So…??? How did it go? Did you give a tract away last week? If you didn’t, no worries, you’ll have the same challenge this week. The first few tracts I gave away were to the cashier at a fast food drive-through and the attendant at a toll-booth (you’ll have to go through the cash lane!). Of course it was a bit scary, but I find that fear can actually help us - it makes us desperate for God’s help and drives us to pray!
So, I’m going to discuss some things to consider when choosing good gospel tracts as well as what to avoid. I’ll also show you my top three favorites and give you tips on how to distribute them along with where to purchase them.
There are many FANTASTIC gospel tracts! Sadly, though, there are also many TERRIBLE gospel tracts!
What makes a gospel tract excellent? The most important elements that must be covered in a tract are THE LAW so that the reader understands his sin and therefore his dreadful predicament and THE GOSPEL, because giving him the gospel, or good news, is of course the whole point! Many tracts will talk about Jesus loving them and will talk about how to have Him in your life and go to heaven, but they often say very little about what sin is and how God views it. This oversight will not convince a person that THEY PERSONALLY need Christ! Remember the points we learned in Hell’s Best Kept Secret and True and False Conversion?
Obviously, you also want a tract that is clear, attractive, includes scripture, and tells a person what they must do to be saved! Some tracts even give websites or QR codes which will direct the reader to some helpful follow-up information. Many even leave space for you to write your name and phone number (or that of your church) so that people may be able to contact you later. (Tip: if they don’t contain space for this, I often write my name and number on it anyway!) You also want to give tracts that you yourself would be happy to receive. Avoid ones that are unappealing, speak harshly, or shy away from using the Law (Commandments) to show a person their need for salvation. Remember that “the law was our schoolmaster to bring us unto Christ, that we might be justified by faith.” (Gal 3:24 KJV) (To see a wonderful explanation of this concept CLICK HERE.) And remember, mentioning hell on a tract in a loving way is helpful. Jesus Himself warned His listeners more about Hell than He spoke about Heaven! Why? Because it was loving to tell them the truth!
The tract I’ve used most often is the million dollar bill. I usually say with a big welcoming smile, “Hi, did your get one of these yet?” I extend my hand and the person typically will reach out to take it. Then I say, “It’s a million dollar gospel tract. It tells us what God has done for us and why we need it.” Sometimes a person will read it right then and there and I can ask if they’ve ever heard that message before. Then we can talk about it as much as the person wants. Here is a link to purchase the tract. You can read the full text on the website as well. CLICK HERE (I see they’re currently out of stock at this seller, here’s a similar tract.)
I also love the 4 Things You Need To Know About GOD tract as well. Again here is a link for you to read the tract and to purchase if you’d like. CLICK HERE I often give it to people along with our church’s business card. Often after an interaction with a person about something (a visit with a doctor, chatting with someone in line at a store or at a park, purchasing my groceries, etc.) I’ll say, “Here’s an invitation to my church and a message about what God’s done for us.” Most people take it and thank me. I try to make sure to have my contact info on the back as I mentioned earlier.
Jeff would like to share about one of his favorite tracts with you as well in the video below.
Here’s where you can get a hold of these curved illusions. CLICK HERE
Your challenge again this week is to try to give away some gospel tracts! Please let us know how it goes! And as always, leave a comment and tell a friend about our blog and resource page!
Grace and peace,
Mary