Discussion Jumpstarter

Study leader reference - not a definitive answer

Question 6

In her evangelism counsel, she said one brief awkward interaction (“A believer in what?”) still “put a stone in my shoe”; what does that suggest about God’s use of imperfect witnesses, and how should it reshape the way you evaluate “success” in evangelism?

Another way to ask: If one awkward witness still bothered someone for years, what does that show about how God can use imperfect sharing? How should that change what you call “success” in evangelism?

Discussion Jumpstarter

Direct Answer
The transcript suggests God can use even clumsy, short interactions to provoke real spiritual questions over time, so “success” in evangelism shouldn’t be measured only by immediate visible results but by faithfulness and seed-planting.

Support from Transcript:

She tells of a sincere student who asked, “Oh, are you a believer?” and after her sarcastic reply—“A believer in what?”—he “walked away all apologetic and faint-hearted.”
Yet she says that moment “put a stone in my shoe” and made her ask, “Well, what do I really believe in?”
Her evangelism point #1 is precisely: “don’t be put off by someone who doesn’t seem interested.”
Point #3: “don’t be discouraged if you don’t see any fruit,” noting many people gave her tracts/Bibles and “none of them had the satisfaction” of seeing her conversion.
She hopes to tell them someday, implying unseen long-term fruit matters to God.
She also says some confident-looking people are secretly praying, “God, if you’re really out there… send someone,” meaning outcomes are often hidden.

Discussion Follow-ups What would change if you assumed your role is obedience, not controlling results? Are you more likely to “walk away apologetic” when someone seems unimpressed—and why?

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