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As
a golfer you must always approach the tee with the attitude
that you are going to get off to a great start. When you expect
great things to happen you have half the battle won!
Being
prepared to hit that first shot is so important. You select
your club, remove a ball and a tee. You then walk up to the
tee box. YOU HAVE WITH YOU EVERYTHING NEEDED to hit the shot.
When
you share a witness for Christ on the golf course or anywhere
you must have everything you need to do so. We provide some
personal tools which can help you begin the conversation about
Christ. When they are used properly they will actually have
you being asked rather than you having to start the conversation.
However, if you don't go prepared to share Christ you will
not have the opportunity, just as if you walk to the tee box
without a club, ball and tee you will not be able to tee off.
The
most important personal witnessing tool you have is your story
of what Christ has done in your life. Christ has done something
positive in every Christian's life. Be prepared to tell your
story, know it well.
The
drive is a very important shot. It sets the tone of the whole
game. Some people hit long pretty drives and others hit short,
sometimes not so pretty, drives. Many teaching pros will tell
you that you should take a low and slow swing as you drive.
Always look at the ball and be smooth with your swing.
The
way in which you approach people about their relationship
with Christ will most of the time set the tone for the whole
opportunity. It can be long and impressive or short and sweet
without using big words or stories. The end result is what
counts, which is the ability to get started. One example of
how to get started is the use of the personal witnessing tools
you brought with you. Your bag tag or towel will create the
conversation. Two things can happen: one is that those you
are playing with; meet on the putting green; or greet in the
clubhouse; may see the GOLFER acrostic on your bag:
 od
 ffers
 ove
 orgiveness
 ternal
 edemption
They
may ask: What does that mean? Why do you carry that? Where
did you get this?
All
these questions as well as others open a door for you to begin
to share Christ. Maybe they don't know our Savior, which means
you are open to share more about Him. Maybe they have fallen
away from serving Him, which means you are open to encourage
them. Maybe they are Christians who may need a way to share
Christ through their sport, which means you have spread the
message with a new member who can share his or her faith.
Be
prepared to share with them not just that you are a part of
the Christian Golfers Ministry, but how God offered to you
love, forgiveness and eternal security.
If
they don't ask you, then show them your Christian concern
with your personal attitude during play. Also, say, "Did
you notice my bag tag?" or "Have you ever heard
of CGM?", both of which may lead to the same conversations
mentioned above.
When
you have engaged a person in conversation you will then be
able to talk with them about our Lord. Remember, nothing is
more important than your personal story. Prepare yourself
and the person by asking simple questions. "Do you attend
church?" or "Tell me about your church." These
questions will open up feelings and let you know something
about their relationship with the Lord. Always remember, people
like to hear themselves talk, so let them talk! They may in
turn ask you the same questions.
Once
you have some idea of their relationship with the Lord, then
you can close in on your approach. When hitting the approach
shot to the green, we often walk up to see what the green
looks like. How big it is, where the pin placement should
be. You have done just that with Number Three. Now, begin
to key in on that persons needs. Share with them the acrostic
(See Number 2). Let them know that
Christ offers them love, forgiveness and eternal redemption.
Listen
to them. They may have some experience in their past that
has caused them to fall away from God or church. Be considerate
of their concerns and share the POSITIVE things which have
happened in your life and church.
Hazards
are a part of playing the game. Very few golfers play a full
18 holes of golf that don't end up in a hazard on the course.
It may be that large pond you are not sure you can hit over.
It may be a slice where you lost control, and your ball went
deep in the woods. It might be that shot you hooked out of
bounds. Hazards will most likely create a penalty. They don't
always need to cost you your game.
When
a person throws you in a hazard, don't panic. Panic always
leads to a bad shot. Listen to their objection - Evaluate
where you are and what is the best way to get back in the
fairway. Maybe you should take a drop (regroup and start over).
Maybe you should hit out to a safe place so that your next
shot can be on line.
Always
remember that you may be talking with someone who has never
had a relationship with Christ. "He who belongs to
God hears what God says. The reason you do not hear is that
you do not belong to God." John 8:47. To prepare
your life for hazards when sharing Christ read John 15:18-21.
The
walk to the green is sometimes a relief. You are there. The
place where you can finish the hole and total the score. On
the green you will putt the ball and attempt to get it in
the hole your ultimate goal! Sometimes your ball may end up
on the heart of the green, other times out on the fringe.
But as you go to the final steps, always remember you have
ARRIVED! This is what you worked toward.
Much
in the same way a person may begin to show real interest in
what you have shared with them, they have expressed an interest
in knowing more about Christ or about growing in faith or
about church relationships. YOU HAVE ARRIVED! The door is
now open for you to finish what you started.
Many
golfers agree that this is the most skilled part of the game.
Some golfers "one putt". Some "two, three,
or four putt". Here your game can be won or lost. A total
score can be improved, or blown away.
Golfers
who CARE always look over the situation. They look to see
the shape of the green. Will their ball break right or left,
up or down, or straight into the hole?
We
must do the same when sharing Christ. Remember, your goal
is to get the ball in the hole with as few strokes as possible.
Try not to hit it too hard or too soft. Christ never called
anyone or sent anyone out without knowing the situation. Listen
to the person and know where they are. They may be ready to
accept Christ like a straight-in-putt. They may be a little
left or right, up or down. Take your time. Get ready...
The
definition of "Putt" in the dictionary is "a
light golf stroke made on the putting green in an effort to
place the ball in the hole".
Now
is the time to "ask for the sale". In the age old
schools of witnessing we have always said you never get what
you don't ask for. In the quiet moment on the green you simply
finish the Job, asking, "Do you know Christ? Is Jesus
your Lord? Have you ever considered serving Christ with all
your heart?"
This
is much like putting. Putting could be the hardest part. You
need courage, energy, and the peace of God to help you here!
When they respond, then you can respond. Be willing to listen.
Explain the promise of John 3:16 as the change Christ has
made in your life. Take a moment to pray with them in your
own words and their own words for Christ to come into their
heart and control their life.
You
have reached your goal-the ball is now in the hole. Christ
never healed a person or called a person that He didn't ask
to do something: Pick up your bed, go out, follow me!
You
must go to the hole and get your ball in order to continue
to play the game. Go to the next tee and be ready for the
next opportunity to share the Savior that others might walk
the'fairways of life" with the peace and joy you have.
Give the new or renewed Christian a copy of the booklet of
John, so that they may grow in the Spirit. Keep up with them
and help them grow as they locate a place of worship and spiritual
growth.
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