Principles of Personal Christian Witnessing

Jonathan Kuntaraf D. Min

Associate Director Sabbath School/Personal Ministries Department, General Conference

I. Motivating Personal Witnessing

II. Method of Jesus in Witnessing

III. Knowing the Law of the Mind in Witnessing

IV. Sharing Faith

V. Giving Personal Bible Study

VI. Bringing People to a Decision

Table of Contents

Motivating Members for Witnessing

Learn from the Apostles

CHURCH GROWTH INTHE NEW TESTAMENT

• 120 disciples• 3000 new converts• 5000 men• More and more• Increasing• Grew in numbers• Church planting• Many thousands

• Acts 1:15• Acts 2:41,42• Acts 4:4• Acts 5:14• Acts 6:1,7• Acts 9:31• Acts 16:5• Acts 21:20

WHY WAS THE WORK PROGRESSING IN THE

TIME OF THE

NEW TESTAMENT??????

We read in Acts 21:20 that there were many thousands of Jews (the Greek word means myriads, multiples of ten thousand). Why was the church growing so fast? It was because everyone was involved in witnessing. Through the promises of God, the Lord will bring a harvest of souls as lay members become involved.

What percentage of our members are involved in witnessing activities?

The answers may be 80%, 60%, 50%, 10%, or sometimes only 1%.

Slice 1Slice 2Slice 3Slice 4

WHY ARE PEOPLE NOT INVOLVED????

• Lack of confidence

• Problem of unknown potential

• Have never been asked

• No training

• Limited understanding of role

• No motivation

1. Lack of Self-confidence

I am afraid

I don’t have power to do that.

I am too old

2. PROBLEM OF UNKNOWN POTENTIAL

The History of Yates Pool

3. Have never been asked.It is possible that some pastors like to do everything themselves and are very poor at delegating responsibility to other people.

4. No training.

Christian Service, p. 59: “Many would be willing to work if they were taught how to begin.”.

5. Limited Understanding of roles..

Christian Service, p. 68, says, “The dissemination of the truth of God is not confined to a few ordained ministers.”

“The idea that the minister must carry all the burdens and do all the work is a great mistake.” Christian Service, p. 68

5. LIMITED UNDERSTANDING OF ROLES

• Evangelism is the role of pastors

• Membership’s role is to

support the pastor

financially

MISTAKEN DIVISIONCLERGY------LAITY

• Spiritually Strong• Spiritual Calling• Special Rewards

• Spiritually Weak• Secular Calling• Ordinary Rewards

GRATIAN (DIED IN 1160)

“Two kinds of Christians.”

Stephen of Tournai (Died 1203)

“Two kinds of people: one lower and one higher.”

Martin Luther:

• God wants to accomplish His work through the laity

• Christ does not have two bodies or two different kinds of bodies

Biblical Meaning of Laity

• “Laos” means “A special people”

or God’s own people

• O.T. = Israel

God’s Remnant

• N.T. = Those who believe in Christ and accept Him as their Lord and Saviour

UNDERSTANDING THE ROLES OF LAITY

“The idea that the minister must carry all the burdens and do all the work is a great mistake.”

Christian Service, p. 68.

THE GOSPEL COMMISSION

“Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and the Son, and of the Holy Ghost; teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you and lo, I am with you alway, even unto

the end of the world”

Matthew 28:19,20.

THE PRIESTHOOD OF

BELIEVERS “But you are a chosen generation, a royal

priesthood, a holy nation, His own special people, that you may proclaim the praises of Him who called you out of darkness into His marvelous light” 1 Peter 2:9.

THE BODY OF CHRIST

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members

of that body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

(1 Cor. 12:12)

SPIRITUAL GIFTS

“There are diversities of gifts, but the same Spirit. Thee are differences of ministries, but the same Lord.”

1 Cor. 12:4,5.

THE FIRST TASK OF THE PASTOR

• Within the church

• To equip, teach and strengthen the

laity to carry on its ministry in

the world

Christian Service, p. 69

“The minister should not feel that

it is his duty to do all the talking

and all the laboring and all

the praying; he should

educate helpers in every

church.”

GREATEST HELP

• “Let the minister devote more of his time to educating than to preaching. Let him teach the people how to give to others the knowledge they have received” (7T 20).

• “The greatest help than can be given our people is to teach them to work for God, and to depend on Him, not on the ministers” (7T 19).

TOO MANY SERMONS

“The people have had too much sermonizing; but have they been taught how to labor for those for whom Christ

died?” (6T 431).

