Gospel tracts

What are Gospel tracts?

In a recent article on CARM's website Tony Miano discusses the background and origin of Gospel tracts. Tracts are defined as “a piece of writing expressing a strong belief, usually about religion or politics. Therefore, a gospel tract is a piece of writing expressing the gospel of Jesus Christ."
Miano then goes on to describe the origins of gospel tracts:

 “The distribution of tracts predates the development of the printing press, with the term being applied by scholars to religious and political works at least as early as the 13th century. They were used to disseminate the teachings of John Wycliffe in the 14th century. As a political tool, they proliferated throughout Europe during the 17th century. They were printed as persuasive religious material from the time of Gutenberg's invention.”

Are Gospel tracts biblical?

It is important to remember that not all tracts are equal and "a good gospel tract contains a succinct presentation of the law and the gospel, with a call to the reader to repent and receive Jesus Christ as his or her Lord and Savior", reports Miano.

In a successive article on the topic of Gospel tracts, Tony answers the question "Is the Use of Gospel Tracts Biblical?"  The short answer is yes.

"While the gospel is primarily a spoken message (Romans 10:14-17), the gospel can also be communicated through written correspondence. Hence, the existence of God’s inscripturated, infallible, inerrant, God-breathed Word (2 Timothy 3:16-17, 1 Corinthians 15:1-7). Therefore, the presentation of the gospel in written form is a valid and biblical means for communicating the gospel."

Sadly in today's American church, gospel tracts are not only viewed as ineffective, but also have been described as detrimental to the Christian witness. I have heard the terms "waste of time", "hokey", "old fashioned or antiquated." We are talking about the glorious Gospel of Jesus Christ! Whether spoken or written these are words never to be used to describe anything concerning the Gospel.

Why use tracts?

1. Because they work! I love handing out tracts and they make great icebreakers for getting into one to one witnessing conversations. 
2. God uses tracts. Many people testify to the fact that they were saved because of a tract, for instance the great missionary Hudson Taylor was saved because of a tract, so was George Whitefield. Doubtful?? Watch this!
3. They can go where I cant. In today's busy life it can be difficult to get someone to stop and engage in a quick conversation, but you can give them a tract that they can read later, plus it may make it into their home or workplace where many others may read it as well.
4. You cant argue with a tract. Its short and to the point and there is no arguing against them. 
5. They can do the witnessing for us. If we are too timid to speak to someone about the things of God, we can at least give them a tract, or leave it lying around so that someone will pick it up.
6. They speak to the person when they are ready--i.e. they don't read it until they want to.
7.  Dr. Oswald J. Smith said, "The only way to carry out the Great Commission will be by the means of the printed page." Billy Graham said, "Nothing surpasses a tract for sowing the seed of the Good News." The Apostle Paul said, "I might by any means save some."
8. Tracts are a great way to "get your feet wet" in personal evangelism. Its how I got started. First, I just left them where people would find them. After a short while I got the courage up and handed them directly to someone. Next thing you know I was using them to start conversations with people. 

Things to keep in mind and resources:

Not all tracts are created equal. Most Gospel tracts that I have received from a church are of the Roman Road type and of course concludes with the unbiblical sinners prayer. Stay away from them. You are not going to find a good tract in any of the major chain Christian bookstores, believe me I have looked. To reiterate what Tony Miano stated in the article a good tract will clearly present the law and the gospel and conclude with the call to repent and place their trust in Jesus Christ alone. 

Places to find good tracts:

Living Waters
One Million Tracts
Custom Tract Source 
I purchase the vast majority of my tracts from one of these three sites.

You can sign up with the Bezugen Tract Club and they will send you 30 tracts each month FOR FREE!! They of course encourage you to hand out one each day "as you go."

My favorite tract is the Million dollar bill. These things practically hand themselves out and I cant recall how many times I have had people come back and ask me for some more! How exciting is that!

Also love the giant 100 dollar bill and the optical illusion. 

Great ideas for speading the Gospel.:

• Since Christmas time is upon us these million dollar bills with Santa on them are so easy to give out. You could go through a 1000 of these easily on black Friday.
• I use these credit card ones in gas station pumps all the time. Just leave them in the slot for the next person who gets gas.
• Stuff tracts in beer cases at the grocery store
• Leave a million or trillion in the tray of a ATM or in the tube at the drive through at the bank.
•  How many credit card applications do you get in the mail each week? I average around 5. Guess whats in those? Prepaid postage envelope. Drop your favorite tract in the envelope and drop it in the mail. You never know who is opening up those envelopes. (Hey, don't judge me, they send me unsolicited paper in the mail, I'm just returning the favor :)
• Along with a generous tip at the restaurant, even if the service was sub par. (never ever just leave a tract!)
• Inside a book at the bookstore. I especially like to put them inside occult, witchcraft, and new age books.
•  Place Halloween themed tracts in kids trick or treat bags along with the candy.
• Fairs, parades, and festivals are prime places to hand out tracts.
• Make your neighbors some treats and include a tract with them.
• And one of my favorite ways is when you go through the drive thru give the cashier a tract (I like to ask them if they can break a large bill and hand them a giant 100 dollar bill, which always gets a smile or laugh and usually a request for more), then pay for the persons meal behind you in line and ask the person at the window to let them know their meal is paid for and give them a tract too. You can watch Trish Ramos show you how its done here. 

Giving out tracts is easy, inexpensive, and effective way of delving into what Christ has called us to do and a great way to start your journey in personal evangelism. But, the most important aspect of handing out, sending, or leaving tracts is cover them in prayer!! Pray over every tract you distribute. Ask God to use them for His glory, that it will be read by the person He wants it to be read by, and that it will bring the conviction of sin leading to genuine repentance and faith in Jesus Christ. 

I pray that this encourages you to begin your personal evangelism journey today. Please feel free to ask any questions in the comment section below. 

Grace, Love, and Peace
Steven