LIFESTYLE WITNESSING
Based on the Bible study “Lifestyle Witnessing” by Randy K. Hunter. Adapted by Pastor Tim Wagner.
Course Outline:
• Lesson Two—Seize Opportunities
• Lesson Three—Create Opportunities
• Lesson Four—Witness with the Teaching of Election in Mind
• Lesson Five—Get Ready to Speak
• Lesson Six—Adapt
• Lesson Seven—Let the Church Help
• Lesson Eight—Speak the Gospel: It’s Our Goal 1. On the half-sheet provided for you, write your personal goal(s) for this course. Those goals
may or may not be reflected in the lessons listed above. I will compile your goals, distribute them next week, and use them to set the direction for this course.
After you have completed the exercise above, please discuss the next two questions with those at your table: 2. React to this statement: We need not agree on how to tell others about our Savior. The
opportunities are too many and too personal to demand a one-size-fits-all program.
3. Explain why the following statement is true: We don’t need guilt to motivate us to tell others about Jesus.
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson One – Begin with God’s Word
Introduction First and foremost, witnessing requires faith in Christ. When our Lord gives us Christ, we want to know more about him. We want others to have him too. Telling others about our joy in Jesus is as natural as telling them that our team won the championship. Equipping ourselves to share our joy is equally as natural. A key to witnessing is prayer. During the course of this study, ask God to help you grow to become a better witness. Ask him to keep your eyes open for opportunities to witness. Ask him to let the joy of salvation permeate your life. Most of all, pray for the people who will hear your message and witness Christ living in you.
Studying God’s Word Begin with God’s Word: A place to start
Read 2 Corinthians 5:17-21. 1. What does the word reconcile mean? 2. According to verse 19, God wasn’t just reconciling us to himself. He was reconciling the
world to himself through Christ’s life and death. How does that affect our witnessing? 3. How is the role of a government ambassador like or unlike our role as Christ’s
ambassadors? 4. What does the word implore suggest about our attitude as we witness? 5. Verse 21 has been called the great exchange verse. Try putting it into your own words or
drawing a diagram of it below.
His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 6. The Christian life is a gift and a time of growth. We receive God’s gift at Baptism when
the Spirit works faith in Jesus and washes away sin. From then on our lives are about growth. Yet even when we struggle with inconsistencies and character flaws, we are forgiven children of God. How does that truth help you as a witness for Christ?
7. The Holy Spirit causes us to grow closer to Jesus through the Word and sacraments. In
your experience, how has your closeness to Jesus affected your witnessing? 8. An unbeliever tells you, “I don’t know about all this forgiveness stuff. I know some
guys who are drinkers, womanizers, and vulgar speakers, but they say they’re Christians and they’re forgiven. I don’t get it, but I don’t think I like it.” What do his comments indicate about our role as ambassadors for Christ?
Begin with God’s Word: A message to speak
Read John 1:29. 9. The Old Testament priests continually sacrificed lambs as payment for sin and as God’s
way of communicating forgiveness. Identify some differences between the lambs they offered and the Lamb of God.
10. Imagine you’re one of John’s followers. You’ve never met Jesus, but you know John.
Why would you follow Jesus? His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 11. Imagine talking with a friend who isn’t a Christian. What’s the difference between these
two approaches? A. “Jesse, are you saved? You are if you believe what Jesus has done for you.” B. “Jesse, Jesus loved you enough to die for you. Really! God is at peace with
you. Take him at his word.”
Witnessing starts with God. He makes us new creatures through faith in his forgiveness. He makes us his ambassadors with a message to share.
12. At an open forum at church, one person says, “I think we should get more involved in supporting mission work in other countries and do more to help our sister mission churches in town.” Someone else says, “I’m all for it, but we’re too small right now. We need to put our efforts into building up this church. Then we can give more service to others.” What would you say?
Begin with God’s Word: A power to share
Read Romans 1:16,17. 13. Complete this sentence in as many ways as you can: The gospel is . . . 14. The Greek word Paul uses for “power” sounds very much like our word dynamite. How
does God’s choice of that word affect your view of witnessing? 15. The Bible tells us that the gospel reveals “a righteousness from God.” Which meaning
do you think gets to the heart of what this phrase is speaking about? A. The gospel emphasizes God’s perfect sinless condition. B. The gospel emphasizes our status before God because of Jesus’ perfect life for
us. 16. The gospel itself is God’s power for salvation. Still, we spend countless hours and
dollars planning a strategy for outreach and trying to attract unchurched people to our church through advertising, church programs, and even architecture. If the gospel is the power, why put so much effort into outreach methods and strategies?
His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 17. In Bible study class, it’s easy to agree that we are not ashamed of the gospel. But when
we’re on the front lines witnessing to others, it’s not always so easy to make that claim. When might we be tempted to be ashamed of the gospel?
Our Lord has a big vision for his church. Let’s ask him to make ours just as large! An opportunity to announce God’s good news comes with every person we meet.
18. The Bible uses terms like witness and ambassador to describe us but doesn’t call us salespeople. Why not?
Summary
What great things we have seen and heard. We build our witness on all we have seen and heard through the eyes of faith.
Witnessing Activity Report A key component in this study is a weekly witnessing activity. Those who wish can commit each week to seek out one opportunity to verbalize their faith or set the stage for future witnessing. When this group comes together, we’ll share reports about our witnessing activities for the week. Have some fun with this. Don’t lay any guilt on yourself. Begin where you are and grow. The opportunities are everywhere.