THE ROLE OF LAITY

• PRIMARILY MINISTRY IN THE WORLD:

• Proclamation

• Service

• Fellowship

WORKING TOGETHER

“Let ministers and lay members go forth into the ripening fields” Christian Service, p. 67.

“Every soul whom Christ has rescued is called to work in His name for the saving of the lost”

Christian Service, p. 10.

“To every one work has been allotted, and no one can be a

substitute for another” Christian Service, p. 10.

“Every true disciple is born into the kingdom of God as a missionary. He who drinks of the living water becomes a fountain of life. The

receiver becomes a giver”

Christian Service, p. 9.

“The work of God in this earth can never be finished until the men and women comprising our church membership rally to the work, and unite their efforts with those of ministers and church officers…” (Gospel Workers, p. 352).

Church growth ratio: 1988 Statistical Report

Europe, Japan, North America, One pastor to 169 members, the growth rate is only 1.25%.

In South America, the pastor-member ratio is 1 to 628, the growth rate is 8.92%

1.25%

1 169to

Church Growth

1 628to

8.92%

East Africa, South Mexican, and the South Philippine Unions: One pastor to 1,000 members: The growth rate is 12%.

11000

12%

Church Growth

6. No motivation.

What are the things that will motivate our members to do

witnessing?

1. Witnessing is a Biblical Command

Matthew 28:19, 20— “Go ye therefore, and teach all nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father, and of the Son, and of the Holy Ghost, teaching them to observe all things whatsoever I have commanded you, and lo, I am with you alway, even unto the end of the world.”

Acts 13:47— “For this is what the Lord has commanded us: ‘I have made you a light for the Gentiles that you may bring salvation to the ends of the earth.’”

Isaiah 60:1— “Arise, shine, for your light has come, and the glory of the Lord rises upon you.”

Acts 1:8— “But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes on you; and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem, and in all Judea and Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

Mark 5:19— “Return to your house and describe what great things the Lord has done for you.”

The Lord calls each of His followers to be:

Witnesses (Acts 1:8)

Ambassadors (2 Corinthians 5:20)

Participants in the ministry of reconciliation (2 Cor. 5:17-19)

Co-laborers with God (1 Corinthians 3:9)

The light and the salt of the earth (Matthew 5:13, 14)

2. Witnessing is the heart’s response to love

2 Corinthians 5:14: “The Love of Christ constrains us.”

“No sooner is one converted than there is born within him a desire to make known to others what a precious friend he has found in Jesus. The saving and sanctifying truth cannot be shut up in his heart” (Desire of Ages, p. 141).

Parables in Luke 15: The lost sheep and the lost coin. Any time the lost is found, there is joy in heaven.

3. Witnessing gives Joy to God’s heart

Luke 15:7: “I tell you that in the same way there will be more rejoicing in heaven over one sinner who repents than over ninety-nine righteous persons who do not need to repent.”

Luke 15:10: “In the same way, I tell you, there is rejoicing in the presence of the angels of God over one sinner who repents.”

In the parable of the lost son, Luke 15:32 says: “But we had to celebrate and be glad because this brother of yours was dead and is alive again. He was lost and is found.”

4. Witnessing Contributes to Spiritual life

There is a relationship between witnessing and character development.

“God could have reached His object in saving sinners without our aid; but in order for us to develop a character like Christ’s, we must share in His work. In order to enter into His joy, the joy of seeing souls redeemed by His sacrifice, we must participate in His labors for their redemption” (Desire of Ages, p. 142).

.

“Strength to resist evil is best gained by aggressive service (Acts of the Apostles, p. 105)

6. THE CHURCH AS THE BODY OF CHRIST

“For as the body is one and has many members, but all the members

of that body, being many, are one body, so also is Christ.”

(1 Cor. 12:12)

1 Peter 4:10: “As each one has received a special gift, employ it in serving one another, as good stewards of the manifold grace of God.”

Prophecy Healing Faith

Wisd

o

m

Each part of the body is important!

“Little in the hands of Jesus is much.”

For that reason we have to “use whatever we have in our hand.” Something simple, but the Lord can use it. Knowing that one can achieve something for God’s glory will motivate people to work for the Lord.

6. Witnessing is related to the coming of Jesus Matthew 24:14: “And this gospel of the kingdom shall be preached in the whole world as a testimony of all nations, and then the end will come.”

(

“Time is short, and our forces must be organized to do a larger work” (Testimonies, Volume 9, p. 27).

(

“We are now living in the closing scenes of this world’s history. Let men tremble with the sense of the responsibility of knowing the truth. The ends of the world are come. Proper consideration of these things will lead all to make an entire consecration of all that they have and are to their God.” (Review and Herald, July 23, 1895).

