The Word of God is very clear concerning the Christian's witness for Christ. How you were saved is your testimony to a lost and sinful world. Salvation is offered to all only by grace through faith, but God gives each of us our own story or testimony to share with other people. Remember how you were saved? When was the last time you shared your story with others? Been a while? Why? Let's learn what the Bible says about witnessing.

 08.01 What is Christ's Great Commission to His followers concerning the world?
        (a)  Matthew 28:18-20 Teach (make disciples) and baptize.
        (b) Mark 16:15 Preach the Gospel.
        (c) Luke 24:46-48 Preach and witness.
        (d) John 17:18-21Go and tell - missionaries - you are a missionary in your hometown.

08.02 In Acts 1:8, where did God say that Christians should be a witness?
        "Ye shall be witnesses unto me
        in  (Fill in the name of your city) ________________________            
        in (Fill in the name of your state)________________________
        in (Fill in the name of your country) _____________________
        and unto the uttermost part of the earth."

       Pastor's Note:
               Your mission begins at church.
               Your mission field is your hometown.
               Your mission work begins when you leave church each service.
               Your mission is to do the will of the Father:
                         Tell your story daily.
                         Tell your story to everyone.
                         Tell your story to listeners.
                         Tell your story to non-listeners.

        Remember: God will bring across your path each day a soul to witness to. What a joy it is to see someone
        accept Christ as their Saviour! That joy can be yours! Your mission: Tell how you were saved. Or just . . . 
        invite them to your church and let God speak to them!

08.03 What is God's eventual purpose for all the earth?
        Habakkuk 2:14 The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.
        Isaiah 11:9        The earth shall be filled with the knowledge of the glory of the Lord.

08.04 What are some evidences of the world's condition today?
        (a) II Timothy 3:1-5 Separation verses.
       (b) II Timothy 3:7 Learning but never able to come to the knowledge of truth. John 17:17 Thy Word is truth.
       (c) Romans 3:14-18 Mouth is full of cursing and bitterness. Blood shed, destruction and misery. Do not
            know the way of peace. No fear of God before their eyes.

08.05 What awaits all who do not accept Christ's salvation? Rev.20:12,15
          Judgment. The Lake of Fire. Note: The Lake of Fire is not Hell.

08.06 What is God's attitude toward the world in spite of all its sin and rebellion?
          John 3:16  God loved the world and gave His only begotten Son.
          Romans 5:8 God commendeth (showed) His love toward us . . .
                             while we were yet sinners Christ died for us.

08.07 Because of this, what did Jesus do?
        (a) II Cor. 5:15 He died for all.
        (b) I Tim. 2:5-6 He gave Himself.

08.08 What is Christ's ministry, and to whom?
        (a) I John 4:14 Saviour of the world.
        (b) I John 2:2 Propitiation (full atonement) (full payment) for the sins of the world.
        (c) John 1:29 Lamb of God - which taketh away the sin of the world.
        (d) John 8:12 Light of the wprld.

08.09 In Peter's sermon in Acts 3, of what promise did he remind his hearers? Acts 3:25 (See Gen. 12:1-3)
          Thy seed in all the earth shall be blessed.

08.10 Through whom is the promise fulfilled? Gal. 3:16 Christ.

08.11 Did this promise include any besides the Jewish nation?
        If so, who?
                (a) Gal. 3:8 In thee shall all nations be blessed.
                (b) Gal. 3:9 So then they which be of faith are blessed.
                (c) Gal. 3:29 If ye be Christ's, then are ye Abraham's seed.

08.12 God's desire for all mankind without Christ is:
        (a) II Peter 3:9 Not perish - But repent.
        (b) Acts 26:20 Repent - Turn to God - Do works befitting repentance. 