Life with God • Day 1: Pray about your commitment to a witnessing activity this week. As you read each Scripture
reading, ask God to send you a witnessing opportunity. • Day 2: Read Luke 15:1-10. • Day 3: Read Luke 14:15-24. • Day 4: Read Matthew 5:13-16. • Day 5: Read John 17:13-19. • Day 6: Plan your witnessing activity report for the group.
Nothing in this world is more powerful than the revelation of God’s gift of righteousness. This week, remember to thank God for revealing that this gift is yours by faith alone. Ask him for help to overcome any shame you might have in sharing it.
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson Two – Seize Opportunities
Introduction Read and react to the following two scenarios with those at your table:
1. From the time she was a child, she dreamed of treating people in a hospital. Finally, her dream comes true. Her excitement builds as she drives to the hospital for her first day of official duty. But an accident ahead stops traffic. She gets out of her car and sees mangled bodies but does nothing. She retreats to her car upset that she can’t get to the hospital to practice medicine.
2. A baby becomes a child of God through Baptism. That baby grows physically and
spiritually. Maybe he even goes to a Lutheran school for 8, 12, 16, or 22 years. He’s thankful for all God has done for him and wants others to have what he has. He’s heard that evangelism is the mission of the church. He isn’t sure how, but he knows he should somehow share his faith.
On Monday a coworker says at lunch, “I don’t know what to tell my daughter about her grandpa’s death. What would you say?” He winces, “That’s a tough one. I’m not sure.”
On Wednesday the person cutting his hair asks, “I’m not very religious, but it doesn’t seem like prayer does any good. What do you think?” He replies, “Yeah, seems that way sometimes.”
On Friday his racquetball opponent admits, “I sure can feel myself slowing down. Guess we can’t go on forever, huh?” He replies, “No, guess we can’t.”
On Sunday the man says to his pastor, “When are we going to do some door-to-door canvassing? Isn’t that what we’re here for?”
Witnessing Activity Report At the end of the last lesson, we were invited to “commit each week to seek out one opportunity to verbalize their faith or set the stage for future witnessing.” This is intended to be a fun, guilt-free opportunity for growth in witnessing. Spend a few minutes now talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures from the past week.
Studying God’s Word Seize Opportunities: Find opportunities unique to you
Read 2 Kings 5:1-19. 3. Read this story with those at your table, one paragraph at a time, writing down your
observations and questions as you go. Then construct a series of bible study questions based on this account. Give special attention to the characters in the story and how they took opportunities to be witnesses or were affected by the witnessing of others. Choose one person to compile the bible study questions for your table.
His Word in My Life 4. Illness can provide the opportunity for witnessing. Talk about a time either your illness
or someone else’s illness gave you the opportunity to let your faith show.
5. Sometimes it seems as if children are the best teachers. If you have ever seen a child simply speak his or her faith, share that experience with the group.
The Lord gives us various opportunities to witness. Some situations may be pleasant, and some may be unpleasant. But if we are looking, we’ll see plenty of opportunities.
Seize Opportunities: Make the most of your circumstances Read Daniel 1:1-20. 6. How was Daniel’s life in Babylon different from the life he had known in Jerusalem? 7. In a single word, how would you characterize Daniel’s lifestyle witness? 8. In what ways was Daniel willing to compromise and change his life? 9. What was Daniel unwilling to compromise? His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 10. What unique witnessing opportunities might you find if you move to a new
neighborhood?
11. Daniel could have been obnoxious about his desire not to eat Babylonian food, but he wasn’t. There was something winsome about his way with the Babylonian official in charge. Discuss how the old adage “you’ll attract more flies with honey than with vinegar” applies to our lifestyle witnessing.
12. List some preferences you would be willing to compromise in order to present a more
attractive witness to someone.
It shouldn’t surprise us that God blesses our witness. God plans opportunities for each of us, wherever we are and in whatever circumstance we find ourselves.
Summary One child of God meets hundreds of people each week. Another meets no one except the mail carrier. One crisscrosses the country. Another never leaves town. Yet all are witnesses to their Savior. Give some examples of how each by his or her lifestyle can give testimony to God’s love in Christ.
Life with God • Day 1: Ask the Lord to make you more committed to a witnessing activity this week. Ask the Lord
to help you see the opportunities. • Day 2: Read Psalm 66. How did the psalmist demonstrate his faith? • Day 3: Read Psalm 62. How do these words encourage you to witness? • Day 4: Read Psalm 112. In what different settings does the writer remind us to witness? • Day 5: Read Psalm 139. You were unique from the beginning! • Day 6: Plan your witnessing activity report for the group.