There is a relationship between witnessing and the latter rain:

The essential latter rain cannot come until the “largest portion of the church are... laborers together with God” (Ellen G. White: Review and Herald, July 21, 1896).

7. Other Motivating Factors: God is robbed“We are to encourage souls, to attract them, and thus win them to the Savior. If this is not our interest, if we withhold from God the service of heart and life, we are robbing Him of influence, of time, of money and effort. In failing to benefit our fellow men, we rob God of the glory that should flow to Him through the conversion of souls” (Testimonies, Volume 6, p. 427).

The Method of Jesus in Witnessing

It is important to learn from the method of Jesus how He was successful in His witnessing activities.

He mingled with men as One who desired their good

He showed sympathy

He ministered to their needs

He won their confidence

He bade them, “Follow me”

Mingling – means doing things together. This may be visiting, working, playing, or just talking and sitting together. By mingling we will discover others’ needs.

Sympathy– an attitude of personal concern. Sympathy does not wait until the person asks for help, but it is always expressed by some kind of action that communicates an honest, unselfish concern for someone who has a need.

Ministered to their needs – means meeting the needs of people, whether they be physical, mental, or spiritual. This is done by serving, waiting on, or attending another. Real needs are not easily recognized.

Won their confidence –This will be the result of meeting people’s needs.

“Follow me” – was the appeal to follow Christ in His future. The appeal came after He met their needs and won their confidence.

Jesus used different methods

“From Christ’s method of labor we may learn valuable lessons. He did not follow only one method; in various ways He sought to gain the attention of the multitude, thatHe might proclaim to them the truths of the gospel” (Welfare Ministry,p. 59).

Jesus discovered a felt need and met it:

• Wedding feast• Nicodemus• Woman at the

well• Man at the pool• Hungry

multitude

• Social embarrassment

• Genuine spirituality• Emotional security

• Divine healing

• Physical food

The Law of the Human Mind

“What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will” (Steps to Christ, p. 47).

The law of human compassion

The law of receptivity

The law of divine providence

Lessons from the life of Jesus: To the scribe he said: “You are not far from the kingdom of God.” To the Canaanite woman, “Great is thy faith.” To the Roman centurion, “I have never found such great faith, not even in Israel.”

Effectiveness in communication

The Content: 7%

The Tone: 38%,

The Body language: 55%.

Why Adventist ministries of compassion?

Adventists’ work is to “first meet the temporal needs,” and “then find an open avenue to the heart” where they can “plant good seeds of virtue and religion” (Testimonies for the Church, Vol. 4, p. 227).

Community service workIn view of the fact that many people are touched through the ministry of compassion, it is important to be involved in various activities.

Community service work is a great umbrella under which all our acts of helping our fellow men are included.

Feed the hungry—Matthew 14:16 Clothe the naked —Luke 3:11 Welcome the stranger —Matthew 25:35 Visit the sick —Matthew 25:36 Visit the prisoner —Matthew 25:35 Visit the widows —James 1:27 Visit the orphan (fatherless) —James 1:27 Refresh the thirsty —Matthew 25:35 Comfort those in trouble, the bereaved and dying —2 Corinthians 1:4

Nutrition classes Friendship camps

Health education Disaster relief

“The term medical missionary work as often employed by Mrs. White stretched far beyond the bounds of professional medical service to embody all acts of mercy and disinterested kindness.” (Welfare Ministry, p. 36).

“Any human being who needs our sympathy and our kind offers is our neighbor. The suffering and destitute of all classes are our neighbors; and when their wants are brought to our knowledge, it is our duty to relieve them as far as possible” (Testimonies, Vol. 4, p. 266).

1. People have different levels of receptivity. Some are very receptive and some are not interested at all.

2. The keys to discovering receptivity are two things:

Personal crisis

World trauma

A personal crisis occurs when someone has a family dilemma, emotional crisis, financial crisis, or health problems. People are more receptive at these particular times.

