How to share the gospel on social media
THIS PAGE IS UNDER CONSTRUCTION PLEASE BE PATIENT
Safely using social media.
Based on what was noted on the previous page, we need to be smart and cautious online. We can still fully share the gospel and truth, but we need to go about it in a way that is like we are behind enemy lines and being flagged is like being shot at by the enemy. If we do our job right, we will safely advance through enemy lines and win the battle online.
If you get caught, by the enemy, either flagged the minions (the users) or the officers (the social media company)...
They will automatically, as part of the platform algorithms, send the AI out to start going through every single post you've ever made on your page, every comment you've ever made on the platform, and if you run any pages or groups on that platform, they'll have the AI deep search through those as well... to try to flag and ban you from ever having free speech on that social media platform again.
One way they can track you is your IP address, but the other is your phone number. If you ever gave them your phone number, they will likely not allow you to create a new account on that platform and delete your current one. They'll know it is you.
So, when sharing things of God and Gospel on social media -
Be Cautious & Think.
1. Do not just blurt out whatever you want to say in a reply or post. Social media is a place of patience. It's not like you are in person and have to engage conversations or interact with real time answers.
I would advice you to hit the reply button, leave that open tab (web page or app) swing to another location: Utilize a word processor. Either a computer document such as Word, or your phone notepad. Write or speak out what you want to say, edit the document of what you are wanting to say. NOW, you have choices here.
A. Use Blogger. You can use the app on your phone. Both as a way to provide a straight answer with minimal comments, and also as opportunity to write an answer offsite utilizing a free service thats simple to use such as blogger.com.
*Create the blog. Then create a HOME page, were you will link all your answers.
Save your answer offsite on the blog. Creating a new post. Include any links you want to in that post, such as an offsite answer to the question, and at the end of the post include the gospel message such as simply adding -->> NeedGod.com (and making it an active link). Title the post as shortly as you want to. save and publish it. copy the link, 1. Go to tinyurl.com and create a short url to use in the post. Copy the short link, 2. then go back to the social media site, go into the reply section, and type something simple (see examples) and drop the link in there. Hit send.
A1. Go to the blogger site, go to a main table of contents home page, type in the topic of the answer, highlight it, click the link button, paste the link in there. Next to that link paste at the end of that link, the tinyurl link. save it. and publish the page. This way when you have that issue again, simply go in your main page, copy the tinyurl link, and utilize it (and repeat cycle).
A2. When you get notifications of responses...Come back and respond to any fish biting the bait of the truth you posted. And for all the angry emojies, like your own post with a heart emoji. If they're constantly following you around that post and being an aggravator, just go block them. They had access to the truth, and we are told not to cast pearls before swine. Those who are blinded from the truth, might have interactions with others in real life or other believers on social media later in their life. We don't need to be harassed by them.
Keep in mind what you say is going to be viewable to others online. And the text is flat, it doesn't show your tone or voice so include that somehow. As odd as it sounds, using tone indicators at the start of the reply is useful. it can defuse others assumptions in your tone and prevent them thinking you are judgemental. Link to list & ideas.
And, make sure to be full of grace and brotherly love, and be cautious in what and how your reply. You want to draw others to Christ, not give them more reasons to justify their hate of God and Christians. There's a fine line between having a conversation and going on too long. Examples.
Try to move anything to dm if you can. If it looks like they're going beyond the original convo. 1. Plan type what you want to share as a closure, 2.then go to the post & Simply write your short ending comment and "moving convo to dm 😊" and 3. Then go to DM and paste the text you prewrote into the dm. And say, if you have any other questions I'd be happy to help. 4. If they continue it on random rabbit trails fine.
A3. Pray and thank God for the opportunity for sharing this reply to these people. And pray for the people who were in that conversation. The person who started the conversation, the one you commented on, the other ones you commented on, others who saw the post and joined in, pray that all of them will look at the link, see the gospel.
B. If you dont want to use blogger, here is the next idea. You will be limiting yourself. But you can still do it. Do same as above using word processor or notes app. Write the shortest possible reply without getting into the conversation. Find an answer that's listed on a website somewhere (see resources) or go get a link to a video that addresses the answer (such as livingwaters.com youtube video or a sermons link), and follow the sample ideas in the sample social media conversations page. They're more like fishing one liners. Then paste in the link, hit send. and follow the follow up plan listed in A2 & A3 above.