Your Personal Goals for “Lifestyle Witnessing” (compiled from your responses to last week’s “survey”)
• To attend all 8 lessons
• To study God’s Word
• To understand the Bible more
• To continue learning items about our faith and the Bible
• To grow in my faith and become more comfortable with it, that I can be more comfortable sharing it
• To gain some insight about how Jesus can help see you through tough times
• To share time with fellow Christians
• To enjoy fellowship with other Abiding Peace Christians
• To improve on my personal walk to be a better godly example to my children, extended family and friends
• To get a better understanding of lifestyle witnessing
• To learn how to see more opportunities
• To learn how to respond in a manner that best enables witnesses without offending people
• To learn how do diffuse other comments and positions
• To discover good resources
• To discover a balance between witnessing and “pushing away”
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson Three – Create Opportunities
Introduction
The congregation thought it would soon die. The members were aging. The neighborhood had changed. The elementary school next door was bad news. What could they do? One day the pastor discovered that one elderly member was quite a piano player, even at her age. He had learned during home visits that several others loved to bake. One day, just as school let out, some church members opened the double doors in the basement of the church and nudged the old upright piano out onto the sidewalk. As the elderly woman played, the kids walking home from school stopped. Some made requests. Some started singing. Other women handed out cookies and lemonade. The pastor introduced some “Jesus” songs, and the members all agreed to do it again the next week. In a short time, kids were crowding the church grounds to sing songs, visit with the grandmas and grandpas, and eat cookies after school. And a whole bunch of gray-haired saints were smiling again. The opportunities are right in front of us. We only need eyes to see them!
Witnessing Activity Report
Spend a few minutes now talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures from the past week.
Studying God’s Word Create Opportunities: See all opportunities
Read Luke 8:26-39. 1. Some opportunities to share our faith are more threatening than others. Put yourself in
Jesus’ shoes. What factors might have led you to steer clear of this situation?
2. What do verses 36-37 teach us about evangelism?
3. Someone wrote, “It’s not necessary and it’s often unwise to choose the scene of your own martyrdom.” How does the threat or possibility of danger affect our witnessing?
His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 4. Jesus gave the healed man a one-sentence-evangelism-training course: “Return home and
tell how much God has done for you.” What do we learn from this advice about: a. Opportunities for witnessing?
b. Persistence in witnessing?
c. The content of our witnessing?
5. Do you find anything surprising in how the man responded to Jesus’ instructions?
6. Do you find it more difficult to witness to family members or strangers? Why?
Create Opportunities: Show kindness with purpose Read 1 John 3:16-18. 7. The end of verse 16 doesn’t have to refer only to literally dying for someone else. In
what other ways might we have opportunities to lay down our lives for others? 8. The love of God in verse 17 could refer to God’s love for us, or it could refer to a
believer’s love for God. Which do you prefer? 9. Why do we need the encouragement of verse 18? 10. How might loving with actions and truth create opportunities to witness about Jesus?
We may have our hearts set on one witnessing situation: a stranger, a family member, a coworker. That’s fine, but let’s not close our eyes to other opportunities that may surface.
His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 11. Agree or disagree, and defend your answer: Sometimes the best witness is kindness.
12. Many things make it difficult to “love with actions.” What can help you overcome each of these difficulties?
a. I am different from the other person.
b. The other person is living an unchristian lifestyle.
c. I might be rejected.
What other difficulties could you add to this list, and what can help you overcome them?
13. Brainstorm a list of people or groups of people to whom our congregation might be in a good position to witness. Then, brainstorm ways that we, as individual Christians or as a congregation, can try to create opportunities to witness to each of them.
Doing sincere acts of kindness for others may open doors for witnessing opportunities.
Summary We train ourselves to notice certain things. A detective looks for clues, a journalist for a story, a photographer for a picture, a nurse or doctor for changing vital signs. These people weren’t born looking for those things. They learned how to find them. In the same way, as we study and apply the Scriptures to our lives, we can learn how to spot witnessing opportunities.
Closing Prayer Read responsively the hymn “I Hear the Savior Calling” (CW 560:1-3,5).
A: I hear the Savior calling! The gospel comes to me. My eyes once closed in blindness Are opened now to see B: That I myself was helpless To live eternally,
But, dying, Christ did save me, And now he calls for me!
A: I hear the Savior calling! He leads a soul to me, A soul in bitter anguish, One needing to be free.
B: The gift I have to offer Is Christ, my Lord’s decree That all have been forgiven—My Savior calls for me!
A: I hear the Savior calling! He gives this charge to me: To serve the best I’m able, Whate’er the call may be. B: Thus hand in hand with others Who share the gospel key We spread the gospel tidings—My Savior calls for me! A: I hear the Savior calling! His call has urgency! Each moment souls are dying; Soon comes eternity. B: And so, my precious Savior, This is my humble plea: Prepare me for my mission For you are calling me!
Text: © 1993 John C. Lawrenz. Used by permission.
Life with God • Day 1: Ask the Lord to help you see witnessing opportunities. • Day 2: Read John chapter 1. • Day 3: Read John chapter 2. • Day 4: Read John chapter 3. • Day 5: Read John chapter 4. • Day 6: Plan your witnessing activity report for the group.
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson Four – Witness with the Teaching of Election in Mind
Introduction
Imagine meeting a visitor as you leave church. What if that person’s conversion depended on you doing or saying the right thing? How would you feel? Thank God, it doesn’t. Our salvation, from beginning to end, depends on God’s work. And he wants all to be saved. Today we’re going to discover the connection between election and witnessing.
Witnessing Activity Report
Spend a few minutes now talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures from the past week.
Studying God’s Word Witness with the Teaching of Election in Mind: The church grows by grace
Read Ephesians 1:3-14 and discuss questions 1-4 with those at your table. 1. List all of the words or phrases that describe what God has done for you.