3. The receptivity rating scaleThe highest time of receptivity is at the:

Death of a spouse —100%Divorce —73%Marital separation —65%Jail term —63%Death of close family member —63%Personal injury or illness —53%Marriage —50%Fired from work —47%

7. Differences of Receptivity7. Differences of Receptivity

11 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 101011 22 33 44 55 66 77 88 99 1010

No No SpiritSpiritual ual IntereInterestst

No No SpiritSpiritual ual IntereInterestst

God God May May Exist, Exist, Not Not PersonaPersonall

God God May May Exist, Exist, Not Not PersonaPersonall Occasional Occasional

Church Church GoersGoers

Occasional Occasional Church Church GoersGoers

Regular Regular Attendance As Attendance As Religious DutyReligious Duty

Regular Regular Attendance As Attendance As Religious DutyReligious Duty

CommittCommitted ed

ChristiaChristians; ns;

SpiritualSpiritual OpennesOpennes

ss

CommittCommitted ed

ChristiaChristians; ns;

SpiritualSpiritual OpennesOpennes

ss

Truth Truth SeekersSeekersTruth Truth

SeekersSeekers

Adventist Adventist Church Church

Attender; Attender;

UnbaptizedUnbaptized

Adventist Adventist Church Church

Attender; Attender;

UnbaptizedUnbaptized

The Need of a Bridge

THE BRIDGETHE BRIDGE

PhysicalPhysical,,

Mental, Mental, &&

Social Social

ConcernConcernss

PhysicalPhysical,,

Mental, Mental, &&

Social Social

ConcernConcernss

SpirituSpiritualal

ConcerConcernsns

SpirituSpiritualal

ConcerConcernsns

People People Who Who CareCare

People People Who Who CareCare

The urgency of meeting various needs, whether they be emotional, physical, social, or spiritual needs.

Emotional —If the individual is experiencing grief or divorce, there is grief recovery and divorce recovery.

Physical — Some people are heavy smokers. They need to have Breathe–Free classes.

Some of these programs could be introduced by the church according to the needs of people, even by members who have various talents or spiritual gifts.

The Lord will help us to meet people who need the Savior.

Jesus said to them, “My father is always at His work to this very day, and I, too, am working” (John 5:17).

Consider the divine providence in the biblical examples of the conversion of Paul, Cornelius, and an Ethiopian eunuch.

God the Father, Jesus, and the Holy Spirit are working with us, and because everyone is working, the Lord will bring us to meet people who need the Savior so that we can share the goodness of salvation with them.

Sharing Faith

We are not righteous1. None of us deserve salvation2. God gives the gift to all who come to Him

The rich The church member The poor The degraded The dejected The sick The dirty The drunken The welfare client The abused child

A simple way of witnessing is to use the FORT principle.

FamilyOccupationReligionTestimony

We speak about family first because people are usually interested in talking about their family. And then one can ask about their occupation or work, followed by what church they may attend presently and finally share a personal testimony.

My life before accepting Christ

How I became a Christian

My life since I became a Christian

The Christian can be an effective witness for

Christ if he has a testimony.

A consistent life as a Christian is a tremendous witness.

If you should be invited to witness by your testimony, and you feel frightened and inadequate, write out your testimony. Use the three points suggested above as your main points to discuss. Make your testimony brief (from three to five minutes) and to the point.

It consists of:

. What is the most important

word in the first place? .

is the beginning of everything--

the beginning of creation (Genesis 1:1)

and the beginning of salvation (Psalm

3:8; 68:20).

God loves you. This is a positive, effective way to begin your presentation.

God has a special plan for your life. This is a message the people need to hear.

Man. This brings us to deal with the sin problem. Sin brings separation and death. (Isaiah 59:2; Romans 6:23). And since all have sinned (Romans 3:23), all are separated from God.

Jesus is God’s answer to man’s problem of sin and separation. Christ came to be the solution to the problem.

Christ came for us, lived for us, died for us, ascended for us, pleads for us. (Hebrews 7:25).

Jesus says, “I am the way.”

To know about God’s and man’s problem of separation because of sin, and that Christ is God’s answer to man’s problem will not be enough unless we receive Christ as our salvation.

“Present the gospel in its simplicity. Follow Christ’s example, and you will have the reward of seeing your students won to Him.” (Counsels to Teachers, p. 255).

“Even the great men are more easily drawn by the simplicity of the gospel than by any effort made in human power” (Evangelism, p. 443).

“What you need is a living experience in the things of God and simplicity in presenting the love of Christ to the lost” (Sons and Daughters of God, p. 266).

Giving Personal Bible Study

The OIKOS PrincipleThe Greek word oikos means house, but in the Bible it is often used in the broader sense of the household, or extended family.

Biblical Examples of the Oikos Principle

From the life of Abraham, Joseph in Egypt, until the time of the New Testament-- how people come to the Lord from every family.

“This was the way the Christian church was established. Christ first selected a

few persons and bade them follow Him. They then went in search of their relatives and acquaintances, and brought them to Christ. This is the way we are to labor. A few souls brought out and fully established on the truth will, like the first disciples, be laborers for others” (Welfare Ministry, p. 60).

