The ministry of all believers - Jesus talks with a Samaritan Woman (John 4).
Often right things can be done in the wrong way.
Our Christian presence can become an imposition on people
Our proclamation can become indoctrination instead of sharing
Persuasion can become coercion.
When this happens what we do and the way we do it will speak louder than what we say about the gospel.
Praise God that he often works despite us, but this is no reason to be slack.This passage gives an example of dialogue evangelism, where effective communication occurs so that people get the message and have the opportunity to respond.

So here's some Principles of personal witnessing. (derived from ‘How to give away your faith’)

1. Contact others socially (John 4:1-7)
This should by the most obvious starting point - we need to have social contact with those outside of the faith. This is often ignored by many Christians.
We often give ourselves the impression that perhaps the gospel message isn’t powerful after all. But, the real problem lies in the fact that that we often don’t endeavour to get the message out. Jesus often drew comparisons between fishing and the gospel message. If you want to catch fish, you must go where the fish are.
 
The devil knows something that is also common knowledge throughout the health profession. If you want a disease to stop spreading, you isolate the carriers of the disease. The disease won’t spread if carriers can’t contact non carriers. So, the devil persuades Christians to group together and avoid social contacts and real personal friendships with non Christians. Sometimes known as the CCC syndrome - clique Christian clan syndrome

We need to recognise this subtle difference. The holy life without sin that Jesus lived did not exclude him from being in the presence of those who were sinners
In John 17:15 Jesus does not pray that God will take us out of the world but will keep us from the evil one. We are to live in the world, in our neighbourhood. Jesus mixed with unsavourily characters around him, even risking his reputation by having a drink with this woman. To what extents are we prepared to mix with non Christians?
 

2. Establish a common interest (John 4:7-8)
Note. Jesus does not open the conversation with “Hi madam, don’t you know that I’m the Messiah and that you should believe in me” or “Excuse me, if you died tonight, why should I let you into my heaven” Instead he starts from a point of common interest. It’s hot and dry, they’re both at the well, so they talk about - water. Simple easy point of common interest. It’s often easier for us to talk at  a person rather than with them. It’s no good raving on about the blood of the lamb or other ‘in’ terms to a complete outsider as these terms are well outside of their frame of reference. It is only when we share common interests that openings for the gospel begin to emerge.
 1. We learn what their frame of reference is. We understand how to communicate the gospel in a way that they will hear and understand the message.
 2. The other person begins to listen more, as people tend to listen to those people who care about them and have common interests.

As we are the ones with something to communicate, it is our responsibility, not theirs to find that ‘common ground’ where communication is possible.

3. Arouse interest (John 4:9-13)
Jesus arose the woman's interest in two ways. Firstly, he came to where she was, and secondly he showed an interest in her concerns. Jesus, a male Jew and rabbi relates personally with a woman who is a Samaritan, who is rejected by her her own people and hated by the Jews.

By talking with her and asking for help Jesus communicates acceptance of her. She is slightly taken aback by this. This was his starting point. Our message needs to be closely aligned with our actions, loving people as they are. Nothing startles people more than unconditional acceptance. Unconditional acceptance, (and a gimmick free approach) was Jesus’ method of arousing interest.

Living in the same world as those who are outside of Christ but having a different lifestyle always arouses interest. ‘What makes them different?’ However, this witness is often sadly wasted because we do not have a relationship with these people.
 

4. Don’t rush things (John 4:10-15)
This is the opposite problem that many have with not saying anything. Despite the woman's obvious interest and curiosity, Jesus didn’t give her the whole story at once. Gradually, as she was ready for more, Jesus revealed more about himself. Jesus slowed down the message so to only give her as much as their relationship could handle. It was not until her sense of ‘threat’ had been effectively wiped out, and her curiosity had reached its maximum level that Jesus identifies himself as the Messiah. (v26)

Sometimes, we get so desperate to see the gospel go out, or think that we’re never going to get  another chance with that person, that we belt someone with the full force of the gospel message as soon as they show any sign of interest (or even before)

5. Don’t condemn (John 4:16-19)
Jesus leads her to see her real need without condemning. To condemn a person is to describe their worth as being determined by their performance. People feel naturally condemned. This is a distortion of the truth in that  while we are all sinners, no particular sin is worse than any other, an ‘improved’ life performance will not lead to acceptance by God. Unless they do improve - salvation is out of order for them.

Jesus’ approach is that of love not condemnation.
He shows that he is aware of her situation. While not agreeing with her he does not reject her as a person. By not condemning her he has demonstrated that God accepts us as we are. It is only when she realises how God treats her that she is able to make a response to God’s offer of eternal life.

Many people believe the lie that because they could never please God, they will never get accepted. It will only be when people are accepted as they are by us they they can make the step of coming to god ‘just as they are’

6. Don’t get side tracked (John 4:20-26)
Jesus did not allow secondary issues to side track time. ‘Where shall we worship, how shall we worship?’ These questions have been around for 2000 years, but they are nothing but a side issue that avoids the heart of the gospel message.

Jesus  goes back to two points. The woman has a need and he is her answer. Too often be think evangelism is about winning arguments - proving that we have the truths about God. Rather evangelism involves getting people right with God. Many non Christians will start up an argument, but they do not really want to prove that their point is ’right’ - rather that they are ’all right’. When we appear to prove them wrong they will often fell that we are actually prove that ‘they are not all right’. This greatly reduces the chance of any message being properly heard.
 

7. Bring them to a direct confrontation of Christ.
Peoples need is too see Jesus as he really is. In a sense, it is not for us to confront people, but for Jesus himself to confront them. ‘We want to see Jesus’ Evangelism is about showing people Jesus.

Here we can identify two groups of people.
1. Those without the necessary information.
We need to be alert to discover misunderstandings and gaps in their knowledge to as to fill in these holes when the opportunity arises.
2. Those already informed about the Gospel, but are yet to act on this information. To continue cramming the same information down their throats is more likely to alienate them rather than to win them over. When we know a person is reasonably informed, then is the time to encourage them to respond, then to keep quiet. Pray earnestly for that person on a daily basis and love them into the kingdom of God. They won’t be nagged into the kingdom.

In conclusion. Remember, ther are no hard and fast rules, but this should be a good guide.

The Handout

From Jesus’ midday chat with the woman of Samaria.

1. Contact others socially
  (John 4:1-7)

2. Establish a common interest (John 4:7-8)

3. Arouse interest (John 4:9-13)

4. Don’t rush things (John 4:10-15)

5. Don’t condemn (John 4:16-19)

6. Don’t get side tracked (John 4:20-26)

7. Then, bring them to a direct confrontation.