          Christ's last command to His disciples was to reach the world with the Gospel. In the following statements
          of the Great Commission:

08.13 What is the goal? Mark 16:15 Preach the Gospel to every creature.

08.14 What is to be our procedure in reaching the goal? Acts 1:8 Start at home and work out.

08.15 How are we to achieve the goal? Matt. 28:19-20? Go and teach (disciple).

08.16 What kind of person does God want for such a task? II Chronicles 16:9
          Whose heart is perfect toward Him.

08.17 In the light of the world's need and God's commission to us, what should we do?
        (a) Romans 12:1 Give ourselves to God's service.
        (b) Romans 12:2 Be not conformed to this world - Be trans formed.
        (c) Hebrews 12:1-2 Lay aside sin - Run with patience the race that is before us - Looking unto Jesus.

08.18 As Jesus looked on the need, what did He ask His disciples to pray?
        Matt. 9:36-38 Lord of the harvest - Would send forth labourers into his harvest.

08.19 In Romans 1:16, what is our message to be? The Gospel of Christ.
        And, what has this message the power to do? Save everyone who believeth.

08.20 When persecution broke out against the young church, Acts 8:1,4:
        (a) Who were the ones scattered? All Believers.
        (b) Who remained in Jerusalem? The Apostles.
        (c) What did those who were scattered do? They gave the Gospel of Christ.

08.21 What was the result of the lives and the witness of the ordinary church members?
        (a) In Thesalonica? I Thessalonians 1:8 Their witness was felt throughout the land.
        (b) In Rome? Romans 1:8 Throughout the whole world (Roman world at that time).

08.22 What was Paul's greatest desire? Romans 15:20-21 To take the gospel to all.

08.23 When should we begin to see and reach the world?
        John 4:35 NOW - The fields are already to harvest.

08.24 What else can we do to share in the world-wide harvest?
        (a) II Thessalonians 3:1-2 Pray - Give the gospel - for all men have not faith.
        (b) Phil. 4:15-17 Give extra money gifts.
        (c) Matt. 28:20 Teach others.
        (d) II Tim. 2:2 Train others.

Read II Corinthians, Chapters 8 and 9.

08.25 What did Samuel say when the Lord called him?
        I Sam. 3:9-10? Speak; for thy servant heareth.

08.26 The Lord has called us His ambassadors to the world. II Cor. 5:20
          What should our response be? Isaiah 6:9 Go and tell. We are ambassadors for Christ.

08.27 What was the first thing Andrew did after he met Jesus?
        John 1:40-42 Went and told and he brought him to Jesus.

08.28 In Mark 5:19, after Jesus had healed a man:
        (a) Where did he tell him to go? Go home to thy friends. (Own town).
        (b) What did he tell him to do? Tell them how great things the Lord hath done for thee. SALVATION.

08.29 What did Peter say about speaking of Jesus Christ? 
          Acts 4:20 We cannot but speak the things we have seen and heard.

08.30 What was Paul to tell the people?
        Acts 22:15  For thou shalt be His witness unto all men of what thou hast seen and heard.

A witness in a courtroom is expected to tell what he knows about a given situation. The Christian witness is
to tell others what he knows about Jesus Christ and what it means to have personally trusted in Him as his
Saviour.

08.31 Of what did Paul say he was not ashamed? Ro. 1:16 The Gospel of Christ.

08.32 Why was he not ashamed? Ro. 1:16 For it is the power of salvation.

08.33 In Luke 24:46-48:
        (a) What prophecies had just been fulfilled? Christ to suffer and to rise the third day.
        (b) What messages were the disciples to proclaim?            
              Repentance and remission of sins should be preached.
        (c) Whom were they to tell? All nations.
        (d) Who is to tell? We are. Ye are witnesses of these things.

08.34 Since we are God's children, living in a warped and wicked age, Phil. 2:15:
        (a) What kind of lives should we live? Blameless, harmless, the Sons of God, without rebuke.
        (b) What can be the result? Ye shine as lights in the world.

08.35 According to Matthew 5:16:
        (a) What do people notice that makes a Christian's life shine? Our good works.
        (b) What can be the result? They may glorify your father which is in heaven.