How Do People Join the Christian Church

According to some studies, the results show that the majority of people who have joined the church because of friends or relatives is between 75-90%. This indicates that the oikos system is still valid at the present time.

Oikos identification worksheetPut your names in the center circle, and then put the Oikos members (from 1-5), friends and relatives with whom you have some influence.

Circle of InfluenceAnother way we can find our Oikos system is by using a circle of influence:

Interested Individuals who Now and Then Visit the Church

Visitors who attend Sabbath School and any other programs

Individuals who have completed any of our Bible correspondence programs Parents of children who attend Vacation Bible School Friends from the Ingathering Program

Regular customers of our literature evangelists

Non-SDA students studying in our Adventist schools and their parents

Those who have attended our evangelistic meetings who have not made their decisions for Jesus

A Simple Method Is Needed

It has proven very successful around the world

Anyone can master it very quickly The student learns better and faster The student is soon trained and

equipped with completed study guides to study the Bible

God’s Instruction“Our work has been marked out for us by our heavenly Father. We are to take our Bibles and go forth to warn the world” (9 Testimonies, p. 150).

Ellen G. White’s Prophecy

“Hundreds and thousands were seen visiting families and opening before them the word of God. Hearts were convicted by the power of the Holy Spirit, and a spirit of genuine conversion was manifest. On every side doors were thrown open to the proclamation of the truth. The world seemed to be lightened with the heavenly influence” (9 Testimonies, p. 126).

Heart Preparation--The Example of Jesus

Before every major event in His ministry, Jesus prayed for guidance and help (Mark 1:35; Luke 9:18, 28, 29)

God wants us to pray for wisdom (James 1:5; Hebrews 4:16)

Pray for the guidance of the Holy Spirit (John 16:13)

“My son, give me thine heart, and let thine eyes observe my ways”

Proverbs 23:26.

“But ye shall receive power, after that the Holy Ghost is come upon you; and ye shall be witnesses unto me...unto the uttermost part of the earth” Acts 1:8.

“Submit yourselves therefore to God. Resist the devil and he will flee from you. Draw nigh to God, and he will draw nigh to you” James 4:7,8.

“The soul that is yielded to Christ becomes His own fortress, which He holds in a revolted world, and He intends that no authority shall be known in it but His own. A soul thus kept in possession by heavenly agencies is impregnable to the assaults of Satan. But unless we

do yield ourselves to the control of

Christ, we shall be dominated by

the wicked one”(Desire of Ages,

p. 324).

Preparation of Materials (The Basic Tools)

Bible (preferably one with a concordance)

Bible Study Guide Pictorial aid for Bible study

or other devices

Mental Preparation

“Study to show thyself approved unto God, a workman that needeth not to be ashamed, rightly dividing the word of truth.”

2 Tim. 2:15.

Building Interest for Bible Studies

Circle of InfluenceAnother way we can find our Oikos system is by using a circle of influence:

Home Visitation“How can the great work of the third angel’s message be accomplished? It must largely be accomplished by persevering, individual effort, by visiting the people in their homes”

(Welfare Ministry, p. 97).

“There are families who will never be reached by the truth of God’s word unless His servants enter their home” (Evangelism, pp. 435,436).

New Testament Method of Creating and Building Interest

“The more closely the New Testament plan is followed in missionary labor, the more successful will be the efforts put forth” (3T , p. 210).

Christ’s Method“Our Savior went from house to

house: healing the sick, comforting the mourners, soothing the afflicted, speaking peace to the disconsolate. blessed children spoke words of hope and comfort

to the weary mothers.” (CS, p. 114)

The Method of the Early Christian Church Acts 5:42: “And daily in the temple, and in every house,

they ceased not to teach and preach Jesus Christ.” They grew—Acts 2:47 The whole city was evangelized —Acts 17:6 More baptisms —Acts 2:41, 4:4;, 5:14 Penetrating Unentered Areas —Acts 8:4 Paul: “taught publicly and from house to house” Acts

20:20

Making Friends with People(Jesus’ Example)

Matthew 4:14: Jesus loved people and never failed to help them (Mark 1:41; 6:34)

Jesus was able to be friendly to all kinds of people (Matthew 9:10; Mark 2:15)

Jesus showed interest in every one he met and tried to give them spiritual help (John 3:1,2, John 4:7)

GIVING PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY

Be Friendly to All People If we want to win people to Jesus, we must

be friendly to them (Proverbs 18:24) When we meet someone: on the road, in a

bus, at the market, in the village or at a store, always be friendly: smile, talk to people, inquire about family, give help if needed

