One-Hour

WitnessingWorkshop

Section One

Welcome!

Section OnePurpose of Section:

To verify the biblical mandate for personal witnessingand the claim that Jesus is the only way to salvation

Matthew 28:18-20

1A

Then Jesus came to them and said, “Allauthority in heaven and on earth has been givento me. Therefore go and make disciples of allnations, baptizing them in the name of theFather and of the Son and of the Holy Spirit, andteaching them to obey everything I havecommanded you. And surely I am with youalways, to the very end of the age.”

Go and tell, make disciples,teach, baptize, makebelievers, and so on.

Clearly this passage tells us to be a witness forChrist. It is the biblical mandate. It expresses themarching orders of the church and every individualthat has been saved. This passage is referred to asthe “Great Commission.”

What does this passage tell us to do?

1B

Thank you for making acommitment to be present at thistraining. It reflects your desire tobe obedient to the cause of Christand to be vitally involved in Hiscommission.

1C

Acts 4:12

The message of this text is clear. It isonly through Jesus, there is no other wayto salvation.

What does this passage say aboutsalvation?

1D

Acts 4:12

“Salvation is found in no one else, for there isno other name under heaven given to men bywhich we must be saved.”

So, if we have been given a commission,and if there is no other way to be savedother than through Jesus Christ, howshould these two verses affect the way welive our Christian lives?

The answer is obvious: We should beobedient to the commission of Christ and toseek to share with others the good news thatsalvation is available through Him.

1E

This is an issue for many believers.They want to be obedient in this area, but theysimply don’t know how to share this good news.This causes them to be fearful.

Today, we will teach you a very simple processby which you will be able to share this goodnews as you seek to be involved in thiscommission.

1F

To the best of my ability andwith the Lord’s help, I will shareChrist as opportunities arise.

1G

Prayerfully make this commitment:

Your name

If this expresses your desire, sign your name onthe line as a confirmation of your commitment.

Section Two

How to Begin aWitnessing

Conversation

To help the believer understand how to begin a witnessingconversation

Section Two

Purpose of Section:

In any witnessing conversation, it is very important to benatural. Just be yourself and allow your own uniquepersonality to come out in the conversation. Smile andenjoy people with whom you will have an opportunity toshare. Remember, you are reflecting the life and love ofJesus Christ!

2A

How to Begin a Witnessing Conversation

When you are in a conversation with others, whatareas are typically discussed?

Hobbies, interests, things you have in common,backgrounds, work, family members, currentissues, religion, and so on.

Starting a witnessing conversation is really nodifferent than starting any other conversation!

To assist you in starting a witnessing conversation,use the simple acrostic C.A.S.T. to help keep youon track.

2B

Using C.A.S.T.

C: Stands for Connection

Seek to make a connection with theperson.Talk about the person’s background:

Where are you from originally?How long have you lived here?

Other questions:If you are already acquainted, ask about

family members or mutual friends. 2C

A: Stands for Activities

Find out about the person’s work,hobbies, or interests.You may ask:

What kind of work do you do?What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

For students:What courses are you taking?

If you notice evidence of their interests such assports, books, and art, you may ask a questionor comment about these.Seek to discover commonalities. 2D

S: Stands for Spiritual MattersThis is the real heart of the conversation. Find outwhether the person is open to discussing spiritualmatters.Questions you might ask:

Would you consider yourself to be a spiritual person?

Do you ever think about spiritual things?If they aren’t sure what you mean, say things likeheaven, prayer, God, and so on.

Some like to use diagnostic questions such as:Do you know for sure that you will go to heavenwhen you die?Can I share with you my story of how I came to besure?

2E

T: Stands for Tell Your Story

If the person is open, share thefirst point of your story/testimonyalong with the witnessing card.

2F

Practice sharing the C.A.S.T.acrostic with your partner.