2. List the two phrases that describe what you do (both are in verse 13). Now read Ephesians 2:8,9. Cross out the thing that we do only because the Holy Spirit has worked in us the desire and ability to do it. What do you have left?
3. Read 1 Timothy 2:4 and Romans 2:8. What do these verses teach us about those who ultimately are lost?
4. Read Acts 13:44-48. How does Luke, the author of Acts, apply the doctrine of election to
Paul’s evangelism?
His Word in My Life 5. Agree or disagree: “Since God chose from eternity who would be saved, I don’t have to
be concerned about telling others about Jesus.” Explain your answer.
6. How do you know when a person won’t believe and it’s time to give up on your witness?
Witness with the Teaching of Election in Mind: Election gives confidence to witness Read Acts 18:5-11. 7. How do you think the Lord’s “little talk” (v. 9-10) with Paul affected his attitude and
zeal? 8. A year and a half was a long time for Paul to stay in one place. Why do you think he
stayed so long? His Word in My Life 9. How does the Bible’s teaching of election help you in witnessing? 10. One pastor once advised, “Work and witness as if it all depended on you. Then take
comfort, knowing that it all depends on God.” What was he trying to say?
God’s election frees us from pressure as we witness. This comforting truth builds joy into the sharing of our faith!
God told us about the teaching of election to encourage us to rely on his grace.
Summary Without a proper understanding of election, we become a reason a person comes to faith. The burden is on us. But God will bring into his church all who are his. Our role is to show his love and speak his Word. We must go forward with the knowledge that God wants all to be saved.
Life with God God’s motive for choosing you is his grace. Search your daily readings for insights on his grace. Jot down your thoughts to share with the group next time. • Day 1: Read Romans 8:14-17. • Day 2: Read 1 Peter 1:1,2,20. • Day 3: Read Galatians 4:8,9. • Day 4: Read Romans 8:28-34. • Day 5: Read 2 Thessalonians 2:13. • Day 6: Read 2 Timothy 1:9, and plan your witnessing activity report for the group.
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson Five – Adapt
1. Before we begin, help those at your table get to know you by sharing your plans for
summer travel or other activities.
Introduction
Most of the time poor communication stems from differences. We tend to believe that others see things the way we do. But a key to communicating effectively is to discover the other person’s perspective.
This principle is also true when we’re communicating our faith. For example, how would you respond if a coworker said to you, “I could never believe in God the way you do”?
On the one hand, you could become defensive and argue with him. You could tell him he’s lost and quote a Bible passage or two. Or you could reply, “That’s interesting. Tell me what you think about my God.” Which response do you think will help you gain the other person’s perspective and, perhaps, trust?
We have the most important news in the world. We want to communicate it as well as possible. This means adapting to other people’s communication styles or needs. It means, as Paul said, “We put up with anything rather than hinder the gospel of Christ” (1 Corinthians 9:12).
Witnessing Activity Report
Spend a few minutes now talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures from the past two weeks.
Studying God’s Word Adapt: Apostolic Adaptability
2. Read 1 Corinthians 9:19-23. In your own words, state the principle Paul followed when ministering to others.
3. Read the following passages, and explain how Paul followed this principle in each place:
a. Acts 16:1-3 – Lystra:
b. Acts 21:20-26 – Jerusalem:
c. Acts 17:22-23 – Athens:
d. 1 Corinthians 8:7-13 – Corinth:
His Word in My Life – Please discuss these questions with those at your table. 4. Paul teaches us how important it is to adapt, but he also reminds us that there are limits:
“I am not free from God’s law but am under Christ’s law” (1 Corinthians 9:21). How might we be tempted to sin in adapting our methods to reach others?
5. Discuss how the following possible “weaknesses” in those outside our church might affect what we do as a congregation or individually:
a. “The church only wants my money.”
b. “Drinking alcohol is wrong (or at least leads to other sins).”
c. Others you’ve heard? 6. Learning to adapt is not easy. First, we have to know when it’s necessary to adapt. Then,
we must overcome our natural aversion to changing our way of doing things. Discuss changes in our congregation (or previous congregations) that it has been difficult for you to adapt to (or potential changes for which you anticipate difficulty adapting). How can we help one another adapt to such changes?
Paul’s goal is the Spirit’s goal: to win the lost. When that becomes our goal, we’ll be more eager and able to adapt to others.
Adapt: Divine adaptability Jesus knows what is in a person’s heart. He also knows the unique needs of individuals. Three conversations in John chapters 3 and 4 demonstrate Jesus’ ability to deal uniquely with different personalities. His goal was the same: to bring each person to faith. But he varied his approach. He adapted his witness. 7. With those at your table, read your assigned portion of Scripture. Then identify how
Jesus adapted his communication with the person based on that person’s unique needs, background, burning questions, and anything else that makes the person unique.
a. John 3:1-21 – Nicodemus
b. John 4:4-26 – The Samaritan Woman
c. John 4:46-53 – The Royal Official
His Word in My Life 8. How and why should you avoid stereotyping, as you adapt how you share your faith
with someone?
9. Discuss the pros and cons of using a prepared law-gospel presentation in sharing your faith with others.
Jesus didn’t waste his time blaming age, gender, or personality differences for an inability to communicate God’s love. He adapted. So can we.
Summary Take each witnessing situation as you find it. Don’t force the person to fit into your mold. Rather, adapt your approach and presentation to the person. Be flexible. Try to think like the other person. Address his or her questions and concerns, and try to lead the conversation back to Jesus.
