TREASURE HUNTING
Based on The Book " The Ultimate Treasure Hunt "by
Kevin Dedmon
What is it
Treasure Hunting is a form of evangelism
where the Holy Spirit is actively involved beforehand giving you
clues, regarding who He wants us to speak to, and where He wants
us to go, to find His treasure. When you go out in small groups
you have the clues to pin point the individual who God has selected
to have a divine encounter. The Holy Spirit will be with you to
help, supplying addition information and insights. The individuals
life (The treasure) will be opened up by the clues given on The
Treasure Map or by a demonstration of power which may include
healing, prophecy or just a good feeling that something unusual
is happening. This can lead to them being receptive to the gospel
of Jesus Christ.
Quote from the cover of the book "The Ultimate Treasure Hunt"
leads believers into a supernatural lifestyle of kingdom building.
The Author Kevin Dedmon captures the heart of witnessing and personal
evangelism by showing how healing. miracles and deliverance can
be reqular occurrences.
How does it work
Heaven Strategy was to demonstrate the manifest presence of God
through signs and wonders, then to explain what happened, waiting
for the right positive response, before asking for commitment
to Jesus Christ. We need to demonstrate
the spirits power, first and foremost as this gives us a credibility,
that what we speak is the truth. In the Post Christian world people
need to feel that God, is touching them in a personal way. They
seek evidence, before they will commit themselves to what many
see as a failed way of living of the past era.
Advantages
The main advantage of this form of evangelism
is that it is spirit led from first to last. And because it led
by the spirit, unless we (that is our personality) gets in the
way, it is sure to succeed. We are looking at any time for one
individual and because the communication is personal, most people
can manage to do this. Public speaking is not required. Yes it's
done usually in the streets, but if it's done in a sensitive way
there is little opportunity for offence. Usually if the clues
are wrong, you can usually just make an excuse and walk away.
Treasure Hunting is Scriptural
We can hear as believers, what the Holy
Spirit wants to give us for the occasion.
Hearing from God personally is scriptural.
It's a Gift of the Spirit " words of Knowledge " 1 cor
12v8,
Jesus said "My sheep hear my voice" John 10v3.
He who belongs to God hears what God says John 8v47a
He promised the Holy Spirit to us to be our guide John 16v13
Its also scriptural because sign and wonder are available, to
meet needs of the
individual as required. Paul says in 1 Corinthians 2v4 that his
message and preaching were not with wise and persuasive words,
but with a demonstration of the spirits power.
And these signs will accompany those who believe. Mark 16v17
Its also scriptural because it was done in the early church
Ananias was a treasure hunter Acts Chapter 9v10 who searched for
Saul. Who became Paul the great apostle because of Ananias faithfulness
and his willingness to combat his fears. Ananias listened to the
Lords direction, and not only did he find Saul but healed his
blindness.
Getting started
There are two main obstacles in the way
of getting started, forming a group with a real desire to reach
out to others, and combating the fear of actually doing it.
I want to tell you that there is a excitement that is unequaled
when you know that God has shown you his treasure, and that you
are participating with the Holy Spirit. Events just flow, you
do not stumble for words, and you even surprise yourself how did
that happen ? However for it to happen, you must go well beyond
your comfort zone. Fear is the big stumble block that will prevent
you from finding your treasure. You will need to take charge of
the demonic atmosphere that is always surrounding. Telling you
this is crazy, you never do it, you are never going to find anything
today. Their all lies, The truth is that God wants you to find
His Treasure, God want each person to know Jesus Christ the savior
of the world. And He is directing you today to be His channel
in that person's salvation.
What do you need
You need the Treasure Map which can be done before hand in an
attitude of prayer, see the sheet the treasure map on page 213/214
of the book. You can photo copy and fill in the columns and rows
( Location, Name, Appearance, Need, Unusual.) with clues that
you believe God has given you for the occasion.
The real point of the Treasure Hunt is to convince people that
they are God's treasure, that God is searching for them. To do
so we need favor in their eyes in order to influence them towards
Christ. We can do this by practical acts of service by meeting
their needs according to the power within us. ( Eph 1v19 ) His
incomparably great power.
Healing is meant to be a normal part of the Christian arsenal,
in demonstrating the kingdom of God. It is an essential tool for
a Treasure Hunter, and the primary key to releasing healing is
the name of Jesus. It's issued as a command
(stomach be healed). Some times touch is necessary because physical
healing is just a matter of releasing the presence of the Holy
Spirit.
Supernatural -prophetic insights are also essential Treasure
Hunting equipment. Getting words of knowledge are vital to convincing
your treasure that this meeting is genuine.
Prophetic insights are used to show people there gifting and destiny,
and should be used to build people up.
Supernatural measure of faith is also essential Treasure Hunting
equipment because the kingdom of God operates by faith. God honours
faith. Without faith it impossible to please God ( Hebrews 11v6
), but Jesus never describes the amount
of faith required to do miracles. But was simple looking for a
Yes or No answers to his question " do you believe that I
am able to do this ? ( Matt 9v28-29 ). He asks that question every
time we are put on the spot, and the need is in front of us.
Holy Spirit involvement
It is the Holy spirits work from first to
last, and we are just co-workers with him.
We learn from scripture that the Holy Spirit can be present with,
rest upon, and be within a believer. Knowing the Holy Spirit as
a person, starts at conversion but for many is a secondary event,
the baptism of the Holy Spirit, after conversion. The Holy Spirit
provides the power to witness to Christ. You are never alone when
you Treasure Hunt, you always have the Holy Spirit with you.
How to be successful
God is more interested in our level of faith to take risks, than
our performance or success. He is looking first at our obedience,
and will reward it whether or not we find the treasure. Nevertheless
God desires to successful in every endeavor He pursues, He wants
to win that treasure more than you. Treasure hunting is not based
on having the right clues it's based on pursuing those clues.
There need to be a certain creativity in interpretation of the
clues, a thinking outside the box.
Doing it on your own
Treasure hunting is normally done in groups
of two or three but can be done on your own, at any time as long
as you are interacting with people. You just write down one column
of the treasure hunt clue plan. The location can be the place
you know you are going to or it can be a place where your treasure
normally lives. The name can be just the first letter of the name
and keep the appearance simple, if you know you will not be meeting
many people. You need to be conscious of it during your day. Asking
first does your name begin with a ………letter of
the name or do your come from ……… location. Show
them your treasure clues and trust God to open up the conversation.
Treasure hunting can be a lifestyle and not just a planned event.
Treasure hunting clearly promotes and facilitates the taping into
the supernatural resources of the kingdom to bring heaven down
to earth. But we can demonstrate the kingdom though our witness
in whatever creative ways that God directs us. We can live naturally
supernatural lives, so that we release His presence where ever
we go. We need to know we are anointed and authorized to release
His Kingdom. Its not about the way we pray, that bring about the
breakthrough, it more about the presence we carry.
The sections in blue are my own experience of treasure hunting,
and are not included in the book. Written by John Watson June
2013 Doncaster. UK
