ACTIVITY #13 – “The Importance Of
Witnessing & Invitation”
(This activity has three parts. First, read the printed section in Part 1 and then answer the “Questions to Think About.” Part 2 is a “Bible search.” In this section you will be encouraged to use your Bible and other resources to find what the Bible says about witnessing and invitation. And, in Part 3, you will find an article entitled “The Elements of Witnessing.” We encourage you to read this article and then think about possible ways that you could use these suggestions to become even more involved in witnessing to your friends and in inviting others to come to your Sunday school and church.)
PART 1 – “The Importance of Active Involvement”
People learn best by doing. Jesus, the Master Teacher, was very aware of this. Look at how he taught his disciples. Throughout his ministry he used lectures, parables, object lessons, questions, and more. But, perhaps his most effective lessons were taught through the actual experiences that his followers saw and were a part of. For example, when the disciples were out in the boat on the lake and Jesus came walking out to them on the water (Matthew 14:22-32). Peter called out, “Lord, if it’s really you, let me walk out to you.” To which Jesus says, “Sure, come on out!” Peter gets out of the boat and takes a few steps on the water, and then he starts to get afraid and takes his eyes off Jesus. What happens? He takes a bath! Do you think Peter learned something from this experience? He sure did! And, so did the other disciples.
Reading the Bible is important. Learning the lessons of church and Sunday school is important. Reading Christian books and watching Christian videos is also important. But, what are your students going to do with all of this information? As “The Great Commission” (Matthew 28: 19 & 20) reminds us, we are to “go!” We are to get out of the church and out into the world where we can put the lessons of the Bible and the classroom into action.
What pilot has ever learned to fly by only reading books or attending workshops? To learn to fly an airplane, yes, the pilot had to read, study and learn a lot, but they also had to get behind the controls and learn to fly a plane by actually doing it. In a similar way, it is very important for every Christian to learn how to put the lessons of the classroom into day-to-day practice. The best way to learn these lessons is to follow Jesus’ example – learn by doing!
Questions To Think About:
1. Look closer at how Jesus taught. Make a list of at least three examples from the Bible of WHO Jesus taught, WHAT Jesus taught and HOW Jesus taught.
2. Why do you think people learn more from actual experiences than they do from just hearing or reading about something?
3. Someone has said that “God delights in using ordinary people to do extraordinary things.” What does this statement mean? How have you seen evidence of this statement in your church or in your own life?
PART 2 – “What Do The Scriptures Say?”
Use your Bible, a concordance, cyclopedic index and other resource books (such as “Where To Find It In The Bible” by Ken Anderson; Nelson, 1996) to help find at least one scripture that relates to each of the following statements:
a. Everyone has sinned.
b. The only way for a person to be saved from their sins is to accept Jesus Christ as
personal Lord and Savior.
c. Persons who do not accept Jesus Christ will not receive God’s gift of eternal life.
d. A person cannot be saved by doing good works and following a set of laws.
e. God loves you so much that He was willing to send His Son into this world to die for
you.
f. You cannot make a faith decision for someone else; that is their responsibility.
g. Every Christian has the responsibility to tell others about the great gift that they have
received in Jesus Christ.
PART 3 – “The Elements Of Witnessing”
Listed below are some of the basic principles of personal, friendship evangelism. Read and study this list carefully. Then write a short paragraph about how you – as an individual and as a Sunday school or Sunday school class – can put these ideas into practice as you witness to others about Jesus Christ and as you invite them to join you in Sunday school.
- Be a friend.
- Look for opportunities to introduce Jesus into your normal conversations.
- Don’t use Christian language. You might know what words like “grace” and
“salvation” mean, but will your non-Christian friends?
- Take the initiative to bridge the gulf with unchurched culture and people. Meet them
where they are.
- Listen.
- Share your own experiences about your faith, how God has helped you during your life
and how you came to realize your need for Him.
- Confront lies and false beliefs, but do not appear judgmental and intolerant.
- Share the gospel message of salvation. It’s as simple as “a-b-c.”
a. Admit that you are a sinner.
b. Believe that Christ can save you.
c. Confess that Christ is the Lord of your life.
- Show them the Bible. Memorize scripture passages that you can share.
- Be ready to offer practical help and suggestions, not just “churchie” words.
- Lead in a simple prayer of salvation.
- Allow the person time to listen and think. Not all people will make an instant decision.
- Keep all conversations confidential.
- Pray for opportunities to witness and for the friends with whom you have shared your
faith and an invitation to Sunday school.
- How can you get started?
- Make a list of unbelievers that you know.
- Pray for each of these persons daily.
- Make a special effort to become closer friends with each of these persons.
- Look for opportunities to witness to each of these persons and others that you meet each day.
AND REMEMBER, DON'T GIVE UP! Continue to pray for each of your prospects and look for every opportunity to share a witness or an invitation with them. Many times it will take more than one invitation before a person actually responds.
QUESTION TO THINK ABOUT: What will you do with this information? Who might you invite or witness to? What will you invite them to? What will you actually do? Think about it!