Life with God Read the gospel of Mark this week, and note how Jesus communicated differently with various individuals. • Day 1: Read Mark chapters 1 and 2. • Day 2: Read Mark chapters 3 and 4. • Day 3: Read Mark chapters 5 to 7. • Day 4: Read Mark chapters 8 to 10. • Day 5: Read Mark chapters 11 to 13. • Day 6: Read Mark chapters 14 to 16, and plan your witnessing activity report for the group.
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson Six – Let the Church Help
1. Before we begin, share with those at your table your favorite thing about Abiding Peace.
Introduction
In the Greek the word for grace is closely related to the word rejoice. Grace allows us to rejoice. We rejoice in Jesus’ life, sacrifice, and resurrection. We rejoice that by faith in his Son, God declares us not guilty. That’s grace. Church is a special place at which grace is given. Today we’ll discuss how this place of grace we call church can help us share the joy of our salvation.
Witnessing Activity Report Spend a few minutes now talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures from the past week.
Studying God’s Word Let the Church Help: A Place to Worship in Spirit and Truth
Read John 4:5-24. 2. Jesus hit a little too close to home for the Samaritan woman (“you have had five
husbands, and the man you now have is not your husband” [verse 18]). She tried to turn the conversation into an argument about church. What do you learn about witnessing from Jesus’ response?
3. Explain the two things that make worship God-pleasing, according to verses 23-24. 4. How does our worship meet those two requirements? His Word in My Life 5. Unbelievers who come to our worship services really can’t worship God. Not yet. But
they can observe us as we worship God. What kinds of things do you want them to notice?
Let the Church Help: A Place of Welcome
Read Colossians 4:5, 1 Corinthians 10:31-33, and 1 Corinthians 14:23-25. 6. What did Paul teach churches about their response to visitors and guests? 7. We must be willing to adjust our preferences and even our worship practices for visitors
and guests. Why? His Word in My Life – Please discuss this question with those at your table. 8. When you have company over for dinner, do you do anything differently from your
daily pattern? If so, are you being hypocritical? No, you’re just being sensitive to your guests. Apply this principle to how we treat guests who come to our churches. Which of the following practices do you think are good, and which do you think are bad?
a. Reserved parking for visitors
b. Name tags for guests
c. Greeters outside the building or sanctuary
d. A clearly marked information table
e. A time for visitors to stand and introduce themselves
f. A “three-minute rule” for members—for the first three minutes after each service, you can’t talk to people you know, only people you don’t know!
g. A “three-check rule”—members should first look for someone they’ve never seen before, then look for someone they’ve never met before, and then, finally, look for their friends.
h. Other ideas?
We worship God in spirit and in truth. However, we also worship with fellow Christians, usually in some corporate gatherings. Christians may want to introduce their prospects to their congregations as soon as practical so the prospects can enjoy the benefits of being part of a larger Lutheran community.
Summary
Our church building is an important tool in evangelism work. It gives us a place to bring friends and relatives where they can hear and learn God’s Word. In closing consider this question: If you could change one thing about your church that would make it easier for you to invite friends, what would it be? Please share your thoughts with your pastor or the appropriate committee.
Life with God As you read this week’s Scripture readings, ask God to give you insights to help you worship him and invite others to do the same. • Day 1: Read 1 Corinthians chapter 10. • Day 2: Read 1 Corinthians chapter 11. • Day 3: Read 1 Corinthians chapter 14. • Day 4: Read Titus chapter 2. • Day 5: Read Psalm 40. • Day 6: Read Psalm 96, and plan your witnessing activity report for the group.
We ought to do everything we can to cater to the needs of visitors. God is bringing these people under our care, and we will want to serve them as honored guests.
Lifestyle Witnessing Lesson Seven – Speak the Gospel: It’s Our Goal
Prayer: Lord, thank you for filling us with a desire to tell others about the wonders you have performed and the refuge you provide in Christ. Let the joy you have given us overflow to the people who hear your Word from our lips. Amen.
Introduction 1. In Romans 10:17, St. Paul writes, “Faith comes from hearing the message, and the
message is heard through the word of Christ.” Ron says, “I don’t have to talk about Jesus. I share my faith everyday by the way I live my life.” What is wrong with his statement?
2. In Jeremiah 23:28, the Lord says, “Let him who has my word speak it faithfully.” Whose responsibility and privilege is it to share God’s Word?
We have seen how our whole lives become a demonstration of the Spirit who lives in us. Our lives are meant to attract attention, not to us but to God. Finally, God gives us opportunities to speak his Word. Today we’ll discuss what we might say. First, let’s discuss how we can interject Christ into our conversations and then consider developing our own personal witnessing strategy.
Witnessing Activity Report Spend a few minutes now talking about witnessing joys and frustrations, triumphs and failures from the past week.
Studying God’s Word Speak the Gospel: It’s Our Goal – Make it Natural
Read John 4:10-15,25,26. 3. The woman had asked Jesus for a drink of water. They talked about drinking water.
Then Jesus made the transition from earthly water to living water—his grace, which leads to eternal life. At first, the woman didn’t understand what Jesus was driving at. What lesson does this teach us about our witnessing?
4. Follow how the woman changed over the course of her conversation with Jesus. Read
verses 11 and 12, then verse 15, and finally verse 25. What change do you notice?
