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The Riddle
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SOLVE MY RIDDLE
The one who made it didn’t need it.
The one who bought it didn’t use it.
The one who used it didn’t know it.
WHAT IS IT?
THE ANSWER…
A COFFIN
eXPLANATION OF THE rIDDLE
There are an infinite number of ways to use the riddle to open a door for the sharing of the Gospel, depending on your personality, surroundings, flow of conversation, and other circumstances. Below is a description of how a riddle Gospel presentation might look with a large riddle* displayed on a street, in a park, or other public place.
* Solve the Riddle- The one who made it didn't need it. The one who bought it didn't use it. The one who used it didn't know it. What is it?
Here is one effective way to use the riddle:
Approach
Engage passers-by with a smile.
If desired, say, “Solve the riddle; win a prize!” to compel them to dialogue with you. Of course, to keep your word, you offer a small gift to those that guess the answer. Another way to begin is to say, “Your prize is to see this rope trick!” as you use it to share the Gospel with them. Otherwise, you can forgo the prize concept and just say something like, “Solve the riddle; get some Good News!
In a sturdy but friendly voice, say, ”Hey! What do you think the answer to this puzzle is? I’ll give you some clues if you need them!"
Riddle
Some clues could be:
It’s an inanimate, physical object.
It’s usually made primarily out of wood.
Most of us will need one someday.
The one that uses it doesn’t know it, because he’s dead.
After they guess "coffin" or "casket" to be the answer, congratulate them.
Transition
Then say, “True as it is, that’s kind of morbid that our bodies will end up in a box. That’s really bad news, but bad news makes the good news sound that much better.” Next ask, “Have you seen a rope trick yet today?” When they say no, say, “Then since this is the only one you’ll see today, that helps my chance of it being the best. "Let me use this to share the Good News with you."
Gospel Presentation
The person chuckles. Now you have good rapport. The person is engaged, listening, and trusting you, so go into the 3-rope trick which leads into the Gospel, then show him or her the way of salvation from God's Word!.
Verdict
After you share the Gospel, it is good to ask what they think of what you said. Their answer can lead into deeper conversation about whether they want to accept the Gospel or not. It's also powerful to give your testimony of what the Gospel means to you as a believer after you share the Gospel with them. Bring the dialogue down to what they want to do with the message you shared and why.
Conclusion
If they wish to be saved, show them how from God's Word, obtain their contact information, and talk to them about their new life in Christ. If not, thank them for their time, and offer them a Gospel tract. Seek to close on a positive note if at all possible.