                                          THE GOSPEL ACCORDING TO YOU
                                       You are writing a Gospel, a chapter each day,
                                  By the deeds that you do and the words that you say.
                                       Men read what you write . . . distorted or true;
                                              What is the Gospel according to you?                 
                                                                               Selected

08.36 Who are the ones who should openly speak of their salvation?
        Psalm 107:2 Let the redeemed of the LORD say so.

08.37 The blind man whom Jesus healed had little or no theological training, but he could give a simple and
          effective testimony. What two facts did he relate? John 9:25
        (Fact 1) I was blind. Pastor's Note: We can be spiritual blind to the things of God.
        (Fact 2) Now I see.

08.38 For what should we always be prepared? I Peter 3:15
        To give an answer to every man that ask you a reason of hope that is in you.


Read Acts 26:1-29

08.39 Underline the correct answer of how Paul started his testimony. Acts 26:2-3
        (a) By "telling off" his listeners.
        (b) By apologizing for speaking of Christ to them.
        (c) With a polite approach.

08.40 In spite of an exceptionally religious background (26:4-5), what had been his attitude toward Christians?
        Acts 26:9-11 A contrary heart.  Pastor's Note: Paul did the Four "Ps": (1) Put them in prison, (2) Put them
        to death, (3) Punished them, and (4) Persecuted them.

08.41 What reversed the direction of Paul's life? Acts 26:12-15 
          Jesus Christ. Pastor's Note: He can do the same thing for you.

08.42 FILL IN THE BLANKS Acts 26:23
        He explained the Gospel, that Christ must suffer and die and then, be the first to rise from the death. 

08.43 What is the Gospel? Write out and memorize I Corinthians 15:3-4.
          (1) Christ died for our sins according to the scriptures.
          (2) He was buried (according to the scriptures)
          (3) He rose again the third day according to the scriptures.

08.44 He asked King Agrippa if he believest thou the prophets. Acts 26:27

08.45 CIRCLE THE CORRECT ANSWER Acts 26:29
        Paul said he wanted everyone who heard him to become as he was
        (a) a prisoner     (b) a believer

08.46 Look over Acts 26:1-23 again and observe the natural outline of Paul's testimony.
          List the verses that apply to each part.
        (a) His approach Verses 1-3
        (b) His background Verses 4-11
        (c) His meeting with Christ and the results Verses 12-19
        (d) The Gospel Verses 20-29

Now that you've seen how Paul gave his testimony, how would you give yours? Giving your testimony is one of your
best ways of witnessing. It's particularly helpful in presenting Jesus Christ to relatives and close friends . . . usually
the most difficult to witness to, because they know you.

08.47. What should you avoid and why? II Timothy 2:23
           Foolish and unlearned questions avoid knowing that they do gender strives.

08.48 In II Timothy 2:24-26
        (a) What should the Lord's servant do? Must not strive. But in meekness instructing those that oppose themselves.
        (b) What should he be? Gentle unto all men, apt to teach, and patient.

FOUR THINGS ABOUT A TESTIMONY:

        (1) Make it personal . . . don't preach. Tell what Christ has done for you. Use "I", "me", not "you."
        (2) Make it short. Three or four minutes. Cover essential facts.
        (3) Keep Christ central. Highlight what Christ has done for you.
        (4) Use the Word of God. Scripture adds power to your testimony.

08.49 Write out your testimony . . . the way you would tell it to an unbeliever.
          Testimony of Ralph H. Flynn, Pastor:
          I was saved on May 5, 1965, in my living room in Columbus, Ohio. I was raised a Methodist until
          I was 28 years old. Susan, my wife, and I were invited to attend Calvary Bible Church. It was different
          than the Methodist where we had been going. Everyone had Bibles, but us. The Word of God, not the word
          of man, was preached. On May 5, 1965, Pastor William Ashbrook came to visit us at our home. He asked
          me if I was saved. If one could be saved by good works - I would have been saved. But good works never
         did, nor never will save anyone. Pastor Ashbrook said, "Salvation is simple as ABC."
                         A. All have sinned and come short of the glory of God (Romans 3:23).
                         B. Behold the lamb of God which taketh away the sin of the world (John 1:29).
                        C. Come unto me, all ye that labour and are heavy laden, and I will give you rest (Matthew 11:28).
         I knew the A and B, but on May 5, 1965, I obeyed the letter C and trusted Christ, by faith alone, to be
         my Saviour and He has never failed me. 