His Word in My Life 5. Your neighbor makes the following statements. With those are your table, brainstorm
how you might take the conversation in a Christ-centered direction. a. “My kids are driving me crazy.”
b. “It’s been a rough year for me.”
c. “The doctor doesn’t know what it is.”
Speak the Gospel: It’s Our Goal – Be prepared
6. Some will say, “Religion is a personal matter.” And, in a sense, they are right. My faith can’t save you, nor can yours save me. Nor are people likely to listen to what you have to say about their lives, unless it is clear that what you are saying matters for your life. Read each of the following passages, and write down why what each passage says is important to you:
a. Romans 6:23
c. John 3:16
d. Romans 3:23-24
e. Acts 4:12 His Word in My Life: Law-Gospel Presentations Learn one or more of the law-gospel presentations on the next two pages. Feel free to add you own style, without changing the basic truths communicated. While it’s important to learn the key points and even the bible passages that support them, practice communicating them conversationally in a style that is customized to your hearer.
This comes easy for very few people, so don’t be surprised if it feels uncomfortable at first. The more you talk about your faith, the more comfortable you will become (in general). And don’t forget to pray for the Holy Spirit’s blessing, as it is his power that changes hearts!
The more we talk about our Savior, the more natural it will become, both to us and the people we’re speaking with. Almost any subject can lead to a witnessing opportunity.
Your Story – My Story – His Story Your story – listen to a friend pour out their heart whether in sadness, joy, frustration, whatever. By using positive body language and simple encouraging questions, most people can be drawn out to talk about themselves. My story – share a similar or other event from your own life and how your faith, God, being a Christian etc helped you through it, magnified your joy, eased your frustration. Use “my story” to bridge to the love of God in Jesus. His story – end with the story of God’s love in Jesus told in your own words.
God’s Great Exchange (see possible passages below)
OUR ANSWERS Try to do more good than bad (scale/see-saw) Try harder (ladder) Try to be better than others
GOD’S ANSWER
Summary
Faith comes from hearing the message. We have the most wonderful and most powerful message in the world, as well as the incredible privilege of sharing it. We pray that God will grant us opportunities to do just that, and that he would equip and embolden us to speak fearlessly and lovingly when those opportunities arise.
Life with God As you read the Scriptures this week, discover important truths for your witnessing. • Day 1: Read Acts 18:1-11. • Day 2: Read Matthew 18:19,20. • Day 3: Read Romans chapter 12. • Day 4: Read Matthew 5:14-16. • Day 5: Read John 15:12-17. • Day 6: Read 1 Corinthians chapter 2.
7. The following are some reasons people give as to why they don’t speak about Christ. Perhaps you share some of them. Privately, think about or write down any other excuses you have used.
a. I might say something wrong. b. Religion is too personal. c. People will think I’m weird. d. I’m too shy. e. Someone might ask a question I can’t answer. f. g. h.
Read Romans 1:16. Privately confess your excuses to your God and seek his forgiveness in the same Savior whose forgiveness we are called to share. If you wish, you may confess your excuses to your spouse or other trusted friend, that you may help one another overcome your excuses. The final four pages of this Bible study are an article by ELS Pastor Brad Kerkow, in which he gives scriptural encouragement for overcoming our excuses.
Our witness doesn’t have to be a canned speech or a memorized presentation. We don’t have to quote the Bible by chapter and verse. We simply prepare ourselves to express the reason for our hope and let God guide us as we turn conversations to what really matters.
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Fear in Evangelism
“How do I talk to my Grandmother who is sick?”
“My co-worker expressed concern that her family needs a
church, but I didn’t say anything about mine or invite her. Why
didn’t I?”
“Our Evangelism Committee is conducting a special advertising
campaign for our church and they need volunteers. I know it’s
really important - there are so many people who need to hear of
Christ’s forgiveness, and our church has been “dwindling.” Part
of me knows I should help, but I am afraid and so I don’t.”
“There is a loudmouth at work who obnoxiously speaks out
against Christianity to workmates at any chance he gets. Yet I
remain silent, though strongly disagreeing with him inside.”
“How do I witness to my Father who has cancer and is dying?
Why am I afraid?”
know I have.
At the 2007 ELS Convention, seven discussion sectionals were
held to wrestle with the question, “How does Satan work to
hinder my witness?” Below are the raw responses reported to the
convention floor by each of the sectionals:
Sectional Group 1 “Self-conscious. Afraid to fail. Lack of
knowledge and confidence.”
members concerning faith – how will it affect the relationship?
Don’t know what to say.”
Sectional Group 3 “Don’t know what to say - Ignorance(?).
Fear– not equipped; rejection; reception.”
Sectional Group 4 “Personal discouragement – ineffective in
my witness; self-doubt. Fear of being looked in a negative light
(associated with J.W. or salesman)”
Sectional Group 5 “Fears… Theological ineptitude. Not
knowing all the answers. Lack of confidence.”
Sectional Group 6 “Fear, the worry of not saying right things
and fear of rejection”
Sectional Group 7 “The fear of not being well enough
equipped. Moses complex – fear that you are not able to speak.
Fear of failure.”
working independently from the others, listed fear as a reason.
Most groups listed it as the number one reason.