Make Use of Every Opportunity to Help OthersThere are many opportunities for us to offer help

and friendship: Sickness Family death New neighbors People in prison Widows Old people Building/farming

Children of church members Close relatives of church members Graduates of the

Bible Correspondence School Interests of Colporteurs Interests of hospital or medical

outreach Branch Sabbath School Interests Sabbath School members who are

not yet church members

Distribute a series of tracts or a single tract. Place enrollment cards in the doors. Mass mail enrollment cards to postal areas. Encourage all church members to carry

enrollment cards at all times. Give, or better, lend books. Share a video or audio-cassette Use a Religious Interest Survey. Use a Community Service survey.

Introduction

To awaken the interest of the hearers, let your introduction statement make a lasting impression. It can be:

A short story Important world events An arresting text that introduce

the topic An appetizer that will make

people crave the main dish

The BodyThe body is the main dish The body should satisfy the craving which is

created by the introduction It must be solid and in logical sequence from

beginning to end Present the subjection with conviction and leave

room for the Holy Spirit Pick up verses that are simpler and have a

direct connection to your next verse Be brief and direct to the point End your study before the interest fades away 10 to 15 texts in each will be sufficient

Appeal or Conclusion

Summarizing Clinching Appealing Forecasting the next topic

Step 1: Be Punctual

Step 2: Be enthusiastic, cheerful, relaxed and friendly

Step 3: Sit at the right place (with a group, it is best to sit in a circle)

Step 4: Short introduction (make sure everyone is introduced and comfortable)

Step 5: Be understanding

Step 6: Say something wisely

Step 1: Begin with prayer.

An opening prayer is a brief but sincere prayer

Establish a friendly spirit before Bible study start

Step 2: Give the introduction or review its high points; Speak slowly clearly and full of conviction

Step 3: The best method: question and answer

You will want to ask each question: How, When, Where, Which, What, Who, Why Bible Study is not a sermon, don’t preach Ask them to read Bible texts

Step 4: Compliment good answers.

Step 5: After they read their answers, you might say, “Does anyone have a different answer?

Step 6: Always listen and ask questions.

Encourage your hearer to participate in the study

Encourage discussion

Step 7: Make brief and relevant comments as you go along;Stick to the subject

Step 8: Never introduce ideas for which the Bible student does not have sufficient background.

Step 9: Read each Bible text clearly; you have God’s Word in your hands

Step 10: If question deals with a future, controversial lesson...

Do not hurry through a Bible study; make each point clear before you move to a next topic

An illustration drives home the point It create a deeper and more lasting

impression in the heart and mind It’s like the window that brings

in fresh air It must be short Avoid comical illustrations Refrain from using cheap jokes

Be understanding Listen Get a firm decision for Christ before you introduce

testing truths Know how to meet opposition Be tactful and smooth Don’t argue Be intensely interested in the person Offer compliments Agree on every point possible Don’t be embarrassed about questions you cannot

answer

GIVING PERSONAL BIBLE STUDY

Do not give too much information in Bible Study

Keep to the topic you are presenting

Length of Bible Study: 30-40 minutes

Number of Questions: 10-15 texts

After Bible study, don’t stay too long

Never argue with your listener Do not get angry Do not criticize or talk disrespectfully about other

people

Do not preach, lecture, shout at your listener

Choose the topic to meet the needs of the hearers

Make the topic Christ-centered. Learning about Jesus and His will for our lives is the object of all Bible study

Follow a correct order of topics

Arranging Topics

The Wrong Way

Baptism Foods Tithe Sabbath Second

Coming

The Right Way

• Jesus first

• Then the doctrines

Suggested order of Topics The Bible as God’s Word The Second Coming of Jesus The Signs of the Second coming of Jesus Heaven and the New Earth The Plan of Redemption How to Be Saved God’s Holy Law God’s Holy Sabbath etc...

Bringing People to a Decision

The purpose of Bible study: to get a decision for Christ.

Lesson: Christ centered

When does the decision take place? Right at the first Bible study. Start with smaller decision;

prepares for bigger decision

The Need of the Right Words

“The Lord God hath given me the tongue of the learner, that I should know how (method) to speak a word (what is said) in season (when it is to be said) to him that is weary; he wakeneth morning by morning, he wakeneth mine ear to hear as the learned. The Lord God hath opened mine ear, and I was not rebellious, neither turned away back (the kind of person Jesus was). Isaiah 50:4, 5.

