How To Use Gospel Tracts

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Gospel tracts are great tools to use in personal witnessing.  Many people have been saved directly or indirectly from reading a gospel tract. You should always keep gospel tracts on hand, especially when you go on church visitation.

What makes a Good Gospel Tract?

        If we are going to put forth the effort in handing out gospel tracts (anywhere) we want them to be well received.  So, we must choose the best gospel tracts we can.  There is no need to waste your time, the other person’s time, or the Lord’s time in passing out tracts no one will even look at, let alone read.

Appearance

        We are living in America, not a third world country.  Don’t use gospel tracts that are unattractive.  Avoid tracts that are printed on non-glossy paper, or only in black and white.  Americans DO judge a book by its cover, and if the tract is ugly they are not going to read it – period.  Do not make the mistake of littering your community with poorly printed tracts, when you could have spent the extra money on quality gospel tracts that people will not throw down.

Content

Also, you want to select a tract that is easy to read and not too wordy.  A gospel tract should not be a thirty-minute transcribed sermon!  Not many people will sit down and read a lengthy wordy tract.  It must be simple and to the point.  A few illustrations or pictures always help the appearance, the understanding and break up the wordiness.

Make sure you check the doctrinal content of the tracts you select.  The tract should be biblical and quote the King James Version.  Remember you are trying to convey the gospel message to them.  The tract should easily present the gospel and include an invitation. It should prompt the sinner to receive Christ.

It is also a good idea to make sure the tract has contact information on it.  If it is a church tract you should also have directions to the church, the Pastors name, and church phone number.

FIRST THINGS FIRST!!!!!

   First things should be first.  If you are planning on using gospel tracts to witness to folks then you must have some!  You need to keep your house, car, purses, pockets, Bibles, and anything else you might carry with you filled with tracts.  You cannot give them out if you don’t have them.

Different Kinds

   In order to be effective in passing out tracts, you need to select the right tracts for the right people.  For example, you would not hand a kid a tract that is laid out in sermon format.  Instead, give them a cartoon tract.  Likewise, you need to be careful not to insult certain adults by handing them a cartoon tract.  Their first response usually determines whether or not they read it.

   You can get seasonal tracts (Christmas, Thanksgiving, Fourth of July etc.); testimonial tracts (although these are generally wordy); cartoon tracts – just about any that you can imagine.  Granted, you must always check the doctrinal content and make sure they are quoting God’s book – the King James Bible.

Get them to take it!

   When you pass out a tract (whether it be out on the street, at work, or on visitation) don’t ask them to take it – simply give it to them!

If you ask: “Sir, would like you to have a gospel tract?”   You are putting too many steps in this easy task.  Now the man has to think about the proposal.  He has an option.  Then he may think it is a sham, or something for sale.  People do not always refuse because they are God hating Christ deniers.  Many times they just don’t want to be bothered.

So, instead of asking them if they want a tract, tell them: “Sir, here’s you a free gospel tract.”  Or, “Here is one of our church tracts.”  If they refuse, or hand it back BE POLITE!  Don’t tell them you cannot take it back.  And do not start preaching a message to them.  You have to realize they have a choice.  Just because you get your feelings hurt gives you no grounds for a rebuttal.  Be congenial and go on your way.  Remember, the way you act while witnessing has a tremendous effect.  See: 1 Thess. 2:3-10.

Use Gospel Tracts as “Openers”

   Gospel tracts are a great way to open up a conversation about the gospel.  Once you give the person the tract, you can then proceed to ask them about their spiritual condition.  Some good one liners for passing out tracts are listed below:

  •     Here is some food for thought.

  •     Here is one of our church tracts.

  •     Here is a FREE gospel tract.

  •     Here, I bet you don’t have one of these.

  •     Here you go, this explains how to be saved.

Use Gospel Tracts as “Leaders”

   Maybe you are timid and shy.  Or maybe you are not well versed in the scriptures enough to show someone how to be saved.

   You can avoid those fears by reading directly from the gospel tract.  This works well with kids tracts as that they often contain pictures.

Use Gospel Tracts as “Reinforcers”

   If you have been witnessing to someone, but they are not ready to get saved, make sure you leave them a gospel tract.  The tract will reinforce what you have said to them, and be a reminder that they need to get saved. I have had people say on the second visit, “Those are the same verses that were in that tract you left me.”

Use Gospel Tracts as “Preachers”

   Gospel tracts go and preach where we cannot.  They enter homes, cars, places of business, and other areas long after we have made contact with a person.  You never know the influence that a small piece of paper can have on someone whom God is dealing with.

   If someone is busy and cannot talk, leave them a tract.  If someone you go to on church visitation is eating supper do not interrupt their meal to preach to them, leave them a tract.  If they read it, it will do the preaching for you!  If someone is hostile, or act as though they cannot talk, leave them a tract.  It may find them at a better moment than you did.

   Below are some examples of how to leave a tract to someone when you do not have an opportunity to talk:

  •         Well, here read this tract when you get a chance.

  •         I’m leaving one of our gospel tracts on your doorstep.  Read it when you have time.

Be careful NEVER to force a tract on anyone.  If they don’t want it, that is their choice.  You might make them bitter if you try to force them or use sarcasm when they refuse.

Mass Distribution

   Below are some pointers on passing out tracts at parades or other events of mass distribution:

1.   Plan far ahead of the event.  Know how large the crowd will be, what type of tracts you need and allow plenty of time to order and receive the tracts.

2.   Announce it frequently, and get an approximate head count of how many will be going to pass out the tracts.

3.   Briefly instruct those who are going how to properly pass out a tract.

4.   Pray that the Lord would bless His word (2 Thess. 3:1).

5.   Don’t get in the way of the entertainment.  Pass out the tracts at a time when people do not have their attention on something else.  If you do, then you will have to divert them from the entertainment, then try to talk to them.  If they are sitting around waiting, or walking, you can easily engage them.

6.   Be lawful.  If the police tell you to stop, then stop!  Go to the courts later.  Your church does not need the reproach, nor does the officer need your smart mouth to contend with.  Obey the rules of the layout.

7.   Be wise.  One on the best ways I’ve ever seen to pass out tracts at a parade is to say (while you are handing them the tract) “Enjoy the parade.”

8.  Rejoice evermore.”  Keep a smile on your face and do not be discouraged when some turn you down.  You are doing the Lord’s work, and it is not against you if someone does not want a tract.

Conclusion

   People need the gospel of the Lord Jesus Christ.  And one of the best ways for them to hear about it is through a gospel tract.  Pass them out every opportunity you get.  Use them in your personal witnessing.  Be wise in your selection, polite in your delivery, and most importantly PRAY that God would bless His word!!!

Isa 55:11 So shall my word be that goeth forth out of my mouth: it shall not return unto me void, but it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall accomplish that which I please, and it shall prosper in the thing whereto I sent it.