As God’s redeemed children who want to tell others about Jesus
our Savior, this is helpful to know. Just think about it. The first
step to overcoming a problem is to identify it. To overcome fear
in witnessing requires us to admit that we are afraid and WHY. If
we can do this, then we can identify solutions to overcome.
HERE’S THE QUESTION: What makes me afraid to speak to
others about Jesus?
The possibility of rejection
The possibility of failure.
Let’s discuss them.
I. A PERCEIVED LACK OF KNOWLEDGE
Many Christians are afraid to witness because they feel that they
will not know what to say. They think that they do not possess
enough knowledge of Scripture to witness. They may feel they
do not know how to describe the Gospel of Christ or their faith.
They may not know how to best “go about” witnessing. Self-
doubt causes many Christians to remain silent.
This self-doubt may be based in fact or it may just be a
perception. For instance, an adult convert, fresh from instruction
class, may genuinely not have a good grasp of the whole
Christian doctrine to articulate his or her new faith on every
point. (Why do infants need to be baptized? Why does my
church practice close communion?) But it is also possible that
the recent adult convert does have a firm grasp of the truths of
the faith, but simply is not confident about what he or she
knows.
WHAT DO I KNOW?
We are always to be growing in our faith. Confirmation and adult
confirmation class should be the beginning of a life long journey
into the Scriptures. It is my contention that for many Christians
their “lack of knowledge” is only perception. (They do know it,
but they don’t think they know it.) When we know the Christian
basics (“I am a sinner” “Christ died for me” “He rose again” “I
am going to heaven one day” “I am saved through faith alone”
etc.) and why they are essential, then we really have the
fundamental knowledge for witnessing. In its simplest form,
witnessing is describing to someone what you believe and why
you believe it so that they may believe it!
Many Christians lack confidence in saying what they do already
know. With a minimal amount of practice, Christians can express
the saving knowledge they have inside their heads and hearts.
HOW MUCH DO I NEED TO KNOW?
It is not necessary to know all the facts about the Christian faith
before one can be an effective witness. In fact, this would appear
to be a nice deception for Satan to employ to prevent a Christian
from ever witnessing. After all, when will we ever know all the
facts, in every passage of Scripture? Not even a seminary
professor would claim to have the whole scripture memorized
and be able to perfectly articulate it at any given moment.
Robert Kolb writes in his book, Speaking the Gospel Today,
“Often we think that the people to whom we witness will be able
to offer more formidable objections to our testimony that they
can, or that they will demand an uncommon degree of
knowledge.” (Page 262). In my ministry, I have learned this
lesson. I have taught many adult instruction classes where a
simple answer was all that was necessary to satisfy the student’s
question. Perhaps you have heard stories, perhaps you have
witnessed it, how effective a little child’s witness can be in
boldly speaking his or her faith in the simplest of terms: “I was
baptized and Jesus washed my sins away. You should be
baptized too!”
THE QUESTION
knowledge is real or perceived?
First of all, have faithful confidence! You probably already know
what to say, and indeed, Jesus has promised to give us the words
to speak. “Do not worry about what to say or how to say it.
At that time you will be given what to say, for it will not be
you speaking, but the Spirit of your Father speaking through
you” (Matthew 10:19-20).
Second, listen to God’s word in 1 Peter 3:15: “Always be
prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks you to give
the reason for the hope that you have.” The Lord tells us that
we should prepare to witness. This verse is not just addressed to
professional evangelists or missionaries, or pastors, but to every
Christian. What are we doing to prepare ourselves? Preparation
in any aspect of life takes effort. Think of the effort it takes to
prepare to go on a camping trip for a week. The planning, the
packing, the work to set up camp so that you can enjoy roasting
marshmallows around the crackling campfire. So too, the
Christian needs to prepare for witnessing to enjoy seeing the fire
of the Spirit spark and give spiritual life to another. Having said
that you will probably be surprised at how a little preparation
produces a lot of confidence. Make use of worship and
congregational Bible study. Make the effort to read your Bible a
little every day, and commit some key passages to memory. Ask
your pastor to lead some training classes on witnessing.
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In John 8:32, Jesus said, “If you continue in my Word, you are
my disciples indeed, then you will know the truth and the
truth will set you free.” The Christian becomes prepared to
witness, first and foremost, by “continuing in Christ’s Word.”
There are also many witnessing tools and programs that are also
available through the ELS Board for Evangelism. Visit us at:
www.learnaboutjesus.com. His Word brings freedom in His
forgiveness, freedom in the gift of eternal life, freedom to keep
trying, knowing that it is never in vain.
II. THE POSSIBILITY OF REJECTION
Another cause of fear in evangelism is the possibility and reality
of rejection. Sometimes rejection to Christian witness can result
in physical abuse, putting the Christian’s safety at risk. Rejection
of this sort has often occurred in the history of the Christian
Church and is still happening in certain countries today (see the
Voice of the Martyrs website:www.persecution.com). In the
United States this is extremely rare. We probably don’t know
anyone that has been harmed physically because they witnessed.
However unlikely it is, Christians may have fear for their
physical safety if they witness.
More likely is social rejection. Social rejection prevents many
Christians from sharing their Savior. After all, few of us enjoy
social conflict. It is not pleasant to experience confrontation or to
create a situation where ill feelings result, especially with friends
and family members. We also fear social rejection when we help
out with an evangelism project for our congregation, a
neighborhood canvass, for instance.