A - Acceptance

B - Belief

C - Confidence

Information Conviction Desire Action

Information: Accumulate facts about the decision to be made. Adequate information is necessary, but there are two problems:

1. INFORMATION OVERLOAD

2. PROGRAMMED NON-

RESPONSE

“What you need to understand is the true force of the will. This is the governing power in the nature of man, the power of decision, or of choice. Everything depends on the right action of the will” (Steps to Christ, p. 47).

Present testing truths gradually. If possible do not present three or four new truths back to back in the same week.

Visit people in their homes immediately after presentation of testing truths to clear up any major questions.

Make regular systematic appeals including hand-raising, kneeling, standing and altar calls.

Use response cards often.

Clear information - Is it clear to you?

Ask, “Is it clear that.....?” Help student to make a decision in every lesson Show the benefits of the right action Always stress the blessing over the requirements

of God Show the consequences of wrong action Show the expectation of the God who loves us Lead students into a relationship with God

Truth is most clear when it is fresh in the memory Satan is working to lead the thoughts away Conviction may completely disappear if one is not

bought to decision at the earliest period possible A decision may be turned in another direction or

toward another church Relatives or members of other churches may confuse the

issues or the truth in the mind Circumstances may place the student beyond your

reach in a very short time

1.The inner peace as opposed to inner turmoil (John 14:27; Psalms 119:165).

2.Receiving the Holy Spirit (Acts 5:32).

3.True happiness (John 13:17).

4.Heavenly home (Hebrew 11:24).

5.Forgiveness of sins and freedom from guilt (Acts 2:37-39).

Fanning the Flame of Desire

“Prayer and faith will do what no power on earth can accomplish” (MH, p. 509).

“It is a part of God’s plan to grant us, in answer to the prayer of faith, that which He would bestow did we not thus ask” (GC, p. 525).

Prayer does four things: Prayer puts us in touch with divine wisdom—James 1:5

Prayer enables God to work more powerfully than He could if we did not pray—Daniel 10

Prayer enables God to speak to us about sins in our lives which are the hindrance to successful soul winning

Prayer deepens our desire concerning the thing for which we are praying

The Need for Prayer:

“God forbid that I should sin against the Lord in ceasing to pray for you.” 1 Samuel 12:23.

Prayer in Groups“Why do not two or three meet together and plead with God for the salvation of some special one, and then still another” (7 T, p. 21).

I understand exactly how you feel. Many others in your present situation

have felt the same way. But they have found...

“I can’t leave my church.” Rev. 18:4; John 10:26, 27; 12:42, 43; Matt. 7:22, 23.

“I can’t make a living if I keep the Sabbath.” Matt. 6:33; Ps. 37:3; Isa. 65:13,14.

“You require too much of people in your church.” 2 Cor. 8:9; Matt. 13:45, 46; Luke 14:33.

“I will lose my job if I keep the Sabbath.” Matt. 16:25, 26; I Tim. 4:8.

7

“I can’t find a job with Sabbath off.” Matt. 6:30-33; Ps. 37:3, 25; Isa. 65:13, 14; 58:13, 14; 1:19, 20.

“It is inconvenient to keep the seventh day and follow this doctrine.” Matt. 16:24; 10:38.

“I am too great a sinner.” 1 Tim. 1:15; Heb. 7:25; Isa. 1:18.

“I am afraid I can’t hold out.” Jude 24.

“I can’t live up to the truth.” 1 Cor. 10:13; 2 Cor. 12:8, 9; John 1:12.

“I am not good enough.” 2 Cor. 8:12.

“People would talk about me.” John 17:14; Luke 6:22, 23, 26; Prov. 29:25. “I agree with all you teach except for one thing.” Matt. 19:16-22. “I am in business and Saturday is my best day. I will ruin my business if I close on Saturdays.” Matt. 16:26; Ps. 37:16; Prov. 16:8; Mark 8:35; John 6:27; Isa. 56:2-5; Luke 12:19, 20.

“My friends would ridicule me.” John 15:19; Mark 8:34; James 4:4.

“My husband, wife, father, mother, brothers, and sisters will oppose me.” Matt. 10:36, 37; Luke 14:26, 27; Ps. 27:10; Isa. 41:10; Mark 10:29, 30.

“There are so few who keep Saturday. This way is so different from what the majority believe and do.” Deut. 7:7; Ex. 23:2; Matt. 7:13, 14.

“My parents were good________. What was good enough for them is good enough for me and besides, I have been greatly blessed in my present church.” Rev. 18:4; John 10:26, 27; 12:42, 43; Acts 4:19; John 1:35-40.