Section Three

Your PersonalStory/Testimony

Section Three

Purpose of Section:

To help the believer understand the importanceof a personal story/testimony, how to develop it,and share it with an unbeliever

A personal story/testimony is one of the mostbasic tools that can be used for witnessing.It is simply your story of salvation.

3A

Your Personal Story/Testimony

A personal story/testimony is divided intothree areas:

1.Your life before you made a commitmentto follow Jesus.

This section includes what your life was likebefore coming to Jesus. Loneliness, lack ofpurpose, no hope, and so on, may all be part ofyour story. It culminates in the discovery thateach of us are in need of a change and arecognition that humankind’s most basic problemis sin. 3B

2.How you came to know Jesuspersonally.How did this occur in your life? Was it in aworship service that you came to know Christ?How did you discover that God loves you andthat Jesus died for your sins? When andwhere were you when you received Jesus asyour Savior?

This part of your story communicates thecircumstances and events surrounding your life-changing encounter with Christ.

3C

3.How Jesus has changed your life since youcame to know Him personally.

The last part of your story communicates brieflyhow your life is now different as a result ofsalvation.

Indicate the impact He has had on yourlife.

3D

An excellent model of a personaltestimony and its use is found inActs 22:3-16.

3E

Acts 22:3-5Describes Paul’s life before Christ.Acts 22:6-13Describes how Paul came to know Christ.Acts 22:14-16Describes how Paul’s life was changed.

Your personal testimony is very important:

It has ___________________No one can refute it, it happened to you!

It ________________________It is a wonderful resource to communicate the reality of

how Christ has changed your life!

It ________________________Everyone alive has a spiritual void that can only be filled

by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

It is ______________________God can use your story/testimony to impact lives and to

reveal the life and love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dyingworld.

authority

communicates

relates

powerful

3F

Focus on a defining moment in your life

Focus on how Christ has protected you

Focus on the direction your life could havegone

Focus on what Christ saved you from

What if you accepted Christ at avery young age?

3G

When I was young, I was taught a lot of wonderfulthings about God. My parents took me to churchand gave me a Bible when I was little. I read itoften. As a young child, I entered a personalrelationship with Him. When I turned 10 years old,my grandmother passed away. My mother told methat one day I would see her again in heaven. Icame to understand that had it not been for myrelationship with God, I would never go to heaven.Even though I was young, I realized that I needed tobe changed.

3H

Personal Testimony Worksheet

My life before making a commitment to follow Jesus:

How I came to know Jesus personally:

How my life is different since I came to know Jesus personally

:

Use the form to writeout yourstory/testimony.

Be brief.

Leave out unnecessaryitems.

Try to avoid Christianlingo and words thatthe hearer may notunderstand.

Stress that even thoughChrist has changedyour life, you are stillnot perfect. 3I

When you and your partner havefinished writing out yourpersonal story/testimony,recite/read it to each other.

3J

Section Four

Using the

One-DayWitnessing Card

To learn how to use the One-Day Witnessing Card in awitnessing conversation

Section Four

Purpose of Section:

Using The One-Day Witnessing CardThis card is to assist you in sharing the gospel.What makes this card unique, is that youpersonalize the gospel presentation by includingyour own story/testimony.

Keep several handy as you seek to be a faithful witness forthe Lord.

4A

Sit or stand besidethe person.

Fold the card sothe person can seeonly the page youare using.

Point towords/verses withfinger or pen.

Call the person byname while usingthe card.

When Using TheOne-DayWitnessing Card

4B

The Witnessing Card contains Scriptures, transitionalstatements, questions, and arrows. Scriptures are inblack. Transitional statements and questions are inpurple. The arrows let you know when and where toinclude the various components of your personalstory/testimony.

4C

As you begin to use the card, you willprobably need to use it throughout awitnessing experience. However, as youmemorize or become more familiar withthe verses and transitions, you willdiscover that you will use or refer to thecard less and less.

