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Chapter One
"Every heart without Christ, a mission field.
Every heart with Christ, a missionary."
—Dick Hillis
WHOSE RESPONSIBILITY?
For what has God chosen us? (John 15:16)
What is to be our message—and to whom are we to proclaim it? (Mark 16:15)
What has God committed to us as Christians, and as a result what are we? (II Cor. 5:19, 20)
Considering verse 20, do you think we should ask or encourage a person to trust Christ?
From I Corinthians 15:3, 4, summarize the Gospel in your own words.
HOW TO PREPARE
What is the best preparation for winning men to Christ? (Matt. 4:19)
What kind of life reveals Christ and attracts men to Him? (Phil. 2:14-16)
What did Paul do about his desire for his countrymen to be saved? (Rom. 10:1)
From the following verses indicate what we can request for those without Christ.
Luke 24:45
John 16:8, 9
John 6:44
I Tim. 2:1, 3, 4
How can we prepare ourselves to speak for Christ?
I Pet. 3:15
II Tim. 2:15
MAKING CONTACT
In Matthew 9:10-12
Among what kinds of people did Jesus take His disciples to witness?
What was one method Jesus used to make contact with those in need?
What did Jesus pray concerning our relationship to the world? (John 17:15) (Select correct answer.)
Where did Paul meet people to present Christ to them? (Acts 17:17; 20:20)
Review your chapter in Book 2 for other verses on witnessing and for suggestions on using your testimony to present Christ. Reviewing or rewriting your testimony and praying for an opportunity will help you share it.
USE THE WORD
What can God's Word do? (Heb. 4:12)
"There is no word so piercing, no witness so authoritative as a well-chosen Scripture driven home by the Spirit."
What is God's promise if we use His Word to witness as He directs? (Isa. 55:11)
How did Paul use the Scriptures in witnessing? (Acts 17:2, 3)
With what types of people did he use the Word? (Acts 26:22)
Carry a small New Testament with you, and when witnessing, let the other person read the verses for himself if possible. This is a powerful way to present Christ, and also builds confidence in the Word of God. "The Scriptures are the comprehensive equipment for the man of God, and fit him fully for all branches of His work" (II Timothy 3:17).*
PRESENT CHRIST
What was the subject of Paul's witness?
I Cor. 1:23, 24
Eph. 3:8
Why is it important that we present Jesus Christ to men who are lost?
John 14:6
Acts 4:12
Be ready to speak of Christ in any situation. Know the essentials of the Gospel. Plan and practice how to explain about Christ in a clear and interesting way. Then pray and look for opportunities.
*J. B. Phillips, The New Testament in Modern English, The Macmillan Co.
What four points does John 3:16 bring out in summarizing the Gospel?
In presenting Christ what are some other essentials of our message? (Summarize briefly.)
Rom. 3:23
Rom. 6:23
I Pet. 2:24
Eph. 2:8, 9
Rev. 3:20
I John 5:11-13
After explaining the Gospel, the key in helping a person open his heart to Christ is often a question such as, "Would you like to receive Jesus Christ as your Saviour now?" If he would, ask him to pray and invite Jesus to come into his life as Saviour and Lord.
The last two questions of Book 1 give a useful pattern in helping a person make a decision for Christ. The rest of that chapter, "Eternal Life in Christ," also has further Scripture on salvation.
What did Paul emphasize in telling people how to be saved? (Acts 16:31)
Who receives God's forgiveness? (Acts 10:43)
After clearly explaining the Gospel, it's good to use an "action" verse—to show a person his part in responding to Christ's offer and the Holy Spirit's prompting. Which one of the following action verses do you like best, and why?
Rev. 3:20 John 5:24 John 1:12 John 3:16
HANDLING OBJECTIONS
Conviction of sin and the desire to receive Jesus Christ come from God alone. But He gives us the privilege of cooperating with Him in helping another come to faith in Christ.
The person to whom you present Jesus Christ may have reasons for not receiving Him. It's important to be familiar with some of the more common reasons and their answers. Courteously pointing out the answer to the problem will sometimes help him face the real issue—his need of Jesus Christ. Keep Christ and His forgiveness the center of the discussion. Don't let Satan sidetrack you into spending much time on less important questions.
What should we use in handling questions or objections? (Titus 1:9)
Following are the most frequent problems or excuses—with scriptural answers. (Write correct reference after each statement.)
II Cor. 6:2b | John 7:17
Rom. 3:23 | John 14:6
Eph. 2:8, 9 | Heb. 9:27
Mark 2:17 | Mark 8:36, 37
"If a person is doing the best he can, God will accept him. Sincerity is what counts."
"Surely there's more than just one way. I think all religions lead to heaven."
"There's too much to give up."
"I'll probably become a Christian some day."
"There are so many things in the Bible I can't understand," or "I must wait until I understand more."
"I'm not really such a bad person."
"Maybe we'll get another chance after we die."
"I'm too sinful to be saved. God wouldn't accept me."
LEARN FROM PHILIP
An excellent example of individual witnessing is Philip to the Ethiopian treasurer in Acts 8:26-35.
What attitude toward God's leading did Philip's quick response show?
What evidence do you see of the way God often prepares circumstances when He wants us to present the Gospel to a person?
What did Philip discuss with the eunuch and on what did he base his message?
What were three essentials in Philip's witnessing? (verse 35)
"There can be no mistake so bad … as the greatest mistake of saying nothing for Christ."
—Henry Clay Trumbull
Your witnessing chapter in Book 2 covers other helps and principles.
List the names of three or four people you want to witness to. Pray about these people regularly for a few days. Then plan to contact one of them personally or by mail and share your testimony and present Christ. Record the results.
"While in high school I was in the Bible club and trying to win people to Christ. I really wanted to serve the Lord, but I had sin in my life and Satan was getting me discouraged. At the beginning of my last semester in high school I met a Christian who took a personal interest in me and encouraged me to read the Word and pray consistently, and to begin memorizing the Word to use as a tool for victory over sin … God has honored His Word and three have come to know Christ in the last year."
—Teed Radin