“The keeping of the seventh day was only for the Jews.” Mark 2:27; Gen. 2:3.

“We are living under the New Testament. The keeping of the seventh day passed away with the old covenant at the cross.” Heb. 8:20; 4:4-9; Acts 13: 14, 25.

“I am afraid of new doctrines.” Gen. 2:1-3.

“The law of the land has settled that Sunday is the day to keep. Acts 4:18-20; 5:28, 29.

“We can’t be sure that the seventh day which God has commanded is identical with the day now called Saturday.” Luke 23:56; the testimony of history, astronomy, the calendar, and the witness of the Jews.

“It doesn’t make any difference what day I keep; just so I keep a day.” Exodus 20:8-11; Rom. 6:16; Leviticus 10:1, 2; Deut. 4:2.

“My preacher and my friends advise me against this.” 1 Kings 13:1-26; Acts 4:19; 5:29.

“It will cause trouble and division in my home if I take my stand for this teaching.” Luke 12:49-53; 1 Kings 18:17, 18.

“There is one thing (movies, ring, tobacco, pork, tea or coffee, etc.) which I cannot give up.” Matt. 19:16-22; 6:24; Luke 14:33; Matt. 13:45, 46; 1 John 5:4; 2 Cor. 5:17; Philippians 4:13.

“No, not now.” Prov. 27:1; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 3:13; Isa. 55:6; Gen. 6:3.

“I am waiting for my husband (or wife or a friend) so we can accept it together.” Eze. 14:20; 18:20; Rom. 14:12.

“I will wait until I have the right kind of feeling.” Isa. 48:18; 1 John 2:3.

“Too late, I have waited too long.” Eze. 33:19; John 6:37; Rom. 10:13.

“I tried once, I am afraid to try again.” Dan. 3:17; Rom. 4:21; 2 Tim. 1:12; Jude 24.

“How may I know that my sins are forgiven?” 1 John 1:9; Prov. 28:13.

“Some things are not yet clear.” John 13:7; Acts 1:7.

“I am not so bad.” John 3:18; Rom. 3:23.

“The world couldn’t manage its affairs if everybody kept Saturday.” John 2:22.

“Sunday seems right to me.” Prov. 16:25.

“Why don’t the other great ministers or learned and influential people accept and keep the seventh day Sabbath if it is right?” 1 Cor. 11:1; 1:26-29; Matt. 11:25.

“I will lose many of my friends, my social standing and people will class me as a fanatic.” Ps. 119:165; 111:10; Gal. 1:10; John 15:14; Luke 6:22, 23, 26; James 4:4; Prov. 29:25; Philippians 3:8; Matt. 10:37; John 15:19.

“God is love, He will save me anyway.” Luke 13:3; 2 Peter 2:4.

“God will not condemn me if I live a good life in every way except to keep the seventh day.” James 2:10; 1 Chron. 15:13; Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 6:46.

“There are too many hypocrites in the church.” Matt. 7:1; Rom. 14:12.

“The step will cost me too much.” Luke 18:29, 30; 1 Peter 2:24.

“My job may be at stake.” Isa. 51:7; Job 13:14, 15; Ps. 119:72, 127.

“If I take Saturday for the Sabbath, I will not be able to support my family.” Matt. 6:30-33; Ps. 37:3, 25; Isa. 65:13, 14; 58:13, 14; 1:19, 20. (Also the narration of actual experiences of how God has helped others who stepped out in faith to keep the Sabbath.)

“I cannot leave my friends and relatives.” Ex. 23:3; Prov. 13:20.

“I believe it is not necessary to unite with a church.” Acts 2:47.

“I am too old to change my ways of life.” Gen. 6:3.

“I will wait until the Spirit of God convinces me.” Matt. 25:1-13.

“I can’t afford to lose one day’s pay each week. This will interfere with my plans for getting ahead in the world.” Matt. 16:26; Ps. 37:16; Prov. 16:8; Mark 8:35; John 6:27; Isa. 56:2-5; Luke 12:19, 20.

I will be in better shape to do it a little later; I must have more time to arrange my affairs.” Prov. 27:1; 2 Cor. 6:2; Heb. 4:7; 3:13; Isa. 55:6; Gen. 6:3; Ps. 18:44; 119:60; Matt. 25:1-13.

“I have a railroad job. That work has to go on every day.” Ex. 34:21.

“God will not condemn me if I live a good life in every way except to keep the seventh day.” James 2:10; 1 Chronicles 15:13; Matt. 7:21-23; Luke 6:46.