C. If you dont want to use the above ideas, You might get flagged unless you are very cautious. After making sure what you said and how it was worded isnt going to be flagged as hate speech by the users or the Ai system on that platform... post it. and follow the follow up plan listed in A2 & A3 above.
2. Make sure you are writing with a kind heart, not judgmental, not rude or mean, making sure that the Holy Spirit is guiding what you say, and that you take any and all emotion out of the equation.
Remember we are to be gentle as a and smart as a snake. A kind word turns away wrath. We are to be ready to provide an answer. We are to speak truth in love. We are planting seeds, are ambassadors of Christ, and our speech and conduct should follow that high calling.
<*> when starting out and getting the hang of this. Feel free to find a solid Christian who is willing to take time to help you ensure you word things well, for these posts. Ask them to partner together with you for the gospel, to help you for a few months. And they'll reap benefits of encouragement thru this too. Bonus- Esp of its an older person whose on social media and retired. They're also a great resource for helping them get involved for the gospel online in their aged years. They have more time to be a help. But find anyone trust worthy, reliable and solid mature believer.
Anyone who helps you is going to be blessed by God, encouraged by God to witness online too, and you can pray for each other (in Evangelism) too.
You can also take pointers from the sample convos by topics for pretty good suggestions.
Note for youtube comments.
1.Most channels are set to auto delete any posts with websites listed it's why you cant even type "tinyurl.(space) com/538" by putting a space in the comments link. And your post will be deleted. Some pages might have it sent to review tab, but if it's Christian content...the channel will delete after review. Most do t bother too look at the review tab, so your post won't be seen. Yt doesn't want external links so they keep you on the yt channel and inside yt. So don't do it.
2. Yt algorithm logs if you post "same comments" in diff yt channel comment sections, and will mark you as a spanmmer.... Permanently. You might see your post there but no one else will. If you want to leave links this is the only suggestion: "my thoughts here. Check out grace to you site and search for xyz." Or "my thoughts here. The Bible has so many different foods listed. My favorite are the 9 foods Jesus ate. Look for that video on yt LivingWaters channel. " And change up a bit about what you write. Like come up with several variations of that comment, so you aren't perm marked as spammer and never seen anywhere yt in comments again.
Note for facebook
They're playing around with algorithms in the comments area. So I highly suspect they're burying people they don't want seen on the top comments, so you get buried in the non seen area. So I highly recommend:
1. Comment on most relevant section and go to all comments (cuz anyone you find where you can witness is good).
2. To try to boost and keep you in most relevant area: reply to main post well and have a Christian tag team regularly participate in likes and comments with you.
suggest you find 1 to a couple (or more) Christian friends to team up with for social media. A. Create a friend group w those people [in a friends contact group you can share secretly to]...and ask them to do the same. B. Reshare each of your videos and posts you commented on into only visible to that friend group. C. they can spend 10 min a day looking at that list and your comments there. C1. They can like all your comments, C2. You can like theirs C3. They can comment on your replies like " oh that's a good point🤔" and simple similar ones. Not reaching to the convo of the other person's reply to your friend of they've already had the convo. C4. If there's someone you paused on cuz you don't know how to answer that reply with a link to info dm 1 of your friends. Include the video link and screenshot of the convo
so they can give advice <or>
ask if they want to take over the convo so it breaks up and off to someone else. Tag teaming is totally fine. Just confirm your friend will go there to take over. *this is helpful if you are spinning wheels and they're just against you or the convo. That way they now restart their attention to someone else. It's distraction and like a reset. [Like a dog who sees a squirrel]. It can reset that person's emotions. Just make sure your friend will agree to "tag in" and complete the convo.
D. Make sure to pray over your had convo w the unsaved, and pray for your taggedin Christian friend
You can witness on these friends profiles. Plan together to post something to reach family and friends in your own profiles (and profile owner to tag those unsaved in the post). Have the tag team each other comment on the post, include verse locations and or a link to some info. This is like having Christian convos in your home w those unsaved friends there. They'll see the post cuz they're tagged in it. If you don't tag, there's a high probability they're not on fb for weeks and they won't see it. But the orig poster on their profile when they decide to tag friends into posts can always write in the post - "was thinking about this and wanted to share..." Or something like that. So there's a cautious post happening.
