seekers, though, we also need to see how faith and reason are not only compatible but one and the same. We need to have answers at the ready. We need to be able to show how science leads to faith and not away from it.

Many will only come to the faith through a personal tragedy and a subsequent, personal Savior. These must hit rock bottom first. They must see their lives as devoid of meaning, having lost everything. (The magnitude of loss and just what "everything" may be will tend to be different for each person.) These often develop emotional testimonies that are moving to those who hear the stories later. For them, we need to be on watch, looking for the right time to step up and offer the Savior to them. We need to demonstrate love and care when they need it most, pointing the way to Jesus.

Similar to the screaming street-corner preacher scenario, many need to be confronted else they'll never question the status quo. However, these will tune out impersonal confrontation, so it must come from a friend. It's not that they want confrontation, but they need it. It may take a friend telling them they're evil when they see themselves as good. It may require a family member pointing out how voting for a lesser evil is still voting for evil. Some need to see plainly how they're living an ungodly lifestyle, practicing end-justifies-means ethics, or merely how their stated values and real values are in opposition to each other. This approach is often necessary when there is no other motivation to seek the Lord's ways; without such confrontation, they may continue coasting along mindlessly. Loving discipleship is a must, though, if they respond to this kind of nudge. The confrontation is not personal but ideological.

Some people respond very well to total strangers offering them a chance to enter heaven with a clean slate and a shot at Godly peace in this life. "Do you know Jesus as your personal Lord and Savior?" they may be asked. Few will answer "yes" unless they're sincere, oddly enough. A "no" answer opens the possibility of further investigation into this Jesus person and what He has to offer. Should you, as a believer, encounter such an open person, would you recognize him and be prepared to offer Jesus' salvation to him?

Like unbelievers, many believers also need such nudging. They may have salvation but are not living in obedience or have become lazy in their faith. They may desire Biblical values but are living worldly ones. These, too, need to be shaken up a bit to see that change is needed. In fact, these usually need more shaking than the unbeliever, since they think they've already "arrived". Of course, there's no such thing as "arriving". The faith a lifetime of continued growth and struggle against sinful flesh. These sleepy believers need to be awakened to a thriving relationship with the Lord, and a friendly nudge--sometimes even a briefly brutal one--may be what's necessary.

We all need nudges at one time or another and of one kind or another. As believers, we need to not only be open to receiving them but also open to giving these nudges. Listen for the Lord's lead, and be ready to follow Him in this aspect of discipleship.