How To Witness

8 But you will receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you. And you will be my witnesses, telling people about me everywhere—in Jerusalem, throughout Judea, in Samaria, and to the ends of the earth.”

B. The second motivation is love.

(2 Corinthians 5:14)

2 Corinthians 5:14 (NLT)

14 Either way, Christ’s love controls us. Since we believe that Christ died for all, we also believe that we have all died to our old life.

(John 3:16)

John 3:16 (NLT)

16 “For this is how God loved the world: He gave his one and only Son, so that everyone who believes in him will not perish but have eternal life.

C. The third motivation is truth.

(Acts 4:12)

Acts 4:12 (NLT)

12 There is salvation in no one else! God has given no other name under heaven by which we must be saved.”

2. THE METHOD FOR WITNESSING:

A. Make a firm commitment to witness.

(Isaiah 6:8)

Isaiah 6:8 (NLT)

8 Then I heard the Lord asking, “Whom should I send as a messenger to this people? Who will go for us?” I said, “Here I am. Send me.”

B. Do it naturally in the course of everyday living.

1. (Matthew 28:19-20)

Matthew 28:19–20 (NLT)

19 Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit.

20 Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age.”

a) Just be yourself.

b) Starting a witnessing encounter is no different than starting any other conversation.

C. You can use the C.A.S.T. method:

C = Connection

A = Activities

S = Spiritual Matters

T = Tell your story

1. C: Stands for Connection.

a) Talk about the person’s background:

(1) Where are you from originally?

(2) How long have you lived here?

b) Other questions:

(1) If you are already acquainted, ask about family members or mutual friends.

2. A: Stands for Activities

a) Find out about the person’s work, hobbies, or interests.

(1) You may ask:

(a) What kind of work do you do?

(b) What do you enjoy doing in your spare time?

(2) For students:

(a) What courses are you taking?

3. S: Stands for Spiritual Matters

a) This is the real heart of the conversation. Find out whether the person is open to discussing spiritual matters.

(1) Questions you might ask:

(a) Would you consider yourself to be a spiritual person?

(b) Do you ever think about spiritual things?

(2) If they aren’t sure what you mean, say things like Heaven, prayer, God, etc.

(a) Some like to use diagnostic questions such as:

(i) Do you know for sure that you will go to heaven when you die?

(ii) Can I share with you my story of how I came to be sure?

4. T: Stands for Tell Your Story

a) If the person is open, continue by sharing the gospel.

b) Share your personal story / testimony.

1. A personal testimony/story is divided into three areas

a) Your life before you made a commitment to follow Jesus

b) How you came to know Jesus personally

c) How Jesus has changed your life since you came to know him personally.

· An excellent model of a personal testimony and its use is found in Acts 22:3-16.

o Paul’s life before Christ. (Acts 22:3-5)

Acts 22:3–5 (NLT)

3 Then Paul said, “I am a Jew, born in Tarsus, a city in Cilicia, and I was brought up and educated here in Jerusalem under Gamaliel. As his student, I was carefully trained in our Jewish laws and customs. I became very zealous to honor God in everything I did, just like all of you today.

4 And I persecuted the followers of the Way, hounding some to death, arresting both men and women and throwing them in prison.

5 The high priest and the whole council of elders can testify that this is so. For I received letters from them to our Jewish brothers in Damascus, authorizing me to bring the followers of the Way from there to Jerusalem, in chains, to be punished.

o How Paul came to know Christ. (Acts 22:6-13)

Acts 22:6–13 (NLT)

6 “As I was on the road, approaching Damascus about noon, a very bright light from heaven suddenly shone down around me.

7 I fell to the ground and heard a voice saying to me, ‘Saul, Saul, why are you persecuting me?’

8 “ ‘Who are you, lord?’ I asked. “And the voice replied, ‘I am Jesus the Nazarene, the one you are persecuting.’

9 The people with me saw the light but didn’t understand the voice speaking to me.

10 “I asked, ‘What should I do, Lord?’ “And the Lord told me, ‘Get up and go into Damascus, and there you will be told everything you are to do.’

11 “I was blinded by the intense light and had to be led by the hand to Damascus by my companions.

12 A man named Ananias lived there. He was a godly man, deeply devoted to the law, and well regarded by all the Jews of Damascus.

13 He came and stood beside me and said, ‘Brother Saul, regain your sight.’ And that very moment I could see him!

o How Paul’s life was changed. (Acts 22:14-16)

Acts 22:14–16 (NLT)

14 “Then he told me, ‘The God of our ancestors has chosen you to know his will and to see the Righteous One and hear him speak.

15 For you are to be his witness, telling everyone what you have seen and heard.

16 What are you waiting for? Get up and be baptized. Have your sins washed away by calling on the name of the Lord.’

2. Your personal testimony is very important:

a) It has authority_

No one can refute it, it happened to you!

b) It _communicates_

It is a wonderful resource to communicate the reality of how Christ has changed your life!

c) It _relates_

Everyone alive has a spiritual void that can only be filled by a personal encounter with Jesus Christ.

d) It is _powerful_

God can use your story/testimony to impact lives and to reveal the life and love of Jesus Christ to a lost and dying world.

3. Remember:

a) Be sensitive to the person with whom you are sharing at this strategic point.

b) Be prepared for questions.

c) See your sharing as a conversation, rather than an uninterrupted presentation.

C. Extend the invitation

1. (Acts 2:40)

Acts 2:40 (NLT)

40 Then Peter continued preaching for a long time, strongly urging all his listeners, “Save yourselves from this crooked generation!”

D. Follow up to disciple

1. Evangelism and discipleship are two sides of the same coin.

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

1 Peter 2:2 (NLT)

2 Like newborn babies, you must crave pure spiritual milk so that you will grow into a full experience of salvation. Cry out for this nourishment,

3. Who did Jesus tell Peter to feed in John 21:15?

John 21:15 (NLT)

15 After breakfast Jesus asked Simon Peter, “Simon son of John, do you love me more than these?” “Yes, Lord,” Peter replied, “you know I love you.” “Then feed my lambs,” Jesus told him.

4. Just like taking care of the needs of a newborn, God expects you to attend to the needs of the new believer.

5. What are some of the immediate needs of a new believer?

Baptism,

discipleship

friends

a small group

a church home

encouragement

CONCLUSION:

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