08.50 What should we ask for as we pray for witnessing opportunities?  Acts 4:29
          Boldness to speak the Word.

08.51 According to Romans 3:10, we are not what? Righteous. 

08.52 Does this include everyone? Yes 

08.53 What two reasons are given to show that we are not righteous. Romans 3:11
                (Reason 1) There is none that understandeth.
                (Reason 2) There is none that seeketh after God.

08.54 According to Romans 3:23, what have we done? We have all sinned. No one is omitted.
        And what is the result of what we have done? Death, both physical and spiritual.

08.55 The reason we are sinners and have come short of God's standard of living for our life is explained in
          Romans 5:12. The one man in this verse is Adam. (Read Gen. 2:17, 3:1-24) He brought sin upon the
          human race, and as a result, what other penalty? Death.

08.56 According to Romans 6:23, has the penalty changed? No.

08.57 In Romans 6:23, if the wages of our sinful life is eternal separation from God, what statement in that verse
          teaches us that God cares? But the gift of God is eternal life.

08.58 What word in Ro. 6:23 denotes that we cannot work for salvation? Gift.
          Pastor's Note: A gift requires two things - A giver and a receiver. I'm sure you have both given
          and received gifts. Until the receiver receives the item from the giver, it is not a gift. God has a gift
          for you. That gift is salvation. Have you received it? If not, then you do not have salvation. You are
          lost and hell bound. But be of good cheer. The gift is still being offered to you.
                        For the Son of man is come to seek and to save that which was lost (Luke 19:10).
         My friend, receive the gift of salvation today. It's free. It's a gift from God, the giver. Ask God to forgive
         you of your sins. Ask Christ to be you Saviour. Attend a Bible Church where you can grow in His Word.

08.59 It is hard to understand why God would want to give us the gift of eternal life when we don't seek after
          Him or understand His Word. The reason God gave us this gift is found in Romans 5:8.
          What is it? His love toward us.

08.60 Romans 5:8 teaches us that God loves us. But what else did He do? He send His Son to die for us.

08.61 In what condition were we when He did this? We were sinners.

Now, if we are all sinners, separated from God right now by our sins, and we were to die in that condition, we
would be separated from God for an eternity in Hell. But, God saw our condition and knew that we
couldn't save ourselves; He gave us the gift of eternal life. Because He loved us, Christ died for us, paying our sin
penalty for us. We need to ask the question:

If it is a gift, how do we accept it?

Read Romans 10:9-10, 13 and answer the next six questions:

08.62  What two parts of the human body are used in Ro. 10:9, and what are they to do?
           Our mouth and our heart.

08.63 Does Romans 10:9 say that we
        (a) might be saved?     
        (b) could be saved?     
        (c) hoped to be saved?
        (d) wouldn't know until we got there?
        (e) would be saved?

08.64 Confession is not just confessing a particular sin, but that we are a sinner. Ro.3:23.
        This is the reason we commit particular sins.
        Pastor's Note: Committing sins does not make us a sinner. We commit sins because we are a sinner.

08.65 According to Romans 10:10, we believe unto righteousness and confess unto salvation .

08.66 According to Ro. 10:13, who can call on the name of the Lord? Whosoever. (Means your name).

08.67 What will happen to ALL who call? They shall be saved.
          Pastor's Note: Both "call" and "come" start with the letter C. See question 08.49.

CONCLUSION:
One of the most exciting things that will ever happen to you outside of your own salvation is witnessing to another and watching them put their faith and trust in Jesus Christ. Remember: God did not save us just to take us to heaven. We are redeemed to have fellowship with our Lord, and through that fellowship witness to others of what God has done in our own personal life.

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