Dm your tag team to let them know you posted xyz post on feed and ask them to go to their profile to participate. If you would like specific things mentioned or talked about, include that in dm convo, and make sure that you use common sense and caution in what you say in the comments of that Christians post. Your on very careful ground as it's someone connected to you that you are interacting with, and if you ever meet in real life thru your Christian friend you want the atmosphere to be positive and free from any kind of alienation or bitterness towards you.
*if you want to, or they ask you to, just type out your reply to the post in notepad, then dm it to the orig poster and say "is this good to say? Should I add anything or ?" And let them give you suggested changes, and go with that flow. They def know the person/people better than you do, so whatever they ask... it's the best way to proceed. It can always be built up on over time, and who knows - conversations you might have irl w that friends friend in coming months or whenever, might lead them to Christ if it's not the Christian friend. Just pray on it all and support one another for witnessing in any way you can be helpful.
See video sample.
Connecting w your tag team.
if you see friends irl or a mixture of online and irl utilize that.
Plan a day when you can all call-chat for 5-10 min to do a check in w tag team. Even if it's repetitious, just be joyful and grateful God has given sns opportunities. Just allott 3 min per person to chat, so you don't ramble on and interfere w others home life time.
Close praying God to guide each of you all this week on sns witnessing, give you short, helpful, concise points and things to say, that seeds will be planted regardless of how the people react, that you will remain focused on God, not have arrogance and stay humble w only focus being on Jesus and caring about the souls He leads you to interact with, being a good witness full of grace and mercy and love with caution considerations in interactions that aim to bless as ambassadors for Christ. And that you can help one another, encourage, build up, and learn along the way from one another too.
Once in a while if an unsaved you all interacted with is at the Christian tag teams house, dm each other for quick call. Both of you Pray in advance of the call.
1. You can text or dm the tag team and ask someone, who recalls interacting with the unsaved one on a post, to call here for a short quick call to say "you were thinking about them and how's their day". Then the believer w the unsaved friend could say, oh its a great day. you know what my friend John is hanging out with me, I think 🤔you guys may have met on Facebook recently😊." Then say, "Jack, say hi to John". And put on speaker also the caller can say " hey John! How are you? Was nice to chat with you on Facebook. Look forward to meeting you some day😀." Let John reply. Then get off speaker and wrap up the call (to the caller) saying "thanks for thinking about me today. I'll keep you in prayer." Then when off the call you can say, " 😀we'll that was nice. David is such a nice and friendly Christian friend of mine😊." And go about the day as normal. It will have John recall the convo and maybe he will ask you something or just think about that convo w caller.
And the more in your Christian circle tag team who interact with John, the more future "quick calls" you can have.
Plus, if your Christian friend and John (or whoever it is) end up meeting up, (by planned brief local run in) or as part ofa generic "going to xyz, John come w me." Then among a few friends meeting up there, have a tag team member there whose interacted w John. (*if you weren't picked as the person going, do not feel sad or bummed, there's likely reasons that person was picked for that meet up, just pray and thank God that connection irl happened, as it's all for the gospel and souls sake👍. And praty seeds were sown, and that the unbeliever has good open feelings towards the tag member, so future interactions on sns are positive, good, open, considerate and not hostile when talking about Faith, and that the friend comes to Christ). Your friend might have everyone in the tag team meet that unbeliever (John or whoever) here and there, to interact with certian purposes, and might even say so in a dm. And might give you confidential background info to keep secret but in mind in convos with them. Never bring that info up in chats, just use it to be aware, and have a few ideas you could say if convos go that way at that meet up. But always keep your Christian friend in mind during the interactions w the unsaved friend [or family or coworker, or possible false convert]. Your 1st or 2nd hang out might be just to get them acquainted with you, so you have positive interactions on sns, before more better convo opps irl.
One note about groups you join. Make sure to read the group rules. If it says "no links", then you can just say "the NeedGod website explains it well" Or check out the free movie on my profile. Or something like that. If it says "no solicitation links" that's diff cuz ur not selling anything. And your not posting that on the group page. <<You're focused in the comments<<<.
However, if there's something you can think of to post on the page, see examples, to get a convo going that is related to the group... then go for it. Science? Science in the Bible. Food? Food Jesus ate. Name something NOT in the Bible that people Think is in the Bible. Etc. Nature: Evolution or God?
Video Viral videos are a good place for comments and interactions. But remember most replies should go off to a blog reply.
