Pictures of “Witnessing”
Who Is My Neighbor? part 4

 

 

 

 

 

 

DAY 1
Acts 1:8 But you shall receive power when the Holy Spirit comes upon you and you shall be   my witnesses in Jerusalem, in Judea and Samaria

1. When you hear that you are to “witness” what NEGATIVE images come to your mind?

2. A “witness” in the court room is only required to tell what he saw and knows. As you “witness” for the Lord you are called on to share what you know and have experienced–nothing more. How does that strike you?

Read John 9:1-34
3. We read this story a few weeks ago. It highlights how “easy” witnessing can be. Write down what the blind man said in each of the following verses:
9:11–
9:15–
9:17–
9:25–
9:30-33–

4. How does his example strike you about what it means to “witness?”
a. Did he give a sermon?
b. Did he quote any verses?
c. Did he seem to be a theologian or pastor-type?
d. Record your thoughts here…

5. In your attempts to witness, what would you like to do differently?

DAY 2
Yesterday, we studied being a “witness,” simply telling what you know and have experienced. Don’t make this harder that it is. Remember the man born blind!  Today we look at a young man you might call a “bringer” or “includer.” For all you introverts, this young man can point the way ahead for you. His name is Andrew.

Read John 1:35-42

This passage is about John the Baptist and a handful of John’s disciples.

1. In verse 38, Jesus asks the men a simple question. “What is it you want?” John’s disciples miss the meaning of Jesus’ question and ask about Jesus’ plans. What Jesus was really asking was something more profound, “What is it you are seeking? What is it you really want from life?”
Could you see yourself asking individual friends and co-workers this question?

Ask God to give you opportunities to do just that!

2. In verse 39 how did Andrew and his friend spend the day?

3. After spending a day with Jesus, Andrew finds his brother. What does he say and do in:
v. 41–
v. 42–

Simon Peter meets Jesus face-to-face and his life is changed. Peter will become one of the most important leaders in the early church. Andrew’s “small” role reaped huge results.

4. Who are some people you could “bring” or “invite?”

5. Pray for them.

DAY 3

The second time we find Andrew is the feeding of the 5,000. Jesus, the disciples, and a crowd were out in the middle of nowhere and people were getting hungry. Jesus told the disciples to feed them. They were astonished! “How could we feed so many?” One of the men figured it would take 8 months’ wages to feed them all. Andrew brought a young boy to Jesus.

John 6:8-9 Another of his disciples, Andrew, Simon Peter’s brother, spoke up, [9] “Here is a boy with five small barley loaves and two small fish, but how far will they go among so many?”

1. What is Andrew’s solution to the problem?

2. What do you think was the effect on the boy with the fish and bread?

Read John 12:20-22
Andrew appears a third time. A group of men want to see Jesus, but are blocked by the disciples.

3. What is Andrew’s role in helping these men meet Jesus?

4. What strikes you about Andrew’s “methods?”
* Includer?
* Bringer?
* Inviter?

5. How could you put one of them into practice this week?

DAY 4

Read Acts 9:36-42

We meet a woman who was a disciple of Jesus’. Her Aramaic name was Tabitha. Her Greek name was Dorcas.
1. What does v. 36 indicate about Dorcas?

2. What do you think her reputation was?

3. This quiet woman’s reputation must have been great. What happened after her death in v. 38?

4. What had been the impact of this woman’s service to the Lord and to people? (v. 39)

5. How does Dorcas’ life encourage you to engage with people?

6. Is there service you can do for the people God’s put around you?

DAY 5

Over the last few weeks we’ve attempted to shatter the LIE of Satan that “witnessing” is something “I could never do.” Witnessing doesn’t mean you have to be a “Jesus Freak,” rude, over-bearing or shove truth down someone’s throat.
Images of witnessing include playing a role in the lives of lost people, sometimes of “mother,” sometimes “father,” “bringer,” “includer,” “inviter,” and server.

Today is our final witnessing image.

Matthew 4:19 “Follow Me,” Jesus said, “and I will make you fishers of men.”

1. When Jesus gave a vision to this disciples about outreach he used the fishing image. What things do you know about fishing?

2. Law #1 of fishing: YOU cannot make the fish take bait. The same is true of fishing for people. How does that strike you? Does it take the pressure off your witnessing? How?

You can put bait on a hook. You can drop your line in the water. You can put in your time. But, in the final analysis, the fish must decide he likes the bait.

Read 1 Corinthians 3:5-9

Paul returns to a farming image.

3. What were each of the roles played by the following?
v. 5–Apollos and Paul–

v. 6–Paul–

v. 6–Apollos–

v. 6–God–

4. Is the pressure on you? Read v. 7. On whom is the pressure to create growth from seed?

5. How does Paul sum up our roles in vv. 8-9?

6. What is the biggest thing you take away from this week’s devotions?