4D

How to use The One-Day WitnessingCardThe card is only a guide to assist you in communicatingthe essentials of the gospel. It does not contain everyword you will say in your witnessing conversation. Asyoupractice using the card, put your personality into it andfeel free to include further transitional statements andconcepts. Learn how to smoothly transition from one areato the next.For example:When you come to a Scripture reference, say somethinglike:“The Bible says,” or “I discovered the Bible teaches that,”or “God says.”

4E

Begin a Witnessing Conversation by using the ideasfound in Section Two: C.A.S.T.

As the Holy Spirit leads, begin to share the firstpart of your testimony: “My Life Before Making aCommitment to Follow Jesus.” (as indicated by thesmall arrow).

4F

The first part of your story/testimony should culminate in therecognition that you needed a change in your life because ofsin. The diagram on the first page illustrates humanity’sseparation from God because of sin.

The clouds represent God and Heaven. The people at the bottom ofthe card represent humanity. The dark blue section of the cardillustrates the truth that humanity is separated from God because ofsin. 4G

“Before I made a commitment to follow Jesus I found myselfat the age of 12 asking, ‘why am I here?’ I rememberwondering if the only purpose that a man had was to spend20 years of his life getting an education, going to work everyday, coming home, reading the newspaper, watching TV,going to bed only to get up and start all over again the nextday for the next 30 plus years. That question created a thirstfor an answer. Even though my parents seldom attendedchurch, they made sure my sisters and I attended. It wasthrough attending Sunday School and church that I realized Ineeded a change in my life. I discovered the Bible says,‘All have sinned and fall short of the glory of God.’ Irealized that ‘all’ included me and that the consequenceof sin is spiritual death. The Bible says, ‘The wages ofsin is death.’”

SAMPLE

4H

After explaining the illustration, begin sharing the card untilyou come to the second arrow. At this point, share the secondpart of your testimony:“How you came to know Christ personally.”

4I

Then continue the witnessing conversation by simply referring to orreading the card. The diagram may be used to explain that it is onlythrough the cross that man can experience God’s forgiveness and thejoy of becoming a part of God’s family.

“Through a series of people in my life, I discovered the truth about God. Heloves us even though we are sinners. The Bible says, ‘For God so loved theworld that He gave His only begotten Son that whoever believes in Him shouldnot perish but have everlasting life.’I came to understand that ‘the world’ means people; ‘only begotten’ means oneand only; ‘Son’ refers to Jesus, that ‘whoever’ includes everyone and ‘believes inHim’ means to place your trust in Jesus alone. I also discoveredHe sent His Son, Jesus to die for our sins The Bible says, ‘And the Word[Jesus] became flesh and dwelt among us…’ . It also says, ‘Jesus died for oursins … and rose again the third day.’Though Jesus, God offers us forgiveness of our sin and the gift ofeternal life. The Bible says,”…the gift of God is eternal life through JesusChrist our Lord.’When I discovered these truths, I realized that Jesus was the only way toexperience true spiritual life. So one summer evening while listening to a guestspeaker, I realized that the only way Jesus could change my life was for me toreceive Him, so by faith I did. The Bible says, ‘But as many as received Him, tothem He gave the right to become children of God…’ (John 1:12).

SAMPLE

4J

At the third arrow, share the third part of your testimony:“How my life is different since I came to know Christpersonally.” Then continue the witnessing conversationby reading the card.

4K

Every believer could write a book describing theimpact that Christ has made on his or her life! Keepyour presentation brief and to the point, simplysharing in a sentence or two the impact He hasmade.

Examples:And since then, He has become a friend that isalways there.And since then, He has brought me peace.And since then, He has brought purpose andmeaning to my life.And since then, He has been a daily source ofstrength. 4L

“And since then, He has brought a great sense ofdirection and purpose in my life. He has set me ona journey that is exciting and fulfilling. He’s becomea friend who is always there to give me wisdom,encouragement and strength. You see Jesus said, ‘Ihave come that they may have life and that theymay have it more abundantly.’ And I have certainlyfound that to be true.”