Added to this, many Christians are aware of the trend in our
society toward universalism, which teaches that all religions
have truth and that “all roads lead to heaven.” Alongside this
trend is another trend, to condemn Biblical Christian witness as
“intolerant” and “close-minded.” Christians do not enjoy being
labeled this way, simply because, in love, we proclaim what
Jesus said, “I am the way and the truth and the life. No one
comes to the Father except through me.” (John 14:6)
Scripture says much about all these fears. In fact, Scripture tells
us that we cannot and should not seek to avoid some level of
persecution as His disciples. Jesus said, “All men will hate you
because of me, but he who stands firm to the end will be
saved.” But He also tells us that we are blessed when this
happens and we should rejoice, because we have an awesome
reward of grace awaiting us in eternity.
SOME BIBLE PASSAGES FOR
heaven, for in the same way they
persecuted the prophets who
were before you.”
God also promises you that he will never leave you, even when
people reject you. NIV Hebrews 13:5-6 “God has said, ‘Never
will I leave you; never will I forsake you.’ So we say with
confidence, ‘The Lord is my helper; I will not be afraid.
What can man do to me?’”
God promises us that He is always with us. Psalm 46:1 “God is
our refuge and strength, an ever-present help in trouble.”
NIV Matthew 10:28 “Do not be afraid of those who kill the
body but cannot kill the soul. Rather, be afraid of the One
who can destroy both soul and body in hell. 29 Are not two
sparrows sold for a penny? Yet not one of them will fall to the
ground apart from the will of your Father. 30 And even the
very hairs of your head are all numbered. 31 So don’t be
afraid; you are worth more than many sparrows.”
NIV 1 Peter 3:13 “Who is going to harm you if you are eager
to do good? 14 But even if you should suffer for what is right,
you are blessed. ‘Do not fear what they fear; do not be
frightened.’ 15 But in your hearts set apart Christ as Lord.
Always be prepared to give an answer to everyone who asks
you to give the reason for the hope that you have. But do this
with gentleness and respect, 16 keeping a clear conscience, so
that those who speak maliciously against your good behavior
in Christ may be ashamed of their slander.
God is uniquely with us as believers. Our iniquities had
separated us from God, but Christ has reconciled us. 1 Peter
3:18, “For Christ died for sins once for all, the righteous for
the unrighteous, to bring us to God.”
In fact, Jesus ties his presence specifically with our/the Church’s
work of making disciples in the Great Commission. Jesus said,
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“Go and make disciples… And I will be with you always,
even to the end of the age” (Matthew 28:18-19).
III. THE POSSIBILITY OF FAILURE
The third cause of fear in evangelism that I have identified is the
possibility of failure. Some Christians have noted that it is easier
to talk about Jesus to a complete stranger than to a close friend.
Why is that? Perhaps if rejected by a stranger you can walk
away, no strings attached. You will probably never see that
person again. You may never think about them again. However,
if rejected by a friend or family member, the consequences are
far more personal. We want our loved one to believe in Jesus so
that they can escape hell and enter heaven! The Apostle Paul had
this attitude about his Jewish countrymen, “I have a great
sorrow and unceasing anguish in my heart. For I could wish
that I myself were cursed and cut off from Christ for the
sake of my brothers, those of my own race, the people of
Israel.” (Romans 9:2,3). We don't like to feel we that “blew it”
with someone we love.
Here’s something that we need to keep in mind: initial “failure”
is often the Lord’s recipe for future success. Maybe that fallout
will turn out to be a blessing of conversion later on. The law of
God stings and many will not acknowledge the truth of their sin
immediately. But the Lord is always working through his
witness. No, not everyone will come to faith. Remind yourself:
the reason for this is not your failure in some way. Remember
that Pharaoh, after witnessing the Lord’s mighty hand in Egypt,
only hardened his heart. Yet God assures us of His powerful and
effective word, and it will achieve his purpose!
NIV Isaiah 55:10-11 “As the rain and the snow come down
from heaven, and do not return to it without watering the
earth and making it bud and flourish, so that it yields seed
for the sower and bread for the eater, so is my word that goes
out from my mouth: It will not return to me empty, but will
accomplish what I desire and achieve the purpose for which I
sent it.”
It is the Holy Spirit that converts the heart working through the
word; we are simply God’s instruments. 1 Corinthians 12:3
“Therefore I tell you that no one who is speaking by the
Spirit of God says, ‘Jesus be cursed,’ and no one can say,
‘Jesus is Lord,’ except by the Holy Spirit.”
It is reassuring to know that God does the heavy lifting in
evangelism. It is a relief that Holy Spirit is the Great Converter!
WOW! He simply commands us to sow the seed – He will take
care of the outcome.
use a witnessing opportunity? The
questions that were asked in the
introduction to this article may remind
you of guilt that you have over failing to
witness. The Lord does not want our
failure to witness to cause us to lose
hope in Jesus Christ. Jesus is the
comfort in our failures and in our fears.
Christ forgives all of our sins, failures
and guilt, by his precious and innocent
blood shed on the cross. He brings us
eternal victory through his resurrection.
He brings us his forgiveness and eternal
victory personally through the Word of
God, baptism, and the Lord’s Supper.
Remember these words of Jesus when
we have fear, “Do not let your hearts
be troubled. Trust in God and trust
also in me” (John 14:1).