Memory Verse: “For I am not ashamed of this Good News about Christ. It is the power of God at work, saving everyone who believes—the Jew first and also the Gentile – Romans 1:16 (NLT)
Spiritual Emphasis: Witnessing to others can feel terrifying. What if I say something and make myself look foolish? Will I have the answer to all the questions people may ask me? Is there a right way to witness? What if they reject me? These are common questions. The good news is that you don’t have to have all the answers or be a pastor or a church leader to share your faith. Witnessing is for every Christian. We have the Holy Spirit living in the inside of every Christian, so sharing your faith is possible, He will help and strengthen you.
Text: Mark 6:7-13
Why we struggle with witnessing
- Fear of man and rejection: We often prioritize being liked over being faithful to Christ – Prov. 29:25; Acts 6:29.
- Lack of preparation/confidence: A lack of knowledge or inability to articulate our faith causes hesitation – 1 Peter 3:15-16; 2 Tim. 4:2.
- Shame or fear of inadequacy: We may feel unprepared or uneducated leading to timidity and shame – Romans 1:16
- Failure to trust in God’s power: Doubting that the Gospel is the power of God for salvation, rather than our persuasive skills – Rom. 1:16; Prov. 3:5-6; Phil. 4:13; Luke 12:12.
- Spiritual complacency/lack of love: Lack of love for lost souls keeps us silent – Rev. 3:15-16; Acts. 17:16-17.
How to overcome struggling with witnessing
- Depend on the Holy Spirit: Prayer for boldness helps overcome intimidation – Acts 1:8; Eph. 6:19-20.
- Prepare your testimony: Knowing scriptures enables confident sharing – 1 Peter 3:15.
- Reframe rejection as services: Remember when people reject the message, they are rejecting God, not you. Our job is faithfulness, not results – Luke 10:16; 1 Cor. 3:6.
- Remember your identity: As ambassadors for Christ, we represent a King, which gives us authority and security – 2 Cor.5:20.
- Walk in obedience: Living a consistent, obedient life makes our witness credible – Matt. 5:16
- Focus on love: Take interest in their needs first. We lead with loving people before telling them about Jesus – John 4: 5-30.
Questions: How can we apply Jesus’s method in John 4 to how we begin to witness going forward?
Conclusion: If we are not walking with Christ, we will not be able to witness for Christ effectively. Live a consistent, Chistian life, study the Scripture daily, depend on the Holy Spirit, then your light will shine before men.
Shalom! Self-Study: John 3:16; Exo. 4:10; John 16:8; Luke 6:22; John 3:8; Matt. 28:20; 2 Tim. 3:16-17; Matt. John 3 and 4; Matt. 10:1; Luke 10:1.
Leave a Reply