SAMPLE

4M

Drawing the NetLook at the question at the bottom of the card:

4N

The question used after the Scripturebegins a process of “drawing the net,”beginning the invitation process,affirming the fact that God’s desire isthat we be in His family.

Be sensitive to the person with whomyou are sharing at this strategic point.Be prepared for questions.See your sharing as a conversation,rather than an uninterruptedpresentation.

4O

Would you like to receive God’s forgiveness and Hisgift of eternal life?

If the answer is “yes”, continue to by leading the person intorepentance. Go to the top of next page.

If the person hesitates or says “no,” deal with their responsein a positive manner. You may say, “What do you feel iskeeping you from making a decision?”

If the person continues to hesitate or refuse, leave the dooropen for future opportunities.

4P

Repentance is turning to God through Jesus andaway from our sins. It is like making a U-turn.The U-turn has been reversed to illustrate thatrepentance is only available through Jesus Christ.

4Q

Encourage the person to receive Christ

4R

You can become a follower of Jesus by turningaway from your sin and trusting Him alone as yourLord and Savior.

You can do this now by inviting Jesus into your lifethrough prayer.

Ask: Would you like for me to lead you in that prayer?

If the person is being led by the Holy Spirit and desires toreceive Jesus, lead him or her in the prayer of salvationfound at the top of the next page of the card.

4S

4T

If the person hesitates or says “no” to your offer tolead in a prayer, you may say, “Let me share withyou a prayer that is very much like the one I prayedwhen Jesus came in and changed my life.”Then read the prayer in the card.

Ask, “Does this prayer say what you would like tosay to God?”

Again, seek discernment from God to know whetherto continue. He or she may want to pray this prayerat a later time. Always seek to leave the door openfor further ministry at the same time recognizing theurgency of accepting Christ today.

4U

Section Five

ImmediateFollow-up

To help the believer understand the importance andprocess of immediate follow-up.

Section Five

Purpose of Section:

If you have the wonderful privilege of leading someoneto Christ, the necessity for follow-up falls squarely onyour shoulders! Make this just as much of a priority aswhen you originally shared Christ.

Evangelism and discipleship are two sides of the samecoin. 5A

Immediate Follow-up

Once a person has accepted Christ,congratulate them!

5B

How does 1 Peter 2:2 refer to a new believer?

a newborn babe

Like newborn babies, crave pure spiritual milk, sothat by it you may grow up in your salvation,

5C

Who did Jesus tell Peter to feed inJohn 21:15?

“my lambs”

When they had finished eating, Jesus said to Simon Peter,"Simon son of John, do you truly love me more than these?" “Yes, Lord,” he said, “you know that I love you."Jesus said, "Feed My lambs."

What are some of the immediate needsof a new believer?

Bible study, baptism, discipleship,friends, a Sunday School class, achurch home, and so on.

5D

Immediate follow-up is imperative.It begins at the point of conversion.

Just like taking care of the needs of anewborn, God expects you to attendto the needs of the new believer.

5E

There are five areas that new believersneed to immediately embrace as they begintheir new lives in Christ.

5F

As you leave the person, makesure that he or she has a Bibleand information about yourchurch. Leave the card andencourage him or her to share itwith someone he or she knowswho needs Jesus. Pray with andfor him or her.

5G

Every effort should be made to assimilate the newbeliever into the life and ministry of the church.

§Continue weekly contact with the new believer, providinghim or her with Bible study materials, such as “BeginningSteps,” “Let the Celebration Continue,” or other resourcesfor new believers.§Enroll the person in your Sunday School/small groupministry.§Visit with the person in his or her home.§ Be sensitive to the spiritual needs of other familymembers in the home and share Christ with them.§Provide the person transportation to your church, ifneeded.§ Sit with him or her in worship and introduce the newbeliever to your friends. 5H

Put into practice whatyou have learned to doby sharing Jesus with

someone you know whoneeds Him!

5I