Note for Instagram
If creating a profile for witnessing -you can have several ig accts.
when posting link in comments on any posts, or even your own... send them to your bio page. Instagram algorithm is coded to push anyone who includes links, to the bottom. Your post wont be seen, and your comment might be hidden. So here is a better way...
1. In a IG post you made, in description, redirect them to the bio (see below)
2. In comments, refer them to your bio
You can post a main link to your bio area on your profile area. Highly recommend it as your table of contents page link. That's a page where you list and link all topics in the blog you want others to access. You can sort those links to answers by section. and number each link.
At end of ig posts on others pages, w links in reply, you can do ">>>" to direct them to see bio link. Such as " >>> see "Jesus Proved His Deity" #634, see link in bio".
A note on groups vs pages vs profiles
Most of your interactions will be on others posts and videos in "comments" section.
For secondary interaction after a convo was "done"... You can tag people you interacted with or replied to (or anyone you liked a reply of) to one of your image posts on ig, or @tag to a video short w answers. That moves a secondary possible option.
See demonstration (coming soon)
Creative ways to Use Social Media for the Gospel
Here are a few ways you can do this.
1. Where can you find opportunities. Think about what groups, pages, ministries and outreaches that you already follow, (or go and find some more to follow), and look through the feed there to find posts that have topics you could look through to reach out to the lost.
Every believer will be different, and that is diff ways God uses us. Some believers might be well versed in apologetics, or in knowledge of answers for atheism, evolution, creation, cults, or you might hardly have any knowledge in these areas. Your only area of info might be the Bible and that is ok!
If you have expertise in certain areas, you can go to those kinds of places on social media, follow those pages, ministries, science, abortion, wokeness, lbgt+, other anti Christian places, and work in those spaces for the gospel. Others will work in simple places where they can until they know more and can link to answers of various kinds. Everyone can works somewhere for the gospel and to bring glory to God while planting seeds.
2. Saving conversations for witnessing when you have time. Find a post or video that you think has potential for sharing the gospel. Click the dots on the top that give you access to the menu of that post. Select Bookmark or Save to. Then create a collection file and call it EVG (for evangelism) or Witnessing. Then save it there. Repeat this with many posts anywhere you look. Right now you're just saving posts.
Go into the Videos sections too. If you are in facebook or instagram or if you are on tiktok (dont recommend joining for security breaches from foreign owned business in china, but if you already have one might as well use it). In the videos section, if anything might be something you could find posts to witness in, then save those to a collection bookmarks too. Same in twitter, except you bookmark to one location instead of a collection.
I wouldnt get caught up in twitter spaces, as it's a time suck, constant conversations and few get a microphone. The person running the space could just cut you off and you've wasted 40 minutes being there. However, you can do offline chats with telemarketers and talk about the gospel. But that's a different thing for another topic and time.
But the point is, you can constantly save posts to a witnessing collection, and you can go into that collection, go into a post, go through all of the posts,
*if Christians have replied to questions you can move on to other comments, until you find ones you can contribute to the conversation, or answer objections (basically people looking for answers, or those who have wrong information about truth and God).
*If a Christian posted something for the gospel but did not include the gospel, you can simply say something like "Joe, I saw you're interest in this conversation discussing spiritual things. I am not sure if you've heard the gospel before or havent heard it explained well, but I wanted to make sure someone did. see NeedGod.com". It could be something they just flippantly responded to someone in the conversation about. But if there's a place where truth was shared, and no one linked to the gospel... It gives you an opportunity to do so. Even if its a stretch to say the above suggestion. If it might kinda fit, go with it. lol. it's an opportunity.
*Make sure to, for any and all, good Christian responses on the post, make sure to LIKE the comment. It helps push the Christian posts to the Most Relevant section or higher up on visual in the algorithm. So more are likely to see this post when they visit the post or video in the future.
Make sure to pray over the opportunity and for the ones you interacted with for the gospel.
Once you go through all the posts there, you can unsave the bookmarked post. Other believers will come around to that post when it keeps circulating around on social media this month, next month, next year, or 2 years from now when others are still posting thoughts and comments there.
Then move on to the next post in your witnessing collection and do the same thing.
Whenever you see new posts on your feed, or you intentionally go to the pages searching (fishing) for finding posts you can add to the witnessing bookmarks... do so. There's endless possibilities out there with millions of people on social media posting every day.
See Sample ideas page
Avoiding being Flagged by haters on Facebook and avoid being banned off the platform
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