Approaches to witnessing

When and where to witness

In the home and family

Mark 5:18–19 KJV 1900

And when he was come into the ship, he that had been possessed with the devil prayed him that he might be with him. Howbeit Jesus suffered him not, but saith unto him, Go home to thy friends, and tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee, and hath had compassion on thee.

See also 2 Ki 5:1–3; Jn 1:41

To individuals

John 1:40–42 KJV 1900

One of the two which heard John speak, and followed him, was Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother. He first findeth his own brother Simon, and saith unto him, We have found the Messias, which is, being interpreted, the Christ. And he brought him to Jesus. And when Jesus beheld him, he said, Thou art Simon the son of Jona: thou shalt be called Cephas, which is by interpretation, A stone.

See also Jn 4:7–26; Ac 8:30–35

To assembled groups

Acts 17:17 KJV 1900

Therefore disputed he in the synagogue with the Jews, and with the devout persons, and in the market daily with them that met with him.

See also Ac 5:42; Ac 16:13; Ac 19:8–9

Methods of witnessing

Sharing personal testimony

John 4:29 KJV 1900

Come, see a man, which told me all things that ever I did: is not this the Christ?

See also Ac 22:3–8 Paul uses the account of his conversion in witnessing.

Explaining the Scriptures

Acts 8:30–35 KJV 1900

And Philip ran thither to him, and heard him read the prophet Esaias, and said, Understandest thou what thou readest? And he said, How can I, except some man should guide me? And he desired Philip that he would come up and sit with him. The place of the scripture which he read was this, He was led as a sheep to the slaughter; and like a lamb dumb before his shearer, so opened he not his mouth: In his humiliation his judgment was taken away: and who shall declare his generation? for his life is taken from the earth. And the eunuch answered Philip, and said, I pray thee, of whom speaketh the prophet this? of himself, or of some other man? Then Philip opened his mouth, and began at the same scripture, and preached unto him Jesus.

See also Is 53:7–8; Ps 119:172; Ac 17:1–3; Ac 17:10–12

Using prophetic gifts

1 Corinthians 14:24–25 KJV 1900

But if all prophesy, and there come in one that believeth not, or one unlearned, he is convinced of all, he is judged of all: And thus are the secrets of his heart made manifest; and so falling down on his face he will worship God, and report that God is in you of a truth.

Answering questions

Colossians 4:6 KJV 1900

Let your speech be alway with grace, seasoned with salt, that ye may know how ye ought to answer every man.

See also Jn 9:8–11; Jn 9:15–17; Jn 9:24–25; 1 Pe 3:15

Through writing

John 20:31 KJV 1900

But these are written, that ye might believe that Jesus is the Christ, the Son of God; and that believing ye might have life through his name.

See also Lk 1:1–4

Through holy living

Matthew 5:16 KJV 1900

Let your light so shine before men, that they may see your good works, and glorify your Father which is in heaven.

See also 1 Pe 3:1–2

Through acts of devotion

Matthew 26:6–7 KJV 1900

Now when Jesus was in Bethany, in the house of Simon the leper, There came unto him a woman having an alabaster box of very precious ointment, and poured it on his head, as he sat at meat.

See also Lk 7:36–38; Jn 12:1–3

The manner of witnessing

With love

Mark 10:21 KJV 1900

Then Jesus beholding him loved him, and said unto him, One thing thou lackest: go thy way, sell whatsoever thou hast, and give to the poor, and thou shalt have treasure in heaven: and come, take up the cross, and follow me.

See also Php 1:15–17

With urgency

2 Corinthians 5:20 KJV 1900

Now then we are ambassadors for Christ, as though God did beseech you by us: we pray you in Christ’s stead, be ye reconciled to God.

See also Eze 33:7–9

Fearlessly

Ephesians 6:19–20 KJV 1900

And for me, that utterance may be given unto me, that I may open my mouth boldly, to make known the mystery of the gospel, For which I am an ambassador in bonds: that therein I may speak boldly, as I ought to speak.

See also Ac 4:29

Clearly and courteously

1 Peter 3:15 KJV 1900

But sanctify the Lord God in your hearts: and be ready always to give an answer to every man that asketh you a reason of the hope that is in you with meekness and fear:

See also Ac 26:1–3; Col 4:4–6