I've done a little training this weekend, and it was as much fun as a handout. I thought, why not share my tips online?
So, here it is.
First, you need some Bibles. New Testaments, here: http://www.lifeway.com/Keyword/hboi?Sz=20&type=products&sort=low - the lowest price I can find. I love "The Invitation"s. They are great Bibles, the recipients love them, and I've handed out many.
"But I want to hand out a WHOLE Bible, Heather". Best price I've found: http://www.lifeway.com/n/Bibles/Pew-&-Bulk?type=products&sort=low In addition to being a lovely Bible, they also have a lot of helps in the back, where to look, answers to common questions, etc.
What if you want to hand out something different? Well, let's go to Biblica. They have a LOT of very excellent low-cost Bibles. I'm not into porn, but I must look like it when I get one of their catalogs. I practically drool on them. Oh, yeah. I want THAT! http://www.biblicadirect.com/
You can often find "evangelism" Bibles at your local Christian bookstore if you don't want to order online. I have seen some really nice ones.
Alright, you've got your Bibles. You can hand them out as-is, but at minimum, I like to put a tract. Again, you can use your Christian bookstore, but they may be a little expensive at 10-15 cents a tract. Grace and Truth http://www.gtpress.org/ can print a tract for half a penny. I order large amounts of tracts. They all have good salvation messages.
Someone recently pinned me down on my favorites and it was really hard.
Debt Paid
7 Things that don't get you into Heaven
Where will you spend eternity?
The Bible
Getting right with God
You could get 100 of each, add in some shipping, donate $10 and they would love you forever.
I usually only do one tract, but if it's a whole Bible I might put in a reading plan: http://www.christianbook.com/year-bible-reading-plan-pack-tracts/good-news-publishers/9785550047231/pd/47233?product_redirect=1&Ntt=47233&item_code=&Ntk=keywords&event=ESRCP That's my favorite.
Now, do you have an awesome church (I didn't for many years, if you don't, skip this)?
If you do have a church, a good one, ask if they can give you a stamp, some return address labels, or some business cards to put into the Bibles. My pastor was thrilled to loan me a stamp. I just stamp every Bible with the church contact info. I want them to have a good place to grow.
You have the Bible, put a tract inside, and gave it some church contact info.
You need a sign. You have 2 ways to do it.
I live in Houston, and that means moisture. I went to the Christian bookstore (I am blessed with two, one does a lot of homeschool so they have large laminating machines, poster board, and very wide tip markers).
I bought a ultra-wide tip marker, and a poster board in fluorescent color. I lettered it with very large letters: Free Bibles. Then I had it laminated. It was easy.
My hands can shake a little from my lithium, so I prayed and asked God to guide me as I did it. He did. I suggest you store it flat once you get it home. Otherwise it can curl. I put mine between the exercise bike and the wall.
Now it's time to pray, if you haven't been already. Humble yourself, seek God's will, and ask Him to lead you where He wants you to go. He will do this.
I kept thinking about a particular corner, for instance. Pray and ask God to lead you to the right time. Sometimes I work in the morning; late afternoon, or evening. It depends on when I feel God is telling me to go.
He's pretty loud, if you listen.
Now it's time for the rules. One time I called the police about a man begging with his disabled daughter. She was crying to go home, and he had her out in the sun with no drink, no shade, to make money so he could go get drunk.
The dispatcher asked me three questions; and said they could do nothing to stop him if he didn't break these rules. So, they can't stop you unless you break these rules:
1. Don't touch the car. Don't knock on the window. God will draw the recipients to you. Your job is waving, smiling and giving them Bibles when they wave you over. Don't touch the car at all.
2. Don't take money. If you do, you just became a panhandler. At minimum, they can take the sign. Worst case, you could get arrested. If they insist, graciously tell them you can't, but you really need them to pray for "Everyone who got a Bible today". They want to do something, so let them! Prayer is very powerful and under utilized.
3. Don't impede traffic. I admit it, I do on occasion. Someone in the far right lane wants a Bible, I run out, give it, and the light changes. Then I'm stuck for a minute. TRY not to do it, watch the light and try to time it well.
When a recipient pulls up, I ask them how many Bibles they would like. If they have a wedding ring, ask if the spouse would like one too. If they have reading-age kids in the car, tell the driver you'd love to give the kids Bibles, too. Most recipients are delighted to get one for the whole family.
If I walk up to a car, and the window's down, I'll tell them "I'd love to give you a Bible! It would make my whole day!" If they say no I will sometimes pout comically, grin, and move on.
If they say they already have a Bible, I say something approving "Great!" and move on. I might ask them to pray for "Everyone who's getting a Bible today".
I'll ask anyone to pray!
All the Bibles are gone! Yay! Time to roll up the sign, pick up your litter, and go treat yourself! Don't forget to store the sign flat when you get home.
And pray for your recipients on a daily basis. Ask God to keep you humble and useful.
God wants to use you, you just need to figure out how.
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